Carribian Cruise – Caribbean Cruise

Archive for the ‘caribbean cruise’ Category

The world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship, Freedom of the Seas, left Southampton on May 3, 2006 to make her transatlantic voyage to New York.

At 160,000 tons and holding 3,634 guests double-occupancy, Freedom of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world when it debuts in May 2006, according to chairman and CEO Richard Fain. He noted that in choosing the name “Freedom” for the ship, the line was emphasizing how all-inclusive the vessel will be. “Whatever you want to do, you have the freedom to choose” he said.

In addition to the Voyager-class signature features – such as an enhanced rock climbing wall, ice skating rink and Royal Promenade – the 3,600 passenger ship, will feature a number of innovations: oversized sculptures spraying water in all directions, a circular current pool and a swimming pool fed by a waterfall; a full-size boxing ring and a 14-person family suite to an eager American audience.

Freedom of the Seas’ combined pool area is 43% larger than on Voyager-class ships.

At night, the main pool area will be transformed into an open-air nightclub, with a large dance floor situated between the two pools. Passengers will have access to a water park, a promenade and a casino. She will generate 1,800,000 litres of fresh water and require 35 tonnes of ice cubes every day.

Freedom of the Seas will arrive at the Port of Miami on May 25, where she will make a series of short sailings until June 4, when she will begin her regular sailing schedule of 7-night Western Caribbean tour calling at Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica and Royal Caribbean’s private destination, Labadee, Hispaniola.

Freedom of the Seas wrest the biggest-ship-ever title from Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.

The QM2 was the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and most expensive ocean vessel ever built until the Royal Caribbean Freedom of the Seas launches in June 2006. While QM2′s passenger capacity is 2,620 passengers, Freedom of the Seas can carry 6,000 passengers.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. commissioned the world’s largest cruise ship, agreeing to pay Europe’s biggest shipbuilder a record 900 million euros ($1.1 billion) for a vessel that will carry 5,400 passengers. Oslo-based Aker Yards ASA will deliver the Project Genesis ship in late 2009. At 222,000 gross register tons, the Royal Caribbean International vessel, codenamed Project Genesis, will be nearly half as big again as the Queen Mary 2, and 43 percent bigger than the largest cruise liner, Freedom of the Seas.

The world’s two largest cruise operators, Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises, are commissioning larger ships as increasing numbers of customers buy on-board package vacations. The number of people taking cruises surged 5.7 percent to 8.35 million in the first nine months of 2005, according to the New York-based Cruise Lines International Association.

Book a Cruise Holiday at http://www.bookmeacruise.co.uk

With the credit crunch hitting us hard, it seems difficult to comprehend how many millions of pounds is being invested into the cruise industry. With new ships still being ordered by the cruise lines, we can only expect bigger and better things for the future. Looking ahead to 2009, we can see a mixture of new ships ready to be launched, from smaller luxury vessels, to huge super liners.

Here is your guide to the new cruise ships for 2009:

Ready to hit our shores in May 2009, Costa Luminosa sister ship to Costa Serena is currently under construction at Fincantieri Marghera shipyard, Mantimo.  The 13th ship in the Costa fleet has a GRT of 92,600. There are 1130 cabins onboard, 56 of these have direct access to the ships innovative and exclusive Samsara spa, 718 have private balconies, 44 suites have private balconies, and 4 suites have direct access to the Samsara spa. The ship will accommodate over 2,260 passengers, and with its theme of light and elegance, we can ensure the latest addition to the Costa family is going to be a real jewel. 

The ship boasts 4 restaurants, 11 bars, 2 swimming pools, 4 Jacuzzis, the Samsara Spa, and for the more adventurous, the ship even contains a Grand Prix simulator. Costa Luminosa will set sail from Venice on its inaugural voyage on the 5th May 2009. The 10 night Vernissage Cruise around Greece and Turkey, will visit Bari, Katakolon/Olympia, Rhodes, Izmir, Istanbul, Mykonos, and Piraeus. After the ships initial voyages in May, it will take mini Vernissage cruises from Venice, before heading to Amsterdam to visit Northern Europe and the Norwegian Fjords throughout the summer.

The ships christening on the 5th of June, will be an extraordinary event, taking place in Genoa. This unique event will display both Costa Luminosa, and Costa Pacifica, as a double celebration, with both of MSC’s new additions to the fleet being christened together.

Costa Pacifica, the fleets 14th ship in the fleet, will be the 3rd sister ship in the Concordia class, making the Costa Pacifica, the newest and largest of the Costa fleet. Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Genoa Sestri Ponente shipyard in Italy. The Italian lines newest addition is an impressive   114,000 tonnage, with 1540 cabins, the ship can take up to 3780 passengers. The ship will share many features with the other Costa Concordia and Costa Serena, its sister ships including the Samsara spa, 5 restaurants, 13 bars, 4 swimming pools, and 5 Jacuzzis.

