Category — Cruise Ships

By Ken Cho, Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

When I was asked to write this article, the marketing folks at The Cruise Web handed me a loaded question: “what’s in store for the future of cruising?”

I’m not a seer with additional insight into the industry and the “future” can mean so many different things. Really, I’m still waiting for the flying cars I was promised 30 years ago. So I think we have to temper any predictions for the “future” of cruising with a foundation of reality but liberally laced with bits of fancy.

So let’s start with the concrete and immediate tangents of what we can expect for the future of cruising: new ships. [Read more →]

By Jen Crivelli, Senior Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

Have you ever wondered how a cruise ship works?  Where do they store all the food?  How do the chefs prepare that much food?  How does all the laundry get done?  How do you navigate a ship that large?

While on a cruise aboard the Norwegian Jewel, I had the opportunity to participate in a backstage tour of the vessel.  After a warm welcome from the Hotel Director, we were escorted to a crew elevator, which took us down to the lowest deck of the ship.  Our first stop was the garbage facility.  Wow, I thought sorting recycling at home was bad, on the cruise ship every single piece of trash is sorted.  Organic waste, paper, plastic, aluminum, and glass – all sorted into color-coded bins.  Some of the trash is incinerated, other compressed for off load. [Read more →]

A compilation from The Cruise Web employees.

This month’s spotlight takes you behind closed doors to provide a glimpse of the mysterious behind-the-scenes operations of cruise ships. Several members of our staff have experienced areas of cruise ships that most passengers never see, including steering a ship and partying with the crew. Continue below to find out which behind-the-scenes operations were most interesting to our employees.

Adam W. – Senior Cruise Consultant
In April 2009, I was invited to participate in a “Behind The Fun” VIP travel agent tour of the ship during the inaugural Carnival Pride sailing from Baltimore, Maryland. During a 2-hour tour on the last sea day of a 6-night Bahamas cruise, I visited many secured areas around the ship not seen by passengers. The tour took us through the engine room, main galley, photo lab, crew and staff quarters, and theatre. The highlight for me was meeting Captain Alessandro Galatto up on the bridge while the ship was sailing.

Tina C. – Senior Cruise Consultant
As a courtyard villa guest, I was able to get a private tour of the bridge. The Norwegian Gem is a very modern ship, and almost every instrument, procedure, and deck role has been automated, streamlined, and digitized. The deck officers, trained in Maritime Academies and their home countries’ navies, often spoke up about how much lower their workload is compared to every other ship they have sailed. For instance, instead of plotting a course on traditional paper maps, LCD moving maps chart their position in real-time and show their projected course. They steer the ship with a trackball and keyboard, yet there is still a traditional helm used mainly for piloting the ship in tight quarters. There are an array of radar sensors, video cameras, and computerized warning systems to alert the crew to any possible danger. According to the ship’s Captain Mikael Hilden, the Norwegian Gem is a “complete joy” to sail; “much better than retirement.” [Read more →]

By Brandon Biss, Senior Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

My First Luxury Experience: Part 1

Onboard Ambiance:  The Peace of Mind of All-Inclusiveness
Many myths exist in the luxury cruising world:  very formal, stuffy, snobby, only the high-society of life books on them, etc.  This is not the case.  Dress aboard Silversea vessels is very similar to most cruise lines.  Attire ranges from country club casual to formal depending on the night.  I noticed that the average age of the guests was younger than my recent cruises on the larger lines.  Many were very friendly, well educated, and very well traveled.  I found that most people were intrigued and interested in my “story” as opposed to “snubbing” me because I was younger.  I received a guest manifest at disembarkation and noticed that only half were from North America.  This resulted in a diverse and enriching guest interaction experience.

The benefit of an all-inclusive, luxury cruise experience isn’t in the cost.  You will never drink enough alcohol, eat enough lobster, or save enough on gratuities to make up the price-difference over a contemporary cruise line.  The benefit is in the mindset.  I can’t remember a decision I had to make besides which entrée or drink to order.  There were no costs for a lobster or steak upgrade.  If you consume wine, the pairings were included and an important addition to the meal.  I indulge in a fine meal once or twice per month.  Aboard the Silver Cloud, it was a nightly occurrence. [Read more →]

By: The Cruise Web, Inc.

Who knew? Who knew you could do so much on a floating city? Tennis… Basketball… Surfing… What!? All these sports on a ship! You’ve got to be kidding right… No joke!… You can do all of that and much, much more…

Imagine hanging ten, without being washed out to sea. On your next cruise vacation bring the bikini or Speedo and let’s get it on. This will be your opportunity to ride the big wave, have a fabulous video showcasing you riding the waves, and an absolutely incredible story to share with family, friends and co-workers who were not able to make this cruise, but will definitely go on the next one with you. [Read more →]

By Jennifer Crivelli, Cruise Consultant, The Cruise Web.

READY, GET SET, GO!  The race is on to see which cruise line can launch the biggest ship with the most attractions at sea.  It all began with White Star Line in 1912, who at the time decided to build the “Grandest” passenger ship at sea.  Ship building has come a long way in 97 years….

In the modern era of “BIG” ships, Royal Caribbean has led the way.  Each ship designed is bigger and better than the last, and traditionally, the largest ship in the industry.  Royal Caribbean was the first to offer rock-climbing walls on all of their ships.  In early 2005, Royal Caribbean took the “BIG” ship idea to the extreme, when they stretched the Enchantment of the Seas, adding a 70 foot section into the middle of the vessel. [Read more →]