Princess Cruises announced the launch of its exclusive “Sanctuary Collection” aboard the Sun Princess and Star Princess. The new offering features premium accommodations and elevated amenities.
Princess Cruises Details New ‘Sanctuary Collection’ Exclusive Areas
Introducing a new luxury tier aboard the Sun Princess and Star Princess, Princess Cruises has unveiled its Sanctuary Collection. The premier category, debuting in October 2024, will provide passengers access to private areas and high-end amenities on the cruise line’s newest ships.
As part of the Sanctuary Collection, guests will enjoy access to the Sanctuary Club, a spa-inspired retreat on the top deck reserved exclusively for them. The collection also includes various stateroom options designed to offer supreme exclusivity and comfort.
Jon Padgett, president of Princess Cruises, said of the new offerings, “Our new Sanctuary Collection offers guests those ultra-private, tucked-away spaces that rival any high-end resort and surpasses the offerings of comparable cruise lines featuring similar ship-within-a-ship amenities.”
He added that the spacious and well-appointed cabins and premium extras “deliver the ultimate in access and indulgence to deliver an unparalleled experience.”
Sun Princess Sky Suite, part of the Sanctuary Collection (Photo Courtesy: Princess Cruises)
Setting Sail in Style on Sphere Class Cruise Ships
The Sanctuary Collection will first appear onboard the 4,300-passenger Sun Princess in October. Collection guests can access the Sanctuary Club through a private entry with their Princess Medallion. This exclusive area aboard the 177,882-gross-tonnage ship is designed for adults only and offers amenities such as plush lounge furniture, private cabanas, a pool and Jacuzzi, and service focused on relaxation.
The new Sphere-class ship — the largest in the Princess fleet — embarked on its maiden voyage in the Mediterranean in February and is the first Princess cruise ship to be powered by liquified natural gas (LNG). The new luxury collection will be available when Sun Princess begins its winter Caribbean sailings, departing from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale on October 14 on a roundtrip adventure to Puerto Plata/Amber Cove, Dominican Republic, and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos.
Among the ship’s 2,157 passenger cabins, Sun Princess’ Sanctuary Collection will offer three stateroom categories, including 80 suites, 123 mini suites, and 12 deluxe balcony accommodations, all with large balconies. The cabins will spread across three stateroom decks.
Guests will also enjoy a private restaurant with a custom chef’s menu and a dedicated dining room and waitstaff, as well as sunrise yoga classes and special sail-away receptions held in the Sanctuary Club.
Sun Princess Cruise Ship
Sanctuary Collection bookings also receive the Princess Premier all-inclusive package. This package features multi-device Wi-Fi, premium drinks, two specialty dining meals, no-fee anywhere delivery through OceanNow, and pre-paid tips included in the price. The bundle also includes unlimited casual dining, premium desserts, room service delivery, reserved theater seating, and digital images.
The Sanctuary Collection will also debut on Princess Cruises’ second Sphere-class ship, Star Princess, which is currently under construction at Fincantieri shipyard in Italy. Anticipated to set sail in the fall of 2025, the 175,500-gross-tonnage ship mirrors Sun Princess with 2,150 guest cabins and 1,500 balconies. The premier offerings will also include three stateroom choices across three decks.
Star Princess Cruise Ship (Render Credit: Princess Cruises)
Currently, Princess Cruises’ highest premium offerings are through its Reserve Collection, formerly known as Club Class. Available for mini-suite passengers, the Reserve Collection includes premium services and amenities, including expedited seating in the exclusive Reserve Dining area, priority reservations for specialty restaurants, and a bottle of wine and canapes delivered to staterooms.
Passengers who have previously booked Reserve Collection staterooms on Sun Princess and Star Princess will keep their bookings and receive the additional Sanctuary Collection amenities at no additional cost. However, the premier, all-inclusive package will be an additional charge, currently priced at $80 per day per guest.
Two Celebrity Cruises’ ships have called for the first time at Royal Caribbean’s popular Perfect Day at CocoCay destination in the Bahamas, providing guests with a slew of private island experiences.
The 125-acre vacation oasis offers fun activities for children, retreat areas for adults, and plenty of adventures for thrill-seekers.
Private Destination Welcomes First Celebrity Cruises’ Guests
The first Celebrity Cruises’ guests stepped ashore at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the private island destination owned by Royal Caribbean Groups and previously available only to guests sailing aboard Royal Caribbean ships. In July 2023, the parent company announced that the private retreat would be opened up to two ships operated by sister line Celebrity Cruises.
The 3,000-guest Celebrity Reflection and the 3,200-guest Celebrity Beyond, both homeported in Fort Lauderdale, each visited the island on April 22, 2024 and April 23, 2024, respectively. Access to the island was extended after feedback from Celebrity Cruises’ guests indicated a strong desire for a private destination port call.
