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.

Continue reading  https://www.cnbc.com/2019/05/29/how-norwegian-cruise-line-is-preparing-for-millennials-to-hop-aboard.html

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/

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/

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/

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

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/

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

Travel Experts Say Now is the Time for Cheap Cruises

(NBC News) If you have a little bit of vacation time stashed away, this may be the week you decide what to do with it, because somebody's got a deal you may find difficult to refuse.

It's always much cheaper to take a cruise this time of year, and this year cruise prices are at all-time lows.

In fact, MarketWatch reporter Catey Hill says cruises are cheaper right now than a motel stay.

"It's almost to the point cheaper than the Motel 6 when you consider that on a cruise you get all your food included in that price," Hill says.

Carnival is offering cruises for as low as $35 a night, while Royal Caribbean has taken as much as a thousand dollars off some sailings.

Read more at: http://www.texomashomepage.com/story/travel-experts-say-now-is-the-time-for-cheap-cruises/d/story/T01Oxr6tQUqvRHD_h1HvUg

MSC Divina to bring some firsts to Miami

BY JAY CLARKE
SPECIAL TO THE MIAMI HERALD

When MSC Divina arrives in Miami in November, it will mark the beginning of a first for MSC Cruises — the first time the line has stationed a ship year-round at a North American port. And it will offer a number of options that were not available on MSC ships that sailed seasonally here.

First, in partnership with Eataly, an upscale Italian chain with restaurants also in Japan and the United States, Divina will have two restaurants and a boutique Eataly marketplace new to North America on board. Eataly debuted this year on Divina’s sister ship, MSC Preziosa. The new dining rooms are the upscale Ristorante Italia and Manzo, a steakhouse patterned after Eataly’s restaurant in Manhattan.

In an industry first, Divina will offer classes in Aqua Cycling, the latest fitness craze, which uses bikes in pools. Also new on the ship will be Top 18, an adults-only oasis with personal lounge beds, bar menu and spa services. And available for the first time on the line’s North America sailings will be the MSC Yacht Club, a luxurious section of the ship with personal butler, 24-hour concierge service, complimentary wines and spirits, and exclusive lounge, restaurant and pool.

The 3,274-passenger ship, which entered service in 2012, will start Caribbean cruises out of Miami Nov. 20.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/09/28/3650141/msc-divina-to-bring-some-firsts.html

More cruise lines reducing on-board smoking areas

A number of major cruise lines have made their onboard smoking policies more restrictive.

Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, MSC Cruises, P&O Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Seabourn all announced changes recently. Depending on the line and the ship, the new policies will affect guest balconies, staterooms and public spaces.

Douglas Ward, author of the guidebook Berlitz Cruising and Cruise Ships 2014, said the changes are "simply evolutionary — more no-smoking passengers are asking the cruise lines to reduce the smoking areas."

Traditionally, most ships had smoking and smoke-free areas, he said. "Ocean liners of yesteryear were famous for their large smoking rooms."

Many of the new policies prohibit smoking on balconies.

Full story at: http://www.tampabay.com/features/travel/more-cruise-lines-reducing-on-board-smoking-areas/2143443

'Dancing with the Stars' performers to headline cruises

(Photo: Anthony Heywood)

Fans of Dancing with the Stars might want to make a last-minute booking for one of two upcoming cruises on Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam.

The line says show dancers Kym Johnson and Tristan MacManus will be aboard the 2,106-passenger vessel's Jan. 5 "Dancing with the Stars: At Sea" theme cruise and a Jan. 12 Champions Cruise, as will actress and former celebrity participant Sabrina Bryan.

All three of the show veterans will perform for passengers and take part in activities that include meet-and-greets with passengers and question-and-answer sessions.

The Jan. 12 cruise will feature winners of "Dancing with the Stars: At Sea" competitions held over the past year on all 15 ships in the Holland America fleet. The sailings are just the latest in Holland America's growing series of Dancing with the Stars voyages.

Both trips are seven-night voyages to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/story/cruiselog/2013/09/13/dancing-with-the-stars-cruise/2808635/

Disney Cruises to Go All Out for Halloween and Christmas Parties

Aside from being a well-known kids' dreamland, Disney Cruise Line is renowned for constantly developing fun new on-board programs so returning guests don’t repeat the same experiences over and over again.

