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Seabourn Encore Christened in Singapore

Seabourn formally introduced Seabourn Encore to the world at a festive evening ceremony pier side in Singapore last night. International recording artist and world’s best-selling soprano Sarah Brightman presided over the naming ceremony as godmother of the new 600-guest ship, the first of two new all-suite vessels for the company.

Guests and VIPs joined Seabourn staff to enjoy the vibrant, entertainment-filled launch festivities as a projection screen showed the climactic moment when Brightman sent a bottle of champagne smashing against the bow of the ship, a time-honored ship christening tradition. A host of local musicians and cultural acts, including lion dancers and stilt walkers, energized the event to send the ship and its guests off in style.

“The launch of Seabourn Encore marks the start of a new era of ultra-luxury cruising,” said Richard Meadows, President of Seabourn. “Seabourn Encore marks a major step forward in terms of growth for our company. This ship is stunningly beautiful and I know guests are going to be absolutely captivated as they step aboard and see it firsthand.”

“We are honored that Singapore hosted the christening of Seabourn’s crown jewel. This event marks another milestone in our partnership with Seabourn Cruise Line and the Carnival Corporation,” added Lionel Yeo, Chief Executive, Singapore Tourism Board. “It is also testament to the growing appeal of Southeast Asia as the destination of choice for discerning travellers. We are confident that Seabourn’s guests will enjoy experiencing the rich and diverse offerings of the region, and look forward to welcoming more of Carnival Corporation’s ships to Singapore.”
Seabourn Encore Christened in Singapore | 5Following the naming ceremony, Seabourn Encore departed on its Inaugural Voyage, the 10-day Gems of the Java Sea cruise, bound for Indonesia. The ship will then move on to a 16-day Great Barrier Reef & Gold Coast and back-to-back 16-day Australia & New Zealand voyages. The ship will then reverse the earlier 10-day Gems of the Java Sea cruise to Singapore, proceed on 16-day Jewels of India & Arabia cruise to Dubai, and finish her first season with a 19-day Arabian Gems & Holy Land voyage before ending her winter season at Athens on May 5.

Seabourn Encore will spend summer 2017 along the Mediterranean, offering rich and diverse itineraries including a 7-day Greek & Italian Jewels cruise departing from Piraeus (Athens), Greece on May 6, followed by a 7-day Riviera Allure voyage departing Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy on May 13. She will go on to offer a series of 7-, 10-, and 14-day cruises throughout the region, including a dynamic Mediterranean Moments itinerary that departs Barcelona (Spain) on June 3 and makes stops along the charming cities and coastal villages of France, Monaco, Italy and Greece. In August, the ship will finish summer with a 10- or 20-Day UNESCO Gems of the Western Mediterranean cruise, arriving in Barcelona, Spain, on September 13 for the start of its autumn season.

Seabourn Encore is the fourth ultra-luxury vessel to join the Seabourn fleet and the first of two ships to be designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany. The second, Seabourn Ovation, is currently under construction and is scheduled to launch in spring 2018.

Intended by Tihany “to feel more like a luxury yacht,” Seabourn Encore features modern design elements and innovations in keeping with Seabourn’s reputation for understated elegance, as well as one additional deck and newly expanded public areas. New features include The Retreat, a secluded for-charge sanctuary for guests to stretch out and relax in private cabanas, and Sushi, a one-of-a-kind dining destination found on no other ship in the Seabourn fleet.

With the inaugural voyage, Seabourn Encore is also marking the formal debut of several new onboard partner programs. Spa and Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil is being introduced in partnership with The Onboard Spa by Steiner, offering guests a holistic spa and wellness experience that integrates physical, social, environmental and spiritual well-being. A new production show, ‘An Evening with Tim Rice,’ created exclusively for Seabourn in association with Belinda King Creative Productions, will also have its debut on board in the ship’s Grand Salon. Seabourn Encore will also feature The Grill by Thomas Keller, a restaurant inspired by the classic American chophouse that first opened on Seabourn Quest last year. All three partner programs will be rolled out across the entire Seabourn fleet by 2018.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W760LyUaB44

For more details about the award-winning Seabourn fleet, or to explore the worldwide selection of Seabourn cruising options, contact a professional travel advisor, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

Celebrating 20 Years of Exploration With Viking Cruises

Viking Cruises

From their humble roots in Russia river cruising to the launch of state-of-the-art Longships® and elegant fleet of ocean vessels sailing the world’s great waterways, Viking is proudly to commemorating two decades of innovation, growth and acclaim.

