Travelwise

Cruising: Keeping a lid on bar tabs

It’s easy to work up a thirst on a cruise. Some guests quench that feeling with soda, fruit juice, a latte or tea. Others may order a glass of wine or a beer with lunch, a cocktail or two before dinner and share a bottle of wine with their companion during the evening meal.

CRUISE INDUSTRY

Streamlined Prestige Cruise Holdings sees growth on the horizon

Consolidated in one Miami-Dade office, the two cruise lines under Prestige Cruise Holdings will grow — and continue — as distinct brands.

Europe

Cruising on the romantic Rhine

I’ve been a land-based traveler for most of my life. Motor coaches and cars have helped me explore everything from Italy’s Tuscany region to Ireland’s Rings of Kerry. But recently I discovered a love for river cruising.

CRUISE INDUSTRY

For Miami, new cruise ships a cause for celebration

Brand new and new-to-Miami cruise ships are filling the port this winter.

Cruise lines

Rewarding loyal passengers

As they plan their trips, folks who vacation at sea sometimes bob from ship to ship, cruise line to cruise line. They may be drawn by price, a quest to sample different styles of food and service, or the tease of hot new vessels.

Cruise notes

Ships cater to fans of Barbie, baseball and ballroom dancing

Devotees of the world’s most famous doll soon can get their Barbie fix at sea. Royal Caribbean, in partnership with manufacturer Mattel, will offer the Barbie Premium Experience on some ships starting in January. Children who participate in the program will stay in a Barbie stateroom stocked with Barbie-style keepsakes and enjoy such events as a Tiaras and Teacups Party, Mermaid Dance Class, Fashion Designer Workshop and a Fashion Show in which they can dress up and strut on a pink carpet. Cost is $349. Children participating in the line’s Adventure Ocean youth program, can take part in a limited but complimentary version of the Barbie agenda, including a Barbie Movie Night, Barbie Story Time and other themed activities. The program will be available on all the line’s 22 ships by March.

CRUISE LINES

Carnival to spend $1.3 billion on 2 ships

A new 4,000-berth ship will carry more passengers than any ship in the company’s history.

Jamaica

At pop-up port, a town’s ship comes in

When Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas pulled into Falmouth, Jamaica, this spring, passengers peering over guardrails saw a port bursting with local crafts, rum cocktails, reggae musicians and circus-style stiltwalkers. Everything was irie, as the Jamaicans say, and more.

Cruise lines

Developing destinations

Cruise lines increase Caribbean stops at newly developed island ports, private island compounds

CRUISE INDUSTRY

Norwegian Cruise Line orders new megaship

Miami-based Norwegian Cruise Line has ordered a giant new ship, its largest yet, to be delivered in three years.

Sailing Down Under

Big cruise ships invade Australia and New Zealand with new strategies, itineraries, meat pies

Cruises

Carnival Spirit newly Aussified for Sydney

Americans traveling internationally often expect foreign resorts and cruise ships to bend their styles and tastes toward those of the United States, providing big urns of coffee, cold American beers in a bottle, and piles of bacon strips at breakfast.

Wine cruises

A taste of the grape

As cruise lines offer an increasing variety of themed sailings and shipboard activities, more travelers are choosing to combine the vacation fun of a cruise with a theme that pleases their palates: wine cruises.

Travelwise

Cruising the Med: lots of choices

A Mediterranean cruise is the dream of many people. It makes sense. Europe has so many places to see, so many cultures, so much history and such varied contemporary lifestyles. The Med boasts sensational shoreside activities and cuisines to try. But how does one choose with so many cruise lines, ships and itineraries?

Cruising

Sea trek: the next generation

2013’s cruise ships will launch new designs

Cruise notes

New paddlewheeler on Mississippi River

A brand new paddlewheeler started cruising on the Mississippi River last month. The 150-passenger Queen of the Mississippi, which makes seven-night cruises from several ports, has not been affected by the river’s drought-induced low water, which has curtailed some traffic on the river.

Cruising

Managing your time and money on a big, big ship

Aboard a ship like Royal Caribbean’s mammoth Oasis of the Seas, it pays to plan ahead.

Cruises

Breezing through the Med with a beachy look

Carnival’s newest ship shouts ‘Caribbean beach vacation’ — which is what it will be doing when it arrives in Miami in November.

CRUISE INDUSTRY

Cruise industry still in troubled waters six months after Costa Concordia

Six months after a deadly shipwreck in Italy, cruise lines are still in rough waters. For travelers, the deals continue.

CRUISE LINES

Daniel Hanrahan, CEO of Celebrity Cruises, announces resignation

The head of Celebrity Cruises is leaving that company to become CEO of hair care company Regis Corporation.