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Business Insider
10-07-2025
- Business Insider
I went on my first cruise — here are 15 things that surprised me about this type of travel
Prior to becoming a travel reporter, most of my trips were limited to visiting family in faraway places and budget road trips across the US, where I stayed in campsites, parking lots, and cheap Airbnbs. I'd traveled by car, bus, train, and plane, but the only boat I'd ever been on was a ferry. That changed three years ago, when I took my first cruise on one of the world's largest cruise ships, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. During my seven-night Caribbean voyage, the ship sailed round-trip from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, to Roatn, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private island in the Bahamas. While I'd seen cruise ships on TV and in movies, I couldn't understand how big these vessels were until I saw one myself. On board, I felt like I was in a small town in the middle of the ocean. Since this was a new form of transportation, my voyage was full of surprises. I learned that cruising is a lifestyle in itself, and while it's not necessarily for me, I can see what draws people to this type of vacation time and again. The ship has 2,867 staterooms, according to Royal Caribbean. I booked a midtier room — a step above interior staterooms with no windows, a step below staterooms with a balcony, and two steps below a 179-square-foot cabin had a private bathroom, a king-size bed, and an ocean view.I was surprised by how big the sale was with such a big discount. To me, $1,000 feels like a huge difference in price for the same vacation. After leaving to start my day each morning, a stateroom attendant cleaned my room. And after I left for dinner each night, they came back to clean up again. Every evening, they brought me fresh towels — sometimes creatively folded — and a flyer featuring the next day's schedule on the ship with the weather, dress code, and any other important information, such as a time change. This surprised me because I am used to having my room serviced once daily, if at all, during my hotel stays, and never in Airbnbs. I didn't realize booking a room at the front of the ship would result in a bumpier ride. I booked a stateroom at the very front of deck eight, and I felt constant motion in my nights were rockier than others. On the roughest nights, I heard and felt a similar sensation to thunder beneath me every few minutes. Loud thumps and heavy vibrations in my room sounded like large pieces of furniture falling down. The first night this happened, I feared the worst, but over time, I realized that this was a normal aspect of cruising — but one I would likely never get used to. After talking to seasoned cruisers on the ship, several told me that the front of the ship is one of the worst places to be for feeling motion. Higher decks in the middle of the ship feel calmer and more stable, they said. Next time, I'd choose a room in the middle of the ship. All I had to do for safety training was watch a couple of videos — either on my room TV or on the Royal Caribbean app — and then check into my assembly station: the area that I was assigned to go to in case of an emergency. At the assembly station, an attendant checked via the Royal Caribbean app that I had completed the mandatory training.I was expecting to attend a large safety training session once I got on the ship, so this alternative was a breeze. The ship has 24 elevators, but taking the stairs was often faster. Since there were so many elevators on the ship, I expected them to be a pretty efficient way to get around. But they were often so crowded and slow that I ended up taking the stairs instead. By the middle of my trip, unless I was going all the way up to the pool decks, I always opted for the stairs to save time. The ship was harder to navigate than expected, and I often got lost on my way to specific venues. The ship has 16 guest decks; each deck is divided into three sections — forward, middle, and aft. It took me a few days to get used to the sections, and I often found myself heading to the right deck but the wrong section of the ship. Luckily, there were maps on every floor, which I used until the morning I left. In the communal indoor spaces, I was surprised that I didn't even feel like I was on a ship. If I woke up on deck five of Wonder of the Seas with no memory of my cruise, I'd think I was in a shopping mall. Aside from the slight movement of the ship, the indoor decks were so big that, as a cruise newbie, it was hard to believe that I was on a gigantic boat in the middle of the ocean. Everywhere I looked, I saw shops, stands, restaurants, large sculptures, and a unique ceiling structure that reminded me of the malls I've visited. Throughout