Latest news with #Mediterranean-based
Scoop
3 days ago
- Health
- Scoop
Global Review Finds Mediterranean Diet May Play Key Role In Managing ADHD
It's the superhero of the nutrition world, and now a scientific review has shown the potential power of the Mediterranean diet to help manage the symptoms of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. The recently published review by the University of the Sunshine Coast is one of the first to directly research the benefits of the Mediterranean diet – with its high intake of fruits, vegetables, wholegrains and extra-virgin olive oil – versus unhealthy diets typically high in sugar, additives and saturated fats, to lessen ADHD symptoms. UniSC Psychology researcher Naomi Lewis said the novel review examined all available global evidence on the key nutrients and dietary patterns implicated in ADHD, and linked the findings to underlying biological mechanisms such as gut imbalance and inflammation. 'We found strong evidence that diet and nutrition may be more important than we think when it comes to managing ADHD symptoms and providing protective benefits,' she said. The study builds on earlier findings by the researchers on the role of diet in brain-gut inflammation pathways in ADHD, that an imbalance of good versus bad gut microorganisms may impact the severity of symptoms. 'What we eat plays a big role in the health of our gut microbiome, which are the trillions of bacteria and other microbes in our digestive system that help support brain and overall health,' Ms Lewis said. 'When these microbes become imbalanced, it can affect our physical and mental wellbeing, including possibly making symptoms of ADHD worse. This is because an imbalanced gut can lead to harmful states such as inflammation that can affect how the brain functions. 'A diet high in fibre, healthy fats such as omega-3s, and antioxidants helps good bacteria in our guts to thrive, whereas too much sugar, saturated fat, and other components of a highly processed diet could promote harmful bacteria and inflammation.' UniSC Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics Dr Anthony Villani said the Mediterranean diet was under-researched in ADHD, with a lack of robust trials investigating dietary strategies in its management. 'Most research to date has focused on elimination diets, with very limited exploration of the Mediterranean diet,' Dr Villani said. 'We know from other studies that children and adolescents with ADHD – a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity and impulsivity – tend to have poorer diets, compared to those without. 'These diets are often highly processed and at risk of being deficient in certain nutrients, including omega-3 fatty acids, iron, zinc, magnesium, vitamin D and B vitamins, known to support optimal brain functioning. 'Following a Mediterranean-based diet has great potential to help improve ADHD symptoms by improving gut health and lowering inflammation as it is rich in anti-inflammatory foods and fibre such as olive oil, fruits, vegetables and fish." While medications are the most common treatment for managing symptoms of ADHD, they are associated with side effects and many people do not respond effectively. 'While it's not a cure for ADHD, a Mediterranean-based diet, as well as targeted supplements, may help some people better regulate ADHD behaviours more effectively. It's a low-risk, affordable option worth considering,' Dr Villani said. The researchers recommend clinical trials to determine the clinical utility and effectiveness of the Mediterranean diet in ADHD management.
