Cruise Adviser - Family guide 2015-16 by Cruise Adviser

FAMILY GUIDE 2015–16

NORWEGIANS CREATE FAMILY MEMORIES. NORWEGIAN FAMILIES CRUISE LIKE NO OTHER FAMILIES ON EARTH. WITH THEIR ACCOMMODATION, DINING OPTIONS, ACTIVITIES AND EXCLUSIVE ENTERTAINMENT ALL IN ONE PLACE, THERE’S SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE. WE CALL IT FREESTYLE CRUISING®. YOUR CUSTOMERS MAY CALL IT THEIR BEST FAMILY HOLIDAY EVER.

FUN FOR THE ENTIRE FAMILY • Nickelodeon™ Entertainment* • Splash Academy Kids Programme • Entourage Teens Programme • Aqua Parks • Abseiling/Rock Climbing Walls • Cirque De Jour Circus Skills • King’s Camp Sports • 10-Pin Bowling

AND FOR MUM & DAD • Up to 22 Bars & Lounges • Up to 29 Dining Choices • Spa Treatments

AND MORE • World Class Entertainment • Family Accommodation

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*NickelodeonTM entertainment features on selected ships only. ^Service cost is 2ppm plus your access provider charge. ©2015 NCL Corporation LTD Ship’s Registry: Bahamas and United States of America. 5919.05.15

Welcome to Cruise Adviser’s guide to Family cruising for 2015-16. Look out for Luxury, Expedition & Adventure and 2016 Preview coming later in the year

Cruise Adviser

— Family 2015–16

CRUISE ADVISER

Many customers will walk into a travel agents with a clear idea of what they want from a family holiday: somewhere hot, preferably by the sea, where the kids will be safe, the entertainment is top class and there are no nasty hidden extras. It’s one of the many reasons why all-inclusive land-based holidays continue to be so popular. That more than 50 per cent of Brits admit to travelling to the same destinations over and over again is testament to the fact that many holidaymakers are reluctant to move out of their comfort zones. But with over 30 million Brits travelling abroad each year and only 1.7 million of those cruisers, the new-tocruise market is potentially enormous. It’s the reason this guide seeks to explain why, when speaking to a family looking to book a holiday, the first words out your mouth should be: have you thought about a cruise? As our cover feature on Royal Caribbean’s futuristic new ship, Anthem of the Seas (p12), and our articles on onboard entertainment (p18) and emerging technology (p28) demonstrate: the innovators of the family cruising industry can offer experiences that all-inclusive hotels can only dream of – be it sky-reaching waterslides or fully licensed Broadway productions. As cruises offers a huge range of destinations – with multiple stops (p50) – and provide excellent value for money (see our infographic, p32), easing customers out of their comfort zones is far easier than it may sound. Our How To Sell guide (p33) seeks to prove this. Ultimately, it’s a fantastic opportunity for you to make a huge sell to four or five customers – and the chance for them to enjoy a holiday of a lifetime. FAMILY GUIDE 2015–16

FAMILY GUIDE 2015–2016

mily can explore somewhere new and once. With amazing features designed ding thrilling activities, spectacular ds’ clubs, there are countless ways to t will last a lifetime.

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Sam Ballard and Anthony Pearce Publishers of cruise adviser CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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There’s something for everyone on a Royal Caribbean® cruise, so you’ll enjoy a holiday like no other — no matter where you sail to. Every ship in our fleet — including our newest and most innovative yet, Anthem of the Seas℠ — offers countless amazing experiences for families of all ages. And all while you visit some of the world’s most incredible destinations, from the sunsoaked Caribbean to the vibrant Mediterranean. FAMILY FAVOURITES ONBOARD: • Adventure Ocean® With activities designed just for them, kids from tots to teens love our award-winning clubs. • FlowRider® The only surf simulator at sea!

• H20 Zone Kids love splashing around this fun-filled water playground. • SeaPlex℠ From dodgems to discos — there’s something for the whole family

• Outdoor Movie Screen Enjoy • Mini golf Play a round and enjoy the blockbuster films as you relax by the pool. sunshine on the top deck.

FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT CRUISINGPOWER.CO.UK

CONTENTS

Cruise Adviser is here to entertain and inform. In the first half of this guide you will find in-depth features on the joys of cruising – from new innovations to superb food – while the second half contains our extensive listings and our famous How To Sell guide.

CRUISE ADVISER

— Family 2015-16

FAMILY GUIDE 2015–16

cruise adviser

Features

Opinion 8 Giles Hawke, executive director at Italian cruise line MSC, discusses multigenerational cruising, kids’ clubs and the importance of the trade when it comes to expanding the UK’s cruise market National Anthem 12 cruise adviser heads on board Royal Caribbean International’s latest Quantum-class ship, Anthem of the Seas, to find a world of gadgets, games and delectable food The great entertainers What can a cruise offer that a land-based package holiday cannot? The answer is truly world-class entertainment – from Broadway productions to towering waterslides. Here, we run through the finest and most extravagant activities to be enjoyed at sea

Listings

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How To Sell guide Our 17-page guide provides the questions you need to ask (and the answers you need to know) when pitching a family cruise holiday

Directory Who’s who in the world of family cruising, with details of itineraries, facilities and contact information

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FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT CRUISINGPOWER.CO.UK

FAMILY GUIDE 2015–2016

On a Royal Caribbean® holiday, your family can explore somewhere new and incredible every day — and only unpack once. With amazing features designed with the whole family in mind, including thrilling activities, spectacular entertainment, and award-winning kids’ clubs, there are countless ways to make memories that will last a lifetime.

CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

How cruise lines have taken family fun to the next level

he best family holidays strike a balance between relaxation and adventure: they are where the children can run wild and the parents can kick back, safe in the knowledge they’re alright. While all-inclusive resorts have their charms, many cruise lines have perfected the family getaway. Ever expanding, the sector is marked by considerable innovation: the entertainment on some ships now eclipses that of even the most sought-after hotels on land. It’s no exaggeration to say that these vessels increasingly resemble theme parks at sea. Cruising works because the whole family is accounted for, from kids’ clubs – which we examine in depth on p54 – to casinos. Over the next eight pages we look in detail at these riches, considering the best on offer when it comes to Broadway productions, sky-reaching waterslides and Zen-making spa treatments.

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Founded in 2014, Cruise Adviser brings together the most insightful commentary, news and analysis for those looking to sell cruise holidays

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Published six times a year, Cruise Adviser is aimed at front-line British travel agents and other sellers of cruises

Following this Family guide, look out for Luxury, Adventure & Expedition and 2016 Preview cruise specials in 2015

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OPINION

We spoke to Giles Hawke, executive director at MSC Cruises and vice chairmain at Clia UK & Ireland about multi-generational cruising and the importance of travel agents

Why is a cruise so suitable for families? The great thing about a cruise is that there is something for everyone. People can spend as much or as little time with each other as they want. I’ve been on a few cruises with my children and some with my extended family, including third generation cruisers. What’s great, particularly on the bigger ships, is the range of activities available. The children can go to the kids’ clubs if they want to, if they don’t, they don’t have to. There is no forced entertainment. Parents can go to the gym, spa, do a class or just lie by the pool.

What are lesserknown benefits for children? It’s a great way for children to try other foods. You can take them to the buffet and they will try things that they otherwise would

not have had available to them. You can take them to the restaurant, which gives them a different experience. My children love the sense of occasion about going out for an evening meal; the dressing up, the waiter service, the whole thing.

A lot is made of multi-generational cruising. Why? If you were to rent a cottage in the country as a three generational family you would be slightly on top of one another, whereas if you go on a cruise you have a lot more flexibility around your holiday. What we often see is grandparents who want to go away with their grandchildren. They might book a superior cabin, then the parents come too and book a balcony cabin and the children either have an adjoining cabin or an inside cabin directly opposite. You are on holiday together, but you are not in each other’s pockets. Remember that you are essentially in a small town.

How suitable is cruising for children?

Giles Hawke, MSC Cruises executive director 10

It’s a very safe environment. It’s enclosed, for one thing. People sometimes say isn’t there a worry that people will go over board? Of course you have to be sensible: don’t let your children climb on the

railings but they are fully looked after wherever they are on the ship. The kids’ club staff are fully trained and as a parent you are happy to let your older children go off on their own. It is reassuring to know they can’t disappear off somewhere.

Why would a British family be interested in taking a cruise? Something we provide that is proving popular among British families are our family shore excursions. These are trips that don’t have hours and hours in a coach, are more active and point things out that children would be more interested in. So we will go to waterparks in Spain or do a guided tour of a town that will include family-friendly restaurants. Another thing that some Brits want to do is take a longer shore excursion and be able to leave their children on board, if they want to. So, if you are visiting Rome from Civitavecchia it might not suit young children. They can stay on board and be fully looked after in the kids’ clubs.

How should a travel agent sell a cruise to a family? It is all about knowing the cost because a cruise is such a good value holiday. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

OPINION

If you know that you can add drinks packages – for adults and for children – and then pre-book your shore excursions, it can be a solution for a family with a fixed budget. If you are a travel agent then you can sell everything in one package, which helps close the deal. The vast majority of the people I speak to come off a cruise and say it is the best holiday they have ever had. Children will have a brilliant time – as long as they are on the right cruise line. It is important for agents to understand what different lines offer different age groups.

