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RCI’s Harmony of the Seas to be Largest Cruise Ship in the World

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

Cruise line Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has recently announced that its third Oasis-class vessel, Harmony of the Seas, will be the biggest cruise ship in the world. Slated for launch a year from now, the behemoth will weigh in at 227,000 tons and will boast 16 decks with accommodations and entertainment for up to 5,479 cruisers.

Of course, Harmony’s immense size is only part of the story. Company officials have indicated that the new ship will offer an array of innovations for cruisers lucky enough to sail aboard her. Some types of cabins, for example, will be larger than those on Harmony’s Oasis-class sister ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas. Interior cabins, which lack windows, will instead feature “virtual” balconies that pipe in a real-time, rain-or-shine outside view for the enjoyment of guests. Suite passengers, too, will find a number of upgrades in their rooms, while all passengers will benefit from high-tech Royal WOWBand bracelets that serve as a cabin key, electronic wallet, and scheduler.

Like other Oasis-class ships, Harmony features several “neighborhoods,” each with a distinctive character and focus. Among the many decks, cruisers will find a number of unforgettable dining and entertainment experiences. Harmony will also host several restaurants that have recently debuted on other RCI vessels, including Sabor, which serves contemporary Mexican food, and Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine. Passengers can also enjoy a uniquely high tech experience at the Bionic Bar, where robot bartenders serve up precision-mixed custom cocktails.

Perhaps the most striking addition to Harmony will be three colorful waterslides perched atop the ship. Situated directly above the Central Park neighborhood, the slides will provide hours of fun for the whole family.

Harmony of the Seas will officially launch in April 2016 in Europe. She will sail the Mediterranean on her maiden voyage, visiting Barcelona, Rome, and other popular ports during that summer. Then she will sail to Florida in autumn 2016. From Port Everglades, her permanent homeport, Harmony will sail 7-night Caribbean itineraries.

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Martinique’s French-Caribbean Mystique Draws Tourists

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

In the last few years, one of the Caribbean’s most exotic island destinations has been sailing ahead full steam in its efforts to draw more tourists to its shores. Located in the Eastern Caribbean Sea, the island of Martinique has recently seen a huge surge in cruise passenger tourists. This season, 280,000 guests are expected to visit, including those arriving on 24 ships that have never docked on the island before.

The rise in tourism on Martinique is the result of a concerted effort to advertise the island’s charms and accommodate new visitors. Beginning in 2011, the Martinique Tourism Authority initiated a program to make the island more accessible to guests from all over the world, especially North America.

The tourism authority has helped local businesses improve their signage, and uniformed English-speaking guides are now available to assist cruise passengers venturing ashore. In addition, many shop workers have voluntarily enrolled in English language classes to improve their ability to communicate with tourists. Resorts have revamped their operations to improve services for guests as well.

In terms of infrastructure, the Pointe Simon cruise terminal saw upgrades in 2013, and the Tourelles terminal has sought to streamline operations such as luggage handling. The government has also financed the dredging of the main harbor to accommodate larger cruise ships.

So what does Martinique offer cruisers?

The island’s deep Caribbean roots are intermingled with a distinctive European influence. Because it is a part of France, the culture of Martinique is unmistakably French in character—including the language, which can make for a challenging but unforgettable visit! Fields of banana trees and sugarcane dominate the island, and define much of the local cuisine and drink, including the popular rums made in the island’s several distilleries.

The main city is Fort-de-France, where visitors can take in a variety of museums and historical buildings. Shoppers will enjoy the local shops as well as high-end French boutiques and open-air markets. For a more decadent resort-style experience, go to nearby Trois Ilets. The beaches, cafes, and sunshine give this part of Martinique a sophisticated St. Tropez vibe.

Shore excursions include a variety of options, such as full-island or city tours, sailing and snorkeling, 4×4 adventures, and more. There are also a number of beaches around the island perfect for laid-back relaxation and all kinds of water sports.

