Some great news for footy fans today: both Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises have secured the rights to show the European Football Championships 2012 (Euro 2012) onboard their ships this summer.

There will be 31 games played from June 8th, before the final on July 1st.

Royal Caribbean ships sailing around Europe will show all 31 games, while Celebrity Cruises will show games from the quarter finals onwards.

This is great news for holidayers who will be happy to know they can watch the games during their holiday!  The tournament, which is being held in Poland and the Ukraine, will be shown in selected bars on each ship, and on the TVs located in passengers’ cabins.

Royal Caribbean’s’ vice president has spoken out about this news, saying that it’s “brilliant” for their passengers – many of whom they believe are passionate football fans.

This news means that holidaymakers won’t be put off from going away during the tournament – they can enjoy a fantastic holiday, tour Europe and still catch the games onboard the ship!

Matches will be shown onboard Royal Caribbean Ships: Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Grandeur of the Seas, Independence of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, Splendour of the Seas and Vision of the Seas.

The following Celebrity Cruises vessels will also show some of the games: Celebrity Eclipse, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Silhouette and Celebrity Solstice.

Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruses will show Euro 2012 games was written by Sandra Conreen for Cruise 1st UK News

If, like me, you’re not very good with flying, you’ll be pleased to read that cruise 1st currently have some brilliant NO FLY cruise deals on their website.  These are perfect for seasonal cruisers who just can’t stand the stress of flying, and first-timers who want to travel the world – but without setting foot on an airplane…

There are wonderful packages from P&O, Cunard, Royal Caribbean and more!

Here’s a round up of our favourites…

Fancy something SPECTACULAR?

© Moyan_Brenn Flickr

The Springtime Fjordland package onboard the Ocean Countess promises breathtaking scenery, charming villages, spectacular mountains and a whole lot more!  Depart from Hull before sailing over to Norway on a round trip.  Spend four days touring the majestic country, including a visit to the world famous Flam Railway.  On this tour you’re promised fjords, glaciers, lakes and reindeer!  Spectacular!

Prices start from just £299 per person and the cruise lasts for six nights.

Fancy a short break?

All aboard the Grand Princess for three nights touring Europe!  Set sail from Southampton before sailing for Guerney in the Channel Islands.  Expect breathtaking scenery, wooded valleys, winding country lanes and sandy beaches.  The next morning the cruise arrives at Le Havre – a gateway to Northern France.  Spend the day exploring Paris, tour Normandy or spend time learning the area’s remarkable history.  Finally, the ship will sail back to Southampton, where the cruise disembarks.  As London is a short trip away, why not tour the Natural History Museum, or spend the day shopping at Oxford Street?

Prices start at just £398.50 and the cruise lasts for three nights.

Fancy a mini-European tour?

© declicjardin, Flickr

Enjoy a five night cruise break in Europe onboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2.  This roundtrip from Southampton visits Rotterdam in the Netherlands, Zeebrugge in Belgium and Le Havre in France.

You can look forward to 18th and 19th century buildings in the Netherlands, medieval architecture in in Belgium and amazing food in France.

Prices start at £499 and the cruise lasts for five nights.

Fancy something closer to home?

Tour the Scottish Highlands and surrounding islands on this five night tour, which leaves from Newcastle.

Aboard Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Marco Polo, you will visit the Orkney Islands and visit Stone Age settlements that are older than the ancient Pyramids and Stonehenge.

Next, visit the outstanding coastlines of the Outer Hebrides and take a look at the pre-historic Callanish Standing Stones.

Visit Fort William, then the boat completes its tour at Leigh, Edinburgh.  From here you can visit Edinburgh Castle, which is home of the Scottish Crown Jewels.  Keep your trip on a royal theme, by visiting Holyroodhouse – an official residence of The Queen and where Mary Queen of Scots was slain in 1566.   What a perfect way to celebrate Great Britain’s Royal Jubilee year!

