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Latest New to cruising articles

Head to the AquaTheater on Symphony of the Seas for innovative entertainment.

My First Cruise Ship Experience - Royal Caribbean #RoyalOasis - What the Redhead said

November 30, 2016

From whattheredheadsaid.com via Scoop.it:

I had never been on a cruise ship before and had never expected to go on one either, until Royal Caribbean gave myself and a handful of other bloggers the chance to experience a day on their current largest ship, Oasis of the Seas, when it came to...
JD Lasica's insight:

I always love hearing insights from first-timer cruisers: the kind of questions they ask, the kind of experiences that really animated them.

 

It's a good reminder that, last stats I checked, 77% of Americans have still never taken a cruise of any kind. But once you do, the vast majority opt for another.

 

Take spinning to new heights: MSC Divina is the first ship to offer Aqua Cycling at sea.

MSC Divina AquaCycle class is a cool cruise fitness challenge

October 31, 2016

From www.inthelooptravel.com via Scoop.it:

We all love our pool time when on a cruise. Some of us even enjoy getting in a daily workout while sailing -- all the better to warrant my massive increase in calorie consumption when I'm on vacation, I rationalize.

 How about being able to do both at the same time? I'm talking about starting your day with a challenging workout while in the pool. On a cruise ship!

 I know, it sounds crazy. Well, you do a get a few odd looks of interest when taking part in the AquaCycle class on MSC Divina. MSC Cruises' signature U.S.-based ship sails out of Miami on weeklong cruises to the Caribbean and offers AquaCycle classes, which are fun 45-minute sessions that replicate the shore side spin classes that you know from your health club back home. 

Except on MSC Divina, the spin studio is the aft adults-only Garden Pool. Special spin bikes are dropped into the pool by the instructor, who must artfully negotiate the sensitive and potentially explosive task of telling morning swimmers that they must leave the pool because a AquaCycle class will soon be starting.

Walter Christen's insight:

This looks like this would be a lot of fun and a great way to get in a little exercise while cruising.  I recently booked my very first MSC cruise for early next year on the MSC Divina. My wife and I are going to give this a try. 

 

Serenade of the Seas sails the Caribbean. Itineraries include ports in St. Kitts, Martinique and Antigua.

A decade on, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance-class ships still dazzle

October 17, 2016

From o.canada.com via Scoop.it:

On my last cruise, I met a couple who said they didn’t really want to sail with Royal Caribbean because the company’s ships were “too big.” And while Royal Caribbean certainly has some of the largest ships around, four of their smaller vessels are among my absolute favorites to cruise aboard.

Launched between 2001 and 2004, Royal Caribbean’s four Radiance-class cruise ships (Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas), carry just over 2,000 guests apiece. At 90,090 GRT (gross register tonnage), they’re almost mid-size by modern cruise-ship standards, yet they’re still plenty big, with a length of 293 meters and 12 passenger decks, most of which, are adorned with wall-to-wall glass windows.

These ships are so roomy and uncrowded that, for the most part, you’ll wonder where everyone is. You’ll still find that same amazing sense of grandeur that Royal Caribbean is known for when you walk into the multi-story atrium that soars all the way up to the pool deck, but throughout the ship, public spaces take on a more clubby, intimate tone.

 

Walter Christen's insight:

Royal Caribbean'sRadiance class ships are some of my favorites of their smaller ships. I have been on both the Jewel of the Seas (Western Caribbean)  and the Serenade of the Seas (Alaska).

I was always impressed on how even though these are medium sized ships by todays standards, they always felt roomy. I loved the glass elevators that looked out over the water and the grandeur of the central atrium. 

 

Ocean Cruise Basics: Controlling Expenses Made Easy

September 28, 2016

From www.chriscruises.com via Scoop.it:

Cruise vacations while inclusive by nature, have their share of opportunities to spend more. Here are some tips for controlling expenses.
Walter Christen's insight:

Cruising need not be expensive.  Plan what you will spend your money on and when onboard, track your bill.  I know I am a sucker for the t-shirts onboard and plan accordingly.  I usually end up with 2-4 new shirts per cruise.  Almost every t-shirt I own is from one of the Cruise lines.


Both Independence of the Seas and her larger cousin, Oasis of the Seas, sail for the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Cruising 101: Choosing an ocean cruise line

September 12, 2016

From www.travelpulse.com via Scoop.it:

For cruising veterans, it may seem obvious how to choose the best cruise line for your vacation, but for newbies, it’s the crucial first step and begins by asking the right questions.

To start, ask: What is my budget and what is my traveling personality?

There are four main categories of cruise line quality increasing in cost in order of standard ones, premium ones, upscale ones and luxury ones, and in each category, there are a number of different lifestyles to be expected onboard each individual line.