the trip, I heard more live music than I thought I would, often in the background of the ship's activities. Aside from music festivals, I've never heard more live music on a trip than I did on this cruise. On the communal decks, musicians played for hours while people relaxed and played around them. I was also surprised by the eclectic mix of genres I heard, from rock to jazz to classical. In addition to the music hall, where concerts were regularly held, live bands performed on indoor and outdoor communal decks, while some people watched and others listened while swimming, relaxing, or walking around. I thought formal nights would be enforced more. I hate dressing formally, but I knew cruises had required formal nights and therefore brought one nice dress with me. I learned after the first formal night, however, that the dress code wasn't strictly enforced. I noticed people wore a variety of outfits, from evening gowns to T-shirts.I relaxed my look on the other two formal nights, but the dress felt like a waste of the limited space in my suitcase. If I had known it wasn't necessary to wear, I would've left it at more: 8 things I learned when I sailed solo on my first cruise, from how to meet people to having to pay a 'single supplement' Some of the best meals I had were included in the rate. One of the unique things about cruising is that most meals, snacks, and drinks are all-inclusive as part of the cruise on large ships like Wonder of the Seas, more than a dozen restaurants with specialty offerings like sushi are not included, and incur additional charges, either as a one-time fee or by the I was pleasantly surprised to find that some of the most delicious and satisfying meals I had were in the restaurants that were included for guests. There were a handful of buffets with all different types of food, and the main dining room served a three-course meal with varying menu items each night. These complimentary options satisfied every single one of my cravings. One of the best meals I had was in the main dining room, where I was seated alone. The cruise ship was full of activities and restaurants that I could go to, but some restaurants, like the specialty ones, as well as all the shows on board, required reservations that I made through the Royal Caribbean app.I found that it was often hard to get day-of reservations for many shows I wanted to attend. Waiting until the last minute to plan for these events was a mistake. For example, the circus-like acrobatic water show in the AquaTheater seemed to be the most popular and hardest reservation to get. I tried to get one on the day of the event but couldn't find any availability until a show two nights time, I'll make all my show reservations as soon as possible. But even with extensive preparations, planning anything on a cruise ship was subject to change. The excursion I was most thrilled about — a hot air balloon ride over the Bahamas — was canceled the day of because the winds were too was on the last day of my trip, and with only one day in port, it could not be rescheduled. It was the experience I was looking forward to most, so I was disappointed and didn't realize this was a possibility going into the trip. On a cruise ship, I learned that all plans are subject to change based on things outside the crew's control, like the weather. I thought the port stops would be longer. Since we traveled such a long way to each port, I wrongfully assumed we'd spend more time in them. The ship usually docked in the morning, around 8 a.m., and left in the early afternoon. I thought I'd have time to explore the port for a while after each excursion, but some of my excursions took the entire day, getting me back to the boat just in time for departure. I was also hoping to see what these places looked like at night, but we never departed after sundown. Although I got a taste of the Caribbean, I felt like I didn't have enough time to get a sense of each place, which made me realize that I would probably prefer to vacation in just one place and have time to truly explore it. I'm so glad I finally know what it's like to cruise on a giant ship, but I'll probably take a plane next time. Cruise novice here! Before stepping onboard my first Caribbean cruise in April of last year, I had never even seen this type of ship in real life. I embarked on a seven-night voyage on the largest cruise ship of its kind, Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. I joined the cruise for a reporting trip with multiple stops in the Caribbean Sea that included Roatn, Honduras; Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico; and Royal Caribbean's private Bahamian island. It felt surreal to be on such a large vessel in the middle of the ocean, and a week of sun and cool breezes was just what I needed after a winter at home in New York City.