Designed for discerning travelers, Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. The Viking difference is providing guests with extraordinarily well-designed cruises that facilitate engagement with the cultures of the world. And only The Viking Way brings guests itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences.

For additional information, contact Viking Cruises at 1-855-8-VIKING (1-855-884-5464) or visit www.vikingcruises.com.

 

Viking Ocean Cruises Celebrates Float Out Of It’s Fourth Ship

Viking Sun Float Out
Viking Sun Float Out

Set to Debut in 2017, Viking Sun Meets Water for First Time

Viking Ocean Cruises Celebrates Float Out Of It's Fourth Ship | 5Viking Sun®—the fourth ship from Viking Ocean Cruises—touches water for the first time during its “Float Out” at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona. December 15, 2016, the 930-passenger Viking Sun®—the fourth ship from Viking Ocean Cruises—touches water for the first time during its “Float Out” at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona. Viking Ocean Cruises® have announced its fourth ship – the 930-passenger Viking Sun was “floated out,” marking the major construction milestone, and the first time that the new ship touches water. The traditional ceremony took place on December 15 at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard. Viking Sun will debut in late 2017, with maiden voyages to Cuba and the Caribbean before embarking on a 141-day World Cruise that spans 5 continents, 35 countries and 66 ports.

A float out ceremony is significant because it denotes a ship moving into its final stage of construction. Viking Sun’s float out began at approximately 10:30 a.m. local time, and in keeping with maritime tradition, a madrina – a special woman of honor – assisted with the ceremony, first welding coins under the ship mast. As Viking Sun will be the company’s first ocean ship to call on China, Mrs. Yi Lou, Vice President of China Merchant Bank Financial Leasing (CMBFL), served as Viking Sun’s madrina. Mrs. Lou welded commemorative coins representing her birth year, as well as the birth years of her parents. A special coin, dated 1911, was also welded to represent mother Ragnhild “Mamsen” Hagen, the mother of Viking’s Chairman and the woman after whom the onboard Norwegian deli Mamsen’s is named. Mrs. Lou then cut a cord to allow water to begin flowing into the ship’s building dock. Following a two-day process that will set Viking Sun afloat, she will then be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for final construction and interior build-out.

“It is always a proud moment for the entire Viking family when a new ship meets water for the first time,” Viking Cruises Chairman Torstein Hagen said at the ceremony. “As the cruise industry is increasingly globalized in all aspects, including ship financing, we wanted to honor our relationship with CMBFL by naming one of their executives as madrina to our newest ship. CMBFL is an important partner, and sharing this important moment is an ideal way to celebrate our relationship.”

Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, boast 465 cabins and accommodate 930 passengers. Viking Sun is the fourth of six ocean cruise ships on order and will be delivered in late 2017. Viking will launch Viking Spirit® in 2018 and the remaining, yet-to-be-named ship in 2020. Classified by Cruise Critic as “small ships,” Viking’s ocean fleet features understated elegance and modern Scandinavian design. In its debut season Viking Star was awarded with the cruise industry’s highest honors, including being named Best New Ocean Ship and scoring a 5-star rating by the editors of Cruise Critic, as well as receiving the highest rating in the mid-size ship category in Berlitz Cruising & Cruise Ships 2016.

Watch the Viking Sun float out here:

December 15, 2016, the 930-passenger Viking Sun®—the fourth ship from Viking Ocean Cruises—touches water for the first time during its “Float Out” at the Fincantieri shipyard in Ancona.

PPI Group partners with FCCA and CLIA to publish Travel & Cruise magazine

PPI Group has partnered with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) on the publication of Travel & Cruise, the official magazine of the cruise industry.

“It’s a natural fit,” said Bill Panoff, president and CEO of PPI Group. “As a company dedicated to reporting on, promoting, and enhancing the cruise experience, PPI Group’s experienced and knowledgeable media professionals are uniquely qualified to create a publication that remains vital and relevant to our business.”

The quarterly magazine, which has been published by FCCA since 1996, is distributed to more than 26,500 industry partners and travel agents, and features editorial content that that includes developments within the global cruise industry and exclusive contributions from cruise line executives, leaders, and stakeholders.