Walter Christen's insight:

There is definitely a cruise line for any type of travel personality. Understanding what you are looking for in a cruise vacation is the first step. Other articles for newcomers to cruising:

As a cruise veteran (first cruise in 1990 and 30 cruise to my credit) my style may be different from yours.  I like the large ships like the Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, where the ship is as much a destination as the ports the ship goes to but this does not stop me from taking cruises on smaller ships. Living in Florida, much of my cruising has been to the Caribbean as I have quite a few ports within driving distance and I love the beach and snorkeling.

Using Cruiseable is a great way to find out what the different cruise lines offer and what may be important to you on a cruise. See Cruiseable's Bliss Filters, there at the top right of the page, to research the cruise lines and ports of call to find your perfect vacation.

 

Freedom to slide: A girl takes off from the top of the wickedly fun slide on the Lido deck of Carnival Freedom.

Maritime makeover: 5 cruise ship refurbishment trends

August 29, 2016

From www.travelpulse.com via Scoop.it:

In an effort to sustain interest in their existing fleets, cruise lines are pouring millions of dollars into their older ships to have them stay on par with their newer ones. That means far more options for travelers across the board. Besides the usual basic maintenance and sprucing up, here are a few of the trending improvements rolling back onto the classic vessels.

Additional Dining Options

More Staterooms

Extra Cabin Comfort

New Water Slides

Better Entertainment

 

Walter Christen's insight:

Seems that every few years all of the cruise lines revamp their existing cruise ships to appeal to a broader audience. It is normal now to have more dining options on even older ships.  I have also sailed 3 times on Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas. Twice before they modified the ship and the last time after they made the ship longer (cut it in half and added a section) to increase the number of cabins, larger pool deck area and provide a grand atrium.  I found it fascinating on how they accomplished this.

 

 

 

Room with a view: Guests get a private veranda to take in the passing parade of eye candy when they book a balcony stateroom aboard Princess Cruises.

Read this before you book a cruise ship balcony room

July 28, 2016

From www.cntraveler.com via Scoop.it:

Deciding whether a balcony fits in your budget depends on how you value your time on the ship.

It’s hard to imagine a hotel charging extra for a room with windows, but when it comes to cruising, fresh ocean air comes at a premium: Typically, the coveted outdoor balcony space on a cruise costs at least $100 per person, per voyage more than an interior or porthole stateroom. But with budget and savings in mind, are cruise balconies actually worth the extra fee? We explore.

Walter Christen's insight:

My wife and I prefer a balcony room on the cruises we take but we have also opted for porthole/window staterooms when either the balcony was cost prohibitive or not available. Having a balcony for us is like having a second room where if the other is sleeping, there was a nice place to sit and read.

I have noticed that on some older ships that do not have as many balcony rooms, they either book up fast or command much higher prices.

I have not had a interior stateroom on any of the cruise I have been on but may consider one on a Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class ship with the high-definition TV walls with a live feed of the ocean and ship’s ports.

My general rule is that the actual stateroom type does not matter as much to me as long as I get to go on a cruise

 

MSC Divina guests can look forward to attentive service, a large variety of leisure facilities and world-class entertainment to ensure that you have a memorable vacation aboard.

The cruise ships with the best Wi-Fi

July 7, 2016

From edition.cnn.com via Scoop.it:

What happened on cruise ships used to stay on cruise ships -- at least until the boat reached the next port.

One of the remaining Internet-free places on the planet, passengers could spend days wallowing in isolation unless they spent serious cash on a telegram or ship-to-shore call.

Then, in 1999 Norwegian Cruise Lines introduced the first on-board Internet café.

And nothing much changed.

Because, even though cruise lines have been rolling out connectivity at sea ever since, coverage has been frustratingly patchy, slow and expensive.

It's changing now though.

Over the last few years, cruise lines have been improving their satellite technology to boost connection speeds and working out ways to accommodate different budgets.

Walter Christen's insight:

Year ago when I started cruising, one of the attractions was that I was able to disconnect and my job could not get hold of me on the ship. I still remember calling home to check in using the telephone in the cabin and the $19 charge for the three minute call.

In this day and age, it is almost impossible to disconnect entirely (and most people do not want to).  The speeds are getting much better on board and also more reliable. Cost is still a factor and for some the internet packages are still costly.  If you belong to a cruise line loyalty program, check to see if there is a discount available. I also like what Carnival Cruise Lines and MSC Cruises have done for people who basically want social media access. The costs for these plans are very attractive and cover quite a few of the most popular social media applications.

 

The Bionic Bar is where robots will mix your drinks.

Is going on a cruise the hippest thing in travel now?

June 28, 2016

From travelwith2ofus.com via Scoop.it:

A couple of years ago, when you heard people say they were going on a cruise you would normally picture retirees in straw hats, sandals and brightly colored and flowered shirts.

Nowadays cruise travel passengers include the young, middle aged and, of course the retirees.

But what has changed? Well for beginners, cruise ship companies have made it very attractive for passengers, and the younger, hipper crowds are starting to realize that maybe it makes sense to go on a cruise, see several different countries in one trip and eat, drink and party to their heart's content.In addition to this, cruise companies have done extensive market research and turned out many new destinations, new activities, both on-ship and onshore, as well as created themed cruises, increased the length of cruise trips and are putting water slides, rock climbing and even bars operated with robotic tenders on new ships, all in an effort to facilitate the changing patterns of the cruise ships travel market.