Both ships are sailing a series of shorter, getaway cruises to the Bahamas and the Western and Eastern Caribbean. CelebrityBeyond includes Perfect Day on her 6-night Western Caribbean itinerary, which also features calls at George Town, Grand Cayman, and Bimini, Bahamas.
Celebrity Reflection offers the private destination on 4-night Key West and Perfect Day at CocoCay cruises and Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay sailings.
“Guest feedback inspired the new shorter Caribbean itineraries, designed to offer year-round opportunities to unwind with loved ones,” said Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises.
“Introducing Perfect Day at CocoCay presents new experiences for Celebrity guests seeking quick beach getaway escapes close to home,” added Bethge.
Coco Beach Club
Guests visiting the island on Celebrity Cruises’ ships have the same services and amenities as those on Royal Caribbean. Onboard beverage packages, for example, will extend to the island, and any activities that require a surcharge, such as renting a private cabana, can be booked in advance using the Celebrity Cruise Planner or the onboard app.
Two ships can dock simultaneously at Perfect Day, and the destination can accommodate up to 6,000 guests. The destination was formerly known as Great Stirrup Cay and was renamed Perfect Day at CocoCay in 2019, following a $250 million renovation.
Top attractions at Perfect Day include Hideaway Beach, an adult-only area. Within that space, guests can buy day passes to Coco Beach Club, which features access to an exclusive private beach, a clubhouse, an infinity pool, and the Coco Beach Club restaurant.
Guests seeking an even more exclusive experience can rent private over-water cabanas, with overwater hammocks and individual slides into the island’s turquoise waters.
Celebrity Cruises, Perfect Day at CocoCay (Photo Credit: EWY Media / Shutterstock)
Adventure activities include the Up, Up and Away balloon ride that gives guests a view of the island from a height of 450 feet; DareDevil’s Peak, the tallest waterslide in North America; Oasis Lagoon, the largest freshwater pool in the Bahamas; 13 waterslides; and a 1,600-foot zip line.
The destination is one of two private retreats operated by Royal Caribbean Group. The second is Labadee, located on the north coast of Haiti, where gang warfare and civil unrest have upended the government.
Royal Caribbean has cancelled all calls to Labadee through May. The itineraries of several ships slated to call at the destination were altered, and the cruise line is monitoring the security situation on the island nation.
Labadee offers a wide range of activities and destinations, such as Adrenaline Beach, Dragon’s Beach, Nellie’s Beach, Columbus Cove, and Buccaneer’s Bay. An exclusive Barefoot Beach Club is reserved for Pinnacle Club members.
Norwegian Cruise Line has reached out to guests booked aboard the April 29, 2024 departure of Norwegian Getaway from New York to alert them to a delay with the ship’s return to her homeport.
This will impact embarkation times, and guests are urged to ensure they arrive within the new embarkation window for smooth and efficient boarding.
Norwegian Getaway Delayed
Norwegian Getaway will not be arriving in New York as early as originally planned on Monday, April 29. Guests and travel agents have been notified of the approximately two-hour delay, and how it will impact embarkation arrangements for that day’s departure.
“Due to global maritime regulations, as well as whale zone speed restrictions enroute from Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic to New York City, Norwegian Getaway’s arrival into New York City on April 29, 2024 has been delayed by two hours,”the email explained.
The ship will now arrive at 10 a.m., and embarkation will be from 12-4 p.m. Originally, the ship was to have arrived closer to 8 a.m. To be clear, there are no technical difficulties with the ship and this delay is not a result of any mechanical problems in any way.
Guests are further advised not to arrive before noon to embark the ship to ensure a smooth embarkation with less congestion for both debarking and embarking guests.
“Please note, any guest that arrives prior to 12:00 p.m. may be turned away,”the email explains.
Travelers who have booked pre-cruise transfers from the airport to the cruise terminal through Norwegian Cruise Line will have their transfer times automatically adjusted. Transfers will now begin at 10 a.m. to coincide with the new embarkation window, accounting for traffic and travel time from nearby airports to the terminal.
Because the 145,655-gross-ton, Breakaway-class vessel can welcome 3,963 travelers at double occupancy (and hundreds more when fully booked with all berths filled), there may be 10,000 guests or more moving through one cruise terminal in just a few hours. It is best to permit debarking guests to leave the area before embarking guests arrive.
Norwegian Getaway will set sail at 6 p.m. on her 14-night transatlantic cruise to Southampton, UK. Along the way, the ship is planned to visit ports of call in Canada, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, and France before arriving in Southampton on Monday, May 13.
At this time, there are no changes expected to the ship’s overall itinerary other than the embarkation adjustment.
