By The Cruise Web, Inc.

Royal Caribbean is growing by leaps and bounds. The contemporary cruise company announced that they are hard at work on a new Quantum Class of ships. The Quantum Class will consist of two ships, Quantum of the Seas, which will make its debut in the fall of 2014, and Anthem of the Seas, which will follow in the spring of 2015.

These ships are currently being constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany and promise to “WOW” with innovative features and designs. “Throughout our history we have made huge strides in cruise ship design and innovation and the Quantum class will be no exception,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. [Read more →]

A compilation by The Cruise Web employees.

2012 was filled with lots of changes in the world and the cruise industry. We saw the debuts of the Celebrity Reflection, Oceania Riviera and the Carnival Breeze, and the river cruise market continued to grow. Here at The Cruise Web, we had the opportunity to sail the seven seas this year. Below,  our team members share their best cruises of 2012. Feel free to use this list as a jumping off point when you start to think of where you’ll go in 2013!

Gloria H.
My best cruise in 2012 was by far my cruise to the Holy Land on the Crystal Serenity. Spending three days in Israel was an absolute dream come true. Floating in the Dead Sea, praying at the Wailing Wall, climbing to the top of Mount Masada and walking along the same pathways that Jesus did was a true spiritual experience. To top it off, the highlight for me was that I was baptized in the Jordan River. How awesome is that? [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 Royal Caribbean International.

Royal Caribbean International is rolling out the red carpet in honor of the May 26, 2011 world premiere of the highly anticipated DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. film “Kung Fu Panda 2” with 3-D movie viewings, a family-themed promotion and special onboard programming throughout the summer. Guests sailing on Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas from June through August 2011 will have the unique opportunity to see the 3-D animated film at sea while it is still in movie theaters across the globe. The cruise line will host a series of red-carpet premieres, which will be celebrated onboard Oasis of the Seas on June 4, 2011, Freedom of the Seas and Allure of the Seas on June 5, 2011, and June 18, 2011 for Liberty of the Seas. Ample viewings of “Kung Fu Panda 2” will take place throughout each sailing onboard all four ships through the end of August 2011. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

Freedom of the Seas returns into service this week after completing a week-long drydock at the Grand Bahama Shipyard. As part of the Royal Advantage revitalization and enhancement program, Freedom of the Seas received new dining concepts, entertainment options, children’s programming and technology advancements that were introduced to wide industry acclaim aboard Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis-class ships. The Royal Advantage program comprises approximately $70 million of enhancements aboard five of the world’s most innovative cruise ships in 2011 to expand unparalleled onboard experiences across the cruise line’s fleet. Freedom of the Seas alternates an Eastern and a Western Caribbean seven-night, round-trip itinerary from Port Canaveral on Florida’s Space Coast. [Read more →]

By: The Cruise Web, Inc.

Several lucky Cruise Web employees recently experienced the brand new Allure of the Seas during the ship’s inaugural out of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. Upon their return, we asked them to share their impressions of the new ship with highlights from their cruises:

[Read more →]

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

While global audiences eagerly await Taylor Swift’s third album Speak Now, dedicated fans also can look forward to seeing Taylor Swift perform live onboard the world’s newest and largest ship. The four-time Grammy® award-winner Taylor Swift will perform onboard Royal Caribbean International’s highly anticipated Allure of the Seas in the ship’s signature AquaTheater, an amphitheater-style space with an ocean view, on Friday, Jan. 21, 2011. To date, the first single released from Speak Now, entitled “Mine,” has sold more than 1 million copies. [Read more →]

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

Royal Caribbean International is slipping-on its boogie shoes this spring and debuting Saturday Night Fever: The Musical, the third licensed main-stage musical production at sea for the cruise line. Created by Royal Caribbean Productions in association with Robert Stigwood Organisation Ltd., the acclaimed-West End show will debut aboard Liberty of the Seas in April 2011, as part of the ship’s revitalization and shipboard enhancements beginning in late January 2011 aboard the popular Freedom-class cruise ship.  Based on the hugely popular, 1970s feature film, Saturday Night Fever, the theatrical experience features a repertoire of hit songs from The Bee Gees song album sure to inspire guests to dance the night away.

“The debut of Saturday Night Fever: The Musical, created by Royal Caribbean Productions’ in-house entertainment team, continues to raise the bar for cruise vacations aboard one of our most innovative ships,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Our award-winning musical productions have been so incredibly well-received by guests, first with Hairspray aboard Oasis of the Seas and then with the announcement of Chicago: the Musical aboard Allure of the Seas. It’s only fitting we broaden the selection to include a West End hit as Liberty of the Seas embarks on its maiden season in Europe for summer 2011.” [Read more →]

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean International.

Vacationing foodies can now choose from a range of culinary experiences aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise. Royal Caribbean International is partnering with renowned Chefmakers Cooking Academy, a cooking school dedicated to aspiring home cooks of all ages, to bring unique cooking programs to guests, who can share in fond family vacation memories and learn practical skills that can be applied day-to-day. Available now aboard Liberty of the Seas and beginning in the fall aboard Freedom of the Seas, guests, at an additional cost, can choose from over a dozen Chefmakers at Sea classes that are taught in the actual galleys of the ship.

“Royal Caribbean continues to be at the forefront of onboard food and beverage offerings, tempting guests with a diverse and exciting lineup of enriching and delectable programs,” said Frank Weber, vice president of Food and Beverage Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “The Chefmakers at Sea cooking experience engages guests of all ages by teaching and honing their skills.” [Read more →]

Courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

Royal Caribbean International is offering guests the opportunity to transform their next cruise vacation into a gourmet getaway, thanks to 12 specialty voyages onboard Freedom of the Seas that are part of the cruise line’s “Epicurean Discovery” series. Designed to provide culinary enthusiasts with an experience of a lifetime, this mouth watering package features a variety of special events throughout the week devoted to cuisine and fine dining, with each sailing hosted by a different renowned celebrity chef, such as “Iron Chef” contender Johnny Vinczencz; 2010 James Beard winner for “Best Chef in the South” Michael Schwartz; and “Top Chef” Chicago contender Spike Mandelsohn.

Available exclusively to guests booking suite accommodations or higher, the seven-night “Epicurean Discovery” package offers foodies a unique educational endeavor led by gastronomic mavericks, including private dinners, a wine tasting, experiential lecture and private tour, as well as a tapas sampling reception, signed photo and cookbook.

Guests participating in the new onboard experience will still have ample time to enjoy Freedom of the Seas‘ signature amenities, from the FlowRider surf-simulator, H20 Zone interactive water park, signature rock climbing Wall and only full-size boxing rink at sea to Broadway-caliber production shows, one-of-a-kind ice shows, and fully equipped Freedom DaySpa and Fitness Center, as well as enjoy the various ports of call. Sailing from Port Canaveral, Fla., Freedom of the Seas sails seven-night cruises to the Eastern Caribbean, calling on Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten and Royal Caribbean’s private island CocoCay, Bahamas; and to the Western Caribbean, calling on Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman, Cozumel, Mexico; and Royal Caribbean’s private destination Labadee, Haiti.