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Showing posts from June, 2024

Icon of the Seas Delivers on Its Promises

Before Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas debuted, the cruise line said the new holder of the title “World’s Largest Cruise Ship” would provide fantastic family vacations. And, the Icon is delivering on that promise. With eight distinctive neighborhoods, dozens of restaurants and bars, seven pools, a six-slide waterpark, a shape-shifting waterfall, multiple stage shows, and an ice arena – plus other long-time Royal Caribbean favorites like a rock-climbing wall, surf simulator, and mini-golf course – it’s clear that everyone in the family can have fun on board. As the first ship in Royal Caribbean’s new Icon Class, Icon of the Seas has some features that have never been seen before. These include the Pearl, a beautiful kinetic sculpture in the atrium of the Royal Promenade. You can take a flight of stairs right through the Pearl: the interior is lined with more than 3,000 glass panels that play with light and color. A ship designed for family entertainment needs family-sized acc...

Sailing the World in 2025

If you dream of traveling the world, a world cruise can make it easy. World cruises are usually 90 days or longer – enough time to call on multiple continents. Some world cruises truly do circumnavigate the globe, while others cover a large part of it. Several cruise lines offer world cruises, including Azamara, Cunard, Holland America, Oceania, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, Silversea, and Viking. Many depart in January, which makes for an adventurous start to a new year. To provide a taste of the variety found in world cruise itineraries, here’s a look at some that will set sail in 2025. Cunard Line’s Queen Anne will set off on her first world cruise from New York on January 18, and this 98-day cruise comes close to circling the globe. The ship will take a westward path that includes a transit through the Panama Canal. Passengers will enjoy overnight stays in ports like San Francisco; Honolulu; Auckland, New Zealand; Sydney, Australia; Hong Kong, China; Singapore; Dubai;...

Truly Local Shore Excursions

It’s a thrill when you sail over the water on a cruise ship, but also when you get off the ship and explore a port of call. Many ports offer a variety of entertaining, educational, or adventurous shore excursions: guided tours, beach days, and visits to cultural sites are always popular. But, some locations offer excursions you won’t find anywhere else. Here are a few of our favorites. On a cruise of the Alaskan coast, ships can often get close to glaciers as they meet the Gulf of Alaska. If you want to get even closer to these slow-moving rivers of ice, some itineraries offer helicopter viewing and trekking excursions. First, you’ll fly over the glaciers for breathtaking views; then, you’ll land on a glacier for a memorable hike over the ice. For even more adventure, you can add in some dogsledding behind a team of swift Alaskan huskies. Truffles – not the chocolate kind, but the very rare kind that grows underground – deliver so much complex, earthy flavor that they’re among the ...

Where to Find Live Music on Board

  There’s something wonderful about listening to live music, and most cruise lines include some live music in their entertainment programs. Imagine relaxing in a comfortable chair with a beverage beside you, floating on the waves but also on the sounds of music; or, jumping up out of your chair to dance to a live beat. Cruise lines employ first-rate musicians to provide the soundtrack for your cruise. Depending on the ship, you might hear live music in the atrium and by the pool during the day, and in lounges and bars at night. Holland America Line is known for presenting a variety of live music in special venues on its ships. The venues vary but may include B.B. King’s Blues Club, featuring classic rhythm & blues; Billboard Onboard, a unique piano bar; the Rolling Stone Rock Room, which highlights classic rock from “best of” lists published by Rolling Stone magazine; or the Rolling Stone Lounge, where the band might play any genre. Norwegian Cruise Line has a variety of...