Norwegian Getaway will remain in Europe through mid-October, offering departures from Southampton, Barcelona, Athens, and Lisbon. The majority of the ship’s summer season will be in the Greek Isles, visiting iconic destinations such as Istanbul, Mykonos, and Santorini.
When she returns to North America, the ship will homeport from New Orleans with Western Caribbean itineraries visiting Cozumel, Costa Maya, Belize, and Roatan.
Why the Delay?
The reason for Norwegian Getaway‘s delay in returning to New York is due to “whale zone speed restrictions.” This likely includes various risk zones established to protect critically endangered North Atlantic right whales.
Norwegian Getaway Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: Dennis Gross)
While such zones typically only extend five nautical miles out to sea from coastal areas and busy harbors, different zone restrictions may also be in place along Norwegian Getaway‘s route, particularly in the Caribbean.
Slower speed zones are often established in sensitive maritime environments, such as Glacier Bay, Alaska and throughout the Alaskan corridor, the Norwegian fjords, and many similar coastal areas worldwide.
Slower speeds permit wildlife to more easily move away from a cruise ship when they sense its disturbance. A ship traveling at lower speeds can also maneuver more easily to avoid wildlife collisions, and is more fuel efficient to have fewer emissions that may pollute a delicate environment.
In response to guest concerns, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador John Heald has explained exactly how anyone unexpectedly rescued at sea is treated once they are aboard a Carnival cruise ship.
Furthermore, Heald stresses that the safety of life at sea is not only maritime law, but a guiding principle of Carnival Cruise Line.
Unexpected Reaction to At-Sea Rescues
Just days ago, Carnival Paradise rescued 27 refugees in distress near Cuba, ensuring that all individuals were safely brought aboard the cruise ship, their immediate needs tended to, and the proper authorities notified.
These types of rescues are not frequent, but are also not uncommon, and cruise ship crews are often praised for their commitment to safeguarding life at sea and rendering such aid. In fact, earlier this month, the captain and crew of Carnival’s Mardi Gras were honored for such a rescue in treacherous weather in 2022.
Not everyone, however, is pleased with such rescues, as Carnival Cruise Line’s Brand Ambassador John Heald has discovered as guests have reacted to such incidents with less-than-impressed comments on his Facebook page.
While most reactions were positive and praised the team aboard Carnival Paradise for their life-saving actions, others were critical of the decision, indicating that refugees should not be welcomed aboard or even assisted.
While Heald has been subjected to similar comments in the past, the number of comments and the unkindness of the reactions have prompted him to explain and clarify how cruise ships react to these incidents.
“It is maritime law that we rescue people in peril on the sea. That’s the first thing,”Heald explained.
John Heald
When a small craft is noticed in distress, a cruise ship will immediately slow, turn, and stop to render assistance. This might involve providing supplies such as fuel, food, or water, or else bringing the occupants aboard the cruise ship if their craft is not seaworthy or the situation is dire.
“There are stringent and well-practiced safety and security protocols when these rescues are carried out,” Heald emphasized.
“The refugees are not allowed anywhere but the medical centre and an area on a crew deck where they are always under watch from our Security team. They are not allowed to be in any guest areas, obviously, and all security and medical precautions are undertaken before they are handed over to United States Coast Guard.”
This should dispel the idea that any refugees get a “free cruise” once rescued. While they are cared for, they do not have access to all the ship’s amenities, do not enjoy the nightly entertainment, and are not permitted to explore the ship freely.
What Would Cruisers Do?
Heald does implore guests to consider a different situation, such as if they were a ship’s captain and saw a group of refugees in distress, calling and signaling for help. Would it be so easy to leave them behind, knowing they would not survive much longer?
“Carnival Cruise Line will always help all people of all nations who need lifesaving rescue at sea. We are true to that principle and that will never change,”Heald said.
These sentiments are sure to be held by other cruise lines as well, as all cruise lines respond immediately to any distress and offer assistance to small craft in need.
Cruise travelers should note that at every port of call, they are welcomed into a foreign country with the best of hospitality from a different culture. How would it feel to have a cruise ship in terrible distress turned away from a port, risking lives with help within reach, but refused?
Kindness is always welcome, and while stopping for a refugee rescue might be a very minor delay or inconvenience on a cruise vacation, the saving of life is always worthwhile.
It wasn’t so long ago that Carnival Imaginationwas sailing on the high seas. Even into early 2020, cruisers were enjoying this ship’s retro vibes and the family-friendly appeal that had subsisted even despite the ship’s age. However, that all changed later on in the year, when Carnival sent the ship off to be scrapped, in August of 2020.
