Princess Cruises has announced another celebrity partnership, this time with Tony Gemignani, a 13-time World Pizza Champion known as the world’s best pizza maker.
The American chef and owner of Italian restaurants across the US has created five signature pizzas that guests sailing on all ships in the Princess fleet will soon enjoy.
The pact with Gemignani will debut onboard the line’s newest ship, Sun Princess, where guests at Alfredo’s restaurant can indulge in pizzas that feature delectable ingredients such as soppressata sausage, and Gorgonzola and sweet fig preserve.
Tony Gemignani
Princess Cruises, which touts itself as serving the “Best Pizza at Sea,” will introduce the new pizzas as part of an exciting effort to set a Guinness World Record on July 12, 2024 for having the “Largest Pizza Party.”
To break the record, the cruise line will serve pizza, all made by the line’s master chefs and including the new ones from Gemignani, at multiple venues.
“Princess is about delivering great experiences and there is no more important element than pizza. While Princess has long been known for having the best pizza at sea, we decided to take it up an entirely new level with legendary Tony Gemignani,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises.
To make sure that the Princess Cruises’ chefs can create his pizzas, Chef Gemignani provided training at one of his eateries, Tony’s Pizza Napoletana in San Francisco.
“Bringing my original recipe hand-crafted pizzas inspired by the destinations Princess visits to the world-class line up of culinary offerings onboard its ships is not only exciting but an honor,” said Chef Gemignani.
The pizzas will be served at Alfredo’s and at Gigi’s, another Italian cuisine-inspired restaurant on Princess ships. Both venues charge a fee to guests.
Along with his restaurants and his pizza championships, Chef Gemignani also is a Food Network Gold Medalist and holds four Guinness World Records titles. Television viewers will know him from appearances on “Food Network Challenge,” “Bar Rescue,” and the “Master Class GOAT” series, among other shows and networks.
The California native has opened 30 restaurants and is famous for his various styles of pizzas, such as Classic American, Italian, Sicilian, and Neapolitan, made from artisan flours and a variety of sauces.
Sun Princess Guests Are First to Taste New Pizza Recipes
The 4,300-guest Sun Princess is currently sailing a 21-day Mediterranean cruise roundtrip from Barcelona. The ship will be on the final night of her voyage on July 12, when the cruise line will attempt to set the record for “Largest Pizza Party.”
The ship is sailing a series of 7-, 14-, and 21-day cruises between Barcelona, Rome, Athens, and Southampton through mid-September. On September 14, 2024, Sun Princess repositions to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where she will homeport while sailing 7- and 14-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises through winter 2024-25.
Like other cruise lines, Princess Cruises has several celebrity collaborations that enhance dining and other services onboard its ships.
The most recent one, announced in late June 2024, introduced a new specialty restaurant called Love by Britto, a venue that mixes the artistry of Romero Britto with the culinary creations of Master Chef Rudi Sodamin to create a seven-course dinner in a romantic setting.
The 68-seat venue on Deck 17 charges $79 per person for a menu that features appetizers such as Oysters with Lemongrass Kafir, and heart-shaped entrees like Succulent Beef Tenderloin and Truffle Jus and Tail of Lobster Thermidor, plus desserts including Chocolate Lava Cake.
The line also partners with Dario Cecchini, a famous butcher; Makoto Okuwa, a renowned sushi master; Rob Floyd, a celebrity mixologist; Gerard Bertrand, a Master Winemaker; Darren McGrady, a former Royal Chef, and supermodel Tyra Banks.
Royal Caribbean International announced an update to the itinerary of Spectrum of the Seas‘ March 5, 2025, 4-night roundtrip cruise from Shanghai, China.
Originally set to include a stop at Jeju Island (also referred to as Cheju Island) in South Korea en route to Nagasaki, Japan, the cruise will now modify its schedule due to unforeseen operational difficulties in Jeju.
In a recent notice to the ships’ 4,905 passengers, the cruise line detailed the operational challenges at Jeju’s Seogwipo Gangjeong Cruise Port, prompting a reevaluation of the planned stop. Royal Caribbean will now skip the call and spend an extra day at sea, turning the two-destination cruise into a one-destination getaway.
Royal Caribbean’s Spectrum of the Seas Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: mokjc)
“After exploring all options, and to provide you with the best experience, we’ll now enjoy a Sea Day instead,”stated the cruise line in a letter.“To help make up for the changes, we’ve added two (2) extra hours to our visit to Nagasaki, Japan, so you can explore everything this beautiful destination has to offer.”
