Cruise News
by Candyce H. Stapen
There's never been a better time to cruise. Lines are rolling out
new, even more interesting ships, plus adding amenities and services
to their vessels. The focus is on choice with new activities, alternative
dining venues and lots of options for fun.
Royal Caribbean International (RCI)
Hanging ten at a shipboard surf park is just one of the firsts
for Freedom of the Seas, slated to debut in May. At 158,000
gross registered tons, and carrying 3,600 passengers (double occupancy),
Freedom will be the largest ship in the world.
A 32-foot-wide by 40-foot-long FlowRider generates waves
making balancing on a board or body surfing possible. You can also
play basketball in the dedicated sports pool, splash in the H20
Zone, a water fun feature with geysers, spraying fountains and a
current pool, or soak in peace in the adults-only solarium, decked
out with whirlpools that extend 12 feet over the side of the ship.
Want a cabin that can accommodate you, the kids, the grandparents
and the cousins, too? Then, book the 14-person presidential suite,
complete with living room, four bedrooms and four baths and a balcony.
RCI offers children's programs for ages three to 17 (800-327-6700;
www.royalcaribbean.com).
Carnival Cruise Lines
Club O2, the line's new teen program, targets ages 15 to 17. New
teen centers with dance floors, multi-screen video monitors, juice
bars, and lots of couches for hanging out draw this hard-to-please
group on 12 of 21 ships with more ships being retrofitted. Without
Batteries, the 1,800-square-foot lounge aboard the Liberty,
Carnival's newest ship, which debuted July 2005, is especially "sweet"
as it's located in the middle of the action on the Promenade deck
and not tucked into a far-away corner of the ship.
The Liberty's sauna and steam rooms come with glass walls so you
can look out to sea, and the Coney Island pool sports an LED screen
for watching taped sports events, concerts and evening movies. The
Liberty sails a Europe/Mediterranean schedule from May to October
2006 (800-CARNIVAL; www.carnival.com).
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Great Places, Great Deals
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The Sheraton at Our Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island:
The Westin and the Sheraton share the
377-acre oceanfront Our Lucaya property. Along
with sparkling beaches, a 25,000-square-foot spa,
two golf courses, and 14 restaurants and lounges,
the properties have Camp Lucaya, a kids' activity
program for ages three to 12. With the Sheraton at Our Lucaya's
family package, kids have complimentary access
to Camp Lucaya and eat free from the kids' menu
with the purchase of one adult meal. Rates from
$255 per night include taxes, resort fee and service
charge (800-325-3535).
Maui,
and the Big Island, Hawaii: Get a sixth
night free, room upgrade and a $250 dining credit
when you book a room at the upscale Ritz-Carlton,
Kapalua, Maui. Stay at the luxury Mauna Lani Point
and receive a fifth night free plus an American
Express Gift Cheque for $100 through December
19. Both deals available through Creative Leisure
(www.creativeleisure.com).
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Princess Cruises
In June, the new Crown Princess launches from Brooklyn,
NY for voyages to the Caribbean, visiting two new ports-Grand Turk
and Port Canaveral. An interior atrium mimicking a streetscape with
shops and cafes adds dining choices. And going way beyond pizza
for the always hungry, the new 24-hour International Café will serve
pastries in the morning, crepes, sandwiches and quiches for lunch,
and chocolate fondue after dinner (800-PRINCESS; www.princess.com).
Disney Cruise Line
The Disney Magic added a new LED screen for poolside movies
plus a new, staffed children's area, Ocean Quest, where kids can
sit in a captain's chair and "steer" the ship, play computer games,
watch movies, and do crafts. Unlike the other four children's centers,
this one, also part of the kids' program, doesn't have pre-programmed
activities. Junior cruisers come here to "chill out" and do what
they want.
Beginning in May every fourth week, the Magic adds two days at
Castaway Cay, Disney's private island, plus a stop in Mexico's Costa
Maya to its seven-day Caribbean itinerary (888-DCL-2500; www.disneycruise.com).
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– Candyce H. Stapen's 26 travel books include National Geographic Guide to Caribbean Family Vacations.
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