Epic Reveal

NCL shared several more details about their new Norwegian Epic at a live press conference from the Seatrade Shipping Conference being held in Miami this week.  The ship is being promoted as being “truly epic in innovation”, and seems to be living up to early expectations.
Today, NCL revealed that its  “ship within a ship” concept is being taken to new levels with the creation of 3 unique areas catering to different passengers and interests.  The most dramatic announcement encompassed the lower-priced accommodations with the introduction of the industry’s first Studio Staterooms.   There are 128 of these interior staterooms that have a window out the hallway and are laid out much like a studio apartment (without the kitchen) in a metro city like NY.  But unlike a landlocked studio apartment, these staterooms have a social gathering point, the 2 story Living Room where there is a bar, quiet reading areas and room service.  Access to the studios and the living room are via a special key card.

Moving to the other end of the economic spectrum are the 60 suites in an expanded Courtyard Villa area.  The Courtyard Villa was introduced on NCL’s Jewel class ships and are a popular feature for upscale cruisers.  On the Epic, the entire complex has been expanded with a private pool, gym, dining facility and concierge lounge.   Again, access to the private area is by key card.

And not forgetting the huge family market, NCL has designed their “family friendly” accommodations to occupy 2 decks and staterooms accommodate 3 or 4 passengers with many connecting cabins available.

Last but not least, NCL joins the “Spa Cabin” trend with 39 cabins adjacent to the large spa area that offer special access to the spa and other facilities.

Keep in mind though, that these special areas and staterooms only represent less than about 10% of the overall number of staterooms – 2100 – on the ship so even if you don’t take advantage of these unique features, there’s still an abundance of lounges, decks, and recreational areas to enjoy.  The ship is due to begin service in midsummer and another press release with more details will be held on April 3 at the Cruise Lines International trade conference in Ft. Lauderdale.

It’s a Balcony Bonanza!

Want a “room with a view” for less?  Then Princess Cruises has a deal for you.  The Love Boat group is holding a Balcony Bonanza sale from now through February 28^th.  So, if you are thinking about your first cruise, start out cruising in style with a private balcony stateroom.  Reduced balcony rates are available on a wide choice of intineraries including Alaska, Caribbean and Europe.  But don’t wait too long because the chance to enjoy your own private hideaway while cruising to some gorgeous destinations will sail away soon.  Your cruise specialist can provide more details and specific pricing.  With Caribbean balconies starting at only $1299, act fast to improve both your view of the sea and your outlook on life.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line

Company Overview
In the highly competitive world of cruise companies, Royal Caribbean International consistently earns top honors in the quality of its ships. Founded in 1969, the company has expanded rapidly both in the number of mega-liners and cruising regions. Formerly synonymous with Caribbean cruises, today RCI’s vessels are a mainstay in Alaska, Mexico, New England/Canada, Hawaii, the Baltic and Mediterranean.
Royal Caribbean is a leader in ship size and design. The innovative Viking Crown observation lounges originally wrapped around the ships’ funnels. In 1988, the first mega-liner with atrium, Sovereign of the Seas, was introduced and was so successful, the design concept was quickly adopted by other cruise lines. Sovereign’s sister ships Monarch of the Seas (1991) and Majesty of the Seas (1992) added staterooms with balconies to the design. (Sovereign of the Seas underwent a major rebuild in November 2004 which included the addition of balconies to 62 staterooms.)

The Vision-class ships made the viking-crown lounges more easily accessible by adding them to the top of the centrum (atrium). These ships are noted for the extensive use of glass making them lightfilled and offering exceptional sea views from public areas. Built in three pairs of sister ships, the Vision class includes Legend and Splendour or the Seas (1995, 1996), Grandeur and Enchantment of the Seas (1996, 1997) and Rhapsody and Vision of the Seas (1997, 1998). Enchantment of the Seas was stretched and refurbished in 2005. A 73-foot midsection was added, turning her into an 81,500-ton vessel with 151 additional staterooms and new public areas including Chops Grille specialty restaurant and Boleros Latin lounge.