With its beautiful beaches, elegant shopping, unique museums, forest treks, and excellent dining, Martinique has something for any cruiser.

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Cruising: More than Just a Fun Vacation

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

As cruise lines reach out to first-time cruisers and old sea dogs alike, they are continually striving to offer innovative yet affordable options for fun and relaxation during their passengers’ ocean vacations. With so many excellent restaurants, stage shows, casinos, and other entertainment venues available on a cruise, it’s clear that there’s practically no limit to the fun. Maybe it’s not so surprising, then, that cruise customers in a recent survey voted cruising as their number one vacation option.

However, can an ocean voyage actually be good for you, too?

The Cruise Line International Association took a stab at that question early this March when it released a comprehensive list of the beneficial effects of cruising—complete with the research to back them up!

Kick Back and Relax

Stress is a very real problem that can contribute to many potentially serious health issues. Luckily, a cruise is the perfect antidote to stress! Aside from providing an all-inclusive, hassle-free vacation, a cruise offers countless ways to unwind by the pool, in the spa, or on the beach. No matter what you do during your cruise to get away from the hustle and bustle of work, it’s likely to benefit your mind and body.

Enjoy the Sun and Surf

For thousands of years, people have known that sunshine and fresh sea air invigorate the body, and a cruise is the ultimate way to get both. Swimming in ocean water has been shown to improve circulation, and fresh sea breezes can make you feel more energized and awake. Sunshine helps boost the body’s production of Vitamin D, too. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Spend Time with Friends and Family

Little is better for the spirit than unplugging from the digital world for a while and having a good time with friends and family. With so many excellent eateries, dance clubs, pubs, casinos, and shore excursions, there are many opportunities to enjoy being with your loved ones and making new friends.

Try Something New

Perhaps the best part of a cruise is sailing to exotic destinations and experiencing new things. Cruises offer a huge variety of shore excursions and personal enrichment opportunities. In just a single cruise, you can explore ancient ruins, spot whales, learn to parasail, sample delicious local food, learn about the constellations in the night sky, and take a yoga class, along with dozens of other activities. The opportunities really are practically endless.

Whatever your plans are for your next cruise, be assured that you’ll return refreshed and fulfilled!

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After Cyclone Pam, Vanuatu Receives Aid from Cruise Industry

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

On March 13, the Pacific nation of Vanuatu suffered a direct hit from Tropical Cyclone Pam, a Category 5 storm that devastated 22 islands and displaced tens of thousands of people. In the few weeks since, relief efforts have continued, bringing together aid organizations from around the world to help the country rebuild shelters and businesses, repair water infrastructure, plant crops, and reestablish public services that were disrupted by the storm. In response to the Cyclone Pam disaster, the global cruise industry has also provided financial and material aid.

In addition to a donation of AUD$100,000 to the Australian Red Cross’ aid efforts, Royal Caribbean International has championed the Australian Red Cross Cyclone Pam 2015 Appeal through its Facebook page.

Carnival Australia made a donation to Save the Children Australia in the amount of AUD$150,000, while the chairman of Carnival Corporation, Micky Arison, announced a matching contribution through his family foundation. The company is also working with Save the Children Australia to land a support team in Vanuatu to help coordinate relief there.

In addition, the ship Carnival Legend made a call to the island of Santo in the days immediately following the storm in order to deliver emergency supplies. The Carnival Corporation subsidiary cruise line, P&O Cruises, has scheduled two more vessels, Pacific Dawn and Pacific Pearl, to visit Vanuatu’s Port Vila to drop off large shipments of bottled water, packaged food, and portable shelters.

The cruise industry response to Tropical Cyclone Pam is just the latest in a long history of providing relief in times of need. Along with the millions of dollars that individual cruise lines contributed to Typhoon Haiyan recovery efforts in 2013, the Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation, the industry’s leading giving organization, also provided a sizable donation. Cruise lines were also instrumental in relief efforts after Hurricane Sandy in 2012 and the devastating earthquake in Haiti in 2010.

