Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas To Feature Dynamic Dining.

Royal Caribbean has announced the introduction of Dynamic dining, which will be available on board their newest ship - the Quantum of the Seas. Dynamic Dining will feature a  dine - when you want - where you want - and with who you want - concept. In addition, menus onboard will be created by name brand chefs.

The Quantum of the Seas will debut from Cape Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey starting in November, 2014.

To Learn more about Dynamic Dining check out the video.....

Using a Mobile Device -> View Royal Caribbean's Dynamic Dining Video Here

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Norovirus Strikes Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas

Explorer of the Seas Royal Caribbean Struck With Norovirus

With over 577 passengers and 49 crew having become ill on the Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas, company officials have decided to end the cruise two days early. The Explorer of the Seas is expected to return to Bayonne on Wednesday.

The cruise originally departed from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ. on January 21st on what was to be a 10-day Caribbean Cruise.

Representatives of Royal Caribbean Cruise Line said Sunday that they were “unable to deliver the vacation our guests were expecting” due to the widespread sickness.

It is assumed that an infected passenger or crew member introduced the Virus on-board the ship.

Test results are expected mid-week, but the symptoms of the outbreak, vomiting and diarrhea, are consistent with the highly contagious norovirus, the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis in the U.S.

Royal Caribbean is offering impacted cruise passengers compensation for missed cruise days and ports plus credit on a future cruise.

After two full days of sanitation and decontamination, the Explorer of the Seas is expected to sail on her next cruise on January 31 which is a 9-day cruise to the Caribbean as planned.

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Quantum of the Seas - Virtual Balcony Staterooms.

Royal Caribbean's Quantum of the Seas Virtual Balcony Inside Cabin - Courtesy Royal Caribbean

 Royal Caribbean's New Quantum of the Seas has a number of ground breaking features. In addition to the RipCord, the SportsPlex and Observation sphere, there is now the Virtual Balcony Stateroom. one wall of select inside cabins that will be a  nearly floor to ceiling high definition screen which displays real ocean views and views of various destinations.

The Royal Caribbean Blog says....

What is a virtual balcony?
The virtual balconies will be 80-inch LED projection screen that stretches from floor to ceiling.  They will offer digital real-time views of the ocean and destinations visible from the ship’s exterior.
It will be displayed in high-resolution color on a giant 80-inch LED screen on the wall of an otherwise windowless stateroom.  It will work at sea and in port.

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Cape Liberty to Get New Cruise Terminal in 2014

New Cruise Terminal for 2014 in Cape Liberty in Bayonne, New Jersey - Courtesy Port Authority of New York/New Jersey

 Royal Caribbean also plans to base the region’s largest cruise vessel at the new Bayonne facility beginning in 2014.

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners today approved plans by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to build a new cruise terminal building at the Port Authority-owned marine terminal facility in Bayonne – a major public investment that will spur continued growth in the New Jersey cruise business.

As part of its expansion plans, Royal Caribbean also agreed to base its new Quantum of the Seas vessel – the largest cruise ship serving the New York-New Jersey region – at Bayonne beginning in 2014. The new vessel, which can accommodate up to 4,180 passengers, will sail to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Florida and Bermuda.

The Port Authority acquired the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal in June 2010 as part of its purchase of the 131-acre portion of the former Military Ocean Terminal at Bayonne.

As part of the agreement allowing construction of the cruise terminal building, the Port Authority agreed to extend Royal Caribbean’s operating agreement for the terminal for an additional five years through 2043.

“The cruise industry is one of this region’s most rapidly growing markets, and this private sector investment will enhance our ability to generate significant revenues from the waterfront property we own,” said Port Authority Chairman David Samson. “With the region’s largest vessel scheduled to dock at this port facility, we will be able to grow the jobs and economic activity that the cruise business has generated for this region for many decades.”

“The new Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal will provide the people of New Jersey and New York with the world class travel experience they deserve,” said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni. “We welcome the significant investment Royal Caribbean is making in our region and look forward to welcoming the Quantum of the Seas to her new home in our port.”

The new $70 million cruise terminal building – which will be paid for by Royal Caribbean – includes a 36,000-square-foot check-in terminal, a 60,000-square-foot luggage area, a parking deck, additional parking and berth improvements. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and be completed by October 2014.

Passenger volumes at the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal have grown steadily in the past three years – from 393,000 passengers in 2010 to 476,000 in 2012. Passenger volumes at the facility are expected to increase to approximately 600,000 after the new terminal building opens.

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Bermuda See Tourism Drop

Picturesque Bermuda

Over the past year, Bermuda has seen a reduction in the number of cruise passengers arriving.