What kind of cruise suits a family? I would say families want cruises with more ports of call. They might not necessarily want to get CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

off the ship each time but for a first time cruiser there is a concern that children will get bored during sea days. My experience is that when children are off the ship, they often want to go back on and be with their friends in the kids’ clubs. But having more ports of call gives families that option.

Is the ship more important than the destination for family cruises? Before a family buys the cruise, the perception is that the destination is more important. However, when they get on board, the ship is probably more important.

Should travel agents focus on the Caribbean and Mediterranean or are there other

destinations to consider? I think people will often express an interest in where they want to go. If they want to go to Spain the travel agent should present a cruise along with traditional land-based holidays. The Mediterranean is great because it is a short flight and you’re into the holiday very quickly. For slightly older children, the Norwegian fjords is great – you can go walking or kayaking for instance. The Caribbean is perfect for beach lovers. Equally, going somewhere like Dubai – perhaps for children in their teens – is an option. There are activities like dune buggy riding, which is a little more adventurous.

For MSC Cruises’ directory listing, see p61 11

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ANTHEMTITLE OF THE SEAS

Royal Caribbean International’s latest ship, Anthem of the Seas, is considered one of the most innovative and exciting at sea. Cruise Adviser hopped on board to see

rom ice rinks and surf machines to dodgems and 300ft high viewing pods: there is seemingly little Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has not attempted to get on to its vessels. And, as the innovations have increased across the industry, the family cruise sector is looking increasingly healthy. However, that’s not to say that there isn’t room for massive growth when it comes to travel agents selling cruises to families. Having spent some time on board Anthem of the Seas earlier in the year, cruise adviser was amazed at the detail of the product offering. When a family comes on board this vessel it is hard to see how they would be able to take a land-based holiday

Statue of Liberty 306ft

again. West End musicals, robotic barman and Alice in Wonderland dining all mean that the humble summer getaway is being reinvented. No wonder retention rates for the cruise industry are among the highest in the travel industry. Here we outline just what it is that makes Anthem of the Seas so special. And why, as an agent, you should see it as the ideal holiday for your customers.

Entertainment This is where RCI really comes into its own. The ship is dominated by North Star, which takes passengers 300ft above sea level, while installations including RipCord by iFly have also proved adept at grabbing the headlines. However, that is just the start of it.

SeaPlex: Touted as the largest indoor active space at sea, SeaPlex offers a multitude of entertainment options to passengers on board Anthem of the Seas. The versatile space can host dodgems, rollerskating, highflying trapeze, basketball and a dancefloor – although not at the same time. Rock wall and FlowRider: The Rock Wall has become a signature feature for RCI and goes to show the heights the company has climbed since it launched. On Anthem of the Seas, the wall is right next to the 10-metre high Gigi the giraffe, in the same area as RipCord by iFly and the company’s excellent surfing simulator, FlowRider, which looks right out across the ocean.

The North Star 300ft

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Within arm’s reach: Anthem’s North Star pod rises to 300ft above the sea — just shy of the Statue of Liberty 14

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TITLE Five minutes with... Stuart Leven Theatres and venues: Nowhere is the RCI ‘smart ship’ ethos better demonstrated than in Two70. The space acts as a lounge during the day but is transformed into a state-of-the-art theatre by night, with six remarkable 12k resolution ‘roboscreens’ seemingly dancing in front of the audience, and complementing the performers on stage. As well as Two70, there is the Royal Theatre that will show productions from Broadway and the West End; the Music Hall, which has live music every night; pubs with pool tables; bars and even a man playing piano in the elevator.

Dining As we point out on p32, your average packageholiday hotel may have just one restaurant and a pool-side bar in the way of choice. Anthem of the Seas, by contrast, boasts 18 individual restaurants and a ton of separate bars – too many to experience in a single trip (although, in the name of journalistic thoroughness, cruise adviser did endeavour to try). Complimentary: As part of Royal’s Dynamic Dining model – where guests have the freedom to choose their restaurants and dining times each day and night – Anthem offers five main complimentary restaurants. These, which range from American comfort food to pan Asian fusion and from CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

RCI’s UK and Ireland managing director on the enduring appeal of family cruising What does the launch of Anthem mean for the UK market? I think the launch shows the importance of the UK market in that [RCI] brought the ship straight out of the shipyard to do a full summer season. The single biggest challenge facing the market in the UK is the fact that you’ve got 1.7 million cruisers but the number hasn’t been growing. When you bring ships like this, with all their great facilities, and the holiday experiences people can have on board, it really allows you to take it to a new generation of cruisers.

What’s your favourite feature? Probably SeaPlex. Most ships will have sports areas or a kids’ area, but they will have them outdoors. We built SeaPlex, which is one space where you can play table football, X-Box, dodgems, go to see circus trapeze, roller disco, play basketball, tennis, football, you name it! And it’s all indoors.

What is Royal Caribbean’s USP? The fun. We do technology, but technology is an enabler. If you look at the indoor and outdoor space, where kids and adults can have so much fun, I think that’s our USP. No one invests in the way Royal has done so consistently.

Is Royal Caribbean pro travel agent? We are. I don’t think there’s any other cruise line in the UK that has a loyalty scheme like Club Royal. I think the interesting thing is that we give cash rewards and a debit card you can spend then and there when you get the booking. But we won’t give you the card until you’ve become an Admiral with the Cruising For Excellence programme. We are not just trying to buy your booking: we want you to be educated so you do a great job for us and then we will reward you.

How do you engage with front-line agents who haven’t sold cruises before? We just doubled the size of our regional sales team from four to eight regional sales managers. They will call on 7,000 travels and more than half of these agents will have never sold cruises before. We’re very supportive of them, because eight out of 10 of our bookings come through the travel trade.

ANTHEM OF THE SEAS smart-casual to formal, are: American Icon Grill, Chic, The Grande Restaurant, Silk and Coastal Kitchen. (The latter is available only to guests staying in junior-suite-level staterooms and above). For those who prefer a traditional experience, Dynamic Dining Classic gives guests the option to have the same dining time, waiting staff and table each night of the cruise. On top of that are six more, albeit smaller, complimentary dining venues including the SeaPlex Dog House, chef and author Devin Alexander’s Devinly Decadence at the Solarium Bistro and the excellent Windjammer Marketplace, which provides one of the most comprehensive buffet experiences at sea. Additional cost: Among the six additional-cost restaurants are Jamie’s Italian by Jamie Oliver and Michael’s Genuine Pub by chef Michael Schwartz, the James Beard-winning chef. For a quick bite, Johnny Rockets, the US burger chain, is worth your cash.

01. Anthem of the Sea’s outdoor swimming pool 02. Indoor pool 03. On deck in the shade 04. Gigi the giraffe and climbing wall 05. Cruise Adviser shoots and scores in SeaPlex 06. The tranquil Solarium 07. A Bionic Barman shakes it up 08. Bumper cars in SeaPlex 09. View from the Solarium juice bar 10. Royal Esplanade 05 16

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ANTHEM OF THE SEAS

Accommodation Anthem of the Seas has a maximum capacity of 4,905 passengers spread over 16 guest decks with 2,090 staterooms. These include 1,570 balcony rooms, 147 ocean-view staterooms and 373 inside staterooms, which range from spacious to downright palatial. Rooms: Inside staterooms have no outside view (save for clever ‘virtual windows’), but otherwise match the smart oceanview rooms with two twin beds or one Royal kingsized bed, private toilet and shower. The balcony rooms measure the same but offer a large sized deck to kick back on.

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Suites and lofts: Anthem offers a range of suites and three types of loft: the Crown Loft, Sky Loft and Royal Loft. The first features a private balcony and mezzanine level bedroom – with a master bathroom and LCD television. The Sky Loft suites, perfect for families, are over two decks with a huge living area, two bedrooms and multiple balconies. At the top end, the Royal Loft suites are positively opulent, featuring indoor and outdoor dining rooms, four twin beds (that can be converted to two king-sized) as well as an extended balcony with LCD television, entertainment area and Jacuzzi.

For Royal Caribbean’s directory listing, see p64 17

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How cruise lines have taken family fun to the next level

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ENTERTAINMENT

Royal Caribbean International

Norwegian Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line

Fleet: 23 ships Newest vessels: Anthem of the Seas launched in April; Ovation of the Seas and Harmony of the Seas will launch in 2016 Did you know? Oasis class ships Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas are the largest cruise ships ever constructed What’s special? RCI likes things to be big and bold – in both size and innovation. Its ships are huge while onboard facilities are gloriously over the top. Innovation abounds in the likes of the cocktail-making robotic bartenders, ‘sky diving’ simulator, surfing and space-age Two70 floor-toceiling projectors.

Fleet: 14 ships Newest vessel: Norwegian Getaway launched in 2014; Norwegian Escape will launch this October Did you know? Norwegian is known for the Freestyle Cruising concept where there are no set times or seating arrangements at meals What’s special? The line pioneered the first Caribbean cruise back in 1966 and is proud of its tradition of innovation and sense of adventure. It doesn’t do things by half measures: Norwegian Epic has three waterslides, each multi-storey, as well as a trio of pools and five hot tubs – and finds room for a football pitch, basketball court and abseiling wall.

