In a crowded market – which cruise ships have to be said to inhabit at present, it is important to carve out a niche for oneself or at least to make oneself so obviously appealing that the public which one wishes to attract cannot possibly avoid at least giving you some thought. Princess Cruises, founded in 1966, are doing their level best to ensure a decent share of the market, and with Condé Nast Traveler readers having voted them tenth overall for best cruise line in their 2008 poll, they are obviously doing enough right to stick in customers’ minds.
Cynics would argue that the popularity and reputation of Princess Cruises owes as much to the fact that the kitsch TV show “The Love Boat” was filmed upon ships from the line as to any quality service, but passengers tend to disagree. Those who have used Princess Cruises for a holiday cruise have tended to find that despite the company’s mid-range reputation, the product on offer is more than satisfactory. One undeniable fact is that the line has a better passenger to space ratio than the big guys, Carnival and Royal Caribbean, and in a setting where space is always going to be limited to some extent, little things like that can make a lot of difference. (more…)
The Queen Mary 2 cruise ship is, quite simply, one of the most magnificent passenger ocean liners to ever take to the waves. The statistics of this extraordinary ships are mightily impressive; she is 1,132 feet long, 236.2 feet high and weighs approximately 151,400 gross tonnes. The cost to build was over $800 million, making the Queen Mary cruise ship one of the most expensive of all times.
There is a maximum of 3,056 berths on board, and the ship is staffed by 1,253 members of staff. This cruise ship was the successor to the Queen Mary cruise ship, which sailed the North Atlantic Ocean from 1936 to 1967. The Queen Mary 2 was built in 2003, and is currently the flagship for established and prestigious liner company Cunard.
The name of Mary, used for both the original Queen Mary and her successor, comes from Mary of Teck, who was Queen Consort to George V. Like her predecessor, this Queen Mary sails the transatlantic route. (more…)
For those of us who seek the finer things in life, the idea of a luxury cruise ship break can be enough to make us very nearly inarticulate with unseemly desire. There are now a few companies who know this, and are more than prepared to furnish us with exactly what we want, exactly how we want it, and exactly when we want it. One of these companies is Regent Seven Seas Cruises, who have quietly become very well renowned for providing the ultimate in luxury cruise deals, but in a relaxed atmosphere that can be very hard to achieve in a market that tends towards the more upper-crust side of the market.
This relaxed atmosphere is not arrived at by accident. One excellent idea that Regent has had that is yet to permeate to a few other, less upmarket lines, is that dinner will be a far more convivial affair if there is not an arbitrary seating plan placed upon the diners. Much as a seating plan may benefit the cruise line from a point of view of efficiency, it can make the atmosphere feel rather forced and less than totally welcoming for diners. So the open-seating dining policy that is in practice on the Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Navigator, Seven Seas Mariner and the Paul Gauguin is a welcome break from the norm, with the passenger free to circulate as they see fit. Rather than making forced conversation with your neighbour – who no doubt is a wonderful person, but may very well have nothing in common with you save for adjacent rooms – you can sit where you feel most comfortable, possibly sharing the time with a fellow passenger you have met on the cruise with whom you have a lot in common and get along famously. Equally, you can sit on your own without your meal being interrupted – the point is that it is your choice and this really does make a difference to one’s enjoyment of the break. (more…)
Carnival cruise lines have gained themselves something of a reputation for being one of the most affordable cruise ship lines on the market, with their fleet having grown ever larger since the company was founded in 1972. Carnival’s famous Las Vegas styling on all their cruise liners has made it a brand with a very strong client basre, one which knows what it wants and keeps coming back to get that. This is something that Carnival are banking on in the hope that it will ensure an equally firm fan base for its latest cruise launch, the Acrnival Splendor.
The Splendor was launched last year and, while remaining an affordable option for voyagers, represents a real step forward in terms of comfort and modern conveniences for the Carnival line, with the first class cabins equipped with wide screen plasma televisions, and spa facilities that cater for just about any pampering need you could possibly imagine. For children, there is a play area that covers 5,500 square feet, and there is also a swimming pool that is covered with a sliding roof – so if the weather permits you can have a dip under sunny skies, but if the conditions aren’t so great you can still avail of the facility.
Carnival are justly proud of the Carnival Splendor, marking as it does a real move to provide the luxury that cruise customers feel they deserve. Its classy facilities come at a still affordable price, and bring the option of a luxury vacation to a wider section of the voyaging public than ever before. Recently, the fuel supplement that was previously charged to users of the line has been waived, making travelling on this ship still more affordable. If you have considered a cruise before but been dissuaded from looking any further into the option, then a look at the Carnival Splendor’s range of trips may be what it takes to convince you not to give up on the idea. (more…)
The Queen Mary cruise ship was the flagship ocean liner for prominent ship owners Cunard from 1936 through to her retirement in 1967. She was replaced by the Queen Mary 2.
This ship was designed to be one of the ships to perform the twice-weekly express service for Cunard, sailing from Southampton to New York via Cherbourg, France. However, the Queen Mary was forced to serve as a troop transport ship during the Second World War and the service did not begin until the end of the war. This cruise ship did, however, undertake this route for twenty years alongside sister ship the Queen Elizabeth.