The cruise industry is founded on the principles of an ancient maritime tradition that compels them to offer service in times of need. Cruisers and crews alike can be certain that the industry will step up whenever the ports they visit are affected by a natural disaster.

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Carnival Steps Up to Meet Demand for Longer Cruises

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

Several cruise lines such as Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises, and Holland America Line have traditionally offered 10-day, two-week, and even longer cruises. According to industry experts, these kinds of long voyages are gaining in popularity – and other major cruise lines are heeding the call.

Early this March, Carnival Cruise Line announced plans to provide a special program of nine- to 15-day vacations. Known as Carnival Journeys, the eagerly anticipated slate of sailings aims to introduce passengers to an array of lesser-known destinations, as well as a host of brand-new onboard entertainment options for vacationers looking for an extended cruise experience.

Carnival has long been recognized for its Fun Ship philosophy, and many relatively short three- to eight-day itineraries, especially to popular destinations such as Bermuda, the Bahamas, and well-known Caribbean islands like Jamaica and St. Thomas. The new Carnival Journeys program breaks the company mold. After listening to longtime customers, the cruise line created the initiative in response to passengers’ desire to visit more exotic destinations and to enjoy cultural experiences unavailable on shorter cruises – and to do so with characteristic Carnival fun and affordability.

The Carnival Journeys trips will embark from some of the nation’s busiest home ports on the East, West, and Gulf Coasts. From there, the ships, including some of the company’s newest and most advanced, will visit a variety of destinations throughout the Caribbean or the Pacific. While popular ports of call are found on these itineraries, so are a number of less familiar ones, such as Bonaire in the Caribbean, Ixtapa and La Paz in Mexico.

In addition, Carnival’s program will feature thoughtful new onboard experiences and shore excursions to complement the exotic destinations. Authentic Eats, for example, will bring aboard local chefs to prepare genuine food and drink from ports of call and will even offer shore excursions allowing passengers to sample still more local fare at the chefs’ own restaurants. The Academy of Fun promises to mix excitement with education through engaging lectures and enrichment activities on a variety of topics ranging from navigation to social media. Many other special activities are also planned for these long cruises, which means that guests of the Carnival Journeys program will hardly lack for memorable things to do.

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The Ideal Spring Break Cruise for You

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

Winter is finally thawing, and countless young people across the country have already let out for spring break – or are eagerly looking forward to it.

Most universities and colleges have their spring break week sometime in March, while school children typically take time off around Easter, which will occur in early April this year. Together, those dates mean that this is currently one of the high seasons for cruise travelers.

So what should you think about when cruising this time of year? Well, it really depends on why you’re taking that ocean voyage.

Cruising for the Kids

Taking a cruise has become a favorite vacation option for families during the last several years, both for the value and ease of planning. If your spring break revolves around your children’s school schedule, then be sure to make plans early because so many schools let out at the same time. Fortunately, cruise lines understand that families have limited schedules and offer plenty of short – three to five-day cruises – to fun destinations like the Bahamas or the Caribbean islands. Cruise lines such as Carnival, Norwegian, and Disney cater to families and provide tons of activities for children of all ages.

Cruising for College Students

For university students, a three- or five-day cruise is an appealing option for fun – and saving money. This time of year, cruise lines like Carnival are known for offering fast, furious, and fun sailing itineraries to exciting spring break hot spots on the Mexican coast, in Jamaica, the Bahamas, and many other fantastic destinations. While at sea, these ships also offer plenty of options like nightclubs, fitness centers, and casinos to let you unwind during your week off away from the books. Before you book, though, be sure to take a careful look at the cruise line’s stateroom policy: some companies require that a cabin be occupied by at least one 21-year-old (or even older) passenger.