Fleet: Four ships Newest vessel: Disney Fantasy launched in 2012 Did you know? The line owns a private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay, an exclusive port of call for its ships What’s special? Nostalgia is the key word when it comes to Disney. The line trades on the fact that everyone – from the very young to very old – grew up watching Walt Disney’s films and TV programmes. As the Disney characters meet-and-greets and the Aladdin and Toy Story live shows may suggest, the cruises are geared at kids – but parents will love this honest family fun (and nightlife), too.

Celebrity Cruises

Thomson Cruises

MSC Cruises

Fleet: 11 ships Newest vessel: Celebrity Reflection launched in 2012 Did you know? The signature ‘X’ displayed on line’s ships is the Greek letter chi, for ‘Chandris’, the company’s original name What’s special? Celebrity Cruises is one of the few luxury lines that also welcomes families with young children. The result is high-end entertainment, and exceptional food. It excels in shore excursions suitable for the whole family – including explorer Ben Fogle’s Great Adventures programme.

Fleet: Five ships Newest vessel: Thomson Majesty joined in 2012. Thomson Discovery will join in 2016 Did you know? Thomson, part of TUI Group, charters and buy ships from the likes of Louis Cruise Lines and Holland America What’s special? Thomson offers low-cost cruises around Europe for a British crowd. The ships may be older, but line refurbishments are regular and the prices are great. Thomson Discovery (currently Splendour of the Seas), joining from RCI, will be its largest ship.

Fleet: 12 ships Newest vessel: MSC Preziosa launched in 2013. MSC Meraviglia and MSC Seaside will launch in 2017 Did you know? With the retirement of MSC Melody, built in 1982, MSC Armonia is now the oldest (2001) What’s special? Italian line MSC Cruises’ motto – the Mediterranean way of life – tells you exactly how it established its brand. But the line offers a range of itineraries to a diverse clientele in a wholesome and fun manner: expect cookery challenges, sports tournaments and live jazz.

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ENTERTAINMENT 10 days on Carnival

Freedom

by John Howard Carnival Cruise Lines Fleet: 24 ships Newest vessel: Carnival Breeze launched in 2012. Carnival Vista will launch in 2016 Did you know? Carnival currently accounts for 21.1 per cent of the worldwide cruise market share What’s special? The fact that Carnival has dubbed its vessels ‘Fun Ships’ should tell you everything you need to know: the line excels at feel-good family holidays. Its famous dancing waiters are perhaps the best example of this light-hearted attitude and its Punchliner comedy is second to none thanks to its association with George Lopez, the talk show host and comedian.

P&O Cruises Fleet: Eight ships Newest vessel: Britannia launched this March Did you know? Before christening Britannia, the largest ship built for the UK market, the Queen named Oriana in 1995 What’s special? The cruise line may be part American but its focus is very much on the great and good of British culture. Britannia is said to epitomise the “spirit of modern Britain” and features some of our greatest chefs in its Food Heroes, while its Strictly Come Dancing cruises are already legendary.

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A teenage cruiser shares his experiences on Carnival’s Conquest-class ship

hen I first got on board the Carnival Freedom, I was unsure of what to expect from the 10 days ahead. I spent the first half of the cruise with my family because I was apprehensive about meeting new people. But then, one night, I was by the pool and another English family approached us wondering whether I wanted to go to the teenage club, which is called the Club O2. I was unsure at first but when I finally went I wished I visited on the first day! Everybody was so friendly and I was surprised how keen they were to get to know me. Everyone was fascinated by my English accent. Club O2 is perfect for all teen demographics and for gamers to meet new gamers. There are plenty of PS4s – and then you can play together after the cruise. There are giant sofas where lots of stories are told and where friendships are made, and where I found myself most of the time, socialising with people from all around the world. There are evenings dedicated to occasions such as elegant nights where everybody dresses up and has photographs looking dapper together. There are karaoke nights, football table competitions and plenty of things to do inside O2. I also explored the ship with my new-found friends by going to restaurants to treat ourselves. There’s a variety to chose from, from Guys burger joint to all-you-can-eat ice cream and freshly made pizzas. If you fancy having a taste of England, there are fish and chips too! One night, we went to the front of the cruise ship where it felt magical. I couldn’t believe my eyes – all I could see was the stars and the faint light of another ship in the distance. Before we finally went back to our cabins at about 1 am we all felt hungry so we grabbed an ice cream and pizza! For more information on kids’ clubs see p54; see Carnival Cruise Lines’ directory listing on p58

ENTERTAINMENT

For passengers torn between the culture of the city and the relaxation of the beach, these family cruise lines offer stunning, high-budget theatre productions on board

nce upon a time cruise ships had a reputation – rather unfairly – for providing slightly naff entertainment in the form of smallbudget productions and cringe-worthy stand-ups. But in recent years, the trend towards securing fully licensed, worldfamous shows has yielded remarkable results, bringing the West End directly to the customer, while productions made specially for and by cruise lines have improved dramatically. As the size of onboard theatres have grown so too have the deals: many of the productions

available on cruise ships are truly household names. For example, Norwegian Cruise Line has seven-time Tony Award-nominated musical Legally Blonde on Norwegian Getaway, Rock of Ages on Norwegian Breakaway, while Priscilla, Queen of the Desert will debut on Norwegian Epic in October 2015. Beyond that, the supremely inventive Cirque Dreams and Dinner on Norwegian Epic stands up to any of the more famous shows on board. The “entertainment extravaganza”, as its creators put it, is based around a sit-down meal, circus acrobatics and

audience participation – and is fully deserving of its lasting popularity. Royal Caribbean International, not to be outdone, gives passengers on Anthem of the Seas, its newest ship (see page 10), the chance to enjoy We Will Rock You!, the Ben Elton-penned musical based on the songs of Queen. Remarkably, there’s Chicago on Allure of the Seas, Hairspray on Oasis of the Seas and Saturday Night Fever on Liberty of the Seas. What’s impressive is that each line has its distinct style when it comes to entertainment. Disney, of course, is able to bring

Disney will celebrate ‘Star Wars Day at Sea’ in early 2016 22

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ENTERTAINMENT Sink your teeth characters from its parent company’s much-loved stories to life – in Golden Mickeys and Disney Dreams shows and character meet and greets (that now includes Star Wars, too). Elsewhere, Carnival’s George Lopez-curated Punchliner Club has set the bar for cruise comedy, while Destination: Unknown on Carnival Magic, too, is a brilliantly ambitious illusions show.

Reinventing fun Entertainment has become more than just something to do while on a cruise – it’s a reason to cruise in the first place. What’s tantalisingly clear is that this is just the beginning: deals will continue to be struck and ever bigger and better shows will appear on board. But where family cruise lines have excelled is in thinking outside the box. Operators have brought fun to all aspects of the cruise experience through themed itineraries, appearances from kids’ TV favourites and even technology (as Anthem’s robotic bartenders prove). P&O Cruises’ Strictly Come Dancing cruises – which sail four times a year – are unsurprisingly popular, and then there’s the likes of Princess, which offers week-long activities with Discovery (see right) and Celebrity, whose Ben Foglecurated excursions blur the lines between adventure and entertainment. CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

Princess Cruises’ Discovery adventures

rincess Cruises has teamed up with Discovery to launch a series of week-long experiences for families, including its Stargazing at Sea experience and Shark Week, based on the channel’s popular show. Here, Sally Harrigan, Entertainment Manager, explains the thoughts behind the cruises.

When do the Discovery at Sea cruises begin? We’ve started rolling out some of the key components on our current Caribbean and California coast sailings and the activities will be added to other sailings – like Alaska and Europe – this summer.

Are they mainly aimed at children? We have developed activities for all ages including many fun things for families to do together. Our stargazing at Sea programme has been receiving rave reviews from families on board our North American ships: everyone will take away something new from the programmes we have put together.

What sort of activities and games will be available in Shark Week? All ages will enjoy a selection of Shark Week activities including a participative competition titled Fish Stories about Sharks, guessing games such as Guess the Number of Shark Teeth, a fast-paced competition titled Swim With The Sharks and a really fun green-screen experience. In addition to the interactive Shark Week programming, we will also feature Shark Week content on our stateroom TV system and shark-themed books will be offered in the ship’s libraries. All programmes will be featured fleetwide on all itineraries.

