Before you cruise

A few weeks ago, the largest cruise ship in the world came out of a two-and-a-half-week dry dock with a host of new features sure to keep its 5,400 passengers happy. Royal Caribbean’s upgraded Allure of the Seas started sailing out of Barcelona at the end of May this year. Throughout the summer, Allure will sail Mediterranean itineraries before returning to its home port in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, in November.

Allure has always been a near-twin to her sister ship, Oasis of the Seas. She claimed the title of “the world’s largest cruise ship in the world” because she is just 5 centimeters longer than Oasis. More importantly, both vessels are laid out on a “neighborhood” plan with spaces that evoke an experience, such as a leafy green park or a pleasant stroll along a seaside boardwalk. Each ship offers a number of fun and festive features such as a zip-line, an old-fashioned carousel, and FlowRiders. In addition, both boats are highly-regarded for their wonderful child-oriented programs that make Oasis cruises perfect for families.

So what’s new on Allure since her makeover?

Like Oasis, Allure now offers a for-fee Mexican-inspired restaurant called Sabor Taqueria. In an effort to expand culinary choice for cruisers, three new establishments now occupy the space once occupied by Adagio restaurant: American Icon, The Grille, and Silk. Sushi bar Izumi now has its own restaurant, too, while Coastal Kitchen has been added as a suites-only dining option.

On the entertainment front, Allure will now be showing the popular musical “Mamma Mia!” after running “Chicago” for several seasons. A handful of retail outlets have been added to the refurbished ship, as well, including high-end brands Michael Kors and Kate Spade New York.

In order to accommodate passengers seeking to book larger staterooms, 10 suites have been added. They include six Aqua Suites, two Royal Suites, and two Royal Family Suites.

With her latest refurbishment, Allure of the Seas has received a number of exciting upgrades across the board.

With the beginning of June, schools all around the country are letting out for summer, and countless families are looking forward to their yearly vacations. Savvy cruisers also know that the beginning of June marks the official start of the Atlantic hurricane season. For this reason, people who have booked a Caribbean cruise tend to pay a little extra attention to the weather forecasts for their favorite destinations.

Fortunately, the hurricane outlook is generally favorable for cruisers. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center is predicting a quieter-than-average season for storms this year.

The NOAA forecast sees a 70 percent chance for a below-normal hurricane season. That means scientists are expecting between six and 11 named storms. Three to six of these storms might become hurricanes, with up to two of them turning into “major” hurricanes of Category 3 or higher.

While this hurricane season is likely to be relatively quiet, experts caution that this is only a prediction. In fact, there still is a small chance—about 1 in 10—that it could turn out to be an above-normal year. Additionally, it’s important to remember that even a quiet season can still produce serious storms.

So how will this affect cruisers?

Fortunately, the truth is that hurricanes really don’t pose much of a safety threat to passengers at all. The odds of encountering a storm during a particular cruise are very small. And even if there is a storm, sophisticated weather forecasting and communications equipment on today’s cruise ships makes it simple for the captain to alter course to avoid it. Ships can easily outrun a hurricane, so typically all that happens is an unexpected change in itinerary or some choppy seas.

It is probably those unplanned ports of call or days at sea that impact cruisers the most. During hurricane season, it’s a good idea to keep an open mind and remain flexible. While your heart might be set on your favorite island getaway, a hurricane could shut that port down. Consider the occasion a unique opportunity to explore an exciting new destination, or spend some quality time enjoying your favorite shipboard activity.

Perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences available on select cruises is the opportunity to spend a night in an exciting port of call. Paying close attention to passenger response in Europe and Asia, Royal Holiday Cruises-affiliated cruise line Celebrity has recently announced that it will include more overnight stays in select ports of call throughout the Caribbean, including Aruba, Barbados, Cozumel, and St. Maarten, among several others.

The new itineraries announced by Celebrity take full advantage of the many popular Caribbean destinations that provide overnight accommodations. In this way, the company promises to allow cruisers the opportunity to experience a different side of some of the most beloved seaside destinations in the world.

Of course, daytime excursions provide plenty of enjoyment, whether it’s relaxing in the sun, adventuring among ruins and rainforests, sampling local cuisine and music, or wandering historic sites and museums. But overnight stays in port open up a completely new world of nighttime fun and exploration.

It’s easy enough to stay on board and enjoy all the amenities available on the ship, but that means missing out on much of what makes an exotic port so special. These kinds of stopovers are the perfect chance to check out the local nightlife or to explore beyond the port town itself—all without worry of missing the boat.

So how exactly does a cruiser get the most out of an overnight port of call?

Without that curfew to worry about, many cruisers enjoy the classic night out: dinner and a show. Others prefer simply to wander unfamiliar streets, people-watching and relaxing in seaside cafes late into the night. Still others can take advantage of longer shore excursions with hours that conflict with day-only calls.

Getting around need not be a hassle just because the hour is late. Taxi services proliferate in the larger tourist towns where overnight stops are most common. Local buses and trains can be an adventure in and of themselves, but be sure to check timetables to avoid getting stranded after hours. For maximum freedom, of course, renting a car is also a fine way to explore, especially for those with their sights set on more distant attractions farther away from the port.

Cruisers have been paying close attention to Carnival Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line this April as the two companies have rolled out charges for select room service items.

Traditionally, one of the most widely appreciated perks of taking a cruise has been the availability of room service 24 hours a day, at no extra charge. The biggest and most affordable lines have always offered somewhat abbreviated selections on their room service menus, limiting these stateroom meals to sandwiches, soups, salads, continental breakfasts, and other simple fare. It’s also common to see late-night fees on service between, for example, the hours of midnight and 5:00 am. And, of course, tips are always appreciated by room service staff.

Despite these minor restrictions and policies, countless passengers over the decades have enjoyed the convenience and pampering that comes with room service. It goes without saying, then, that frequent cruisers today are watching the news of Carnival’s and Norwegian’s pilot programs with interest—and maybe a little concern.

Earlier this April, Norwegian added a $7.95 “convenience charge” for room service on its newest ships, Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway. Similarly, a handful of Carnival ships are experimenting with adding service charges ranging from $4 to $7 on certain room service menu items, including personal pizzas, sushi, and wings. Many other items from Carnival’s traditional room service menu remain free.

While some cruisers are worried about rising costs on their vacations, others have pointed out that these fees come along with expanded offerings. Previously, for example, hot meals were rare on room service menus, while the new systems appear to offer a number of these kinds of heartier options, albeit at an extra charge. Moreover, the service fees typically don’t apply to suite passengers. In addition, cruise lines are always adding new dining, relaxation, and entertainment options all throughout their ships.

It should also be noted that this is not the first time that cruise companies have experimented with charging for room service. When Princess Cruises’ Regal Princess launched, the company added a $3 room service fee across the board. That program quickly ended, though, when passengers complained.

Cruise lines are generally known for listening to their loyal customers’ input, so this likely isn’t the last we’ll hear on this story. For now, it’s time to wait and see how cruisers respond to the changes.