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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Yesterday MSC Cruises marked an important milestone in the building of MSC Seaside with the celebration of the traditional maritime coin ceremony held at the Monfalcone shipyard in Italy. As the first of the Seaside Class of ships, MSC Seaside has a revolutionary architectural design inspired by a beach condo concept, bringing guests and the sea closer as well as enhancing the beauty of the natural surroundings while at sea. Every element of the ship has been designed to enable guests to enjoy the outdoors in every aspect of their life onboard, from cabins and suites with outdoor spaces, eating and drinking al fresco through to outdoor fitness facilities and luxury cabanas for spa treatments in the fresh air. MSC Seaside will be the first ship in the MSC Cruises’ fleet to be christened in the United States, sailing in the Caribbean year-round from the Port of Miami starting in December 2017. MSC Seaside will be the fifth MSC ship offering cruises in the Caribbean.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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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.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Like a Scandinavian version of Chile, Norway's dragon-tail coastline is long, rugged and packed with natural marvels. Departing year-round from the southern city of Bergen, ships of Norway's Hurtigruten ("express route") service trace this dramatic seaboard north to the remote town of Kirkenes, way beyond the Arctic Circle. The 2,500-nautical-mile (4,700 kilometers) return journey takes 11 days to complete. Frequently situated in stunning locations, Norway's coastal cities, towns and villages are situated on fjords kept ice-free by the warm waters of the Gulf Stream.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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MSC Cruises, the world’s largest privately-owned cruise line, recently celebrated the arrival of MSC Divina – one of the company’s newest and most ultra-modern ships – to Miami, where she will sail year-round to the Caribbean. MSC Divina spent this past summer in the Mediterranean, following her inaugural Caribbean season sailing from Miami between November 2013 - April 2015. Her return to Miami marks a significant milestone for the company as it increases its focus on the North American market. In addition, MSC Cruises announced that sales for its next-generation cruise ship MSC Seaside, will open on December 15th, two years ahead of her debut, in December 2017. MSC Seaside, which will join MSC Divina in sailing from a newly renovated and expanded dedicated berth and terminal at PortMiami, will be the first MSC Cruises’ ship to head directly to the U.S. from the shipyard, and be the first MSC Cruises’ ship to be christened in the U.S.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Nearly 23 million people will take a cruise in 2016, up from about 22.2 million this year, according to estimates from Cruise Market Watch, and they face some tough questions about what they want from a cruise line, whether it be luxury, romance, affordability or a trip to a specific destination. On Tuesday, U.S. News & World Report released its rankings for the best cruise lines for a variety of travelers: Those on a budget, traveling with their family, looking for romance or luxury and those seeking to cruise the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. The annual list uses expert ratings (30%), traveler ratings (50%) and health ratings from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, including sanitation scores (20%), to make final determinations. The list ranks 15 ocean cruise lines.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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ON BOARD THE NORWEGIAN ESCAPE -- It's the coolest new attraction at sea. Literally. The new Norwegian Cruise Line ship debuting this weekend in Europe is home to a super-chilled "snow room" that is the first of its kind on a mass-market cruise ship catering to North Americans. The frosty spa retreat on the Norwegian Escape is kept at a nippy 14 degrees Fahrenheit and boasts flurries of powdery snow descending from the ceiling. It's part of a sprawling thermal suite within the ship's Mandara Spa. "It's very good for aches and pains," says Courtney Neumann, the spa manager on the Norwegian Escape, who recommends lounging in the thermal suite's super-heated sauna before entering the snow room. "The idea is to go from hot to cold, which makes your blood vessels constrict and dilate, which is extremely good for your immune system and blood circulation."
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Carnival Corporation – the company that owns 10 different cruise brands, including Carnival Cruise Line, Cunard Line, and Princess Cruises – has invested more than $20 million to add a new berth at Puerta Maya, the company’s destination in Cozumel, Mexico. Now, three ships can visit what’s already the Caribbean’s most popular cruise destination at the same time. In 2014, about 1.5 million passengers traveling on 25 different ships from six of Carnival Corporation’s cruise lines visited Puerta Maya – when only two berths were operating.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Organizers of the first MasterChef cruise, which took place less than a year ago, already have cooked up plans for another one. Endemol Shine North America, which producers the hit cooking show, and events company Life Journeys say the second MasterChef cruise will kick off Nov. 6, 2016 in Fort Lauderdale. Fla. The seven-night sailing to the Eastern Caribbean will take place on Holland America's 2,106-passenger Nieuw Amsterdam and include appearances by MasterChef Season 4 winner Luca Manfé and Season 5 runner-up Elizabeth Cauvel. Also on hand will be MasterChef Junior contestant Sean Le, and the winner of MasterChef Season 6 (who will be revealed on the show's Sept. 16 finale).