What are you hoping the children, in particular, will learn during Shark Week? We’re putting together fun and engaging activities and stories that we hope will pique the curiosity of young minds about the beauty and adventure of the ocean and its creatures. Ultimately, we hope that our entire Discovery at Sea programme encourages our guests to develop a lifelong passion for, well, discovery! 23

ENTERTAINMENT

What’s a family holiday without dive-bombing children, sky-reaching waterslides and poolside loungers? This is where the cruise industry comes into its own

hen it comes to the traditional family holiday, a great deal of it is spent in and around the hotel swimming pool. While cruise ships have the advantage of being surrounded by natural water, it’s fair to say most of your customers will pack their trunks, hoping to take a dip themselves. It’s the reason why family cruise lines have continued at pace to build larger pools as they’ve built larger ships. In fact, waterparks and vertigoinducing waterslides have become a key battleground among competitors (and are among the first things cruise lines brag about). But approaches differ widely. While some lines eschew the idea of waterslides altogether, others either find room for a couple per ship – or make one the centrepiece of the vessel. Conscious that not every passenger wants dive-bombing children within earshot (and splashing distance), cruise lines have carefully arranged their swimming facilities, with many offering the sanctuary of adultsonly pools. For example, with Princess Cruises parents can reserve a cabana by the adults-only Retreat

Norwegian Cruise Line’s Epic Plunge waterslide

Pool on Royal Princess (and, for a little extra, order an artisan picnic that comes with a bottle of wine). Celebrity Cruises’ adults-only Solarium on its Solstice-class ships is as beautifully designed as it is peaceful, while another option is MSC’s adults-only infinity-style Garden Pool on MSC Divina. This has increasingly led to cruise lines building multiple pools on their ships. In the end it means more fun for the kids and parents, too: MSC Fantasia, for example, has four swimming pools (not to mention 12 hydro-massage pools), while Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas has five. Of course, what family cruise lines do so well is the big and the outrageous. Norwegian Cruise Line, in particular, has taken

its onboard swimmingpool offerings to brilliant new levels: Aqua Park, on Norwegian Epic, features two main pools, five hot tubs and three waterslides. Most impressive is the fourstorey high Epic Plunge – which cascades riders down a tube at average speeds of an impressive 26mph before they plunge into – and then out – of a huge bowl, above. Elsewhere, on Norwegian Escape, is the Aqua Racer slide, the newest tandem waterslide at sea, where passengers can race sideby-side on tubes, and the Free Fall, first debuted on Norwegian Breakaway. The latter – as the name suggests – offer guests the chance to actually free fall as the floor runs out from underneath them, propelling them into a loop. Another line to adapt

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ENTERTAINMENT the two-lane method is Carnival, whose Speedway Splash was added to Carnival Sunshine when the line rolled out its Fun Ship 2.0 renovations. The first racer to the checkered flags at the end is declared winner through an announcement on the big screen. The ship also features Twister on deck 10, which, at 334-foot long, is the longest in the fleet. As waterslides are often found near the top deck of the ship – see our infographic below – they offer spectacular views of the sea and the rest of the ship, and often don’t require a steep ladder to

reach. MSC’s Vertigo, on board MSC Preziosa, is 13 metres high and 394 foot long, but located way up on deck 16. It means when the slide’s tube loops over the edge of the ship the views down are quite spectacular – and a little terrifying. If you’re looking for a longer ride, Disney Cruise Line has its inventively named AquaDuck waterslide on board deck 12 of Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Stretching out over a 765-foot course, it’s the only ‘water rollercoaster’ at sea. Of course, it’s not all about white-knuckle adventure and, just as the

Epic Plunge on Norwegian Epic deck 16

adults are catered for with the quiet zones, so too are the little ones: each Disney ship, for example, has themed zones for kids eight and younger that still offer adventure: Nemo’s Reef and AquaLab boast mini-water slides. With RCI’s Harmony of the Seas, launching in April 2016 with three multi-storey waterslides on board, and the line’s FlowRider, pictured on our cover, which offers something completely different, this too is an arena for invention. The trend once again is that everything is getting bigger, better and more exciting.

Aqua Duck on Disney Dream and Fantasy deck 12

Twister on Carnival Sunshine deck 10

Vertigo on MSC Preziosa deck 16

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ENTERTAINMENT

While every parent puts their children first, there’s nothing wrong with a little time apart. Fortunately, cruise lines haven’t neglected the adults when it comes to fun

he customers who walk through your door will be looking for a holiday that the kids will remember forever. The destination remains crucial, but a huge part of cruise’s ‘wow’ factor is down to the incredible range and high standard of entertainment on ships – as this 10-page feature hopes to prove. There’s enough to keep even the most restless kid occupied. However, it’s well worth remembering that while the kids’ happiness will be first on any parent’s mind, they too will want to be entertained. And while much of the holiday will be spent happily together, even the most doting mums and dads will be hoping for a little relaxation away from their hyperactive children at some point. Importantly, cruise ships

kids’ clubs – as we discuss on p54 – are as good, if not better, than anything you’ll find on land. Meaning, once you’ve finished telling your customers about the endless fun for kids and the brilliantly attentive staff who can look after them, it’s time to talk up the casino, spa treatments and

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Canyon Ranch SpaClub on Celebrity Cruises is a thing of wonder featuring AquaClass spa cabins and café, a relaxation room and ‘Persian Garden’ steamroom, as is the Solarium. Costa Cruises, which pioneered the concept of the ‘destination spa experience’ at sea,

Even the most doting mums and dads will be hoping for a little relaxation away from the kids

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evening entertainment and club nights. And believe us, there’s plenty to say.

Spas The onboard spa experience has become one of the key features of the cruise. Even the most diminutive ships offer places to relax, unwind and enjoy treatment. Of course, the quality and size of these facilities differs hugely between lines and vessels, but onboard spas have improved beyond recognition over the past few years. As you may expect, some of the best spas tend to appear on the most luxurious ships – but certainly aren’t limited to the high-end, adults-only cruises. For example, the classy

still offers one of the very best options available in its Samsara Spa. Included is a thermal suite, ‘Temple of Peace’ and Japanese Tea Room. On the Costa Diadema, the line’s newest ship, there is 25,000 square foot worth of spa.

Casinos Customers who like a flutter will be delighted to learn that many of the lines who have mastered family fun also offer some of the best casinos at sea. Royal Caribbean’s Casino Royale, for example, accounts for 18,000 square foot on Oasis and Allure of the Seas (and appears on Quantum-class ships too, pictured left), featuring the usual mix of poker tables, roulette and hundreds of slot machines.

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Celebrity Cruises’ Solarium Spa offers a great opportunity to unwind

Norwegian’s Breakaway and Getaway casinos exactly match Royal’s Oasisclass in square feet and are similarly blessed in terms of facilities. The half-hearted can play video poker while sat at the bar, while serious players can join the line’s Annual Poker Challenge. There are plenty more to choose from, but The Princess Casino on board the Regal Princess and Royal Princess is a particularly great spot to relax with a martini (shaken not stirred).

Nightlife and shows Family cruise lines specialise in providing entertainment suitable for

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all ages – whether that be waterslides or Broadway theatre. But, when the kids are safely tucked up in bed, there’s plenty for the adults to enjoy, too. Some of the larger ships rival small cities with their nightlife: there is nearly always a ‘traditional’ pub, swanky cocktail bar and disco, often going on into the early hours. There is also often entertainment geared specifically at adults. On Celebrity Silhouette and Reflection, for example, there’s the 18-plus Sin City comedy-meets-Burlesque late-night show, while the pick of the Carnival’s Punchliner shows are

undoubtedly the ones unsuitable for kids’ ears. For those who enjoy their entertainment under the stars, Princess’s Night Sky Lounge at the Retreat Pool on Regal is particularly lovely (as too are the cruise line’s famous Movies Under the Stars). Even Disney, a line very much geared at kids’ fun, is blessed when it comes to nightlife, offering a surprisingly European flavour: see the Londoninspired Tube on Disney Fantasy and O’Gills Irish pub, which shows ESPN so there’s no need to miss the match.

See the Directory, p57

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TECHNOLOGY

Cruise lines are increasingly embracing technology in an effort to modernise ships and entertain guests. We look at how offering usable wi-fi is the first port of call ‘

utting-edge technology’ is not a phrase that immediately springs to mind when you think of cruise ships. While these huge, majestic vessels that sweep through the oceans are undoubtedly feats of engineering, they often reminds us of a more quaint time, a time before social media and 4G connectivity. Some of the newest ships built by the industryleading cruise lines now offer free, usable wi-fi, but for many years (and, still, on many ships) cruising was a somewhat enforced escape from our reliance on mobiles phone and the internet – unless you were willing to fork out for expensive wi-fi that often didn’t really work. For some, this roving

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It was crucial family cruise lines fixed the wi-fi blackspot issue – try telling teenagers they can’t use their iPhones for two weeks

network black-spot represented a welcome break from everyday desk-life but, for most, it was nothing more than an annoyance. It could mean days without contacting loved ones and relative isolation from the rest of

the world – particularly during days at sea. For family cruising, especially, it was crucial that this was addressed – try telling teenagers they can’t use their iPhones for two weeks. However, it would be wrong to assume that these forward-thinking lines’ ambitions end with

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installing comprehensive wi-fi. Indeed, a sort of arms race has begun technology has started to dominate the cruising agenda. As the ships on the right attest, the inventiveness is remarkable. As Stuart Leven of Royal Caribbean International,

a line which is known as one of the industry’s main embracers of tech, explains on p12, the technology isn’t there simply to be ostentatious. It’s an enabler. Even the most extravagant examples – robotic barmen and 3D theatres – are there to provide entertainment, while the more functional additions have helped improve the cruise experience through better communications, booking processes and app guides. But as likes of decent wi-fi is rolled out across the industry in future, the true innovators will continue to explore new technology in the most outrageous and entertaining ways.

