Latest news with #SunPrincess
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
Forget the buffet: Here's why a cruise should be on your vacation bucket list
Many people flock to cruise ships for their vacation because you get everything you want and need in one place: multiple ports of call, spas, pools, live entertainment and, of course, buffets. For some, however, buffets are a deterrent, and many cruise ships are starting to realize they may not be what passengers want anymore. The realization couldn't come at a better time, as travelers are increasingly choosing cruise travel over land-based vacations, according to June 2024 research from JP Morgan, which noted that consumers are more and more "focused on value within discretionary categories, with the value spread between cruises and land-based alternatives standing at 25-30% today versus 10-15% pre-pandemic." As a result, cruise operators are overhauling their fleets and on-board offerings to appeal to these consumers. In April 2024, Norwegian Cruise Line placed its largest ship order ever to meet rising demand. And Disney announced at its D23 fan event last August that it will expand its cruise fleet to 13 ships by 2031. Cruise lines are also getting creative with their dining solutions to accommodate guests who favor a more selective experience in lieu of a massive standard buffet. Aboard Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, the latest ship added to the cruise line's fleet, you'll still find grandiose dining rooms and a buffet, however, guests are offered a served buffet rather than a serve-yourself concept. The cruise line has also teamed up with some of the top chefs from around the world to curate its unique dining experiences. The ship boasts over 30 restaurants and bar venues with celebrity collaborators, including mixologist Rob Floyd, world-renowned artist Romero Brito, supermodel Tyra Banks, famed butcher Dario Cecchini and many others. "We wanted to bring a new taste and flair to our guests," said Sami Kohen, vice president of food and beverage operations for Princess Cruises. "The cruise line industry has been around since the early 1960s and the traditional dining room is part of our dining choices, but it's not the primary one that we want to implement." Take Makoto Ocean, for example, an edomae-style sushi restaurant aboard the Sun Princess. Chef Makoto Okuwa, a famed Japanese chef known for his brick-and-mortar restaurant in Miami Beach, has brought his culinary talents to the high seas, serving his delicious sushi and specialty dishes to cruise guests. Another unique addition to the Sun Princess is Spellbound by Magic Castle. The members-only concept -- the original clubhouse is located in Los Angeles -- is now giving passengers a sneak preview of its sumptuous dining, extravagant cocktails, and magical entertainment aboard the cruise ship, treating them to "incredible feats of magic from talented magicians, surprises in themed rooms and theatrical cocktails delivered by sleight-of-hand servers," according to a press release. Meanwhile aboard the Disney Treasure, Disney's latest vessel and sister ship to the Disney Wish, the company is taking immersive experiences to a whole new level. The Treasure's Haunted Mansion bar is the first bar of its kind in the cruise line's fleet. The ship is the first vessel to incorporate storylines found in Disney theme parks into new experiences found on-board. Unique light shows, spooky handcrafted cocktails, and even appearances from Madame Leota herself are just some of the sneaky surprises you can expect from this elevated, adults-only experience. Over at Plaza de Coco, the Treasure is taking dinner and a show to a whole new level. Once you walk past a long corridor, you feel like you're no longer aboard a ship and have been transported to a plaza en La Ciudad de México (Mexico City). With authentic Mexican cuisine and delicious handcrafted cocktails paired with an incredible mariachi show and entertainment from Disney and Pixar's famous animated film "Coco," you'll surely be celebrating Dia de los Muertos with your newfound familia. "When you think about the entertainment part of it, I haven't been to a place where you can actually have live music and entertainment and have a menu like this where we are putting all these Mexican touches," said Disney Cruise Lines food and beverage expert Isai Coca. In addition to elevated dining experiences, travelers are also seeking greater flexibility. Many cruise lines are doing away with the concept of seated dinners and giving control back to passengers so they can plan their days accordingly, whether they're looking to do a little remote work, spend an extra hour at the pool, or just head back to their cabin for a midday nap. Carlos Justina, food and beverage director aboard the Sun Princess, says that giving control back to passengers when it comes to when they want to eat, plus the use of technology with the Princess App, actually helps the company to adequately prepare and deliver a stronger experience to guests. If you're moving on from the cruise vacations of yesteryear or are simply looking to embrace a fresh, experiential concept, cruise lines are listening -- and chances are, you'll find what you're looking for.