Scottish Sun
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
I tried the new Omaze-style draw for superyacht holidays and lived like a billionaire for a £10 raffle ticket
AS I shake the hand of Captain Harry, the blue-eyed Greek god in command of this luxury superyacht, I wonder if this is the first time he's welcomed aboard a guest wearing a dress from Primark. This Mediterranean-based boat costs upwards of 100,000 euros a week to rent (or 'charter' to use the yachty term) - so what am I doing on it, in an old H&M bikini and sunglasses I got for free with a magazine? 11 Samantha Rea taking in the view from the deck of the Daloli, a 33 metre superyacht 11 She flew into Athens then was driven to the swish marina where the Dalioi is docked 11 The yacht boasts three decks, five bedrooms, seven crew and an array of 'toys' including jet skis and paddleboards 11 Samantha tries out one of the boat's jet skis I mean, who do we usually see on superyachts? Celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, Beyonce, The Beckhams, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, and billionaire Jeff Bezos with his fiance Lauren Sanchez, all clad in designer clobber that costs more than I'd be able to spend on a holiday itself. Yet here I am, in a nautical striped bargain that I bought in Primarni last summer, stepping onto the Daloli, a 33 metre yacht with three decks, five bedrooms, seven crew and an array of 'toys' including jet skis, paddleboards, seabobs and waterslides. Then there's the massive TVs, a hot tub, huge lounge and dining areas, and the drinks cabinet equivalent of Mary Poppins's never-empty carpet bag… I definitely don't have the money to charter it myself, and I don't tend to mix with millionaires who might. In fact, if I ever imagined myself on a yacht, I'd be more likely to picture myself slaving away Below Deck-style, scrubbing stains off some spoilt celebs' sheets - because surely the lavish superyacht lifestyle is only for oligarchs and A-listers? Well, it turns out that, actually, it's no longer exclusive to the super rich - because as of now, with the launch of Anchord's prize draw, anyone can win a week aboard, just by buying a raffle ticket. And that's why I'm here - to get a sneak peek inside the superyacht where the first winners will spend a week living like royalty. Inside the invite-only superyacht 'sea hotel' with four-story penthouse - & another $450m 'twin' ship is on the way Having flown into Athens, I've been driven to Alimos Marina, in the south of the city, where the Dalioi is docked, in prime position. The marina's glorious backdrop of sunshine, palm trees and Greek flags means I already feel like I'm on holiday - but of course, the Daloli is not a hotel, it is a superyacht, and so off we sail into the Mediterranean. As the boat heads south, so do I - downstairs to see my cabin. I am delighted to find a double bed, immaculately made with crisp white bed linen. There's a wardrobe with hangers, as well as cupboard space, a stonking great TV, and an ensuite bathroom stacked with Molton Brown miniatures. Having been worried about forgetting my shampoo, it quickly becomes apparent that at this level of luxury, everything is taken care of. 11 Samantha sips champagne in the top deck jacuzzi 11 Posing from a superyacht pretty much guarantees that you'll be winning at Instagram, says Samantha 11 With the launch of Anchord's prize draw, anyone can win a week aboard the yacht 11 Taking in the stunning view from the top deck of a yacht is no longer exclusive to the super rich Spoilt like a celebrity There are shaving kits, toothbrushes, sun hats and sun lotion in a choice of factors. There is even a yoga mat and a foam roller to ease any muscle soreness after an invigorating swim. There are windows - or portholes - in both my bedroom and my bathroom. It means I can see the sea as I shower, and this turns out to be a uniquely enjoyable experience. It has spoilt me for all other bathrooms, as I would now like surrounding-sea-views for all my showers. Heading back upstairs, I'm told that we'll be anchoring in a bay near Aigina, one of the Saronic Islands just off the Greek mainland, in the Saronic Gulf. Here we will be doing watersports with the smorgasbord of equipment that is somehow tidily tucked away on board - despite the fact that even Stacey Solomon and the Sort Your Life Out team would struggle to fit it all in a double garage. As a G&T is handed to me on the sun deck, it strikes me that this stratospheric level of being looked after is one that I would love to get used to But first we're having lunch, and as I enter the dining room, I suspect we may have a stowaway in the form of interior design guru Kelly Hoppen, who's snuck on board to do the tablescaping. It turns out it's one of the stewards, whose attention to detail would probably see them stacking up followers on Instagram, and somehow they conjure up an entirely new tablescape for every meal. The food? Well, as I'm sure you've guessed by now, there is an excellent chef on board. He serves platters of freshly cut