Peter Lynch has cruised more than 50 times on some of the most iconic ships. He has 30 years experience writing, editing and publishing in Asia, Europe, and Australia in media organisations like The Times of London, Straits Times, Singapore, The South China Morning Post and The Sydney Morning Herald. He is also a marketer, who has created campaigns in social affairs, finance and travel. He is a prolific podcaster, and now owns leading magazines, websites and other channels in Australia and Asia.
Norwegian Cruise Lines is sending one of its ships to rescue holidaymakers stranded by Hurricane Irma on the devastated island of St Thomas. Norwegian Sky is en route from Cancun, Mexico, to St. Thomas to pick up about 2,000 tourists stranded on the island before Hurricane Irma hit it on Wednesday. The ship is expected … Read more
It certainly couldn’t be called a conventional naming ceremony. But then, P&O’s new Pacific Explorer isn’t exactly a conventional ship. The latest in the line of newly-refitted vessels, she’s quite a surprise – and amazingly family friendly. Which explains whey Dora the Explorer, and not same faded film star, is her godmother – and performed … Read more
P&O’s first cruise to Tasmania’s winter arts festival Dark Mofo has proved a big hit with a new breed of “cultural” cruiser.
Around 1600 passengers, comprising almost 200 Dark Mofo devotees and the rest regular P&O “cruiselings,” are aboard the Pacific Jewel for a six night journey to an event which is a long way from the usual burlesque show in the main theatre.
The Dark Mofo festival has become something of a cult. It runs for two weeks on the island state with major exhibitions at the Museum of old and New Art (Mona) and other venues.
Highlights include the annual City of Hobart Dark Mofo Winter Feast on the waterside, the ogoh-ogoh parade and burning on solstice night, and the annual Nude Solstice Swim in the River Derwent.
Pacific Jewel will stay in Hobart for two nights and nearly three full days, allowing passengers the opportunity to visit Dark MOFO attractions, in addition to what is one of the city’s main drawcards, the Museum of Old and New Art.
Passengers receive entry and transport to MONA as part of their cruise, as well as tickets to the medieval themed Winter Feast.
They are expected to pour $1 million into the State’s coffers, and the ship is carrying the largest contingent of interstate visitors.
Some of those on board told Cruise Passenger this was the easiest and best way to see the festival – particularly since hotels were all booked out in advice, and the Pacific Jewel offered the chance to stay in comfort and see all the shows.
P&O already offers comedy, sport and other themed cruises. But Dark Mofo represents a radical departure. Full marks to the line for pushing the envelope.
Destination Southern Tasmania CEO Melinda Anderson said P&O had booked in again next winter, so it could be the start of something.
P&O Cruises President Sture Myrmell said the inaugural cruise provided guests from around the country with an easy and convenient way of accessing Tasmania’s most popular annual event.
“Our guests tell us they’re looking to discover new and unique events around the country which is why it made sense to create a dedicated contemporary cruise to a unique Australian festival which continues to grow in popularity,” Mr Myrmell said.
“The cruise has been so well-received that we are delighted to announce its return in 2018, further reinforcing our commitment to Tasmania local businesses.”
Recent studies have shown cruising’s total economic output in Tasmania surged by 32 per cent in 2015-16 to $60 million. Tasmania’s visitor economy is seeing the impact of a 42 per cent increase in the number of passengers sailing on Australian domestic cruises last year alone, with a significant number of these itineraries featuring Tasmanian destinations.
So what was the journey like? Our man on board, Lachlan Colquhoun reports great food – Luna Asian Restaurant was “excellent” and Salt Grill “exceptional” with its crab omelete and liquorice desert.
P&O laid on a ferry to events and shore excursion tickets to feasts and markets.
It was a star-studded affair – as befits the world’s newest mega liner. MSC’s Meraviglia was christened at the weekend in Le Havre, France, with film icon Sophia Loren doing the honours.
The Italian movie icon, aged 82 but looking amazing, cut a blue ribbon to send a bottle of tranditional champagne smashing against the ship’s hull.
There were also performances from French stars Patrick Bruel and Kids United. And, of course, there were fireworks.
“We have an ambitious vision for the future, and MSC Meraviglia marks the start of the second phase of growth for our company,” Pierfrancesco Vago, the line’s chairman, told the crowd.
And indeed, they do. New World Class ships with astonishing design features, are to be launched after 2020. And more Meraviglias are coming.