Despite the fact that Carnival Imaginationis no longer around, though (and probably for good reason; at this point, the ship would’ve been 30-ish years old), it still holds a spot in the hearts of avid cruisers who remember a simpler time, before cruise ships turned into mega cruise ships, with 20-plus restaurants, roller coasters and surfing simulators.
Want to see what you missed? Here’s everything you need to know about this former Fantasy-class cruise ship.
Carnival Imagination was benched by the cruise line in mid-2020. At that time, Carnival had not announced the ship would be retired, but, by August 2020, the ship was headed for the scrapyard in Aliaga, Turkey. The ship arrived there in September and scrapping began in early 2023.
Carnival Imagination Stats
So how did this ship stack up, in comparison to the seemingly larger-than-life ships that we see today? Overall, Carnival Imagination is on the compact side.
Gross Tonnage: 70,367 GT
Length: 855 feet
Passenger capacity: 2,040 (double occupancy)
Maximum passenger capacity: 2,634
Crew: 920 members
Total decks: 14
Decks open to passengers: 10
Cabins: 1,026
The ship is very similar in size and style to its Fantasy-class sister ships, which include Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Ecstasy, Carnival Elation, Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Paradise and Carnival Sensation.
These eight ships debuted in the 1990s, and today, only two of the ships are still in operation: Carnival Elation and Carnival Paradise (so if you read up on what all Carnival Imagination offered and wish you could’ve experienced it for yourself, book a cruise on either of these two sister ships!).
Construction
This ship was built by Kvaerner-Masa in Helsinki, Finland. Fun fact: The construction of the eight Fantasy-class ships was considered one of the most expensive shipbuilding projects in the world at the time, not including ships built for naval purposes. It took nearly a decade to build all of the Fantasy-class ships.
Construction on Carnival Imagination began in June 1993, before the ship was completed and christened in the summer of 1995. The ship was christened by Jodi Dickinson, who was married to Carnival CEO Bob Dickinson at the time.
Carnival Imagination
Fantasy-class ships, and Carnival Imagination in particular, offered some unique features for the decade. For example, Fantasy-class ships were the last cruise ships to only store their lifeboats on the upper deck. Additionally, Carnival Imagination was the first ship in the fleet to offer a 24-hour pizzeria! Furthermore, all Fantasy-class ships were a little light on balcony staterooms, with this cabin category at a minimum.
After Carnival Imagination’s debut, it served a variety of itineraries, with a special focus on the U.S. West Coast, offering trips from Long Beach to Catalina Island and Baja California. These cruises have typically been relatively short, only three or four days in length.
Ship Dry Docks
Over its lifetime, Carnival Imagination has undergone renovations several times, with the most major renovations taking place in 2007 and 2016. The latter helped bring the ship up to standards that helped it serve cruisers into 2020.
In 2007, the Fantasy-class ships, including Carnival Imagination, began receiving the Carnival Cruise Lines’ “Evolutions of Fun” upgrades, a fleet-wide initiative that cost quite multiple millions, but that took Carnival’s ships into a new age of cruising. Standout features that were added to ships at this time included the WaterWorks water parks, miniature golf courses and new amenities in staterooms, such as flat-screen televisions.
Aerial View of Carnival Imagination
In 2016, the ship’s multi-million-dollar renovations took place during a three-week dry dock, Sept. 4–22. These later renovations heavily focused on adding new venues to the ship, including Guy’s Burger Joint, BlueIguana Cantina, RedFrog Rum Bar, Alchemy Bar, BlueIguana Tequila Bar and Cherry on Top. These brands and venues are all still seen on Carnival’s cruise ships today, and helped Carnival Imagination remain relevant for at least a few more years.
Cabins
There were 1,026 cabin options aboard Carnival Imagination, of which very few have balconies. This was the case across all the Fantasy-class ships, making them stand out quite a bit from today’s modern cruise ships, which prioritize balconies and offer unique features that elevate the balcony experience (such as indoor-outdoor living spaces and verandas).
There were more than 50 suites and 19 types of cabins to choose from in all, with the large majority being interior staterooms and ocean-view staterooms. The largest cabins available were the Grand Suites, with 330 interior square feet and room for up to five cruisers. Grand Suites offered large seating areas and bathrooms, with separate showers and tubs, including whirlpool soaking tubs.
Venues
Another factor that made Fantasy-class ships stand apart from more modern vessels was the limited number of dining options. You wouldn’t find 20-plus restaurants here. Instead, the cruise ship offered its main dining room, the Lido buffet, a sushi bar, Guy’s Burger Joint and BlueIguana Cantina. Both of these last two were added to the ship during its 2016 dry dock.
The ship did offer some Carnival-classic dining experiences, though, such as the Chef’s Table experience, wherein a limited number of cruisers enjoy an intimate chef-led dinner, as well as the Seuss at Sea experience for families with small kids.