“We are proud to work with PPI Group to publish Travel & Cruise,” said Michele Paige, president of the FCCA. “PPI Group has established themselves as a premier cruise industry partner, and the collaboration between the FCCA, CLIA, and PPI Group further cements Travel & Cruise as the official magazine of the global cruise industry.”

In March 2016, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry trade association and leading authority of the global cruise community, partnered with FCCA to transform the magazine into a global publication that reinforces the cruise industry’s unified voice.

“Our new partnership with PPI Group enables us to provide the cruise community with the latest issues of Travel & Cruise magazine,” said Cindy D’Aoust, president and CEO, CLIA. “I have no doubt that together with FCCA, we will continue to offer one-of-a-kind content to our readers.”

Learn more about the PPI Group:

Essential Travel Apps Updated For Today’s Travelers

When I travel anywhere; on an international flight with many connections or just down the street to a close-by Florida theme park, a travel app is part of the process, and why not?  Today’s smartphone travel apps combined with ever-improving  technology help insure worry-free travel, leaving much of the guesswork in the dust.  But knowing that and having those travel apps at the ready when traveling are often two different things, thus this travel app packing list to jog my memory and the reasoning behind each one.

TripIt
Essential Travel Apps Updated For Today's Travelers | 5Cruise CompeteThis one is a great example just how fast technology is improving.  Just a few years ago when I started using TripIt, one of the big features was the ability to forward airline confirmations to Plans@TripIt.com.  Once there, TripIt read the confirmation and loaded it into a Trip plan I had defined online.  No entering all the flights, times, airlines and dates, TripIt did that for me.  Forget cruise itineraries, TripIt was just not set up to do that.   Today, those confirmations from airlines, hotels, car rental companies and even cruise lines are being read and received by Tripit with far greater accuracy.  I also sync TripIt with FlightTrack Pro which provides additional redundancy; important when flights are delayed and gates change.

Airline Apps
screenshot-2016-10-04-09-27-11Whatever airline you fly, download their app and know how to use it prior to leaving home.  In addition to electronic boarding passes, a backup source of travel delays, gate changes and a real-time upgrade waiting list, it serves as a backup to TripIt which usually seems to have the latest news first.   As inflight technology improves, look for these apps to do more too, allowing travelers to browse inflight magazines, duty-free shopping or watch whatever is being played on the aircraft movie screen.  Apple watch users, you won’t find a better one than the American Airlines app, except maybe Delta, both of which allow tracking of bags and changing flights.

GoGo
Essential Travel Apps Updated For Today's Travelers | 5The GoGo Inflight Internet app is a great example of why we need to plan ahead when traveling.  Setting this one up and creating an account on land makes connecting on GoGo-enabled flights a breeze as soon as the aircraft reaches 10,000 feet.  With a variety of plans, connecting is reasonably priced for a short flight as well as a full day of travel ($16). Buy in advance while still on land and save up to 42% too.  Right now, GoGo has a deal to promote inflight entertainment, offering a discount code for 50% off the price of any single movie or TV show. New to Gogo, the GoGo Entertainment app

screenshot-2016-10-04-09-15-25

The new Gogo Entertainment Player brings the magic of the movies and TV to the sky and onto your iPad, iPhone, or iPod Touch. Use the Inflight Entertainment service to watch the latest movies and hit TV shows in flight. Just make your selection, download the player, and enjoy the show!

 

Instagram
Essential Travel Apps Updated For Today's Travelers | 5Perhaps not thought of as a travel app per se, it’s the social photo sharing app that I have the best luck with right now, world wide.  Maybe it has a bit better technology than other photo sharing apps or maybe Instagram‘s features suit what I am trying to do better, but it works and does so quickly.  This one is a good example of the importance of playing around with several different apps to see which works best with your particular smartphone. Make it part of your pre-travel ritual to explore posts like this one and find out from those who the same equipment you do, what works.

My Radar
Essential Travel Apps Updated For Today's Travelers | 5I was looking for a good radar app that tapped local sources, combined them with an accurate map source and showed me weather headed my way.  For domestic use, this is it.  It will not work abroad.  Still, sitting on the tarmac wondering if the big storm headed our way will prevent our international flight from taking off, this one provides some good data.  Not that one of the pilots is going to come back and ask for my opinion, but if they did, I would be prepared.

