Thursday, May 30, 2019

Millennials want to cruise. How Norwegian is preparing for these young travelers to hop aboard


Norwegian Cruise Lines Breakaway
Photo: Norwegian Cruise Lines

The global cruise industry is booming. Now the fastest-growing category in the leisure travel market — estimated at $45.6 billion in 2018 — cruise vacations attracted more than 26 million travelers last year, up 3% over 2017. By the end of 2019, that number is expected to hit 30 million, according to Statista. 

One likely explanation for the surge is millennials’ increased interest in cruise travel. To keep pace, the industry plans to pour about $65 billion into building more ships over the next 10 years.

Despite incidents of crime and reports of illnesses and outbreaks on vessels, cruise ships are operating at near 100% capacity and claim it’s been almost impossible to keep up with demand. Many vacationers opt for cruises because of they offer an all-in-one experience, several entertainment and dining options and the ability for families to stay together while enjoying separate vacations. 

But by 2019 millennials will surpass boomers in population size (73 million vs. 72 million), and these young, savvy travelers will soon become the newest cruiser demographic. That means cruise lines will need to start making some serious changes, from offering creative food options and unique onboard activities to authentic experiences and more exotic destinations. 

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Frank Del Rio says he is prepared to meet the challenge. With a combined fleet of 26 ships with approximately 54,400 berths across its Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises brands, Norwegian offers itineraries to more than 450 destinations worldwide and plans to introduce 11 additional ships through 2027.

Friday, November 22, 2013

10 coolest cruises for celebrating New Year's

Decked out and dancing under a clear sky or in an elaborately decorated lounge, water views galore, champagne flowing, a live band playing, balloon drops and maybe even fireworks. If that sounds like your kind of New Year's Eve celebration head to a cruise ship.

There is still some space available on these cruises, near and far. Where will you ring in the New Year?

Australia/New Zealand

Guests onboard the Seabourn Odyssey will be sipping complimentary champagne after cruising all day in New Zealand's breathtaking Milford Sound and Fjordlands National Park, then spend New Year's Day among the bird life of sparsely populated Oban, N.Z.

Bahamas

Mickey and friends will entertain cruisers during a deck party on the Disney Magic. Bonus: You spend the first day of the New Year docked at Disney's Castaway Cay.

Caribbean

Passengers on the Azamara Quest will be ringing in the New Year in high style in the harbor of chic St. Barth's, with views of the island's fireworks display.

Continue reading at  http://www.usatoday.com/story/experience/cruise/cruise-buzz/2013/11/21/new-years-cruises/3665003/

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Best cruises for holiday celebrations

By Fran Golden, USAToday

In far-flung destinations and closer to home too, ships host traditional holiday celebrations.

On many ships there are visits by Santa, special holiday meals and parties, religious services, carolers, lighted trees and extravagant decorations.

Each cruise line has its own special spin. On Princess ships there are "snowfalls" in the atriums; chefs at Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises create amazing gingerbread houses, and Disney Cruise Line ships host "Very Merrytime" deck parties with Disney characters.

Caribbean

All the major lines serve up fun-in-the-sun style holiday cheer in the Caribbean and Bahamas. With Hanukkah and Thanksgiving aligning this year, celebrations later this month combine turkey, latkes and nightly menorah lighting on ships including the MSC Divina out of Miami and Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas, embarking from Bayonne, N.J.

Continue reading for other destinations:  http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/article/best-cruises-for-holiday-celebrations/3541433/

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Cruise ship to become 'Bud Light Hotel' for Super Bowl


Norwegian Getaway (Photo: Norwegian)
 Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship will be transformed into a Bud Light-themed hotel — if only for a few days.

As USA TODAY's Laura Petrecca today reveals in an exclusive report on corporate party plans for Super Bowl XLVIII, Anheuser-Busch InBev will turn the soon-to-debut, 4,028-passenger Norwegian Getaway into a massive "Bud Light Hotel" lodging space and entertainment venue for the event.

