All aboard for modern cruising (Top Ten)

All aboard for modern cruising (Top Ten)

Cruise vacations are nothing like they used to be.

A revolution is underway on the high seas as modern cruise liners take to the ocean with never before seen features and attractions.

Cruise operators are spending tens of billions to deliver a cutting edge cruise experience with everything from open air parks to private luxury spa retreats.

Below, is compiled a top 10 list of some of the latest and greatest innovations at sea.

1. 1.      Size

The largest cruise ships ever constructed are now on active routes throughout the world including Royal Caribbean International’s world record holder, Allure and Oasis of the Seas, a 1,187ft behemoth capable of carrying more than 6,000 passengers.

Other mammoth liners in operation …

Rank        Ship                          Cruise Line     Gross Tonnage   Year          Length         Beam  Capacity

1&2   MS Allure of the Seas      Royal Caribbean  225,282 GT  2009-2010   1,187. ft.       198 ft.   6,296
          MS Oasis of the Seas

3,4,5 MS Freedom of the Seas  Royal Caribbean  160,000 GT  2006-08        1,081.9 ft.     133 ft.  4,370               MS Liberty of the Seas
          MS Independence of the Seas

6        Norwegian Epic                 Norwegian (NCL) 155,873 GT   2010             1,111. ft.       184 ft.   4100

7        RMS Queen Mary 2          Cunard Line          151,400 GT  2004               1,132 ft.      135 ft.   3,056

8,9,10 Navigator of the Seas     Royal Caribbean  138,279 GT  2002              1,020 ft.        161 ft.  3,114                  Mariner of the Seas                                                             2003              1,020 ft.        161 ft.  3,114                 Explorer of the Seas                                     137,308 GT  2000                                    157.5 ft

 

Under construction are 14 more mega ships that range in size from 158,000 - 114,500 Gross Tonnage and capacity from handling 4,100 - 3,700 passengers.

1. 2.      Cinemas

With Hollywood’s latest blockbusters now being presented in 3D, cruise ship operators including Royal Caribbean have revamped onboard cinemas to deliver a seamless 3D experience.

Princess has huge screens on deck for “Movies Under the Stars”.

Costa Cruises have gone one step further installing a 4D cinema onboard the Costa Deliziosa. This astounding attraction offers eye popping visuals and live special effects including vibrating seats, water sprays and air blasts.

1. 3.      Bars and Nightclubs

Passengers aboard the Queen Mary II can sit back with a fine Cuban cigar and glass of cognac at Churchill’s cigar lounge.

Guests can slip into a faux fur coat at the frozen fantasyland of the Svedka Ice Bar on the Norwegian Epic. Inspired by the original ice hotels in Scandinavia, Svedka is one of only 14 ice bars in the world and the only true ice bar at sea.

The revolutionary design of the Aquavit Terrace at the bow of Viking River Cruises Viking Freya offers amazing viewing over the water and a picturesque location for dining and relaxation at any time of the day.

1. 4.      Chefs

Award winner Marco Pierre White has opened signature restaurants onboard P&O’s Ventura, Oceana and Aurora liners.

Award winner Arnaud Lallement joined with Disney Cruises to deliver Remy, a premier restaurant onboard the Disney Dream.

Menus onboard all Seabourn liners are prepared under the watchful eye of American Michelin star winner Charlie Palmer.

1. 5.      Themes

Whatever your interests, there is a cruise bound to satisfy. Technology buffs can hop aboard Celebrity Cruises’ MacMania Cruise and discover the secrets behind Apple’s most innovative devices.

Parents can treat children to a Nickelodeon All Access Cruise with NCL for a week of fun with their favorite cartoon characters.

Dancers can take an up tempo voyage with MSC Cruises Dancing Under the Stars series. Onboard lessons include Samba, Merengue, Lambada and many more.

1. 6.      Recreation Facilities

Royal Caribbean passengers can show off their surfing skills at the Flow-rider, a purpose built, man-made wave on its Oasis and Freedom class vessels.

Hitting golf balls into the sea is no longer allowed but passengers travelling with Princess Cruises can tee up at St Andrews or Pinehurst with high tech, computerized golf simulators.

1. 7.      Solo Rooms

If you’re going it alone, a number of cruise lines have options to keep costs down and still enjoy the biggest and best ships in the world.

Norwegian Cruise Line, P&O and Holland America all have cabins dedicated to solo cruisers with no extra supplements and Silversea Cruises offer special fare deals for solo travelers.

1. 8.      Spa Facilities

Passengers on Seabourn’s Odyssey can book spa villas by the half day for extensive, revitalizing treatments.

Renowned spa operator Canyon Ranch offers specialized facilities onboard Oceania and Regent Seven Seas liners.

1. 9.      Onboard Shows

Licensed works of Andrew Lloyd Webber and critically acclaimed productions of Hairspray and Chicago have featured on P&O and Royal Caribbean liners.

Celebrity Cruises passengers can watch living art take shape at a fascinating Hot Glass Show created in association with New York’s Corning Museum of Glass.

Experience the Award Winning Blue Man Group featuring an unexpected combination of music, comedy, and multimedia theatrics aboard the Norwegian Epic.

10.  Fitness Facilities

Some of the most sophisticated gyms in the world are now located onboard most cruise liners. Passengers can access the latest in equipment as well as aerobics classes, yoga and palates.

The fully equipped gym onboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ Conquest incorporates floor to ceiling windows facing the sea to create an atmosphere designed to take the guest’s mind off the exertion of working out.

Just think all that I have listed above in on the cruise ships…can you imagine what is available on the destination ports? Now is a perfect time to book a cruise!