Before you cruise

On April 20, one week after German shipbuilder Meyer Werft delivered it, Anthem of the Seas was christened in Southampton, England. During her maiden season this summer, she will service a handful of itineraries, primarily in northern Europe and the Mediterranean, according to recent press releases. Around 80,000 passengers—mainly from the UK and Ireland—are expected to enjoy the new ship’s much-anticipated features in the next several months.

Anthem will later relocate to Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey. Starting in October this year, she will sail from her new homeport to destinations such as Bermuda, the Bahamas, New England and Canada, as well as destinations throughout the Caribbean.

The second of Royal Caribbean International’s (RCI’s) advanced new Quantum-class vessels, Anthem weighs in at a massive 167,800 tons, and can accommodate 4,180 passengers. Her sister ship, Quantum of the Seas, launched last year, and is being repositioned to Asia in advance of the summer sailing season. The two new vessels are among the largest cruise ships in the world.

Like her sister ship, Anthem offers a range of technological innovations and forward-looking features, including some that are being introduced for the time ever. Today’s tech-savvy cruisers will appreciate the quick digital check-in, as well as ultra-fast onboard internet.

Anthem also boasts North Star, an experience that hoists cruisers in glass-enclosed capsule to a height of 300 feet above the waves for spectacular panoramic views. The ship also has bumper cars (a first on the high seas!), the huge SeaPlex sports and entertainment complex, a skydiving simulator, and many other exciting entertainment options.

There is also a bar featuring robotic bartenders that serve up precision cocktails. Those looking for more traditional fare, needn’t worry, though: they can enjoy superb meals in one of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver’s signature restaurants.

A few weeks ago, Royal Holiday Cruises looked at some of the health benefits that cruisers enjoy when they take to the high seas: sunshine and wind, relaxation, stimulating experiences, and new friends. Well, it turns out that the positive effects of traveling don’t end with building a healthier body and making friends. In fact, scientific research in recent years has shown that travel can actually improve the mind, as well.

Practically all cruises offer a variety of fascinating personal enrichment activities such as informative seminars and shore excursions. However, the mental benefits of cruising go far beyond a few Q & A sessions with a guide or instructor.

Vacations, in fact, offer some crucial positives that can actually boost creativity. Everyone knows that, aside from its healthy effects on the heart and body, a little rest and relaxation is a great way to clear the mind. Travel takes this idea a step further by putting a person in a new environment, where his or her mind can take advantage of its relaxed state and thrive.

A travel experience such as a cruise exposes a person to a huge array of unfamiliar sensations, personalities, languages, cuisines, and other “mini-adventures.” According to scientists, these kinds of experiences physically stimulate the brain. Even short vacations away from home, visiting new environments and cultures, open up cruisers to exciting new perspectives and opportunities for problem solving.

Consider all the ordinary experiences that become interesting puzzles when exploring an exotic new port of call. How do I get to that attraction? What style is this amazing music? How do I say “thank you” in the local language? What exactly is this item on the menu?

Dealing with small challenges like these makes the mind more flexible. Importantly, it also mentally separates the cruiser from work and the rest of home life. Getting away from old habits and familiar surroundings provides a new, more distant perspective—and this is what boosts creativity and problem-solving skills, according to experts.

So, next time you find yourself enjoying the sea breeze from the deck of a ship, don’t let yourself fret about work or other worries. Remember that the mental exercise of a relaxing cruise vacation could make you make you more creative and more productive when you get back home!

About a year ago, Italian cruise line, MSC Cruises, announced its “Seaside” project, in which it would build two advanced new ships, with an option to build a third.

This past month, MSC stated that the first new ship, MSC Seaside, would be delivered in December 2017. In an exciting first for the European company, the new vessel will cater specifically to North American vacationers.

MSC Seaside promises to bring a variety of innovations to the cruise line’s fleet. Currently under construction in Italy, she will be the largest vessel ever built at the Fincantieri shipyard. Designed for the North American market, she will emphasize amenities suitable for cruising the balmy Caribbean. According to company officials, she will be “the ship that follows the sun.”

In an age of increasingly elaborate ship design, MSC Seaside aims to redefine the look and feel of cruising. The ship will resemble a seaside condominium community, complete with sidewalks and outdoor cafes.

An exterior promenade will wrap around MSC Seaside’s lower decks, allowing cruisers to take open-air strolls around the ship and enjoy al fresco dining in several eating establishments. The on-board aqua park will boast five waterslides with a range of features for kids young and old.

