12 Jul
In 1988 Royal Caribbean introduced a new era of cruising with its ship Sovereign of the Seas, which is considered the industry’s very first mega-ship. Since then, they have built themselves into the second largest cruise line with the addition of numerous ships that cruise both the Caribbean and beyond.
This successful line has kept their ships in the water for many years, and has decided it’s time for a major overhaul on many of the older ships. This year, they are spending an estimated 70 million on the renovation of two ships, Radiance of the Seas (completed in May), and Splendour of the Seas (scheduled for transformation in November).
And yesterday, Royal Caribbean announced has a renovation in store for many more of its older ships over the next three years, including updates to the onboard electronic technology, cabins (including those designed specifically for families) and dining options.
These enhancements will come at a cost of approximately Royal Caribbean $300 million and will take place during month-long dry dock overhauls. The changes, termed “Royal Advantage Revitalizations” will bring older ships up to date with the newer, adding features that have been guest favorites and enhancing the Royal Caribbean cruising experience.
The renovation schedule is as follows.
2012:
2013 and 2014:
During this time, Royal Caribbean also plans more minor enhancements for three additional ships: Independence of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.
RCI’s ships Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas saw improvements earlier this year, including the addition of new elements their latest ship, the seven-month-old Allure of the Seas.
26 May
This summer’s highlight for many kids will no doubt be the first-ever nickelodeon Family Cruise with Royal Caribbean, which sets sail August 10-17 on the Freedom of the Seas. Non-stop fun and activities are promised on the Western Caribbean cruise, including a special kick-off sail away party; evening shows; Nick character breakfasts, featuring SpongeBob SquarePants; Dora the Explorer; Diego; The Backyardigans and Jimmy Neutron; a Nick Live Poolside “Slime Time” interactive game show; special screenings of The Naked Brothers Band and SpongeBob SquarePants; Nick Karaoke and many other opportunities to meet favorite Nick characters. Autograph signings with iCarly stars Jennette McCurdy and Nathan Kress also are scheduled. In addition, families can disembark on the cruise line’s private island of Labadee for Nick’s Let’s Just Play Family Beach Day, featuring beach games and fun with a special Nickelodeon twist.
Teen guests now use prepaid cash cards on MSC Cruises
There is no need for teenagers to continually pester their parents for cash aboard MSC cruises. The cruise line is now selling the prepaid My Teen Card to use for purchases and as room keys. The program is targeting kids ages 12-17 and can be used to buy sodas and gift shop items. On Caribbean sailings, passengers can buy a $30 card with $5 bonus or a $50 card with $10 bonus. In Europe, the prepaid cards cost 30 Euros with a five euro bonus or 50 Euros with a 10 euro bonus. The next question is how many of these prepaid cards can a typical teenager go through in a single cruise?
Celebrity offers first-ever Antarctica cruises
To celebrate its tenth year cruising South America, Celebrity Cruises will be will be heading even further south during it’s first-ever Antarctica sailings in 2010. The Celebrity Infinity will be leaving Buenos Aires, Argentina for two 14-night Antarctica sailings, departing January 31 and February 14, 2010. While there, guests will gaze upon glaciers, rare wildlife and other natural wonders as they cruise past Elephant Island, Paradise Bay and Gerlache Strait. The Antarctica voyages also will include traveling through Cape Horn, with visits to Port Stanley, the Falkland Islands, Ushuaia and Puerto Madryn, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay.
Luxury cabanas treat guests extra special on Eurodam
Holland America’s first Signature-class ship, Eurodam, will feature private tented cabanas on two decks when it debuts in July. Guests will be charged $30-$75 per day for the luxury cabanas, which will be located on the Observation Deck in an area called the Retreat and by the midship pool on the Lido Deck. Each cabana will feature chaise lounges, ottomans and settees, plus bathrobes, towels, handheld fans, an Evian spray mister and iPods with preloaded music. If that is not enough, chilled water and iced fruit skewers will be served in the cabanas during the morning. Afternoon delights will include frozen grapes, chocolate-covered strawberries and champagne.
Holland America’s 2008 roster of guest chefs will delight
One of the most popular attractions aboard Holland America cruises is the line’s Culinary Arts Center, co-sponsored by Food & Wine magazine, which attracts renowned chefs from around the country. The program was started four years ago and 2008 is slated to be its best ever. Guest chefs and experts slated this summer and fall include:
· Eric Villegas, host of the Emmy Award-winning PBS series, Fork in the Road, ms Veendam, June 13-20;
· Sally Bernstein, San Francisco restaurant critic and culinary educator, ms Zaandam, June 8-15;
· Chef Gustav Mauler of Amsterdam-Dover, ms Prinsenda, July 3-17;
· Pichet Ongvasit of Copenhagen, ms Rotterdam, July 16-28;
· Johnny Iuzzini, executive pastry chef, Jean Georges (N.Y.), ms Noordam, July 26-Aug. 5;
· Max McCalman of Artisanal Cheese (N.Y.), ms Noordam, August 5-15;
· Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, authors of the “Ultimate” cookbook series, ms Eurodam, Aug.14-29;
· Mark Frasier and Clark Gaier from Mediterranean (Venice), ms Zuiderdam, Sept. 17-29;
· James Mazzio, executive chef of Via (Denver) and Food & Wine’s Best New Chef 1999, ms Amsterdam, Sept. 19 – Oct. 22; and,
· Harold Dieterie, Perilla (N.Y.) and Top Chef Season 1 Winner, ms Amsterdam, Oct. 22-Nov. 4.