Meraviglia is the fourth largest cruise vessel ever built, smaller only than the three Oasis Class vessels from Royal Caribbean.
She is capable of holding up to 5,714 passengers.
Nineteen decks high and more than 1,000 feet long, Meraviglia is the first MSC vessel to rank among the top five biggest cruise ships.
She has twelve dining venues, a race car simulators, a flight simulator, a 4D cinema and a full-sized bowling alley as well as an interior promenade covered by the largest LED dome at sea.
There also is an aft pool that transforms into a dance area at night, a massive kiddie zone and exclusive Cirque du Soleil shows performed in a custom-made entertainment venue.
Meraviglia this summer will sail in the Mediterranean, operating seven-night voyages that include stops in France, Italy, Malta and Spain.
MSC has announced a massive expansion plan, with more ships in the class and new and innovative World Class vessels coming after 2020.
It’s been billed as the battle of the big ships. In 2018, Australia will have two newly built mega liners – and Cruise Passenger has road-tested both.
Next September, Sydney’s newest and biggest premium ship will sail triumphantly into the harbour.
Majestic Princess will be just 17 months old, and her arrival will rejuvenate the Premium class with fantastic Michelin-starred dining and the biggest fashion mall at sea.
Eight weeks later, the ship some say will be her biggest competitor, Royal Caribbean’s Quantum class Ovation of the Seas – choc full of the latest technological gadgets like robot barmen, iFly simulators and luxurious sky loft suites – will tie up at the Overseas Passenger Terminal.
So which one will win Sydney’s heart?
Majestic Princess is causing a stir because she has many of the attributes of a luxury ships – without the steep price tag.
She is proudly premium – but with great food, big musical shows for entertainment, a huge spa called The Enclave and specially designed luxury beds.
Her 1,000 square metres of shopping mall is home to Prada, Couch, Cartier, Gucci, Bulgari…the list goes on.
She takes 3,600 passengers on 19 decks. For the premium Class, she is a game changer.
But Ovation of the Seas is a game changer, too. She is supposed to be in the “contemporary” class of ships, but in reality she is pushing into Premium.
She carries 4,905 passengers, has 18 dining options including a Jamie Oliver and a gastronomic restaurant called Wonderland.
But the biggest ticks for the Ovation – especially among those with kids – is ripcord by iFly, a sky dive simulator, a circus school and dodgem cars.
Our verdict
Both these ships represent the best in new-style cruising – great food, terrific places to see and entertainment and activities you won’t find anywhere else. You can’t beat the value.
If you’re a couple and love to relax on a sophisticated and luxurious vessel, go for the Majestic Princess. No-one does New Zealand like Princess, for instance, and they’ve just started immersive food and cultural cruises across the ditch that sound fabulous.
But if you have kids, the Ovation of the Seas is hard to beat for fun and value.
Who has what
Majestic Princess
Launched 4 April 2017
Total passengers – 3560
Crew – 1346
No of cabins – 1780 including 36 suites with private balconies.
Number of decks – 19
Food
Five specialty restaurants – Harmony (Classic Cantonese restaurant with Michelin chef Richard Chen) La Mer (also a Michelin chef), Crown Grill (traditional but brilliant), Chef’s Table and Ultimate balcony dining.
In addition, there’s Alfredo’s Pizzeria, Chopsticks Noodle Bar, Lobster & Dim Sum Bar, an international café, World Fresh Marketplace including the Bakery – Five bars from Wake View Bar to SeaView Bar.
Activities
A covered pool club, karaoke, the SeaWalk, Vista Gaming lounge with 16 mahjong tables, casino, private gaming room, sports centre for basketball, tennis, volleyball, a miniature putting green, driving cage, football, ping pong tables, internet café and library
Entertainment
Movies under the stars, musical productions at Princess Theatre, Princess Live with featured guest entertainers and BIG musical shows.
Additional amenities
Princess luxury bed
Onboard activities for kids from 3 – 17 years of age – three youth and teen centres.
Lotus Spa
Ovation of the Seas
Launched 17 April 2016
Total passengers – 4905
Crew – 1500
Number of cabins – 2091 including 1572 with balconies.
Number of decks – 18
Food
Number of restaurants – 18 with 6 main dining rooms and 6 signature restaurants. Including Jamie’s Italian (family favourite!), Wonderland (amazing food and service with a surprise!) and Izumi Japanese cuisine (brilliant and fresh). There are also 8 casual cafes including the Kung Fu panda noodle shop.