Book any of these no fly cruise deals (and many more!) by clicking here

No fly cruise deals: stress-free sailing from the UK! was written by Claire Wilde for Cruise 1st UK News

Thomson cruises have released their itinerary for 2013,  and we can reveal several new features that have been an added to their line-up.

Amongst the new routes and refurbishments there are several miss-it-or-miss-out offers for those quick off the mark:

• Free all inclusive upgrades on Majesty, Celebration and Dream departing from May-October and Spirit Sailings in Cyprus in October
• Free parking at UK ports/free coach transfer for Thomson Spirit -Harwich and Newcastle Departures.
• £100 per couple FREE onboard spend on Spirit – Harwich and Newcastle Departures.

These are all subject to availability, so book early to avoid disappointment! 

Here’s what else Thomson fans can look forward to:

Thomson Majesty:

Thomson Majesty

Majesty is the latest addition to the Thomson Fleet, she has been added as part of the company’s modernisation plans.

The ship will be replacing Destiny, and she will sail the following itineraries:

• Adriatic Explorer –Dubrovnik and Venice
• Pearls of the Aegean – Athens and Santorini
• Colourful Coasts – Madeira and Morocco
• Canarian Flavours – La Palma and Fuertaventura

There’s plenty to look forward onboard Majesty, her highlights include:

• Modern and well-dressed cabins
• 5 restaurants with a mix of waiter service
• and buffet options
• A wide range of bar and entertainment venues
• A spa with 2 saunas and 7 themed treatment rooms
• First rate service – as you would expect from all Thomson Cruises

 New ports of call:

For winter 2012 and summer 2013 Thomson will adding 22 new ports to their itineraries.

These include:

• Algiers, the capital city of Algeria
• Sevasopol in the Ukraine
• Torquay in England
• Beirut in Lebanon
• Sibenik in Croatia
• Belfast in Ireland
• Constanta in Romania
• Rapallo in Italy, and finally
• Cesme in Turkey.

What else is new?

Enjoy some grown-up time with Thomson’s new adults-only cruises.

You can escape the kids onboard the following cruise ships:

• Celebration (Red Sea) – All January sailings
• Majesty (Canaries) – All January sailings
• Spirit (Cyprus) – All March sailings
• Majesty (Corfu) – All June and September sailings.

Brand new itineraries:

Visit Russia on Spirit's Baltic Explorer

For summer 2013 there are seven brand new itineraries.  Our favourite?   The Baltic Explorer, onboard the Thomson Spirit.  The ship, which sales on the 9th of May for 12 nights calls at Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia and Denmark.  This cruise is a must for travellers who want to see as much of the world as possible:  you will visit over 6 countries on this trip alone!

New guest speakers:

A bunch of fantastic guest speakers join Thomson to deliver enrichment talks on the ships.  Highlights include talks by:

• George Cohen – He was part of the 1966 World Cup-winning squad
• Wayne Sleep – Best known for his spell as principle Dancer for the Royal Ballet
• David Barby – Professional auctioneer, makes regular appearances on Bargain Hunt
• Julie Peasgood – Acted in soaps including Brookside and Emmerdale

… Plus many many more!

Thomson upgrade two ships to “Platinum” standard:

Thomson Platinum

Two of Thomson’s cruise ships will be upgraded to “Platinum” standard later this year.  Holidayers will be able to enjoy the updated ships early 2013 – the ships will get a modern look and feel, contemporary furnishings, clean-cut suites, iPod docking stations in their cabins, plus redecorated bars and and refurbished spas!  Wow!

Read our story about Thomson’s Platinum Cruises to learn more about these refurbishments.

Book your Thomson Cruise now:

All of these cruises will go on sale April 25th 2012.

You can view our Thomson Cruise page by clicking here.

Thomson Cruises’ Summer 2013 Itinerary Highlights was written by Martin Bowe for Cruise 1st UK News

Earlier this week, Thomson Cruises announced that two of their ships, Thomson Dream and Thomson Celebration, will both be given multi-million pound makeovers and join the company’s Thomson Platinum collection.

