Royal Holiday

The beginning of the holiday season means it’s finally the time of year for the leading cruise information website, Cruise Critic, to announce its annual Editors’ Picks Awards. This year, awards honored leaders in 18 categories, recognizing the best in innovation, service, and quality throughout the industry.

A number of Royal Holiday-affiliated cruise lines received accolades in this year’s list. Among the results announced are:

* Best New Ship – The debut of Royal Caribbean’s advanced Quantum of the Seas made waves in the cruise industry this year. The new ship offers many high-tech innovations to ease passenger check-in and internet access; in addition, several exciting new entertainment options, large cabins, and other features make it a standout among modern vessels.

* Best Itineraries – With routes all over the world, Princess walked away with the “Best Itineraries” prize this year. Especially known for its Alaskan cruises, the line’s ships also visit ports throughout North America, Europe, and the Pacific.

* Best Value for Money – A longtime favorite, Carnival Cruises proved itself the most affordable option for cruisers. With the largest fleet on the water, Carnival has something to offer pretty much everyone.

* Best Entertainment – Its huge variety of shows and other entertainment options put Norwegian Cruise Line in the top spot in this category. This is the line that offers the highly rated Legends in Concert series, as well as countless musicals, jazz clubs, comedy shows, and more.

About Cruise Critic

For nearly 20 years, Cruise Critic has offered thorough coverage of the cruise industry. In that time, the website has grown into the world’s leading source of cruise information and reviews. The site also hosts an enormous and very active online community, along with a range of planning tools, reviews, feature articles, and more. With such a high profile among cruisers, the Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards are eagerly anticipated throughout the industry every year.

If you have ever sailed the Eastern or Southern Caribbean, it is likely that you have spent a little time in beautiful, historic San Juan. The bustling capital city of the U.S. island of Puerto Rico is a common embarkation port for cruises, as well as a frequent turn-around stop. For this reason, many North American cruisers have found themselves wandering the Old Town’s cobblestone streets and enjoying the island’s unique music, cuisine, and natural beauty.

The city itself offers a lovely historical district where day-trippers can take in museums, sample excellent local food, and get in plenty of tax-free shopping. Colonial era architecture includes the lovely Cathedral of San Juan and the centuries-old fort, El Morro. Shoppers will especially appreciate the cafes and boutiques to be found along Calle San Jose and Calle Fortaleza. Souvenir hunters with an eye for the artsy might head to the galleries of Calle del Cristo, or Plaza Arturo Somohano, where local artisans sell authentic crafts.

Being a tropical paradise, Puerto Rico naturally has plenty of outdoor rest and relaxation for visitors to enjoy, too. A short taxi ride from the cruise terminal are several stretches of luxurious sand in the hotel districts of Condado and Isla Verde. For a more remote—but no less civilized—beach experience, consider renting a car to drive to Bahia Beach or Luquillo Beach for a quieter day in the sun.

About an hour inland, Bosque El Yunque, a U.S. National Forest, is a fine destination for hikers with an interest in exploring Puerto Rico’s distinctive wildlife, secluded waterfalls, and lush vegetation. For those with the time to take an evening boat tour, an unusual nighttime excursion awaits in nearby Fajardo. Guests here can kayak through one of the world’s only bioluminescent lagoons, and see the surface of the lake light up mysteriously as their boats glide through the water.

Of course, no visit to Puerto Rico would be complete without trying the local fare. Cruisers can start the day with a hearty “mallorca,” a ham and egg sandwich on a sweet roll. Those with time for dinner will also find a full spectrum of fine dining establishments catering to the island’s blossoming gourmet scene. And certainly not to be overlooked is a tour of the Bacardi Rum factory, for a little sampling of some of the best rums around.

The largest cruise company in the world recently announced that it would acquire several new ships, expanding its global fleet by almost 10 percent from 2014 through the end of 2016. In addition to obtaining new ships, Carnival Corporation has also focused heavily on refurbishing existing ships in recent years to provide passengers with the very latest innovations in cruise vacationing.

Carnival Corporation is the parent company of a number of well-known cruise lines. Included among its holdings are popular American lines like Princess and Carnival, as well as several European-based lines. The company also owns a number of luxury cruise brands. Across all its lines’ fleets, Carnival Corporation currently sails just over 100 ships.

A handful of christenings have recently added to that number. In a high-profile naming ceremony that involved the cast of “The Love Boat” sitcom of the 1970s, Princess cruises introduced its new flagship, the Regal Princess. Likewise this month, Italian line Costa Cruises—another Carnival Corporation property—christened its newest vessel, Costa Diadema. Two more ships will join the greater Carnival family in 2015, and still more will follow in 2016, including the highly anticipated Carnival Vista.

Existing ships will also enjoy face-lifts in coming years. In 2015, the company expects to refurbish 17 vessels. The renovations will include hi-tech upgrades to ships’ systems, as well as significant style and comfort boosts on ships in select markets.

So what does all this growth mean for cruisers?

