Showing posts with label Best cruise ships. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Best cruise ships. Show all posts

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

2016 Cruisers’ Choice Awards, The Best Cruise Ships

2016 Cruisers’ Choice Awards

Saturday, December 5, 2015

The 10 Most Praised Ultra-Luxury And Ultra-Premium Cruise Ships in 2015



Consumer Reviews Disclose Best Cruise Ships for Discerning Cruise Travelers

For those judicious travelers who select and critique the ultra-luxury sector, even those ships have variable rankings.

CruiseCompete has reviews from thousands of cruise travelers, who provide insight into cruise lines, ships, amenities, service, dining and the destinations the lines visit. This information is particularly helpful to cruise consumers when choosing their next ultra-luxury cruise vacation. Read the actual ship reviews on CruiseCompete.

CruiseCompete has tabulated the ratings given to Ultra-Luxury cruise ships in its reviews, and the results are below for the Ultra-Luxury category:

Line
Ship
Rating
1.  Crystal Cruises
Crystal Serenity
4.89
2.  Regent Seven Seas Cruises     
Seven Seas Voyager
4.83
3.  Paul Gauguin
MS Paul Gauguin
4.81
4.  Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seven Seas Mariner
4.78
5.  Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seven Seas Navigator
4.75
6.  SeaDream Yacht Club
SeaDream I
4.72
7.  Seabourn
Seabourn Spirit
4.62
8.  Silversea Cruises
Silver Shadow
4.57
9.  Crystal Cruises
Crystal Symphony
4.56
10.  Seabourn
Seabourn Sojourn
4.56
 

CruiseCompete has also tabulated the ratings given to Ultra-Premium cruise ships in its reviews, and the results are below for the Ultra-Premium category:
 
Line
Ship
Rating
1.  Azamara Club Cruises             
Azamara Quest
4.83
2.  Cunard Line
Queen Victoria
4.59
3.  Oceania Cruises
Oceania Insignia
4.56
4.  Cunard Line
Queen Mary 2
4.44
5.  Oceania Cruises
Oceania Regatta
4.43
6.  Cunard Line
Queen Elizabeth
4.38
7.  Oceania Cruises
Oceania Marina
4.38
8.  Oceania Cruises
Oceania Nautica
4.37
9.  Oceania Cruises
Oceania Riviera
4.35
10.  Azamara Club Cruises
Azamara Journey
4.33
 
Read full reviews of these ships, and others, here.

Want to know more about the worldwide ports these ships visit? Read port reviews here.

One of the most significant aspects of the ultra-luxury and ultra-premium lines are the amenities included in their cruise packages. These ships are designed to feel like floating country clubs or boutique hotels; one where a passenger’s every whim is indulged and there’s no need to keep a wallet handy for extra expenses.

To see what’s included on the Ultra-Luxury lines, please click here.
To see what’s included on the Ultra-Premium lines, please click here.

CruiseCompete member-agents are the most well-educated, forward-thinking and trusted cruise specialists in the industry. If you’d like more information or assistance planning your vacation, please visit us at http://www.cruisecompete.com/, or http://www.cruisecompete.com/group_cruises/.

Thursday, January 15, 2015

Music Legends Crosby, Stills & Nash Announced As Headline Act Aboard Queen Mary 2 On Transatlantic Crossing 4 September 2015


 Cunard is proud to announce that
Crosby, Stills & Nash will perform a series of exclusive concerts on board the company's
 Flagship, Queen Mary 2, during her 4-11 September Transatlantic Crossing.
Crosby, Stills & Nash
The Grammy® Award winning trio, who first performed together at the now legendary Woodstock
 Festival over four decades ago, will perform three exclusive concerts for passengers on board
 Queen Mary 2 during the seven-night Transatlantic Crossing from New York to Southampton.
"We are excited to welcome Crosby, Stills & Nash onboard Queen Mary 2 during Cunard's 175th
 anniversary year. Having these music legends perform will be nothing less than thrilling for our
 passengers," said Richard Meadows, president of Cunard Line North America.  "The band's presence
 onboard demonstrates Cunard's continued commitment to providing unique access to some of the world's
 most legendary artists, resulting in a truly unforgettable ocean travel experience for our guests."
Crosby, Stills & Nash (CS&N) burst onto the music scene in 1969 with their self-titled debut LP, now one
 of Rolling Stone's "500 Greatest Albums of All Time." The band members are among the few to have
 been inducted twice into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, once with Crosby, Stills & Nash, and a second
 time with The Byrds, Buffalo Springfield and the Hollies.  They have also been inducted into the
 Songwriter's Hall of fame, with the honour recognizing both CS&N as a group and each member
 as individual solo artists. 

