Royal Holiday

As enjoyable as cruising is, one downside to this method of vacationing has remained the amount of fuel those massive ships consume. Fortunately, the cruise industry has long recognized this problem, and has spent much of the last decade trying to decrease fuel use and minimize its ships’ impact on the marine environment and on the port-of-call communities its ships visit.

Carnival Corporation recently announced the results of its Fleet Fuel Conservation Program, which the cruise line launched in 2007. According to the company, its fleet of more than 100 ships will have saved more than 1 billion gallons of fuel—a 24 percent increase in fuel efficiency—by the end of this year. That’s about $2.5 billion in fuel costs and represents a reduction in fleet-wide carbon emissions by 12 billion kilograms.

Carnival Corporation is the parent company of several high-profile cruise lines, including Carnival Cruises, Princess Cruises, and Holland America Line. Over the last seven years, each of these lines has built and refurbished several ships, and added a number of technological innovations to each one in order to boost fuel efficiency. Carnival Corporation’s efforts have addressed many areas, including the following key issues:

* Propulsion, which includes more fuel-efficient itineraries and improved sailing techniques.

* Hull coatings, which discourage marine organisms from attaching to the hull and causing fuel-wasting drag.

* Air conditioning, lighting, and water-production systems that utilize more energy-efficient technology.

* Education and training programs to make crew and guests aware of shipboard energy efforts and encourage conservation.

Other initiatives include installing more energy-efficient audiovisual and entertainment equipment, and laundry and cooking appliances. Additionally, there is an ongoing project to investigate the use of alternative energy sources on board Carnival ships.

Carnival is not alone in its pursuit of greener cruise ships. With every new build and refurbishment that is announced by the other big industry players like MSC, Disney, and Royal Caribbean, an array of new features are added to boost every ship’s fuel and energy efficiency. This makes sense in terms of financial savings for the cruise lines. However, it is also good for the environment, for the communities in cruisers’ favorite ports, and for the cruisers themselves who can enjoy their vacations that much more knowing that their host cruise line is making strides toward a cleaner world.

Of all the island destinations in the Caribbean, Jamaica is the most well known. With its reggae music, lush forests, and easygoing lifestyle, Jamaica has long drawn tourists looking for a relaxing island getaway with a laid-back and exotic vibe.

With something for every guest, Jamaica provides visitors a wide range of beaches, vendors, tours, and excursions in the country’s tourist districts. There are several resorts on the island, and guests can enjoy activities such as zip-lining through the rainforest, snorkeling, touring historical sites, shopping for souvenirs, and dining on the excellent (and often spicy!) local cuisine.

Cruisers will get their first glimpse of Jamaica at one of four cruise ports, each with a distinctive character. The ports servicing the largest ships, however, are relatively close to each other so that visitors can have time to visit attractions in more than one port town, no matter which one they pulled in to.

Montego Bay

Often called “MoBay,” Montego Bay is the second-largest city in Jamaica. As such, it offers visiting cruisers the full range of amenities, including duty-free shopping, star-quality reggae concerts, and many of the island’s famous party beaches.

Ocho Rios

Ocho Rios—or simply “Ochi” to the local residents—lies on a truly stunning stretch of coastline. Luxury resorts dot the gorgeous beach here, and some of the most popular natural attractions, including Mystic Mountain and Dunn’s River Falls, are situated among the region’s lush forests.

Falmouth

Historically a major port for the island, Falmouth joined the ranks of cruise ports in 2011. The port can host two ships (including the largest classes in the world), and it is continuing to develop. Because it is located between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, Falmouth is also convenient to many of the attractions associated with the two bigger ports.

Port Antonio

Only visitors who arrive in Jamaica aboard smaller classes of cruise ship will likely see Port Antonio, a quaint port town located on the eastern end of the north coast. Its diminutive size and less developed status give visitors here a unique opportunity to experience some hidden gems among the town’s restaurants and sights, as well as a glimpse of the “real” Jamaica.

A cruise along the western coast of Italy features so much culture, natural beauty, and fine cuisine that no Royal Holiday vacationer could hope to enjoy it all in one visit. Fortunately for cruisers, most Western Mediterranean cruise itineraries typically include stopovers to at least one of the beautiful ports of call along the Italian coast. Following are a few of the most visited and memorable destinations.