In November 1999, RCI launched the first 138,000-ton Voyager-class vessel, Voyager of the Seas, which carries 3,838 passengers when full. Again, there were many “firsts”, including an ice skating rink, rock climbing wall and roller blade rink. Voyager also sports a Skylight Wedding Chapel, Aquarium bar (56 Tons! of saltwater with tropical fish), High Notes nightly jazz session, inside promenade cabins, Studio B (where live TV shows will be produced) and Scoreboard sports bar with satellite feeds from around the world. Voyager has another “first” — it’s own zip code i.e. 33132-2028. Voyager had four sister ships in service by the end of 2003: Explorer of the Seas (2000), Adventure of the Seas (2001), Navigator of the Seas (2002) and Mariner of the (2003). These ships held the record as the largest passengers ships in the world until the delivery of Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 in December 2003. RCI will take back the record, however, with the delivery of the first Ultra Voyager ship, Freedom of the Seas, scheduled for delivery in May, 2006.

The Voyager-class ships proved to be so popular RCI launched an even larger version of this class. Freedom of the Seas (2006) and sister Liberty of the Seas (2006) are 158,000-tons, measuring 126 feet by 1,112 feet and standing 18 stories high are nearly identical to the Voyager class ships except for the addition of a “surfing” area and enormous children’s pool.

RCI introduced the Radiance-class vessels starting in 2001. Smaller at 90,090-ton, but offering enhanced entertainment options similar to the Voyager-class, these 2,501-passenger vessels feature more glass than other RCI ships including all glass elevators facing the sea. They feature a new design of gas turbine engine which is smokeless and vibration-free, with azipod propulsion. The first, Radiance of the Seas entered service in March 2001 followed by Brilliance of the Seas (2002), Serenade of the Seas (2003) and Jewel of the Seas (2004).

Empress of the Seas is the former Nordic Empress which underwent a major revitalization prior to the 2004 Bermuda season. The major changes onboard include the addition of more dining areas, an expanded spa and gym, a new card room and the conversion of two existing lounges into a Latin themed bar and the nautical-themed Schooner Bar.

The Royal Caribbean Experience:
A Royal Caribbean executive once used the phrase “mass with class” in describing his company’s vessels, a fairly apt description. For me, what most distinguishes RCI’s 11 vessels is their beauty. For example, the “Vision class” series of six nearly identical ships (Legend/Vision/Grandeur/ Enchantment/ Splendour/Rhapsody of the Seas), and “Radiance Class” (Radiance/Brilliance/Serenade/Jewel of the Seas) have acres of glass ensuring the sea and sky are always within sight, beautiful spas with and subdued yet refined art. These are wonderfully romantic ships, popular with honeymooners and anniversary celebrants.

The most popular ships in Royal Caribbean’s fleet are the enormous Voyager and Freedom-class vessels especially for younger, more active passengers and families with children. And indeed, they are beautiful vessels with so much to do it seems silly to stop in any ports. Due to their size, I don’t recommend these ships for people who have problems walking.

RCI’s distinctive Viking Crown Lounges are romantic glass-enclosed lounges high above the sea. These are wonderful ships for families with children of all ages, including teens, who have their own private club and disco; family staterooms and suites are also available on the newer ships. Service is friendly and efficient and, from our most recent experience, RCI’s cuisine has improved certainly on the Vision-class vessels. My one big gripe is the miniscule cabin size on the older vessels (Sovereign/Monarch/Majesty of the Seas, Empress of the Empress), although even the newer Vision ships have some smaller staterooms compared to other vessels in this price range.

Royal Caribbean still offers two seating, assigned dining in one large dining room. One area that needs much improvement is cuisine, which is far below what is served on competitor Carnival Cruise Line ships.

Fellow Passengers
Honeymooners, families and couples from their mid-30’s to retired in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Mexico and Hawaii cruises. Couples in the 55+ age group in other cruising regions and on 10+ day sailings.