Bank And Credit Card Apps
screenshot-2016-10-04-09-18-54There are very few apps I allow push notifications from when traveling internationally, these are some of them.  Staying up to date on financial information with apps from your financial institutions can catch an unauthorized transaction quickly.  Adding ‘check bank and credit card apps’ to a travel app checklist prior to traveling also prompts me to give them a call or go online and define where my travels will lead.  That avoids a declined charge when security protocols (a good thing) prevent a charge going through from Rome (a bad thing) because Italy is not someplace I usually go for groceries.  Today, most banks and credit cards allow us to add a travel alert, letting them know where we will be traveling.

Starbucks

Essential Travel Apps Updated For Today's Travelers | 5Travel to Vienna and ask a cab driver where the nearest Starbucks is and they are likely to give you a look like you are out of your mind.  Still, when traveling through airports around North America, there are a lot of Starbucks around and all can be paid with the Starbucks app.  That’s significant for a couple reasons.  First, any opportunity to NOT pull out my wallet and display it open with credit cards and/or cash showing is a personal security home run.  Add that preloading funds on the Starbucks app can reduce the amount of cash or credit cards needed on the road is a win also.  Finally, like prepaying gratuities, beverage packages or other items in advance on a cruise vacation, buying something as simple as a cup of coffee this way helps insure staying on budget while traveling.

Living Earth
Essential Travel Apps Updated For Today's Travelers | 5Living Earth is a live, 3D simulation of our planet with weather, forecasts and a world clock for cities around Earth. I like that it also serves as a great alarm clock with a beautiful spinning globe that provides something familiar in the often unfamiliar world of overnight travel, anywhere.  Living Earth allows me to watch the sunrise and sunset as it is happening.  An auto-lock feature override keeps the display on while docked for a nightstand or desktop clock too.

Maps
Essential Travel Apps Updated For Today's Travelers | 5Take your pick of a variety of mapping apps available on the market today and find one that works for you.  I like MapQuest over Apple Maps but Google Maps is currently the most accurate by far.  The updated app is faster and more responsive with simple and easy to use features.  This I found out first hand not long ago looking for an Apple store in downtown Boston.  Originally following verbal directions from my hotel’s concierge, I found out quickly that he had sent me in the wrong direction, watching myself walk the wrong way down the right street.

Regardless of the apps chosen, be sure to have them handy and on your homescreen before leaving home.  Also important: update apps only at home and never while traveling.  Internet systems on cruise ships can be slow and insecure.  The same advice applies to updating smartphone software while traveling as well: don’t do it.


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Ten Reasons To Like Harvest Caye Cruise Destination

Now open for business, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Harvest Caye looks to be a distinctly different Caribbean destination experience like no other. Promoted as “the ultimate Belizean experience”, Norwegian Cruise Line worked closely with the government of Belize to be sure the island destination was done right.  Care was taken to provide an authentic experience for Norwegian guests. Just being there, Harvest Caye should provide economic opportunities for the local community.  Four years in the making, the seven acre facility was built to preserve and protect Belize’s natural beauty too. Compared to other ‘private island’ cruise travel experiences, Harvest Caye might very well break the mold of being simply a ‘day at the beach’ for a number of reasons.