The letter went on to apologize for the inconvenience and highlighted offerings for sea day, including surf and boogie boarding on ship’s twin FlowRiders, skydiving sessions at RipCord by iFLY, and lounging at the pool bar.
The revised itinerary begins in Shanghai on March 5, 2025, with the ship setting sail at 4:30 p.m. After a day of cruising, guests will arrive in Nagasaki on March 7, 2025, at 7 a.m. and have until 7 p.m. to enjoy the city. The cruise will conclude with another day at sea before returning to Shanghai on March 9, 2025.
Any excursions booked on Jeju Island will automatically be cancelled and refunded to guests’ original form of payment. Any individually booked excursions will need to be modified by passengers at their own expense.
Jeju’s Seogwipo Port
Jeju Island’s cruise port, Seogwipo Gangjeong Cruise Port, is the largest cruise facility on the island and has been operational since 2017. Designed to accommodate two 220,000-gross-ton cruise ships simultaneously, the port is part of South Korea’s growing cruise market, which is expected to reach $46.91 million in 2024.
Strategically in the southern part of the island, the port is near the Jungmun Tourist Complex and nearby Downtown Seogqipo, known for its natural scenery and vibrant shopping streets.
Jeju port (Photo Credit: Artem Pachkovskyi)
Jeju itself is often referred to as the “Hawaii of Korea.” The island boasts stunning natural sites, including Mount Hallasan, a dormant volcano recognized as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site.
Other attractions include Cheonjeyeon Waterfall, accessible via the Seonimgyo arch bridge, and Manjanggul Cave, an extensive underground lave tunnel.
The operational issues Royal Caribbean International is encountering have not been revealed, and the port is not currently listing construction or expansion issues that could be causing the itinerary change, although Spectrum of the Seas is the largest passenger ship scheduled to arrive at the island in March 2025, weighing 168,666 gross tons.
Other cruises calling on that month include Norwegian Cruise Line’s nearly 76,000-gross-ton Norwegian Spirit, arriving on March 11 and 14; Silversea’s 40,8791-gross-ton Silver Muse, arriving on March 13and 23; AIDA Cruises’ 71,300-gross-ton AIDAstella, arriving on March 20; and Seabourn’s 32,000-gross-ton Quest, arriving on March 21.
Spectrum of the Seas is also scheduled to visit the island on March 17. The cruise line has not altered that itinerary.
The Tokyo-based Oriental Land Company, operator of two Disney theme parks in Japan, is expanding its partnership with the iconic American company to include the construction of a Disney Wish-class ship based year-round in Tokyo. The Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany will build the ship, which will be designed specifically for the Japanese market.
Announcements from the shipyard, Disney, and Oriental Land Company (OLC) on July 9, 2024 confirmed that a 140,000-gross ton vessel will debut in 2029 with popular Disney Cruise Line amenities plus new experiences and modifications geared to Japanese guests.
Like Disney Wish, the new-build will offer 1,250 staterooms with a capacity for 4,000 guests.
Disney and Oriental Land Co., Ltd. (Credit: Disney)
“With this new order, we look forward to continuing our relationship with Disney and working with Oriental Land Company, which also has a long-standing relationship with Disney, as a new customer. This is a strong signal for shipbuilding in Papenburg and shows that companies from all over the world rely on the quality of Meyer Werft,” said Bernd Eikens, CEO of Meyer Group.
The agreement between Disney and OLC is the latest in a four-decade-long business association that began in 1983 with the opening of Tokyo Disneyland, the first Disney park to open in a foreign country. In 2001, the two collaborated to introduce a second operation, Tokyo DisneySea, an ocean-themed park overlooking Tokyo Bay.
OLC also operates Tokyo Disney Resort, featuring hotels and a dining and entertainment complex. With the new agreement to build a cruise ship, cruisers in the Japanese market and in other nearby Asian nations will have the opportunity to experience a Disney-style vacation at sea from a local homeport.
“Disney Cruise Line has ambitious plans to bring family vacations and Disney storytelling to more guests around the world than ever before,” said Josh D’Amaro, chairman of Disney Experiences.
“We are thrilled to continue the success of this expansion as we collaborate with Oriental Land Co. to introduce another distinctly Disney vacation experience to families and fans in Japan,” added D’Amaro.
Bernard Meyer & Kenji Yoshida (Credit: Meyer Werft)
The announcement noted that the new ship will benefit from the creativity of Walt Disney Imagineering, as did the first vessel in the class, Disney Wish, which launched in 2022.