Activities
There are some great and technologically advanced activities like the sky diving simulator, iFly, the North Star, a viewing platform, the SeaPlex which has a roller rink and dodgem cars as well as the FlowRider, a surf simulator.
Entertainment
Kids can entertain themselves with stars from Dreamworks films. There is also an Adventure Ocean youth centre for children of all ages. Two70 is a multi-level room which fuses entertainment with technology. You’ll see dancers perform while there are moving robotic LED screens displaying beautiful imagery as well as floor to ceiling windows which transform into projectors. There is also Spectra’s Cabaret which blends lives performances with experiential cinema with music from contemporary pop culture.
Additional amenities
The Vitality Spa and Fitness Centre offers a range of activities and treatments to soothe the body and soul. The Fitness Centre has state-of-the-art facilities like TRX machines. Guests can take Beach Bootcamp classes or calmer workouts like Pure-Form Pilates. At the Vitality Spa, passengers will be able to indulge in massages, wraps, facials or acupuncture.
So which one would you pick? Tell us below to WIN a Cruise Passenger apron!
Royal Caribbean closed its biggest season in Australia ever last night – the official end of the summer season for 2016-17.
The line carried 302,000 passengers across three brands – Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara – an increase of 5,000 passengers.
The Explorer of the Seas, the second largest cruise ship to sail Australian waters, sailed off on her repositioning cruise to Hawaii and Seattle with 3,500 Australians and New Zealanders heading for Alaska.
Explorer, one of Australia’s favourites, carried another record 71,000 passengers during her six-month stint Down Under.
“Boy, it has been a very big season,” said Adam Armstrong, the line’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand.
There were 94 cruises and “we are heading towards the magic 100 mark”, said Mr Armstrong. “We contributed about $200 million towards the Australian economy.”
Two new ships joined the Royal Caribbean fleet this year – the Azamara Journey , with 600 passengers. And the Ovation of the Seas, the biggest and newest cruise ship to come to Australia.
Mr Armstrong said the growth meant it was now easier than ever to fill his fleet.
“Explorer and Voyager now are just a walk in the park. We were worried four or five years ago whether we could fill them, but now they carry 3-3,500 people and they just come in and out.”
More families and younger passengers were taking up the increased capacity.
“Our average age is coming down by a year or two every year, and the number of newcomers we are recruiting every year is increasing.”
Mr Armstrong said next year would feature a longer season for Ovation of the Seas, and the line’s rundown for 2018-19 was about to be published.
There are two new ships operating internationally.
“Symphony of the Seas – the biggest in the world – and the first new Celebrity Edge, the first Celebrity ship in 10 years. And she might come to Sydney one day – maybe…no announcements tonight!“
Mr Armstrong said there were no plans for his line to extend the season into winter – but Australians were flying to SE Asia to cruise.
“We send about 55,000 Australians overseas each year – Asia is number one, then Europe the Caribbean and Alaska.
“This is growing and our analysis shows people are trying cruises locally and then considering going overseas.”
Royal Caribbean are not alone in experiencing strong passenger growth.
Two weeks ago, Carnival Cruise Lines announced big increases –and the addition of Majestic Princess to their fleet in 2018.
The 19-deck 3,560 passenger vessel will steal the mantle of the youngest ship to sail in Australia off Ovation of the Seas – though the two are very different.
Ovation is a brilliant family ship with a surf pool, iFly flight simulator, dodgem cars and excellent food offerings, along with luxury loft suites.
Majestic redefines Premium cruising, with amazing Michelin starred food, enhanced entertainment and shows, a new spa, karaoke lounges, luxury beds, and the biggest shopping mall at sea with brands like Gucci, Burberry and Bulgari.
Together, they are likely to continue to grow different cruise market segments and adding to Australia’s global domination in cruise penetration.
Carnival Cruise Lines executive chair Ann Sherry told a gathering to farewell the Emerald Princess at the end of her Sydney season two weeks ago: “It’s been a huge, huge year for us.”
She said there was no real cruise season any more. “Half our passenger sail sail all year round,” she said.
Carnival Corporation brands made 227 calls in Sydney, 70% of the total calls.
Twenty-one Carnival ships sailed in local waters from October to April – and 12 of them were international ships.
There were 598 calls at Australian ports during the year – massive 20% increase year on year.
“There are 35 different ports we call at from Darwin to Port Arthur to Broome. And this year, for the first time, Queensland dominates. Some 192 calls to Queensland ports 11 more than NSW,” she said.