During the Queen Mary 2 Crossing from New York (M519A), the trio will perform some of their
 greatest hits including "Teach Your Children," "Southern Cross" and "Wooden Ships" in the Royal
 Court Theatre. They will also participate in a Q&A session and special autograph opportunity for
 passengers on board.

"This will be a unique experience for us," said Graham Nash. "We're really looking forward to making
 music, bringing back memories and creating new ones—and this journey from New York to Southampton, 
on this beautiful vessel, will do just that."

For more information about Queen Mary 2 and to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call
 Cunard toll-free at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com

About Queen Mary 2 Christened by Her Majesty The Queen in 2004, Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2 defines luxury
 travel for the 21st Century and continues a 175-year legacy of transatlantic travel.  Queen Mary 2 
achieved her 200th Transatlantic Crossing in July 2013.  Famous names who have experienced this iconic
 voyage since 2004 include President George H.W. Bush, Desmond Tutu, James Taylor, Wes Anderson,
 Tilda Swinton, George Takei, Kim Novak, Uma Thurman, Richard Dreyfuss, John Cleese and Angela Bassett.

About Cunard Line Cunard Line, operator of the luxury ocean liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth,
 has long been synonymous with the quest for new discoveries and the epitome of British refinement since
 the company's first paddle-wheeled steamer, Britannia, crossed the Atlantic in 1840. Cunard voyages
 bring together like-minded travelers who seek a civilized adventure and relish the Cunard hallmarks of
 impeccable White Star Service, gourmet dining and world-class entertainment. Today, Cunard offers the
 only regularly scheduled trans-Atlantic liner service and continues the legacy of world cruising which
 it began in 1922.

World's Leading Cruise Lines  Cunard is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes
 Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and Seabourn.
 Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading
 Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety
 of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

Travelore News: Two Holland America's Ships Score Perfect 100 On US Public Health Inspections


Two Holland America's ships score perfect 100 on US public health inspections
Holland America Lines' ms Noordam
Holland America Line's ms Noordam and ms Zuiderdam achieved perfect scores of 100 on recent routine United States Public Health inspections conducted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The unannounced inspection for ms Noordam was held Jan. 5, 2015, during a call at Fort Lauderdale, Fla., at the start of a 10-day Caribbean cruise. Zuiderdam was inspected Dec. 19, 2014, during a call at Fort Lauderdale at the start of a seven-night Caribbean cruise.
"Our shipboard and shoreside teams work hard to achieve a perfect score on CDC inspections, and to have two more ships get 100 is a testament to their hard work and dedication," said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. "Congratulations to both ships for this well-deserved achievement."
During a U.S.P.H. inspection Oct. 22 at Boston, Mass., ms Eurodam also earned a perfect score of 100, the seventh top mark in a row received by the vessel since 2011. In June and July 2014, ms Statendam and ms Westerdam also earned perfect scores of 100, respectively.
CDC inspections are part of the Vessel Sanitation Program, which was introduced in the early 1970s and is required for all passenger ships that call at a U.S. port. The inspections are unannounced and are carried out by officials from the United States Public Health Service twice a year for every cruise ship. The score, on a scale from one to 100, is assigned on the basis of a checklist involving dozens of areas of assessment, encompassing hygiene and sanitation of food (from storage to preparation), overall galley cleanliness, water, shipboard personnel and the ship as a whole. The ships received perfect scores in all of those areas.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Royal Caribbean Offers Dynamic New Culinary Concepts, Broadway Show And Exciting Retail Offerings On Oasis-Class Ships


 

 Sailing aboard the world’s largest and most exciting cruise ships will now come with even more bragging rights. Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas emerges from a 14-day drydock today with a new look including reimagined dining, game-changing high-speed internet, exciting new retail offerings, a new popular and favorite Broadway show, new suites with exclusive suite dining and lounge. Sistership Allure of the Seas will follow suit in May 2015 with nearly identical enhancements. During their respective drydock, each ship’s seven neighborhoods will be enhanced as part of the cruises line’s Royal Advantage commitment to deliver the best vacation offerings and to introduce guests to even more new features and personalized experiences that can only be found when sailing with Royal Caribbean. 