This fall, for example, cruisers will enjoy Disney’s "extra-spooky" celebration of "Halloween on the High Seas." This series of celebrations takes place on most voyages aboard Disney Dream from late September through October. Once the Halloween decorations have been stored away at the end of October, get ready for "Very Merrytime Cruises," beginning November 9 on Disney Fantasy and Wonder and November 10 on Disney Dream and Magic.

What can your family expect if you’re sailing Disney Dream during the Halloween festivities? Get ready for Halloween-theme parties, as well as holiday-themed entertainment and décor—and be on the lookout for the new Halloween Tree, which transforms throughout your voyage.

Read more at  http://www.fodors.com/news/disney-cruises-go-all-out-for-halloween-and-christmas-parties-7032.html

7 super-extravagant U.S. cruises

These are the top rated 7 U.S. cruises. In no particular order, the finalist are

• Linblad Expeditions, Alaska cruise
• Celebrity Cruises, Immersive Wine Cruise
• Azamara Club Cruises, Panama Canal Cruise
• Cunard, Queen Mary 2, transatlantic cruise
• American Queen Steamboat Company Mississippi River Cruise
• Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas
• Royal Caribbean, Quantum of the Seas

For summary of each of these amazing cruise read on
http://edition.cnn.com/2013/09/06/travel/american-luxury-cruises/?hpt=hp_mid

Disney lines cruise into top spot

By Phil Reimer, For Postmedia News

J.D. Power is probably known to most observers as the company that ranks cars from automakers around the world. On TV, you will find the award - or endorsement - stamped on commercials, and the manufacturers wait anxiously to slap on that seal of approval.

But the people at J.D. Power are more than that. They rank insurance, electronics and a host of services and manufacturers, including travel. I had assumed they felt the cruise industry was a niche market because their travel surveys concentrated on air, hotel, other travel and car rentals. Now cruising has caught their attention, and they have just completed the company's first Cruise Line Satisfaction Report for 2013.

The following seven categories, in order of importance, are the criteria used to rank the cruise lines: service; stateroom; food; embarkation/debarkation; entertainment; cost; and excursions (port adventures).

The ranking totals were out of 1,000 points and were based on 3,003 responses from customers who travelled on a cruise ship. The rankings took place from May 29 through June 14 this year.

The winner that came first in the rankings? Disney Cruise Line, with 871 points, performed especially well in the food and entertainment categories.

Read more at: http://www.calgaryherald.com/travel/Disney+lines+cruise+into+spot/8620803/story.html

Cruise Voyant Offers Florida Residents Cruise Deals Starting from $60 a Day

Fort Lauderdale, FL (PRWEB) August 05, 2013

South Florida based cruise travel agency Cruise Voyant is promoting Florida Resident discounts that start from $60 a day. As part of this promotion, Florida residents can visit CruiseVoyant.com and book a cruise with exclusive discounts.

Residents can take advantage of these savings for a limited time on popular cruise lines including Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Carnival. The cruise destinations include Caribbean, Bahamas, Mediterranean, Vancouver and more.

Cruise Voyant allows consumers to search for cruises by location, destination, cost and interest such as single’s cruises, family cruises, adventure cruises or romantic cruises. CruiseVoyant.com also features informative articles on all major cruise lines and ships that may help you choose the right cruise, best cabin, view itineraries and plan what you want to do while onboard.

Read more at: http://www.prweb.com/releases/2013/8/prweb10989464.htm

CruiseDealership Announces MSC Divina First Time Ever Year Round Cruises

MSC Cruises prepares for a year round presence in the North American market. The announcement came during the christening celebration for the line’s 12th new ship, MSC Preziosa, in Genoa, Italy. MSC Divina, sister ship of the MSC Preziosa, which was christened last spring and will now cruise year round from the Port Miami beginning November 2013, said Thomas DeSimone, Co-Founder & CEO of CruiseDealership.

The extension of MSC Divina’s scheduled cruise voyages to year round cruising showcases the company’s desire to expand into the North American market.