The ships design and styling has been inspired by the musical theme onboard. Each area has been characterised by a different type of music, you will see this in the My Way restaurant, Ipanema Lounge, Route 66 Sports Bar, La Bamba pool deck and other areas around the ship.The Grand Inaugural cruise will be sailing from Savona on the 6th June, the 9-night cruise will visit Marseille, Barcelona, Palma, Tunis, Valetta, Palermo, and Civitacheccia/Rome. After this, the ship will be based in Barcelona, for the summer taking 7 night Mediterranean cruises.

Ready to launch in July 2009 is MSC Splendida.  The second in the new design style from MSC and sister ship to the recently launched MSC Fantasia, you can expect ‘cutting edge technology and luxurious comfort’. The 133,500-tonnage ship currently under construction at the STX Europe, St Nazaire, France, will take up to 3,300 passengers.

To ensure pure luxury, MSC are offering six star service in the form of the MSC Yacht Club, with 99 suites, a special VIP area as well as 24-hour butler service. Onboard MSC Splendida you can also experience the Aurea Spa, a wellness centre offering amazing treatments, including Balinese massage, Turkish baths, solariums, relaxation rooms and much more.

After the christening of MSC Splendida in Barcelona, the maiden voyage will visit La Goulette, Valletta, Messina, Civitacheccia, Genoa, and Marseille. Throughout the summer, the ship will be based in Barcelona, visiting the Mediterranean.

The Seabourn Odyssey will be launched in June 2009, the 32,000 tonne, 450-passenger ship is the first new build ship for The Yachts of Seabourn for over 15 years, and the first new build luxury ship for 6 years.  Under construction at Italy’s T Mariotti’s shipyard, the ships christening had been scheduled for June 24th 2009 in Genoa, Italy.

With 225 ocean view suites on offer, 90% with private balconies, luxury is guaranteed. With great onboard facilities including a spa, it will be a treat to be onboard the newest luxury liner in the cruise industry’s offerings. The maiden voyage from Venice will see you sail 14 nights around the Eastern Mediterranean, visiting Dubrovnik, Kotor (Montenerago), Mylos, Aghios Nikolaos, Rhodes, Santorini, Navplion (Mycanae), Piraeus (Athens), Mykonos, Kusadasi (Ephesus), and Istanbul. Before spending the summer cruising these islands, visiting some amazing locations.

The latest addition to the fleet of Celebrity Cruise line is the Celebrity Equinox.  Set for its launch in August 2009, the Celebrity Solstice class ship is 122,000 tonnages with the accommodation taking up to 2850 passengers. Under construction at Germanys Meyer Werft, Papenburg, the ship has incredible features and has been designed to exceed your expectations, from start to finish.

Onboard the Celebrity Equinox, you will find some familiar features from the Solstice class. The Lawn Club, a freshly manicured lawn area onboard that features real grass, for passengers to play sports including golf and croquet. You will also find the Aqua Class staterooms, which are cabins sharing a deck with the Aqua Spa, a relaxation room, incorporating spa elements into the staterooms.

The Maiden voyage from Southampton is set for 8th August 2009. The 10-night “Best of Europe” cruise will visit Paris, Cherbourg, Vigo, Lisbon, Gibralter, Cartagena, Barcelona and Rome. It will then sail 13-14 night itineraries “Ancient Empires” these are based from Rome, on these voyages two brand new ports Haifa and Ashdod, Israel will be visited. After this, the ship will cruise the transatlantic to Fort Lauderdale, before starting the 10 and 11 night “Ultimate Caribbean” itineraries.

In September 2009, we will see the arrival of Carnival Dream. The 130,000-tonnage ship will be accommodating around 3562 passengers. Currently under construction at the Fincanteri shipyard in Italy. The ship boasts the largest outdoor deck space, more stateroom categories, the largest spa Carnival have ever built, Carnival Waterworks, and a new indoor/outdoor entertainment area called the Ocean Plaza.

The ships maiden voyage ‘The 12-night Grand Mediterranean’ cruise from Rome is scheduled in September. Before heading across the Transatlantic to New York, where it will start 8 night Port Canaveral and Bahamas cruise, before operating year round 7 night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises itineraries.

Late in 2009, we will see the arrival of the much-anticipated Oasis of the Seas. The latest creation and addition to the Royal Caribbean fleet.  Oasis of the Seas, comes in at a massive 220,000 tonnage, and will accommodate an incredible 5400 guests in 2700 staterooms. The ship was originally ordered in February 2006, and had been constructed at the STX Europe, formerly Aker Yards.