The ship introduced the popular AquaMouse water coaster, Frozen and Marvel-themed restaurants, and a Star Wars Hyperspace Lounge, among other exciting features. The ship also offered an adults-only zone.
The new pact with OLC will bring these and other amenities and services to the Japanese market.
“I am sincerely proud that Disney and Oriental Land will be able to work together to create a world-class cruise business in Japan,” said Yumiko Takano, representative director, chairman, and CEO of Oriental Land Company.
“Oriental Land will use their knowhow from the theme park business to continue pushing boundaries and provide family entertainment cruise experiences filled with inspiration and surprise,” Yakano added.
German Shipyard Has Two Disney Ships Under Construction
Meyer Werft currently is constructing two ships for Disney Cruise Line — Disney Treasure, slated to debut in late 2024, and Disney Destiny, expected to enter service in 2025.
Early this month, Disney Cruise Line released a sneak peek at decks 11 and 12 onboard Disney Treasure, as it shared some details in a construction update.
In March 2024, the cruise line revealed the name of Disney Destiny and shared that it will sport a “Heroes and Villains” theme.
Along with Disney Wish, the cruise line operates Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, both Magic-class ships, and Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, both Dream-class ships. The cruise line is largely geared to youngsters, who can interact with Disney’s iconic characters and enjoy experiences tied to Disney movies and superheroes.
Disney cast members—the company’s employees on land and at sea—always strive to make magic for their guests. But sometimes, the roles reverse, and it’s the guest who makes magic for the crew member.
When Nikki Kennedy, her husband Tanner, and their 18-month old daughter, Blair, embarked on a 10-night Mediterranean sailing onboard Disney Magic in 2019, the family formed a special bond with their server, a kind man named Aaron.
All Disney Cruise Line ships feature a rotational dining program, which means that the servers follow their families and couples to different restaurants each night of the cruise. This allows them to really get to know their patrons, better anticipate their needs, and offer personalized service.
Nikki Kennedy and Aaron (Photo Credit: Nikki Kennedy)
But Aaron went above and beyond Disney’s standard for top-notch service, making the cruise so magical for their family – and their young daughter specifically – that they asked the crew member to pose for a photo with Blair.
They saved one copy for themselves and used a portable printer to leave Aaron a copy as a token of appreciation.
When Nikki returned to Disney’s first cruise ship in the summer of 2024 for a work-related trip as part of her job as a travel planner, she never expected to reunite with Aaron—or that they would both remember each other five years later.
In a video on her TikTok (@yourfamilytravelplanner), which has been viewed nearly 200,000 times since its posting on June 20, 2024, the travel expert detailed their heartwarming reunion.
In the video, Nikki spotted Aaron from across the dining room and was stunned that her favorite server was still making magic onboard the 2,400-passenger vessel. The pair instantly recognized each other.
“I went over and told him he was our server and before I could continue he says, ‘Wait I know. Kenn…Tanner Kennedy. I still have the picture you left me in my cabin, gets me through hard days,” Nikki wrote in text over a new photo from her reunion with Aaron.
Her short but sweet TikTok concluded with the original photo of Aaron smiling as he posed with her toddler and high praise for Disney Cruise Line’s wait staff.
The Pros And Cons Of Life As A DCL Cast Member
While it’s unclear which sailing Nikki undertook, as she says the sweet reunion with Aaron took place a few weeks prior to posting, the 83,000-gross ton ship has been spending the summer operating 4-5 night Bahamian cruises out of Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
The sailings primarily call on Nassau, Bahamas, and Disney’s Lighthouse Point, the cruise line’s new private Destination in the Bahamasthat just opened on June 7, 2024. Longer sailings also include stops at Castaway Cay, Disney’s first private island in the Bahamas.
Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz
But while being a crew member on a Disney ship comes with many perks—including seeing the world and participating in landmark events like the opening of a new private destination—it’s also not easy.
Disney Magic is home to approximately 950 crew members, who commit to working and living on board for three to eight months at a time. According to Disney’s career website, the average contract length is between four to six months.
Working on a cruise ship is not all that luxurious either, especially for an entry level position like waiter or food prep roles.
These positions typically entail long hours with no days off, strict rules to follow, demanding (and sometimes rude) guests, and tiny cabins that are often shared – with no privacy and no windows.