Read more: http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=177124#.Ud3Ih20kwio

Norwegian Breakaway, a New York City-themed cruise ship

The Breakaway, which evokes New York City on board in its food and activities, sails by the Statue of Liberty.

On board the new 4,000-plus-passenger Norwegian Breakaway, guests can eat a real New York hot dog, wash it down with a Brooklyn Lager, and indulge in a cannoli from Carlo’s Bakery, then work it all off with the Rockettes.

Breakaway is a ship created by a cruise company helmed by a New Yorker for New Yorkers. Reminders of the Big Apple are everywhere.

Norwegian Cruise Line CEO Kevin Sheehan was born and raised in the city. While at Hunter College, he drove a cab. At Norwegian, he envisioned the line’s newest mega cruise ship — the largest ever to port year-round in New York — as a waterborne version of Manhattan. Mission accomplished.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/life-style/nysea-norwegian-breakaway-manhattan-water-article-1.1360046#ixzz2Yg3EjiUV

Hidden cruise deals: how to nab flash sales

While researching a recent story on summer’s best Alaska cruise bargains, I was dumbfounded to discover jaw-dropping $299 rates for a last-minute 7-night Princess Cruises sailing to Alaska — one of the best-value fares I’ve stumbled upon during my many years of travel deal-hunting. The only problem? They seemingly weren’t available to everybody, with the $299 fares populating on the Princess website for me, but not for my editor, who was located in another region (fares there showed up from $599 for the same sailing).

Intrigued, we decided to dig deeper on these fare discrepancies and uncovered a world of hidden cruise deals and short-lived “flash” sales.

Karen Candy, media relations manager for Princess, revealed that the $299 Alaska fares were likely showing up regionally, since the cruise line sometimes has limited flash sales that are targeted to specific markets. A rarity for any travel provider: They explicitly did not want any publicity on these blink-and-you’ll-miss-them fares. Candy explained, “They are restricted, offered very close in on sailings with space, and are offered in very limited quantities.”

Read more:  http://travel.yahoo.com/blogs/compass/hidden-cruise-deals-nab-flash-sales-183802736.html

Royal Princess: 5 things you'll love about the new cruise ship

The three-deck-high Piazza on Princess Cruises' new Royal Princess. / Steve Dunlop (via USA TODAY)

 Princess Cruises' newest ship isn't radically different from its earlier vessels, and that's by design. The Love Boat line aims for consistency in its fleet.

Still, that doesn't mean the 3,560-passenger Royal Princess is a carbon copy of its earlier sisters (with its addition, Princess how has 17 ships at sea). Nearly 20% larger than the next biggest Princess vessel, the Royal Princess boasts a number of notable new and expanded features that go a long way in setting it apart.

Read more at: http://www.freep.com/article/20130617/FEATURES07/306170082/Royal-Princess-5-things-you-ll-love-about-new-cruise-ship

Quantum of the Seas: New Cruise Ship Unveiled

Quantam of the Seas: A very modern cruise ship has been unveiled by Rayal Carribbean International, complete with a range of attractions such as bumper cars.

This computer-generated image provided by the Royal Caribbean International cruise line shows the North Star, an observation capsule on a movable arm that will offer a bird’s eye view from 300 feet above the water, part of the Quantam of the Seas. The new ship is slated to launch in Novemeber 2014 from Bayonne, N.J. (AP Photo/Royal Caribbean International)

 NEW YORK—Royal Caribbean cruise line dazzled cruise aficionados Tuesday with details of its forthcoming Quantum of the Seas ship, which will be the first at sea to offer attractions like bumper cars, simulated skydiving and an observation capsule called The North Star, with a bird’s eye view 300 feet (91 meters) above the water.

“Without a doubt, Quantum of the Seas is a game changer with technological innovations never imagined aboard a cruise ship,” said Stewart Chiron, who writes at CruiseGuy.com.

“I can’t wait to get on it,” said Barbara Lippincott, who’s taken 160 cruises on Royal Caribbean and was among a number of the company’s devotees at a Manhattan event unveiling the ship’s features.

Read more at: http://www.theepochtimes.com/n3/17543-quantum-of-the-seas-new-cruise-ship-unveiled/