Photo Courtesy: Carnival Cruise Line
The ship offered a range of lounges, bars and music venues for adults, as well, plus the Serenity adults-only space on one of the decks, with its 100 lounge chairs and a whirlpool. Watering holes included the Mirage Piano Bar for tunes and spirits; BlueIguana Tequila Bar for Mexican-themed, poolside drinks; Alchemy Bar for professionally-created cocktails; and Shangri La Lounge and Bar for karaoke and a dance floor.
A fitness center was also available, as well as a jogging track. The spa included a relaxation room, steam room and sauna, in addition to the typical treatment rooms, as well as a salon offering haircuts and colors, styling, manicures, pedicures and more.
For the kiddos, Camp Carnival (the original name for today’s Camp Ocean) offered programming for the younger children in your crew, while the preteen and teen-centric clubs provided a safe, chaperoned space for their age set, without too much adult intervention.
Carnival Imagination WaterWorks
For fun in the sun, the WaterWorks Aqua Park provided waterslides and a splash zone, while, nearby, the sports courts offered basketball, volleyball, ping pong and miniature golf. In total, the ship boasted three pools, along with seven jacuzzies.
This ship did feature a casino, with all the favorite games, including tournaments, slots, table games, poker, black jack and more. The casino housed a bar as well.
Decor
While this ship did undergo refurbishments multiple times over its long life, including as recently as 2016, those refurbishments didn’t really help bring the ship out of the 90s very much.
It seems the ship’s dry docks were more so focused on adding new venues, like restaurants and bars, than majorly overhauling the ship’s interiors. Think very 90s-esque carpet and wallpaper, and classic Carnival colors like burnt orange, red, yellow and blue. There was a fair amount of neon, too, in spaces like the Grand Atrium — imagine the heyday of 1980s or 1990s mall culture.
In short, anyone who’s more accustomed to sailing on the newest, biggest, fanciest, or most luxurious ships would find the décor on Carnival Imagination sorely lacking or even off-putting. That said, when it first debuted, this ship would’ve been top of the line, and no one would’ve ever questioned its aesthetic!
Carnival Imagination Scrapping
As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic and the cruising industry’s abrupt halt in response, Carnival planned to indefinitely lay up some of its ships, including multiple Fantasy-class ships. The cruise line told investors that the group of ships chosen for this purpose would only include its “less efficient” ships.
However, that indefinite halt in service turned into a full retirement and Carnival announced that it would sell several of the impacted ships, including Carnival Imagination, later in 2020.
Following, Carnival Imagination traveled to Cuaracao, where the ship was stripped of some of its pieces, then sent off to Aliaga, in Turkey, for further scrapping. The ship arrived in Turkey on Sept. 14, 2020. However, the ship was not immediately dismantled. The ship waited several more years, with rumors of potential purchases of various elements of the ship swirling, until, finally, scrapping began in February 2023.
Was Carnival Imagination a Good Ship?
When Carnival Imagination first debuted in 1995, it was a top-of-the-line cruise ship. The Fantasy class overall was considered impressive, and some of the best cruise ships in the world at the time. However, the cruising industry moves quickly and, soon enough, Carnival Imagination was considered a little outdated.
That said, the ship, thanks to multiple major renovations, did still retain its appeal for certain cruisers, for quite a long time. The ship managed to still compete with newer ships throughout the 2000s.
Photo Credit: Lisa Bronitt / Shutterstock.com
However, eventually, the ship was more of a vintage experience, something that would only appeal to cruisers who specifically wanted that 1990s cruising vibe, or cruisers who wanted an affordable, short cruise experience from the West Coast, and who didn’t necessarily need or want all of the fancy, luxurious bells and whistles that came with newer cruise ships.
So, was Carnival Imagination a good ship? Definitely — but only inarguably for a time, and then the ship lost some of its luster, just as is the case with any cruise ship.
Carnival Imagination Cruise Ship FAQ:
How many pools were on the Carnival Imagination?
There were three pools aboard Carnival Imagination. This was in addition to the ship’s seven jacuzzies, and included the resort-style pool on Deck 10 and the WaterWorks pool on Deck 11.
How big was the Carnival Imagination?
The ship had a gross tonnage of 70,367 GT and length of 855 feet. There are 14 decks and a total guest capacity of 2,634 passengers and 920 crew members.
What ships are in the same class as Carnival Imagination? Carnival Imagination was a Fantasy-class cruise ship. As such, it had seven sister ships, with only two still in service as of April 23, 2024. Sister ships included Carnival Paradise, Carnival Elation, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Fascination, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Fantasy.
The first Royal Beach Club is officially under construction as Royal Caribbean International broke ground on April 22, 2024 for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, an exclusive destination in Nassau.
