Happy New Year 2016

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 Happy New Year 2016!!

A warm greeting to all my faithful readers and to those of you joining for the first time. I wish you many happy, healthy and prosperous days in this brand new year. May the year be filled with many sunny days, warm ocean breezes, relaxing days at sea, and travel memories from travel destinations.

One of the highlights of the upcoming year is the year-long celebration of the National Park Service Centennial Anniversary.  Globus Family of Brands is a long-standing partner with NPS. A portion of each tour vacation is given back to the NPS.

Globus offers GoParks tours including a special 103-day tour called Centennial Celebration: 100 Days of GoParks!. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime vacation that takes travelers, quite literally, from Sea to Shining Sea.


 New Ships in 2016

February 2016 Holland America ms Koningsdam Summer 2016 Regent Seven Seas Explorer mid-2016 Royal Caribbean Ovation of the Seas Harmony of the Seas Fall 2016 Seabourn Encore Spring 2016 Viking Ocean Cruises Sea December 2016 Carnival Vista

New Ship Guide

In the upcoming months, several cruise lines will be introducing new ships. The first cruise ship of 2016 will be Holland America Line's ms Koningsdam, which will launch in February.  Viking Ocean's, second entry into ocean cruising, Viking Sea, will debut in Spring.  Royal Caribbean will launch two new ships, Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas mid-year.  Carnival Vista will debut in December and we will be onboard for our 2016 National Conference.  All of these ships will introduce new dining and entertainment options for cruise passengers.

Selecting the Right Ship

These new ships add capacity to these cruise lines and give you additional options.  Besides new ships, existing ships are getting face-lifts with new features being added, primarily based on passenger feedback and acceptance of the features on recent ship builds on the same or other cruise lines.  Holland America is just one example of lines investing in fleet upgrades.  They have launched a $300M upgrade program.

Just like picking a hotel room for a land-based trip, you can also apply your preferences to the cruise ship, which will serve as your floating hotel.   Some people prefer small ships, while others only sail on the newest and largest vessels.  With the increasing number of ship modifications and additions, we are confident that your want list can be satisfied.  We can help you narrow the field to those ships that meet your needs.  On the Allure, Oasis, and soon Harmony of the Seas, there are over 37 different cabin categories to chose from - we will help simplify your selection.

Where Do YOU Want to Go

What is on your bucket list of destinations or cruise ships?  

Is 2016 the year you plan to complete a trip from that list?  Whether it's a far away exotic destination like Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific or something close-by like Bahamas and the Caribbean, you'll find a cruise ship sailing to your ports of call of choice.

Choose Your Destination
 

Land or Sea ...Choice is Yours

We still feel strongly that cruising is the best vacation value, but we realize there are times when you want  more time in the destination or some other reason compels you to select land-based travel.  We can provide assistance planning both land and sea vacations.  Resorts & Tours Overview


New Year Resolutions

  It's that time of year to make New Year resolutions. Some of you will decide to make changes in your lifestyle which will improve your health - such as healthy eating or exercising.  For those that haven't been on a cruise before, that doesn't mean you have to forgo your trip.

There are full-service spas and fitness centers on most cruise ships and healthy menu choices available throughout the day.  Cruise lines will be happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements - just be sure to tell your cruise specialist at the time of booking so that notes can be put on your reservation.

We hope that you add a resolution to take some time for yourself to regenerate.   Plan some vacation time on a cruise ship or at one of the many resort destinations.   Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of special offers in the upcoming months. 

Follow us on 
Twitter: @ChrisPappinMCC  Pinterest: CruiseWithChris Pappin and Facebook: CruiseWithChris Pappin Cruises Inc

Wishing You a Wonderful New Year
 

Happy New Year 2015

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 Happy New Year 2015!!

A warm greeting to all my faithful readers and to those of you joining for the first time. I wish you many happy, healthy and prosperous days in this brand new year. May the year be filled with many sunny days, warm ocean breezes, visits to cruise ports, and relaxing days aboard a cruise ship or at your favorite resort.

One of the highlights of the upcoming year is the year-long celebration of Princess Cruises' 50th Anniversary.  The celebration already began on Regal Princess when it's Caribbean debut cruise in November.  The celebration will take place on all Princess ships starting today.