Vancouver Sun
05-05-2025
- Vancouver Sun
In my Princesss Cruise era
Article content Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article content I didn't want to do much more than lounge in a deck chair when I planned my cruise on Discovery Princess. Yes there were excursions I had to do – ride a trolly in San Francisco, visit the San Diego Zoo, and see the La Bufadora in Ensenada, Mexico, a blowhole that shoots water metres into the air several times a minute – but those outings were planned by or for my daughter. I just wanted to get away from the office, eat good food and relax. Article content Article content Article content Discovery Princess proved to be worthy of the stewardship. Full disclosure: I sailed on the Sun Princess in 2023 and knew Princess Cruises was synonymous for — luxury, indulgence, pampering, and entertainment that didn't require I get out of a cushioned seat. Yes I was going to pack on a few pounds and be catered to while sailing along the California coast down to Mexico, at times just watching the horizon dip. Article content The Lotus Spa is located on deck 5, just past customer service. I was welcomed by the sound of babbling water, offered a cucumber-infused water and given a tour by a friendly hostess. Article content Article content There are treatment rooms for: massages, facials, pedicures, manicures, wraps, exfoliating scrubs and more treatments than I needed. I was more enticed by the large hydrotherapy pool at the heart of the spa. This is The Enclave – which anyone can use even if you don't get a spa treatment. A pass is required to use The Enclave or you can get a package that allows you access every day of your cruise. Article content Article content I booked a deep-tissue massage for the next day. My massage involved a lot of kneading, and just the right amount of pressure to leave me feeling like Gumby. From the massage table I drifted to The Enclave's three steam rooms one after another. The Hammam for a steam bath, the Laconium for its dry heat and finally the Roman-inspired Caladium. By the time I dipped into the hydrotherapy pool I was stress-free and swooning. From there I gathered myself long enough to take the short steps to a heated stone lounger. Article content I vacillated in the space between basking and dozing content to soak in the heat. It was only FOMO that got me off the lounger to check on happens elsewhere onboard.
National Post
05-05-2025
- National Post
In my Princesss Cruise era
Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Article content I didn't want to do much more than lounge in a deck chair when I planned my cruise on Discovery Princess. Yes there were excursions I had to do – ride a trolly in San Francisco, visit the San Diego Zoo, and see the La Bufadora in Ensenada, Mexico, a blowhole that shoots water metres into the air several times a minute – but those outings were planned by or for my daughter. I just wanted to get away from the office, eat good food and relax. Article content Article content Discovery Princess proved to be worthy of the stewardship. Full disclosure: I sailed on the Sun Princess in 2023 and knew Princess Cruises was synonymous for — luxury, indulgence, pampering, and entertainment that didn't require I get out of a cushioned seat. Yes I was going to pack on a few pounds and be catered to while sailing along the California coast down to Mexico, at times just watching the horizon dip. Article content The Lotus Spa is located on deck 5, just past customer service. I was welcomed by the sound of babbling water, offered a cucumber-infused water and given a tour by a friendly hostess. Article content Article content There are treatment rooms for: massages, facials, pedicures, manicures, wraps, exfoliating scrubs and more treatments than I needed. I was more enticed by the large hydrotherapy pool at the heart of the spa. This is The Enclave – which anyone can use even if you don't get a spa treatment. A pass is required to use The Enclave or you can get a package that allows you access every day of your cruise. Article content Article content I booked a deep-tissue massage for the next day. My massage involved a lot of kneading, and just the right amount of pressure to leave me feeling like Gumby. From the massage table I drifted to The Enclave's three steam rooms one after another. The Hammam for a steam bath, the Laconium for its dry heat and finally the Roman-inspired Caladium. By the time I dipped into the hydrotherapy pool I was stress-free and swooning. From there I gathered myself long enough to take the short steps to a heated stone lounger. Article content I vacillated in the space between basking and dozing content to soak in the heat. It was only FOMO that got me off the lounger to check on happens elsewhere onboard.
