Director’s Cut
Director’s Cut Like the mayors of a city, cruise directors are more than just the face of the ship. By Douglas Kurt Aboard a cruise ship are many hallways and doors unknown to guests. Those with “Crew Only” blazoned on them speak of mysteries that await. In this issue, we speak with s
Aranui 3: Tahitian Delivery
Tahitian Delivery In the wake of Gauguin, Melville, and Stevenson, Aranui 3 plies the remote Marquesas in the most unique of ways. By Clark Norton It’s a day of celebration on the island of Ua Pou, one of six inhabited islands in the Marquesas archipelago of French Polynesia, among the mo
Miami’s Wynwood Walls
Miami’s Wynwood Walls Where street art climbs to a whole new level By Richard Varr If these walls could talk… but they do. In this winding maze of street art, bold patterns and colors scream with passion and fantasy, with raw emotion and imagination. I see luminescent cityscapes, quirky f
Cruise Wisdom: Socializing At Sea
Cruise Wisdom: Socializing At Sea By Cindy O’Neil Q: My husband and I are getting ready to sail on our first cruise in a few months. We are concerned about meeting people and making friends once we get on board. Can you share some secrets to finding other passengers to hang around with? – J
Tere Moana: Small in Size — Big on Luxury
Cruise Ship Review Tere Moana: Small in Size — Big on Luxury With its incredible upgrades and more intimate itineraries, this newest Paul Gauguin star is sure to make a splash … albeit with less wake. By Judi Cuervo I’ve always been intrigued by Paul Gauguin Cruises, a small, wildly successful
Celebrity Making Cruising More Private for Suite Guests
Celebrity Cruises announced plans for a luxury, ship-within-a-ship concept – meaning suite guests won’t have to mingle with other guests – if they don’t want to. This notion was first introduced by Norwegian Cruise Line with its The Haven and then MSC Cruises’ The Yacht Club on
“Chopped” and Delicious on Norwegian Getaway
Fans of Food Network’s Chopped know New York chef/restaurateur Geoffrey Zakarian as the smart judge with white hair who opines on creations by the show’s competing professional chefs. Some lucky cruisers on the new 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway‘s inaugural Caribbean cruise
Royal Caribbean Goes Even-Higher-Tech with Virtual Balconies
Passengers in inside staterooms aboard Navigator of the Seas cruising from Galveston, Texas, have something new to crow about – virtual balcony views courtesy of high-tech wizardry. On the recently revamped ship, the first of five Voyager-class ships scheduled for rehab, Royal Caribbean Internat
Norwegian Getaway in Miami
Yes, that’s a giant mermaid brightening the Miami waterfront. Fresh from a starring role at the Super Bowl (as a floating Bud Light hotel), Norwegian Getaway has arrived at PortMiami, mermaid design – created by Miami artist LEBO– and all. A flashy debut for the Miami-centric ship –
Top Chef at Sea
I am an unabashed fan of Bravo TV’s Top Chef – so much so that I once more or less stalked show judge (and noted chef) Tom Colicchio at a casino opening. So I think Celebrity Cruises is really smart for its new partnership “Top Chef at Sea.” You’ll remember last year Ce
New French Ship Le Lyrial to Debut Larger Suites
Oo, la, la! Fast-growing French cruise line Compagnie Du Ponant has revealed some details about its newest ship, the fourth in its Boreal class. The ship will be named Le Lyrial, in tribute to the Lyra constellation. Bragging rights will include roomier suites than on its sister ships. Set to de
Carnival Ships on the Move
Much to the delight of local officials, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced a return of its ships to Baltimore, Maryland, and Norfolk, Virginia, in 2015. The line had earlier said it would drop the ports, due in part to increased costs of operating under new federal emissions standards. Carnival
Book Now and Save
A Norwegian Deal Norwegian’s “Spectacular Bonus Days” promotion, now through February 12, brings upgrades and other savings on Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Breakaway, and Norwegian Epic. Norwegian Getaway officially debuts next month on year-round cruises from Miami, but this w
What’s New in Luxury Travel: Free Wi-Fi, Bigger Ships
As top luxury lines make tweaks and plan for the future, some interesting trends are emerging. Free Wi-Fi All-inclusive line Crystal Cruises recently announced that members of its Crystal Society (repeat guests) would get the perk of 60 minutes of complimentary Wi-Fi each day of their cruise, begi
Carnival Launches Name-Brand Concerts – For a Fee
Jennifer Hudson, Lady Antebellum, Daughtry, and even such classic rock groups as Foreigner and Chicago, will soon be performing live on Carnival Cruise Lines ships, as part of a first-of-its-kind shipboard concert series. For a fee, passengers will be able to see the popular acts perform in the
That’s Entertainment! Aboard MSC Divina
Entertainment Aboard MSC Divina from MSC CRUISES on Vimeo. This week I’m cruising aboard MSC Divina, the newest ship to sail year-round cruises out of Miami. The big attraction of the 3,600-passenger, 1-year-old MSC Divina is that it’s not your typical American-style cruise ship. It
Star Pride to Debut with ‘Stem-to-Stern’ Design Changes
One of the most anticipated ship redos this year is the transformation of Seabourn Pride into Windstar Cruises’ Star Pride. Operator of three upscale sailing ships, Windstar bought the 212-passenger motorized yacht, along with sister ships Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend, last year.
2014 Brings New Ships, Exotic Destinations, says CLIA
The 2014 State of the Cruise Industry forecast from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) predicts a good year for cruising, of course, but there are some also some juicy tidbits in the report. CLIA’s 63 member lines are expecting 21.7 million passengers this year. That’s up
Carnival Shores Up Shore Ex with Guarantee
Looking to increase shore excursion bookings (particularly by first-time cruisers) – and to compete with third-party operators who sell tours at ports – Carnival Cruise Lines has launched an industry-first shore excursion best-price guarantee. It works this way: If you book a shore excursion t
Norwegian Epic Heading to Europe Full-Time
With a bunch of innovative features including a complex of cabins for solo travelers and Blue Man Group performing on board, Norwegian Epic made a big splash when it debuted in 2010. Spending the summers in Europe and winters in Miami, the innovative, 4,100-passenger Freestyle ship has since re