 New Ships in 2015

March, 2015 SS Maria Theresa May, 2015 Viking Star Spring, 2015 Anthem of the Seas October, 2015 Norwegian Escape

New Ship Guide

In the upcoming months, several cruise lines will be introducing new ships. SS Maria Theresa, Uniworld's newest river boat, will launch in March.  Viking Ocean's, first entry into ocean cruising, Viking Star, will debut in Spring.  Anthem of the Seas, sister ship of Royal Caribbean Quantum of the Seas, will also launch in Spring.  Norwegian Cruise Line will introduce a new ship class when Norwegian Escape launches in October.  All of these ships will introduce new dining and entertainment options for cruise passengers.

Selecting the Right Ship

These new ships add capacity to these cruise lines and give you additional options.  Besides new ships, existing ships are getting face-lifts with new features being added, primarily based on passenger feedback and acceptance of the features on recent ship builds on the same or other cruise lines. Royal Caribbean Explorer of the Seas is just one example of the changes being made to enhance passenger experiences with the addition of Oasis-class enhancements.

Just like picking a hotel room for a land-based trip, you can also apply your preferences to the cruise ship, which will serve as your floating hotel.   Some people prefer small ships, while others only sail on the newest and largest vessels.  With the increasing number of ship modifications and additions, we are confident that your want list can be satisfied.  We can help you narrow the field to those ships that meet your needs.  On the Allure and Oasis of the Seas, there are over 37 different cabin categories to chose from - we will help simplify your selection.

Where Do YOU Want to Go

What is on your bucket list of destinations or cruise ships?  

Is 2015 the year you plan to complete a trip from that list?  Whether it's a far away exotic destination like Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific or something close-by like Bahamas and the Caribbean, you'll find a cruise ship sailing to your ports of call of choice.

Choose Your Destination
 

Land or Sea ...Choice is Yours

We still feel strongly that cruising is the best vacation value, but we realize there are times when you want  more time in the destination or some other reason compels you to select land-based travel.   Resorts & Tours Overview


New Year Resolutions

  It's that time of year to make New Year resolutions. Some of you will decide to make changes in your lifestyle which will improve your health - such as healthy eating or exercising.  For those that haven't been on a cruise before, that doesn't mean you have to forgo your trip.

There are full-service spas and fitness centers on most cruise ships and healthy menu choices available throughout the day.  Cruise lines will be happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements - just be sure to tell your cruise specialist at the time of booking so that notes can be put on your reservation.

We hope that you add a resolution to take some time for yourself to regenerate.   Plan some vacation time on a cruise ship or at one of the many resort destinations.   Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of special offers in the upcoming months.

Happy New Year 2014

10 ... 9... 8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1...

 Happy New Year 2014!!

A warm greeting to all my faithful readers and to those of you joining for the first time. I wish you many happy, healthy and prosperous days in this brand new year. May the year be filled with many sunny days, warm ocean breezes, visits to cruise ports, and relaxing days aboard a cruise ship or at your favorite resort.


 New Ships in 2014

January, 2014 Norwegian Getaway May, 2014 Regal Princess November, 2014 Quantum of the Seas

New Ship Guide

In the upcoming months, several cruise lines will be introducing new ships. Norwegian Getaway, sister ship of Norwegian Breakaway, will launch this month and sail out of Miami.  Regal Princess, sister ship of Royal Princess, will debut in May.  Royal Caribbean's first in a new class, Quantum of the Seas will launch in November.  All of these ships will introduce new dining and entertainment options for cruise passengers.

Selecting the Right Ship

These new ships add capacity to these cruise lines and give you additional options.  Besides new ships, existing ships are getting face-lifts with new features being added, primarily based on passenger feedback and acceptance of the features on recent ship builds on the same or other cruise lines.The Carnival Sunshine is just one example of the changes being made to enhance passenger experiences.

Just like picking a hotel room for a land-based trip, you can also apply your preferences to the cruise ship, which will serve as your floating hotel.   Some people prefer small ships, while others only sail on the newest and largest vessels.  With the increasing number of ship modifications and additions, we are confident that your want list can be satisfied.  We can help you narrow the field to those ships that meet your needs.  On the Allure and Oasis of the Seas, there are over 37 different cabin categories to chose from - we will help simplify your selection.

Where Do YOU Want to Go

What is on your bucket list of destinations or cruise ships?  

Is 2014 the year you plan to complete a trip from that list?  Whether it's a far away exotic destination like Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific or something close-by like Bahamas and the Caribbean, you'll find a cruise ship sailing to your ports of call of choice.