With seven different neighbourhoods onboard, we can see a new concept by the cruise line introducing different areas similar to those found at a theme park. Each neighbourhood will have distinct characteristics, and will be themed and named; examples of these are the Youth Zone and the Boardwalk. The Boardwalk  will feature a unique Aqua Theatre, the first ever Carousel at sea, and games and amusements to entertain the whole family. Amongst the new additions, you will also find Madame Zamara’s – a psychic and tattoo parlour.

Based out of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale. The ship will be visiting the Caribbean, alternating seven night Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries.

Finally, in late 2009, the Silver Spirit will be debuting. Currently at the Fincantieri Ancona Shipyard, the 36,000 tonne, 540-passenger vessel will feature more balcony cabins, more dining choices, more facilities onboard and more luxury.

The ships debut voyage features an 11 night maiden voyage from Barcelona to Lisbon, before the 16 night transatlantic to Fort Lauderdale where the naming ceremony will take place. In January 21st 2010, the Silver Spirit will commence its 91-day South American voyage from Fort Lauderdale to La and back to New York.  It will then spend the summer in the Mediterranean, before spending the Winter/Autumn in the Caribbean.  

So you’ve heard how great cruise vacations are, and now you’ve decided to take to the high seas for a fortnight of luxury and pampering. But there’s a lot to think about. So before you select a cruise line, a cruise ship or even get in touch with a travel agent, there are certain issues that are vital to consider.1) Who is going on the cruise?
Although this question should be easy to answer, it can have a bearing on the type of cruise line and ship that you ultimately choose.
If you and your partner want to take a relaxing cruise, there are many ships that are aimed at couples. In fact some cruise ships actively discourage or even ban people from taking children onboard.
If you will be cruising as a couple, it’s also important to consider the dining situation. On ships with assigned seating, you will have to specify the size of table that you want. However, on many ships, tables for two are in short supply, so if this is an important issue, this may influence your choice of cruise line and ship. Just make sure that you make this clear to your travel agent or the cruise line when booking.
On the other hand, if you want to take your children or travel with the rest of your extended family, there are certain cruise lines and ships within cruise lines that are specifically tailored with family vacations in mind.2) How much have you got to spend?
It’s possible to find a cruise vacation to suit almost any budget. So before you go any further it’s important to work out how much you’re willing to spend on your holiday.
But as a general rule, you’ll need to set aside at least $150 per person per day to cover the cost of your cruise. However, bigger cabins in more luxurious ships can cost many times this figure.
However, it is possible to get more for your money if you;a) Book early: Most cruise lines are willing to give generous discounts if you book your cruise 6-12 months in advance.b) Book late: Likewise, if you book within 2 months of setting sail, most cruise lines will give you hefty discounts to fill the remaining cabins.3) How long have you got?
The number of days that you want your vacation to last will determine the type and location of cruises that are available to you.
If you only have a few days, the main option is a one port cruise. This means that the ship leaves port sails around the sea/ocean for two or three days and then returns to the same port. The ship doesn’t call at any other ports, but it does give you a few days at sea. This is a good way to get the feel for a certain cruise ship, or even cruising in general.
If you have a week to spare, this gives you more choices. If you live in the US, this gives you the choice of Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, Mexico or even a Caribbean cruise. If you live in Europe this will give you access to the mediterranean, north africa, or even a nordic cruise.
Alternatively, if you want to increase the number of locations available, you could fly to and from the start/finish location of your cruise or take a one way cruise either flying to the start location or flying home after disembarkation.
If you have two weeks or longer, you can cruise almost any part of the world.4) What time of the year?
The time of year that you take your cruise will have a major affect on two issues;a) The Price: As with all forms of travel, your holiday will cost more during the peak season. In contrast, most cruises are cheaper in the spring or fall.
Traditionally, the winter was considered the high season for Caribbean destinations, but due to the weight of supply and demand (people who have to take their vacation during the summer) the summertime costs are almost on a par with the cost of a winter Caribbean cruise.b) The Locations Available: The time of year that you take your cruise will also determine the locations that are available. Although this won’t make much difference to the more mainstream locations such as the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, certain places have a distinct cruise season.
If you want to go to Alaska or northern Europe, the main cruise season lasts from May till September.
For Antartica, the season is even shorter, running from November to February.
Although the tropical regions are in season all year, there is a great variation in the amount of rainfall throughout the year. Locations such as the Caribbean will have less rain during the summer months and more rain during the winter months.
And finally, although not a restriction as such, some people prefer to avoid places that may be affected by the hurricane season. If a cruise ship encounters a storm it will alter its route to avoid it, which means you may miss certain places that you wanted to visit.5) What part of the world do you want to visit?
You can cruise almost anywhere in the world, even landlocked countries are often available to explore through river cruises. So it’s no surprise that this is one of the hardest decisions for cruise newcomers to make.
The amount of days that you have for your vacation will narrow your options, but beyond that, consider other issues, such as;
If you want to or have to take your vacation at a certain time of the year, which locations are available?
If you particularly want to use a certain cruise line, which locations do their ships visit?
What type of weather and climate do you prefer?
Are there any particular landmarks that you want to visit?
Are there any activities or adventures that you want to experience?
Now all you have to do it to get in touch with your travel agent.