According to Carnival Corporation executives, expanding its fleets and upgrading its ships is the best way to ensure guests continue to get the most out of their precious vacation time aboard Carnival-owned vessels. The expansions will push Carnival brands’ presence into new markets, and maintain the status of cruising as an affordable vacation option that provides the most memories and relaxation for the cost.

As one of the most famous stops on the gorgeous Mexican Riviera, Puerto Vallarta has long drawn tourists to explore the area’s rich culture and natural beauty.

Scenic shorelines define the coast of Puerto Vallarta, where posh resort beaches like those in the hotel-heavy “Golden Zone” compete with sportier beaches like Playa de los Muertos. There are also plenty of shore excursions for adventurous cruisers, with activities like jungle zip-lining, snorkeling, birding, kayaking, and countless other outdoor pursuits. At the same time, the picturesque downtown, El Centro, offers a pleasant profusion of cobblestone streets, quaint shops, and colonial architecture, with a constant serenade of music. No visitor should miss the Malecon, a restored seaside walkway lined with an array of thought-provoking sculptures.

Perhaps the biggest attraction in Puerto Vallarta is the food. The town is home to several of Mexico’s top restaurants as well as countless local cafes and street stalls serving up delicious traditional favorites.

This month, Puerto Vallarta continues its long-established role as a foodie mecca as it hosts the city’s 20th Annual International Gourmet Festival. The celebration features the works of over 30 renowned chefs from all over the world. Over the course of the 10-day festival, visitors and locals alike can enjoy cooking classes, “gourmet safaris,” cheese and beer tastings, and countless other interactive events with some of the most accomplished culinary talents around.

The foodie fun in Puerto Vallarta isn’t limited to November, though. In fact, the area is widely known for the many culinary festivals that grace the calendar from October through May. This past October, the Vallarta Nayarit Gastronomica brought some of North America’s top chefs to the area for four days of tastings, lectures, and exhibits. In May, many of the city’s 360-plus restaurants, participate in the town’s 10th annual Restaurant Week, during which guests can enjoy a huge range of prix fixe menus.

Given the region’s fascination with good food and fine dining, there is sure to be something in Puerto Vallarta to please even the pickiest cruiser!

With tons of fuel and accommodations for thousands of people, a cruise ship is a massive machine that potentially produces a great deal of waste, noise, and pollution. However, for the last few decades, the pleasure cruise industry has made great strides in reducing the impact that its ships have on the ocean environment. In recognition of these efforts, the world’s leading coalition of cruise lines recently received a top industry award.

At a dinner and ceremony in Washington, D.C., on October 29, the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) was recognized with this year’s Marine Environment Protection Association Award. The award is one of the top honors handed out by the North American Marine Environment Protection Association (NAMEPA) to global leaders involved in ocean environmentalism.

CLIA, which is the cruise industry’s largest trade association in the world, represents cruise lines and travel agents on five continents. For many years, members of CLIA – including top Royal Holiday affiliated cruise lines such as Carnival Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, MSC Cruises, and Norwegian Cruise Line – have worked in close cooperation with the International Maritime Organization to develop innovative technologies and practices to reduce the cruise industry’s impact on the marine environment.

CLIA has spearheaded a number of procedures and policies to reduce the negative environmental impact of cruising. They include:

– Limiting the amount of garbage produced on board each ship in order to reduce cruise ships’ impact on landfills at ports of call.

– Minimizing wastewater discharge whenever possible.

– Building ships with energy-saving LED lighting, hull coatings, kitchen appliances, and other cutting-edge technologies.

– Collecting cooking oil from galleys so that it can be converted into bio-diesel fuel at onshore facilities.

– Retaining paper waste and other materials for use in passengers’ crafts projects.

Owing to these initiatives and many others like them, today’s huge cruise ships are “greener” than ever before. For this reason, cruisers can be confident that their favorite choice of vacation is not only fun and relaxing, but also environmentally responsible.

With Halloween out of the way, the holiday season is underway for North American residents, especially those in the U.S. The next big celebration is Thanksgiving, a day of family and feasting.

Every year, thousands of families manage to avoid the nuisances of road travel, housing visitors, and preparing a huge Thanksgiving dinner. Instead, these clever cruisers choose to spend their holiday at sea and to let a qualified crew take care of all the details and the mess.

During the holidays, passengers can expect ships to get into the festive spirit with autumn decor and Thanksgiving-themed activities, as well as the traditional turkey dinner that is served on practically every ship sailing the North American waters this time of year. Of course, for those who would prefer to try something new and enjoy a non-traditional dinner on Thanksgiving, most ships have restaurants that serve a wide variety of cuisines. Modern cruise ships also provide nearly limitless entertainment options, ensuring that every member of the family can have an enjoyable holiday however they choose.