 

Walter Christen's insight:

I firmly believe there is a cruise that would appeal to anyone no matter what age group they happen to be in.  What I would be looking for in a cruise experience many not be what you are looking for. All of the resources on Cruiseable.com and the bliss filters can help you find that perfect cruise for you.

 

The 5 best cruises to take from Seattle

June 20, 2016

From cruisemiss.com via Scoop.it:

A visit to Seattle often means taking some time to enjoy Elliott Bay, Puget Sound, and the surrounding islands or peninsulas during a day trip. One of the easiest ways to do this is to hop onto one of the numerous ferries that operate in the region. You can walk onto any of them as a passenger, or take your vehicle for an interesting day trip, and spend less than $10 per person, it really is superb value for money. However, if you want to have more time to explore the local waterways of Seattle and take a pretty awesome vacation at the same time, then a cruise is definitely an option for you to consider.

There are quite a few tempting options out there when it comes to Seattle cruise departures, but some stand out more than others. These are our picks on the 5 best cruises to take from Seattle…

American Cruise Lines

Norwegian Cruise Line

Victoria Clipper

Princess Cruises

Holland America Line

Walter Christen's insight:

Seattle and the surrounding area is a great place to start or finish a cruise.  I can see spending a few days (or more) exploring this destination.  Quite a few cruise lines that have departures from Seattle to Alaska, the Pacific coastline and even transpacific crossings. 

 

 

Horseback riding, hiking and nature walks are as popular as the beaches and snorkeling at Half Moon Cay, one  of about 700 islands that make up the Bahamas.

Half Moon Cay a slice of heaven in the Bahamas

June 16, 2016

From www.gettingstamped.com via Scoop.it:

Half Moon Cay is a slice of heaven just floating in the Caribbean. Half Moon Cay is one of the 700 islands that make up the archipelago of the Bahamas. Less than 100 miles from Nassau lies the private island Half Moon Cay, a tropical paradise for those cruising with Holland America Line. Our first taste of the Bahamas was with on our Holland America Line Eastern Caribbean cruise, which included a day at Half Moon Cay.

Holland America purchased the island in 1996 for a steal for only $6 million, and has since invested $15 million to create the private island paradise for passengers on the line’s Caribbean and Panama Canal sailings. Carnival ships sometimes visit as well, as Holland America is part of the Carnival Corp. The island wasn’t always called Half Moon Cay, for most of its existence the island was known as Little San Salvador Island.

Walter Christen's insight:

I enjoy cruises that include a stop at a private Island.  I love going to the beach and doing a little snorkeling. I have been to many of them over the years.  The first being Royal Caribbean's Private island in Haiti called Labadee. It was soon after it opened and at that time there was very little there except some lounge chairs by the beach. Later this year I will be taking a Norwegian Cruise which will be making a stop at their newest Private Island off the coast of Belize called Harvest Caye.

Here's Cruiseable's look at 8 of the cruise lines' private islands.

Most of the mainstream cruise lines have or soon will have private islands in the Bahamas or the Caribbean.

Holland America/Carnival - Half Moon Cay and Amber Cove

Disney Cruise Line- Castaway Cay

Princess Cruises- Princess Cays

Royal Caribbean- Labadee and CoCo Cay

MSC Cruises- Ocean Cay (opening late 2017)

Norwegian Cruise Line - Great Stirrup Cay and opening late this year, Harvest Caye

 

Chill out after a thermal treatment in the spa in Norwegian Escape's Snow Room. It's being touted as beneficial to blood circulation and the immune system.

The best amenities on cruise ships revealed

May 23, 2016

From www.dailymail.co.uk via Scoop.it:

Cruise ships have come a long way in the last decade as lines push the boundaries when it comes to size, capacity and thrilling amenities to appeal to a new generation of holidaymakers.

These days, passengers can spend time at sea in a lounge where they are served by robotic bartenders, in a spa where artificial snowflakes fall inside a snow room, or in a planetarium where they are taken on a virtual tour of outer space, and still fail to take advantage of everything on board.

From a cycling track suspended above the upper deck to a bar made of ice, these are some of the best amenities on cruise ships.

 

 

Walter Christen's insight:

For some the cruise ship can be a destination in itself. It is easy to see why when cruise ships have these new amenities.

 

SkyRide, Carnival Vista

The Ultimate Abyss, Harmony of the Seas

Snow Grotto, Viking Cruises

F1 Simulator, MSC Cruises

SeaWalk, Princess Cruises

Ice Bar, Norwegian Epic

The Lawn Club, Celebrity Cruises

North Star, Royal Caribbean

Vertigo, MSC Preziosa

Planetarium, Queen Mary 2

Private sauna, Viking Star

Snow Room, Norwegian Escape

Bionic Bar, Royal Caribbean