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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We stress the importance of buying travel insurance, and you should not buy it from the cruise line or tour company you are dealing with. If they should go bankrupt, you have lost your insurance. This might sound unlikely, but we did have 21 companies declare bankruptcy the same day so it does happen. Use a third-party company. Your cruise holiday is a voyage of a lifetime and we can help you protect your valuable investment.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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With its famous pink-sand beaches, turquoise waters and picture-perfect weather, Bermuda is one of the most popular destinations in cruising. And Carnival Cruise Line will provide its guests with a variety of opportunities to visit the island paradise in 2016 with 10 departures that feature at least one overnight docked alongside at historic King’s Wharf. From April through November 2016, guests can embark on five different Carnival ships departing from six convenient U.S. homeports offering itineraries ranging from five to eight days — making 2016 one of the cruise line’s most robust Bermuda programs ever.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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It’s time to plan your next cruise with our annual list of some of the best ships to set sail this year. We’ve pulled together a panel of experts — including Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine; Jason Leppert, editor of PopularCruising.com; and Anne Campbell, editor of CruisingFromNewYork.com and ShipCriticBlog.com — to help choose our coveted Travel’s Best Cruises 2015.
See what cruise lines were picked for specific categories such as Best Caribbean Cruise, Best Luxury Cruise, Best Mediterranean Cruise and Best Theme Cruise. And find out which cruise ship made our list for the second year in a row.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Famed marine wildlife artist Guy Harvey laid eyes upon his largest canvas to date for the first time this week – the hull artwork on the new Norwegian Escape, debuting this November in Miami.
Currently being built in Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Escape is Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, the largest in the company’s history. Norwegian Escape represents an evolution of the line’s innovative history of providing guests with the freedom and flexibility to enjoy their ideal cruise holiday. The ship yard visit took place as Harvey’s artwork is now beginning to take shape, bringing to life his perspective of the spectacular Caribbean marine life on the expansive canvas of Norwegian Escape’s hull.
Spanning more than 300 metres in length from bow to stern, the custom-designed artwork features a scene of marine wildlife which blends two underwater seas seamlessly together. Featuring Harvey’s signature sailfish, the design also showcases key Caribbean sea life including sting rays, sea turtles, whale sharks and a variety of tropical fish. - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/67349/norwegian-escape-rsquo-s-signature-hull-art?__scoop_post=d54d8190-3761-11e5-9086-00221934899c&__scoop_topic=4364270#__scoop_post=d54d8190-3761-11e5-9086-00221934899c&__scoop_topic=4364270
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Majestic. Breathtaking. Awe-inspiring. Those are the first words that come to my mind when I think of Alaska. I’ve been lucky to have experienced two Alaskan cruises, and with each I was simply blown away by the scenery.
If there was one excursion that I’ve been on that highlighted Alaska’s great est assets it was the Best of Juneau — a full day of sightseeing with a visit to Mendenhall glacier, a whale-watching cruise and salmon bake. This shore excursion was booked directly through Carnival Cruise Line which maximized our time while we were in the port of Juneau. I’m a big fan of booking through the cruise line because there’s never any waiting and there are guarantees you don’t get when booking independently, like getting back to the ship on time!
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Celebrity Cruises will be rolling out its Go Big, Go Better and Go Best program on Monday, July 6, making its cruises more inclusive for passengers who opt into the program when booking and making the...
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Some cruisers like the glitz, non-stop action and wealth of resort amenities found on big ships. Others prefer their vacations more low key, and for these folks small ships are the way to go. On small ships, whether sailing or motorized, you and a few dozen — or a few hundred — fellow passengers get an intimate experience, typically focused as much on destination as shipboard happenings. Here are five popular myths about small ship cruises There's no place to hide The itineraries are only about adventure You're roughing it Small ships aren't for families You'll get seasick
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Throwing its hat into the ring of private Caribbean island destinations is MSC Cruises with the newly announced Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve (rendered above) set to open in December 2017. The opening will coincide with the launch of the line’s upcoming MSC Seaside to be based year-round in the Caribbean, roundtrip from Miami, Florida. The project was officially launched yesterday on Dec. 16 in the Bahamian capital of Nassau where Prime Minister Perry Christie and MSC Cruises Executive Chairman Pierfrancesco Vago signed a 100-year lease agreement, allowing the line to occupy and develop the island. Vago said, “this is a natural progression for our company, which is growing very rapidly, and we are thrilled about providing this totally new experience for our guests in the Caribbean.” MSC will invest approximately $200 million in the project to make the one-time sand-extraction station a world-class regional attraction. The cay will be developed over the next two years in conjunction with the Bahamian government and ecologists into a paradise with many fun experiences and 11,400 feet worth of fine beachfront. Plans include the planting of 80 indigenous Caribbean trees, grasses, flowers and shrubs and construction of a Bahamian village, restaurants, bars, shops and an arrival center and gazebo.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Add Def Leppard to the list of rock bands hitting the high seas. The English group will headline a four-night music cruise that kicks off in Miami on Jan. 21. The sailing will take place on MSC Cruises' 3,502-passenger MSC Divina. Hysteria on the High Seas, as the voyage is called, is being billed as a "fantasy camp" for Def Leppard fans and will feature around-the-clock entertainment by Def Leppard as well as more than a dozen other performers including Tom Keifer; Eric Martin (Mr. Big); Ritchie Kotzen; and Kip Winger.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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2016 promises to be an exciting year for the cruise industry with several new builds coming out, including the largest cruise ship ever built. Here is a rundown of the six best new ocean cruise ships arriving in 2016 (in alphabetical order).