“The opportunity is still there to grow in NSW – but we need more port capacity”.
During the past 12 months, there had been some significant landmarks: Seabourn Encore arrived in Sydney just three weeks after her launch, Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 arrived back ten years after she brought the city to a halt with her first visit. And Princess had a record 11,800 births across five ships.
Ms Sherry said the coming year was equally big.
“The new Pacific Explorer in mid-year, Seabourn Encore next summer for a record season – this a market that can take more of luxury – plus QM2 for more than a month, and the summer after that after that Queen Elizabeth home porting in Sydney and Melbourne for two months.”
Ms Sherry is already on the record as predicting a massive jump to 1.2 million Australian cruisers when the annual official figures for 2016 are announced.
On a lighter note, Mr Armstrong related the story of how he was called this morning by the Explorer of the Seas’ Captain. He said he had an American guest with an astonishing 28 suitcases and eight large boxes wanting to travel to Hawaii.
“I’m pleased to report she is on board with all 28 bags – in an inside cabin – the cheapest!” Mr Armstrong told those gathered to see The Explorer off on her final voyage.
Like any Princess, she likes to be the centre of attention. So when the Majestic Princess arrived at the port of Trieste, on Italy’s Adriatic coast, her captain chose to play the theme song from The Love Boat on the ship’s foghorns.
Trieste, a town that has seen a ship or two, was transfixed.
Next day, thousands turned out to see her leave the dockside on her maiden voyage. But this time, another theme found its way onto the giant TV screen on the pool deck – the music from Kung Fu TV icon Wong Fei Hong.
For the Majestic Princess, a US$600 million 19-deck mega-liner with room for 3,560 guests, isn’t any ordinary cruise ship. She is Carnival Corporation’s biggest and boldest play yet for the Asian market.
But Majestic Princess had better learn to play Waltzing Matilda on those foghorns. Because she is coming to Australian next year for a full season.
She will be here from September, 2018 until March, 2019, with 16 cruises to Fiji, New Zealand, Tasmania, Hong Kong and Shanghai.
She will be the largest Princess ship ever to sail Australian waters – and the most luxurious.
There are 13 dining options, including Harmony by Richard Chen and La Mer by Emmanuel Renaut – both Michelin-starred chefs. One represents the best of Chinese, the other Parisian Bistro.
There is 1,000 metres of shopping featuring top brands – Cartier, Bulgari…the list goes on and on.
There is a fabulous spa and perfumed steam rooms, private karaoke, a three-tiered casino, new live shows and an enclosed pool with private cabanas which transforms into a night club.
Over 80 per cent of the ship’s 1,780 staterooms have balconies.
The World’s largest cruise company, with ten brands, over 100 ships and a payload of 12 million guests a year, is renewing its faith in the premium market.
Premium is being redefined as competitors sniff at its heels. The Majestic Princess represents the latest shift towards the top end.
Carnival Australia chair Ann Sherry told Cruise Passenger this is the area Australians love to play in. Now they have a new toy.
Princess, already a firm favourite in Australia and southeast Asia, has pushed the boundaries with this ship.
She is the third Royal Class vessel – there are three more in the pipeline – with tweaks that will make them even more desirable.
Built at the famed Italian yard Fincantieri and launched after a glittering hand-over ceremony attended by the Italian Prime Minister, Paolo Gentiloni and Carnival Corporation’s legendary chairman Micky Arison, son of the company’s founder, the Majestic Princess was described as the ultimate Princess built for China.
Cruise Passenger was aboard when she sailed out of Trieste to a tumultuous send-off.
We were told she would tour Europe before taking the “Silk Road Sea Route”, a 49-day journey from Rome to Shanghai, her new home, where she will be officially named.
She was to be based there – her gaming rooms and mahjong tables designed with China in mind.
But, thanks to the importance and growth of Australian cruise, there seems to have been a change of heart. A move to be heartily applauded!
So what’s life like aboard the Majestic?
Princess says it is a truly international ship. And we agree.
From her multi-tiered atrium to her dancing central water fountains, this is a ship for a new age of cruising. Almost any nationality will feel at home.
The suites and cabins are comfortable and large. The corridors are expansive and ceilings high. The public areas feel grand.
“From her gourmet restaurants to her stunning on board features, Majestic Princess is nothing short of magnificent,” says Stuart Allison, vice president Australia and New Zealand.