  1. Ten Reasons To Like Harvest Caye Cruise Destination | 5Ten Reasons To Like Harvest Caye Cruise Destination | 5Resort-style Amenities include a sprawling 15,000 square foot pool that features a soothing waterfall, and is surrounded by elegant lounge chairs and umbrellas.
  2. Cruise CompetePrivate Luxury Beach Villas, eleven of them, look to be the ultimate beach escape and feature an expansive porch overlooking the sparkling waters of the Caribbean Sea.  Each villa can accommodate up to 10 guests and come complete with every comfort including air conditioning, dedicated lounge areas, a private restroom, indoor and outdoor showers, hammocks, and exclusive dining and beverage options with dedicated concierge service so guests never have to leave the beach.
  3. Embracing Nature- a variety of eco-activities and interactive wildlife programs;  Guests with an affinity for wildlife will marvel at Harvest Caye’s many opportunities for an up close encounter with this rich eco-destination’s local plants and animals. To learn about the native flora and fauna in this stunning destination, guests can participate in manatee observation tours at the lagoon to learn about the gentle giants; get up close and personal with endangered Scarlet Macaws and Toucans, Belize’s national bird, in the island’s Aviary; wonder at the striking beauty of insects at the Butterfly Garden; and learn more about and view Belize’s indigenous reptiles like the boa constrictor.
  4. Flighthouse-   a 130 foot tall ‘Flighthouse’ serves as the central area for a variety of aerial activities including zip lining, suspension bridges, free fall jumps, a tandem “superman” style zip line and stunning views of the verdant hills of the mainland. To top off the adventure, the Flighthouse will include a challenging but fun ropes course located on a platform in the saltwater lagoon. For a lower adrenaline adventure, guests can also enjoy eco-activities and watersports such as kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing in Harvest Caye’s shallow lagoon area, where wildlife is abundant.
  5. 3000-foot Zip Line– An exhilarating cross-island zip line.Harvest Caye’s zip line course will have more than 3,000 feet of zip line, allowing guests to soar through the air with a bird’s eye view of the island and the sea, with stops at three different platforms.
  6. Pool Cabanas For Rent- 15 canopy pool cabanas. The plush pool cabanas, available for rent, feature upscale lounge furniture, privacy drapes and beverage service. A swim-up bar with stools and lounge tables right in the water completes the resort experience.
  7. Shore Excursions Start Here- With its close proximity to the mainland, Harvest Caye also offers guests easy access to a wide variety of adventure excursions.
  8. Dining and Bar Options- Harvest Caye also features a variety of for-a-fee dining and bar options. Guests will enjoy five dining and bar outlets that feature a variety of cuisines, including a two-story indoor/outdoor LandShark Bar & Grill.  Those who want to indulge in authentic Belizean cuisine can enjoy casual street style dining in the shopping village. Additional dining options include the Laughing Bird Bar & Grill serving the beach, the Manatee Marina Bar & Grill in the marina, the Horse-Eye Jack Bar & Grill servicing the island’s cabanas as well as food and drink delivery throughout the pool area.
  9. Shopping Village- Harvest Caye’s shopping village is inspired by an outdoor art festival featuring high-quality local retailers offering items like locally made chocolates, spirits, beautiful artwork including the area’s signature wood carvings and more, along with street carts featuring local Belizean favorites including ice cream, grilled skewers and artisan crafts. On hand as guests stroll through the shopping village; performances from local musicians and folk dancers.
  10. Gateland To Mainland Belize- Sort of like Carnival Corporation’s Amber Cove provides a gateway to the Dominican Republic, Harvest Caye also serves as a gateway to spectacular eco and cultural adventures that await in mainland Belize. The destination’s marina, located near the pier, serves as a convenient departure point for a wide variety of shore excursions that allow guests to explore this rich destination, including spectacular Mayan ruins, river rafting, nature tours and more. When guests arrive on the mainland at the Malacate transportation hub, they are immediately immersed in Belizean culture with local vegetation and flora mimicking that of a traditional Belize plantation.

Guests of Norwegian Cruise Line will have the opportunity to enjoy Harvest Caye on Norwegian Cruise Line’s Western Caribbean itineraries, as well as on select Caribbean sailings on Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises in Winter 2017 and Fall/Winter 2018. Click here for more information and to see firsthand the incredible experience that awaits guests at Harvest Caye, Belize.

This video gives a good overall view of Harvest Caye Cruise Destination

 

Cover Photo- Norwegian Cruise Line


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Thoughtful Holiday Gift Ideas For Your Cruise Traveler

Other than the gift of a cruise itself, arguably the only sure-to-please option for any cruise addict, there are some holiday gift ideas that will be welcomed above others.  Forget wondering if any of these will be well-received or not; all are solid options.

 