Pink Villa
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Lorenzo Lamas Pulls the Plug on Sixth Marriage, Files for Divorce From Kenna Nicole Lamas After 2 Years
Lorenzo Lamas has called it quits with his wife, Kenna Nicole Lamas, after almost 2 years of marriage. In the documents obtained by TMZ, the actor cited irreconcilable differences as the reason for the split. This is not the first time that Lamas has pulled the plug on his union, as it was his sixth marriage with Nicole. While it is unclear if the prenup agreement was signed by either of the parties, the Grease actor stated that he did not have any minor children with Kenna, so no child custody or spousal support will be provided. Lorenzo Lamas and Kenna Nicole Lamas' relationship timeline Lorenzo Lamas and Kenna Nicole began to date in April 2020, after they met through the actor's godmother. The couple dated for 10 months before the Falcon Crest actor popped the big question. The movie star and Nicole Lamas got engaged on 11 February 2021, in Las Vegas. In conversation with the media portal at the time, the actor revealed, 'I proposed to Kenna on Thursday, the 11th of February in Las Vegas. She accepted my Lifetime Valentine's request.' He added, "It is a love like no other and we look forward to the day we become husband and wife. Sometimes love waits for the stars to align and two soul paths to intersect. We are ecstatic!" The duo married in October 2023, in an intimate ceremony on Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas. 'Had many many adventures and our big day could NOT have been more perfect! It was an absolute dream and we are so grateful for our friends and family that could make it and the ones celebrating in spirit from afar,' the bride wrote in the Instagram caption below the wedding pictures she posted. Meanwhile, the actor penned a January 2025 date in the official divorce documents. Lorenzo Lamas was previously married to Victoria Helbert, Michele Cathy Smith, Kathleen Kinmont, Shauna Sand, and Shawna Craig.
USA Today
03-07-2025
- Business
- USA Today
'Private islands on steroids': Why cruise lines are betting big on their own destinations
During a recent vacation, Jared Huff enjoyed a private island in The Bahamas as his personal playground. The 20-year-old went jet skiing, visited a waterpark and relaxed on the beach at Royal Caribbean's Perfect Day at CocoCay for hours before returning to the Wonder of the Seas ship. Huff, who is from Knoxville, Tennessee, was visiting during a June cruise with his girlfriend and her family. 'Even the themes of, like, the slides and the beaches, it just seemed like an extension of the cruise ship, which is kind of a different vibe than other ports and was cool for me to experience,' he told USA TODAY. The destination offers an exclusive experience packed with activities as part of many Royal Caribbean sailings, and has been a hit with guests. The high seas have long been cruise lines' primary domain, but many are investing more heavily in land-based destinations to complement their offerings at sea. A major new competitor to CocoCay, Carnival Cruise Line's Celebration Key – with five distinct areas or 'portals' across 65 acres – will launch later this month on Grand Bahama. Here's why cruise lines are betting big on private island destinations. Why are cruise lines leaning into private islands? Cruise lines have had exclusive destinations for decades, but Royal Caribbean was the first to, "shall we say, put these private islands on steroids," said Patrick Scholes, a lodging and leisure analyst with Truist Securities. The company's private island, previously just CocoCay, was relaunched in 2019 following a $250 million renovation. The destination has water slides, pools, a zip line, cabanas, dining venues and bars, and more. Scholes likened it to a "mini Caribbean" theme park. 'They took a lot of risk and nobody really believed them until they saw it, and lo and behold, it was a real grand slam,' he said. Royal Caribbean International's chief marketing officer, Kara Wallace, told USA TODAY in October that of more than 250 ports its ships visit, CocoCay is 'the number one highest-rated destination.' "I think their competitors, that certainly being Carnival … really took a cue from Royal Caribbean and said, 'Wow, Royal Caribbean really hit a home run and we're going to try to emulate that,'" Scholes said. Carnival did not immediately share a comment. With more destinations around the world pushing back against overtourism and the potential for geopolitical impacts on itineraries, private islands can offer a more undefined, convenient alternative, according to Marilyn Macallair, a cruise travel analyst for Phocuswright. "Now private destinations are becoming destinations in themselves," she said. Cruise line private island destinations include: What are the