Royal Holiday

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.

With spring break just a week or two away and summer on the horizon, many longtime cruisers are already planning a relaxing vacation on the waves. Less experienced vacationers may be asking themselves: exactly when is the best time for a cruise?

The answer depends upon the individual and where they want to go. Most people’s work schedules and kids’ school breaks limit vacation time. Additionally, local weather also impacts cruise season for different destinations. The Caribbean, for example, sees its slowest times during hurricane season, while Alaska shuts down during the frigid winter months.

High-Season Cruising

For the most part, the high season for cruising in North America and Europe is the summer, when the days are long, the sunshine is bright, and children are out of school. Most regions also see a high season during the winter holidays, when people take time off for Christmas. In addition, many Caribbean destinations generally see a flurry of activity in March when college students take their spring break.

Cruising during high season offers many advantages. During these times, ports of call generally offer the widest variety of exciting excursions. Restaurants and museums that cater to tourists are guaranteed to be open, and shops will have the greatest selection.

However, high-season cruising has two big disadvantages: the crowds and the prices. Cruise destinations are overrun with travelers, thus resulting in dense throngs of tourists and long lines. Additionally, because of the strong demand for products and services, prices tend to be higher in the high season. Everything from the cost of dining and souvenirs in ports of call to the price of travel to and from the port of embarkation is more expensive.

Low-Season Cruising

Cruisers with more flexibility in their travel schedules may find traveling during the low season a worthwhile option. During these times, there are not as many tourists and destination ports are generally more relaxed. Often—but not always—prices for transportation, food, and gifts, are somewhat lower. Many cruisers have found excellent deals by booking during the off-peak season.

On the other hand, low-season cruisers are more likely to encounter poor weather. In northern regions, winter can be uncomfortably cold. Travelers visiting southern islands and beach destinations will experience these locals’ rainy season. Moreover, many amenities, such as sightseeing venues, restaurants, excursions, and museums, often shut down when the hordes of high-season tourists leave.

Whether a vacationer chooses an ocean voyage during the high season or low season, there are plenty of options for a fun and fascinating cruise experience somewhere in the world any time of year.

As the ship pulls away from the dock, every cruiser is eagerly looking forward to relaxing in the sun, eating fine cuisine, exploring exotic lands, and making memories. Before planning a trip, though, experienced travelers must do a little extra planning to ensure that the memories they make are good ones – not bad.

The unfortunate truth is that visitors in foreign ports are enticing targets for local criminals. Most crimes experienced by cruise ship passengers on shore excursions are relatively minor property violations such as stealing cameras, purse-snatching, and pickpocketing. More serious crimes are occasionally reported – for example, armed robbery of entire tour groups – but such cases are fortunately rare.

The good news is that there are a few simple things that cruisers can do to minimize the chance that they will become targets for criminals during their on-shore adventures.

Do a little research. Use the Internet to understand the types of crimes in your ports of call. The U.S. State Department website provides extensive information and advisories for tourists. Cruise lines can also point you to valuable information.

Travel with a group. Most criminals go after individuals or very small groups. By sticking with a reputable organized group, you are much less likely to become a victim.

Maintain a low profile. When traveling alone or in a small group, smart vacationers dress and act in a manner in which they do not draw attention. Using a respectfully quiet tone and dressing like the locals will make it more difficult for criminals to pick you out.

Pack wisely. Keep the number of credit cards you have to a minimum, try not to tote a lot of cash, and carry it all in front pockets, if possible. If you must carry a bag, keep it slung in front of you in order to make it harder to cut into or snatch it. Finally, don’t carry important documents such as passports or plane tickets. Carry copies instead. (However, be certain to check the specific destination: Some countries require travelers to keep their passports on them at all times.)

Have fun! The reason for the extra awareness and preparation is to ensure that your vacation abroad is less stressful. Don’t fret. Just relax and enjoy your shore excursion.