The reduction has was mainly due to:

• Holland America choosing to deploy the Veendam in Boston instead of New York choosing to go to New England Canada instead of Bermuda.

• Royal Caribbean has also reduced the number of Bermuda sailings both out of New York and Baltimore in favor of Florida and Bahamas cruises.

In addition to these planned changes,

• Bermuda lost 4 calls at the island by the Emerald Princess. The change was due to repairs to the Heritage Wharf which meant the the ship would need to tender in passengers instead of docking.

• Three sailings were cancelled due to the fire onboard the Grandeur of the Seas.

The losses were partially offset by the new and larger Norwegian Breakaway calling at the island and bringing more passengers than the previous Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Star.

The second quarter ended with 133,676 cruise passengers arriving. A 17% decrease over last year.

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Royal Caribbean to Build New Cruise Terminal in Bayonne (Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal).

Cape Liberty Cruise Port - Courtesy of Cape Liberty

The Port Authority Board of Commissioners approved plans by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines to build a new cruise terminal building at the Port Authority-owned Bayonne Military Ocean Terminal in Bayonne, New Jersey.

As part of its expansion plans, Royal Caribbean plans to base its new Quantum of the Seas vessel—one of the largest cruise ship serving the New York-New Jersey region—at Bayonne beginning in 2014. The new vessel, which can accommodate up to 4,180 passengers, will sail to the Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida.

As part of the agreement allowing construction of the cruise terminal building, the Port Authority agreed to extend Royal Caribbean’s operating agreement for the terminal for an additional five years through 2043.

“The new Royal Caribbean Cruise Terminal will provide the people of New Jersey and New York with the world-class travel experience they deserve,” said Port Authority Deputy Executive Director Bill Baroni. “We welcome the significant investment Royal Caribbean is making in our region and look forward to welcoming the Quantum of the Seas to her new home in our port.”

The new $70 million cruise terminal building—which will be paid for by Royal Caribbean—includes a 36,000-square-foot check-in terminal, 60,000-square-foot luggage area, parking deck, additional parking, and berth improvements. Construction is scheduled to begin this summer and be completed by October 2014.

Passenger volumes at the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal have grown steadily in the past three years—from 393,000 passengers in 2010 to 476,000 in 2012. Passenger volumes at the facility are expected to increase to approximately 600,000 after the new terminal building opens.

This recent announcement has also revived a discussions about building a hotel and other tourist related venues near the facility.

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Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas Offers Wine Tasting

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas Gets Some Oasis Amenities

Royal Caribbean International continues to provide its guests with the ultimate vacation experience by enhancing its onboard dining options.

Further enhancing its onboard culinary offerings Royal Caribbean is expanding its partnership with renowned wine producer Domaines Barons de Rothschild by offering the exclusive Lafite Wine Tasting Experience onboard. Available for $23 to $25 per person, depending upon ship and itinerary, the experience, which was first introduced onboard Allure of the Seas, offers guests a unique tasting showcasing the renowned vintages from France’s Bordeaux region.

Developed in conjunction with Château Lafite Rothschild, the premier estate under the Rothschild name, and Master Sommelier John Blazon, the Lafite Wine Experience aims to expand guests’ understanding of growing regions within Bordeaux. A Royal Caribbean cellar master leads the tasting, sharing details about the wines and the winemakers and the history and suggestions for food pairings.  A souvenir packet allows guests to take a piece of the experience home with winemakers’ notes, recipes and more.

The Lafite Wine Tasting Experience is now available for pre-booking on select ships, including Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.

            Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.

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SilverSea's Silver Whisper Undegoes Repairs at the Bayonne Drydock Company.

Silversea Cruises Silver Whisper at the Bayonne Drydock Company

Silversea Cruises' Silver Whisper is in drydock in Bayonne, NJ undergoing propeller repairs. Although no details of the repairs were disclosed nor how the incident occurred, the ship did head directly to Bayonne this morning and disembarked passengers at the Cape Liberty Cruise Terminal in Bayonne. By 10:00 AM, this morning the Silver Whisper entered the drydock.

The Silver Whisper's next cruise is delayed one day and will now depart on 10/3 from Cape Liberty, Bayonne, omitting a stop in Newport, RI since the cruise was shortened 1 day.

Impacted cruise passengers were provided accommodations in New York overnight, an onboard credit and a discount toward a future cruise.

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Cruise Port - Cape Canaveral - Florida, New Cruise Terminal

New Cape Canaveral Cruise Terminal - New Terminal 6

Cape Canaveral, Florida is ready to welcome its latest cruise terminal. The new, $65 Million dollar facility provides over 90,000 square feet of passsenger and storage area. The new terminal, know as Terminal 6, spans 2 levels and can handle over 2,400 passengers simultaneously.

