Cruise Holidays Irish Cruise Blog

Carnival Testing All-You-Can-Drink Packages

Cruise holidays passengers could be in for a tipsy time with Carnival as they announce plans to introduce a new all-you-can-drink package for passengers.

The cruise holiday provider is currently trialling a deal that allows guests to enjoy unlimited access to all onboard beverages.

Dubbed the ‘My Awesome Bar Program’ the test run is currently taking place aboard one of the firm’s leading liners - Carnival Victory.

If successful, the drinks deal could eventually be introduced on a fleet-wide scale.

Guests are invited to enjoy a wide array of fine wines, beers and spirits as part of the package, with soft drinks and non-alcoholic frozen cocktails also on offer.

Carnival is the latest cruise line to utilise an all-inclusive drinks deal, with Fred Olsen Cruise Lines among those to offer the package on its latest voyages.

It is hoped that these offers will encourage holidaymakers to book cruises, with trips easier to budget for.

40% of Young People Would Consider Cruising

Young people, aged between 15 and 24, are turning on to the idea of cruising because of the variety of entertainment options on board.

In a recent study carried out by Mintel, 2,000 people were quizzed about their views on cruise holidays abroad.

The findings revealed that while only four per cent of those youngsters quizzed had been on a cruise, an impressive 40 per cent admit they would consider one of these packages in the near future.

Cruise holidays offer a wealth of entertainment options for young passengers, with onshore activities and days of exploration complemented by onboard entertainment such as cinemas, arcades, swimming facilities and sports areas.

Have you ever been on a cruise with a young adult? Did they enjoy it?

Ticket to Cruise – Royal Caribbean to host a Beatles Cruise

They were the biggest band on the planet and their amazing lyrics and songs still resound with the youth today. To celebrate the timelessness of The Beatles Royal Caribbean's 'Allure of the Seas' has announced it will host a Beatles tribute cruise.

The fab four fan cruise will take place next March and will feature performances by a Beatles tribute band and other musicians with a Beatles connection.

The seven-night Beatles themed cruise holiday will kick off in Fort Lauderdale on March 3 and include calls in the Bahamas, St. Thomas and St. Martin.

Special guest performers include Mark Hudson, billed as a producer for the Beatles' Ringo Starr; Billy J. Kramer, who has recorded songs written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney; Joey Molland, a singer from Badfinger, a band signed by the Beatles' label; and Beatles tribute band Revolution. Radio DJ Joe Johnson will host the trip.

What is your favourite Beatle’s song?

Cruising the magical Arctic region in search of the Northern Lights!

Breath taking arctic beauty, a sense of complete serenity and a dazzling night sky display that is one of the wonders of our planet, the aurora borealis or Northern Lights as more commonly known.  These are the delights you can expect when taking a cruise to the Arctic region.

Not as well known as the commercial powerhouse destinations like the Mediterranean or Caribbean, the Arctic region has been wowing the more alternative cruise client for many years with a largely loyal customer base who return year after year but as more attention is being placed on these stunning adverntures, we see more and the more cruisers from all walks of life, old and young, preferring the harsh wilderness of the Arctic over the sun drenched shores of Barbados and Spain!   Why! you may cry?  Well it all comes back to the enigma surrounding the spectacular Norther Lights, something that captures the imagination of not just cruise lovers but adventure seekers alike.

Caused by the collision of energetic charged particles with atoms in the high altitude atmosphere, this visual tapestry is one you'll remember for a lifetime such is it's sublime beauty and so trying to explain why so many people are flocking here really becomes a question self answered. This Arctic adventure of a lifetime includes so much more nowadays, the unique experience of a night in a snow suite at the Kirkenes Snow Hotel plus the chance to add some exciting winter activities like dog sleighing and a whole range of Arctic activities.

So let's put you in the picture if you did book!