MSC Seaside’s more than 460,000 square feet of public space will invite cruisers to explore the countless pubs, boutiques, restaurants, spas, theaters, and other entertainment venues. Inside, the thoughtfully appointed accommodations will provide the perfect place to rest up between all the fun activities. For passengers who want their own personal spa, select suites have private hot tubs.

MSC Seaside will homeport in Miami, Florida, and sail the Caribbean. When she arrives, she will exchange places with her sister-ship, MSC Divina, which will reposition to Rome. MSC’s second Seaside-class vessel will launch in early summer 2018.

Canada Place terminal’s 2015 cruise season began in late March with the arrival of Princess Cruises’ Grand Princess. The ship will depart the Vancouver, British Columbia, cruise terminal for Hawaiian itineraries this season, but other ships will soon be departing for cooler regions. On April 29, Vancouver will start servicing the dozens of very popular summer itineraries to Alaska.

Serving as both an embarkation port for many itineraries, and a port of call for others, the city of Vancouver is an exciting place to explore, whether one has several days or just a few hours to spend.

Once little more than a remote village saloon for lonely lumberjacks, today’s Vancouver is a startlingly cosmopolitan place. The city is a true melting pot, with more than one-third of the city’s residents born abroad. Due to its large immigrant population, visitors here will find an amazing variety of excellent ethnic restaurants, as well as the arts and crafts of many cultures.

Cruisers stopping in Vancouver will appreciate how easy it is to navigate, especially via the city’s well-developed public-transit system. It’s only a short 10-minute walk from the cruise terminal to explore the heart of Vancouver’s old town, with its historic Gastown and bustling Chinatown nearby. Vancouver also boasts a wide variety of galleries, museums, and boutiques. For the best local artisanal wares, visitors should head to Granville Island.

Those who enjoy the great outdoors will have little trouble finding something to do here. One of Vancouver’s main tourist destinations, the immense Stanley Park contains 1,000 acres of trail-crossed forest and several major attractions, including the Vancouver Aquarium. A serene Chinese garden has long drawn mystics and nature-lovers to Dr. Sun Yat-Sen in Vancouver’s Chinatown. For a spectacular view of the entire landscape, visitors flock to the Sky Ride tram at Grouse Mountain.

Of course, Vancouver has countless other sights and experiences to offer cruisers. Travelers should be sure to do a little advance planning or sign up for a shore excursion tour to get the most out of their stay in this beautiful, sophisticated city.

As cruise lines reach out to first-time cruisers and old sea dogs alike, they are continually striving to offer innovative yet affordable options for fun and relaxation during their passengers’ ocean vacations. With so many excellent restaurants, stage shows, casinos, and other entertainment venues available on a cruise, it’s clear that there’s practically no limit to the fun. Maybe it’s not so surprising, then, that cruise customers in a recent survey voted cruising as their number one vacation option.

However, can an ocean voyage actually be good for you, too?

The Cruise Line International Association took a stab at that question early this March when it released a comprehensive list of the beneficial effects of cruising—complete with the research to back them up!

Kick Back and Relax

Stress is a very real problem that can contribute to many potentially serious health issues. Luckily, a cruise is the perfect antidote to stress! Aside from providing an all-inclusive, hassle-free vacation, a cruise offers countless ways to unwind by the pool, in the spa, or on the beach. No matter what you do during your cruise to get away from the hustle and bustle of work, it’s likely to benefit your mind and body.

Enjoy the Sun and Surf

For thousands of years, people have known that sunshine and fresh sea air invigorate the body, and a cruise is the ultimate way to get both. Swimming in ocean water has been shown to improve circulation, and fresh sea breezes can make you feel more energized and awake. Sunshine helps boost the body’s production of Vitamin D, too. Just don’t forget the sunscreen!

Spend Time with Friends and Family

Little is better for the spirit than unplugging from the digital world for a while and having a good time with friends and family. With so many excellent eateries, dance clubs, pubs, casinos, and shore excursions, there are many opportunities to enjoy being with your loved ones and making new friends.

Try Something New

Perhaps the best part of a cruise is sailing to exotic destinations and experiencing new things. Cruises offer a huge variety of shore excursions and personal enrichment opportunities. In just a single cruise, you can explore ancient ruins, spot whales, learn to parasail, sample delicious local food, learn about the constellations in the night sky, and take a yoga class, along with dozens of other activities. The opportunities really are practically endless.

Whatever your plans are for your next cruise, be assured that you’ll return refreshed and fulfilled!