For more information about entertainment, see p18. For details of the facilities on each line, see Directory, p57

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Cruising 2.0: five of the best ‘techy’ ships Anthem of the Seas In terms of cruise-ship innovation, few can rival Royal Caribbean. Its newest vessels, the Quantum-class Anthem and Quantum of the Seas are known as ‘smart ships’ – and are regarded by many as the most technologically advanced ships on the waves. This technology exists through the ridiculous – a skydiving simulator, the NorthStar viewing pod and the Bionic Barmen – to the incredibly useful: RFID baggage tracking, restaurant booking via an mobile and tablet app and excellent wi-fi. Carnival Breeze Not content with the everyday three dimensions, Carnival’s Thrill 5D Theater adds immersive seat-moving fun (and other surprises) to your standard 3D cinema experience. In January 2015, the line also launched a mobile app for use on board Carnival Breeze that includes a day-by-day schedule of the many goings on as well as a chat feature, allowing passengers to make new friends (and keep in contact with wandering kids). The searchable deck plans are also a god-send on a ship that size. Disney Dream and Fantasy Another of the great innovators, Disney pioneered ‘virtual’ experiences on board. For example, guests staying in interior staterooms can look through the ship’s virtual portholes to see real-time views CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

from outside the ship. On Fantasy, Disney has introduced a 3D cinema on top of Dream’s already impressive features, such as Enchanted Art (it comes to life as you approach it). Usefully, in staterooms are two phones – allowing guests communicate with family members on ship or on Disney’s island, Castaway Cay, should they split up. Norwegian Epic Norwegian Epic – perhaps best known for its out-of-this-world Aquapark – was one of the trailblazers when it comes to onboard technology. Its gaming venues remain some of the finest at sea, while the ship boasts 10,000 wireless access points (and therefore good wi-fi) and a top-notch iConcierge app. Epic is also celebrated for its use of facial recognition: should your customers wish to purchase pictures taken by one of Norwegian’s photographers while on board, it’s super easy to find them. Allure and Oasis of the Seas Royal Caribbean’s Oasis-class ships are the largest cruise vessels in the world and, as you might expect, offer game-changing technological features. Guests can expect satellite wi-fi, 52-inch televisions in some staterooms as well as a 3D movie theatre. Allure, the newest of the two ships, boasts greater wi-fi connectivity as well as streaming services such as Netflix and access to Skype. 31

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elcome to Cruise Adviser’s How To Sell guide for family cruises. This step-by-step walk-through will hopefully help shed some light on what’s available for a family of four on today’s market. We have gone out and spoken with expert agents, cruise lines and families themselves about what they most want from a holiday and boiled it down into a simple formula. We hope you find it useful. From six month old babies to 17-yearold teens, the range of what is available is understandably huge. Pizza parties, cookery classes and scavenger hunts are available while youth nightclubs and computer games are also in abundance. While compiling this guide one thing became very clear: a cruise is the perfect holiday for all ages. Enjoy!

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*All prices correct at time of publication, based on a family of four sharing an inside cabin

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ravelling with children aged two and under can be a wonderful thing. For one, you are not held down by school term-times and the extra costs that go with those golden summer months; secondly, many cruise lines will charge you a minimal amount for bringing on children that young. Many also offer great child care facilities, too, as long as your baby is more than six months old. For those who want to keep the flying time to a minimum, we have selected some potential cruises for you below.

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International Destination: Caribbean Date: November 28, 2015 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Fort Lauderdale Price: £2,114

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line Destination: Hawaii Date: October 3, 2015 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Honolulu, Hawaii Price: £2,520

Cruise line: Carnival Destination: Caribbean Date: January 11, 2016 Duration: Four nights Departure port: Miami Price: £730

RCI boasts both Royal Babies (six to 18-montholds) and Royal Tots (18 to 36-month-olds). The programme is primarily made up of 45-minute playtime sessions for which a parent must be present. However, the company does offer an extra, paid babysitting service ($6 an hour in the day or $8 an hour at night) for six-36month-old children. The service is only currently available on Oasis, Freedom and Radiance class ships.

Norwegian’s Splash Academy covers children from six months up to 12 years (with teen clubs available for older children). The company also offers a ‘late night fun zone’ babysitting package for adults who want a few hours on their own (for a small fee). Activities include interactive workshops, learning circus tricks and access to computer consoles. They will never want to leave.

Carnival Cruise Line’s youth programme is extensive but only covers children who are two years old and above. However, for those that do qualify, there is a host of options available. Free activities such as kids’ party time, Camp Carnival and digital play are on offer as well as those that come with fee, such as night owls (the night time babysitting service) and Beary Cuddly Workshop (where children make their own teddy bear).

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hat are options are available as a parent who wants to go on holiday with a child under three years old? Well, it entirely depends. Some cruise lines don’t have dedicated facilities for children under three, while others do. So make sure you do your research before booking any clients on board. They should also be aware that for facilities where they want to leave children in the hands of a cruise line’s staff (when under three years old) they will often have to pay a nominal fee. This trio of cruises show some of what’s available for the under threes.

Cruise line: MSC Cruises Destination: Canary Islands Date: February 6, 2016 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Las Palmas de Gran Canaria Price: £1,073

Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises Destination: Mediterranean Date: June 20, 2015 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Istanbul Price: £2,372 (balcony stateroom)

Cruise line: Disney Cruise Line Destination: Norwegian fjords Date: May 29, 2016 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Dover Price: £3,121

MSC Cruises’ Baby Time is an area that allows children under three to socialise with others their age, often from different countries, with parental supervision. The company also offers a babycare service for a limited fee. All of the toys within the area have been chosen by Osservatorio Chicco, a baby research centre.

Celebrity Cruises has no dedicated children’s facilities for those under three; however, it can offer cots for babies and also provides an in-stateroom babysitting service for children aged one and above. So parents can go out for a romantic meal and know that the children are being well cared for.

It won’t surprise you to hear that the children’s facilities on board Disney Cruise Line are among the best in the industry. For children under three years old, each ship has a dedicated nursery, for an extra fee. On board this cruise, which also leaves from Dover, the It’s a Small World Nursery plays Disney classics. Adults can leave their children with Disney’s expert staff while they either stay on board or take an adventure on land.

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hat makes a cruise such a good holiday for children? Pizza parties, scavenger hunts and mini Olympics are just a few of the activities we’ve seen advertised for the youngest people on board. And for parents? Evening babysitting services – both in the kids’ clubs and in-stateroom – so mums and dads can enjoy a romantic meal, or sometimes even the chance to go on a shore excursion, knowing that their children are having the time of their lives.

Cruise line: Princess Cruises Destination: Alaska Date: September 6, 2015 Duration: Seven days Departure port: Seattle, US Price: £1,718

Cruise line: Crystal Cruises Destination: Pacific coast Date: June 13 2015 Duration: Six days Departure port: San Francisco, US Price: £1,334 per person, kids sail free offer

Cruise line: P&O Cruises Destination: Caribbean Date: November 7, 2015 Duration: 14 nights Departure port: Barbados Price: £4,636

Princess Cruises offers entertainment for children from three to 17. For its youngest cruises (aged three to seven) there is Princess Pelicans, which includes activities such as pizza parties, movies & cartoons and T-shirt colouring. However, be aware that the Pacific Princess and Ocean Princess will only have dedicated children’s clubs if 20 or more children are sailing.

Surprisingly, for an ultra-luxury cruise line, Crystal Cruises has its own dedicated children’s service. However, be aware that its Junior Activities programme is only on ‘holiday voyages’ and nearly all summer sailings. So travel agents need to find out if there is a ‘junior activities director’ on board. There are activities such as scavenger hunts and cookie baking and coke-tails to keep the young ones entertained.

P&O offers a children’s programme on its familyfriendly ships only. On these there is a kids’ programme for two to 17 year-olds and a night nursery (from 6pm to 2am) for children aged six months to four years. The company splits its age groups into two to four year olds (Splashers), five to eight year olds (Surfers), nine to 12-year-olds (Scubas) and 13 to 17-yearolds (h20). This cruise, on Britannia, also has Marco Pierre White on board.

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f a family has children who are still too young to start school, but who want to take a holiday that offers freedom and flexibility, then these three cruises are perfect. Remember to explain to your clients the benefits of being in an enclosed environment (child safety), while many children’s clubs offer to look after young cruisers while the parents have a few hours off. Some will even look after them while the adults go ashore for a few hours and take in a shore excursion.

Cruise line: MSC Cruises Destination: Mediterranean Date: September 4, 2015 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Salerno, Italy Price: £898

Cruise line: Thomson and Island Cruises Destination: Mediterranean fly-cruise Date: October 6, 2015 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Palma Price: £1,574

Cruise line: Costa Cruises Destination: Mediterranean Date: June 6, 2015 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Savona, Italy Price: £1,396

MSC is known as being one of the most familyorientated cruise lines in the industry. The cost of a child cruising at all is minimal – normally just port fees and a few incentive costs. This seven-night sailing comes in at under a grand for a family of four and takes in a number of the Mediterranean’s finest destinations, all on board the recently renovated MSC Armonia. Bon voyage!

If you want your cruise to have a distinctly British feel to it, then Thomson is a very good choice. And, because the company owns its own airplanes, they throw in flights and transfers too, making this one of the most laid-back holidays you could possible imagine. Leave Palma and enjoy destinations such as Gibraltar, Cadiz and Tangier for some late summer sunshine. Thomson’s kids’ clubs cover ages from three through to 16 so there is something for everyone.

Costa Cruises is Carnival Corporation’s Italian cruise line. However, they are growing to be far more international in scope. This cruise, on the line’s new vessel, the Diadema, comes in at a great price during the start of the summer. The line delivers kids’ clubs for children from three to 17, leaving parents safe in the knowlege that the young ones are being well looked after back on the ship.

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s more families take to the seas, the better the options are for those wanting to take a break. Travel agents can make some very happy customers when they put together a package to destinations such as Alaska, the Caribbean or Australia. For those with children between six and nine years old there is a world of options available. Our three cruises below highlight just some of what’s out there for families who want to see something a little further afield.

