Cruise News – May 16, 2014
Cruise News – May 16, 2014 New Viking Ocean Ships Viking Ocean Cruises hasn’t even launched its first ship yet, but is already tripling its fleet. The ocean-going arm of Viking River Cruises has ordered two sister ships to Viking Star, which is set to debut in May 2015. Viking Sea and Vi
Weekly Cruise News – May 9, 2014
Weekly Cruise News – May 9, 2014 A Regal Birthday in Southampton Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 was welcomed by her sisters to a 10th-birthday celebration in Southampton. Festivities kicked off at sunrise today with the song “Happy Birthday” played on the whistles of Queen Victoria and Queen Eli
Five Faves: Belly Up!
Cheers to these five favorite onboard spots to grab a drink. There’s no denying that the themed bars, chic lounges, and bustling nightclubs found on today’s cruise ships rival any on land. The options are endless for cruisers seeking unique spots to enjoy their favorite drinks. So far, here are
Quantum of the Seas Moving to China
In a move that came as a shock to many, Royal Caribbean announced this week that after an initial season in the New York market the line would send its newest (and presumably greatest) ship, the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas, to China – permanently. The ship, which debuts in November, has
Royal Caribbean goes with “Dynamic Dining” for Quantum-class ships
In a bold move, Royal Caribbean International is shaking up the dining scene on its Quantum-class ships, eliminating main dining rooms and shipwide formal nights in favor of what the line is calling “Dynamic Dining.” Passengers on Quantum of the Seas (debuting in November) and sister
Trend Alert: Kids Cruise Free
Just in time for spring break, you’ll find cruise lines going after the family market big time. The major enticement? Kids cruise free! Cruise Deals Where Kids Cruise for Free Bring the kids along on a Royal Caribbean International cruise departing between May 1 and December 15, 2014, and they can
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 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
Look for a Wave of Deals
As cruise lines look to kick-start the new year by getting plenty of reservations on the books, the “Wave Season” deals are rolling in. Look for opportunities to save on cruise fares booked between January and March, the largest booking period for cruises, thanks to the annual sales event. The o
2014 Cruise Trends
As cruise executives let their creative juices flow in terms of finding ways to enhance their product, it brings impressive new cruise ships and a number of innovations. Here are our predictions on what 2014 will bring. River cruises will continue to be a hot vacation choice. In fact, some two doze
Cruising 2013: A Year in Review
Just as in years past, 2013 brought some great innovations and unique enhancements to the cruise experience. Here’s a look at some of the highlights. The 4,000-passenger, New York–based Norwegian Breakaway made waves with its Big Apple–inspired décor and a first-of-its-kind expansive water
Dinner and a Show: Cruising to Chicago (with prosciutto antipasto!)
Cruising to Chicago (with prosciutto antipasto!) Royal Caribbean’s “Ship of Entertainment” boasts a world of restaurants and a city’s worth of shows By Christine Koubek My friend Annemarie and I were meandering along a well-landscaped sidewalk on Allure of the Seas — past olive tree
Should smoking be banned on all cabin balconies?
Should smoking be banned on all cabin balconies? Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises are the latest cruise lines to announce enhanced smoking bans. It seems non-smokers are winning the battle to make ships more smoke-free. The cruise lines say they are just following what customers are telling them. A C
Another Cruise Ship Bans Smoking
Remember the days when you had to push smoke aside to walk into a cruise ship casino or lounge? Fortunately, many if today’s ships have relegated smokers to tight little corners, if they are allowed to smoke at all. Now, luxury line Crystal Cruises is the latest to eliminate smoking in nearly al