Holiday Gift Ideas
Photo- Chris Owen
  1. Cruise CompeteAn Assortment Of Cruise Brochures- Forward-thinking gift givers can order colorful brochures from most cruise lines or pick them up at the office of a travel agent.  Zero cost is involved and while this may seem like a lesser of holiday gift ideas, your cruise traveler will appreciate the thought behind the gift.
  2. Cruise Line Gift Cards- let them make up their own minds what to use them for; most cruise lines offer gift cards and/or gift certificates good toward the purchase of a cruise. Some are valid for Bon Voyage gifts in advance of sailing while others can be used as onboard credit when sailing.
  3. International Power Converters take otherwise useless European-style outlets located in all cruise ships and turn them into usable places to plug in electronics. Many have USB ports built in as well.  Do your homework too- some cruise lines have fewer usable outlets than others making this an even more meaningful gift
  4. Destination Information- Does your cruise traveler already have a sailing booked?  Do you know where they are going?  Supplement cruise line resources available online by choosing a variety of suggested reading material specific to that already-booked itinerary.  Some cruise lines have suggested reading lists.  Start there but search for titles on ebay or Amazon.  The more used and worn the copy the better when it comes to travel guides and reference books.
  5. Play Travel Agent- Along the lines of taking time to consider your cruise traveler’s itinerary, consider the cruise line they will be sailing with.  Look for elements of that particular cruise line’s onboard programming, dining, entertainment and activity options to highlight and present to your cruise traveler for consideration. You would be surprised how many travelers do very little if any research in this area, often resulting in them missing features they would probably enjoy.
  6. Bon Voyage Gifts- Available in advance from any cruise line, these thoughtful and customizable additions to the experience of your cruise traveler will be appreciated once on board.  Still, the idea of them being surprised later when the holiday is today commonly pushes this idea way down the list of holiday gift ideas. A way around that: make a gift certificate using an online service line Canva which can indeed be presented in person.
  7. Old School Ideas That Still Work include scrapbooks, memory cards, cameras, permanent luggage tags, flasks, disposable underwater cameras and more.  Nothing is really off the table here as it really is the thought that counts.  One of those items thought to be old school might be a very good fit for your cruise traveler.
  8. Something They Would NEVER Buy For Themselves– like a spa treatment.  Easy enough to do online and absolutely non-refundable you may very well get your “I’m not a spa person” in for a massage and that may very well change their life forever.  I know, it happened to me.  Now if at all possible I try to begin every sailing with a massage.

Back to the sure fire winner for all cruise travelers: a cruise itself.  Actually, just the deposit might get the ball rolling. If booked during a reduced deposit sale, that dollar amount might fit most any budget.  Better yet: book it during a sale that requires that deposit to be non-refundable.  The thought there: if they don’t go they don’t deserve to be your friend and the guilt trip they will go on instead will be fun for you to watch.


CruiseCompete-LogoThis article is brought to by Cruise Compete. CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts.

Flickr photo:asenat29

 

Royal Caribbean Begins Selling Cruises To Cuba aboard Empress Of The Seas

Adventure Seekers Can Now Visit Havana On Empress of the Seas from Miami or Tampa

Empress of the Seas will make history for Royal Caribbean with its first visit to Cuba during a 5-night sailing departing Miami on April 19, 2017. The ship will then reposition to Tampa offering two itineraries with calls to Havana on April 30 (7-night sailing) and May 20 (5-night sailing). These Empress of the Seas sailings are now open for sale.

Tampa will be the new homeport for newly revitalized Empress of the Seas for the 2017 summer season.  This will be Royal Caribbean’s cruise first-ever summer program from Tampa and will offer a series of 4- and 5-night sailings, including port calls to destinations in Cuba. The largest ship to sail to Cuba from the United States, Empress will provide vacationers with the opportunity to discover the timeless sights, sounds and culture of this island nation. Details of the summer itineraries will be released at a later date.

“Royal Caribbean is the world’s most exciting adventure company, and we’re thrilled to introduce culture-seeking travelers to Cuba. As the unrivaled innovators of the cruise experience, no company is better positioned to help adventurers explore and experience this culturally rich destination,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

Guests sailing onboard Empress of the Seas and visiting Cuba can enjoy curated people-to-people experiences created to immerse vacationers in the natural beauty of Cuba, its architecture, cuisine, music and art.  All cruises will be designed in accordance with current U.S. to Cuba travel regulations.

While in Cuba, guests will explore Old Havana – a UNESCO World Heritage site – some of the city’s most notable squares, historic neighborhoods, a local artisan market, Havana’s rum museum as well as Hemingway’s former residence and favorite haunts. Local experts will immerse guests in the history, culture and people of Cuba. These authentic encounters will give guests an unforgettable taste of what has made Cuba the gem of the Caribbean.

The authentic experiences aren’t limited to land. The vibrant culture will extend to Empress of the Seas, from cortaditos and café con leche in Café Royal to salsa music, guests will have a range of onboard activities developed to bring the spirit of the island to life during the entire journey. The revitalized Empress will bring the shipboard Cuban flair together with signature amenities, such as a thrilling rock-climbing wall for adrenaline seekers; new pools and whirlpools, including an adults-only Solarium; a Vitality Spa with an extensive treatment menu; and a complimentary Adventure Ocean youth program. Empress also will offer a variety of dining options with the casual atmosphere of the Windjammer Café, family-friendly Ben and Jerry’s Scoop Shop, and fine dining at Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse Chops.