“Royal Caribbean’s legacy of innovation brought the revolutionary Oasis-class ships to life and in that spirit, during the Oasis of the Seas’ and Allure of the Seas’ drydocks we are adding features and experiences to wow our guests even more,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, executive vice president, Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “One of the many exciting new features is Dynamic Dining, which has received an overwhelmingly positive response from our guests. We are expanding this new dining program, in line with our Royal Advantage commitment, to offer our guests and prospective consumers the amenities that appeal most to them according to the feedback we receive.” 

Even More New Culinary Concepts 
A key element of any vacation, dining provides vacation-goers with the opportunity to experience new flavors and indulge in old favorites. Royal Caribbean’s Dynamic Dining, allows guests to tempt their taste buds with more choice and flexibility than ever before by offering guests a landscape of 20 restaurants, as vast and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities. 
 Royal Caribbean has recreated the original Oasis-class three-story main dining room into three distinct complimentary venues introducing bold new concepts each with their own cuisine and ambiance: 

·        American Icon Grill offers guests a take on the classic American road trip pulling together best-loved regional favorites into one comfort-style menu; 
·        Silk is a vibrant and exotic destination where the spices of the Far East bring new flavor to adventurous palates through a Pan-Asian menu; 
·        The Grande, where every night is formal night, offers an elegant ambiance and refined cuisine. 
Guests will enjoy menus of the new concepts beginning March 14, 2015, onboard Oasis of the Seas. Guests sailing Oasis of the Seas prior to March 14, will enjoy the traditional dining room experience in the newly designed spaces. 

As part of Dynamic Dining guests will have full control of their own epicurean journey with a tantalizing selection of specialty restaurants including four new unique concepts: 
·        Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, a reimagined Izumi Japanese Cuisine offering a full teppanyaki menu as well as fresh and flavorful sushi rolls and sashimi; 
·        Sabor Taqueria & Tequila Bar, first introduced aboard Navigator of the Seas to rave reviews, will feature a mouthwatering menu of authentic, modern and unexpected Mexican dishes including hand-made tableside guacamole. These dishes can be complemented by a curated beverage menu of tequilas, mezcal, and Mexican beers, as well as delicious sangrias and tableside-mixed margaritas; 
·        Wonderland Imaginative Cuisinea unique culinary adventure for the senses where Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes in a whimsical setting that challenges the imagination with never-before-seen fare; 
·        Coastal Kitchen is an exclusive restaurant for suite guests and Pinnacle members, that fuses Mediterranean influences with the unmatched riches of California’s bountiful farmlands and features. The experience is complemented by a robust wine list, curated specifically for the venue. 
Finally guests will continue to enjoy Giovanni’s Table, 150 Central Park and Vintage Wine Bar, the hugely successful specialty dining concepts introduced on the Oasis-class in 2009. 

Technology 
Royal Caribbean’s commitment to provide the best vacation experience is at the heart of its Royal Advantage program which takes its latest innovations and most popular features and expands them to even its newest ships, such as: 

·        Boatloads of Bandwidth, the game-changing partnership with technology partner O3b that will offer guests onboard Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas connectivity that matches fast broadband connections onshore and is greater than all other cruise ships combined. These new capabilities, allow the cruise line to offer affordable, easy-to-use Internet packages so that guests may watch streaming video, check email, share images on social media and enjoy face-to-face video conversations – even in the middle of the ocean. 

·        Royal iQ is a new app that puts guests in charge of their vacation choices.  Thanks to the dramatically improved connectivity, Royal iQ is able to continue dining reservations, shore excursions and spa appointments onboard, through both a downloadable app and at freestanding iQ stations around the ship.  Guests also can use Royal iQ as a convenient calendar that provides at-a-glance views of their program and to keep in touch with one another and home via phone and text capabilities. 