Being away from their families and working in these conditions can certainly take its toll, but these positive guest encounters – such as the one Aaron experienced with Nikki’s family – can provide hope and motivation for crew members when they need it most.
While cruisers may be quite familiar with hailing a taxi or summoning an Uber to drive them around their destinations, most travelers likely haven’t thought of getting around popular ports by boat.
But thanks to Uber Boats, cruisers will have a new way to navigate European destinations beginning this summer – just in time for the peak of the 2024 European cruise season that typically spans from April to October.
While Uber Boats have been around for a while – with Uber Yacht launching in Dubai, UAE, in 2016 and Uber Boats offering $30 rides between the East Bay and San Francisco, California, as early as 2013 – Uber Boats are still a fairly new concept in Europe.
Uber Boats
The transportation company first launched its boat program in Mykonos, Greece, last year, in the summer of 2023 – which was met with much success.
In order to cater to the demand, Uber is expanding its Uber Boat services across Europe, starting with Ibiza, Spain – a beloved island in the Mediterranean Sea.
Beginning in August 2024, cruisers will be able to pre-book a private yacht experience for up to 8 passengers at least 24 hours in advance using Uber Reserve in their Uber App, with reservations first becoming available later this month on July 26.
For €1,600 (euros), or approximately $1,732 (USD), guests will get an 8-hour tour of the White Island onboard a luxurious Sunseeker Yacht with a personal (and knowledgeable skipper), complimentary champagne, and gourmet snacks sourced from local artisans.
Considering other private tours can range from $1,200 upwards to $3,000 or so, sometimes for shorter 4-6 hour tours or group experiences, this is a pretty good deal. Plus, any required transportation to and from Ibiza Town Marina, where the tour embarks, are also included in the price of the experience.
Uber Boats Expands Throughout Europe
The coast of Ibiza isn’t the only place where cruisers can catch a lift from an Uber Yacht or boat.
The program is also coming to Venice, Italy, beginning this month – July 2024 – in the form of “limo boats.”
Despite placing a ban to limit cruise traffic that took effect in August of 2021, the City of Canals is still one of the most popular cruise ports, welcoming upwards of 30,000 to 40,000 visitors on the busiest days.
To help cruisers make the most of their day in port, Uber will offer Limo Boats on demand from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time seven days a week, starting at €120, or about $130, per trip.
Similarly, Uber Boat will expand throughout Greece by the end of July. In addition to Mykonos where the service first launched, Uber Boat will also expand to Athens, Corfu, and Santorini.
MSC Cruises in Venice (Photo Credit: Don Mammoser / Shutterstock)
Considering Greece is another country that is so overwhelmed by cruise tourism that the southeastern country is looking into enacting cruise ship restrictions of its own, the new way to get around will likely help handle the peak season crowds.
In 2023, the Greek ports welcomed more than 7 million cruise passengers across over 5,000 ships – a record breaking 9.41% increase in ship calls and a 51.26% surge in passenger numbers.
Prices will vary by location and demand, but interested guests can book boat rides via the Uber app starting at around €200, or $216.54.
That said, not all Uber Boat experiences will cost a significant chunk of change. This summer, guests visiting Paris, France, are invited aboard all-electric boats to take a free, one-hour cruise down the River Seine.
Throughout the hour, guests will pass by famous landmarks like Notre Dame, the Louvre, and the Eiffel Tower.
The Paris tours will be available from July 12 to August 3, 2024, coinciding with the start of Summer Olympics, which will be held in the City of Light from July 26 to August 11, 2024.
A fight that erupted in the buffet area of Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Paradise in the early morning hours of June 6 has led to a ban for passengers involved. The fight, captured on video and shared on social media, showed several passengers engaged in a violent brawl.
Carnival Cruise Line confirmed their security team intervened during the disturbance as the ship was concluding a five-night Western Caribbean itinerary and returning to its homeport in Tampa, Florida.
The incident reportedly started over verbal altercations among passengers queuing for late-night snacks at the buffet. Nick Richardson, a passenger traveling with his family, captured the turmoil on video.
Carnival Paradise Brawl (Credit: Nick Richardson)
The footage shows approximately 10 to 15 passengers engaging in physical altercations, including throwing chairs and tackling each other to the ground.
After security broke up the fight, the dining area was left in disarray with overturned furniture and broken dishes.
Reflecting its zero-tolerance policy towards such behavior, the cruise line has banned the involved passengers from all future travel.