The summer program on Empress of the Seas provides travelers with more opportunities to sample the unique Royal Caribbean experience from Tampa. Two other Royal Caribbean ships, Rhapsody of the Seasand Brilliance of the Seas, will offer Caribbean itineraries from the homeport during the winter season. Guests interested in being one of the first to experience Cuba with Royal Caribbean can contact their travel professional, call Royal Caribbean at 1-866-562-7625 or visit RoyalCaribbean.com/Cuba.

For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Approved To Begin Cruises To Cuba

Image- Royal Caribbean International

Royal Caribbean has announced that the Cuban government has granted approval for the company to begin cruises to Cuba. The company said it plans to announce its first Florida-Cuba itineraries in the near future.

“Our guests have expressed real interest in having the opportunity to experience Cuba, and we look forward to bringing them there,” said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “Our discussions with our travel partners indicate that Cuba is a destination that appeals to a new generation of travelers.”

Two RCL lines, Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises, will provide guests with travel directly to Cuba for the purpose of providing people-to-people exchanges between guests and Cuban citizens and other travel permitted by current U.S. regulations.

The cruise itineraries will comply with U.S. Department of Treasury rules that permit travel companies to transport approved travelers to Cuba to engage in people-to-people activities as defined by the U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

Ocean Cruising Skills Not Needed For Viking River Cruises

Ocean Cruising Skills Not Needed For Viking River Cruises
Ocean Cruising Skills Not Needed For Viking River Cruises

Ocean cruise travelers often figure out rather quickly; regardless of the cruise line, many parts of the experience are common.  The itinerary runs from port to port.  Offered at each port will be a variety of tours for an extra charge.  There will be a buffet and other included dining options along with some optional ones.  The more we sail, the better we get at our ocean cruising skills, the difference between cruise lines is not all that important.  But then, for one reason or another, we try the world of river cruising.  That refocused effort usually brings up Viking River Cruises, the most popular and highest-rated river cruise company in the world.  Very quickly we find that there are ocean cruising skills not needed for Viking River Cruises.

Cruise Compete

Formal Wear

There simply are no formal events.  Period.  End of story. Every night I can wear nice jeans and a shirt with a collar and fit in just fine with others dressed similarly. I’ll bring along a sport coat more out of habit than necessity.

Booze Smuggling Skills

If the fact that beer and wine are included with meals is not enough liquor, passengers can and do buy some of the best wine in the world at stops along the way and bring it on board. Not a problem whatsoever.  The only word of caution: don’t get carried away on those shoreside purchases.  You won’t be able to take it on the plane back home and odds are the next day is going to bring another wonderful place where equally wonderful buying opportunities exist.

cruising skills
Staying Hydrated

Viking provides bottled water before shore excursions and in your stateroom, replenished as needed. If that is not fast enough, both sparkling and still water are on tap at the conveniently located 24-hour coffee stations.

Hiding Skills

This is not a ship with thousands of passengers and thousands of crewmembers.  On our sailing, there were 180 passengers and 50 crew.  We got to know most of them.  Bottom line: There is no place to hide.  Don’t try.  The dining room opens for dinner after an evening chat from the ship’s Program Director (like Cruise Director on ocean ships). We often sit with different people in the dining room every night and enjoy every single one of them.

Survival Skills

While a mandatory safety drill is performed before the ship sets sail, the stark reality sets in that there are no lifeboats on river cruise ships.  There’s a reason for that.  There are rarely more than a few feet of water under the ship. If it “sinks”, all the passengers just go up to the sun deck and wait to be rescued, usually by someone they can holler to on the shore.

Don’t get me wrong, there are some cruising skills you may have learned on ocean cruising which will come in handy.  Travelers who buy into the onboard programming offered by an ocean cruise line and come back home feeling refreshed, renewed or a bit different as a person can do the same on a Viking River Cruise. Travelers who have attained expert status on in the world of ocean cruises, figuring out now not to be nickel and dimed to death will love this:  On a Viking River Cruise, there are few opportunities to spend in excess of what you paid upfront. That really jumps out of the experience as different, in a very good way.