fruit, makes the best tzatziki I've ever eaten, and even panders to my poached egg preferences. I would like to take him home, and I consider downloading Happn, the dating app that shows you nearby singles - perhaps this could be the route to keeping him in my kitchen? Then I come to my senses as it dawns on me that he'd be unlikely to give up his life on a superyacht just to make my dinner. However, as a G&T is handed to me on the sun deck, it strikes me that this stratospheric level of being looked after is one that I would love to get used to. So if you'd like to spend a week being spoilt like a celebrity, here's how… Just £10 enters you into Anchord's raffle for a week-long holiday, and it won't be lonely at the top (…deck!) because the prize is for six - with everyone's food and booze included, as well as a £5,000 voucher to pay for flights and transfers. Raffle tickets for the first prize draw went on sale on Monday 2nd June, with four weeks to snap up a ticket before the draw. After that, there will be a draw every four weeks. The Omaze of holidays Summer trips will be in the Mediterranean, while winter wins will be in the Caribbean. The yachts will vary, but they will all be between 25 metres and 45 metres in length, with the winners of the first raffle spending a week sunning themselves like celebrities on the Daloli. So Anchord is basically the Omaze of holidays - instead of winning an effing big fancy house, you win a fancy vacay on an effing big yacht. Hurrah! Now, call me superficial, but I can smugly say that posing on a superyacht pretty much guarantees that you'll be winning at Instagram. Even in a swimsuit that's about as old as the average Love Islander, I got more 'fire' emojis in response to my pics than I have for almost anything else I've posted on Insta. And living the life of a celeb doesn't stop with a week on the yacht, because winners also get the kind of philanthropist kudos that comes with being a celebrity benefactor like Angelina Jolie, Dolly Parton, and George and Amal Clooney. Why? Because for every raffle, a minimum of £10,000 will be donated to the children's hospice Naomi House & Jacksplace, with an additional sum being donated to a hospice in each winner's local area. Having spent a night on the Daloli as a guest, I know that in the future when I picture myself on a superyacht, I won't see myself emptying bathroom bins of soiled loo roll in the manner of a stressed steward in Below Deck. Instead, I'll have flashbacks to sipping champers in the top deck jacuzzi, while the chef prepares me a fresh seafood barbeque and a handsome crew member invites me for a spin on a jet ski. I'm feeling optimistic that this experience will raise my manifesting game - so much so that I imagine it's only a matter of time until the Law of Attraction works its magic and I sail off on another superyacht… Raffle tickets are available at 11 Samantha gets ready for some watersports 11 She adds: 'I'm feeling optimistic that this experience will raise my manifesting game'
Buzz Feed
19-06-2025
- Health
- Buzz Feed
Study Reveals The Biggest Risk Factors For Getting Early Dementia
Overall, the study results are consistent with what medical experts have been advising patients for years. Dr. Arman Fesharaki-Zadeh, an assistant professor of psychiatry and of neurology at the Yale School of Medicine, recommended three 'lifestyle measures' that folks may want to consider when trying to lower their risk of young-onset dementia ― starting with physical exercise. 'An active daily exercise practice can have far-reaching benefits, which include enhanced neurocognitive function,' Fesharaki-Zadeh said, adding that physical activity can boost neurogenesis (the formation of new neurons and synapses), vasculogenesis (the creation of new blood vessels) while also providing inherent mood benefits. Next, focus on eating nourishing foods. Fesharaki-Zadeh championed a Mediterranean-based diet, mentioning its well-documented benefits. 'Such dietary practice, which includes food groups such as green leafy vegetables, olive oil, salmon and blueberries, is rich in vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, as well as antioxidants ― all neuroprotective factors,' he explained. Fesharaki-Zadeh recommended cognitive, mood and social stimulation to keep your mind sharp. For cognitive stimulation, this could look like learning a new language or attending a seminar, listening to music or dancing. Basically, anything that engages your mind will help it stay healthy. Mood stimulation, on the other hand, relates to stress reduction practices, 'such as mindfulness and yoga,' Fesharaki-Zadeh said. As for social stimulation, it's pretty simple: Try to connect with other humans face-to-face and actually talk to them as much as possible. 'In the era of pandemic and now post-pandemic, quality social connections should increasingly be encouraged and practiced,' Fesharaki-Zadeh said. While these habits don't cover the whole list of dementia risk factors, they are a pretty solid start. This article originally appeared on HuffPost.