Aside from providing holiday passengers with an escape from the hassles of a holiday spent a home, a Thanksgiving voyage offers several advantages over other holiday cruises, as well. Since they’re not as popular as Christmas or New Year’s cruises, itineraries booked over Thanksgiving tend to be somewhat more affordable. It is also more likely that cruisers enjoying Thanksgiving Day in a port of call will find many more excursions, shops, and restaurants open than on Christmas or New Year’s Day.

When deciding to spend the Thanksgiving holiday at sea, it’s important to plan ahead. Holiday cruises of all kinds are popular, and family-sized cabins fill up quickly, so book your travel early. Since flying at this time of year is so expensive and busy, it’s also a good idea to consider saving yourself money and headaches by taking a Thanksgiving cruise based out of a port within driving distance. If your family includes children, a bigger ship with plenty of entertainment is a better option. On the other hand, if your family would like a relatively quiet cruise, consider selecting a smaller ship that is less likely to have many kids on board over the holidays.

Whatever your family’s preference, a cruise is an excellent way to enjoy a unique and relaxing Thanksgiving Day holiday.

Most family vacations take a lot of planning. Fortunately, many cruise lines have gone out of their way to integrate children’s needs into the designs of their newest ships. Water slides, video-game arcades, kids’ clubs, movie nights, flexible dining, babysitting services, and more have become commonplace on the newest ships of almost every major cruise line. With all the sleeping, eating, and entertainment arrangements taken care of, parents can relax and enjoy the experience.

Accommodations

As more families are choosing cruising every year, cruise lines have responded by providing a larger selection of staterooms. Leading companies, including Norwegian, Carnival, and Royal Caribbean, have cabins that sleep five or six people. Disney even provides one-and-a-half-baths in many cabins, so families can get ready for their outings quickly.

Entertainment

Families come in all sizes and ages, so it’s important to consider whether a ship has facilities that will appeal to teens or younger kids, as well as to parents who might want to get a way for a few hours. With his in mind, most modern ships offer a range of entertainment options suitable for kids of all ages. Many cruise lines have partnered with favorite children’s brands, and can offer fun shows and activities involving SpongeBob SquarePants, Disney princesses, or Dr. Seuss. Most ships also provide clubs where younger passengers can mingle with other kids, in supervised environments with age-appropriate activities. Tons of other options like bowling alleys, arcades, sport courts, movies, and more round out the fun options available to kids.

Food

With so much to eat on board every ship, it’s no surprise that a ship’s restaurants can usually provide a menu for even the pickiest kids. While the parents enjoy their steak and asparagus, the kids can still have their mac-and-cheese and jello. Special diets are usually not a problem either.

Multi-generational Cruises

Of course, kids aren’t the only ones on the cruise! Mom and Dad are there, too—and in a growing trend, Grandma and Grandpa come along, as well. For this reason, cruise ships, especially bigger ones, provide plenty of adults-only events and spaces, including reserved decks and serene spa facilities. After all, the grown-up kids need some fun, too!

When thinking about the exciting Atlantic coast of South America, most cruisers think of exciting ports like Rio de Janeiro, the cosmopolitan harbor of Buenos Aires, or the pristine wilderness of Ilha Grande. However, there is a hidden gem among these exotic ports of call, in the often-overlooked country of Uruguay.

Neither as big nor as busy as the massive destination cities in neighboring Brazil or Argentina, the capital city of Uruguay, Montevideo, has a less hurried, more relaxing charm about it that makes it a wonderful stop during a fun, fast-paced cruise.

Like many established port towns, Montevideo offers visitors plenty of activities. The city boasts excellent dining, shopping, cultural experiences, and beach life, as well as several shore-excursion options for cruisers of varying interests.

Shoppers will especially enjoy Mercado del Puerto, which consists of many restaurants, craft shops, and galleries conveniently located just across the street from the cruise port. Culturally minded cruisers also have plenty of museums and sights to choose from, including the following:

* Torres Garcia Museum—In addition to paintings and drawings, this museum displays furniture and other objects designed by Uruguay’s most famous artist.

* Museo del Gaucho y de la Moneda—This museum highlights the curious combination of local cowboy culture and historic currency.

* Carnaval Museum—Visitors here might even glimpse artists making a colorful papier-mâché Carnaval character.

Tours to local ranches and leatherworks are also possible shore excursions. Not surprisingly, these locations also offer excellent opportunities to pick up a few distinctively Uruguayan crafts and souvenirs.

For a uniquely Montevidean meal, cruisers should try a “chivito,” a local specialty sandwich featuring steak, fried egg, and cheese, along with a smothering of other delicious ingredients. Popular restaurants called “confiterias” provide visitors a great way to sample a range of area cuisines in a traditional setting. Examples of this kind of restaurant exist all over Montevideo, thus making it easy to lunch as the locals do.

One must-see item remains the city’s Old Town. Here, cruisers can explore the capital’s vibrant history, especially in its Plaza Constitucion, which bustles with market activity on weekends. Visitors looking to just kick back and relax can spend an afternoon at one of the town’s pleasant beaches. Several sunny stretches are easily accessible from the port and include all the basic amenities.