Cruise Holidays Irish Cruise Blog

Young Adults considering cruise holidays

New research suggests cruise holidays are starting to appeal much more to younger people.

Although cruises are often associated with older travellers, a survey by Mintel suggests that 40 per cent of people between the ages of 15 and 24 would consider taking a cruise in the future.

The research highlights the fact that only four per cent of 15 to 24-year-olds have been on a cruise before, compared with 32 per cent of people aged 65 to 74.

Tom Rees, senior travel and tourism analyst at Mintel, said: "Young adults like the idea of an adventure at sea and the house party atmosphere of an onboard holiday can appeal to many young package holidaymakers as a change from resort-based trips.

"The key is getting the product right. Given the market trend towards shorter cruises departing from UK ports, short themed breaks or even floating music festivals, promoted through social media, can be a way to attract a younger clientele."

Interestingly, Mintel's survey shows that young people see cruises as a good way of discovering new destinations, while more than a quarter think they offer a good way to meet new people.

What do you think of this shift in attitude? Could music festivals on a cruise ship work?

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Princess Anne to Join P&O Cruises Celebrations

P&O Cruises today announced that Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will conduct a review of the P&O Cruises fleet as part of The Grand Event on Tuesday July 3, 2012. Princess Anne will take centre stage to what will be the pinnacle to celebrations which mark 175 years of heritage.

The Royal family has long been linked with P&O Cruises with Her Majesty the Queen naming Oriana at her launch in 1995 and Princess Anne named Aurora in 2000 and Oceana in 2003.

Her Royal Highness will visit Southampton and join guests on Oriana. Following the reception, she will sail on THV Patricia, one of the vessels of Trinity House, a maritime charity where the Princess Royal is a Master of the Corporation.

Each of the seven ships in the P&O Cruises fleet will then depart on a Grand Event cruise and passengers on board will enjoy a special deck party to see them off in style with flutterfetti and daytime pyrotechnics from the quayside. They will leave their berths in Southampton in order and process down the Solent into Southampton Water.

The P&O Cruises fleet will then move into formation to pass THV Patricia at Charlie Anchorage and salute HRH The Princess Royal as they are photographed from the air before they sail onwards to their various destinations.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: “We are honoured to have HRH The Princess Royal visit us on this, one of the most significant days in our history, as all our seven ships gather in their home port on the same day for the first time ever to celebrate 175 years of heritage. As one of our esteemed godmothers* she is intrinsically linked with P&O Cruises and we are privileged that she has agreed to conduct our Fleet Review.

“Thousands of people are expected to line the shores to witness this historical occasion, joining over 15,000 passengers and 6000 crew on board the seven ships.
“I am sure that this magnificent Fleet Review with Her Royal Highness in celebration of 175 years of heritage will go down in British maritime history, providing long lasting memories as we look forward to the next stage in our company’s history, with a new ship being launched in 2015.”

The Grand Event is part of a year of celebrations in 2012, marking 175 years of heritage. P&O Cruises can trace its roots back to 1837 when the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company was awarded the Admiralty contract to carry mail to the Iberian Peninsula and beyond. Today P&O Cruises has a fleet of seven ships offering cruise holidays tailored to British tastes.

Guests onboard the seven cruises celebrating the anniversary will have a host of event to look forward to including special on board entertainment, a 175th Anniversary gala dinner, heritage art display, guest speakers, heritage presentations and more. There will also be a price draw on each cruise for one couple to win a full world cruise of their choice in 2013.

Cunard Host First Transatlantic Wedding

A couple of cruise holiday enthusiasts took the plunge on a recent trip aboard the Cunard liner the Queen Mary 2 - after tying the knot in the mid-Atlantic.

The happy new couple, Barry Maloney and Denise Holding, became the first pairing to marry aboard a Cunard cruise during a transatlantic voyage from Southampton to New York.

Captain Kevin Oprey oversaw the ceremony, with the newlyweds invited up to the bridge after the main event where they were allowed to sound the ship's whistle.

According to the Seatrade Insider, the pair, who own a riding centre in the UK, had been together for nearly 30 years prior to the forming their new union on the recent cruise.

However it was the chance to wed aboard their favourite ship that ultimately proved too good an opportunity to miss.

Do you think getting married at sea is a good idea? Would you do it?

Saw stars set for Horrific cruise offering

Fans of the Saw horror film franchise could be in for a terrifying treat this summer, with gore enthusiasts invited to set sail on the first official Saw movie cruise.

Departing from New York on August 11th, holidaymakers will embark on a spine-tingling five-night trip, which takes in Saint John, New Brunswick, Halifax and Nova Scotia along the way.

While travelling on this visceral voyage aboard the 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory, fans will also be treated to a whole host of Saw-related delights.