Following her retirement in 1967, she is now berthed in Long Beach, California, where she is used as a museum ship and hotel. The retired luxury cruise ship is now a popular destination for ghost hunters, as she is said to be the most haunted ocean liner in the world. (more…)
The Carnival Cruise Line has become a huge name in cruise holidays since Ted Arison split from his business partner Knut Kloster in the year 1972 to form his new company, leaving behind the Norwegian Cruise Line that would go on to make a name for itself as a great innovator in the cruise industry. Carnival has carved out its own niche however in the intervening period, gaining itself a name as a provider of cheaper, shorter cruises that have brought the chance for a cruise holiday to people who previously would never have been able to afford it.
The Carnival line has got a huge number of different ships, united by the well-reputed Las Vegas style décor on board and, further to that, the Vegas-themed entertainment. The Carnival Elation cruise ship is just one of the fleet, and a wonderful example of what makes a cruise ship, too. The on-board amenities, the Vegas styling, the affordable voyages and the astonishing staterooms mark it out as a perfect example of the Carnival’s house style, and much loved by the customers it is too. Affordable it may be, but the Carnival line is not an example of cutting corners to cut costs. (more…)
There are many online travel and cruise only sites that offer great last minute travel cruise deals. The prices are slashed and they are often available within the next few weeks. The best way to find the lowest prices for the cruise destinations you want is to browse through the sites frequently. Be prepared to book the reservation as soon as you see what you have been looking for, though. The quantities are limited and the lower the price, the faster it sells. Most sites update their inventory on specific days. Browsing the sites on those days will save time and provide the largest selection.
If you don’t have the time to continuously browse the various sites and you don’t want your email cluttered with notifications about last minute travel cruise deals, there are other options. Travel clubs often purchase cabins for specific cruises in bulk and offer it to their members at a discount. Depending on the level of membership you have, there may also be exclusive pricing. These rates often include extra discounts or free upgrades that are not offered to other members. Before signing up for a club, find out what your options are. Taking advantage of these discounts will quickly pay for the annual membership fee. (more…)
For years, cruise lines have deemed their ships “floating resorts.” With the launch of Oasis of the Seas, you’ll begin to hear the term “floating neighborhoods.” That’s because Royal Caribbean’s newest class of ships offers far more than standard casinos and shows: they offer the look, feel and size of a resort community.
With 28 ultra-modern loft suites and 2,700 staterooms of various sizes, Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship built to date, costing 1.4 billion dollars. Believing that bigger is indeed better, Royal Caribbean has spared no expense with the design or amenities of this vessel.
More City than Ship
As you step aboard Oasis, you’ll get the feeling of staying in a luxurious resort area. The Royal Promenade is reminiscent of walking down a community street lined with boutique shops and restaurants. With amazing skylights and open ceilings, the natural sunlight adds to your outdoor experience. Choose from several eateries in this neighborhood including a coffee bar and cupcake bakery. (more…)
Paradise Cruises succeeds in delivering on its promise to “redefine luxury cruising” in Halong Bay. Using dark wood and cream throughout, the owners have re-created the atmosphere of a time gone by. The five-course dinner would grace any table in Vietnam.
One feature that sets Paradise Cruises out from the rest is that both Paradise I and II sail from Tuan Chau island. Closer to Ha Long Bay itself than the main Bai Chay Harbour, this allows customers to spend more time drifting among the rocks. The boat managers to maintain an intimacy that can be lacking on larger boats catering for groups. For passengers desiring greater seclusions, cabins on the second floor have their own balconies.
By running two boats, Paradise can offer personalised itineraries, such as a three-day tour that includes cycling in Cat Ba, without sacrificing passenger comfort. Replicas of the Paradise I & II, two new Paradise vessels will enter into service in December 2009. With only three sumptuous suites each, these will offer the perfect solution for those seeking a more exclusive and intimate cruising experience. (more…)
Solstice, the brand new addition to the Celebrity fleet,has finally arrived and the only word to describe her Is phenomenal!
I was lucky enough to be invited to Miami to see her first-hand and what an experience it was. Solstice is 122,000 tonnes and there will be five ships in the class, Solstice, Equinox, Eclipse and a further two yet to be named. The moment I stepped onto the ship I knew she was going to be something special. The public areas are spacious and this feeling is enhanced by tranquil lighting. The pedestrian traffic flow through the ship works incredibly well. There is an amazing choice of bars, lounges and eating options. As you’d expect, there is, the usual high standard main restaurant and the casual buffet style Oceanview cafe. There are also four specialty restaurants: Silk Harvest serving Asian cuisine, Tuscan Grille steakhouse, Murano French cuisine and Blu.
Although they all carry a surcharge they’re well worth trying for something different or for a special occasion.
The Blu restaurant is reserved primarily for guests staying in AquaClass cabins. These are ideal for those looking for that little extra bit of peace, quiet and luxury. To tell you the truth, I find it hard to express how good the food and
service is in the Blu restaurant. On top of this, AquaClass guests also have their own spa area, The Persian Garden, with its steam rooms and aromatherapy this makes this grade of cabin great value. (more…)