“As is our policy, we will not tolerate such behavior and the guests involved were fined and will not set sail on Carnival Cruise Line again,” the cruise line tweeted on X.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Code of Conduct emphasizes the importance of a respectful environment aboard its ships. Guests who negatively impact the comfort, enjoyment, safety, or well-being of other guests or crew “will be disembarked at their own expense and banned from sailing on Carnival in the future.”
As Carnival Paradise was at sea for the final leg of a cruise that visited Cozumel, Mexico, and Mahogany Bay in Roatan, Honduras, and was returning to Tampa, the passengers were not disembarked until it arrived in port on June 7. However, the Code of Conduct does state the passengers could have faced confinement to a stateroom until disembarkation.
Violations of the code can also lead to a $500 fine for each guest involved in the altercation, although Carnival did not confirm the fines each passenger received.
Carnival Cruise Line Enforces Conduct Guidelines
Carnival Cruise Line has been proactive in reminding its passengers about expected conduct while on board, especially during peak travel seasons like Spring Break.
The cruise line has issue comprehensive guidelines through “Know Before You Go” emails, which include the necessity of supervising children, keeping noise levels down in hallways, and adhering to the queuing system.
The warnings follow several incidents where disturbances were reported. As a result, Carnival Cruise Line has reiterated and tightened their onboard policies to prevent future issues and maintain a family-friendly and safe environment on their “fun ships.”
As recently as October 20, 2023, a guest aboard a Carnival Magic cruise in New England was assaulted after telling another passenger to quiet down. The man needed stitches for facial lacerations after the other passenger, reported to be drunk at the time, hit the man in the face with a glass. The passenger, also banned from Carnival Cruise Lines, faced criminal charges for the attack.
Additionally, the cruise line has specific rules about onboard amenities and facilities. For example, the use of speakers in public areas is restricted to ensure essential announcements can be heard. Policies also cover seat saving in public areas and the introduction of specific beverage regulations to prevent issues related to alcohol consumption onboard.
Residents of Juneau, Alaska, the state capital, have successfully collected the necessary signatures for a crucial ballot measure aimed at limiting large cruise ship activities.
The initiative, labeled “ship-free Saturdays,” proposes to prohibit cruise ships carrying over 250 passengers from docking on Saturdays and on July 4 each year.
Despite missing the required 2,359 signatures needed to certify the petition by the Clerk’s office in June, the campaign gained the momentum it needed by July 1.
Cruise Ships in Juneau, Alaska (Photo Credit: David Rajter / Shutterstock)
“The Clerk’s office has completed its review of the initiative petition and concludes that with the supplemental signatures submitted, it meets the requirement to obtain 2,359 signatures in order to certify the petition and is therefore considered sufficient,”wrote Elizabeth “Beth” McEwen, CBJ municipal clerk/election official, to Juneau Cruise Control.
The organization is focused on balancing the economic benefits of the cruise industry with the sustainable and controlled development of Juneau.
The letter went on to say that McEwen would be “forwarding this certification to the Assembly,” which has until August 15 to take action.
“Should the Assembly choose not to act, the question will appear on the October 1, 2024, Regular Municipal Election Ballot,” she said.
This would give Juneau residents a chance to officially place a ban on cruise ships, already limited to 16,000 passengers per day and 12,000 on Saturdays per a recent agreement between the city and the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA).
However, the Assembly could “act” by formally rejecting the petition’s proposals, which could result in the residents needing to take legal action to get the initiative on the ballot in October.
Juneau Grapples with Cruise Control
In 2023, Juneau recorded a historic high of 1.6 million visitors, marking a 23 percent increase over the busiest pre-pandemic year, 2019. Residents claim the surge has significantly impacted local life and the natural surroundings that make the city a sought-after cruise destination.
In an attempt to balance cruise tourism with sustainable community objectives, Juneau’s local government and CLIA recently instituted the daily cap on cruise ship passengers for the 2024 season, which runs from late April through the end of October.
In a Memorandum of Agreement, effective May 4, CLIA also committed to providing detailed, quarterly updates on cruise schedules well in advance, minimizing the offloading of bulky waste items, and curtailing their purchase of local drinking water during periods of drought.
Cruise Ships Visiting Juneau, Alaska (Photo Credit: Steve Heap)
However, many local residents argue the measures fall short of addressing the full scope of issues, such as congestion and environmental degradation, as well as their quality of life, thus pushing for tighter restrictions on weekends.