This milestone was celebrated by VIPs from the cruise line, parent company Royal Caribbean Group, and The Bahamas, with great enthusiasm for the club’s anticipated opening in 2025.
Royal Beach Club Paradise Island Now Under Construction
The official groundbreaking ceremony for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island was held on Monday, April 22, with officials commemorating the event with remarks and great hope for their continued partnership to bring a fantastic, authentic experience to visitors.
“Marking more than the beginning of the construction process, today’s groundbreaking event symbolizes partnership, momentum and continued economic development for so many Bahamian entrepreneurs and the entire community,”said Jason Liberty, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group.
“We are grateful to our partners for their support, especially the Bahamian government, who stand with us here today in celebration of what is to come.”
Local Bahamian businesses, retailers, artisans, and workers will all be part of the construction and the future experiences at Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, which will include an array of dining options, entertainment, music, activities and more that embody local culture and history.
Royal Caribbean’s New Beach Club Breaks Ground
Hundreds of local jobs will be supported by the new destination, not only in the short term with the physical construction, but also in the long term as thousands of guests may visit each day. This helps drive greater economic impact for the local community, cementing a partnership with Royal Caribbean that began more than 50 years ago.
“With the signing of this Heads of Agreement for the development of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, we embark on this project to further enhance the vitality of our tourism product,”said Honorable Philip Davis, Prime Minister of The Bahamas.“Even more importantly, we take a bold step toward greater Bahamian empowerment in the tourism industry.”
Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
What Will the New Club Offer?
Few overall details have yet been released about the new destination, which is located on the west end of Paradise Island, just across the harbor from the Nassau Cruise Port. A ferry ride from the port will bring guests to Royal Beach Club Paradise Island, while a ride through historic downtown Nassau will return guests to the pier to reboard their ships after visiting.
What is known is that great care is being taken to craft an authentic Bahamian experience for visitors, showcasing the unique and vibrant culture of The Bahamas.
Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
Bahamians will own up to 49% equity in the development, ensuring a strong local voice for the features and experiences offered at the destination. This will include outstanding music, food, entertainment, activities, tours, and more to help guests enjoy all The Bahamas has to offer.
“The beauty and charm of the island are why we chose to debut the Royal Beach Club Collection in Nassau, and with the collaboration and support of local entrepreneurs and the wider community, we know that what we create will far exceed everything we imagined,”said Michael Bayley, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International.
The project covers 17 acres of island space, the project is designed to provide the “ultimate beach experience” for visitors. Early renderings show exquisite stretches of sandy beach, native plants, private cabanas, a children’s water play area, and more.
Royal Caribbean’s Royal Beach Club Paradise Island
Three pools, swim up bars, dining options, and other amenities are also part of the new destination.
Furthermore, Royal Beach Club Paradise Island will be a very environmentally sound development, using 100% renewable energy by 2030, minimizing the impact on the marine environment with no dredging and no overwater cabanas, restoring local habitat, and taking multiple steps to dramatically reduce waste.
The exact opening date for Royal Beach Club Paradise Island has not yet been announced, but it is projected to welcome its first guests in 2025. Further details, itineraries, and additional information is sure to be released in the coming months.
A passenger aboard Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Valor submitted a letter detailing an upsetting experience at the ship’s security check for packing a portable washing machine. The incident sparked a conversation about the ship’s prohibited items list and onboard safety measures.
Wash and Worry
During a recent Caribbean voyage on Carnival Valor in March, a passenger, referred to only as “L,” and her mother were summoned to what she referred to as “the naughty room” to address a peculiar item found in their luggage. The duo attempted to bring a Kuppet portable washing machine on their cruise but were summoned to the ship’s security check area on Deck 0.
The portable machine, which connects to a standard kitchen faucet for water and plugs into an electrical outlet, is often lightweight and sold online on Amazon and at stores like Walmart. It typically requires 110 volts to operate, which is standard on North American cruise ships.
“L” detailed her experience in a message to John Heald, Carnival Cruise Line Brand Ambassador, expressing feelings of humiliation and criminal treatment during the inspection process.
“We were treated like criminals and degraded,” she wrote. “I hope Carnival will be more sympathetic to people and do away with this humiliating experience.”
In his response, Heald expressed regret over the distressed caused, clarifying the intentions behind the security protocols. “Thank you and I am so sorry ‘L’ that this happened to you, but the team were doing their jobs and I promise the intention was not to ‘humiliate you,’” Heald replied.
Understanding Onboard Safety Measures
Carnival Cruise Line, like many others in the industry, maintains a specific list of prohibited items on board their ships to ensure the safety and comfort of all passengers. This list, available on Carnival’s official website, includes a variety of objects ranging from irons and steamers to certain types of sporting equipment and electrical appliances, such as portable washing machines.