The Platinum cruise ships will have a lot in common with Thomson’s line of Platinum hotels: they’ll have a contemporary look and feel, plush modern furnishings and designer touches. Imagine clean-cut suites with extras, such as iPod docking stations in the cabins. All the bars and lounges will receive a modern and minimalist makeover, whilst the spas will get an update, including a new suite of treatment rooms for Thomson Dream.

Passengers aboard the Thomson Platinum cruise ships will also be able to enjoy the first-class service, delicious cuisine and wonderful entertainment that Thomson Cruises deliver as standard.

Thomson Platinum

Thomson Dream:

Thomson Dream’s first sailing as a Platinum ship will be on the 9th December, later this year. The ship will sail the Transatlantic Sunset cruise which starts in Lisbon, Portugal and finished in Barbados.

Dream will then cruise around the Caribbean for the remainder of the winter season.

Thomson Celebration:

Thomson Celebration will first sail as a Platinum ship in just over a year’s time, on 6th May 2013.  The ship will sail from her home port in Marmaris, Turkey offering Eastern Mediterranean and Black Seas itineraries.

Platinum Cruises:

Why go platinum with Thomson?  Here are some more great reasons:

• All tips and service charges included
• You can get flights from 19 local airports
• Thomson run an unbeatable Cruise & Stay programme
• There’s even a free all inclusive upgrade for summer 2013

Platinum Benefits:

Thomson Platinum

The new Platinum fleet look amazing, you can enjoy:

• Modern furnishings with designer touches
• Themed a la carte restaurants
• iPod docking stations in suites
• Tea and coffee-making facilities in each cabin
• Flatscreen TVs as standard
• Mood lighting in cabins
• Platinum hotels available for Cruise & Stay holiday
• Overall modern & minimalistic look

But why are Thomson upgrading their fleet to Platinum?

Thomson Cruises have chosen to modernise their fleet.  They’re aligning some of their cruise ships with the well-known and loved “Platinum” brand already within their mainstream programme.

In order to qualify as a “Platinum” ship, each vessel must consistency score “Good” or “Excellent” with more than 90% of passengers – one of Thomson’s key criteria with any  of their Platinum properties, including their hotels.

When you can book…

You can book your Platinum Cruise from 25 April 2012.

Thomson launches Platinum Cruises was written by Kelly Brennan for Cruise 1st UK News

© Mtchm, Flickr

Celebrity Cruises have just declared that their 2013-14 winter itinerary will focus on hot and beautiful exotic destinations, while their ships are committed to the providing plush and stylish comfort they’re known for:

“There’s no better time than winter to seek out sun-soaked, exotic destinations, and there’s no better way to experience them than immersed in modern luxury.”

Celebrity Cruises

During the winter season next year, the award winning ships will visit 170 ports in 42 countries, setting sail from 20 different locations.  Guests can enjoy cruising the world in luxury, while sampling fresh, innovative cuisine and enjoying the open and airy onboard spaces.

The company aims to create the ultimate winter getaway with their variety of holiday options.

Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Solstice:

One of the most noteworthy itineraries the company will offer next year is the 35-night tour of Australia and New Zealand.  This cruise of a lifetime takes place onboard Celebrity’s Solstice ship.

Next year, Solstice will also tour two Pacific Islands on a roundtrip from Sydney in October 2013 and April 2014.

Celebrity Constellation:

Visit Florida and enjoy the newly refurbished Celebrity Constellation, which has been enhanced with a Tuscan Grille restaurant and a fantastic new winebar, amonst other innovate features!  Constellation will sail to the Bahamas and the Western Caribbean from December 2013 to April 2014.

Celebrity Infinity:

Celebrity Infinity

The newly refurbished Celebrity Infinity will provide tours around South America, where holidayers can gaze out over the majestic landscapes while sitting comfortably in the ship’s luxury surroundings.

South American cruise-tours can also be extended, giving holidayers more opportunity to relax and recharge.  Take the opportunity to enjoy a tour places such as Iguazu Falls, Buenos Aires, Machu Piccu and Chile.