7NEWS
11-05-2025
- 7NEWS
Super-sized cruise ships to get even bigger with new ‘floating cities' announced
Who could forget the images that went viral last year of a cruise ship's stern looking like a top-heavy birthday cake? So colorful and cartoon-like were the decks layered with twisting waterslides, turquoise pools and neon accoutrements galore, many commenters wondered how it could float. If you thought the simultaneous buzz and uproar that accompanied the January 2024 launch of the world's biggest cruise ship — Royal Caribbean's 1196-foot-long Icon of the Seas — was the last you'd hear about super-sized cruise ships for a while, think again. The bigger-is-better adage is one that the world's biggest cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line among them — continue to embrace, as one mega-size cruise ship after another rolls down the pipeline on its way from the shipyard to the sea. This year alone will see a litany of new larger-than-life (and in many cases, larger than their predecessor sister ships) cruise ships traversing the world's oceans. In late April, Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, began cruising out of Florida's Port Canaveral with a passenger capacity of 3600 — 10 per cent more than other Prima Class ships can carry. The cruise line has ordered four larger ships, carrying 5000 passengers each, for delivery starting in 2030 (with several more Prima Class ships rolling out in the interim). Also in April, MSC Cruises debuted its second-largest ship after Mediterranean-based MSC World Europa. MSC World America can accommodate 6762 passengers and stretches 1,092 feet long. It sails on Caribbean itineraries out of the MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the largest cruise terminal in North America, which is capable of processing 36,000 passengers daily on three ships. Two more new MSC World Class ships are in the pipeline for delivery in 2026 (MSC World Asia, which will sail in the Mediterranean) and 2027 (MSC World Atlantic, which will cruise the Caribbean from Port Canaveral). Carnival Cruise Line has plans to launch its most behemoth cruise ship class ever in 2029 when it takes delivery of the first of three ships with more than 3000 cabins and maximum capacity of nearly 8000 guests. And in August of this year, the sister ship to the 7600 passenger Icon of the Seas and the second ship in Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, Star of the Seas, will set sail from Port Canaveral on seven-night year-round Caribbean sailings. The ship will have roughly the same maximum passenger capacity and 20 equally eye-popping decks festooned with waterslides, a water park, seven pools and 40 places to eat and drink. Royal Caribbean isn't stopping there. In 2026, Legend of the Seas, the third ship in the Icon Class, is slated to set sail from Fort Lauderdale. And a fourth yet-to-be-named ship is on tap for delivery in 2027. A demand that shows no signs of ebbing More than 37 million passengers are expected to cruise in 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The global cruise ship orderbook extends through 2036, with 77 new cruise ships scheduled for delivery, a CLIA spokesperson told CNN. While that may sound overwhelming when it comes to choice, size and carbon footprint, rolling out bigger and better ships isn't new. 'Pre-pandemic, cruise lines were on a tear with lots of ships on order. And then, of course, the pandemic happened and virtually everything halted,' says Cruise Critic's editor-in-chief, Colleen McDaniel. What we're seeing now, she says, is what appears to be more cruise ships on order than ever before. Cruise Critic's users are 'absolutely looking forward' to cruising on some of the bigger ships, including Star of the Seas and MSC World America, says McDaniel. 'If you look at the orderbook for cruise ships all the way through 2036, their ships on those, there are some really big ones,' she says. 'The more cruisers you can get onto a ship, the more potential revenue you have from those cruisers.' And while there's no official passenger number when it comes to what defines a super-sized cruise ship, McDaniel says Cruise Critic generally considers ships with more than 3000 passengers in that category. According to CLIA, a little less than one-third (28 per cent) of all cruise ships fall into the large category, with 3,000 or more 'lower berths' (indicating double-occupancy passenger capacity). All about the flow The key to making the experience of a super-sized ship pleasant for passengers is the flow of movement onboard as well as the creation of distinct spaces for guests to escape and make their own, McDaniel says. '(Cruise lines) have to be able to ensure that if you are on a ship that has 6000 people on board, that they're still able to move passengers through comfortably and to make them feel like it's an experience that doesn't have that many guests on board,' says McDaniel, adding that this is something the mega ships do well. 