Taking The Kids:
Royal Caribbean’s “Adventure Ocean” youth program has age-specific facilities and programs supervised by youth counselors for Aqaunauts (age 3-5, must be toilet trained), Explorers (age 6-8), Voyagers (age 9-11), Navigators (age 12-14) and Teens (age 15-17). A new program for infants and toddlers 6 months to 3 years, in partnership with toy maker Fisher-Price offers 45-minute playgroups for children accompanied by an adult, involving storytelling, creative arts, music and a variety of Fisher-Price learning toys and games. Aqua Babies are six months to 18 months old while Aqua Tots are 18 months to three years old.

Adventure Ocean runs year-round in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Bahamas, Mexico, Hawaii and Alaska. Parents can leave their children at Adventure Ocean while they take shore excursions. For this purpose, the facilities open 30 minutes ahead of morning shore excursion departures. Otherwise, organized activities are offered from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., with group babysitting from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. for a fee. Teen centers are now open past 2 a.m.

Private babysitting is offered from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m., provided sitters are available, for children from six months old. The rate is $8.00 per child per hour with a minimum of three hours and a $2.00 per hour charge for each additional child. Cash payment is made directly to the sitter. Private teen clubs and discos are found on the Vision, Voyager and Radiance-class ships. Supervised activities are available on RCI’s private islands, Labadee and CocoCay.

Educational programming is provided by the “Edu-tainment” of the Adventure Ocean activities. In addition to learning about the ports of call, there is Adventure Science and Adventure Art programming. On Voyager and Radiance-class ships, Adventure Ocean Computer Centers have age-appropriate software and staff-guided tutorials.
There are special menus for children and a “Fountain Soda Package” can be purchased for the cruise. The package includes fountain sodas and juices at all bars, lounges, dining rooms and private destinations. Kids 17 and younger pay $4.00 per person per day plus a 15% gratuity. For teens 17 and older, and adults, the charge is $6.00 per person per day plus the 15 % gratuity.

Family staterooms and suites are available on the Vision, Voyager and Radiance-class ships. Request cribs through your travel agent. Strollers are not available.

Past Passenger Program:
Crown & Anchor Society members receive discounts at onboard shops and special discounts on select sailings; 4 program levels with added amenities; admission to Crown & Anchor clubs in select ports; onboard recognition; quarterly newsletter. For more information call 800/526-9723.

Tipping:
Royal Caribbean suggests a per person per day gratuity of: $3.50 for the stateroom attendant ($5.75 if sailing in a suite); $3.50 for the waiter; $2.50 for the Assistant Waiter; .75 Head Waiter. These gratuities may be paid in cash or charged to your onboard account. For children sailing as third or fourth passenger in the stateroom, tipping is at the parents’ discretion.

A 15 percent gratuity is automatically added to all beverage tabs. Gratuities for room service, spa, casino and other staff are at your discretion.
Copyright Anne Campbell, 2007.

Norwegian’s Epic New Ship

Norwegian Cruise Line  has recently announced the name of its  brand new ship, which was known before as the “F-3”.  Under construction at STX shipyard in Europe, NCL Executive Vice President Andy Stuart told a trade group on January 27th that the ship will be named Norwegian Epic in recognition of the many ground breaking features and amenities planned for the ship. 

The ship will sport “New Wave” cabins with curved walls and all ocean view staterooms will have balconies (an industry first).  Some other new features include the first ice bar at sea, an “uber bar’ and the elimination of traditional large dining rooms.

The Norwegian Epic’s maiden cruise will take place in summer 2010 but the specific date has not yet been announced.  The 150,000 ton ship will sail Saturdays year round from Miami on alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.  Individual reservations are expected to open in April.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Time to Ditch the Rolex

Sometimes you just don’t want to follow the rest of the crowd. In everyday life, you follow a certain routine – get up at 6:30, arrive at work at 8:30, lunch at noon, leave at 6, and dinner at 8. Wouldn’t it be nice to find a vacation where you don’t have to be a slave to the clock? Well, wait no more because NCL’s Freestyle cruising may be just what the doctor ordered.