Choose Your Destination
 

Land or Sea ...Choice is Yours

We still feel strongly that cruising is the best vacation value, but we realize there are times when you want  more time in the destination or some other reason compels you to select land-based travel.   Resorts & Tours Overview


New Year Resolutions

  It's that time of year to make New Year resolutions. Some of you will decide to make changes in your lifestyle which will improve your health - such as healthy eating or exercising.  For those that haven't been on a cruise before, that doesn't mean you have to forgo your trip.

There are full-service spas and fitness centers on most cruise ships and healthy menu choices available throughout the day.  Cruise lines will be happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements - just be sure to tell your cruise specialist at the time of booking so that notes can be put on your reservation.

We hope that you add a resolution to take some time for yourself to regenerate.   Plan some vacation time on a cruise ship or at one of the many resort destinations.   Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of special offers in the upcoming months.

Happy New Year 2013

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 Happy New Year 2013!!

A warm greeting to all my faithful readers and to those of you joining for the first time. I wish you many happy, healthy and prosperous days in this brand new year. May the year be filled with many sunny days, warm ocean breezes, visits to cruise ports, and relaxing sea days aboard a cruise ship.


 New Ships in 2013

March, 2013 MSC Preziosa April, 2013 Norwegian Breakaway June, 2013 Royal Princess

In the upcoming months, several cruise lines will be introducing new ships. MSC Preziosa will be the fourth and final Fantasia-class ship from Europe-based MSC Cruises. Norwegian Breakaway will launch in April 2013 as the first of two 4,000-passenger sister ships. Royal Princess will be about 20 percent larger than Princess' largest ships now afloat. All of these ships will introduce new dining and entertainment options for cruise passengers.

Selecting the Right Ship

These new ships add capacity to these cruise lines and give you additional options.  Besides new ships, existing ships are getting face-lifts with new features being added, primarily based on passenger feedback and acceptance of the features on recent ship builds on the same or other cruise lines.The Grandeur of the Seas revitalization is just one example of the changes being made to enhance passenger experiences.

Just like picking a hotel room for a land-based trip, you can also apply your preferences to the cruise ship, which will serve as your floating hotel.   Some people prefer small ships, while others only sail on the newest and largest vessels.  With the increasing number of ship modifications and additions, we are confident that your want list can be satisfied.  We can help you narrow the field to those ships that meet your needs.  On the Allure and Oasis of the Seas, there are over 37 different cabin categories to chose from - we will help simplify your selection.

Where Do YOU Want to Go

What is on your bucket list of destinations or cruise ships?  

Is 2013 the year you plan to complete a trip from that list?  Whether it's a far away exotic destination like Asia, Australia, and the South Pacific or something close-by like Bahamas and the Caribbean, you'll find a cruise ship sailing to your ports of call of choice.

Choose Your Destination
 

Land or Sea ...Choice is Yours

We still feel strongly that cruising is the best vacation value, but we realize there are times when you want  more time in the destination or some other reason compels you to select land-based travel.   Resorts & Tours Overview


New Year Resolutions
 
It's that time of year to make New Year resolutions.  Some of you will decide to make changes in your lifestyle which will improve your health - such as healthy eating or exercising.  For those that haven't been on a cruise before, that doesn't mean you have to forgo your trip.   There are full-service spas and fitness centers on most cruise ships and healthy menu choices available throughout the day.  Cruise lines will be happy to accommodate any special dietary requirements - just be sure to tell your cruise specialist at the time of booking so that notes can be put on your reservation.

We hope that you add a resolution to take some time for yourself to regenerate.   Plan some vacation time on a cruise ship or at one of the many resort destinations.   Sign up for our newsletter to be notified of special offers in the upcoming months.

New Look for Azamara Club Cruises Ships

Azamara Journey

& Azamara Quest

Refurbishment

Azamara Club Cruises announced that both of its ships will be undergoing some major changes late this year an early next year.   The most noticeable change will be the switch from a white hull to dark blue hulls.

Dry Dock Schedule:

Azamara Quest (8 Nights) November 7, 2012
Navantia Shipyard in Cadiz, Spain

Azamara Journey (7 Nights) January 6, 2013
Singapore's Sembawang Shipyard


According to Edie Bornstein, senior vice president of marketing and sales for Azamara, the new dark blue hulls will "better reflect the elegance onboard."