New Exclusive Suite Experience 
Royal Caribbean is introducing 10 new suites on Oasis-class ships, offering breathtaking views of the ocean or the ships’ signature AquaTheater and Boardwalk neighborhood and includes, two Royal Suites, six Grand Suites and two Royal Family Suites, which can accommodate up to six guests. These suites offer a new level of sophistication when paired with the variety of new exclusive suite amenities that include: 

·        The Suite Lounge, an exclusive lounge area for suite guests to relax offering unmatched expansive views of the ship and sea; 
·        The Sun Deck, a new sun deck area that gives suites guests the chance to soak-up and relax in the Caribbean sun with lounge furniture, shaded and seating areas and private service; 
·        Coastal Kitchen is a suites only full-service restaurant offering breakfast, lunch and dinner with a Mediterranean flare. 
New Broadway Show 
Oasis of the Seas’ introduced the first-ever, fully-licensed Broadway show at sea and now, the ship will bring one of the longest running productions on Broadway, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Tony award winning CATS to sea for the first time.  Beginning June 2015, sister ship Allure of the Seas will feature MAMMA MIA!, the smash hit musical based on the story-telling magic of ABBA's timeless songs.   
Superior Shopping at Sea 
Known for its first at sea offerings, Royal Caribbean is introducing the playfully sophisticated designs of kate spade new york to Oasis-class on its popular Royal Promenade, a first at sea. Rounding out the diverse onboard shopping are two guest favoritesMichael Kors and the Britto Art Gallery, as well as a whole new line-up of merchandise and fashion jewelry such as, Alexis Bittar, Uno de 50, Lauren G Adams, and Nina Nguyen. 

These enhancements take many of the best features the cruise line has created in recent years and introduces them to its newest ships, by building on Royal Caribbean’s best-in-class global vacation offering and delivering to guests the Royal Advantage – the industry’s most innovative cruise ships, combined with exciting itineraries and destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. 

More information on specific roll out dates for Oasis-class ships is available at: www.RoyalCaribbean.com. 

        Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas sail alternating seven-night Western and Eastern Caribbean itineraries every Saturday and Sunday, respectively from Fort Laurderdale, Fla., visiting exciting warm-weather getaways in the Caribbean. During the 2015 Europe season, Allure of the Seas will be homeported at Barcelona, Spain, for the first full Oasis-class Europe season. 

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Friday, June 13, 2014

Royal Caribbean To Offer The World's Most Most Advanced Lineup Of Shows, Productions And Events On It's Newest Ship The Quantum Of The Seas




 Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Quantum of the Seas, is poised to make a show-stopping debut in November 2014, with a lineup of entertainment offerings that push the envelope far beyond imagination. From stage shows that take guests on a highly visual and experiential journey of music, sound and performance, to a radically new form of multidimensional entertainment that seamlessly fuses technology with highly trained live performers, stunning visuals and special effects, Quantum of the Seas delivers an array of first of their kind productions and performances that will leave audiences spellbound.   

 “The level of ingenuity, creativity and sheer imagination that has gone into the creation of the entertainment onboard Quantum of the Seas is staggering,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Executive Vice President, Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “We are taking a quantum leap in all aspects of ship design and programming with the Quantum class, but the entertainment is especially remarkable. These shows and productions are truly one-of-a-kind, and we are confident that our guests will be WOWed.” 

The Intersection of Entertainment and Technology 

Already one of the most anticipated spaces onboard Quantum of the Seas, Two70° is the stage for a futuristic approach to entertainment that pairs the most advanced technology with brilliant dancers, singers, aerialists and musicians to deliver a powerful lineup of shows and events that have never before been seen on land, let alone at sea.   

At the forefront of Two70° is Vistarama, an awe-inspiring innovation engineered especially for Quantum class. Vistarama transforms its expansive floor-to-ceiling windows into any scene, real or imagined, by combining 18 projectors to create an ambient surface over 100 feet wide and over 20 feet tall. Across this expanse, impromptu digital shows come to life in stunning 12K resolution, a pixel-perfect industry first. In addition, Two70°’s troupe of six agile Roboscreens stage surprise performances throughout every cruise. Each measuring over seven feet high and controlled by powerful robotic arms, the Roboscreens are delightfully nimble, as they create scenes while soaring and twisting solo, or uniting as one. The creative possibilities of Vistarama and Roboscreens are brought to life through the beautiful, imaginative and original digital content created exclusively for Royal Caribbean by Moment Factory, the internationally renowned studio in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. 

“The entertainment in Two70° is simply magical,” said Nick Weir, Vice President, Entertainment, Royal Caribbean International. “There is an incredible team of risk takers and dreamers here at Royal Caribbean. Together, we saw the magnitude of what this room could do and shot for the stars. We’ve always brought the best of land to sea, but in Two70° we are creating something that has never been done anywhere else in the world.” 