All major cruise lines currently operate in Alaska, with Juneau serving as a key port of call. Last Saturday, July 6, the city welcomed Carnival Cruise Line’s 2,124-passenger Carnival Spirit and 2,866-passenger Carnival Luminosa and Princess Cruises’ 2,600-passenger Grand Princess, all operated by Carnival Corporation. The more than 7,500 passengers that arrived that day does not include crew members.
A recent attempt to get a partial cruise ship ban on the October 1 ballot in Sitka, Alaska, has been rejected three times by its municipal clerk. In that town of only 8,300 residents, residents, are fighting to limit passengers to 4,500 per day, spurred by Juneau’s original success at limiting passenger counts.
On July 4, officials from the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and leaders from Santorini, Greece, agreed to enforce sustainable practices in cruise tourism to preserve the island’s distinctive character and improve the visitor experience.
The high-level meeting, which included CLIA’s Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean, Maria Deligianni, and Santorini’s Mayor, Nikolaos Zorzos, among other local officials, is in response to surging tourism numbers.
Santorini alone experienced a 17% rise in cruise tourism in 2023 compared to the previous year, amounting to 800 cruise ships calls.
CLIA Meeting Over Greece Cruise Limits
Recognizing the strain on local infrastructure and the daily life of island residents, the Greek government wants to better manage the flow of tourists and proposed regulatory changes that include limiting the number of berths available to cruise ships and potentially implementing a bidding process for docking rights.
CLIA and Mayor Zorzos agreed to maintain the island’s daily cap on cruise visitors at 8,000, a policy first established in 2018, currently operating at 75% cruise line capacity.
Said Mayor Zorzos, “We are pleased that the Municipality of Thira discussed and agreed with CLIA the solutions for the sustainable operation of cruising in Santorini, aiming to protect the uniqueness of the destination, as well as the passenger experience.”
Added Deligianni, “Santorini a beautiful location that is extremely popular, and we share the view on the importance of responsible tourism management for the island.”
The recent discussions are part of a broader initiative detailed in CLIA’s Action Plan for Greece, which prioritizes local community benefits while aiming to meet the high expectations of tourists.
Further measures discussed include the implementation of a berth management system, ensuring a transparent and fair berthing policy with clear rules and criteria. This system is designed to distribute cruise ship arrivals more evenly throughout the day and week, thereby preventing congestion and enhancing the visitor experience.
Additionally, the meeting touched on the development of port infrastructure and new berthing locations to facilitate better itinerary planning and open up new destinations within Greece.
Local leaders and CLIA also discussed potential enhancements to the island’s interfaces, which could lead to improved operational efficiencies for cruise lines and a smoother experience for visitors.
Other European destinations have already implemented similar measures. For example, Venice, Italy, has introduced a tourist fee to manage the influx on busy days, while Majorca, Spain, is moving forward with proposals to limit the size and number of cruise ships docking in Palma.
In 2023, Greece saw a significant uptick in cruise tourism with the arrival of 5,230 cruise ships. These ships brought more than 7 million passengers to the Greek Isles, with the cruise season swelling between May and October.
Santorini alone has witnessed up to 10,000 passengers a day descending upon the island of 15,480 residents. It welcomes an average of three to four cruise ships each day. For Greece, the year over year ship arrivals growth was nearly 10% while the passenger jump was more than 50%.
Within the first week of July alone, the Aegean nation welcomed most major cruise lines, including AIDA Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Costa Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Virgin Voyages, Silversea, and MSC Cruises.
Sure, your cruising experience can differ vastly based on where you’re cruising to, the cruise line you’re cruising with and your own personal cruising preferences. However, there are just some cruising activities that are quintessential for a classic cruise experience.
If you’re a new cruiser, getting ready to embark on your very first cruise ever, these are the activities you’ll want to be sure you take part in before your cruise wraps up.
If you’re a long-time cruiser who’s sailed on your fair share of ships, these are the activities you may want to revisit. Maybe you’ve got caught up in all the bells and whistles of modern cruise ships and you’ve forgotten about some of the classic experiences that really make a cruise a cruise.
The fact is, it just isn’t a cruise until you do these nine things.
There’s just something about catching the sunset over the ocean, while on a cruise ship. There’s not a thing between yourself and the horizon. It’s an experience that can’t be matched anywhere on land.
During your cruise, don’t make the mistake of rushing to and fro, ignoring the beauty that awaits just beyond the ship’s side. While yes, there’s plenty to do and see, at all hours, during a cruise, there’s still something majestic simply about being on the ocean at sunset.