Your journey will start at Belfast International airport where you will board your direct flight to Tromso. Tromso is known as the Paris of the North and lies at 69° North above the Arctic Circle. On arrival you will be transferred to the quay side where your ship the MS Midnatsol waits, and will depart early evening. The next 3 nights are spent onboard the ship travelling to Kirkenes, and back, where you get the opportunity to visit the ports of Hammerfest and Honningsvag. This is where you will be able to take an optional excursion to visit the North Cape, mainland Europe’s most Northerly point. You continue onto Kirkenes where the ship turns, but not before you have the chance to see the Snow hotel or try some snow mobiling or a trip to the Russian border.You will then retrace the route and head back to Tromso. Once you arrive back at Tromso in the late evening you will head to your hotel (just around the corner from the quay) and spend 2 nights there where you can explore the city and even try dog sledging. The real reason for this voyage is to see the Aurora Borealis and being this high up in the Arctic you have every chance of catching a glimpse of this wonderful natural phenomenon, of course this can never be guaranteed. Price includes return flights including all taxes, breakfast and dinner onboard the ship, and breakfast in the hotel. Not included – Travel Insurance, Optional Excursions and luggage handling.

 

Cunard’s World Cruises for 2014

Cunard has unveiled details for some of its major voyages for 2014, including the tenth anniversary season for the Queen Mary 2.

The famous vessel will start her 2014 schedule with a 119-night voyage around Africa and the east, ending with calls at various ports around Australia. This will mark a return to Australia for the ocean liner after its inaugural circumnavigation of the country earlier this year.

The Queen Elizabeth will be embarking on a 118-night Round World trip taking in 40 different ports of call across 23 countries - including the ship's first ever stop off in Japan. Maiden calls will also be made at Shanghai, Pusan in South Korea and Aqaba, which is close to Petra in Jordan.

Finally, the Queen Victoria will undertake a 116-nightvoyage around South America, travelling from Brazil to Chile before heading to New Zealand and returning to the UK. Eight maiden calls will be made for the vessel, including Rio, Buenos Aires, Easter Island and Moorea in French Polynesia.

Peter Shanks, president of Cunard, said that these world voyages continue to grow in demand with passengers.

"For 2014, we have Queen Victoria undertaking her first ever South American voyage around Cape Horn, while Queen Mary 2, celebrates her 10th anniversary with a full circumnavigation of Australia, building on the huge popularity of this circle sector with our guests this year," he said.

Are you tempted by these? Have you travelled with Cunard before?

Costa gets involved in 'Sustainable Cruise' Project

One of Costa Cruises' most popular vessels has signed up to a new environmentally-focused initiative to encourage more onboard recycling.

In what is being described as a first for the cruise holiday industry, the Costa Pacifica will feature three special waste streams for packaging, biodegradable waste and paper.

These streams will take this previously-discarded rubbish and treat it so that it can be recycled and reused as by-products on board.

It's all part of a new 'Sustainable Cruise' project which is being co-funded by the European Commission.

The idea behind the scheme was to highlight the need for more European Union Directives related to waste on board cruise ships, with Costa Cruises among those firms eager to encourage more recycling at sea.

Aside from the vessel itself, the project also involves the effective coordination of waste disposal in port, to ensure all goods are disposed of in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Commenting on the plans, Costa Cruises vice president of quality standards compliance and auditing Ernesto Gori said: “The fact that we are the first cruise company in the world to carry out such a landmark experiment, which will lead to even higher standards in the treatment of shipboard waste, is further tangible evidence of our environmental excellence.”

The project is welcome news to Costa Cruises, which has faced a barrage of criticism following the sinking of the Costa Concordia off the coast of Italy earlier this year.

MSC Divina Goes Gluten Free

The MSC Divina has joined the list of cruise holiday vessels operated by MSC Cruises that are certified as being friendly to people on gluten-free diets by the Italian Coeliac Association (ICA).

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder that leaves sufferers unable to eat gluten - found in wheat, barley and rye - without a painful reaction that can damage the lining of the small intestine.

