Posts from — June 2011

Courtesy of MSC Cruises.

Spa lovers will have a new way to cruise when MSC Cruises introduces its MSC Aurea Spa Suites this fall. The new stateroom category, with suites similar to the luxurious MSC Yacht Club accommodations, will debut on MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia.

In addition to an elegant retreat with proximity to the MSC Aurea Spa, guests who book an MSC Aurea Spa Suite will also receive an array of spa services included in the cruise fare, including the following:  [Read more →]

Courtesy of Holland America Line.

This summer, tantalizing new dishes from Holland America Line’s esteemed Culinary Council will begin to be featured on the main dining room menu of the line’s 15 ships. The six Culinary Council chefs are each providing recipes for signature dishes and desserts that showcase their expertise and specialties.

Culinary Council members include Council Chairman and Holland America Line Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, along with renowned international chefs Jonnie Boer, David Burke, Marcus Samuelsson, Jacques Torres and Charlie Trotter.

“Our Culinary Council is a ‘dream team’ of chefs from around the world, and the exceptional dishes they have shared are unique expressions of their cultural backgrounds, skills and passion for the culinary arts,” said Richard Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guests programs. “We continuously strive to provide our guests with exclusive experiences, and offering them the chance to enjoy the delights of these celebrated chefs during their cruise is an incredible opportunity.” [Read more →]

By The Cruise Web, Inc.

I’ve often felt that the most bittersweet hour on any cruise vacation begins once the ship pulls away from port and starts sailing towards its next destination. You brood over all the memories and magic of the day and wish you could have spent just a little more… time. You had a glimpse of paradise, and now it’s gone.

It’s amazing, though, because the moment you step away from that railing, and stop staring at that rapidly shrinking island, it’s like you find yourself suddenly transported onto the nexus of Las Vegas, Broadway, South Beach, and your local ‘Good Times’ bar, all rolled into one! The nightlife on contemporary cruise ships is incredible and simply has to be experienced. [Read more →]

A compilation by The Cruise Web employees.

No matter where your “night moves” take you, if you’re on a cruise ship, you’re probably going to have a good time. This month, we’re highlighting the variety of nighttime activities available at sea with another employee compilation. Continue reading as our team shares their favorite nightlife activities:

Adam W.
“Movies Under the Stars” on Princess Cruises is very cool, especially watching movies and sports on chaise lounges on warm Caribbean nights!

Mike H.
On my last cruise, our group found out that they were selling 2-for-1 martinis in one of the lounges for happy hour. I felt like James Bond, except I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t catch Mr. Bond with two bright pink drinks in his hand. [Read more →]

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By Mike Harris, Sales Manager, The Cruise Web, Inc.

My name is Mike Harris, I’m a Sales Manager at The Cruise Web and I’ll be presenting this month’s Manager’s Insight. As a new father, writing our Manager’s Insight about “Nightlife” seems a little foreign to me. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not that far removed from the college days filled with late nights in local haunts.  But for the past 8 months, my idea of “nightlife” has been more of a “shut the door quietly or you’ll wake up the baby” kind of atmosphere (that’s usually followed by a loving “And if you wake her up, you’re sleeping outside” reminder from my wife).

But sometimes as I’m doing the usual 8pm tiptoeing, I can’t help but think about how much life has changed for me, and how the idea of “nightlife” has changed in the past few years for my wife, Amy, and I.  I also can’t help but think back on how much cruising has been a part of our lives so far (insert reminiscent dream sequence here). [Read more →]

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

At a press conference on June 8, 2011 at the Shanghai International Conference Center in China, executives from Royal Caribbean International told an audience of 300 travel agents and media partners that it will introduce Voyager of the Seas to the China market in 2012.

Michael Bayley, executive vice president, International, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Dr. Zinan Liu, group managing director, China and Asia, revealed that Royal Caribbean International will deploy the 3,114-guest Voyager of the Seas to Shanghai, China in June 2012. Offering a wide variety of itineraries, ranging from four nights to 10 nights, the move is designed to offer exciting new cruise experiences to Chinese vacationers, as well as attract cruise guests from around the world to visit China and sail around Asia. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Crystal Cruises.

Do you love to see legendary sites, but dislike group tours? Renowned for unique and creative land tours that complement its ultra-luxury cruise experience, Crystal Cruises is introducing a private shore excursion alternative for individualistic adventurers. Crystal’s new “Private Adventure Option” enables guests to take already-organized group excursions – in a more intimate fashion.

Beginning this August/September, parties of two, four or six can opt for a personal guide and private vehicle to tour Ephesus, Pompeii or the city of Barcelona, for example – on a shore-side itinerary already carefully crafted by Crystal’s Land Programs team and its worldwide tour operators. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines.

Camp Carnival Night Owls – featuring fun-filled children’s parties offering a full schedule of late-night activities and premium giveaways, along with nightly babysitting services – is being rolled out on all 23 Carnival Cruise Lines ships.

Perfect for when parents want some much-needed “me” time, Night Owls further bolsters Carnival’s distinction as the leader in family cruising, with complimentary children’s programs for three age groups catering to the 670,000 children who sail with the line annually. [Read more →]

By The Cruise Web, Inc.

Memorial Day Weekend is always a favorite holiday as it marks the start of summer and gives many a long weekend away from work. However, this past Memorial Day Weekend was even more special for Lauren Wothers Kaplan, The Cruise Web’s Benefits Coordinator & Administrative Assistant. On Saturday, May 28, 2011 she was married to her fiance Ben Kaplan. They had a destination wedding in Pembroke Pines, Florida (just outside of Fort Lauderdale). With Lauren working in the cruise industry and having a wedding near a large cruise port, it only made sense for her to embark on a Caribbean cruise for her honeymoon. Well, why don’t we just let Lauren tell you herself…

“My new year’s resolution was to be able to plan our Florida wedding from Maryland without becoming a “bridezilla.” I would like to think that I was successful, but at one point or another, weddings can and will make you crazy! Luckily, once it was all said and done, I was able to go on my honeymoon and not worry about a thing. Steve, one of the Cruise Consultants at The Cruise Web, made everything really easy for me – which was especially nice because this was only my second cruise. For our itinerary, we picked Carnival Imagination on a 4-day cruise that went to Key West and Cozumel. [Read more →]