Want to go on exotic holiday soaking in luxury. A luxury cruise is the best way to enjoy your holiday. There are various cruises around the world each rivaling the other in providing the ultimate comfort and entertainment.

A Caribbean cruise, would transport you to a different world. Caribbean islands consist of beautiful sun kissed, immaculately clean beaches and lovely turquoise waters. And the cruise itself, providing you the ultimate luxury and entertainment.

There are several liners which provide you a plethora of choices. You can choose between a short cruise or a longer version of thirteen days or more.

You can choose a package to suit your taste and time available. You can be absolutely certain that you will have the time of your life.

There are several islands in the Caribbean. Each island rivals the other in beauty and charm. There are different packages provided by various liners on the choice of islands you visit. But generally the islands for which the cruises are arranged are Jamaica, Antigua, Bermuda and Bahamas.

In Antigua you will enjoy the picturesque scenery. Jamaica would entertain you with the cascading water falls and spectacular mountain scenery. Barbados would enthrall you with picture postcard beaches. In Bahamas you can laze under a shady palm on the beach, forgetting the world.

Once you board the cruiser, you will be treated to a variety of programs each rivaling the other in providing you exceptional entertainment.

Are you a disco lover? You can dance away to your hearts content. Do you like parties? There are evening parties abroad the cruiser. You can dress yourself to charm everyone around.

For your family, a cruise in the Caribbean would be ultimate in luxury and entertainment. For the kids there is not even a single dull moment. There would be people take care of your children for a while, if you want to enjoy some time of your own.

Whether you are on your honeymoon or not, Caribbean cruise would provide the most romantic moments of your life, for you and your partner. A wedding anniversary or a birthday celebration, a luxury cruise in the Caribbean would a wonderful way to celebrate.

by Roy Witman

Casinos. Formal dining rooms. Day spas and fitness centers. All cruise lines offer the same things, right? That may have been true decades ago, but no longer! Today, there is a great deal of variety in the cruise lines with regard to onboard activities, amenities, destinations and more. Since “how do I choose a cruise line” is probably the most frequently asked question I get, allow me to give you a quick overview of the most popular cruise lines and what each offers. You’ll want to bookmark this article so you can find it quickly in the future when you’re ready to book your next cruise. Carnival Cruise Lines

Known as the Fun Ships®, Carnival made a bold move years ago by breaking the stereotype of cruise vacations. Carnival opened the door to Ordinary Joe to experience vacations at sea just as the rich and famous did. Thanks to Carnival, everybody can take a cruise at an affordable rate. These are fun, basic cruises that offer comfortable accommodations and all the amenities you would expect. Casinos, Broadway-style shows, spa treatments and fitness centers are all onboard, as well as extensive kids activities. With destinations to the most popular locations including the Caribbean, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and the Bahamas, Carnival offers quickie three- and four-day cruises as well as lengthy 16-day tours.Norwegian Cruise Line

With several new ships launched over the last few years, Norwegian has a relatively new fleet. Known for “Freestyle Cruising,” NCL gives you the freedom to do what you want to do, when you want to do it. Traveling to the four corners of the world, NCL offers an extensive lineup of destinations in addition to the typical ones listed above. Book passage to Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney, Madrid, Amsterdam, Athens, or Paris, as well as numerous cities in Egypt, Norway and Belgium. Exclusive Courtyard Villas with exceptional amenities make accommodating large groups or families a breeze. The large array of kid’s activities means the children will also have a great time!Royal Caribbean Cruises

The slogan “Get Out There!” should tell you something about Royal Caribbean. These fast-paced ships are new, innovative and large! With many firsts at sea, Royal Caribbean has the newest fleet at sea loaded with unusual things to do including a rock wall, FlowRider® onboard surfing machine, ice skating rink, boxing ring and bowling alley. All this in addition to the expected casinos, spas, fitness centers and restaurants. Extremely kid-friendly, Royal delivers a diverse selection of baby, toddler, child, pre-teen and teen activities. Sailing to the four corners of the world, Royal can take you to six of the seven continents for some amazing adventures. Princess Cruises