'They make sure that the flow is good. They count on passengers to sort of find and return to spaces they really love,' she says. Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Class ships have 'neighborhoods' while MSC's World Class ships have a 'districts' concept meant to make a large cruise ship feel more manageable. As a result, she says, the ship feels like a destination unto itself and therein lies the appeal for many passengers. 'The era of guests going on a cruise to simply get to a destination is over,' says Suzanne Salas, MSC Cruises executive vice president, marketing, eCommerce and sales. 'People are not using a cruise to get to the Bahamas. People want the cruise to have innovation, to have bars, to have dining, to have entertainment,' she says. And the mega ships offer all that in spades. 'Yes, you are going to really wonderful places, be it the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, but the ship offers so much to do that it's actually difficult to fit it all into the space of a week,' McDaniel says. A formula that's working In the increasingly competitive global cruise industry, large providers are looking for opportunities to gain market share by driving unique travel experiences, says Jerry Roper, chief digital architect at Deloitte Digital, which analyzes travel industry trends. 'Larger ships are seeing considerable increase in occupancy and the newer experience is a draw for customers,' Roper says. The market is changing from cruise to an integrated experience with multiple examples of cruise partnerships plus expanded, captive experiences — Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and MSC's Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, for example — that expand the cruise experience beyond the confines of the ship, Roper says. Carnival Cruise Line will open its new cruise port destination, Celebration Key, on the south side of Grand Bahama Island this summer. Tampa, Florida, resident Jeanetta Sheppard has sailed on roughly 20 cruises aboard ships of varying sizes but says she prefers mega ships like Icon of the Seas and ships in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, like Utopia of the Seas, which can carry over 5600 passengers. Even when a show ends up getting cancelled, Sheppard says she still finds plenty to do onboard like 'being able to explore the ship and walk and all the different artworks and different floors. There's always something to do.' A few months ago, she cruised on a smaller ship from Tampa and was disappointed despite the service being excellent, Sheppard says. 'I told my husband, 'Let's go explore the ship', and I swear, I walked out my door and before long we'd seen it all,' she says. 'Everything's on track' Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley says that while the company was very optimistic with the launch of Icon of the Seas last year, they had 'no clue how well-received it would be'. The ship was not only the biggest, but the biggest hit the company has ever introduced, he says. Bayley attributes that success, in part, to multi-generational families traveling together more and every member of the family wanting to have places on board where they can gather together and disperse to on their own. A mega ship like Icon or Star takes a bit over two years to build, Bayley says, with the conception and design process starting some five years before the ship will ever enter the water. Still under construction in the shipyard in Turku, Finland, as of early May, Star of the Seas is currently in its finishing stages, says Bayley. 'Her engines are in there with all the techs in there. The ship is almost finished. All of the public spaces are being finalized. So you can imagine the scale of the construction of a ship of that size, and everything's on track and on time,' Bayley told CNN Travel. The sea trials come next, when technicians test the ship's major systems in the water, then it will be sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to Port Canaveral for 'shakedown cruises' to iron out any issues before entering service in late August, he says. Legend of the Seas is in the same shipyard in Finland but still in its early construction stages, Bayley says, adding that it will fundamentally be the same ship as Star with 'various upgrades and some tweaks and changes that improve the product and improve the overall experience.' Right now, he says, Legend looks like a jumble of Lego blocks. 