Cruise Sunset During Departure (Photo Credit: Wirestock Creators)
So, pick a great spot and settle in to watch the show. Whether you’re on your private balcony, on one of the ship’s top decks or dining at an outdoor restaurant with a great view of the water, make a point to make your way out of doors as the sun sets.
Even better if your ship has a particularly cool spot from which to watch, such as on Royal Caribbean’s North Star. Just be sure to make your way to the side of the ship where the sun is actually setting!
2. Walk the Promenade
Probably the most well-known promenade in the cruising industry, Royal Caribbean has its indoor Royal Promenade, truly a can’t-miss if you’re on a Royal Caribbean cruise. It’s the hub of all activity. It’s the heart of the ship, and it’s where you’ll make your way to find dining, nightlife, watering holes, shops and more.
If you’re on a Royal Caribbean cruise, on a ship that features a Royal Promenade (not all of them do), don’t just briskly walk your way through the promenade to get to this show or that dinner reservation. Really slow down and take it all in.
Promenade (Photo Credit: Jorge Chang)
People watch. Soak up the lively atmosphere. Again, this is an experience you’ll be hard-pressed to find anywhere on land (the only comparable experience that comes to mind is walking along the Vegas strip!).
However, don’t forget that many other major cruise ships have their own promenades, and these promenades aren’t quite the same thing, though the spirit is the same.
Promenade decks were very popular on cruise ships in centuries past and were simple — they were an open-air place to walk around, hang out on a lounger, and see or be seen, with a walkway encircling the entire ship, offering views of the sea beyond. No flashy lights or live entertainment, but still entertaining nonetheless.
Promenade on MSC Virtuosa (Photo Credit: Sergey_Bogomyako)
Nowadays, on particular cruise lines, you can find these outdoor decks have received modern upgrades. They still offer an outdoor walking space and views of the sea, but also access to restaurants and similar venues. This is the case on Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships that feature The Waterfront promenade, for example.
So, whether you’re on a ship that features a flashy indoor promenade, like the Royal Promenade on Royal Caribbean, or you’re on a ship with a more old-school, outdoor promenade, be sure to take at least one turn around the space. It’s not just a walkway to get you to your destination. It’s a destination all on its own.
3. Take a Swim
Don’t think of the cruise ship pool as something similar to your community public pool back home. No, these pools are entirely on another level, befitting a luxury resort.
Yes, some of them are crowded, and you might have to go out of your way to find a quieter cruise ship pool, but taking a swim during your cruise is simply an experience you don’t want to miss.
Whether you want to take a dip in a lively atmosphere with lots of games and activities, or you want to float in a tranquil environment, there’s a cruise ship pool out there with your name on it.
Carnival Cruise Ship Lido Deck Pool (Photo Credit: Dennis MacDonald)
Some of the best cruise ship pools in the biz? Look for quieter, smaller pools in the VIP, suite guest-only areas available on certain ships, such as the Haven pool on Norwegian Cruise Line’s ships.
Even if you’re not a VIP, you can also look for the quieter, smaller pools that exist in the adults-only areas on some ships, as is the case in Royal Caribbean’s adults-only Solarium space (Celebrity Cruises’ likewise has an adults-only space dubbed the Solarium), or Disney Cruise Line’s Quiet Cove.
Some cruise ship pools aren’t necessarily the best due to their elite or exclusive status, but due to their location, like aft pools that provide great views, or infinity pools that provide the same (and which you can find on some Seabourn and Viking ships, respectively).
4. Watch a Show
A classic cruise ship experience includes heading to the theater for a show. Even if you’re not the type to go to the theater or a concert in your day-to-day life, you may just find that doing so while on a cruise is an entirely different experience than what you expected.
Most cruise ships feature Broadway-style shows in their main theaters. However, beyond classic musicals and plays, many also offer shows that incorporate acrobatics, or shows that are more music review than musical. Some cruise ships even offer ice skating shows, as is the case on Royal Caribbean cruises!
Theater (Photo Copyright: Robert McGillivray / Cruise Hive)
Plus, the majority of shows on cruise ships are entirely free to attend. All you need to do is reserve your ticket in advance, if there’s a show you really, really want to see, to ensure you get a seat. Even if you don’t, though, you can still try your luck getting a seat the day-of, and most cruisers report having no problem with this method.
Just trust us on this one — seeing a show during your cruise can be fun, something you totally wouldn’t do at home and a memorable experience that you and your fellow cruisers talk about for years to come.