Celebrity Millennium:

Celebrity Millennium will be upgraded next month, and come 2013 it will offer its second consecutive Asia season, sailing across the Pacific Ocean to Australia.  The 17-night cruise between Sydney and Singapre (November 2013) looks particularly exciting, as holidayers will get to enjoy many different stops in exotic locations, including Thailand, Vietnam, Bali, Indonesia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China and Japan!

Celebrity Xpedition

Celebrity Xpedition:

Celebrity Xpedition, the 92-guest mega Yacht known for its intimacy and style, will tour the Galapagos Islands, offering guests naturalist-led excursions throughout the region.  Those travelling on Xpedition can enjoy the ship’s prestigious style, it’s onboard hot tubs and saunas – and plenty more too!

When to book:

Celebrity’s 2013-14 Australia and South America cruises will open for booking on April 4, 2012, and the Asia itineraries will open on April 18, 2012. The Galapagos Islands sailings opened for booking in March.

Click here to view all Celebrity Cruises on Cruise 1st.

Celebrity focuses on warm, exotic places & modern luxury during winter 2013-14 season. was written by Martin Bowe for Cruise 1st UK News

© Rae Allen, Flickr

November in the UK:  the temperatures plummet down and there’s always bucket-loads of rain, leaving you permanently soggy and cold. It’s quite honestly one of our calendar’s most miserable months.  By contrast, Australia’s November is like our summer, only much better.  The national average temperature for November is 33.3 °C in Australia – this is amazing when you consider the UK’s average high temperature for July is still ten degrees less than that!!

So why not get away from the dreary, drizzly UK and all and experience the trip of a lifetime, touring the sun-soaked countries of Australia and New Zealand with Royal Caribbean International this November?

Exclusive Voyager Tour:

Cruse 1st is currently offering an exclusive deal:  tour Australia and New Zealand onboard RCI’s Voyager of the Seas ship, (which departs on the 2nd of November for 25 nights) for just £2249 per person.

« « Click to read more about this tour & book now! » »

The prices are fantastic when you consider how much is included in the itinerary for this holiday!

What’s included:

There’s so much included with this deal:  Your flights from UK to Perth, two nights stay in Perth before the cruise (and it’s well worth exploring Australia’s capital city), the 18 night Full Board cruise onboard Voyager, a 3 night escorted land tour and finally, your flight back from Sydney to the UK.

The cruise:

© Jason Pratt, Flickr

The itinerary looks brilliant.  After hopping aboard Voyager in Perth, you’ll visit the following places:

• Adelaide, Australia
• Melbourne, Australia
• Hobart, Tasmania
• Milford Sound, New Zealand
• Doubtful Sound, New Zealand
• Dusky Sound, New Zealand
• Dunedin, New Zealand
• Christchurch, New Zealand
• Wellington, New Zealand
• Sydney – Stay overnight on board before disembarking

This cruise is a must for travellers who’ve always wanted to visit both Australia and New Zealand, and who wish to explore these wonderful places.

The land tour:

Holidayers will get on a luxury coach with an expert guide and a Cruise 1st escort.  You will be picked up from the port once the Voyager cruise is complete.  Three nights’ accommodation, three breakfasts, entry into the Hunter Valley Gardens, the world famous ZigZag railway and selected wine tastings are all included.  In addition, a group dinner is also included for the final night in Sydney.

Click here to download a PDF file of the full land-tour itinerary, complete with full details of the trip.

New South Wales - Mountains, Wineries & Gardens Tour

The ship:

Voyager of the Seas is a brilliant vessel, complete with fantastic features such as an exciting rock-climbing wall,  a thrilling ice-skating rink and a fun mini-golf course.  In need of relaxation?  The VitalitySM spa onboard offers guests pampering treatments!  Enjoy parades, dancing shows and duty-free shopping deals on the Royal Promenade – and much, much more too.

« « Click to take advantage of this exclusive offer & book this tour now! » »

Cold, rainy November in the UK? Why not spend the month touring Australia & New Zealand instead? was written by Sandra Conreen for Cruise 1st UK News

Cruise 1st are currently offering a number of deals which just can’t be missed!