The food
We were wined and dined in the ship’s new food venues – Richard Chen has a lobster bar on the pool deck (additional US$18) and Harmony, a bright, light Cantonese food venue with gorgeous sea views and a fresh take on traditional Chinese.
On a shakedown cruise, the ingredients are limited. But our Chilean cod was a sensation.
La Mer, a partnership with three-times starred Michelin chef Emmanuel Renaut, offers Bistro dining like escargots and mushroom ragout.
There is a Chef’s Table Lumiere (US$120 pp) – a fascinating light-infused curtain surrounds guests as they feast on a specially prepared menu. And, of course, there is perennial Princess favourite Crown Grill and Bar, home to one of the best steaks at sea.
We love the Crown Grill – and it retains its reputation as one of our favourites, with the French Onion Soup an all-time best.
The vessel’s buffet areas have been transformed into The World Fresh Marketplace – a series of food stalls serving a huge variety of dishes prepared from fresh produce in the Majestic’s prodigious kitchens.
There are two main dining rooms and six speciality restaurants, many of which will now start to appear in the Princess fleet around the world. Curtis Stone’s Share puts in a guest appearance – with one dish on the main dining menus.
But the changes to accommodate the Asian market – and a more sophisticated cruise passenger globally – don’t stop with the food.
The amenities
The spa has been expanded, and now features an amazing area called The Enclave, where a pool, perfumed steam rooms and heated sunbeds are sure to relax you. Just 50 guests get unlimited access for US$119.
And The Hollywood Conservatory is a completely new design: a sanctuary for adults in private cabanas by day, and transformed into the Hollywood Pool Club, a rocking night venue, once the sun goes down.
The Vista Gaming Lounge features mahjong – including digital tables – and the casino has a high roller and VVIP room where the Baccarat limits change every day, depending on who is on board. During our visit, it was set at $100 to $5,000 a bet.
Guests can use their winnings at the world’s largest retail mall at sea – 1100 square metres – showcasing Cartier, Chopard, Bulgari, Prada, Coach, Gucci, Burberry and many more.
There are full production musicals in the theatres, a light and dance show by the pool and, because Asian guests love to do their own signing, an array of private karaoke rooms and a TV studio.
The suites and cabins
There are 36 suites with private balconies, 374 mini suites also with private verandas, 312 deluxe balcony cabins, 716 balcony cabins and 342 inside cabins.
Traditional Princess layouts are mixed with brighter designs. And there’s a new “Asian friendly” bed. Princess is replacing all of its beds with a new specially designed mattress and pillows created by US sleep specialist Dr Michael Breus.
Asians, apparently, prefer harder mattresses because of their history of sleeping on hard floors or beds.
As a result, the new Princess bed will feature a hard mattress base and a soft cover. In tests, they have proved so popular, says Dr Breus, that they are now on sale to the public online at US$1,200. So far, only to the US market but a global delivery system is in the works.
The ship features a big move to provide facilities for families – Executive vice president guest experiences and product development Rai Caluori maintaining the line’s child-friendly position was “one of the great Princess secrets”.
He said Princess didn’t offer the rides and rock climbing of competitors, but instead put on a more educational approach – a direct appeal to Asia’s legendary Tiger Mums.
One thing missing from this excellent new ship is Carnival Corporations’ Ocean Medallion.
The device, which delivers a new level of personalised service using sensors and digital technology, won’t be available yet but will be retro fitted later.
The Verdict
Highs: Bright, airy and spacious public areas with lots going on – the piazza really is like the town square. The famed friendly and efficient Princess service and new dining venues re-defines Premium Cruising.
Lows: This ship deserves some rock star staterooms in the style now aboard many luxury ships. She’s a small step away from luxury herself, and larger suites would make a big difference.
Who’s it for: this is a Princess on steroids – she’ll attract a new and younger Princess cruiser without offending the line’s most loyal fans.
Princess Cruises had a record wave season, and plans to make 2017/18 another bumper season. Princess, which claims to have more cruise passengers on board for the most nights of any line in Australia, carried over 250,000 passengers this year. President Australia and New Zealand Stuart Allison described it as a “huge result”. “It was … Read more
Princess Cruises has announced it will be sending the brand new Majestic Princess to Australia on September 15, 2018. She will be homeported in Sydney for the 2018/19 wave season!
You can’t get a better guide for the world’s newest cruise ship that Rai Calouri, executive vice president of Princess Cruises fleet operations.
