Tag Archives: Vancouver

Royal Caribbean Cancels Cruises Onboard Radiance of the Seas

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Royal Caribbean International is cancelling a second sailing onboard the Radiance of the Seas.

Facing propulsion problems, the 2001-built vessel remained docked in Seward since Sep. 1 and is no longer going to sail as scheduled on Sep. 8.

“As you may know, Radiance of the Seas’ propulsion system experienced a technical issue. Our crew started working on restoring the system immediately and we deployed the best experts,” Royal Caribbean said in a statement sent to booked guests.

“Despite our efforts, we were unable to complete the needed repairs to make it in time to Vancouver. As a result, we’ll be cancelling our Radiance of the Seas September 8th, 2023 sailing,” the company added.

Spending the summer in Alaska, the 2,000-guest vessel was scheduled to offer a seven-night cruise on that date.

Sailing from Vancouver to Seward, the open-jaw itinerary included visits to Juneau, Sitka, Skagway and Icy Strait Point, in addition to scenic cruising at the Hubbard Glacier.

“We know how much time and effort go into planning your cruise, and we’re truly sorry for this disappointing news,” Royal Caribbean said.

Affected passengers will receive a full refund of the fare paid for the cruise, in addition to a 100 per cent Future Cruise Credit (FCC) to be used towards a future sailing departing within one year.

The reimbursement will be processed within 14 business days, Royal Caribbean said and will include taxes and fees, pre-paid packages and gratuities, amenities, shore excursions and any flights purchased through the company.

Royal Caribbean will also reimburse guests for non-refundable pre-purchased travel fees incurred, including flight, hotel, train ticket or rental car. The company is set to cover up to $250 per guest for domestic changes or up to $500 per guest for international changes.

Citing propulsion problems, Royal Caribbean had already cancelled the Sep. 1 sailing onboard the Radiance of the Seas.

Review: Norwegian Spirit

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Norwegian Spirit features an outdoor beer garden and lounge.
Credit: 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line

Cruisers onboard Norwegian Cruise Line’s (NCL) smallest ship will delight in both Norwegian Spirit’s mega refit and its Alaska itineraries.

Sailing between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska, seven-night cruises offer several less-travelled stops with intriguing excursions. Docked at Icy Strait Point on day three, I jumped at the chance to spot humpback whales, otters and porpoises in one of Southeast Alaska’s liveliest marine playgrounds. Hours earlier, I found myself soaring above the treetops, strapped into a seat on one of the world’s largest ziplines. On the last full day in Valdez, Alaska, a small boat excursion navigated through the floes to Columbia Glacier, a massive icefield renowned for its rapid retreat.

In between, the ship called at the popular ports of Juneau and Skagway, and then cruised to Hubbard Glacier. Disembarkation in Seward offered one final adventure, a scenic five-hour train journey to Anchorage where cruisers headed for Denali and beyond, or flights home.

Renovated Spaces and Amenities

Time onboard Norwegian Spirit added to the excitement in unexpected ways. Carrying 2,032 passengers, the ship was built in 1998 for Star Cruises’ Asia market. Ship age, however, is relative, as the decor, furnishings and public spaces are new again following a 2020 bow-to-stern refurbishment priced at more than $100 million.

In contrast to NCL’s colourful, family-oriented mega-ships, the refit intentionally caters to upscale adult cruisers. The ship’s Mandara Spa is double its original size and now offers an extra-fee Thermal Suite sporting heated tile loungers, a coed sauna and a steam room. Plus, the adults-only Spice H2O pool and hot tub retreat on Deck 10 is a quiet spot at the base of the terraced aft decks. And traditionalists will love the wraparound promenade deck and the Spinnaker Observation Lounge for whale and glacier viewing.

The Spinnaker Lounge offers great views.

Credit: 2023 Norwegian Cruise Line

Staterooms have been redone with minimalist decor and muted colours. Most welcome is the bathroom shower with its glass (not plastic curtain) door.

For those who appreciate a variety of dining options, the revamped Norwegian Spirit offers 14 venues. Le Bistro features tempting French classics. Onda by Scarpetta serves Italian. Cagney’s is primarily a steakhouse, though I loved the cedar-plank steelhead trout. Teppanyaki’s enlarged footprint is set in the three-part Asian venue that includes the Sushi Bar and complimentary dinner at Silk. A variety of dining packages are offered for the a la carte or set-charge hot spots.

The ship’s Atrium provides a comfortable place to relax. Credit: 2023 Norwegian Cruise LineFor included dining beyond Silk, clients can check out the Garden Cafe buffet or The Local’s fast-food menus. Of the two main dining rooms, the remodelled, aft-facing Windows is classier, featuring views on three sides. Smaller, dinner-only Taste stretches from port to starboard, midship.

Here Are Holland America Line’s Homeports For 2023

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MS Nieuw Amsterdam arriving in the port of Vancouver, Photo credit Spacejunkie2 (Flickr)

With its entire fleet in service again, Holland America Line is planning an expansive global deployment in 2023.

In addition to strong programs from its traditional homeports in the Caribbean, Alaska and Europe, the company is also returning to its long-haul, intercontinental itineraries during the year.

Offering round-trip cruises from U.S. ports, Holland America is also returning to the Amazon, the South Pacific, Africa and more.

Other highlights of the year include a summer program in Canada and New England, as well as returns to South America, Asia, the Far East and more.

Here’s a look at the company’s planned homeports and their ships for 2023:

Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Ships:

– Eurodam (January to April/October to December);
– Nieuw Amsterdam (January to April/October to December);
– Nieuw Statendam (January to April/November and December);
– Rotterdam (January to March/October to December);
– Volendam (January to April);
– Zaandam (January to April/October to December);
– Zuiderdam (January to May/October to December).

Seattle, Washington

Ships:

– Eurodam (April to September);
– Westerdam (May to October).

San Diego, California

Ships:

– Koningsdam (January to March);
– Volendam (October and November);
– Zaandam (January to April).
 

Whittier, Alaska

Ships:

– Nieuw Amsterdam (May to September);
– Noordam (May to September).

Boston, Massachusetts

Ships:

– Zaandam (May to September);
– Zuiderdam (August and September).

Canada

Ships:

– Koningsdam: Vancouver (April to October);
– Nieuw Amsterdam: Vancouver (April to September);
– Noordam: Vancouver (May to September);
– Volendam: Vancouver (May to September); 
– Zaandam: Montreal (April to September);
– Zuiderdam: Quebec City (September).

Europe

Ships:

– Nieuw Statendam: Barcelona, Civitavecchia, Copenhagen, Piraeus and more (April to October);
– Noordam: Barcelona, Lisbon, Trieste, Piraeus and more (April to October);
– Rotterdam: Amsterdam and Rotterdam (April to September);
– Zuiderdam: Rotterdam (May to July).

Australia and New Zealand

Ships:

– Noordam: Sydney and Auckland (January to April/October to December).

Asia and Pacific

Ships:

– Westerdam: Singapore, Yokohama and Hong Kong (January to April/October to December). 

South America

Ships:

– Oosterdam: San Antonio and Buenos Aires (January to March/November and December).