Cruising has come a long way since the Love Boat days.
The regimented schedule a passenger formerly followed left much to be desired. In today’s cruising, however, the choices are endless.
The evolution of dining
In the past, passengers had two choices to dine—early seating at around 6 p.m., or late seating at about 8 p.m. If you didn’t book early enough, most likely, you could not get the choice you wanted. Can you imagine going on vacation and being told when to eat? Well, not on today’s cruise ships.
Sure, if you want traditional dining, it is available. Today, however, passengers have a multitude of options from which to choose. Most cruise ships even have specialty restaurants with a nominal cover charge averaging $20 per person. This dining experience equates to any five-star, land-based restaurant costing hundreds of dollars to dine at per couple. Then, there’s Lido dining—more like a smorgasbord for any time casual or buffet dining.
Royal Caribbean ships even have hangouts like Johnny Rockets—the famous hamburger joint. Norwegian Cruise Line touts Freestyle Dining, where you have upward of 17 different restaurants from which to choose, and you can dine any time and with whomever you want. Dining on today’s cruise ships is a phenomenal experience.
Entertainment is top notch
On the cruises of yesteryear, you could take in an early show or a late show, depending on your dining time. Year after year, the variety show lived on. Now, fast-forward to today—Royal Caribbean has shows like the Broadway hit Hairspray, and they built an AquaTheater on their newer ships, where a full aquatic show is performed with high divers and synchronized swimmers.
Comedy and jazz clubs also are in full swing, such as Fat Cats, on Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) Epic. Love karaoke? There is always a lounge onboard where you can sing to your heart’s content each night. NCL’s Epic also features the famous Blue Man Group, a Cirque dinner show and Legends in Concert. Want to bowl or play a supersized Wii? Just jump on an NCL ship, and the family is sure to have fun.
Days at sea are never boring
During days at sea, gone are the beer drinking and men’s hairy chest contests. They have been replaced on Royal Caribbean ships with FlowRider, a surfing simulator, or hang loose during your ride on the zip line. Want to play putt-putt golf, basketball, table tennis, or climb a rock wall—it’s all happening onboard.
Celebrity Cruises has glass blowing at sea. Watch a Corning Museum of Glass gaffer present a live demonstration on glass blowing, or play a game of bocce on their beautifully manicured lawn on the top deck. Carnival’s fun is by the pool at Waterworks. Take a plunge down their 104-foot-long slide. It’s a real rush.
Wine tastings, cooking demonstrations, lectures, computer classes, spa treatments and state-of-the-art workout facilities also can keep you busy during your days at sea. Or grab a book from the library and enjoy sitting by the pool, relaxing while the ship takes you to your next exciting port of call.
Accommodations
Interior and ocean view cabins were the typical choices in years past. If you were one of the lucky few to enjoy a balcony, you paid a huge premium. Most new ships now offer primarily balcony cabins. Even some inside staterooms now have views overlooking promenades with natural lighting. And the cruise lines continue to be innovative.
Now, on the new Royal Caribbean ships, loft cabins are available, featuring two-story, floor-to-ceiling windows, two bathrooms, a living room and second floor master bedroom. Private villa guests aboard NCL’s Epic have exclusive access to their own pool, lounges and restaurant. It’s a ship within a ship.
If you haven’t cruised in a while, or just thought cruising was for old people, think again. For more information and to reserve your next cruise vacation, contact Sue or Bruce Mitchell, your Cruise Planners travel specialists, of Red Mountain Travel. Visit the website at redmountaintravel.com. You also can send an email to smitchell@cruiseplanners.com, or call (480) 396-8084.