'You look at it and think, what's that?' he says. The enviromental red flags you can't see For all the fans they have in passengers eager to explore their neighborhoods and shows, water parks and thrill rides, behemoth ships also raise environmental concerns and some ports are wary of receiving the inundation of passengers. Mega cruise ships are 'essentially floating cities', says Bryan Comer, marine program director at the International Council on Clean Transportation. 'And with each new launch, we're seeing increases in fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and wastewater discharges,' he says. Mega ships including Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and MSC World America are powered by LNG, an alternative marine fuel produced from natural gas from underground reserves, and traditional marine fuel. All three have shore power connectivity that allows engines to be switched off in port to cut down on local emissions. The sustainability pages for Royal Caribbean , MSC Cruises, Carnival and Norwegian all state the companies' commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. But Comer says bio-methanol and renewable e-methanol are better options than LNG when it comes to long-term climate risk and achieving very low life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. 'Even if ships eventually use bio-LNG or renewable e-LNG, any methane emissions from the fuel tanks or engines will erode some of the climate benefits, making it very challenging to achieve net-zero emissions,' he says. The industry has the opportunity to innovate and lean on low-emission travel now, he says. 'I think it's important to remember that the future of cruising doesn't have to look like the past,' says Comer. There is also the question of overtourism to consider and the impact to local infrastructure that comes with dropping thousands of tourists in ports, big and small. 'Many of the tourism destination leaders we work with tell us yes, some cruise tourism is beneficial to the local economy,' says Paula Vlamings, chief impact officer of global nonprofit Tourism Cares, a pioneer in promoting sustainable tourism. But there's a tipping point, says Vlamings. Too many large ships in a port at once — or the equivalent in the form of one mega ship — can create negative impacts that 'far outweigh the positive,' overwhelming the people that live there, providing little economic opportunity in return and putting a heavy burden on local resources and infrastructure, she says. 'Whether it's cruise ships, tour operators or attractions, the travel industry must focus on protecting the places and people who call them home.'
CNN
07-05-2025
- CNN
Super-sized cruise ships are becoming the norm. Is there an end in sight?
Who could forget the images that went viral last year of a cruise ship's stern looking like a top-heavy birthday cake? So colorful and cartoon-like were the decks layered with twisting waterslides, turquoise pools and neon accoutrements galore, many commenters wondered how it could float. If you thought the simultaneous buzz and uproar that accompanied the January 2024 launch of the world's biggest cruise ship — Royal Caribbean's 1,196-foot-long Icon of the Seas — was the last you'd hear about super-sized cruise ships for a while, think again. The bigger-is-better adage is one that the world's biggest cruise lines — Royal Caribbean, MSC, Carnival Cruise Line and Norwegian Cruise Line among them — continue to embrace, as one mega-size cruise ship after another rolls down the pipeline on its way from the shipyard to the sea. This year alone will see a litany of new larger-than-life (and in many cases, larger than their predecessor sister ships) cruise ships traversing the world's oceans. In late April, Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Norwegian Aqua, began cruising out of Florida's Port Canaveral with a passenger capacity of 3,600 — 10% more than other Prima Class ships can carry. The cruise line has ordered four larger ships, carrying 5,000 passengers each, for delivery starting in 2030 (with several more Prima Class ships rolling out in the interim). Also in April, MSC debuted its second-largest ship after Mediterranean-based MSC World Europa. MSC World America can accommodate 6,762 passengers and stretches 1,092 feet long. It sails on Caribbean itineraries out of the MSC Miami Cruise Terminal, the largest cruise terminal in the world, which is capable of processing 36,000 passengers daily on three ships. Two more new MSC World Class ships are in the pipeline for delivery in 2026 (MSC World Asia, which will sail in the Mediterranean) and 2027 (MSC World Atlantic, which will cruise the Caribbean from Port Canaveral). Carnival Cruise Line has plans to launch its most behemoth cruise ship class ever in 2029 when it takes delivery of the first of three ships with more than 3,000 cabins and maximum capacity of nearly 8,000 guests. And in August of this year, the sister ship to the 7,600 passenger Icon of the Seas and the