her sister ship, Norwegian Bliss,” said Norwegian Cruise Line President and CEO Andy Stuart. The 15th ship in the company’s modern fleet of 16—and the second in the Breakaway-Plus Class, the most successful class in the brand’s history—Norwegian Joy is one of the most innovative in the fleet, featuring industry firsts including an onboard go-kart track, open-air laser tag arena and Galaxy Pavilion, a dedicated virtual reality and gaming venue. She is the only ship in the fleet to offer the Concierge-level stateroom category, which features spacious suites with 24/7 concierge service and private dining. Following the extensive revitalization, Norwegian Joy boasts an enhanced go-kart track and Galaxy Pavilion as well as a variety of new dining and bar venues.
CELEBRITY SUMMIT REACHES NEW HEIGHTS Celebrity Summit climbed to new heights after completing a dramatic transformation. The ship’s revitalization is the next chapter of THE CELEBRITY REVOLUTION, Celebrity Cruises’ extensive modernization effort with more than $500 million in upgrades across the fleet, with enhancements including completely redesigned staterooms and suites; the addition of The Retreat for suite guests, with exclusive new sundeck and redesigned lounge; stunningly reimagined restaurants, bars and lounges; a fully redesigned spa and casino; boutiques featuring some of the hottest designers in the world; a new, wellness-focused spa design for Canyon Ranch at Sea; an enhanced Persian Garden thermal suite; and Xcelerate Wi-Fi throughout the ship. Celebrity Summit is just the second “revolutionary” redesign for the brand, with Celebrity Equinox entering dry-dock in May 2019 and six more ships to be modernized by 2023.
shore excursions – such as savoring San Juan’s culinary delights on a food and culture walking tour and taking a horseback plunge into Cayman Islands’ azure waters along a guided adventure in Barker’s National Park, followed by a vegan lunch at Vivo.
FLEETWIDE ENHANCEMENTS FOR REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced three guest experience enhancements on March 28: nearly doubling internet bandwidth size across its fleet by January 2020; free unlimited valet laundry service for guests sailing in Master and Grand Suites; and a new digital guest survey to help Regent track guest experiences and feedback in real time. These three initiatives are Regent’s latest guest experience enhancements. Over the past year Regent has completed a $125 million fleet refurbishment program; unveiled its 2020-2021 Voyage Collection with 167 itineraries and new ports; introduced new relaxed outdoor evening dining fleetwide at the Pool Grill; debuted the most immersive luxury Cuban voyage itineraries; and revealed Go Local Tours and Regent Choice small group shore excursions – all while readying to launch its fifth ship, Seven Seas Splendor, in February 2020.
Photo by Douglas Friedman
MSC CRUISES AND MARTHA STEWART TO ENRICH EXPERIENCES MSC Cruises is partnering with Martha Stewart on new, exclusive culinary and discovery experiences on board and ashore to make MSC Cruises’ guests vacation moments even more special and memorable. In addition to surprise gift packages and onboard special holiday dinner menus and recipes, the partnership includes specially curated
SILVERSEA’S DEEP DIVE INTO AUTHENTIC LOCAL PERFORMANCES In order to unlock unique and immersive travel experiences for guests, Silversea is expanding its local entertainment offering by nearly threefold in 2019. The cruise line’s new, enhanced portfolio of 112 local performances—many of which are tailored exclusively for Silversea’s guests by talented artists—will enable travelers to dive deep into the cultures of the world, as they form meaningful connections with destinations.
PRINCESS CRUISES CONTINUES ACTIVATION OF MEDALLIONCLASS VACATIONS Princess Cruises will expand its MedallionClass Vacations to six additional ships in 2020—Ruby Princess ( January 27), Grand Princess (March 29), Enchanted Princess ( June 15), Emerald Princess (August 16), Coral Princess (October 16) and Island Princess (December 20)—bringing the enhanced and personalized cruise vacation experience to Australia, New Zealand and a World Cruise for the first time. “Our guests who have experienced MedallionClass on Caribbean Princess, Regal SECOND QUARTER 2019 | TRAVEL & CRUISE 41