Here are the details of the refurbishments, which will be made to each ship:

• Caviar and champagne bar will be added within the specialty restaurant Aqualina
• New Chef's Table concept featuring three wine menus (Italian, French and Californian)
• The Casino Bar will be expanded and enhanced with new furniture 
• New steam room and showers; new Life Fitness cardio equipement in the Spa & Fitness center
• New carpets, upholstery and color palette in public spaces
• New mattresses and upgraded balcony furniture will be added to cabins
• Resurfaced pool with new sun loungers and pool towels 

About Azamara Club Cruises

Even before the refurbishment, intimate elegance is what you'll find aboard the Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest.. With slightly more than 690 guests you'll discover unparalleled service with one staff member to every two guests. Enjoy an evening cordial while listening to the dazzling finger work of the pianist at the Drawing Room, meet new found friends for a signature cocktail at the Discoveries Lounge, immerse yourself in the thalassotherapy pool and let the invigorating waters rejuvenate your being or enjoy breathtaking views of far away lands while feeding your hunger at the Windows Cafe. With impeccable service, scrumptious cuisine and longer stays at out of the way destinations - discover what it means to sail with Azamara Club Cruises.

Azamara Journey

Azamara Quest

Ship Statistics30,277 GT, 694 passenger capacity, 593 feet length, 95 feet beam Builder: Chantiers de I'Atlantique   Completed in 2000, Refurbished 2007

Royal Advantage Expanded

Royal Caribbean Enhances Entire Fleet

When we first announced Royal Caribbean's Royal Advantage SM program, the estimated cost of the investment was around $300M USD. At our recent Regional Meeting held in Cleveland,Ohio, representatives from the cruise line told us that the program had been expanded, and that the final cost would be around $732M USD. They shared the details of the remaining revitalizations which continue through 2016.  Related Posts;

After 40 years of cruising, Royal Caribbean told us they learned a thing or two about having a good time at Sea. There’s one rule: Anything is possible.

What is the Royal Advantage SM ?

It’s Royal's promise to provide guests with the most innovative ships, features, worldwide destinations and personalized service. This year, they’ll continue to transform the award winning fleet into something the Sea has never seen before. Across all their ships, our guests will find new dining options, entertainment, technology and family programming. With these revitalizations, the Royal Advantage is sure to deliver the vacation of a lifetime, every time.

Schedule of Ship Revitalization

AVAILABILITY	SHIP NAME	ITINERARY
Now	RADIANCE of the SEAS®	ALASKA & AUSTRALIA
Now	LIBERTY of the SEAS®	EUROPE & SHORT CARIBBEAN
Now	FREEDOM of the SEAS®	CARIBBEAN
Now	SPLENDOUR of the SEAS®	EUROPE & BRAZIL
Now	RHAPSODY of the SEAS®	ALASKA & AUSTRALIA
Now	MARINER of the SEAS®	EUROPE & CARIBBEAN
Now	GRANDEUR of the SEAS®	EUROPE & CARIBBEAN
COMING 12/4/2012	SERENADE of the SEAS®	EUROPE & DUBAI
COMING 12/16/2012	ENCHANTMENT of the SEAS®	BERMUDA & CARIBBEAN
COMING 2/7/2013	LEGEND of the SEAS®	ASIA
COMING 5/3/2013	INDEPENDENCE of the SEAS®	NORTHERN EUROPE & CARIBBEAN
COMING 5/14/2013	BRILLIANCE of the SEAS®	EUROPE, BERMUDA/ CANADA & CARIBBEAN
COMING 10/23/2013	VISION of the SEAS®	EUROPE & CARIBBEAN
COMING 12/2/2013	NAVIGATOR of the SEAS®	EUROPE & SHORT CARIBBEAN
COMING 2/3/2014	ADVENTURE of the SEAS®	NORTHERN EUROPE & CARIBBEAN
COMING 5/18/2014	VOYAGER of the SEAS®	AUSTRALIA & ASIA
COMING 12/22/2014	EXPLORER of the SEAS®	BERMUDA/CANADA & CARIBBEAN
COMING 5/1/2016	JEWEL of the SEAS®	NORTHERN EUROPE, BERMUDA/ CANADA & SHORT CARIBBEAN

Learn More about Royal Caribbean Ships & Sailings

Understanding Wave Season

Wave

When starting to write this article, we thought it would be fun to look up the definition of "wave" in one of the online dictionaries.   It turns out that "wave" is one of the more interesting words in the English language with many different uses and definitions.  Let's take a closer look at just a few of those uses and definitions.

As seen in this first  picture, noun wave: "A ridge or swell moving through or along the surface of a large body of water. The Sea."

Limiting our definition scope to water for the moment, a wave can be natural (above) or man-made, as seen in this picture taken onboard  Royal Caribbean Allure of the Seas.  One can surf the waves in the Flowrider (shown here in action on Allure of the Seas).

