Introducing the Norwegian Aqua

Norwegian Cruise Line is celebrating the launch of its newest ship, the Norwegian Aqua, the first in the line’s Prima Plus Class. Constructed at Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard, the Aqua can accommodate up to 3,571 passengers and is about 10% larger than Prima Class ships. Norwegian allocated a share of the additional square footage to outdoor areas: for example, the pool deck has space for 50% more lounge chairs than Prima Class ships, and the adults-only Vibe Beach Club will be about 40% larger on the Aqua.

“Firsts” on the Aqua include:

The most spacious accommodations in Norwegian’s fleet. In The Haven, Norwegian’s ship-within-a-ship complex, two-level Duplex Suites boast three bedrooms, three bathrooms, separate living and dining areas, and large balconies. The ship will also have the cruise line’s first ocean-view and balcony cabins for solo cruisers.

New dining spots, including Thai specialty restaurant Sukhothai and Planterie, a vegetable-forward eatery in the Indulge Food Hall. Plus, some passenger-favorite dining venues will be larger on the Aqua, including Le Bistro and Hasuki, Norwegian’s Japanese teppanyaki grill.

The world’s first hybrid rollercoaster and water slide. The Aqua Slidecoaster’s dual slides will whirl passengers through two different courses at speeds of up to 31 miles per hour. The Drop, Norwegian’s thrilling 10-story free-fall slide, will be on board too.

The first show at sea based on the music of Prince. “Revolution: A Celebration of Prince” will take the stage in the Aqua Theater and Club. Norwegian promises a concert-like experience, including opportunities for audience members to join the performers on stage.

Lots of familiar spaces on the Aqua also have new and updated features, including the Game Zone, which has everything from classic arcade games to the latest virtual reality experiences. The Mandara Spa will be updated with a two-story waterfall, a clay sauna and IV drip therapy. The expanded mini-golf area will have 12 interactive holes across two decks. And the top deck will have a new feature called the Glow Court. By day, passengers can play a variety of sports on the Glow Court’s interactive LED floor, which transforms into a dance floor at night.

After its April christening, the Aqua is scheduled to sail 7-day Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral. This fall, the ship will move to New York for a series of Bermuda cruises, and then will spend the winter sailing Eastern Caribbean cruises from Miami. To get on board, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

 

Accommodations for Solo Cruisers

If you’re interested in cruising on your own but not in sharing a cabin, good news: there is a growing number of cruise ship cabins designed for one. And, these single-occupancy cabins come at single-occupancy prices. If you cruise on your own in a cabin intended for two, you’ll probably have to pay what’s known as a “single supplement,” which can be as much as another cruise fare. So, you could pay up to double to have your own cabin, or you could consider sailing with a cruise line that provides solo accommodations, like these:

Norwegian Cruise Line has been a leader in accommodating solo cruisers with cabins that are thoughtfully designed for one. You can find them on most of the line’s newer ships: the Epic, with 128 “studio” cabins, has the most. Most of the NCL studios are inside cabins, but some have windows to the corridor or virtual portholes that stream a view of the water. And when you sail in a studio cabin, you’ll have access to the Studio Complex and Lounge, a social space with coffee, cocktails, big-screen TVs, and pre-dinner gatherings to enjoy.

Royal Caribbean has cabins for solo cruisers on several ships – some have just a few, but Quantum Class ships have up to 28. The solo cabins are from a mix of categories, including inside cabins, inside cabins with virtual balconies, and outside cabins with open-air balconies. Plus, while all of the activities on Royal Caribbean make meeting other passengers pretty easy, there are also hosted meetups just for solo cruisers.

Virgin Voyages’ three ships each have 46 cabins for solo cruisers; these are mostly inside cabins, but some have ocean views. All of Virgin Voyages’ cabins are sleek and stylish, and the cabins for one are no exception. While the cruise line organizes meetups for solo “sailors,” these ships are designed for easy socializing. The wide variety of activities, restaurants, and bars creates lots of opportunities to mingle and chat with other solos, couples, and friend groups.

Holland America Line also has some solo cabins on some of its ships, including the Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam. These ocean-view cabins have the same amenities as double-occupancy cabins, but are available for a single-occupancy fare.