Chief among these is the appearance of various stars from the franchise including Costas Mandylor, who played the villainous Hoffman and, more importantly, the iconic puppet seen throughout the film series.

With plenty of photo and dining opportunities available to enjoy alongside the stars, the trip also offers three distinct packages to those would-be cruisers out there.

Available options include cocktail parties, photo sessions and private meals with the actors which are all available alongside specially organised question and answer sessions.

Other activities include a special trivia quiz, movie screenings and mini golf and volleyball tournaments with the onboard stars of Saw.

The themed cruise comes just months after Norwegian Cruise Lines announced plans to host a special Kiss-themed cruise.

What would be your ideal themed cruise?

Holland America presents ‘Our Marvellous Oceans’ videos

In collaboration with the Marine Conservation Institute, Holland America Line has released an in-stateroom video series onboard all its 15 cruise ships highlighting the importance of ocean conservation.

Titled "Our Marvelous Oceans," the series was developed to educate Holland America Line guests on important marine conservation issues and feature topics that relate to the oceans around them.

"Our partnership with the Marine Conservation Institute is instrumental in our continued quest to help protect and preserve the oceans on which we sail," said Richard Meadows, executive vice president of marketing, sales and guest programs at Holland America Line. "These videos are just one more element in our extensive conservation program, and we hope our guests take a few moments to watch them and learn more about our efforts and what they, personally, can do while on board and once they leave our ships."

The additional short videos address important ocean conservation issues in key Holland America Line cruising regions, protecting ocean life, destructive fishing practices, climate change, and Holland America Line's environmental protection efforts.

"Holland America Line has been a committed partner in marine conservation. These short videos will help spread the word on all that we, Holland America Line, and its guests can do to protect the marine environment," said Dr. Elliott A. Norse, president and founder of the Marine Conservation Institute.

"This is just one element of the program, but it will extend our message to hundreds of thousands of guests every year. We thank Holland America Line for its dedication to protecting our oceans."

The video series is an extension of "Our Marvelous Oceans," a three-year program announced in 2010 that commits to the exclusive use of sustainably-sourced seafood on Holland America Line's menus, guest and staff education, and support for critical marine conservation biology research. Support for the Marine Conservation Institute's education program also includes annual grants to graduate students and young scientists working in historical marine ecology.

 

 

 

Royal Caribbean to host Drag Queen Cruise

It was recently announced that Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas will play host to the "Disco Queens on the High Seas", a pageant for a half dozen drag queens, this September.

The western Caribbean cruise will feature nightly entertainment hosted by Darcel Steven and Orlando-area performers Ginger Minj, Chantel Reshae and Aysia Black.

Other activities onboard include the 1st Miss High Seas 2012 Drag Pageant during the cruise, and the event will judged by nationally known drag queen Tommie Ross. Organizers of the event are looking for six contestants for the pageant, which will include an evening gown competition, a swim wear competition and disco-themed performance competition.

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Dublin plans new cruise terminal

 

According to SeaTrade Insider, Dublin Port Company has revealed a Masterplan which includes the building of a new city-centre cruise terminal.

The new cruise facility capable of handling two 300mtr ships adjacent to the East Link Bridge, will accommodate over 135,000 passengers and around 90 cruise ships each season.

The company believes that the location is ideal bringing passengers and crew within easy reach of the city centre shops, eateries and attractions.

The proximity of the port to the airport plus 22,000 city centre hotel beds, half of which are four and five star, means Dublin is also well placed to attract turnaround business, Brenda Daly, marketing manager, Dublin Port Company told Seatrade Insider. ‘Airlift to the US and UK, in particular, is very good,' she added.

The first step towards meeting Dublin’s cruise expansion plans involves a feasibility study currently being undertaken by Bermello Ajamil & Partners. This study will be concluded later this year with a view to having a cruise terminal in place by 2015.

To progress this concept, Dublin Port Company has formed Cruise Dublin, a joint initiative with Dublin City Council and Dublin Chamber of Commerce aimed at further developing the cruise tourism in Dublin, about which more details will be released soon.

Norwegian Cruise Lines in New Reality Love Series

Norwegian Cruise Lines is set to star in a new US reality television series.

The new show "Love for Sail" will see four adventurous women board a Norwegian Cruise Line ship before embarking on a series of trips to exotic locations accompanied by a variety of single men eager to pair up with them.

It is the latest idea from Studio Lambert, the company behind the US version of Undercover Boss, with participants enjoying a series of on board dates, parties and shore excursions in the hope of making a special love connection.

Norwegian Cruise Lines chief executive officer Kevin Sheehan hoped that the new format would show viewers the "romance in being at sea".

"This show will do a great job of showcasing that and sharing the stories of these guests who may find the love of their life aboard," he said.

The Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Pearl will play a prominent role in the new cruise ship-based series, with the Norwegian Star also scheduled for an appearance.