5. Eat in the Dining Room
This is another classic cruise activity that hearkens back to the early days of cruising, well before we had all sorts of specialty dining options, ranging from food halls to teppanyaki. You need to eat in the cruise ship’s main dining room at least once. Don’t just stop by for breakfast, either. Make a point to go to dinner, for the full experience.
The main dining room is often on the elegant side and offers a multi-course meal. Wait staff are trained to provide the utmost in luxury service. Many cruise lines require a dress code for main dining room dinners, too. This all adds up to a dinner that’s a bit posher than what you might find elsewhere on the ship, while also being entirely free.
Yes, you may have to eat at set times — but what can we say? It’s a classic for a reason.
And don’t even worry about selection. Royal Caribbean’s main dining room sample menu, for example, includes 10 starter options for your first course, nine main course options and nine dessert options.
You can also pay to upgrade to three premium entrée options that include lobster, steak and surf and turf. Additionally, there’s a nice range of menu options that are gluten-free, lactose-free and/or vegetarian.
In short, go to the main dining room for an elegant evening, a great variety of food and no extra fees.
6. Join in On the Daily Activities
During your cruise, check out the cruise ship’s daily schedule (which you can often find on the cruise line’s app) and see what kind of daily activities are on the docket.
Photo Credit: vvoe / Shutterstock
Cruises often plan a wealth of activities for each sea day, with something for every interest. From trivia and bingo to dance classes and wine tastings, there’s always something going on.
See what catches your fancy and be sure to participate in some of this daily fun. The enthusiastic crew members make sure that vibe is always lively and entertaining, and you’ll get to know your fellow cruisers in the process.
7. Attend a Deck Party
From the very first moment you set foot on your cruise ship, the deck parties keep things bumping, with live music, fun themes and free-flowing drinks. So, practice your dance steps and get out there and have some fun.
Carnival Panorama Deck Party (Photo Credit: Ritu Manoj Jethani)
Depending on your cruise line, you can expect the deck parties to really range, and to fit the feel of the overall cruise ship and line. For example, Disney’s cruises offer family-friendly deck parties that the kiddos will enjoy (and you might even spot some classic Disney characters in attendance).
If you’re on a Carnival cruise ship, you might find that the parties are a bit more rambunctious, from the Sail Away Party that includes DJs, dancing and drinks, to the 80s Night Deck Party that features dance contests and plenty of glow sticks.
8. Participate in Formal Night
Depending on your cruise line and the length of your cruise, your cruise ship may host one or multiple formal nights during the cruise itinerary. Whatever the case, if your cruise ship does host a formal night, break out your best attire and strut your stuff. After all, how often do you really get the chance to wear that floor-length dress or a tux?
Cruise Elegant Night (Photo Credit: Ally Lee)
Some cruisers take their formal nights very seriously, dressing to the nines, going to the salon ahead of time, and then spending the night dining and drinking in the main dining room, enjoying what is often a fancier menu.
And there are plenty of photographers at the ready to snap photos of you and your group in your finest! Others go a little more low-key and dress up a smidge (think no shorts and t-shirts), but don’t go all out.
Whatever your level of comfort, consider participating in this cruise ship tradition. Just be sure to check your cruise line’s “formal night” policy ahead of time, so you pack and plan correctly.
For example, Carnival’s formal nights, which are called “Cruise Elegant evenings,” ask that you wear at least dress slacks, shirts and a sport coat for the men, and a cocktail dress, pantsuit or “elegant” blouse and skirt for the ladies. Royal Caribbean, meanwhile, asks for diners to wear black tie apparel, including tuxes, suits and ties, evening gowns and cocktail dresses.
9. Schedule in a Shore Excursion
Yes, the shore excursions can be a bit expensive at times, but if you’ve never visited a destination, a shore excursion can be the perfect opportunity to see a new place with the help of a guide that will ensure you make it back to the ship in time for your departure. Plus, some shore excursions feature activities that you simply can’t book on your own, without the cruise line’s help.
Cruise Shore Excursion
If you’re trying to save on your travel budget, don’t feel like you need to spring for a shore excursion in every single stop along your itinerary — but definitely don’t pass up a bucket list opportunity.
You never know when you’ll be back, and the cruise line makes these experiences easy and convenient, even if they’re not always budget-friendly.
Want to take a lot of shore excursions, but worried about your budget? Consider booking a cruise with a cruise line that includes all your shore excursions in the price of your cruise fare, such as Viking or Silversea Cruises.