"Waves" were "A member of the women's reserve of the U.S. Navy, organized during World War II, but now no longer a separate branch."  While you may have found them on a sea-worthy vessel, they certainly weren't on a cruise ship.

You may find people "waving" good-bye as your ship sails away from port or onboard the ship as you see someone that you just met on your cruise vacation across the deck from where you are standing.

Source: The Free Dictionary / Wave

There is however, an entirely different use of "wave", which you won't find in the online dictionary....

Wave Season

Here "wave" is used as an adjective to describe a particular time of year.  The season runs from January to March each year.   Putting two and two together, you might be thinking it is the season when waves are more prevalent.   While that might be the case in some areas of the globe, that isn't what we are talking about at all.

Wave Season is the cruise industry's peak sales period of the year. Cruise lines typically offer their best deals during the first quarter as they seek to fill cabins and then raise pricing as the year progresses.

Wave Season 2012 is off to a good start and early indications are that consumer confidence is improved from last year this time.  We are seeing an increased interest in Europe and Alaska as well as the ever popular Caribbean sailings.  The value of a cruise vacation is what continues to drive customers to take to the waves.

The Wise Consumer

There is a local clothing store that advertises on television and has a saying that the 'best customer is an educated customer'.  We agree with that.   There are so many product choices in the travel industry all vying for your vacation dollars.   With the introduction of new ships, itineraries, reclassification of cabins, upgraded amenities and services on existing ships, it is hard to navigate the waters alone to find the best value that fits your vacation interests and those of your traveling companions.

Now more than ever, the wise consumer may do some research on their own, but ultimately will turn to their travel professional for guidance and booking.   As specialists, we are here to help you plan that perfect dream vacation.   We aren't limited to cruise vacations if you don't want to take to the waves, but we continue to see cruise vacations as among the best values in the travel industry.   Also, we aren't limited to a particular cruise line, so we can honestly provide comparisons to help narrow your selection.

Timing is Everything - Plan Early

January to March is the time when there are the most consumers looking at cruise vacations.   You might have special needs / wants, such as a mid-ship location, larger cabins holding 3 or more passengers, a handicapped cabin, an itinerary on a particular small ship that has limited occupancy.   You probably aren't the only ones with similar requirements.  To quote another popular saying, "the early bird gets the worm".

When looking at special needs such as triple or quad occupancy, handicapped cabins, mid-ship location, etc., there are a finite number of cabins that meet those classifications.   These are among the first cabins selected by early planners.  If you wait until late in Wave Season, or worse, later in the year, you may not be able to find your choice, or at the very least, will pay a premium for that selection.

Key Observations for this Wave Season

Cruise fares will be the lowest of the year during Wave Season.  The cruise lines have told us that as the year progresses, prices will rise.   There will always be the possibility of a last minute "deal" should the ship not be at capacity, but the likelihood that the available cabin will meet any other requirements you might have is minimized.

Airfare continues to be the largest component of a vacation.  We've seen prices rise and capacity fall over the last couple of years.   We've mentioned that cruise lines increased capacity over the last few years, with this year being larger than last.   That helps keep the cruise price down, but the cruise lines have no control over airfare costs (since airlines offer limited bulk cabin allocations for example).

What's the best deal during Wave Season?  There are so many offers during Wave Season, it's hard to determine what's the best deal to take advantage of.   We'd suggest you focus on offers that provide cabin upgrades, free or reduced airfare, and other amenities which typically aren't available year-round.   We have offers crossing our desk every day throughout Wave Season.  We'll do our best to publicize them on our website, here in this blog, and limit a few to our Facebook Fans only.   So be sure to sign up for our eNewsletter, subscribe to this blog, and become a fan on our Facebook Page.   Call or email us with your bucket list and we can keep watch for you during the next couple of months.

In closing, take advantage of this special season - you deserve a vacation and you deserve to get the best value.

We offer our Best Price & Satisfaction Guarantee so plan with confidence and Take to the Waves this Wave Season.   

Starting Your Cruise Planning

Explore the World of Cruise Vacationing If you've ever thought about going on your first cruise, October is the time to begin that journey.  We suggest you also read our article Cruise Rookies to get started.

Remember when you were a baby and you found something on the floor?  What's the first thing you'd do?   Most likely, you put it in your mouth to see what it was. You compared the newly found object with others that you had already experienced. 

To start planning a cruise vacation, there are three basic questions you'll need to answer.   The answers to those first questions will narrow the list of remaining choices that you'll need to make.  You can draw upon past experiences in your life to answer them.