La Spezia

Located on the Ligurian coast of northwestern Italy, La Spezia is a place of incredible natural beauty. The entire area is large protected parkland – and rightly so. The seaside cliffs and mountains provide stunning scenery and make for excellent hiking excursions. Le Spezia is perhaps best known as a major launching point for tours into Cinque Terre, a series of five unique fishing villages that are each known for gorgeous water, colorful buildings clinging to the cliffsides, and individual character.

Civitavecchia

The port of bustling Rome, Civitavecchia is a cruiser’s doorway into the pulsing heart of Italy. From here, visitors can plan excursions to see all the grand sights of Italy’s capital city, including the Pantheon, the Vatican, the Colosseum, and countless museums and archeological sites. Of course, the shopping and dining opportunities are nearly endless here, as well, giving cruisers more than a few chances to experience la dolce vita in true Italian style.

Naples

In the shadow of the famous Mt. Vesuvius, Naples is considered the urban heart of southern Italy. This ancient city hosts the fascinating National Archaeological Museum, which exhibits an unparalleled collection of Roman sculpture, mosaics, murals, and other artwork. From Naples, one can also tour Cumae, the first Greek colony on the Italian peninsula, and Lago d’Averno, the lake across which the fabled River Styx was discovered in ancient Greek myth.

Palermo

A busy, chaotic city on the island of Sicily, visitors here will experience a different slice of Italy. The contrast can be bewildering: parts of the city haven’t been rebuilt since they were bombed in World War II, while others have grown into ultra-posh and exclusive neighborhoods. However, the city is dense and easy to stroll around, giving visitors plenty of time to take in the many beautiful churches, palaces, museums, and cafes.

Liisi Kütt won this year’s Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year award with her innovative apple-and-melon drink, Summer Fair Cocktail. The expert mixologist from the Estonian ferry service Tallink and Silja Lines beat out a field of tough competitors from much larger cruise lines, Carnival Cruise Lines and Norwegian Cruise Line.

The victory is a first for Tallink and Silja Line, a relatively small ferry company operating mainly in the Baltic Sea in Europe. According to representatives of the company, a ferry trip is often much like a “mini-cruise holiday,” complete with a range of spa, fine dining, and shopping experiences. And now, Ms. Kütt’s recent award has shown the ferry line to be staffed with truly expert-level crew, as well.

Of course, the bigger cruise lines also made an excellent showing, with Carnival and Norwegian dominating the awards. Both companies have been widely recognized for their highly skilled bartenders. In fact, the past two years’ Bartender of the Year awards were both won by Adri Ford, a top mixologist with Carnival Cruises.

This year, the second-place Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year award went to Ionna Luncean on the Carnival Sunshine. Rounding out the top five this year were Brian Bent from the Carnival Liberty, Allan Garcia of the NCL Star, and Joeped Garrido of the NCL Getaway. In addition, the first-ever People’s Choice Winner award went to Vera Restarovic of the Carnival Conquest.

This is the ninth year that a Bacardi Cruise Competition Bartender of the Year award has been bestowed. This year saw hundreds of entries from bartenders working for 14 different cruise and ferry companies. These were narrowed down to 25 semi-finalists, each with a signature recipe using Bacardi branded ingredients. Their recipes were featured on the popular CruiseCritic website in the early summer. Judges from Bacardi chose the five winners, while a sixth – the People’s Choice Winner – was determined by a public vote.

Several days after being struck by Hurricane Odile, the resort town of Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, was still reeling from the aftermath. With significant damage to the local airport and accommodations throughout the city, it took a week to rescue most of the tourists who found themselves stranded with little food, shelter, or electricity. Now that most vacationers have been transported to safety, Mexican army troops are helping to secure the town and begin the rebuilding process.

Affectionately called “Cabo” by vacationers who return to it year after year, Cabo San Lucas is a favorite destination for a variety of resort travelers. It is located at the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, south of California, and sports a wide array of amenities for the many tourists who enjoy the area’s sun, surf, and mountains. The resort has earned a reputation for exciting nightlife, excellent fishing, many top restaurants, and its most striking landmark, Land’s End, an arch of stone than juts out over the beach and into the sea.