The original “Love Boat,” Princess Cruises has been a recognized leader in the industry since the early 70′s when the television series put them in front of the public eye. Today, Princess continues to offer casual yet refined cruises to typical destinations as well as Asia, Australia, South America and Europe. With art auctions and ScholarShip® programs there’s plenty to do onboard, including taking lessons in painting and digital photography plus listening to guest lecturers and more. Multiple youth and teen activities mean every member of the family can have a great time while vacationing on these smaller, but well-appointed ships.Celebrity Cruises

More sophisticated and a little slower paced than the others, Celebrity’s hallmark is exceptional service. With an eye toward anticipating the passenger’s need and delivering before you even ask, Celebrity delivers award-winning service with every cruise. While they do offer a good selection of activities for children through teens, Celebrity offers more to adults. Enrichment programs and art auctions are included along with the typical casinos, shows and dining options. Offering signature destinations rarely found elsewhere, Celebrity can show you wonders of the world including the Galapagos Islands, Panama Canal and more around the globe.Holland America Line

Signature white-glove service and premium accommodations set Holland America apart. With high levels of staffing, Holland sails with about one crewmember for every two guests, ensuring you get everything you want. A Culinary Arts Center offers hands-on as well as demonstration cooking lessons in a theater setting equipped with plasma TVs. Extensive programs for children and youth make this luxurious line family-friendly as well. Sailing to six of the seven continents, Holland calls on ports in lesser know, but fascinating destinations. Iceland, Norway, Greenland and Denmark as well as the ever-popular Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico can be visited when sailing with Holland. Windstar Cruise Line

Intimate. Peaceful. Personal. Not massive ocean liners: Windstar offers cruises onboard motor-sail yachts with sails furling! Small ships accommodating just over 300 passengers offer a truly unique way to see the most popular destinations in the world including the Caribbean, Europe and the Greek Isles. Take part in water sports right off the back of the ship! Relish in the gourmet meals and enjoy the pampering of well-appointed cabins. Geared specifically to adults, no children’s activities are offered. Two of the three ships have casinos; all have a delightfully different way to enjoy a cruise. Cunard

The best of the best. Cunard says, “Excellence is to be expected” and they mean it! With three of the most recognized ships in the world, the Queen Mary 2, the Queen Elizabeth 2 and the Queen Victoria, Cunard offers five-star service and accommodations at every turn. Regal in every detail, these world-famous ships frequently play host to royalty, heads of state, the wealthy and celebrities. Reminiscent of grand ocean liners of past eras, Cunard is home to Canyon Ranch Spa, offers cultural enrichment programs and also an onboard planetarium. Partake in authentic English afternoon tea, stroll the deck, try your luck at the casino or drop the children off in The Zone while you relax on deck. Sailing to the four corners of the world, Cunard can take you anywhere you want to go.

Wherever you want to go, whatever you want to do, use the guide above to direct you to the right cruise line for you at the right price. You’ll quickly be able to decide the best vacation for you and your family with just a glance.

Are we always complaining about not getting to see that perfect place we have dreamt of? That too in a very short span of time. Herein lies the answer.

What is a paradise? Well, beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. The inert twining of nature with the best she has to offer – the mountains, the sea, the land and the rest. A Caribbean Carnival cruise offers all of these things to keep you up and going – a voyage straight into the hearts and minds of people who experience it.

The cruises to the Caribbean are typically split into one of three categories: Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, or Southern Caribbean. The trips to Southern Caribbean are typically a short one and will typically depart from Puerto Rico, Aruba, or Barbados; while longer journeys may depart from the mainland of the United States. Western Caribbean cruises will depart from the Gulf of Mexico for the most part: Florida, Texas, Alabama, and Louisiana. Finally, the Eastern Caribbean cruises may depart from the Gulf of Mexico, usually Florida, or New York, for slightly longer journeys.

Every region is elegance at its best .Shopping, snorkeling or sailing is best suited to the eastern Caribbean region .Those devoid of nature can head to the western region. The strong hearted can head to the south.

The length of your trip decides where you want to head. A typical two day adventure will leave you more at sea and a bit of port too. When you are at sea, you can enjoy all of the accommodations of the cruise ship, including food, pampering, and fun. When you port at your destination, you may choose to stay aboard or go out and see the sights of your temporary new home. The longer your trip gets, you may actually get to port at several different locations, which is especially nice as it gives you the freedom to explore more. You will then set course for home and travel a day or two back to where you departed from – a little more relaxed and ready to face the next year.