benefits of cruise line private islands? Owning or leasing a destination allows cruise lines to control almost every aspect of the experience, Macallair noted, from which ships stop there and when, to the look of the facilities and the food and drink pricing. While many activities and amenities are complimentary – and onboard drink packages often still apply – plenty of others come at an upcharge, from excursions to cabana rentals and beach club passes. Admission to CocoCay's Thrill Waterpark, for example, costs extra, though prices vary by season (booked passengers can check rates for their specific sailing via My Royal Cruise). The availability of land in The Bahamas and its government's willingness to work with cruise lines make it a particularly attractive choice, Scholes said. Plus, it's easy to get to: Bimini, where Virgin Voyages' The Beach Club at Bimini is located, is just 50 miles from Florida. Macallair also noted that the Caribbean remains in high demand. In 2024, 43% of cruise guests visited the region, according to Cruise Lines International Association's most recent State of the Cruise Industry Report. Nearly 15 million passengers sailed on Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda cruises, up from 12.8 million in 2023. The future of cruises: Are mega-ships here to stay? For passengers, Macallair said the exclusivity is part of the appeal. Scholes echoed that, noting it makes that kind of experience relatively accessible, compared to other kinds of trips. 'It's a really affordable way to go to a private island in the Caribbean for the day, whereas room rates and flights are really, really expensive,' he said. That highly-managed setting can also be a drawback, though. While cruise lines often integrate local cultural elements – such as Junkanoo at Disney Lookout Cay at Lighthouse Point – some visitors may find they lack the depth of immersion on offer at other ports of call. 'I probably wouldn't go on a cruise for the sake of going back to CocoCay,' said Huff. 'Sure, if it stops there, it's an enjoyable stop. It's not something that would keep me from going on a cruise, but I would definitely prefer something more culturally immersive, something that I can go out and actually explore a country and, like, travel a little bit.' Are cruise lines adding more private islands? Celebration Key is hardly the only land-based project underway. Scholes said there may come a time when the market is oversaturated with suped-up private islands. Given how long they take to develop, however, he said that's unlikely to happen for at least five years. 'There's always the fear down the road that you sort of kill the golden goose by just (having) too many,' he said. 'We're not at that point yet.'
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Royal Caribbean, Carnival add ship enhancements cruisers will love
Royal Caribbean, Carnival add ship enhancements cruisers will love originally appeared on Come Cruise With Me. Although cruise lines put a lot of careful thought and attention into ship design, they don't always get everything right. Sometimes, cruise ship features miss the mark, or designers fail to recognize something that was important to passengers. Occasionally, they even overlook something that passengers say has a negative impact on the cruise preferences and needs change over time, too, so certain features eventually become outdated as new innovations are developed that enhance the cruise experience. Luckily, the fact that there's limited space on a cruise ship doesn't mean onboard areas like the pool deck, restaurants, bars, and casinos, can't be redesigned at some point. Even spaces that can't be fully reworked, like staterooms, can be refreshed to add some enhancements. When cruise ships go to dry dock for routine maintenance every few years, they often receive significant refurbishment throughout to overhaul existing venues and make improvements that will elevate passengers' future sailings on the ship. Sometimes when a need arises, cruise lines will even make upgrades to a ship without taking it out of service for dry dock. That's something Royal Caribbean is currently doing to fix a big casino problem on some of its newer and most-popular ships. Doug Parker shared more on the upgrades rolling out on board certain Carnival and Royal Caribbean cruise ships, plus details on the largest ultra-luxury cruise ship suite yet, on the June 12th edition of Cruise News This is Cruise News Today with Doug Parker. Good morning. Here's your cruise news for Thursday, June 12th. Carnival Valor is back in service after completing a month-long dry dock over in Spain. The 21-year-old ship received major upgrades including the addition of the Heroes Tribute Bar and WaterWorks Aqua Park. Public spaces were also refreshed, staterooms upgraded with USB outlets, and the casino and spa