Cruising to Avoid the Spring Break Crowds

However, not everyone is looking for a crazy party cruise. For passengers who’d like a quieter voyage away from the younger crowd, consider taking a longer cruise of seven, 10, or more days. Also, smaller ships and premium cruise lines like Celebrity Cruises or Holland America Line tend to offer more adult cruise experiences, in general. But don’t forget that even on the big ships with lots of families, there are special adults-only facilities where you can kick back and relax, free of the hubbub of spring break.

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Destination Tips

St. Patrick’s Day Makes a Great Cruise Even Better

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

St. Patrick’s Day is right around the corner, and many Royal Holiday Cruises members are looking forward to celebrating the day on board their favorite ships this year. Because St. Paddy’s is such a popular party for so many passengers, ships sailing North American itineraries typically plan a variety of fun activities and special surprises for young and old alike.

Festivities

Theme parties and trivia games will keep Royal Caribbean cruisers busy, while the kids can participate in entertaining crafts activities. In its shipboard nightclubs, Norwegian will feature traditional jigs. Carnival ships will offer green face-painting and Irish-themed gift giveaways. On past Carnival cruises, Passengers have even reported a camera-toting leprechaun snapping pictures of their memorable vacation moments!

Of course, every ship will be playing lots of Irish music and putting up green decorations. While passengers won’t always find a pot o’ gold at the end of the rainbow, those blessed with a bit of Irish luck will find plenty to do in the ship’s casino.

Food and Drink

Cruise ships are all about excellent food every day, and St. Patrick’s Day is no exception. Regardless of cruise line, practically all ships offer a special menu featuring traditional Irish fare like corned beef, boiled potatoes, and cabbage. Of course, the drink flows freely this time of year, too. Carnival, for example, is hosting pub crawls on several of its ships, and Norwegian is mixing up some special cocktails for guests. In addition, don’t forget the green beer!

DIY St. Patrick’s Day

The best way to ensure a perfectly Irish celebration is to bring your own. Countless cruisers take along a few decorations for their cabin door, as well as some little gifts to hand out to the many new friends they’re bound to make during their cruise. Most importantly, don’t forget to pack something green to wear when you head out to have some fun on your next St. Paddy’s cruise!

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Destination Tips

2014 Cruisers’ Choice Awards Recognize Best Destination Cruises

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

Every year, Cruise Critic, the top internet resource for cruise reviews and news, publishes its hotly anticipated Cruisers’ Choice Awards. This latest edition of the Awards recognizes cruise ships that earned top rankings among real passengers who sailed some of the world’s most exciting itineraries in 2014.

Royal Holiday Cruises Blog recently looked at the winning cruise ships in a number of the “Best Experience” categories of interest to our readers. This week, we’re highlighting the following “Best Destination Cruises” winners:

Alaska

Several cruise lines shared the top honors for sailings along the rugged Alaskan coast. With its thoughtful Arctic-theme, Royal Caribbean’s Radiance of the Seas won the top spot. Ships from Holland America, Celebrity, Princess, and Norwegian rounded out the top five Best Alaska Cruises.

The Bahamas

In the “Best Bahamas Cruises” category, Disney Dream won the blue ribbon, while sister ship Disney Magic clocked in at fourth. Taking second was Royal Caribbean’s Serenade of the Seas, while two of Carnival’s famous Fun Ships claimed the remaining honors.

The Caribbean

Providing a classic, small-ship cruise experience, Holland America’s Nieuw Amsterdam came in first for itineraries in the ever-popular Caribbean. Three ships in Celebrity Cruises’ fleet also made a fine showing in the “Best Caribbean Cruises” category, as did one vessel from Disney Cruises.

The Mediterranean

Celebrity Cruises sailed away with four of the five top honors in the “Best Mediterranean Cruises” category. With itineraries offering the enchanting ruins, unique culture, and delicious fare of Southern Italy, Celebrity Reflection took the number-one spot. Three of her sister ships came in third, fourth, and fifth places.

