 |
 |
|
|
 |
|
Cruise: Out to Launch
|
|
It’s full steam ahead for the cruise lines, with a fleet of gleaming new ships setting sail. Here’s the best of the bunch
|
|
BY MEG LUKENS NOONAN
|
|
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
Illustrations of the deck of Silversea's Silver Spirit and the library on the Costa Deliziosa.
|
|
|
|
Despite the turbulent economy, inaugural sailings are riding high in the cruise industry. More than a dozen ships are debuting in 2010, including Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth, so eagerly anticipated that its maiden voyage sold out in less than 30 minutes. Most of the new vessels will continue the “private club” trend, offering guests in pricier staterooms exclusive access to special restaurants, spa treatments and cushy poolside lounges. As for design, ship interiors seem to lean toward either sleek urban hip or Art Deco glam. And the competition for over-the-top activities and performances shows no sign of abating. Care for some trapeze artists with your appetizer?
COSTA
Italy-based Costa Cruises launched the Deliziosa in early February. Through the rest of winter, the 2,260-passenger ship will sail the Persian Gulf, with stops in Oman, Bahrain and Dubai. Summer sailings will visit Norwegian fjords and Baltic cities. Like its sister ship, the Luminosa, which debuted last May, the vessel is big on techy entertainment: Expect a golf simulator with 37 virtual courses, a Formula One Grand Prix driving simulator and a 4-D (sight, sound, touch and scent) theater, plus Playstation 3 consoles in every cabin. Spa cabins have direct access to the Samsara Spa via private elevator and stairway, as well as exclusive access to a spa-menu restaurant.
ROYAL CARIBBEAN
Oasis of the Seas, the world’s largest cruise ship, launched last December. This fall will see the unveiling of its twin sister, Allure of the Seas. Each carries a whopping 5,400 passengers and is divided into distinct “neighborhoods.” One of these, called Central Park, has an open-air piazza shaded by live trees and flowering shrubs; another, the Boardwalk, has a wooden carousel, a zipline and the largest pool at sea—which converts into an amphitheater at night. There are also urban-style loft suites with second-story master bedrooms and sweeping sea views. Both ships will sail the Caribbean from the recently expanded Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.
CELEBRITY
The 2,850-passenger Eclipse launches in April with two mini cruises—a three-night voyage from Southampton to Paris, followed by a four-night trip to Cork, Ireland. The third in a series of five new Solstice-class ships being launched by Celebrity between 2008 and 2012, Eclipse has a half-acre of real grass on its uppermost deck, handy for bocce ball or putting. Among the 10 onboard restaurants is Blu, a health-conscious option reserved for guests staying in the spa-focused AquaClass cabins. After cruising the Mediterranean this summer, the ship will head for Miami, its homeport for winter voyages to the Caribbean and the Bahamas.
OCEANIA
The 1,258-passenger Marina sets sail in September, with a Canyon Ranch spa and six open-seating restaurants, including Jacques, a French bistro by chef Jacques Pépin. Foodies can get hands-on experience in a culinary studio with 22 cooktop workstations, while artists-in-residence teach in the Studio. Veranda staterooms have spacious lounges and marble bathrooms. In its first year, Marina will sail the Baltic, the Mediterranean, the Caribbean and the Amazon.
SEABOURN
This June, Seabourn christens Sojourn, its second new ship in a year (Odyssey debuted last summer) with a two-week cruise round-trip from England, stopping in Scotland, the Faroe Islands, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands. The yacht-like vessel has 225 roomy ocean-view suites (most with verandas) equipped with flat-screen TVs and granite bathrooms. After sailing Europe this summer, Sojourn will cross to Fort Lauderdale for voyages in the Caribbean and Mexico.
NORWEGIAN
The 4,200-passenger Epic crosses the Atlantic on its maiden voyage in June, then sails the Caribbean from Miami. Epic’s inside cabins offer something new: 128 chic Studios with an exclusive two-story lounge. A 52-villa complex on two decks gives guests entrée to a private courtyard with pool, cabanas and hammocks. At night, watch food prep at Teppanyaki restaurant or a circus act in the big-top-tent dinner theater, then visit the bar carved entirely of ice—faux furs provided.
SILVERSEA
Silversea’s 540-passenger Silver Spirit embarked in January on a three-month, 22-country grand tour through South America and along the Mexican Riviera. In April, the sleek ship crosses the Atlantic to spend the summer sailing the Mediterranean. The luxury cruise line’s largest vessel, Silver Spirit has six restaurants and an 8,300-square-foot spa. Suites are spacious, with walk-in closets and marble bathrooms where soakers can stretch out in a full-size tub; almost all have verandas.
HOLLAND AMERICA
The Nieuw Amsterdam embarks July 4 on a round-trip cruise from Venice to ports in Croatia, Greece and Italy. After summer, the 2,106-passenger ship heads for the Caribbean. Highlights include glass elevators, the pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant, private cabanas in the adults-only Retreat, and a culinary-arts center for budding chefs. Spa staterooms have direct staircase access to the Greenhouse Spa, plus in-room perks like yoga mats and iPod docking stations.
CUNARD
The Queen Elizabeth—the third Cunard ship to bear that name since 1938—will make its maiden voyage in October to the Canary Islands, then spend the rest of the year in Europe and the Caribbean. Paying homage to grand ocean liners of the past, the 2,092-passenger ship has a three-deck-high Art Deco Grand Lobby, a glass-roofed supper club and a blue-and-gold Royal Court Theatre. Passengers can take afternoon tea and later dance to a big band in the ballroom.
COMING NEXT YEAR
Two new ships aimed at family cruisers will make their appearance in 2011. Disney’s 4,000-passenger Dream, based in Orlando’s Port Canaveral, sets sail with such mouse-worthy attractions as the first “water coaster” at sea and a first-run movie theater, plus gourmet adults-only restaurants and martini bars. Carnival’s 3,652-passenger Magic will have a large waterslide park, family cabins with room for five, and an expansive adults-only outdoor lounge area.
Let RCI book your next cruise. To learn more about RCI’s cruising options, visit cruiserci.com or call 877-RCI-BOAT (877-724-2628).
NOTE: Information may have changed since publication. Please confirm key details before planning your trip.
|
|
|
|
Published: Spring 2010 Issue
|
|
Photos: Silversea; Costa Cruise
|
|
|