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Carnival Corporation has officially opened its new cruise port at Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, welcoming the Victory as the first ship to dock. The Amber Cove port is located on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic, and it will serve as a gateway to the exotic city of Puerto Plata. Victory arrived Tuesday morning with its nearly 3,000 passengers to help celebrate the new port. For the first time in nearly 30 years, a cruise ship will regularly tour Puerto Plata's beautiful beaches and diverse historical landmarks. The cruise line has invested more than $85 million into the facility.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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River cruises have become the rock stars of the cruise industry, so it’s no surprise to see a river cruise line’s first ocean vessel take home first prize in the latest cruise awards. The industry site Cruise Critic announced today that the Viking Star is the Best New Ocean Ship in its 2015 Editors’ Choice Awards. The understated boutique hotel feel of the Viking Star is in contrast with last year’s flashier, high-tech Best New Ship winner, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum of the Seas.
For the first time, Cruise Critic also released a separate set of river cruise awards, with Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection taking home Best River Cruise Line and Best Shore Excursions, and Uniworld’s Maria Theresa winning Best New River Ship.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Is a new Port of Miami terminal to accommodate one of Royal Caribbean International’s largest mega-ships on the horizon? A proposal for just that is now making its way through the government approval process in South Florida. The Miami Herald reported late last week that a deal is in the works between Miami-Dade County, FL, and Royal Caribbean, which has corporate headquarters at Port of Miami. The line reportedly wants to finance and build a new cruise Terminal A, located in the northeastern section of the port; that area is now dedicated to cargo. The county says Royal Caribbean’s investment could total more than $100 million and double the number of its passengers sailing from Port of Miami.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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The new Amber Cove port on the north coast of the Dominican Republic is rapidly coming together a little more than a month before the first ship is scheduled to arrive on Oct. 6. The port, being developed by Carnival Corp. and a local partner, already has a 1,280-foot pier, a bus and taxi staging area, cabanas and the finished shells of bars, restaurants and shops. Landscaping is being planted and the interiors of the structures are ready for build-out.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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What will the cabins be like on what's being billed as the most luxurious cruise ship ever? See for yourself with a scroll through the photo tour above, which offers a first look at the accommodations planned for luxury line Regent Seven Seas' next ship, Seven Seas Explorer. USA TODAY on Tuesday got a sneak peak at mock-ups of the cabins planned for the 750-passenger vessel at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy where it is under construction. Scheduled to debut in July 2016, the Seven Seas Explorer will have the highest ratio of space to passengers in the history of cruising, and Regent is promising to set a new benchmark in luxury cruising with the ship.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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William Shatner will soon be taking fans where they've never gone before, to sea, hosting the first ever officially licensed Star Trek cruise. Star Trek: The Cruise will embark January 9, 2017, on the Norwegian Pearl from Miami. The six-day cruise is part of the 50th anniversary celebration for the Star Trek franchise, which first hit the airwaves in 1966. Shatner, who played Captain James T. Kirk, says on the cruise website that he's excited about the enterprise.
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Scooped by
Walter Christen
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Yesterday we wrote about MSC Cruises new Voyager Club that’s intended to reward repeat passengers with attractive perks. The Miami, Florida-based line is just one of many that are ramping up bonuses for loyalty and early bookings in a recent wave of rewards war at sea. Princess Cruises has always been a leader of the perks pack providing returning passengers with lots of benefits with each new booking. Now Holland America is fueling the competition with its Explore 4 Club paybacks that gives guests who book any category stateroom a free Signature Beverage Package valued at up to $1,400, free Pinnacle Grill dinner for two, reduced cruise fares for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom and 50 percent reduced deposits when booked by Oct. 31, 2015.
"We know that many travelers like to plan in advance, so we're offering some great incentives to entice them to book a cruise with us sooner," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "By making their reservations now, guests can also ensure a better selection of the itinerary and type of stateroom they prefer and receive a great value with all that's included."
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Travel Channel reveals its list of the best cruise ships to set sail this year. Get detailed info on why each cruise ship made this list. This is a very nice list of cruises to get you started thinking about your perfect vacation.
My only beef: Carnival for best food? Guy's Burger Joint and the The BlueIguana Cantina aboard Carnival's Fun 2.0 ships are nice, but they really can't touch the fare at some of the higher-end cruise lines, including Regent Seven Seas, Oceania, Silversea, Celebrity Cruises and even Seabourn and Holland America.
Best Alaskan Cruise: Celebrity Cruises, Celebrity Solstice
Best Caribbean Cruise: Sea Dream Yacht Club, Sea Dream I and Sea Dream II
Best European River Cruise: AmaWaterways, AmaCerto
Best Family Cruise: Royal Caribbean, Anthem of the Seas
Best Hawaiian Cruise: Norwegian Cruise Line, Pride of America
Best Luxury Cruise: Seabourn Cruise Line, Seabourn Odyssey
Best Mediterranean Cruise: Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking Star
Best Mexican Cruise: Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Miracle
Unexpected Cruise for Food: Carnival Cruise Line, Carnival Breeze