A Quantum Leap In Cruising

  Earlier this year, for the first time, we boarded one of the two “biggest cruise ships in the world” and, other than size, the lasting impression that Allure of the Seas had on us was this one: What could be better? Different, yes. Classier, maybe. Cozier, definitely. But better? Well, here comes better. The… Continue reading A Quantum Leap In Cruising

Hotel Director As Great As His Ships

There are people in the Royal Caribbean family who firmly believe that Raimund Gschaider is the “hotel director of all hotel directors” and that’s at least part of the reason why his workplace is known as Allure of the Seas. So in our ongoing quest to provide you with the human-interest side of people on… Continue reading Hotel Director As Great As His Ships

The Love Boat's value increasing

Are you ready for re-runs of The Love Boat? If that’s not next, it can’t be far away. Princess promotes a Love Boat cruise and it sells out 18 months before sailing. Now, Princess has named the entire original cast of the famous TV show as “godparents” of the Regal Princess, a new ship that… Continue reading The Love Boat's value increasing

The Skinny On Building New Ships

When a cruise line that already has two new ships still being built announces that it is building two more, as Norwegian did on Monday, there's a tendency to think this is an unprecedented construction explosion. It's not. Aggressive…yes. Unheard of…no. Starting with the Breakaway Class, by 2019 Norwegian will have launched six ships in… Continue reading The Skinny On Building New Ships

Oceania Ships Have The Same Look Now

Two years ago in the Mediterranean, we were fortunate to be on the Oceania Riviera for one of its first cruises, with a stop in Barcelona for the christening and official naming ceremony. This is a smallish ship by ocean-going standards — just 1,250 passengers — and, by any objective cruiser's estimation, the Riviera is… Continue reading Oceania Ships Have The Same Look Now