The Norwegian Getaway will be docked in New York for the Feb. 2 game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., and the Bud Light Hotel will encompass the ship and the adjacent Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum. Lodging will be available Thursday before the game through Monday morning.

Continue reading:  http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/11/05/norwegian-cruise-bud-light-hotel/3440601/

Monday, November 4, 2013

Short cruises from South Florida ports

Carnival: Two ships -- Carnival Victory and Carnival Imagination replaced in January by Carnival Ecstasy -- sailing day cruises out of Miami (unchanged from last year), plus an additional ship, Carnival Freedom, sailing occasional five-day cruises, interspersed with longer cruises, out of Fort Lauderdale. Carnival Freedom will get Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades in the spring, the first ship used for short cruises to get them. www.carnival.com

Celebrity: Celebrity Constellation sailing four- and five-day cruises out of Fort Lauderdale til late April, after sailing a similar program out of Miami in years past. www.celebritycruises.com

Disney: Disney Magic, just back from a dry-dock makeover, set sail Oct. 25 on its first Caribbean cruise of the season from Miami; will do four- and five-night cruises until January, when it will be move to Port Canaveral. Disney Wonder will move from Galveston to Miami and continue the short-cruise schedule until early May. The Disney Wonder sailed similar itineraries out of Miami for the first time last year, but for a shorter season. http://disneycruise.disney.go.com/

See more at:  http://www.post-gazette.com/life/travel/2013/11/03/Short-cruises-from-South-Florida-ports/stories/201311030046

Friday, October 25, 2013

Best cruises for a weekend getaway

Looking for a quick weekend getaway out of Miami? Carnival Cruise Lines' 2,056-passenger Carnival Imagination operates three-night sailings to the Bahamas from the city every Friday.  Carnival Cruise Lines
  Maybe you don't have a full week's vacation coming. Or you want to combine a visit with the relatives with a short cruise. Or you're a first-time cruiser afraid to commit to a full week at sea. Whatever the reason, cruise lines get that some people can't (or don't want to) do a seven-night cruise. As a result, the lines are offering an increasing number of shorter cruise options.

The three-, four- or five-night sailings are often affordably priced, especially this time of year. Do a four-night cruise on the Norwegian Sky or Carnival Imagination from Miami on Nov. 11, for instance, from $149 per person (Click through the carousel above for a glimpse of the ships and others mentioned in this story).

The cruises tend to be on older ships, but that may be changing. Princess Cruises, for instance, has its second-newest ship, the Ruby Princess, cruising on four- and five-night cruises out of Fort Lauderdale this season.

While short cruises have had a past reputation for attracting a more party-hearty crowd than longer cruises, a number of ships these days are targeting families. Disney Cruise Line, for instance, is showing off major refurbishments on the Disney Magic with short cruises from Miami, through December (after that Disney Wonder takes over the route through April). Fares are from $396 per person, for a four-night cruise.

Continue reading at http://www.usatoday.com/experience/cruise/article/best-cruises-for-a-weekend-getaway/3173241/

Monday, October 21, 2013

How to save money on a cruise

The cruise industry is launching its Oct. 20-27 sale week, but if you’re not ready to take the plunge yet, cruise lines also offer discounts during the annual “Wave Season,” which runs from January through March.

You may get a lower price attempting to book at the last minute, but by booking early, during sale periods, you can often get perks such as free airfare to the departure city; an upgraded cabin; or onboard credits to spend on extras like a massage.

Tips on:
  • Avoiding peak times - learn when it's the best time to book a cruise
  • Sail old school - older ship may be worth the savings
  • Repositioning Cruises - they are a great one-way ticket
  • Target cheaper itineraries - want cheap, target three-day cruises for a bargain
  • Consider a travel agent -  helpful to sort out the details
  • Account for extras - calculate your cost before you book. Use this free Travel Budget Calculator (http://www.independenttraveler.com/travel-budget-calculator) to get an estimate of your next cruise vacation.
Read more at: http://seattletimes.com/html/travel/2022059834_cruisesavingsxml.html