Cruise line: Holland America Destination: Alaska Date: September 6, 2015 Duration: Seven days Departure port: Seattle, US Price: £2,656

Cruise line: Pullmantur Destination: Caribbean Date: July 4, 2015 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Cozumel, Mexico Price: £1,199

Cruise line: Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Destination: Australia Date: December 18, 2016 Duration: 19 days Departure port: Singapore Price: £14,250

Holland America Line offers its Club HAL youth facility for children aged three to seven, tweens aged eight to 12 and teens aged 13 to 17, so there is something for pretty much everyone. Younger guests can take part in activities such as pirate treasure hunts, storytelling and ice cream sundae parties. Tweens have Xbox tournaments, scavenger hunts and the National Park Service Jr Ranger Alaska Programme for cruises to the region.

Spanish line Pullmantur is starting to eye up the British market in a big way, with Fred Olsen Travel now heading up its UK operation. The company has an emphasis on its family-friendly credentials, with kids’ clubs running all day. Its youth programme covers three to six (The Mini Guppy Club), seven to 11 (The Guppis) and 12 to 17-year-olds in the teen club. Each group will have its own programme of activities.

Germany luxury cruise line Hapag-Lloyd lets children sail for free when parents book into suite level accommodation. This cruise, which fits snugly into the Christmas holidays, is perfect for those with deep pockets who want to get a bit of winter sun. HapagLloyd splits its kids clubs into the Knopf Club (two– three years old), the Kids Club (four to 10 years old) and the Teens Club (11 to 15 years old).

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hen all things are considered, it is strange that more families don’t think about a cruise. The holidays – which can be a difficult time for restless children and tired parents – could be made a whole lot easier if people elected to take their holidays on the water. With more entertainment options than a family could possible know what to do with, as well as restaurants for even the fussiest of eaters, the three voyages we’ve picked below are perfect for families with children aged six to nine. They’re short haul, so get to the sun that little bit quicker!

Cruise line: Carnival Destination: Mediterranean Date: July 19, 2016 Duration: 10 days Departure port: Athens, Greece Price: £3,730

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean Destination: Greece and Turkey Date: August 23, 2015 Duration: Seven days Departure port: Civitavecchia Price: £1,484

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line Destination: Baltic Date: August 28, 2015 Duration: Nine nights Departure port: Copenhagen Price: £2,896

Both parents and children are guaranteed a good time on board Carnival Vista in 2016, when the company makes its triumphant return back to Europe. From Dr Seuss children’s areas to SkyRide – a bike that travels high above the deck. The ship will also come with an imax cinema, waterpark and Camp Ocean – a place for the smallest cruisers in the pond. All while sailing around the beautiful Mediterranean.

This great deal with Royal Caribbean is perfect for families that need to get away during the summer holidays. This cruise, on board Rhapsody of the Seas, features the line’s renowned Adventure Ocean club, which, for six to nineyear-olds means either the Explorers (six to eight years) or Voyagers (nine to 11 years). Both clubs offer activities such as science experiments, sports and dancing.

Norwegian Star boasts basketball courts, golf driving nets and casino. For young children, there is Planet Kids as well as a dedicated kids’ pool. The company’s fleet-wide Splash Academy breaks kids under 13 into four groups: Guppies (six months to two years), Turtles (three to five years), Seals (six to nine years) and Dolphins (10 to 12 years). Children can learn to juggle play on the Nintendo Wii or work on their art and crafts.

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y the time children reach the ages of 10 to 12 there is every chance that there could be some rather difficult customers on your hands. One of the many reasons why a cruise can be the perfect bridging holiday for parents, children and extended family alike. The kids can be taking part in the youth programmes, dads in the spa while mum lounges by the pool. All while grandma plays bridge and granddad hits the buffet. Everyone can meet in the evening for the show or, if they really want to, take a trip out into the port. Everybody’s a winner!

Cruise line: Disney Cruise Lines Destination: Bahamas Date: July 19, 2015 Duration: Five days Departure port: Port Canaveral, Florida, US Price: £3,941

Cruise line: Celebrity Cruises Destination: Galapagos Date: July 12, 2015 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Daphne Island, Galapagos Price: £11,136

Cruise line: Thomson & Island Cruises Destination: Caribbean Date: February 14, 2016 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Montego Bay Price: £3,933, inc flights

While the kids are sure to have a great time, few people know that Disney Cruise ships dedicate about a third of their public spaces to being adults-only. For the children, the ship comes complete with an Oceaneer Lab, a Muppet Adventure Game, an area for 11 through to 14-year-olds to watch TV and play video games as well as an Arr-cade. We could go on listing the facilities for a lot longer too!

Do you have customers whose children love wildlife? This very special Galapagos cruise would blow them all away. Travel on Celebrity’s 296-foot yacht to see some of the region’s completely unique animals and birds. This cruise doesn’t include as many facilities as the bigger ships – it’s occupancy is only 92 guests – but is one to consider if your guests and their children are interested in seeing something they’re likely to remember forever.

This seven-night sailing falls nicely for a spring half-term break and, because it’s with Thomson, it includes return flights. Entertainment options for 10-12-year-olds include the Showtime Stage School, where, for a fee, children aged nine to 16 can be taught the tricks of the trade by professional entertainers. The kids’ club however, is only open to children from three-11. But, there are other options for older children, including bike tours.

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parents wanting to take their 10 to 12-year-olds away are immediately limited by the school timetable. However, that’s not to say that there isn’t plenty of choice around the summer months, as these three cruises demonstrate. Our trio of picks below cover an option for each budget – with one even leaving from Southampton, meaning your customers can get on holiday that little bit quicker!

Cruise line: Costa Destination: Mediterranean Date: July 12, 2015 Duration: Seven days Departure port: Venice Price: £999

Cruise line: P&O Cruises Destination: Mediterranean Date: July 30, 2016 Duration: 14 nights Departure port: Southampton Price: £5,756

Cruise line: Crystal Cruises Destination: Mediterranean Date: June 28, 2015 Duration: Seven days Departure port: Monte Carlo Price: £2,833 per person

Seven days of cruising around the Mediterranean, visiting Italy, Greece and Croatia – all for under £1,000. Not a bad deal, eh? With Costa’s Deliziosa the on board entertainment includes grand prix simulator racing cars, children’s pool and kids club as well as four restaurants, a spa, swimming pools and a Turkish bath. Where do we sign up?

This 14-night P&O sailing features nine ports of call, so there is plenty of opportunities to get off and stroll around the Mediterranean. Not that you will be bored on the company’s new flagship vessel, Britannia, which was christened by Her Majesty The Queen and features a specialist children’s facility called The Reef, which can cater for children from two to 17 years old.

Seven days of cruising from Monte Carlo to Barcelona, taking in St Tropez, Palma and Valencia, is not a bad way to spend a week of your summer. Your children will certainly agree too. Crystal’s two ships are renowned for the amount of space they each offer per passenger and has ultra-luxury amenities in abundance. This cruise is well worth putting forward to any clients who want to treat their family for that special occasion.

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LONG HAUL

13–17 YEARS OLD

o what do you do: a family are sitting in front of you with two teenage children. They want some sun, but that’s pretty much where the unity ends. The daughter wants something active, the mother wants a spa, the father wants to lounge all day and not do anything while all the son ever really wants to do is play computer games. Well, unsurprisingly, we think a cruise is your best option. The flexibility, the choice, the freedom to do whatever they want is something that needs to be experienced to be believed. Here are our three choices for long haul cruises for families with teenagers.

Cruise line: Royal Caribbean International Destination: Alaska Date: July 29, 2016 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Seattle Price: £2,872

Cruise line: Norwegian Cruise Line Destination: Hawaii Date: July 4, 2015 Duration: Seven nights Departure port: Honolulu Price: £3,816

Cruise line: MSC Cruises Destination: Middle East Date: February 13, 2016 Duration: Seven days Departure port: Dubai Price: £1,408

When travelling with older children, customers may elect to book multiple or interconnecting staterooms, rather than sharing one cabin. What’s great about the bigger cruise lines is that they will all do their best to accommodate guests in whatever numbers they book. RCI’s teen facilities are some of the best in the industry with basketball courts, game consoles, nightclubs and Scratch DJ Academy.

A cruise around Hawaii for seven nights doesn’t sound like a bad way to spend your holiday to us. Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America has everything you could need. Theatres, pools, hot tubs and those all important teen clubs. Complete with juke boxes, table football, dance floors and air hockey, your teens will have plenty to keep them busy. Oh, and they will also be in Hawaii. Did we mention that?

Have you ever considered a holiday in Dubai? For teenagers it could just be the answer. With cruises leaving throughout the early part of the year – which could fall nicely for half-term – why not get your customers to try something different? Shore excursions available include visits to Ferrari World and sand dune buggy rides. And that’s not to mention all of the great facilities that are on board.

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SHORT HAUL

13–17 YEARS OLD

ave customers travelling with treacherous teens? Not a problem. One of the best things about a cruise is the flexibility, and independence, it offers those travelling on board. All within a safe, and non-constricting environment. There are plenty of teen clubs on board once a child reaches 13 years of age. These will often include the latest games consoles, pool tables, Jacuzzis, teen nightclubs – pretty much everything they could hope for. And, because they’re a little bit older, they can often come and go as they please. Letting them keep their cool, while you know they’re going to be safe.