After all, he helped design the experiences on the Majestic Princess, the latest Royal class vessel that is creating quite a stir in the cruise ship world.
She is in Italy this week but ultimately bound for Shanghai as a purpose build ship for the Chinese market. But this is a very special ship – an “east-meets-west” cruise ship produced in the Princess mould of international vessel.
Cruise Passenger was on board for her inaugural cruise from Trieste, Italy. So were Carnival Corporation’s most senior executives.
The Italian Prime Minister turned out for her launch, and the town of Trieste saw her off with thousands of citizens at the dockside.
So what does Rai recommend?
He told us of the 14 must-experience areas of the 19-deck, US$600 million mega ship.
Shopping: We’re talking about serious retail: 11,000 sq feet of Prada, Coach, Cartier, Gucci, Bulgari and more…expect to see more big brands on Princess ships
Harmony: The Chinese restaurant serving up Michelin starred chef Richard Chen. It’s beautiful, stylish design with great food and wine (Princess has stocked Chinese wines and they are delicious!) Rai’s choice: pork belly rib casserole. Cruise Passenger’s choice; Chilean sea bass.
Karaoke:Sing on the Sea comprises six private suites for serious karaoke. So break out your Blue Suede Shoes and start practising…
Bubble Tea: It has swept Asia, and it is popular in Australia too. Prepare to suck it up! Our favourite: green tea with milk mousse
Mahjong: You can learn to play or toss your tiles with the professionals. This incredibly absorbing game is a way of life for Chinese players, and at the Vista Gaming Lounge you’ll see all the excitement of a tournament.
Chef’s Table Lumiere: You sit behind a curtain of light while your personal chef provides you with champagne, canapés…here’s a menu from a similar experience on the Royal Princess.
Hors d’Oeuvres in the Galley: includes roast scallop on pea puree, smoked salmon and caviar parcels on pumpernickel, warm buttery provencal mini tartlets and black truffle infusion pizzette with wild mushrooms.
Crispy Sweetbread Stack
Frozen Margarita Sorbet
Roast Lobster Tail & Pancetta Wrapped Noisettes of Lamb
Mille-Feuille of Brie de Meaux (my second favourite bite of the entire cruise)
Chocolate Praline Timbale
Yum! With wine, it costs US$120 pp
Walk on the water: Some say it’s not for the feint hearted, but the sea walk is your way of walking on water – a glass-bottomed extension of the ship’ deck that allows you to literally take a stroll above the ocean
Paris bistro on the ocean: Created with Chef Emmanuel Renaut, who holds the “Meilleur Ouvrier de France” (Best Craftsmen of France) and Chef of the Year by Le Chef, and whose Flocons de Sel restaurant has received three Michelin stars, La Mer is open bistro dining. Cost: US$35 pp
Fantasy light show: The pool deck contains a stage set for an amazing light and dance show – a first at sea
World Fresh Market: The buffet is dead. Long live the new individual food stations with everything fresh and made from the bottom up in the Majestic’s kitchens. The bakery is a feast of cakes and deserts. But don’t worry – the salad bar is just around the corner.
The Enclave: Ok, this is our personal favourite. An amazing spa pool, heated sun beds and FOUR steam rooms with exclusive aromas. You can stay all day for US$39 or buy a cruise pass for the duration.
Seven layer s’mores stack: The Crown Grill is a Princess staple, but in our opinion it’s still the best. Rai’s favourite is the desert with graham cracker, marshmallow and milk chocolate. Ours is the French onion soup.
The Hollywood Pool Club: This amazing area is part cabana haven and part enclosed pool. In chillier climes, you can still rent your own space for the day and have a massage or just chill out! It’s aimed at Chinese guests who don’t like open-air pools and sunshine, but it’s a fabulous respite. Adults only – and at night, it’s a fantastic dance club.
Princess beds: Designed for the best night’s sleep you will ever experience, the mattress is firm for the Asian market where spines are used to hard surfaces. A cover quickly converts for the western market. Created for princess by Michael J. Breus, Ph.D., a Clinical Psychologist and both a Diplomate of the American Board of Sleep Medicine and a Fellow of The American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 40,000 new beds are being fitted to the fleet. And guess what: you can buy them and the linen online.
She's the most specious ship yet from luxury line Oceania Cruises. James Sitters tells Rose Kelly and Peter Lynch what's on board the new class of ship, including restaurants, spas and suites.
