New Mega Cruise Ships and Price Wars on Horizon for 2014 per Bon Voyage Magazine
New York, NY (PRWEB) January 13, 2014 -- “This year we will see many exciting cruise ‘firsts’,” said Sherri Eisenberg, editor-in-chief of Bon Voyage, published by Cruiseline.com. “With the launch of two highly anticipated mega Royal Caribbean and Norwegian ships sailing the Caribbean year-round, the destination is the big focus. Competition will be fierce, as new ships try to outdo each other and woo guests with new amenities, while older vessels will help fuel the rate war to keep occupancies at a premium.”
NEW SHIPS
“Active adventures are a trend that will rise to a new level in 2014,” said Eisenberg. “With new classes of ships adding everything from skydiving to test track racing, plus more experiential shore excursions and big name chef restaurants onboard, cruises today are attracting a younger, more diversified audience, with families and twenty-something couples sailing in increasingly growing numbers.”
MSC Divina: In November 2013, Italian line MSC Cruises introduced its one-year-old MSC Divina to the North American market. The 3,502-passenger vessel, which was formerly based in Europe, is now sailing the Caribbean year-round from Miami. This new ship includes the MSC Yachts Club luxury suites and features an infinity pool, Formula 1 simulators to test driving skills, and a squash court. Given its new North American focus, MSC has amended the ship’s menus and entertainment programs to appeal to Americans, and smoking has been banned in most onboard areas. The vessel will continue to reflect its Italian home with a new Eataly restaurant, an outdoor bar themed around Italian liqueur DiSaronno and an Italian-style Segafredo espresso bar.
Norwegian Getaway: Following inaugural events in Europe, New York and Miami, Norwegian Cruise Line's second Breakaway Class ship, the Norwegian Getaway, will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises every Saturday from Miami beginning February 8, 2014. Amenities on the 4,028-passenger vessel include restaurants by Chef Geoffrey Zakarian, magic-themed entertainment with The Illusionarium and a new concept room called “The Grammy Experience” created in conjunction with the GRAMMY Museum in Los Angeles. Features will also include a sprawling, deck-top fun zone with five water slides, 26 eaters, 22 bars, a two-deck spa and large production shows including Broadway's “Legally Blonde” and “Burn the Floor” dance extravaganza.
Regal Princess: Arriving May 2014, Princess Cruises debuts the 3,560-guest Regal Princess, sister to the Royal Princess. Part of the line’s “next generation of ships,” the vessel will feature an even larger atrium with additional entertainment and casual dining options, Princess’ largest top deck pool ever with a nightly water and light show, an enhanced Movies Under the Stars screen, and the new SeaWalk extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship, with views 128 feet straight down. Though a family-friendly ship, there will be a large adult-only area, and all outside staterooms will have balconies. After sailing in the Mediterranean all summer, the ship will station in the Eastern Caribbean for the fall.
Quantum of the Seas: Royal Caribbean’s new Quantum Class will debut November 2, 2014 with the 4,180-passenger Quantum of the Seas. The much-anticipated ship will boast many "firsts at sea" including the RipCord by iFLY skydiving adventure, North Star (a glass capsule that extends 300 feet above the ship), and SeaPlex (a huge sports and entertainment complex with bumper cars, a roller skating rink and circus school with a flying trapeze). Cabins are designed with Family-Connected staterooms; studio staterooms will be available for single travelers; and the ship's interior staterooms will have "Virtual Balconies," so every room has a "view." The ship, which will also feature the Broadway production “Mamma Mia!” will sail Bahamas, Eastern and Southern Caribbean cruises year-round from New Jersey.
PRICE WARS
Not only will the four new ships add 15,270 berths in the Caribbean, but following high airfares to Europe from North America this past summer, other vessels are strategically shifting away from the Mediterranean and staying longer in the Caribbean in 2014. This means incredible deals will abound. In fact, the MSC Divina has starting prices for seven-night sailings from just $429 per person, with kids 11 and younger sailing free. Seven-night fares on the Norwegian Getaway are from $649 per person; Regal Princess’ seven-night sailings will start from $749 per person; and Quantum of the Seas’ eight-night voyages will start at $1,059 per person.
With capacity in the Caribbean at an all-time high in 2014, more competition and price wars are inevitable to entice guests. “Residents in South Florida will be in the best position to take advantage of close-in distressed sailings but those who are flying to meet their ships will probably want to book early so as not to get hit with expensive last minute flights,” added Eisenberg.
About Cruiseline.com
Cruiseline.com launched in December 2012 as an independent, objective guide to cruises. With over 40,000 reviews to date, the site simplifies the task of choosing a cruise with unbiased opinions from fellow passengers. Unlike other cruise communities, Cruiseline.com guarantees the authenticity of thousands of verified reviews, and uses member opinions to rank the best cruises, ships and itineraries with a “Sail Score.” The site’s digital travel magazine Bon Voyage debuted in June 2013 as the definitive travel magazine for cruisers. It is designed to speak to everyone from first-time cruisers to the most passionate aficionados. For more information and to join the conversation, visit: http://www.Cruiseline.com. To read Bon Voyage visit: http://www.BonVoyageMagazine.com.
Lauren Kaufman, LKPR, +1 (917) 414-1604, [email protected]
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