Congratulations to the all winning ships and crews of Cruise Critic’s 2014 Cruisers’ Choice Awards! With a choice of so many wonderful ships sailing to so many fantastic destinations, maybe it’s time to start thinking about your next ocean voyage.

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Destination Tips

Barbados Beckons…

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

As more people are discovering the joys of taking an ocean voyage, the many ports that cater to those cruisers are also benefiting. For example, the Caribbean island nation of Barbados announced that it is ramping up its tourism business now that the number of visitors is bouncing back after a lull in recent years. This is fantastic news for Caribbean cruisers who can take advantage of all the buzz to experience everything that Barbados has to offer!

Soaked in sun, surf, and British culture, Barbados sits at the far eastern edge of the Caribbean Sea. The island is highly developed in the areas serving the cruise ports. However, vast stretches of agricultural land and wilderness roads beckon to those interested in exploring the small country’s unspoiled cliffs, forests, and beaches.

Barbados boasts a number of wonderful shore excursion options. In honor of its status as the only place that President George Washington ever visited outside the United States, the country maintains The George Washington House museum, which preserves period artifacts in an authentically restored setting. For even more history, stop by the Mount Gay Rum distillery for a fascinating lesson in Barbados’ past—and a cool drink to go along with it!

Harrison’s Cave stands among the best cavern experiences in the Caribbean, with a modern visitor center and plenty of opportunities to see local wildlife. For shopping and dining, head to Holetown, where visitors to Chattel Village can rummage through local restaurants and gift shops that offer souvenirs.

Of course, being an island, Barbados has its share of fine beaches. Brandon’s Beach is easily accessible from the cruise port. Payne Beach, on the southern reaches of the east coast, has earned praise as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Caribbean. It also offers plenty of amenities. For more adventurous beach-goers, there are several very secluded beaches along the island’s less developed east coast.

Finally, before reboarding your cruise ship, consider picking up a special souvenir from Barbados’ past: a bag of authentic Barbadian brown sugar. You can then bake a deliciously memorable “Bajun” treat for friends and family when you return home

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Quick and easy: Cruises online

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

The option of a trip by cruise provides a complete holiday, visiting several destinations in one trip. And if you book online, you will find it easy and convenient. Plus, on reservations of more than 5,000 Holiday Credits you receive 500 gift for your next holiday.

Next, we explain the steps for booking your next vacation aboard a cruise through the website very simply. Ready?

  1. Go to the Cruises section on royal-holiday.com and look for available options. You can choose a cruise by route, duration in days, departure date, or ship. Some ships have triple and quadruple cabins, in addition to the double cabins you already know.
  1. Choose the ship and route you prefer, the number of passengers who will be traveling, and select search. The system will display cabin options and the cost in credits for each, as well as the all-inclusive cost. You can go to details for more information. With that, you can choose your favorite option and select
  1. At this time, the lodging is reserved for a limited time. So, it is important not to take too long to complete the process. Fill in the form with your contact information and accept the cancellation policies, terms and conditions. Select
  1. In this screen you must fill out all the passenger data of those traveling on the cruise. This information is required by the cruise operator and filling it out now will save you future paperwork. Remember to have the passports of all travelers with you, as you will need the information in these documents, in addition to the personal information of every traveler. In this section you can also indicate whether you are celebrating a special occasion or if you need any care or medical equipment in particular.
  1. In the next and final step you will view the total to pay, and you can choose which card to use. Fill out the information and select You will see a reference code and a bank authorization code. You will also be able to print the booking confirmation. The official documentation from the cruise operator will arrive by email 30 days before the cruise departure. Keep your receipts and confirmations and get ready for an incredible journey aboard a cruise. Remember that each reservation online, gives you a 500 Holiday Credits gift for your next vacation, also in a cruise!

Before booking, it is important to note that your passport must be valid for 6 months after the cruise trip ends, and you may need special documentation depending on the laws of the country or countries you visit.

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