Unfortunately, gluten is contained in a large number of everyday foods such as bread and pasta and, what with these being staples of British diets, eating out can be difficult for people suffering from the condition.

In order to encourage people with the disease and their families onto its cruises, MSC has already taken steps to offer gluten-free meals on other vessels including the MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida.

On the MSC Divina, gluten-free menus will be available in all of the restaurants, with 17 dishes - including breakfasts, lunches, dinners and afternoon tea. Passengers will also be able to select a gluten-free lunch box for shore excursions.

The Divina Bar on Deck 5 has been equipped with a gluten-free beverage list that includes special cocktails, beers and bitters.

Classic Film Cruise on Celebrity Constellation

Classic film stars Debbie Reynolds and Mickey Rooney will be among the headliners for the second Turner Classic Movies (TCM) cruise in January.

The five-night voyage out of Miami on a Celebrity Cruises ship also will feature appearances from Arlene Dahl, Sally Ann Howes and Norman Lloyd.

As with the first TCM Classic Cruise in December 2011, the Western Caribbean sailing on the 2,034-passenger Celebrity Constellation will be led by TCM host Robert Osborne and TCM weekend daytime host Ben Mankiewicz. The voyage will include stops in Grand Cayman and Cozumel, Mexico.

Known for her roles in such musical classics as Singin' in the Rain (1952) and The Unsinkable Molly Brown (1964), Oscar- and Emmy-nominated Reynolds has appeared in dozens of films and television shows. Oscar-winning actor Rooney starred in more than 300 film and television roles, including the movie Boys Town (1938) and National Velvet (1944), while Dahl's best-known works include Three Little Words (1950) and Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959).

Tony-nominated actress and singer Howes's seven decades starring on stage, television and film include the role of Truly Scrumptious in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968). Actor, director and Emmy-nominated producer Norman Lloyd's career has included notable roles in such films as Saboteur (1942), A Walk in the Sun (1945) and Dead Poets Society (1989).

Produced by TCM in partnership with theme cruise organizer Sixthman, the second TCM Classic Cruise will include TCM-themed events and activities including film screenings, panel discussions, conversations with special guests and film-related trivia games.

Holland America planning ports of call in Galway and Donegal

Holland America Line has announced plans to deploy seven cruise holiday ships to Europe for the 2013 summer season, while also revealing new ports of call on its itineraries.

The seven ships - ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Noordam, ms Prinsendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Ryndam and ms Veendam - will together cover 107 departures throughout the region.

Covering trips around Scandinavia, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, they will also sail to a collection of ports, ranging from iconic European cities to little-known gems.

New ports of call for 2013 include Alanya in Turkey, Alcudia in Spain, Hydra and Igoumenitsa in Greece, Sassnitz in Germany and Galway and Killybegs in Ireland.

Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programmes for the cruise line, said: "While the popularity of European cruising continues to grow, the region is opening new ports, which enable us to offer more maiden calls and exciting new itineraries."

In total, Holland America Line will offer 53 different European itineraries ranging from seven to 64-day soujourn.

Kid Rock Cruise Scheduled for 2013

Rocker Kid Rock will be heading to sea again with fans in 2013.

Music cruise organizer Sixthman says its fourth annual Kid Rock sailing, dubbed the "Chillin' The Most" cruise, will kick off on March 6 in Miami on Norwegian Cruise Line's 2,394-passenger Norwegian Pearl.

The four-night voyage to Norwegian Cruise Line's private island in the Bahamas will include performances by Kid Rock as well as other musicians on multiple stages around the ship, including a Kid Rock sailaway performance on the pool deck. Kid Rock also will take the stage at Norwegian's private island, Great Stirrup Cay, as part of a full day of music planned for the visit. Fans can sign up to board the Norwegian Pearl a day ahead of schedule on March 5 for an overnight "pre-party" sailing with supporting bands.

Get an idea of what to expect on this cruise right