The reasoning behind such prohibitions concerns safety. For example, items that generate heat or use high wattage can pose significant fire hazards in a cruise ship’s confined and highly controlled environment.
Similarly, items that could be used as weapons are banned to prevent any harm to passengers. Security checks are designed to intercept these items.
Bringing prohibited items aboard can lead to delays during the boarding process, and can even impact the overall cruise experience, as seen in ‘L’s’ case.
Carnival Valor Cruise Ship (Photo Credit: The Hungarian Sailor)
Carnival, ironically, is one of the few cruise lines offering self-service launderettes on stateroom decks. The 2,980-passenger Carnival Valor, for example, features a laundry room on the Riviera deck. Other cruise lines without self-service laundry may offer laundry service for a fee.
Carnival’s response to “L’s” experience highlights the delicate balance cruise lines must maintain between enforcing necessary safety measures and ensuring a positive and respectful environment for their guests. As Heald acknowledged the letter on his Facebook page, he asked other passengers to acknowledge what items they may have taken on a cruise.
Many cruisers admitted to having power cords, hair dryer/brush combinations, and weapons they forgot they had on them. Carnival and other cruise lines encourage passengers to review the prohibited items list thoroughly before packing for a voyage.
A policy of which rumors have been spreading for more than a year has now been confirmed by Amsterdam city council, although with some tweaks.
In the next five years, the city intends to slash the number of river cruise arrivals by half, to a maximum of 1,150 calls per year by 2028. The city council has stated that the number of river cruises that visit the Dutch capital city has nearly doubled since 2011, causing mass tourism, pollution, and congestion.
Amsterdam Cruise Limits A Reality
Amsterdam ranks among Europe’s top destinations for both ocean-going and river cruise ships. However, the substantial increase in cruise arrivals has presented significant challenges for the city. In response, the council has decided to restrict the number of river cruise ships permitted to dock within the city limits.
In a statement, Amsterdam City Council states that between 2011 and 2023, the number of calls jumped from 1,327 to 2,125, bringing with them 500,000 cruise passengers. The council believes that the city should aim to become more livable, with limiting river cruise ships being one of the measures that will go into effect.
Amsterdam City Council:“Amsterdam must be and remain liveable, for residents and visitors. That is why we take measures to combat over-tourism. We want to halve the number of river cruise ships in the city within 5 years to a maximum of 1,150 in 2028. Fewer river cruises means less crowds and more quality of life.”
To lower the environmental impact, Amsterdam also intends to implement additional limitations on the river cruise ships that are allowed to visit the city. This includes only allowing ships that have shore-power capabilities.
“River cruises contribute to the crowds and emissions in the city, with tourists, overnight stays, bus movements, and supply traffic. River cruises remain part of the Amsterdam visitor economy. We focus on the most sustainable ships that have a connection for green shore power,”the council continued.
Economic Impact of River Cruises
One reason that Amsterdam intends to limit the river cruise ships is because the council feels the river ships have a low economic impact. The peak season for cruise ship arrivals in Amsterdam is not during the summer but rather in April and early May.
The surge is due to passengers eager to witness the tulips that bloom this time of year. According to the city council, these visitors often do not explore Amsterdam’s city center. Instead, they board a bus for a day trip to Keukenhof, located about 25 miles from the city.
Amsterdam River Cruising (Photo Credit: FabianIrwin / Shutterstock)
However, several local stakeholders believe the council is barking up the wrong tree. River cruise ships use Amsterdam as a homeport for cruises down the Rhine River, and those guests typically stay in the city’s 4- and 5-star hotels.
Every year, this results in about 380,000 tourists extending their stay for a few days before or after their cruise. The limit will bring this down to an estimated 217,000, and a loss of income of around 63 million euros.
Is Amsterdam Banning The Wrong Guests?
On top of everything, those sailing onboard the river cruise ships are hardly the type of guests that Amsterdam has tried to ban for several years, those that come for the coffee shops and red light district.
Luxury Hotels of Amsterdam, a partnership of 25 hotels: “These visitors, who often use our hotels for pre- and post-visits, are known as valued guests who do not cause any nuisance, but rather contribute to the city’s cultural heritage.”
“This measure is really for the stage. We don’t leave those beds empty, because other guests come back who may treat the city less respectfully.”
Even though the economic impact is significant, and the loss of employment for some 700 people, Amsterdam City Council still believes it is making the right choice.
Councilor Hester van Buren said to Het Parool: “This is about the hustle and bustle in the city and the total picture. It is also one of the hundred measures we take. And we also want tourists who do come on the river cruise to have a pleasant experience of the city.”
