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Cruise News

Cruise News

Retrospective – A Look Back at the New Cruise Ships of 2013

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

The year 2013 has been an exciting one for cruisers, as a number of Royal Holiday-affiliated lines added several new ships to their fleets. Bigger and better, these new vessels represent the growing popularity of cruising as an affordable and unforgettable vacation option. Each of these ships expands on their sister ships’ innovative designs and modern technologies, all to enhance the fun and relaxation that cruisers seek during a vacation at sea.

MSC Preziosa

Launched in March 2013, the MSC Preziosa merges classic Mediterranean style with luxurious design. With grand staircases studded with Swarovski crystal and elegant touches like the upper deck “infinity” pool, this newest flagship of MSC Cruises also includes innovative dining at the first Eataly restaurant to open on the high seas. Just for fun, she also features Vertigo, the longest single-rider waterslide aboard any cruise ship.

Norwegian Breakaway

As the largest cruise ship to homeport in Manhattan, everything about the Norwegian Breakaway is big and bold. Her naming ceremony in early May 2013 featured her godmothers, The Rockettes, who also host dance classes and perform on board. Her hull glows with the colorful art of pop artist Peter Max, while New York-themed murals decorate every common area of the ship. Foodies can enjoy delicious pastries at sea at the iconic Carlo’s Bakery.

Royal Princess

Officially named at an elaborate traditional ceremony in June 2013, the beautiful Royal Princess was christened by Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge. The elegant new ship boasts such features as a balcony on every outside cabin and an enchanting Vegas-style water and light show. In addition, her glass-enclosed SeaWalk extends over the side of the ship and allows passengers the thrill of standing directly over the rushing waves nearly 130 feet below.

While the launches of these brand new ships in 2013 mean more exciting choices for vacationers, cruising will only get better in the future. Dedicated cruisers are already looking forward to 2014, when several more ships are scheduled to make their maiden voyages.

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Cruise News

Cruise Lines Partner with Sports Teams for Business and Pleasure

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

Early November 2013 saw a flurry of announcements of partnerships between several Royal Holiday-affiliated cruise lines and professional sports teams. These joint ventures are sure to give cruisers many additional opportunities for vacation enjoyment.

Carnival and the New Orleans Saints

Carnival Cruise Lines is now the Official Cruise Partner of the New Orleans Saints football team. This is a natural match for the two organizations, as Carnival has had a strong relationship with the Big Easy for nearly two decades. Today, the company bases two ships out of New Orleans, from which it takes more than 300,000 passengers on Caribbean cruises every year.

The partnership is Carnival’s first such collaboration with an NFL franchise. The November 17 game between the Saints and San Francisco 49ers coincided with the arrival of the completely rebuilt Carnival Sunshine. The celebration included a free-cruise giveaway to a lucky spectator at the football game. In coming years, the two companies hope to aim their shared devotion to exciting entertainment toward enhancing economic development in the New Orleans region.

Celebrity and the New York Rangers

In a similar arrangement, Celebrity was named Official Cruise Line of the New York Rangers ice hockey team. This marketing association will give Rangers fans special access to Celebrity perks, while the cruise line will be featured during hockey games at Madison Square Garden.

A centerpiece of this partnership will be The Rangers Legends Cruise aboard the Celebrity Summit. Debuting in August 2014, this seven-night theme cruise to Bermuda will give fans the chance to mingle with Rangers superstars Stephane Matteau, Ron Duguay, Adam Graves, and Ron Greschner.

Norwegian and the Miami Dolphins

The christening of Norwegian Cruise Lines’ newest ship promises to be a little unusual. Recently, Norwegian announced that the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders would be the official godmothers of the brand new Norwegian Getaway. The christening ceremony in February 2014 will also mark the start of a partnership in which Norwegian will officially be named the official cruise line of the Miami Dolphins football franchise. The affiliation will include promotions and cruise giveaways at football games.

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Cruise News

Port Canaveral to Begin Expansion

by Royal Holiday
written by Royal Holiday

Cruising from the Atlantic seaboard will soon be even easier. On November 6, 2013, port commissioners unanimously approved $80 million for the expansion of Port Canaveral in Florida. Slated to be completed in November of next year, the project will include a 185,000 square-foot cruise terminal able to handle the largest ships being designed and built today, some of which carry more than 6,000 passengers.

Port Canaveral is already a busy port of embarkation and port of call for a number of cruise lines affiliated with Royal Holiday, including Norwegian and Carnival. The coming expansion will kick off a decade-long growth plan that will dramatically extend the services offered at Port Canaveral. Cruise Terminal 1, to be completed in a year, will provide ample parking facilities for those departing from Port Canaveral, as well as many dining and shopping opportunities for visiting cruisers on a port of call. Additionally, Port Canaveral’s innovative Exploration Tower, which opened earlier this year, will be just a short walk away. Exploration Tower, along with popular regional attractions such as Kennedy Space Center and Cocoa Beach, promise to keep Port Canaveral a prime cruise destination for the foreseeable future.

In addition to providing parking, sightseeing, and retail facilities for cruisers, the project will also enable Port Canaveral to serve as the home port for at least two additional cruise ships in the near term, and more expected in coming years. This is a positive development for the region, as each additional large ship based in the area represents a boost of around $250 million to the local economy.

Port Canaveral is just one of several tourist and industrial ports receiving funds for expansion. Ports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and Jacksonville are deepening harbors and inlets for the super-sized “Panamax” cargo vessels that will begin arriving in 2015, when the Panama Canal widening project is complete. Like Port Canaveral, the port of Palm Beach will be expanding its services for cruisers. Overall, Florida is generously spending to ensure the continued growth of its shipping industry as well as the high quality amenities and services it offers to cruise passengers.

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