The integration of Vistarama and Roboscreens, with highly trained live performers, music and special effects,  provides an endless landscape for Royal Caribbean to create stunningly visual, first-of-their-kind shows that can only be seen on Quantum of the Seas.  Main shows include: 

·        Starwater – created by Moment Factory, this original Royal Caribbean production is a highly visual, theatrical spectacle of video mapping, special effects and human artistry that combine to create an awe-inspiring experience designed to appeal to universal human emotions
·        Virtual Concert – a world-class concert experience featuring premier musicians, groups and bands that is masterfully captured and projected across Vistarama and all six Roboscreens to transport guests to a virtual experience as impressive as the real thing
Headlining a New Art Form 

The main theater onboard Quantum of the Seas, the Royal Theater, is a spectacular, state-of-the-art space that takes advantage of the latest technology to create a performance venue that raises the bar once again.  Seating 1,300 guests, the Royal Theater is home to Royal Caribbean’s two main shows presented by Royal Caribbean Productions:

·        Sonic Odyssey  an original Royal Caribbean Production, conceived and created by William Close, Under The Radar Chicago and Art House Live, is inspired by musician and innovator William Close and his variety of one-of-a-kind majestic instruments. This unbelievable production includes his signature Earth Harp, a unique Drum Wall consisting of 136 drums, a Vocal Percussion Jacket, Violin Dress and more. Sonic Odyssey is an original, theatrical masterpiece that weaves together a nine-piece live orchestra with a cast of singers, dancers, aerialists and gymnasts to envelop the audience in a spectacular show that must be seen and heard to be believed.

Broadway at Sea

Continuing to expand on Royal Caribbean’s commitment to offering award-winning Broadway productions at sea, the Royal Theater also will host the full theatrical version of the smash hit musical MAMMA MIA! Guests will delight in this sunny, funny tale of love, laughter and friendship, all set to the timeless songs of ABBA – including “Dancing Queen,” “The Winner Takes It All,” “Money, Money, Money” and “Take a Chance on Me.”

Live Music at Its Best 

Designed specifically with the music lover in mind, Music Hall is the hottest live music venue onboard Quantum of the Seas and the ultimate place for guests to enjoy intimate and exclusive access to live performances.  Music Hall comes alive at night as the heart of the ship’s entertainment, featuring bands, musicians, DJs, theme night parties and more, including:  

·        MAMMA MIA! After Party – when MAMMA MIA! ends in the Royal Theater, the party is just beginning in Music Hall, where guests can dance the night away during a red carpet, Broadway-style after party with featured cast members from the show

·        Tribute Band Program – an extensive line-up of incredibly talented live musical acts pay homage to timeless entertainers from every era, from The Beatles and Bee Gees, to Journey and Bon Jovi

·        Wink – a premium late-night show with class and sass, featuring the Royal Theater cast in an adults-only showcase 

With a variety of productions, events and parties to experience throughout a sailing onboard Quantum of the Seas, guests are encouraged to reserve the shows they wish to attend prior to their cruise through Royal Caribbean’s all-new Cruise Planner.  All shows are complimentary and included in the cost of a guest’s cruise fare.  

The groundbreaking Quantum-class ships, Quantum of the Seas and sister-ship Anthem of the Seas (debuting in Southampton, U.K. in April 2015), will introduce a new set of first-at-sea onboard experiences, such as Ripcord by iFLY, a heart-pounding skydiving experience; North Star, a thrilling adventure that transports guests more than 300 feet in the air on a breathtaking journey; cutting-edge transformative venues including SeaPlex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line’s largest and most advanced staterooms ever.  Guests also will enjoy the new Quantum-class Dynamic Dining, a completely new culinary experience that offers a landscape of 18 restaurant concepts as vast and varied as dining in the world’s most cosmopolitan cities, including specialty restaurants created with partner-chefs Jamie Oliver, Devin Alexander and Michael Schwartz.

The Quantum Class spans 18 decks, encompasses 167,800 gross registered tons, carries 4,180 guests at double occupancy and features 2,090 staterooms. Quantum of the Seas will sail out of New York Harbor from her homeport of Cape Liberty for her inaugural season before departing to her new homeport of Shanghai (Baoshan), China. More information on Quantum class is available atwww.RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas 

Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 45-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry “firsts” never before seen at sea.  The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike. Owned by Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSE: RCL), the cruise line sails 21 of the world’s most innovative cruise ships to the most popular destinations in Bermuda and the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, South America, the Far East, and Australia and New Zealand. World renowned for its friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service, delivered by every staff and crew member, Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for 11 consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers Choice Awards.