Whatever the cruise line, cabins for one are popular, and they tend to sell out well in advance. To reserve one for yourself, contact Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

Preparing to Pay for Cruise Extras

Your cruise fare pays for so much, including accommodations and housekeeping, lots of onboard dining and entertainment, port fees, and great service. But when you get on board, you’ll encounter some tempting extras that carry separate fees. Understanding and planning for these optional extra costs before you sail can help you stay comfortably within your vacation budget.

Here are some popular items for which most mainstream cruise lines charge extra:

Beverages. Most cruise lines offer at least a few complimentary beverages, but the majority of them, from bottled water to cocktails, are available at a per-drink price. You can save by purchasing a beverage package before you board the ship. Ask your professional travel advisor for more information.

Specialty restaurants. The dining venues included in your fare will serve delicious food, but it’s fun to try the elevated cuisine at an onboard specialty restaurant; and the extra charge is often less than you would pay for a similar dining experience at home. Pick an evening to treat yourself and make a reservation in advance.

Room service. Room service used to be complimentary on most cruise ships, but many now charge delivery fees. To avoid this, pick up some food or snacks at one of the no-free-dining venues to take to your cabin.

Internet access. Your cruise line is likely to charge a fee for internet access (which can still be spotty). To avoid the fee, use your cruise as a time to unplug from your devices. Or, wait until the ship is in port to check email and socials; you can usually get connected in port facilities, or at a nearby shop or restaurant.

Shore Excursions. While most shore excursions come with fees, there’s usually a variety to choose from, including options that are fun and reasonably priced. If you’d like to splurge on a special shore excursion or two, be sure to select and reserve them in advance to help avoid any pricey impulse buying as you sail.

There are other optional extras you can plan for, like spa treatments, professional photos, laundry services, and even certain high-cost menu items (think lobster and chateaubriand). One way to avoid some of these fees is to reserve your cruise well in advance: extras may be included in promotional and early-bird fares. For more information, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor, who has the best access to special offers from the cruise lines.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel

Cruising the Western Mediterranean

 To explore some of the loveliest and most historic places in Europe, consider a cruise in the Western Mediterranean. A wide range of itineraries is available from various cruise lines. Your professional travel advisor can help you find the cruise ship, schedule, and style that suits you best.

While the Western Med is a fine destination for cruising all year long, the summer months can be hot, with the largest crowds on shore. Also, many Europeans take all of August off for their own vacations, so some shoreside attractions may be closed during that month. In spring or fall, cruise passengers often enjoy smaller crowds and cooler temperatures in the Western Mediterranean. Winter can be a little chilly in some areas, but holiday celebrations make it a lovely time to sail.

Many voyages focus on popular ports along the southern coasts of Spain and France, as well as the west coast of Italy. Here are just a few of the wonderful Western Med ports you may wish to visit:

Barcelona, Spain. There’s so much to see in the ancient Gothic Quarter and Old Town, but you can also visit the Sagrada Familia and other buildings designed by Antoni Gaudi, tour FC Barcelona’s stadium, walk the beach at La Barceloneta, or visit a Benedictine abbey on the peaks of Montserrat.

The French Riviera (Côte d’Azur). Where you dock along this famous coastline may depend on the size of your ship: it could be a larger port like Marseilles, or a smaller one like Saint-Tropez. No matter where your ship calls, the scenery along the coast is stunning.

Rome, Italy. Most ships dock in Civitavecchia (a major port since the second century), where passengers hop on trains or buses for an hour’s ride to Rome. On a first visit, a highlights tour will take you to the most iconic sites; on a return visit, spend more time exploring a favorite place, like the Colosseum, the Vatican, or the Piazza Navona. Before or after Rome, your cruise might also call on the Italian ports of Genoa, Livorno (for Florence), or Naples.

Some Western Med cruises also call on Portugal, Monaco, or Mediterranean islands like Mallorca, Sardinia, Corsica, or Malta. And, some venture to North African ports in Tunisia, Algeria, or Morocco, too. For much more information about your options for cruising the Western Mediterranean, talk with Anita, your professional travel advisor.

Find us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/AtthetaTravel