Terminal 6 also has a 1,100 seat waiting area for those departing passengers as well a shops and stores.

Cape Canaveral is a popular cruise port on 7 Day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing from New York and Baltimore.

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Cruise From Your Back Yard Rather Than Travel By Air

Just last week United Airlines announced that they were changing the configuration of their aircraft to reduce the size of the already compact seats from 18" inches to 17" inches. The configuration change will make the already cramped planes, capable of handling 6 more passengers in coach.

Many other airlines have already stated that they will follow United's lead.

The airlines continue to find new ways to make air travel less convenient, less comfortable and less affordable for the average traveler.

Cruises are available from New York and Baltimore year-round and seasonal from Boston, Norfolk, Quebec and Montreal. Save the airfare and take a cruise from a city nearby.

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Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas 2013 Cruises Announced

Royal Caribbean's Explorer of the Seas 2013 Cruises Announced

 

Royal Caribbean International announced Explorer of the Seas’ summer and autumn 2013 line-up, featuring 30 sailings to 17 spectacular ports of call on seven distinctive itineraries. New York metropolitan vacationers, and vacationers from around the world who have always wanted to combine a visit to the Big Apple with a cruise, can choose a sailing aboard Explorer of the Seas to Bermuda, Caribbean and Canada and New England from April through October 2013. Continuing to homeport year-round at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, NJ, Explorer of the Seas ranks as one of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships, featuring iconic Royal Caribbean onboard amenities such as an ice-skating rink, nine-hole mini-golf course, a rock-climbing wall, full-size basketball court and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard that runs nearly the length of the ship, flanked by restaurants, lounges and boutiques, and where parades and night-time street dance parties are held. Explorers of the Seas’ summer 2013 cruises are now open for booking.

            From April through August 2012, Explorer of the Seas will alternate five-night Bermuda and nine-night Bermuda & Caribbean itineraries. The five-night itinerary will feature an overnight at Kings Wharf, Bermuda, while the nine-night sailing calls at Kings Wharf; St. Maarten; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private destination on the north coast of Haiti. From September through October, vacationers can choose a seven-night Bermuda itinerary, which uniquely features three days and two nights at Kings Wharf to enjoy more of the 181-island nation.

            Explorer of the Seas also will offer vacationers a special Canada and New England sailing to catch the arrival of autumn and the changing of the leaves. Departing August 31, guests will call at Boston, Mass.; Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

            Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.

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Celebrity Cruises Adds Even More Class to “ConciergeClass”

Applies to Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Summit sailing from Cape Liberty, Bayonne New Jersey to Bermuda and New England / Canada.

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More modern luxury services complement original lineup

Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Summit Adds More Amenities to ConciergeClass

– Vacationers who love the personalized services of a professional concierge are likely to relish the new, modern luxury amenities Celebrity Cruises has added to its plush “ConciergeClass” accommodations.

Guests booked in Celebrity’s ConciergeClass staterooms still will be treated to the full slate of services and amenities associated with the category since it was introduced, including a bottle of chilled Blanc de Blancs sparkling wine with a commemorative label featuring exclusive artwork from the ArtCenter/South Florida artists upon arrival; fresh fruits and flowers; daily delivery of afternoon savories; pillow menu and the Celebrity eXhaleTM bedding program, with premium mattresses, 100% Egyptian cotton linens, and plush duvets and pillows; personalized stationery; oversized tote bag; special room service breakfast menu; Frette bathrobes; plush bath rugs; two hair dryers; Hansgrohe massaging showerhead; use of in-stateroom golf umbrellas and binoculars; custom-blended bath amenities including fine shampoos, body lotions and soaps; a veranda table large enough for dining al fresco, with cushioned chairs; and special services including priority luggage delivery, dining time, shoe shine service, and priority embarkation and debarkation privileges.

Now, the list of services and amenities has been expanded to also include even more personalized service with hand-delivered, customized courtesy cards to ensure that guests can directly contact the Concierge at any time during the cruise for assistance with special occasions or any requests they may have. Additionally, priority debarkation services have been enhanced to include an exclusive ConciergeClass pre-departure lounge with complimentary coffee and juices.

“Expanding our already broad array of ConciergeClass amenities is yet another illustration of our recognition of how rare and important vacation time is for our guests, and our continuous focus on finding the best ways for them to maximize that time,” said Celebrity’s Senior VP of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. “Just as a professional, personal concierge is devoted to ensuring his or her clients’ specific, individual preferences are met, so is our ConciergeClass category of accommodations.”

ConciergeClass staterooms are offered on every ship in the Celebrity fleet, with the exception of Celebrity Xpedition, the line’s luxurious megayacht sailing year-round in the Galapagos Islands.

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