second ship in Royal Caribbean's Icon Class, Star of the Seas, will set sail from Port Canaveral on seven-night year-round Caribbean sailings. The ship will have roughly the same maximum passenger capacity and 20 equally eye-popping decks festooned with waterslides, a water park, seven pools and 40 places to eat and drink. Royal Caribbean isn't stopping there. In 2026, Legend of the Seas, the third ship in the Icon Class, is slated to set sail from Fort Lauderdale. And a fourth yet-to-be-named ship is on tap for delivery in 2027. More than 37 million passengers are expected to cruise in 2025, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). The global cruise ship orderbook extends through 2036, with 77 new cruise ships scheduled for delivery, a CLIA spokesperson told CNN. While that may sound overwhelming when it comes to choice, size and carbon footprint, rolling out bigger and better ships isn't new. 'Pre-pandemic, cruise lines were on a tear with lots of ships on order. And then, of course, the pandemic happened and virtually everything halted,' says Cruise Critic's editor-in-chief, Colleen McDaniel. What we're seeing now, she says, is what appears to be more cruise ships on order than ever before. Cruise Critic's users are 'absolutely looking forward' to cruising on some of the bigger ships, including Star of the Seas and MSC World America, says McDaniel. 'If you look at the orderbook for cruise ships all the way through 2036, their ships on those, there are some really big ones,' she says. 'The more cruisers you can get onto a ship, the more potential revenue you have from those cruisers.' And while there's no official passenger number when it comes to what defines a super-sized cruise ship, McDaniel says Cruise Critic generally considers ships with more than 3,000 passengers in that category. According to CLIA, a little less than one-third (28%) of all cruise ships fall into the large category, with 3,000 or more 'lower berths' (indicating double-occupancy passenger capacity). The key to making the experience of a super-sized ship pleasant for passengers is the flow of movement onboard as well as the creation of distinct spaces for guests to escape and make their own, McDaniel says. '(Cruise lines) have to be able to ensure that if you are on a ship that has 6,000 people on board, that they're still able to move passengers through comfortably and to make them feel like it's an experience that doesn't have that many guests on board,' says McDaniel, adding that this is something the mega ships do well. 'They make sure that the flow is good. They count on passengers to sort of find and return to spaces they really love,' she says. Royal Caribbean's Oasis and Icon Class ships have 'neighborhoods' while MSC's World Class ships have a 'districts' concept meant to make a large cruise ship feel more manageable. As a result, she says, the ship feels like a destination unto itself and therein lies the appeal for many passengers. 'The era of guests going on a cruise to simply get to a destination is over,' says Suzanne Salas, MSC Cruises executive vice president, marketing, eCommerce and sales. 'People are not using a cruise to get to the Bahamas. People want the cruise to have innovation, to have bars, to have dining, to have entertainment,' she says. And the mega ships offer all that in spades. 'Yes, you are going to really wonderful places, be it the Caribbean or the Mediterranean, but the ship offers so much to do that it's actually difficult to fit it all into the space of a week,' McDaniel says. In the increasingly competitive global cruise industry, large providers are looking for opportunities to gain market share by driving unique travel experiences, says Jerry Roper, chief digital architect at Deloitte Digital, which analyzes travel industry trends. 'Larger ships are seeing considerable increase in occupancy and the newer experience is a draw for customers,' Roper says. The market is changing from cruise to an integrated experience with multiple examples of cruise partnerships plus expanded, captive experiences — Royal Caribbean's private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, and MSC's Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve, for example — that expand the cruise experience beyond the confines of the ship, Roper says. Carnival Cruise Line will open its new cruise port destination, Celebration Key, on the south side of Grand Bahama Island this summer. Tampa, Florida, resident Jeanetta Sheppard has sailed on roughly 20 cruises aboard ships of varying sizes but says she prefers mega ships like Icon of the Seas and ships in Royal Caribbean's Oasis Class, like Utopia of the Seas, which can carry over 5,600 passengers. Even when a show ends up getting cancelled, Sheppard says she still finds plenty to do onboard like 'being able to explore the ship and walk and all the different artworks and different floors. There's always something to do.' A few months ago, she cruised on a smaller ship from Tampa and was disappointed despite the service being excellent, Sheppard says. 