were also expanded. Valor resumed service yesterday in Barcelona and is now sailing a 15-night repositioning cruise to New a $25,000-per-night cruise. Yeah, Regent Seven Seas has unveiled its most extravagant suite yet, the Skyview Regent Suite aboard the upcoming Seven Seas Prestige. Spanning nearly 9,000 square feet over two levels, the suite will set you back $25,000 per night and includes a private gym, sauna, bar, elevator, and a car and driver in every port. Bookings — they open next week if you're Royal Caribbean is expanding the casino aboard Wonder of the Seas, converting the Crown Lounge on Deck 4 into a larger, non-smoking gaming area. The Crown Lounge will be relocated to Deck 16 and reopen later this month. The expanded, redesigned casino will reopen in mid-July. Wonder of the Seas is currently sailing Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral and will reposition to Miami in cruise stocks were down on Wednesday. Carnival Corporation: down 2.6 percent, 23.87. Royal Caribbean: down 1 percent, 267.96. Norwegian: down 3.3 percent, 19.08. And Viking: down 3 percent, 47.36. If you have a lead on a story, let us know. Tips@ This week's Cruise Radio Podcast: a review of a Norwegian cruise ship — can't remember which one. Here in Victoria, British Columbia, waiting to debark for the evening, I'm Doug Parker with Cruise News Today. Have yourself a great Thursday. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) , or email Amy Post at or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by Come Cruise With Me on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Observer
15-06-2025
- Business
- Observer
Tender for upgrade of Port Sultan Qaboos
MUSCAT, JUNE 15 Oman's Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology has kick-started the process of upgrading Port Sultan Qaboos to support its transformation into a national hub for cruise tourism. Under a tender floated recently by the ministry, consultancy firms with expertise in port and maritime engineering have been invited to bid for a contract to provide advisory services on the construction of a new breakwater and additional berth, as well as to oversee significant reclamation works at Muscat's roughly 50-year-old maritime hub. In addition to developing a concept master plan encompassing all aspects of the port's proposed upgrade, the selected consultant will also be invited to identify, as an option, investment opportunities arising from this expansion. Given the cruise tourism-centred focus of the upgrade, these opportunities are expected to be linked to food and beverage outlets, hospitality, high-end retail, arts and crafts, and related sectors, say experts. Last October, the ministry tasked Asyad Ports — a subsidiary of Asyad Group — with undertaking a feasibility study into the upgrade of Port Sultan Qaboos. The study also covers the operational and commercial aspects of the project, aimed at supporting its development into a major cruise tourism hub. Opportunities for strategic partnerships with investors to help deliver this vision were to be fully explored as well. Officials announced at the time that the modernisation plan would be implemented in three phases. The initial phase will focus on rehabilitating the port's existing infrastructure. The second phase will involve upgrading equipment and operational systems. In the final phase, a new berth will be constructed to accommodate larger cruise vessels, enhancing the port's capacity to meet rising tourism demand. According to cruise shipping experts, a berth length of at least 370 metres will be required to handle some of the largest cruise ships in operation today. Icon of the Seas, currently the largest cruise ship by gross tonnage and passenger capacity, measures 365 metres in length. Other mega cruise ships in its class include the Wonder of the Seas (362 metres), Symphony of the Seas (361 metres), and Harmony of the Seas (362 metres). By comparison, the largest cruise ship to have visited Muscat to date is the AIDAcosma (337 metres), which made its maiden call in November 2022. In line with Muscat's positioning as a cruise tourism hub, the modernisation will also aim to attract leisure and recreational vessels, including superyachts, catamarans and sailships, to Oman. Investment opportunities related to this segment of the maritime tourism sector will be explored as well. Port Sultan Qaboos, which has undergone multiple upgrades over its 50-year history, currently features nine berths with a combined length of 1,750 metres. A passenger terminal is presently being modernised to align with the goals of the port's broader expansion. In 2024, Port Sultan Qaboos welcomed a record 190 cruise ship calls, surpassing its target of 134 vessels for the year. The deadline for submission of offers for the consultancy services contract is July 24, 2025.
