Royal Holiday

Now that the days are getting longer and summer is on the way, cruise season is heating up in one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations: Alaska. Royal Holiday cruisers who have booked an ocean voyage to “The Last Frontier” are now excitedly looking forward to a truly unforgettable vacation.

When Alaska Cruises Sail

Cruise season in Alaska runs from May through September, with the high season occurring in the summer months from June to August. The shoulder season months of May and September may be somewhat less expensive, but weather may cause some shore excursion cancellations. Cruises earlier in the year are likely to see snow lingering on the ground, while those in late summer will likely make for better wildlife viewing.

Where They Go

Several distinctive ports of call dot the coastline of Alaska and western Canada. Juneau, the capital of Alaska, is a cosmopolitan town and hub from which a cruiser can embark on a variety of outdoor excursions, both inland and on the water. Rainy Ketchikan has a funky, artsy vibe, while Skagway retains an atmosphere of its gold rush past. Each of these ports– and all the others– offer a unique character against a backdrop of breathtaking natural beauty.

What to do

The rugged Pacific coast boasts some of the most spectacular ocean vistas and coastline sights in the world. Especially throughout the famous Inside Passage, the gorgeous natural scenery of Alaska presents many unique opportunities for visitors to take in once-in-a-lifetime views of towering mountains and glaciers, as well as wildlife such as eagles, bears, and whales. To take it all in, there are shore excursions that offer basic walking tours, train rides, helicopter flights, and even dog-sledding.

For those looking for an adrenalin rush, Alaska provides plenty of outdoorsy fun, including boating, hiking, and ziplines. At the same time, it also offers a diverse range of cultural and educational experiences. Vacationers can visit traditional Native American villages, science institutes, historical reenactments, art museums, fine restaurants, and more.

A savvy cruiser can contact the cruise line or do a little internet research to arrange Alaska shore excursions to suit just about any taste.

How to Prepare

So how does a cruiser prepare to sail to Alaska? In addition to normal cruise preparation, it is helpful to know that open ocean cruising in the region can be choppy, so those sensitive to motion sickness should be ready. Of course, even in the hottest part of summer, Alaska can still get pretty chilly– especially cruising by icy glaciers– so pack a warm hat and sweater, and dress in layers.

For people with special needs, an ocean cruise provides one of the most reliable ways to have a memorable vacation free of worry and hassle. Because of the popularity of cruising among retirees, cruise lines have long become accustomed to providing special accommodations for their most mature passengers.

Accessibility and Cruise Ships

It is a requirement that any ship docking in an American port be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Moreover, as cruising continues to attract new enthusiasts, cruise lines are constantly designing or remodeling their ships in order to upgrade their services to the best advantage of all their passengers.

All modern ships, and older ships that have undergone refurbishment, offer a range of accommodations for passengers with disabilities. Such features include cabins equipped with roll-in showers and grab bars; elevators to facilitate moving between decks; wide doors into dining and entertainment venues; special fitness equipment; and countless other considerations.

Even though cruise lines make plenty of accommodations for the disabled on board most ships, it is still wise to carefully research each vessel. Cruise line websites provide detailed lists of the specific facilities available on board each of their ships. It is also important to remember there are usually few suitable staterooms and these tend to get booked quickly. For this reason, travelers needing extra accommodations should book well in advance.

To help plan a cruise for those with special needs, a number of travel agents specializing in such travel are available. These specialty agents, as well as many support organizations for people with disabilities, can provide the information any concerned cruiser might need.

Accessibility and Shore Excursions

Unlike ship accommodations, accessible shore excursions are much more difficult to plan. Excursions often involve a lot of walking or more strenuous activity, and utilize local transport not always capable of supporting wheelchairs. Moreover, ports outside the United States are not bound by the ADA. Many sites are simply too rustic or historic, and present difficult obstructions like cobblestones, stairs, and steep hills. For these reasons, easily accessible on-shore excursions are hard to find.

If no suitable excursions are available through the cruise line, one option may be to arrange a private tour— though doing so will usually be significantly more expensive than a regularly scheduled tour.

It can be very helpful to enlist the advice of a specialty travel agent or to contact an organization that supports those with disabilities. These experts will likely be able to provide solid alternatives to cruisers who want to make the most of their ocean voyage despite their special needs.

One of Royal Holiday cruise line affiliates, MSC Cruises, recently announced that they will be adding two advanced new ships to their growing fleet. On March 20, representatives from MSC signed a letter of intent with shipbuilder STX France to construct the first of an entirely new class of cruise ships featuring dramatic innovations in accommodations and technology.

Still to be named, these next-generation ships will be the largest ever contracted by a European company, and will dwarf even the immense Fantasia-class liners that currently head MSC’s fleet. They will also be the second-largest cruise ships in the world in terms of passenger capacity, with accommodations for 5,700 cruisers and over 1,500 crewmembers. Despite their great size—about 1,025 feet from bow to stern—the ships’ flexible design will allow them to visit nearly any port in the world.

MSC representatives said the ships will feature a range of upgraded options for dining and entertainment, including an amusement park/aqua park complex, expanded theater space, and a vast two-deck promenade. Cabin spaces will also be redesigned, including special accommodations for families. The luxurious MSC Yacht Club will be extended, as well, to include new private lounge and dining spaces, expansive duplex suites, and an exclusive solarium.

In addition to the many new features benefiting MSC passengers, the ships will also take advantage of advanced engineering for improved fuel efficiency and decreased ecological impact. The design incorporates cutting-edge technologies into the hull, propulsion, and exhaust systems. With these pollutant-reducing technologies in place, the new vessels will become flagships for environmental responsibility.