Limiting cruise ships, be it for the supposed over-tourism it creates or a perceived environmental impact, is a measure that Amsterdam is, perhaps, taking a little too lightly. The potential loss of income and jobs, combined with the reality that other forms of tourism are a far bigger issue, means it might not be the most logical or effective solution.
With new cruise ships getting larger and larger, it can be more and more confusing to find your way around from forward to aft, port to starboard, and deck to deck.
There are tricks, however, that can help you find your way around even the world’s largest ships with ease, whether you will be onboard for just three nights, a full week, or even longer.
Why You Need to Find Your Way Around a Cruise Ship?
Cruise ships have a lot to offer, from fun activities to unique venues to outstanding shows. Many events and activities, however, may be one-time-only and if you can’t find your way to the right spot, you could miss out.
Furthermore, being late to dining times, spa appointments, or show performances might forfeit your reservation, without a refund for any paid activities or any opportunity to make it up if other time slots are already full.
Fortunately, there are great ways to find your way around the ship right away, so you don’t end up by the pool when you were aiming for the lounge or you stumble across the pizzeria instead of the spa.
Preview Your Paths
Once you book a cruise, you can begin learning your way around the ship, even if your cruise is weeks, months, or more than a year away.
Deck Plan on Cunard’s Queen Victoria (Photo Credit: David Dennis / Shutterstock)
Take advantage of online deck plans, photo galleries, and virtual tours to get a sense of how to get around and what the ship looks like overall. Even if you have booked a guaranteed cabin category and don’t have an exact cabin assignment, you can still learn the major routes from one end of the ship to the other as well as where key features of the ship – lounges, dining areas, pools, etc. – are located.
Especially note deck numbers of top venues, as well as figure out where elevator banks are located so you can quickly move from place to place around the ship without difficulty.
Follow the Signs
Cruise ships are designed with helpful features to help passengers find their way around with ease. You may be given a map of the ship on embarkation day, and you should keep it with you for instant reference. Similarly, cruise line apps typically have deck plans available, so you can always have a map of the ship at your fingertips.
Elevators on Celebrity Beyond (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
There are often deck plans near elevators, and there should be an emergency map or even full deck plans on the back of your cabin door. Some cruise lines also have interactive, touchscreen deck plans available at major intersections, such as near elevator banks or large lounges.
Hallways are often labeled with arrows and other signage to help you instantly see which way is fore and aft, and public areas will have more signs to note the direction of lounges, clubs, shops, casinos, and other features. Use these signs liberally and even if you get turned around, you won’t be lost for long.
Learn the Landmarks
Every cruise ship has key features that make great landmarks for finding your way around or setting up as meeting spots for a family or group. Get familiar with the grand staircase or main atrium, casino, lobby desks, photo gallery, or your favorite café to orient yourself around the ship.
Unusual and notable artwork, a piano where a live band typically plays, an oversized statue, or even a colorful mural can be useful to learn your way around. Take careful note of these landmarks and you’ll know right where you are every time you see them. Even better, make sure you find such a landmark on every deck!
Discover the Main Road
All cruise ships have a “main road” for passengers to get around quickly. It may be just on one side of the ship, it could be a central promenade, or it may make a complete circle around a deck, but this is the deck where many public areas are found – lounges, shops, galleries, dining rooms, cafes, etc.
Generally, there are no or very few cabins or staterooms on this deck. Learn which deck this is by name and number, and once you’re there you can get to many different places quickly and with as few stairs as possible.
Even better, most larger ships have more than one such main road deck – one may be inside, usually on a lower deck, while another is outside on an upper deck where more outdoor bars, pools, waterslides, and casual eateries are located. Learn both main pathways, and you’ll always have an easy way around the ship.
Enjoy the Exploration
The very best way to learn your way around your ship is to use any extra minutes to enjoy exploring its nooks and crannies – and today’s cruise ships have a lot of such spots!
Try taking a different route from your cabin to the dining room, or take a stroll around a deck you haven’t visited yet before the nightly show. Try a stairway or corridor you haven’t used before, and you just might discover a useful shortcut, an easier path, or a new favorite spot to hang out.
Odyssey of the Seas Open Deck (Photo Credit: Melissa Mayntz)
Do note, however, that you should never cross into any closed area or areas marked for crew or team members only. Some areas will be temporarily closed for maintenance or safety, while others will always be off limits. Instead, find a different pathway to enjoy.
Don’t Be Afraid to Ask
If you are having trouble finding your way around, don’t hesitate to ask a crew member – any crew member – for guidance, no matter where you may be lost.
All crew members live on the ship for weeks or months at a time, and they know every step of every deck. Any crew member can offer directions to point you in the right way for just where you want to go, and a polite please or thank you may even get you a new secret path to get there even faster!