17 Mar
Parents taking a cruise with tween or teenage children know these kids enjoy their space as much at sea as they do at home. The world’s most popular cruise lines have long recognized this and now offer more special hangouts and activities exclusively for them than ever before.
Combine this space with plenty of activities for the whole family and it is easy to see why cruises make for memorable family vacations, no matter what one’s age. Special pricing for children up to 17 years-old generally applies on many cruises which makes a cruise a true travel value.
For example, a family of four (2 adults, 2 children) can enjoy an early December seven-night cruise with cabin credits, complimentary photos and a special gift to the Western Caribbean in a verandah cabin, with Holland America for $2,380.00, including taxes, fees and fuel surcharges . That is less than $85. Per person, per day for the family’s onboard verandah cabin accommodations, 24/7 room service for those hungry teenagers, all dining options and most entertainment – including plenty for tweens and teens to do.
The following is a sample of the coolest places for older youth to hang out at sea in safe and secure settings:
Holland America Line
For the past two years, teens traveling on HAL cruise ships have enjoyed the Loft, a special lounge area designed to resemble a New York artist’s studio. The setting includes music and videos, comfortable furniture, Internet access stations, video games and karaoke, big screen TVs and more. A secluded passageway leads upstairs to the Oasis, a teens-only sundeck featuring a nine-foot waterfall and cooling cave. Teens can sunbathe during the day and dance under the stars at night to the beat of a state-of-the-art sound system and laser show.
Royal Caribbean International
The cruise line’s Voyager Class ships are a floating paradise for teenagers. The Living Room invites kids to hangout during the day, stocked with computers, books and games. The Back Deck provides teens with a place to sunbathe together and enjoy a buffet dinner. Fuel, the teens-only disco, is open until 2 a.m. and also provides a great place to mingle and meet new friends.
Norwegian Cruise Line
The Norwegian Dawn and Jewel feature the line’s most elaborate and largest teen clubs. The Underground lounge features computers, big-screen TVs and dance floor. Youth 17-and-under have their own cinema for nightly movies or an afternoon matinee.
Disney Cruise Line
A little Disney magic makes cruising memorable for teens too. They are invited to spend time with their peers in the Aloft lounge on the Disney Wonder and The Stack on the Disney Magic. Both of these teen-only hangouts feature music, movies, video games, plasma TVs, dance floor, Internet cafe and other activities. In addition, Disney hosts the H2O Splashdown and Party in Paradise farewell bash exclusively for teens.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival’s youth-oriented programming was recently expanded to include exclusive new Circle C clubs for 12-14 year-olds. Each features a dance floor, high-tech sound and lighting, monster plasma TVs with movies and music videos, touch screen jukeboxes and gaming centers with 20-inch plasma game screens. A number of ships have already been retrofitted with Circle C facilities, with several more are scheduled for this year and the entire fleet by 2010. Carnival’s Club 02 facilities continue to be very popular with teen’s ages 15-17 year-olds. In addition to a pulsating dance floor and the latest music and lighting systems, Club O2 features a teen-oriented library and lounge with non-alcoholic specialty drinks.
Princess Cruises
The cruise line’s Grand Class ships have the largest facilities for teens. The Off Limits teen center includes plenty of games, movies, big-screen TVs and jukeboxes. On the Grand, Golden and Star Princess, teens can use their own Jacuzzi and sun deck.
Celebrity Cruises
This cruise line’s Celebrity X-Club Youth Program does offer teens plenty to do, especially during the summer and holiday family travel seasons. This includes supervised theme parties, pool games, movies, sports tournaments, karaoke, talent shows, fitness activities and play stations.
Regent Seven Seas
Ultra-luxury cruise line Regent Seven Seas also offers teen programs. Regent’s Club Mariner operates during the summer and select holiday sailings and gives tween and teen travelers the opportunity to enjoy a variety of exciting, interactive activities, including whale watching in Alaska and artist classes on tropical cruises, plus other unique adventure and cultural opportunities.
Crystal Cruises
Select Crystal sailings during the summer and holidays also offer older youth things to do without their parents on ultra-luxury cruises. These include games, arts and crafts, video games and other activities under the supervision of experienced activities directors. The Crystal Symphony and Serenity also feature Waves, a teen video arcade.
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