'I told my husband, 'Let's go explore the ship,' and I swear, I walked out my door and before long we'd seen it all,' she says. Royal Caribbean CEO Michael Bayley says that while the company was very optimistic with the launch of Icon of the Seas last year, they had 'no clue how well-received it would be.' The ship was not only the biggest, but the biggest hit the company has ever introduced, he says. Bayley attributes that success, in part, to multi-generational families traveling together more and every member of the family wanting to have places on board where they can gather together and disperse to on their own. A mega ship like Icon or Star takes a bit over two years to build, Bayley says, with the conception and design process starting some five years before the ship will ever enter the water. Still under construction in the shipyard in Turku, Finland, as of early May, Star of the Seas is currently in its finishing stages, says Bayley. 'Her engines are in there with all the techs in there. The ship is almost finished. All of the public spaces are being finalized. So you can imagine the scale of the construction of a ship of that size, and everything's on track and on time,' Bayley told CNN Travel. The sea trials come next, when technicians test the ship's major systems in the water, then it will be sailed across the Atlantic Ocean to Port Canaveral for 'shakedown cruises' to iron out any issues before entering service in late August, he says. Legend of the Seas is in the same shipyard in Finland but still in its early construction stages, Bayley says, adding that it will fundamentally be the same ship as Star with 'various upgrades and some tweaks and changes that improve the product and improve the overall experience.' Right now, he says, Legend looks like a jumble of Lego blocks. 'You look at it and think, what's that?' he says. For all the fans they have in passengers eager to explore their neighborhoods and shows, water parks and thrill rides, behemoth ships also raise environmental concerns and some ports are wary of receiving the inundation of passengers. Mega cruise ships are 'essentially floating cities,' says Bryan Comer, marine program director at the International Council on Clean Transportation. 'And with each new launch, we're seeing increases in fuel consumption, greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution and wastewater discharges,' he says. Mega ships including Icon of the Seas, Star of the Seas and MSC World America are powered by LNG, an alternative marine fuel produced from natural gas from underground reserves, and traditional marine fuel. All three have shore power connectivity that allows engines to be switched off in port to cut down on local emissions. The sustainability pages for Royal Caribbean , MSC, Carnival and Norwegian all state the companies' commitments to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. But Comer says bio-methanol and renewable e-methanol are better options than LNG when it comes to long-term climate risk and achieving very low life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions. 'Even if ships eventually use bio-LNG or renewable e-LNG, any methane emissions from the fuel tanks or engines will erode some of the climate benefits, making it very challenging to achieve net-zero emissions,' he says. The industry has the opportunity to innovate and lean on low-emission travel now, he says. 'I think it's important to remember that the future of cruising doesn't have to look like the past,' says Comer. There is also the question of overtourism to consider and the impact to local infrastructure that comes with dropping thousands of tourists in ports, big and small. 'Many of the tourism destination leaders we work with tell us yes, some cruise tourism is beneficial to the local economy,' says Paula Vlamings, chief impact officer of global nonprofit Tourism Cares, a pioneer in promoting sustainable tourism. But there's a tipping point, says Vlamings. Too many large ships in a port at once — or the equivalent in the form of one mega ship — can create negative impacts that 'far outweigh the positive,' overwhelming the people that live there, providing little economic opportunity in return and putting a heavy burden on local resources and infrastructure, she says. 'Whether it's cruise ships, tour operators or attractions, the travel industry must focus on protecting the places and people who call them home.' Florida-based freelance writer Terry Ward lives in Tampa and has been on a handful of cruises of the mega-ship and smaller variety.