When do you want to go? 

There are cruises year-round, but some destinations have specific cruise seasons, like Alaska for example which goes from May through September.  The more flexible you are on when you want to go, the more choices you'll have to select from.  Also if cost is a factor, the time of year you travel will play a significant role in what you pay.

Where do you want to go?

Assuming that the time you selected has several cruises that match your criteria, you'll next want to decide what you'd like to see. Since this is your first cruise, the sky is the limit - everything is going to be new to you. After you have been cruising awhile, you'll want to try different destinations.

There are 23 ports in the United States that offer cruises ranging from 3 nights up to World Cruises which are over 100 nights in length. If you have restrictions on where you want to depart from, that will limit the ports of call that you could potentially visit.

What type of accommodations do you want?

If you've ever made hotel reservations, it won't come as a shock to you that the next question you'll be asked is what type of cabin you would like.

There are three basic types of cabins: 
inside cabins (like your bedroom with no window), outside (again like your bedroom, but now you have a port hole or picture window), and balcony (it includes a private veranda with a sliding door).

There are additional classifications of cabins, but we don't need to get into that at this time.  Location (forward / aft / mid-ship and deck) factors into the cost of the cabin.   If you think that the motion of the ship might make you uncomfortable, you'll want to have a cabin mid-ship.

As you can see, booking a cruise vacation is very similar to booking a hotel room.   You decide when you want the reservation,  which hotel location, and what type of room.   Your hotel could either face the parking lot or the ocean with the latter costing more than the former.

For more cruise resources, be sure to bookmark the following blog post, where we'll be adding additional links throughout the entire month.

Virtual National Cruise Vacation Week Calendar 2011

It is best to discuss your cruise plans, especially for your first cruise, with a professional cruise specialist.  They can assist you by asking all the right questions to narrow down your selection to the cruise that is right for you. We love working with first time cruisers since we are able to draw upon our experience and expertise to get them started on, what we hope will be, a lifetime of cruise vacations.

Radiance OTS 2011 Makeover

2011 - The Year of the Makeover

For Royal Caribbean Fleet

Last November we reported that Royal Caribbean International® had scheduled dry-dock make-overs for five of their 22 ships.   When unveiling the the new enhancements to their fleet for 2011, Royal Advantage^SM was announced.   The program would expand their most popular innovations to select ships, giving more to see, more to do, and more to love, to more guests than ever before.

The five ships being updated are as follows: Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas, and Splendour of the Seas.     Read more:  Introducing Royal Advantage

Exciting News for the Solo Traveler

If you travel much, you are familiar with the term "double occupancy".    It has been the pricing standard in the travel industry (including cruises) for as long as I can recall.   Hotels and cruise lines provide pricing based on two people occupying a room / cabin.   If you are traveling alone, you still pay the price that two people would pay, and in some cases, even more.

In the cruise industry, even though pricing is double occupancy,  quotes are provided on a per person basis.    For the solo traveler, the pricing includes what's called "single supplement".   Over simplified, this is a fancy way of saying that you pay the same price as two occupants or even more.   Sometimes there are lower rates during a promotion, but that is fairly rare.  

Obviously this makes traveling alone quite expensive and quite frankly turns many potential cruisers away, which is quite unfortunate.   What about the married couple that has cruised for years and their mate is now too sick to travel or is no longer alive?    Does that mean they have to now give up one of their favorite pastimes?    In many cases, unless they could find someone to travel with them, that was indeed what happened.

Good news ...    Last year Norwegian Cruise Line was the first to introduce cabins specifically designed for the solo traveler, and more importantly, priced for the single traveler.    No more paying the price for sailing alone.    Photos:  Norwegian Epic Studio Cabins

goes into dry-dock this May, and will emerge in June in time for the Alaskan cruise season.   In addition to the previously announced addition of the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery, there will be three inside cabins added for solo travelers.   This will be the first for the Royal Caribbean fleet.    We suspect that Royal Caribbean is testing the waters to see how well the cabins are received. 

We see this as a positive step in accommodating  a segment of the public that has been unable to purchase a cruise vacation due to the penalty pricing for solo travelers.   It's only three cabins, which is dwarfed by the 100 cabin offering on Norwegian Epic, but it is a start.    Norwegian Cruise line has two new ships on order which will further expand the solo studio offerings.      I suspect this is only the first of many more changes for the solo travelers in months and years to come.

Radiance of the Seas Sails from Seward to other adventurous Alaskan cities, including Juneau and Skagway.