Cruise line: Princess Destination: Northern Europe Date: July 2, 2016 Duration: Seven days Departure port: Southampton Price: £3,440

Cruise line: Holland America Destination: Mediterranean Date: July 3, 2015 Duration: 12 nights Departure port: Barcelona Price: £2,079

Cruise line: SeaDream Destination: Mediterranean Date: July 2, 2016 Duration: Seven days Departure port: Istanbul Price: Price upon application

The great thing about children getting older is that you know they will start appreciating destinations more. Northern Europe is a prime example. In July, the weather will be beautiful and destinations such as Copenhagen and Oslo will certainly keep the attention of teenagers. Princess Cruises’ teen lounges include formal dinners, teen makeovers, hip-hop dance classes, sport tournaments and DJ workshops.

Another good thing about children getting older? Your clients can start going on holiday where they want to again. A cruise is the perfect option for these customers. This cruise, which starts in Barcelona, sails right around the coast of Italy, calling at numerous stops along the beautiful country before finishing up in Venice. On board there is latenight sport, guys Vs girls scavenger hunts and teenonly nightclub evenings.

Not an obvious choice for a family holiday, but for older, more responsible children it is one to consider. SeaDream says the cruise may not be suitable for children under 13; however, more active teenagers can take advantage of the yacht’s watersports marina. The ship has glass bottom kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, water skis and banana boats to enjoy. Be warned: there is no youth programme on board at all.

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If a customer is still deliberating over where to go on this year’s family holiday, it’s time to remind them that with a cruise, you’re never confined to a single destination

hey say destination is everything – and as travel agents, it’s a phrase you’ll be used to hearing. As Giles Hawke, executive director at MSC Cruises, says in his opinion piece on p8, the destination is the first thing customers think about – it’s what gets them on the cruise. It’s only once they’re on board do they realise how important the ship is; it’s the ship that gets them coming back for more. When pitching cruise holidays, particularly to first-timers, it’s therefore crucial to know which lines sail where. As a rule of thumb: if there are landbased package holidays to a destination, there are no doubt cruise alternatives. As our How To Sell guide (p33) demonstrates, there are plenty of options: it’s worth remembering that cruise lines excel in

Loving Lisbon...

providing trips to exotic, far-flung – and sometimes quite inaccessible – destinations in both luxury and comfort. It’s key to think outside the box. However, it’s fair to say that most families opt for one of two options: a cruise around the Mediterranean or cruise around the Caribbean. With that in mind, we look at the sort of itineraries passengers can expect.

Caribbean Chances are, when you imagine paradise, you think of the white-sanded beaches and turquoise bays of the Caribbean. It’s not difficult to understand its popularity as a holiday destination – but picking where to go within the Caribbean is not easy. You’re spoilt for choice. As more than 5,000 islands and cays make up the region, it seems a shame to be confined to just one area, particularly when it is surrounded by remarkable Central American destinations. The joy of cruising, of course, is that your customers can take in great swathes of it, thereby ticking off a half a dozen stunning destinations in a single holiday outing. Such is the popularity of the Caribbean, Florida has become the cruise capital

of the world (it has ports in Miami, Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral in Orlando) because of its close proximity to the region. For British customers, that means a flight to the US (often included in the price) – or one epic sail across the Atlantic ocean (usually not an option unless you have bags of time and money). The likes of Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest operator, will offer seven and eightday cruises that focus on a particular area – for example, southern, eastern or western Caribbean – with a day or two at sea (that usually book-end the cruise). There is unbelievable beauty wherever you choose to go. A trip to the western Caribbean may well take in the diverse ports of Mexico, Belize, Isla Roatan and the Cayman Islands before heading back to Florida. To the east, passengers may be treated to calls at the picturesque and tranquil Bahamas, St Thomas, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk; further south are the Caribbean wonders of Barbados and St Lucia.

Mediterranean The rich and varied Mediterranean is a region of wonderful beauty, heritage and culture – and, CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

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Our view of Corfu of course, is a lot closer to the UK than the Caribbean. The type of itineraries your customers can expect, therefore, depend on whether or not they want to fly or head out on an ex-UK cruise. With the likes of P&O Cruises’ Britannia, the largest ship ever built for the UK market, homeported at Southampton and Royal Caribbean International’s Anthem of the Seas on the south coast for a year, there are more options than ever for no-fly cruisers. Those wishing to avoid airport queues but still make it to the Med would likely need to indulge in a longer cruise – usually 14 nights – that would require a few days at sea. Often cruises head west CRUISE-ADVISER.COM

from England and call in at the likes of Portugal, Gibraltar and the south of France on the way to (or on the way back from) the Mediterranean, giving passengers the chance to see the tropical end of western Europe, as well. Once within the pocket of the Mediterranean, there is a truly superb range of destinations to see, each unique – be it Italy, the Greek islands or Croatia. If you consider destinations such the walled city of Dubrovnik, you realise Mediterranean cruises are as suitable for culture buffs and history fanatics as they are for sun-seekers. Those wishing to get straight in on the action – or for those looking for a shorter or more concentrated trip – can

pick from any number of fly cruises. Some form a roundtrip – often from northern Italy and back – while others head from one destination to another, focusing on a particular region. This can mean port of calls at sprawling historic cities and secluded beaches all in the same holiday. You’ll find that many itineraries begin and end in Venice. Royal Caribbean, for example, offers a seven-night cruise that heads from the Italian city down the Dalmatian coast to Dubrovnik and then on to Kusadasi in Turkey and Santorini in Greece. In truth, the choices are almost endless.

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KIDS’ CLUBS

On any family holiday parents will need to know that their children will be both safe and entertained. With cruise kids’ clubs you can promise just that

ruise ships are renowned for their dedicated children’s facilities – from kid’s pools to the latest games consoles and cookery schools. To some parents, they are the perfect place to leave their children – a safe environment while they can go and enjoy their holiday. For the children themselves, the entertainment programmes are extensive – from scavenger hunts and pizza parties to youth nightclubs for teenagers. Some lines provide a service for babies as young as six months old; however, most dedicate themselves to children between three and 17. There are usually night time babysitting services too, for parents wanting to burn the midnight oil. But what exactly is out there? Over the next two pages, we have rounded up a few of our favourite places for you to leave your little cruiser, while you head for that relaxing spa treatment...

Parents zone

Dr Se us Bookv s ille

on Millennium Falc

Millennium Falcon Disney Cruise Line (Disney Dream, October 26, 2015) Disney’s younger passengers will be transported on to Star Wars’ Millennium Falcon from October as the kids’ club transports its guests to a galaxy far, far away.

Dr Seuss Bookville Carnival (Carnival Vista and Carnival Freedom) Packed to the rafters with Dr Seuss’s famous literary works, this bright space gives children an exciting atmosphere to sit down and read about The Grinch, The Cat in the Hat and green eggs and ham.

For adults-only entertainment and bars, see p26 of The Great Entertainers

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KIDS’ CLUBS Lego play room MSC (MSC Armonia and future ships) MSC Cruises and Lego have partnered to create a new kids’ club that debuted on MSC Armonia and will be rolled out on two vessels currently under construction. The new experience will include a Duplo play pen, Lego vertical play wall and games consoles with Lego-branded games. H20 Zone and Adventure Ocean Royal Caribbean International (Oasis-class and Quantum-class). The expansive kids’ clubs on board RCI are unsurprisingly impressive. While the ships are all geared for fun, the Adventure Ocean kids’ areas on the Oasis-class ships are the biggest on any cruise ship. Activities include open mic karaoke and toga parties for the older children. The aptly named H2O Zone, is also very popular. Splash Academy and Entourage Norwegian Cruise Line (fleet-wide) Splash Academy and Entourage are the programmes for children teenagers. Unsurprisingly, the newer ships have more facilities (Getaway, Breakaway and Epic) with the Getaway-class ships boasting a Nickelodeonthemed splash area for younger cruisers. 56

Lego play room

H2O Zone

Splash Aca demy

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Whether you want a holiday for just you and your partner or for your whole family, you won’t find more to do or see than on a Carnival cruise. With some of the largest cruise ships in the world, it carries a bigger cargo of fun.

Celebrity Cruises is redefining the way you see the world. Its contemporary fleet offers a modern luxury experience with its cutting edge design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the food; and amazing service, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for holidaymaker’s precious time.

CONTACT DETAILS

Luke Smith Partnerships manager Carnival Cruise Lines 81 Alie Street, London, E1 8NH

TELEPHONE +44 (0)20 7940 4460

EMAIL carnivalsalesuk@carnival.com

Celebrity Cruises The Heights, Brooklands, Surrey, KT13 0NY

TELEPHONE +44 (0)84 5456 0523

WEBSITE celebritycruises.co.uk

WEBSITE goccl.co.uk

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CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA

ASIA PACIFIC CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA

CANADA & ALASKA MEDITERRANEAN

CANADA & ALASKA MEDITERRANEAN MIDDLE EAST NORTH EUROPE POLAR REGIONS SOUTH AMERICA

FACILITIES

Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; adults-only areas; cinema; smoking areas; waterpark

Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; option available to pay gratuities in advance; adults-only areas; cinema; smoking areas; waterpark; free wi-fi

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Costa Crociere SpA has the largest fleet of all European cruise ship operators, with a total of 15 ships in service, plus another two new ships to be delivered by 2016. In 2000, Costa Crociere SpA launched an investment plan to expand the fleet that currently stands at around 11 billion euros.

