Cruising’s popularity continues to grow. Cruise lines expect a total of 27 million passengers to set sail in 2018, an increase of one million from last year. 2018 will also see the debut of 27 new ships – 17 for ocean cruising and 10 for river cruising.
The Caribbean remains a top destination. Long the most popular cruise destination for North Americans, the islands of the Caribbean are expected to continue in that role, as ports damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the fall of 2017 are open again. On some islands (Puerto Rico, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Martin and Dominica) you’ll still see signs of damage and rebuilding, but many attractions and businesses are ready to welcome you. Many islands with little or no damage from the storms (Antigua, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados and more) have remained open to cruise ships throughout the fall and winter.
Dress codes are becoming simpler and more casual. On most cruise ships, casual vacation attire is always acceptable before 6 p.m. For evening, many lines now rotate “smart casual” (collared shirts and long pants for men; long or capri pants and shirts or casual dresses for women) and “elegant casual” (which basically means suits for men and cocktail dresses for women). Still, some lines uphold the tradition of formal nights, featuring tuxedos and long gowns. If you love to dress up, look for a ship and itinerary with one or more formal nights.
Onboard features and activities continue to amaze. The trend in cruise ship design is toward more spaces that provide expansive views of the sea. For example, the Magic Carpet on the Celebrity Edge, which will debut in November, is a movable deck cantilevered over the side of the ship for great ocean views. The Norwegian Bliss, launching this spring, is designed for taking in views of the Alaskan coastline. There’s a 180-degree observation lounge where you can watch glaciers calve new icebergs into the water, plus a waterslide with a transparent tube that runs along the side of the ship.
Enjoy some of the latest trends in cruising for yourself; talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert, about making your next cruise reservation.
The Caribbean remains a top destination. Long the most popular cruise destination for North Americans, the islands of the Caribbean are expected to continue in that role, as ports damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the fall of 2017 are open again. On some islands (Puerto Rico, the British and U.S. Virgin Islands, St. Martin and Dominica) you’ll still see signs of damage and rebuilding, but many attractions and businesses are ready to welcome you. Many islands with little or no damage from the storms (Antigua, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados and more) have remained open to cruise ships throughout the fall and winter.
Dress codes are becoming simpler and more casual. On most cruise ships, casual vacation attire is always acceptable before 6 p.m. For evening, many lines now rotate “smart casual” (collared shirts and long pants for men; long or capri pants and shirts or casual dresses for women) and “elegant casual” (which basically means suits for men and cocktail dresses for women). Still, some lines uphold the tradition of formal nights, featuring tuxedos and long gowns. If you love to dress up, look for a ship and itinerary with one or more formal nights.
Onboard features and activities continue to amaze. The trend in cruise ship design is toward more spaces that provide expansive views of the sea. For example, the Magic Carpet on the Celebrity Edge, which will debut in November, is a movable deck cantilevered over the side of the ship for great ocean views. The Norwegian Bliss, launching this spring, is designed for taking in views of the Alaskan coastline. There’s a 180-degree observation lounge where you can watch glaciers calve new icebergs into the water, plus a waterslide with a transparent tube that runs along the side of the ship.
Enjoy some of the latest trends in cruising for yourself; talk with Anita, your Cruise Holidays personal cruise expert, about making your next cruise reservation.
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