The sleek cruise ships of NCL deliver modern, contemporary cruising with a unique twist. Instead of fixed dining times, NCL offers Freestyle cruising which allows you to dine when and with whom you please in a variety of restaurants. You can select from up to 13 restaurants on board. All meals in the main restaurants are included in your fare. But most passengers choose to dine at the specialty restaurants several times during their cruise. The cover charge in the specialty restaurants is very modest in light of the dining experience – ranging between $10 and $20 per person. Options include a steakhouse, Teppanyaki (think Benihana), French Country Bistro, Italian Trattoria, Asian Fusion, All You Can Eat Sushi Bar, Tapas and Tex Mex. Advance reservations are available or you can call for same day arrangements. In the event that the restaurant of your choice is full, the maitre d’ can suggest alternatives using the ship’s computerized system or you can elect to take a pager that will alert you when your table is ready.

Norwegian Cruise Line has carefully arranged the entertainment and activity schedules to complement the Freestyle dining approach with extra shows and more convenient timing of activities. In addition to the Freestyle features, NCL has not left out any of the traditional trappings found on conventional cruises – large casinos, vast pool decks, complete spa and workout areas, internet cafes, shopping arcades and more. And on their newest ships, they’ve thrown in something not found anywhere else at sea – regulation bowling alleys in a vibrant entertainment complex.

NCL operates a fleet of 14 ships to destinations including the Caribbean, Mexico, Alaska, Europe, Bermuda, and (under sister brand NCL America) inter-island Hawaii cruises.

 

Dress/Packing Tips

There are really no “dress codes” on cruise ships but more like cruise packing tips to assist you in bringing the right items. Having traveled with a spouse and two teen age daughters, this editor is, however, painfully aware of the cruise shoe formula – take the number of cruise days and multiply by 5. How else could one possibly pack 35 pairs of shoes for a one week voyage?

But seriously, packing less is often more beneficial than packing more on a cruise. The style of ship you have selected usually dictates the way that passengers dress. The shorter and less expensive cruises skew toward very casual and the longer cruises on luxury ships tend to be more formal. Speaking of formal, most cruise ships have at least one gala night where passengers generally dress their best. Does this mean tuxedos and evening gowns? Yes, you will find these in evidence on longer cruises but the trend is to allow more freedom of choice on ships and this translates to dress guidelines that suggest instead of require formal wear. And even on gala night most ships offer an alternate dining venue for people who just plain refuse to dress up.

The best place to get some hints as to the suggested dress on board is in the Welcome Aboard materials provided by the cruise lines prior to your trip. But again, keep in mind that these are created to cover broad a spectrum of diverse guests. In almost all cases, shorts, bathing suits and t-shirts are banned from the main dining room at dinner time.

Ladies should remember to bring a sweater or shawl because the public rooms may be chilly.

Ashore, clothing suggestions depend a lot on what part of the world you are in. In the tropics, shorts, t-shirts and jeans (basically everything you are not supposed to wear in the ship’s dining room) are fine ashore in a beach environment. In Europe and Asia, travelers tend to be more conservative. And if your shore excursions include a visit to a cathedral or house of worship, bare shoulders or abbreviated wear for the ladies may result in denied entry. The shore excursion or purser’s staff can provide specific guidance on board. And always check to see that at least one pair of those 35 pairs of shoes are COMFORTABLE WALKING SHOES. Navigating the stairway of the Sistine Chapel in stiletto heels would be an excursion of its own!

When packing, again, less is more for a cruise. Most first time cruisers report back that they used about half of what they brought. Veteran cruisers try to see how little baggage they can get away with, somewhere in between will probably work for you. Most of the medium to larger ships offer laundry and pressing service. And some of them have self-service laundry facilities (although we don’t think most people consider doing laundry a fun vacation event. Take a lot of mix and match clothes based on the length and style of your cruise. A folding umbrella is always a good idea.

Planning is the most important part of the packing process. Don’t throw your suitcases on the bed the night before you leave and start to toss everything you own inside them. Remember, during many parts of the trip, YOU will have to drag, roll, or coax them to their check in point.

Tip: Make a list. Take half the stuff off the list. Divide by 2 and you have the ideal amount of cruise wear for your trip! A good rule of thumb is that if you find your travel mate looking in the yellow pages under “Moving and Storage Companies”, you may have packed too much. Bon voyage!