Construction of the two ships will begin in 2015, with delivery currently scheduled for 2017 and 2019. While the company has not yet announced what itineraries the vessels will sail, industry watchers have speculated that one will operate in the Mediterranean and the other in North America.

Wherever MSC’s newest ships end up going, passengers will be certain to enjoy all the memorable fun and relaxation that they have to offer.

The first order of business on most any cruise is fun, whether it’s a crazy waterslide, a sophisticated jazz lounge, or any of the hundreds of other activities available on today’s cruise ships.

Beyond the relaxation and entertainment, however, a cruise is also special because it can bring passengers closer to the natural wonders of the ocean world. When considering a cruise vacation, it is helpful to reflect on how the cruise industry takes measures to protect the marine and coastal environments upon which it relies.

Shipboard Programs

Virtually all cruise lines have in place programs aimed at boosting energy efficiency and reducing waste. Most ships recycle metals, cooking oil, plastics, electronics, paper, and countless other materials. They also increasingly utilize energy-efficient lighting and appliances, and participate in electricity and disposal programs in cooperation with port cities to ensure a minimal ecological impact.

Eco-Excursions

Interested cruisers can usually arrange an enlightening tour in destination ports. Whether it’s watching orcas in Alaska, snorkeling a reef off the Yucatan peninsula, or zip-lining with monkeys in South America, there are ample opportunities to experience nature close up, in informative and eco-friendly ways.

Passenger Learning

Many ships provide informative videos, seminars, literature, or other programs for cruisers interested in environmental issues. Some cruise ships also offer opportunities for vacationers to contribute to select environmental causes through ship purchases or direct-giving programs.

Ship Technology

The cruise industry has long worked with ship builders to create hull and propeller designs that improve engine efficiency. Even the coatings on modern hulls are specially engineered for smoother water flow and reduced fuel usage.

In the last year, several cruise lines have announced massive investments in pollution-fighting scrubber technologies. Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruises—leading a partnership with other lines—are both initiating multi-million-dollar upgrades to exhaust systems on dozens of ships over the next two years.

With so many modern facilities and choices for fun and relaxation, there are countless options for a memorable vacation on board today’s cruise ships. One of the most rewarding experiences any cruiser can enjoy, however, is the simple, natural beauty of a whale breaching the waves or a pod of dolphins racing through the water.

Where to Go

Royal Holiday’s affiliated cruise lines sail in excellent whale-watching waters. People often spot humpback whales and grey whales, as well as distinctive black-and-white orcas, off the coast of the eastern Pacific, between Vancouver and ports in Alaska. The eastern Caribbean also is home to a variety of notable species, including beaked whales, humpback whales, and sperm whales. Off the eastern coast of South America, people frequently sight Humpbacks.

The warm waters of the Caribbean are also especially suitable for those who’d like to watch dolphins– or even swim with them. Many ports of call throughout the region offer dolphin experiences.

How to Get the Best Viewing

Once settled in their cabin, cruisers can simply sit back and watch for whales in the distance from the comfort of a deck chair or stateroom balcony. However, for a more intense and intimate whale-watching experience, passengers can arrange a shore excursion.

Whale-watching tours, conducted by experienced boat captains and knowledgeable marine biologists, are available through any cruise line’s booking service. Some cruisers opt to contact a whale-watching tour operator directly and make reservations themselves.

Before making a tour reservation, it is important to check reviews of the excursion or operator. Be sure to understand boat accommodations and the knowledge and qualifications of the staff before paying for a tour. This helps avoid a potentially unpleasant—and costly—excursion experience.

What to Take

When setting out on a whale-watching tour, cruisers need to be prepared. Above all, one should dress for the weather. In the Caribbean, it is likely to be hot but also rainy, so a sun-hat and light raincoat make sense. In Alaska, the air is chilly and the spray is damp, so a warm hat, a fleece top, and raincoat are good choices.

On any whale-watching adventure, binoculars (with a strap) will bring distant action a lot closer. Additionally, don’t forget to pack a camera to record the breathtaking experience.

On March 12, Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL) announced that they would be adding a new ship, the Norwegian Escape, to their award-winning fleet in October 2015. NCL has already started construction, cutting the first steel for the new vessel at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. As of the end of March, NCL has begun accepting bookings on the new ship.

Able to carry 4,200 passengers, the Escape will be the largest in NCL’s fleet, with a capacity even greater than her massive sister ships, the Breakaway and the Getaway. The new ship will be based in Miami, Florida, and will service an eastern Caribbean itinerary that includes island ports of call at Nassau, St. Thomas, and Tortola.

Reflecting the energy and natural beauty of her Miami home port and the tropical route she will sail, the Escape will be decorated with hull art by noted Miami artist and conservationist, Guy Harvey. The design is said to feature a graceful sailfish, among a host of other sea wildlife and reef fish. This aquatic conservation motif will extend into the ship itself, as well. Passengers will be able to purchase artwork and other products in support of the Caribbean Challenge Initiative, a program aimed at preserving the delicate marine environment of the Caribbean Sea.

Of course, the Escape will also boast plenty of memorable vacation fun. NCL representatives have hinted that the ship will feature new entertainment options as well as the innovative programs and facilities available on her sister ships.

In addition to news of the Escape, NCL also made a number of other announcements in March. Over the coming year, the cruise line will reposition several ships to new itineraries in Europe and North and South America. The cruise company also has a second ship on order, the Norwegian Bliss, which will sail in spring 2017.