Hurricane Odile, however, has put a stop to the fun-in-the-sun, at least for the time being. Practically all the hotels and shops in town suffered damage in the storm, and many of them experienced looting. Ground and air transportation into and out of the area remains largely shut down. While no cruise ships were directly impacted by the storm, the damage to the port city has led cruise lines like Princess and Disney Cruises to avoid the port of call, opting instead to stop in Puerto Vallarta.

Fortunately, Cabo is well on its way to recovery. Reports state that area airports should be operational by the end of September, and most utilities have already been restored. In addition, hotels in the city expect to re-open in the first half of October. When residents and businesses have had time to recover from the destruction of Hurricane Odile, cruise lines will start bringing cruisers back to Cabo to enjoy everything the beautiful resort area has to offer.

In honor of its golden anniversary next year, Princess Cruises has planned a year of celebrations. The first event involves a group of familiar faces: the cast of the hit television series, The Love Boat.

Princess Cruises will christen its newest ship, the Regal Princess, this November 5th, with actors from The Love Boat serving as the flagship’s godparents. Participating in the naming ceremony will be all six of the show’s original cast members: Fred Gandy, Bernie Kopell, Ted Lange, Lauren Tewes, Jill Whelan, and of course, Gavin Macleod, who played the memorable Captain Stubing.

For both the cruise line and the cast members, this affair will be something of a reunion. The pilot episode of The Love Boat was filmed on board the original Sun Princess in 1977. Portraying stories of romance set at sea the television series enjoyed 10 highly successful seasons, thus making it one of the longest-running shows ever. Perhaps more importantly, the program introduced the elegant and relaxing world of cruising to a wider audience.

The Regal Princess is a fitting vessel to lead Princess Cruises into the future. The ship boasts the cruise line’s signature SeaWalk; an expanded central Piazza; a new aft-facing Terrace Pool; and a variety of other accommodation and entertainment features. Launched in May, the Regal Princess will homeport in Fort Lauderdale and sail Caribbean itineraries.

According to company spokespersons, the Regal Princess will host a spectacular array of events in celebration of Princess’ 50th birthday. In fact, cruisers sailing aboard any of Princess Cruises’ 18 vessels can look forward to a variety of special anniversary activities throughout all of 2015.

A true highlight of countless cruisers’ Western Caribbean vacations is a visit to one of the Yucatan Peninsula’s majestic Mayan ruins. There are hundreds of significant archeological sites throughout the region, and more than 4,000 smaller sites. Fortunately, some of the best Mayan ruins lie just a short distance from several of the Western Caribbean’s most visited cruise ports, thus making shore excursions to these haunting and historic sites as easy as chatting with a booking agent. Read on to learn about just a few of the sites cruisers enjoy visiting.

Port of Call – Cozumel

Several Mayan ruins grace the Mexican coast near the popular island destination of Cozumel. The most famous complex of ruins is Chichen Itza. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this large, well-developed site offers some of the most iconic views of Mayan temples anywhere in the region. The ancient city of Coba is nestled deep in the jungle, and its great temple— the tallest in Yucatan at nearly 140 feet high—offers amazing panoramic views of neighboring buildings peeking above the treetops. An ancient coastal site, Tulum, sits right on the beach, thereby allowing visitors to take a dip in the turquoise waters after exploring the ruins.

Port of Call – Costa Maya

Mysterious Cacchoben is a pleasant, hour-long bus ride from the port of Costa Maya, Mexico. These ruins are relatively undeveloped, so visitors to the site get a glimpse of how the temple buildings appeared when they were discovered: overgrown with lush vegetation and surrounded by jungle wildlife.

Port of Call – Belize City

The country of Belize also hosts a number of famous Mayan archeological sites. Lamanai is one of the few ancient cities in the region that has retained its original Mayan name, which means “submerged crocodile.” Its largest structures have been restored, though countless others remain hidden in the surrounding jungle foliage. A relatively small site, Altun Ha is very well developed and convenient to Belize City. The site is especially notable for a beautiful Sun God head carved of jade.

In recent years, several cruise lines have put significant effort into building new vessels, and upgrading existing ones—a trend that looks set to continue for the next several years. However, rather than just creating more and bigger ships, all this construction is geared toward building better ships. Cruise lines are installing an amazing array of cutting-edge technologies to make passengers’ vacations easier and more fun.