This is how the Caribbean tour is lined up for you. You will have no complaints in the land of Caribbean, an enchanting experience designed to suit every bit of your needs

cruises are luxury hotels that move every half hour, it’s a Royal Caribbean cruise ship, a mass of one hundred thousand tons, that glides on the ocean between Florida and the islands of the Caribbean on a regular basis.
Royal Caribbean International is the second largest cruise ship operator in the world with revenues in excess of $4 billion. It owns 28 ships with more than 65,000 berths on them and is growing. Here’s their story.
Flash back to 1969. An idea suddenly struck Arne Wilhelmsen and Edwin Stephan (Arne was a Harvard-educated investor and Edwin a famous Floridian businessman). The idea was that there was a large community of extremely wealthy Americans in Florida, and that this community would put down top dollar for a short, relaxing luxury cruise to the nearby Caribbean.
Arne and Edwin marketed this brainwave to some of the shipping magnates in Norway who readily bought it and came up with large investments. After a short gestation period, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines (and an entire new industry) was born.
By the next year (1970), the infant company could speak of it’s first possession: The SONG OF NORWAY, a splendid cruise ship, weighing 18,500 tons and equipped for 700 passengers, custom-built in Finland. The most stunning feature of it was a cocktail lounge cantilevered around the smokestack (Edwin Stephen got the idea from the Seattle Space Needle). This lounge was built into many of the Line’s later ships and became the hallmark of the Company’s fleet.
* Growth, Growth and More Growth *
The founders of the Company pursued their vision of achieving market dominance through a continual program of adding ships and services. A consolidated record of this, which is very difficult to find elsewhere in the media, is presented below:
1971
Cruise ships NORDIC PRINCE and SUN VIKING arrive
1978
SONG OF NORWAY cut in half, 75-foot piece with 164 cabins introduced in between
1980
NORDIC PRINCE augmented the same way
1982
SONG OF AMERICA arrives with a larger, more luxurious lounge around the smokestack
1988
SOVEREIGN OF THE SEAS, the largest cruise ship ever built at 73,162 tons for 2,276 passengers, arrives at a cost of $150 million
1990
- NORDIC EMPRESS arrives
- The Company expands beyond the Caribbean: Mexico, Alaska, and Europe are added as destinations;
- Industry’s first computerized booking system introduced
1991
- MONARCH OF THE SEAS arrives, ready for 2,354 passengers
1992
- MAJESTY OF THE SEAS delivered, equipped for 2,354 passengers
1993
- The Company goes public
1995
- LEGEND OF THE SEAS arrives, built for 1,804 passengers
1996
- GRANDEUR OF THE SEAS arrives at 74,000 tons and for 2,440 passengers
- SPLENDOUR OF THE SEAS, in the same class as GRANDEUR, delivered
1997
- Name changed to Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited (RCCL)
- RCCL buys Celebrity Cruises and its four working ships from Chandris Lines at a cost of $1.3 billion
- RHAPSODY OF THE SEAS, at 79,000 tons and for 2,435 passengers, is delivered
- ENCHANTMENT OF THE SEAS, at 74,000 tons and for 2,440 passengers, arrives
1998
- Enter VISION OF THE SEAS, 79,000 tons and to carry 2,435 passengers
- Joint ownership agreement signed with Chicago’s Pritzker family (that has $15 billion in assets) and Haifa’s Ofer family (that owns one of the world’s largest shipping companies, Ofer Brothers Shipping Co)
1999
- VOYAGER OF THE SEAS comes in at a whopping 140,000 tons for 3,114 guests
2000
- EXPLORER OF THE SEAS arrives; in the VOYAGER class, it has marine laboratories on board as well
2001
- ADVENTURE OF THE SEAS arrives: 3,114 passengers accommodated per cruise
- RADIANCE OF THE SEAS delivered: 2,100 passenger capacity at 90,000 tons, with gas turbines, it is the first in it’s class
- The company buys 20% of UK tour operator First Choice and launches a joint venture cruise line. It offers land-based tours in Alaska through Royal Celebrity Tours.
2002
- BRILLIANCE OF THE SEAS, a vessel in the RADIANCE class, arrives and is ready for duty
2003
- SERENADE OF THE SEAS, the third RADIANCE class vessel, is delivered
2004
JEWEL OF THE SEAS, RADIANCE class, makes its debut
… and of course, more ships, even larger that the earlier ones, are on order!
* Conclusion *
With revenues in excess of $4 billion, RCCL is a juggernaut which will not slow down.
Its ships are floating cities, boast amenities such as rock climbing walls, miniature golf courses, swimming pools, ice skating rinks, sun decks, basketball courts, beauty salons, exercise and spa facilities, gaming facilities, lounges, bars, cabaret performances, cinemas, shopping arcades, multiple restaurants and casinos.
Most importantly, when on a cruise, one experiences some priceless bonuses: unpolluted air and a virtually noise-free environment. These are truly, in the modern context, balm for the soul.
If you can afford the entirely reasonable average fare of $400 per person for a 3-night cruise in a luxury stateroom don’t think twice about it, sign up for a cruise and gain the experience of a lifetime!