First Cruise Travel Tips

Selecting Your Cruise

Research indicates that most first time cruisers are focused on where the ship goes and choose cruises based on ports of call. There are several major destinations including Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Hawaii & Asia Pacific, and Mexico to name a few.

Once you have zeroed in on the general area, the next step in how to select a cruise is deciding what kind of port experiences you are looking for. Beaches, shopping, historical sightseeing, action packed excursions… today’s ships offer so many choices of activities that some veteran cruisers often remain on the ship in a few ports of call.

Tip: Most first time cruisers believe they want to be in port and off the ship as much as possible. They often choose what is known as a port intensive itinerary. But, during their first cruise many spend a day or more “At Sea” and they realize that these were some of the most enjoyable days they ever spent. Total relaxation, sleeping ‘til noon, breakfast in bed, a soothing massage, and kicking back by the pool with a good book are a just a few of things that you can do (or not) on a day at sea.

Next is the perennial ship size question. Just like pizzas ships come in small, medium or large. And like toppings their amenities vary widely. Ships considered “smaller” may not have some of the more elaborate facilities found on bigger ships like large theatres, giant casinos, boutiques and ice skating rinks. That being said, the service, dining and ambiance on board these boutique liners is generally held to a higher standard (an expectation of higher rates charged).

If you are traveling with children, finding a cruise with programs available to them becomes very important. Likewise, if you enjoy elaborate entertainment or major casino action, then choosing medium to larger ships may be more suitable.

Clearly, this is a case where one size does not fit all. But by spending a few minutes in contemplation of what you like to do on vacation, you will be able to give your cruise specialist a lot of guidance on how to find and select a cruise for you.

 

Using a Cruise Specialist

Many first time cruisers mistakenly believe that using a cruise agent will cost them more due to fees being charged above and beyond the cost of the cruise. But savvy cruisers know that cruise travel agents receive their compensation from the carrier and do not “mark up” the cost of the cruise.

 In the current market environment, pricing is virtually standardized in terms of rates that a cruise specialist, online seller or cruise line direct planner will see. That’s because the cabin rates they see all come from the cruise line themselves on a common computer “feed”. Cruise lines generally discourage rebating and discounting and for all practical purposes rate quotes are consistent.

 One thing that a knowledgeable cruise agent does bring to the party is that they don’t have a built in bias to one line over another. Sure they may have their personal favorite, but they also know that to get you as a repeat customer the important thing is that they get the cruise that is right for YOU and not for THEM. They can view multiple cruise lines, departure dates and promotions to develop the best offer available.

 Cruise specialists also deliver an important intangible ingredient – insider tips, knowledge about pre and post cruise logistics, and personal experience. It is a good idea when selecting a cruise travel agent, first “interview” them for the job. Gauge their cruise experience, how long have they been in their business, and the reputation of their company. Remember anyone with a few dollars can have a slick web site. Don’t be shy to ask for credentials and references.

 Ask your cruise specialist to look for “specials” once you have narrowed down the choices. There’s a myriad of offers available at any given time such as Senior, Military, Regional, and Past Passenger rates as well as cruise line on board credits, upgrade programs and transportation credits. A good cruise agent will research all these programs to check if you are eligible to take advantage of any or all of them.

 Next time you are going on a cruise take a friend along – a good, knowledgeable cruise agent. You’ll be glad you did.

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome to First Cruise Forum

This is the right place to get you started on the cruise vacation of lifetime.  With nearly 200 ships and destinations around the world, the choices can seem overwhelming.  Our goal is the help sort out the questions, concerns and misconceptions that abound for first time cruisers.  Our editors have been on more than 200 cruises and can help you enjoy your first cruising experience.

 

There’s a lot of hype today about discount cruises and how to book.  Our goal is to help you identify and select the cruise that is best for you, not just the cheapest trip.  There are many ways to find deals and bargains once you narrow down the choices.

 

Our “Ask the Captain” feature allows visitors to pose specific questions to the editors and we share the answers with everyone in the hope that this information will be a source of guidance and inspiration for our first time cruisers.