Tag Archives: adults-only

Norwegian Epic to Debut Enhancements Ahead of European Season

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The Norwegian Epic will debut noticeable enhancements ahead of its upcoming summer season in Europe, Norwegian Cruise Line said in a press release.

According to the company, the 2010-built ship is currently undergoing a three-week dry dock, which is set to end on May 8, 2025.

Renovations include eight new cabins, a new hot tub on Deck 18, in addition to a refreshed Kids’ Aqua Park that replaces Splashgolf.

The new space provides more fun-in-the-sun activities for adults and children alike, the company said.

The ship’s Vibe Beach Club is being expanded to offer an additional hot tub, as well as more lounge chairs. Replacing the Posh Beach Club, the adults-only outdoor deck will also offer new private cabanas.

The drydock plans also include the addition of eight new staterooms – a combination of balcony and ocean-view cabins.

“Delivering the best vacation experience for our guests, where they have the freedom and flexibility to do more of what they love, is, and will always continue to be our goal,” said David J. Herrera, president of Norwegian Cruise Line.

“By listening to guests’ feedback, we are excited to provide them with MORE to do on board starting this summer as Norwegian Epic sets sail for Europe,” he added.

After completing its drydock, the Norwegian Epic launches a series of cruises to the Mediterranean and the Greek Isles.

The ten- and 11-night cruises sail from Civitavecchia, the port of Italy’s capital city, Rome, and visit a wide range of destinations, including Mykonos and Santorini.

According to Norwegian, the itineraries also sail to historic cities such as Naples, Catania, and Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Italy.

After its summer deployment in Europe, the Norwegian Epic sets sail to the Caribbean for cruises departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The Southern Caribbean itineraries include visits to Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. John’s, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Cruisers Split on Carnival Pool Change

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Cruisers Split on Carnival Pool Change

PHOTO: Havana Pool, Carnival Vista, Carnival Cruise Line.
 

Carnival Cruise Line has announced that several pools on its ships that were previously exclusive to adults have now been opened to all families onboard.

Carnival brand ambassador John Heald made the announcement on Facebook, where he revealed that the Conquest, Glory, Valor, Liberty and Freedom Conquest-class ships, as well as the Splendor and Victory, would have their aft pools available to all passengers.

While some adults may be perturbed by the news, Heald reminded travelers that the Freedom, Glory, Liberty, Splendor, Valor and Victory cruise ships all had Serenity adults-only areas. In addition, the Conquest vessel was scheduled to add a Serenity area during dry dock in October.

“There were a number of ships in the fleet on which all pools were already family friendly.  The change on the particular ships in question was made based on the high volume of families on board at this time of year, although, we very much appreciate the view of those who like having an adults-only pool option,” a Carnival spokesperson said in a statement to TravelPulse.

“With limited exception, our ships have adult- only Serenity decks which we very much encourage those guests who want a kid-free environment to enjoy. We are currently evaluating our plan going forward with respect to the aft pools.”

Regardless of the cruise line’s reasoning or justification of the decision, it has caused backlash from some customers, with an actual online petition started to convince Carnival to turn the aft pools back into adult-only areas.

As for how travelers are responding on the website Cruise Critic’s Carnival forum, many posters are strongly against the decision, with over 85 percent of responders saying they would rather have aft pools exclusive to adults.

“Do they have to deny the adults a pool where we can be free of kids splashing around and jumping in?” user firemanbobswife said on the Cruise Critic forum. “I love kids as I have my own and don’t have anything against them in general. It’s just that it’s nice to be able to get away from them all.”

There may be plenty of complaints, but other cruise enthusiasts are simply indifferent to the decision.

“It honestly doesn’t faze me. We have cruised as a family the last 7 years. Our kids are now 16 and 20,” user Moosevilleco said. “There were times we spent maybe an hour in the adult pool on a sea day. I actually prefer the Serenity area. Maybe this will help with the overcrowding of the hot tubs.”

MSC Cruises USA sweetens inclusives for wave promotion

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MSC Cruises USA kicked off wave season by adding perks including up to $200 in shipboard credits, beverage packages and reduced deposits to its ‘Inclusive Experiences’ pricing categories. Plus, kids 11 and under sail free on all applicable wave season bookings.

Value-added benefits are based on the Inclusive Experience category and stateroom selected.

Among the benefits for the Bella Experience are up to $50 to spend on board and reduced deposits of $100 per person for ocean-view and balcony staterooms.

For Fantastica Experience pricing, ocean-view and balcony staterooms receive up to $100 per room to spend on board, reduced deposits of $100 per person, and a drinks package consisting of 12 vouchers per person for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages.

In addition, Fantastica Experience customers always receive a premium location stateroom, priority choice of early or late dining, 50% off all fitness classes and personal training, free room service delivery between 6 a.m. and 11 p.m. and enhanced recreational activities for children including cooking and foreign language classes.

Aurea Experience and MSC Yacht Club passengers in balcony staterooms and suites receive up to $200 per room to spend on board and reduced deposits of $100 per person.

In addition, Aurea Experience passengers always receive ‘My Choice Dining’ flexible times, priority boarding, an all-inclusive beverage package, a spa package, access to the exclusive adults-only Top 18 sun deck and all the perks associated with the Fantastica Experience.

MSC Yacht Club passengers always get an all-inclusive VIP club level experience with priority check-in and check-out, butler service, dedicated 24-hour concierge, exclusive Top Sail lounge and pool, 24/7 complimentary alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available within the Yacht Club area and a private MSC Yacht Club restaurant.

The wave season promotion applies to select Caribbean, Bermuda, Europe, Canary Islands and trans-Atlantic ‘grand voyages’ that are five days or longer and booked between Jan. 1 and Feb. 15.

In addition, MSC Cruises USA is extending its 18% flat commission for all 2015 and 2016 Caribbean group bookings on MSC Divina to Jan. 31, 2015.