Many people now consider Caribbean cruises as excellent value for money and a good place for families to spend some time together; why not spoil yourself and be treated like royalty while you spend time visiting these idyllic tropical islands. It should be on everyone’s list of vacations with tropical Caribbean islands, clear, clean beaches and of course a fun filled time on board the cruise liner. There is a great deal of flexibility involved on the part of the liner companies and they can arrange short taster trips or a full fourteen days or more vacations.
The great thing about cruising is that these ships have immense experience in catering for just about all tastes so whether you just want to relax on the deck or want a full itinerary of events, they will be able to supply exactly what you want. You can guarantee the cruise liner company will have a package custom made to suit your needs as it is their job to ensure you have the best vacation ever.
In any situation where you are spending a great deal of money, it is worth checking out a few details that should put you on the right track and you travel agency will be a good place to start. Almost every Caribbean island will receive cruise liner guests but they can’t call on every one each trip as it would take to long so you need to look for a package that will call at the islands you want.
Disco loving people that don’t like to sleep will enjoy those cruise vacations that arrange activity filled days and non-stop party evenings. Some Caribbean cruise liner companies actually produce virtual tours and other information on DVD’s which can be collected from your travel agent or ordered online.
The main difference with this type of vacation is the number of changes of clothing you take with you as there is a greater opportunity to dress for evening functions. Women may want to take two or three evening dresses and men will need a tuxedo, they will probably get to wear it for a number of evenings.
A common mistake is for families to believe that cruise vacations aren’t very child friendly which couldn’t be further from the truth as most have more activities for children than they do for adults. There is always something for them to do and people to take care of them if you need a few hours of adult time.
But Caribbean cruises can be for adults to and there are those that do not have children on board. Other cruise liner packages are available and have been created for special occasions like weddings, honeymoons and anniversaries.
The whole idea of a Caribbean cruise vacation is that you enjoy yourself and just let go for however long you are on board because it may be some time before you go again!

If you can’t make your mind up whether to go on a cruise or to enjoy a resort holiday, then a Cruise and Stay deal offers you the best of both worlds, and it doesn’t get much better than an Orlando Cruise and Stay, which gives you the thrill of a Caribbean cruise, with a stay in one of Orlando’s top hotels, so that you can enjoy some of the amazing sights and general ambience that this exciting, sun-drenched city has to offer.
With its Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Studios, and SeaWorld, Orlando is one of the major tourist cities of the sunny state of Florida, USA.
A number of cruise lines do short cruises, leaving from and arriving back in Florida, that take in some of the major and varied ports of call of the Caribbean. Royal Caribbean does a number of exciting Caribbean cruises of this type.
One cruise takes you from Florida to the Bahamas, once a popular haven for pirates, and now famous for its history, its wildlife and its nightlife. The cruise then takes you on to the shopping haven of Charlotte Amalie on St Thomas, one of the Virgin Islands.
Not only is Charlotte Amalie one of the most beautiful harbours in the world, but it also offers world class duty free shopping, fine dining, and vibrant nightspots, making it one of the most visited ports of the Caribbean.
Next up is the beautiful part-French, part-Dutch island of St Maarten, with its beautiful beaches of soft white sand, before heading back to Florida for the stay in Orlando.
Another cruise takes in Haiti, famous for its vibrant music and carnivals, Jamaica, home of reggae, Grand Cayman, with its Seven Mile Beach and fantastic snorkelling, and Cozumet in Mexico, where you can enjoy great Mexican food.
Virgin Holidays offer some good deals that combine these Royal Caribbean cruises with a stay in a top Orlando hotel. For example you can have four nights room only at the three stars Quality Inn International, combined with seven nights full board on Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas. With flights from the UK included, prices are from around £1,000 upwards, depending upon where you fly from, and what sort of cabin you choose. Carnival also offer short cruises that start and finish in Florida, and are ideal to be booked as part of a Cruise and Stay deal.
The Walt Disney World resort is one of the largest attractions of Orlando, and includes the Magic Kingdom, with the iconic Cinderella Castle, as well as an Animal Kingdom, Disney’s Hollywood Studios and a host of other attractions. Some Cruise and Stay deals offer the stay at the Walt Disney World Resort, which is a great treat for children. With some deals you can stay at the Universal Orlando Resort, which, with its exciting theme parks, attractions, rides and insider’s view of a working studio, is guaranteed to provide a breathtaking experience.
A Cruise and Stay deal to Orlando provides just about every element for the perfect holiday!