Keeping in Touch

Cruisers commonly complain that onboard internet and cell phone use is painfully slow and expensive. Fortunately, several cruise lines are offering innovative new ways to let their passengers communicate with loved ones back home. MTN Communications’ Connect@Sea program—first implemented by Disney Cruise Line this year—changes the way companies charge for internet access. Instead of the standard, per-minute, time-based system, the new allotment scheme uses a cheaper, more efficient, data-based, per-megabyte system. Along similar lines, both Princess and Royal Caribbean are significantly improving their internet offerings, through partnerships that will both speed up connections while reducing passenger costs.

Hi-Tech Customer Service

While internet access is important for customers, it’s not the only item that the industry is changing to improve the cruise experience. For example, Royal Caribbean’s brand-new ship, Quantum of the Seas, offers a range of technology-enhanced services, including an enhanced computerized check-in system that will streamline boarding and luggage handling. The company has also designed new apps that enable families and friends on the same ship to stay in touch through the day and coordinate their activities. In addition, Royal Caribbean is distributing tablet computers to crew members throughout its fleet to improve customer service. It is even adding a novel robot bartender to the mix!

Because passengers share their cruise experiences through social media, companies have a clear interest in providing their passengers with affordable communications and tech-enhanced services. As long as cruisers continue to enjoy and promote the cruise industry, cruise lines will strive to provide latest technologies to keep them connected and happy.

With summer drawing to a close, vacation time is over for most people, and many cruisers are heading back to work and school. For those who can spare the time, though, autumn presents plenty of excellent reasons to cruise.

Ever Take a Long Cruise?

In the cruise industry, fall is a popular time for major repositioning cruises, when companies move ships to new homeports. These one-way cruises tend to be fairly long—often two weeks or more—but also cheaper per day than during high season. However, because these voyages are one way, cruisers will need to arrange travel to and from each end of the trip. For a trans-oceanic voyage, that can mean a hefty expense—or it can be a perfect excuse to spend a few months on another continent until a repositioning cruise in the other direction comes along.

Fall Trees and Bright Leaves

In North America, many people take a driving tour of the northeast to view the gorgeous fall foliage. Cruisers can be “leaf peepers” too, with unique sea perspectives. This time of year, many cruise ships sail the eastern coast of the US and Canada, stopping in New England and other choice ports to experience the flaming autumn colors and fun fall festivals.

Autumn Holidays

Some years, cruising families will opt to spend a fall holiday on board a cruise ship. The cruise lines work hard to provide a festive atmosphere, with all the right trappings: decorations, music, and food. Many ships offer cruisers a chance to dress up at Halloween parties. In addition, practically all ships serve a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on the big day—and you don’t have to wash a single dish afterward!

Almost everyone who has taken a cruise with an Eastern Caribbean itinerary has explored the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI). The vast majority of these port calls are at the island of St. Thomas, one of the most-visited cruise ports in the world. However, even long-time cruisers might be surprised to discover just how much there is to do and see in the USVI when you wander a bit further afield.

St. Thomas

The pretty island town of Charlotte Amalie is easily one of the top ports of call in the world. With its strong Dutch influence and extremely well-developed infrastructure, there really is something here for anyone. The island’s extremely favorable duty-free shopping, famous Magens Bay Beach, and countless other attractions also mean that there is a constant stream of cruise ships. In fact, on some days as many as six ships can be harbored there—which means more than 20,000 tourists on an island with only around 50,000 residents!

Water Island

Located in the main harbor of St. Thomas, this is sometimes considered “the fourth Virgin Island.” No cruise ships port here, but a ferry makes it easy enough to enjoy a day on this laid-back little island’s quiet beaches.

St. John

Only a few cruise ships make port calls to St. John, and when they do, they remain at anchorage well offshore. That’s just as well, because the big draw to St. John is its pristine wilderness. The island is dominated by the Virgin Islands National Park, which is laced with trails connecting beautiful hilltop views, historical sites, and secluded beaches. Cruz Bay, the only real town on the island, offers plenty of amenities, as well as local handicrafts, which make perfect souvenirs.

St. Croix

The biggest island of the bunch, St. Croix is located a bit off the main ship thoroughfare. As a result, cruise ships only rarely stop here. For this reason, the island has fewer tourist-oriented amenities than St. Thomas does. However, it still sports many unique attractions, including excellent diving and restaurants, several historic sights, rum distillery tours, and countless cultural offerings—including famous beer-drinking pigs!