Miami Herald
03-05-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
South Florida is the cruise capital. See ships based this year in Miami, Broward
South Florida is home to two of the busiest cruise passenger ports in the world, PortMiami and Port Everglades. PortMiami had a record 8.2 million visitors in fiscal year 2024, a 13% increase from the prior period. New ships departing included Explora Journeys Explora II, Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady, MSC Cruises World America, Norwegian Cruise Line Aqua, Virgin Voyages Brilliant Lady and Oceania Allura. MORE: What do you want on a cruise? How private resorts are changing travel Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale had 4.1 million passengers in fiscal year 2024, also a record. New ships include the Crystal Serenity, Princess Cruises' Sun Princess, Silversea's Silver Ray and the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection's llama. Here are the ships home-ported in Miami and Broward until Sept. 30, 2025: PortMiami Visit Miami port's website for details on cruise lines and their ships. ▪ Carnival Cruise Lines Celebration, Conquest, Horizon, Magic, Sunrise, Miracle, Paradise, Spirit, Venezia ▪ Celebrity Cruises Summit, Explora Journeys, Explora I, Explora II ▪ MSC Cruises MSC Divina, MSC Magnifica, Seascape, Seaside, Seashore, World America ▪ Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Aqua, Norwegian Blissv, Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Encore, Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Joy, Norwegian Pearl ▪ Oceania Cruises Insignia, Marina, Nautica, Sirena, Vista, Regent Seven Seas, Seven Seas Grandeur, Seven Seas Mariner, Seven Seas Navigator ▪ Royal Caribbean International Allure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Icon of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Odyssey of the Seas, Symphony of the Seas, Wonder of the Seas, Virgin Voyages, Scarlet Lady, Resilient Lady, Valiant Lady Port Everglades Visit the Broward port's website for details on cruise lines and their ships. ▪ Baleària Caribbean Jaume II (will sail year-round) ▪ Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Apex, Celebrity Ascent, Celebrity Beyond, Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Reflection (will sail year-round), Celebrity Silhouette, Celebrity Summit ▪ Crystal Crystal Serenity ▪ Disney Cruise Line Disney Dream (will saill year-round), Disney Magic ▪ Holland America Line Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Nieuw Statendam, Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Zaandam, Zuiderdam ▪ Princess Cruises Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Emerald Princess, Enchanted Princess (will sail year-round), Island Princess, Majestic Princess, Regal Princess, Ruby Princess, Saphire Princess, Sky Princess, Sun Princess, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, Ilma ▪ Royal Caribbean International Freedom of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas (will sail year-round), Liberty of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas (will sail year-round), Serenade of the Seas, Silversea Cruises., Silver Moon, Silver Ray, Silver Shadow ▪ Viking Cruises Viking Mars, Viking Neptune, Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris, Viking Sky
The Independent
19-03-2025
- The Independent
6 of the best Easter holiday cruises for 2025
If the prospect of the impending Easter holidays is sending you hopping mad, a cruise could be a great way to keep you and your kids occupied in-between all the chocolate eggs. Many cruise lines offer sailings during the Easter break, visiting a range of destinations. You could get much-needed sun in the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, go even hotter in the Caribbean or be dazzled by the northern lights. Most schools will break up for Easter from 7 April and there are plenty of cruise itineraries running throughout the month. The timing of Easter Sunday is a bit tricky for cruise passengers with school-age children as it is on 20 April and many schools go back on the following Tuesday. This means many families may opt to travel earlier in the month to be back in time for school. That doesn't mean you can't celebrate on board though in the build up to Easter. Cruise lines such as P&O Cruises and MSC Cruises have said they will have Easter celebrations on board including egg hunts and chocolate workshops. There may even be a visit from the Easter bunny. Many brands also cater for other religions. If you are Jewish and are on a cruise during the festival of Passover on 12 April, cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises may offer Seder Night services. Here is our pick of the top Easter holiday cruises. Barcelona, Spain – Gibraltar, Spain – Marseille, France – Genoa, Italy – La Spezia, Italy – Civitavecchia, Italy Departing from Barcelona, this seven-night cruise takes passengers to the hotspots of the Mediterranean aboard Sun Princess, the newest ship in the brand's fleet. You can forget about the unpredictable weather back home as you visit monkeys on the rocks of Gibraltar before heading to the beautiful parks and coastline of Marseille and on to taste the gelato of Genoa. There is even a chance to visit the leaning tower of Pisa on a stop in La Spezia. The cruise finishes in Rome, leaving time before you fly home to see the Colosseum and even go to the Vatican ahead of Easter. Onboard, Sun Princess offers more than 29 restaurants and bars to explore and you can relax in its five pools including The Dome, a 9,494sq ft space with a geodesic glass dome that turns into an entertainment venue at night. Departs 5 April; from £979pp Book now Royal Caribbean: Western Caribbean Miami, Florida – Roatan, Honduras – Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico – Cozumel, Mexico – Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas – Miami, Florida Head for Caribbean sunshine on the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas. This seven-night Royal Caribbean cruise departs from Miami for the western Caribbean shoreline to visit the sights and sounds of Puerto Costa Maya and Cozumel in Mexico, plus there is a day on the brand's own isle for a Perfect Day at CocoCay experience in the Bahamas. When not enjoying the sun on shore, Icon of the Seas has eight different neighbourhoods onboard and more than 40 dining areas and bars as well as Thrill Island, an adventure zone that boasts the biggest waterpark and waterslide at sea. Departs 12 April; from £1,672pp Book now Marella Cruises: Canary Islands Las Palmas, Gran Canaria – Puerto del Rosario, Fuerteventura – Arrecife, Lanzarote – Funchal, Madeira – Santa Cruz de La Palma, La Palma – Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Tenerife – Las Palmas, Gran Canaria Island hop across the Canaries on this seven-night sailing with Marella Cruises. Departing aboard Marella Explorer from Santa Cruz, Tenerife, this week-long cruise will offer a different day each morning that you wake up ranging from stops by the beaches of Gran Canaria, to the volcanic landscapes of Lanzarote and the mountains of Madeira. Marella Explorer is also a great ship for families to enjoy during the school holidays with a bumper choice of 10 restaurants and 10 bars, an indoor cinema and a sports and family deck. There is even a Champneys Spa onboard if you want to escape the kids. Departs 5 April; from £1,211.56pp, including flights Book now MSC Cruises: Mediterranean Naples, Italy – Messina, Italy – Valletta, Malta – Barcelona, Spain – Marseille, France – Genoa, Italy Explore the Med on MSC World Europa, one of the largest ships in its fleet. Starting in Naples, this seven-night sailing provides lots of variety with stops in historic Valletta to a day spent rambling on La Rambla in Barcelona. Back on board, passengers can relax in a choice of 20 bars and lounges including taking tea at the Raj Polo Tea House. More active cruisers can enjoy the virtual reality water slides and the 11-deck high Venom dry slide. Departs 14 April; from £769pp Book now Miami – Nassau, Bahamas – Great Stirrup Cay – Miami Be one of the first to sail on Norwegian Aqua during the Easter break. The new ship from Norwegian Cruise Line launches in April and one of its first sailings is in the Caribbean. Departing from Miami, there are two sun-kissed stops in the Bahamas including on Norwegian's private island Great Stirrup Cay. On the new ship, you can enjoy a game zone, LED-lit sports complex and beach club as well as a 10-storey dry slide called The Drop and the Aqua Slidecoaster ride that combines a rollercoaster and water slide on the ship. Departs 16 April; from £773pp Book now P&O Cruises Southampton – Stavanger – Olden – Innvikfjorden (cruise-by) – Nordfjord (cruise-by) – Alesund – Haugesund – Southampton April is a great month to see the spectacle of the northern lights and a cruise provides a front seat view. This seven night sailing with P&O Cruises has the convenience of getting on and off in Southampton and it will sail towards the clear skies of Norway. By day, you can enjoy the scenic fjords and then go stargazing at night to try to spot the aurora borealis by night. Onboard, Iona has four swimming pools as well as a gin bar and you can enjoy live music curated by Gary Barlow at the 710 Club. Departs 12 April; from £899pp