Cruise lines are one of the biggest and fastest trend in tourism. The demand for new cruise ships has been increasing rapidly as more tourists prefer relaxing while on cruise and the need for cruise line employees are growing as well to provide better and faster services to the passengers.

Here are a few details about new cruise ships to be launched in 2009 along with some information on how many crew ship positions would be available.

Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines

Ship: Oasis of the sea

Launch Date: November 2009

Tour: Caribbean

Passengers: 6400

Cruise Crew Needed: 1650

Description: Includes an AquaTheater, two climbing walls and the first on board zip line and carousel, Oasis of the Seas will be the worlds largest ship.

Carnival Cruise Lines

Ship: Carnival Dream

Launch Date: September 21, 2009

Tour: Mediterranean, Caribbean

Passengers: 3646

Cruise Crew Needed: 1367

Description: A completely new design for Carnival and will be the largest Carnival Ship. Ensuring passenger comfort and best cruise experience as cruise ship crew ratio to passenger will be one for every 2.6 passenger.

Celebrity Cruises

Ship: Celebrity Equinox

Launch Date: Summer, 2009

Tour: North Europe, Mediterranean, Caribbean

Passengers: 2850

Cruise Crew Needed: 1500

Description: Offers a more spacious cabins than Celebrity ships, improvement in luxury and comfort is promised as one crew would be attending to passengers with a ratio of 1 crew for 2 passenger.

Silversea Cruises

Ship: Silver Spirit

Launch Date: December 2009

Tour: Worldwide

Passengers: 540

Cruise Crew Needed: 410

Description: Currently under construction at Fincantieri’s Ancona shipyard in Italy will become the company’s largest luxury vessel on its launch sometime December 2009.

Pearl Seas Cruises

Ship: Ship Unnamed

Launch Date: June 2009

Tour: Europe and Caribbean

Passengers: 210

Cruise Crew Needed: 135

Description: Second new build ship from new cruise company.

The Yachts of Seabourn

Ship: Seabourn Odyssey

Launch Date: June 2009

Tour: Worldwide

Passengers: 450

Cruise Crew Needed: 330

Description: With a size in GRT (Gross Register Tonnage) of 32,000, this new build ship is larger by standard of the Seabourn company. Even though more passengers would be accommodated, the same ratio will be the same for the crew to guest as it will still be one crew for every 1.5 guests.

Viking River Cruise

Ship: Viking Legend

Launch Date: May 2009

Tour: Grand European Tour

Passengers: 189

Cruise Crew Needed: 50

Description: Cruising along The Rhine, Main and Danube rivers as it sails from Amsterdam to Budapest, Viking Legend will be the longest in the Viking River Cruise fleet and one of the most state of the art river vessels.

AIDA Cruises

Ship: AIDAluna

Launch Date: April 2009

Tour: Europe

Passengers: 2050

Cruise Crew Needed: 1100

Description: Second new build from AIDA Cruises

Costa Cruises

Ship: Costa Luminosa

Launch Date: May 2009

Tour: Mediterranean, Arctic, North Europe, Atlantic Islands

Passengers: 2850

Cruise Crew Needed: 1500

Description: Although most cruise lines are devoted in making their vessels bigger, Costa Luminosa would be a new and smaller ship but will be better in contemporary design using technology to provide light and color effects on board.

Ship: Costa Pacifica

Launch Date: June 2009

Tour: Mediterranean

Passengers: 3780

Cruise Crew Needed: 1000

Description: One of the largest new Costa Cruises ships giving a ratio of one crew for every 2.8 passengers for better service.

Pearl Seas Cruises

Ship: Pearl Mist

Launch Date: First Quarter 2009

Tour: Canda, USA, Caribbean

Passengers: 210

Description: First cruise ship from new luxury line Pear Seas

MCS Cruises

Ship: Splendida

Launch Date: June 2009

Tour: Mediterranean

Passengers: 3300

Cruise Crew Needed: 1325

Description: One of MSC’s largest ships will offer a ratio of one crew to every 2.5 passengers.

With the addition of these twelve cruise ships to roam the oceans and seas, an estimated of 9500 to 10000 cruise ship jobs would be available before the ships delivers on its set date of launch.