The online shore excursions and activities company cruisingexcursions.com was launched in June 2011 with the aim of providing reliable shore excursions at competitive prices. The varied choice of activities include walking tours, sightseeing, luxury beach days, cultural, historical, religious, fine cuisine or simply experiencing the vibrancy of a region.

CONTACT DETAILS

CONTACT DETAILS Graham Chuter

Costa Cruises Piazza Piccapietra 48, 16121 Genova, Italy

TELEPHONE +44 (0)20 3564 5221

EMAIL bookings@uk.costa.it

WEBSITE

Cruising Excursions Orbital Plaza, Bridgtown, Cannock, Staffordshire, WS11 0EL

TELEPHONE +44 (0)78 0153 7446

EMAIL graham.chuter@cruisingexcursions.com

costacruises.co.uk

WEBSITE

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ASIA PACIFIC CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA

MEDITERRANEAN MIDDLE EAST SOUTH AMERICA

MEDITERRANEAN CANADA & ALASKA

NORTH EUROPE

NORTH EUROPE MIDDLE EAST SOUTH AMERICA

FACILITIES Casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; gratuities included; cinema; smoking areas

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Crystal Cruises is the world’s leading luxury cruise provider, having earned more World’s Best awards than any other line, hotel or resort in history. On board the all-inclusive Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity refined elegance meets casual simplicity. The Crystal experience is distinguished by classic service, abundant space and superior quality and choices.

CONTACT DETAILS

With decks of sun-drenched Disney magic you won’t find anywhere else, Disney Cruise Line sets every family member on course for spectacular entertainment and unrivalled relaxation. Discover many different destinations, highlighting exotic Caribbean escapes such as Disney’s own private island Castaway Cay. Ships’ Registry: The Bahamas ©Disney.

CONTACT DETAILS

Elaine Gillard Senior sales and marketing manager

Jessica Dollard Travel industry marketing executive

Crystal Cruises 50-51 Wells Street, London, W1T 3PP

Disney Cruise Line The Walt Disney Company, 3 Queen Caroline Street, London, W6 9PE

TELEPHONE

+44 (0)20 7399 7602

+44 (0)20 8222 1264

elaine@cruiseportfolio.co.uk

jessica.dollard@disney.com

WEBSITE

crystalcruises.co.uk

disneycruise.co.uk

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ASIA PACIFIC CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA

NORTH EUROPE CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA

CANADA & ALASKA MEDITERRANEAN MIDDLE EAST

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NORTH EUROPE POLAR REGIONS SOUTH AMERICA

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Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; gratuities included; cinema; smoking areas; free wi-fi

Multiple kids’ clubs; drink packages available; adults-only areas; cinema; smoking areas; waterpark

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Holland America Line’s fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises to 415 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. One- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, Grand World Voyages and popular sailings to the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Europe and the Panama Canal.

CONTACT DETAILS

Holland America Line 100 Harbour Parade, Southampton. SO15 1ST

TELEPHONE +44 (0)84 4338 8600

EMAIL salessupport@hollandamerica.co.uk

WEBSITE hollandamerica.com

MSC’s fleet is made up of 12 ships, ideal for all types of cruise holiday from busy and active family holidays to relaxing couples holidays. There are a wide range of itineraries on offer to suit all ages and interests, whether it’s soaking up the culture in a picturesque European city, enjoying the sunshine in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

CONTACT DETAILS Craig Jeffs National accounts manager MSC Cruises 55-56 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, WC2A 3LJ

TELEPHONE +44 (0)77 8099 5777

EMAIL craigj@msccruises.co.uk

WEBSITE msccruises.co.uk

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ASIA PACIFIC CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA

CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA NORTH EUROPE

CANADA & ALASKA MEDITERRANEAN MIDDLE EAST

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FACILITIES

Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; 24-hour dining; adults-only areas; cinema; smoking areas; waterpark; free wi-fi

Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; adults-only areas; 4D cinema; smoking areas; waterpark

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Norwegian Cruise Line places emphasis on innovation and bringing something new and unique to the cruise market – ensuring that customers cruise their way. With Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising concept guests are free to plan their days on their own schedule; free to relax, be active, dress up, go casual and enjoy the best entertainment afloat.

CONTACT DETAILS Mark Godden Business development manager Norwegian Cruise Line 85 Fulham Palace Road, London, W6 8JA

TELEPHONE +44 (0)84 5201 8900

EMAIL mgodden@ncl.com

WEBSITE ncl.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW REGION ASIA PACIFIC CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA CANADA & ALASKA MEDITERRANEAN NORTH EUROPE SOUTH AMERICA

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THE FLEET Sun class Norwegian Sky, Norwegian Sun; Spirit class Norwegian Spirit; Dawn class Norwegian Star, Norwegian Dawn; Jewel class Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade; Epic class Norwegian Epic; Breakaway class Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway; Pride of America Pride of America; Breakaway Plus class Norwegian Escape (October 2015), Norwegian Bliss (2017)

Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; gratuities can be prepaid in advance as part of cruise fare; adults-only areas; cinema; smoking areas; waterpark

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As Britain’s Favourite Cruise Company, P&O Cruises has a fleet of eight ships offering holidays tailored to British tastes combining genuine service, a sense of occasion and attention to detail, ensuring passengers have the holiday of a lifetime, every time. Britannia was added to the fleet in March 2015, named by The Queen.

Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 18 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. Princess carries 1.7 million guests each year.

CONTACT DETAILS

P&O Cruises 100 Harbour Parade, Southampton, SO15 5XA

Princess Cruises 100 Harbour Parade, Southampton, SO15 5XA

TELEPHONE

+44 (0)84 3373 0111

+44 (0)84 3373 0333

agent.matters@cunardpocruises.com

salesteam@princesscruises.co.uk

WEBSITE

pocruises.com

princesscruises.co.uk

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NORTH EUROPE SOUTH AMERICA

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Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; drink packages available (not all inclusive); 24-hour dining; adults-only areas (varies across fleet); cinema (varies across fleet); smoking areas

Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; gratuities not included ($11 pp per day; cinema (Movies Under the Stars); smoking areas

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Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 23 innovative ships, calling on more than 272 destinations in 77 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.

CONTACT DETAILS Royal Caribbean International, UK and Ireland Brooklands, Weybridge, Surrey, KT13 0NY

TELEPHONE +44 (0)19 3283 4379

EMAIL salessupport.uk@rccl.com

WEBSITE cruisingpower.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW REGION ASIA PACIFIC CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA CANADA & ALASKA MEDITERRANEAN MIDDLE EAST NORTH EUROPE SOUTH AMERICA

FACILITIES Multiple kidsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; clubs; casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; adults-only areas; smoking areas; waterpark

THE FLEET Sovereign class Majesty of the Seas; Vision class Legend of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Rhapsody of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Vision of the Seas; Voyager class Voyager of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Adventure of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas; Radiance class Radiance of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas; Freedom class Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas; Oasis class Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Harmony of the Seas (April 2016); Quantum class Quantum of the Seas, Anthem of the Seas, Ovation of the Seas (October 2016)

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As a Spanish cruise line with over 40 years’ experience, Pullmantur Cruises offers a wealth of expertise. Its ships all started in the cruising world with renowned operators such as Royal Caribbean. Now they have been fully refurbished for Pullmantur guests and provide a mix between classic seafaring charm and modern-day exuberance.

Thomson Cruises is the third largest cruise line in the UK. The fleet of five ships include its newest addition, Thomson Discovery, plus Thomson Dream, Thomson Majesty, Thomson Celebration and Thomson Spirit. It offers everything from family-friendly to adults-only cruises. Whichever one you go for, you’ll find the same high standards across the board.

CONTACT DETAILS

Sales support team Pullmantur Cruises (UK) 2 Olympus House, Olympus Close, Ipswich, IP1 5LN TELEPHONE +44 (0)80 0021 3180 EMAIL sales@pullmanturcruises.co.uk WEBSITE pullmanturcruises.co.uk

CA OVERVIEW REGION CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA SOUTH AMERICA MEDITERRANEAN NORTH EUROPE

Thomson Cruises Wigmore House, Wigmore Lane, Luton, LU2 9TN TELEPHONE +44 (0)87 1230 2800 EMAIL commercial.support@thomson.co.uk WEBSITE thomson.co.uk/cruise

CA OVERVIEW REGION CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA MEDITERRANEAN

FACILITIES

Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; gratuities included; smoking areas

Multiple kids’ clubs; casino; drink packages available; 24-hour dining; gratuities included; adults-only areas; cinema; smoking areas

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CONTACT DETAILS Lucia Rowe Head of Sales UK & Ireland A-ROSA River Cruises Loggerweg 5, 18055 Rostock, Germany

TELEPHONE +44 (0)784 2026 0135

EMAIL L.ROWE@A-ROSA.DE

WEBSITE AROSA-CRUISES.COM

CA OVERVIEW

CA OVERVIEW REGION ASIA PACIFIC CARIBBEAN & NORTH AMERICA CANADA & ALASKA MEDITERRANEAN MIDDLE EAST NORTH EUROPE POLAR REGIONS SOUTH AMERICA

FACILITIES Multiple kids clubs, Casino, Drink packages available, 24 hour dining, Gratuities included, Adult only areas, Cinema, Smoking areas, Waterpark, Free wifi

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