© Shannon Kringen, Flickr

Tour the Norwegian Fjords:

Travel in style with Celebrity Cruises as you explore the amazing Norwegian Fjords with this fantastic cruise deal, which cannot be missed.  This cruise departs early May from Southampton’s before spending  a day at sea.  The ship then arrives in Bergen, Norway, where travellers can explore deep fjords, rugged mountains and spectacular glaciers.  The next stop on the itinerary is the village of Flåm, which hosts the world’s longest and deepest fjord.  The following day holidayers will visit Geiranger before spending a further day at sea.  Before setting off for Southampton, the cruise makes one final stop in Oslo, sailing through the Oslo Fjord.  Spend the day learning about Vikings, exploring the history the city has to offer.

This amazing tour starts at just £499.00  Visit the homepage and click the banner for more details.

Royal Caribbean’s 2012 Cruises – from £399

Royal Caribbean owns this website, so they can offer some pretty spectacular last minute deals (which you may not find elsewhere!) Let’s have a look at what they’re offering today:

Take a last minute tour on Liberty of the Seas and spend 5 nights travelling around Barcelona, Cannes, Majorca and Rome from as little as £399 per person!  Fancy a longer break?  Spend 12 nights on Mariner of the Seas touring Rome, Scilly, Istanbul and the Greek Islands from £799 per person.

There are hundreds of deals just like these available – call Royal Caribbean today, or use the search facility on the site’s homepage!

Celebrity Cruises – Smart Deals!

Celebrity are offering plenty of amazing cruises from May through to December, so there’s literally a deal there for everyone – it doesn’t matter when you wish to set sail.  Our favourite?  A package sailing the Eastern Mediterranean onboard Celebrity Equinox for 11 nights with a FREE balcony upgrade.

© Moyan Brenn

Absorb Rome’s history and culture before spending a day at sea sailing over to Santorini, Greece.  You must make an excursion to the Hot Springs, which lie on two volcanic islands in Santorini’s harbour.  Spend a further day at sea before heading to the Turkish city of Istanbul.  The Turkish port of Kusadasi is next on the itinerary, before the ship sails across to Athens and then Mykonos.  Equinox spends another day at sea before she visits Naples and finally, the ship heads back in Rome, where you can enjoy a tour of the city.

If this cruise doesn’t capture your interest, don’t worry!  There are plenty of offers to look through!  What about sailing to Miami, or visiting the both Scandinavia and Russia?

Click here for all of Celebrity Cruises’ smart deals.

Great offers that can’t be missed! was written by Belinda Goodman for Cruise 1st UK News

Royal Caribbean’s Rhapsody of the Seas had a spectacular overhaul last month!  After spending most of March in Singapore’s Sembawang Shipyard,   the ship has now emerged from dry dock and is making it’s way to Sydney, as revellers enjoy a host of sparkly new features onboard.

Highlights include brand new dining options, a plush new cocktail bar AND plenty of technology for those who love their gadgets!

New dining options: 

The renovation means there are now lots of  new places to dine onboard.  There’s literally something to suit all tastes and budgets: from sushi to steak to Bolognese - Rhapsody has it covered!

Diners can now enjoy:

• Giovanni’s table, an Italian Trattoria – yummy!
• Izumi Asian Cuisine, Pan Asian cuisine featuring sushi!
• Park Cafe Deli, an indoor/outdoor gourmet market.
• Chop’s Grille, a delicious steakhouse offering premium quality meats.
• Chef’s Table, enjoy this exclusive, private experience.

Cocktail bar:

Fancy a Cosmopolitan, Bloody Mary or Pina Colada?  Rhapsody’s old champagne bar has now been transformed into a 60s cocktail lounge, complete with plush new furnishings and master mixologists who are ready to tantalise your taste buds with their swanky drinks!

Technology overhaul:

Stay in touch with your family and friends while you’re out at sea with Rhapsody’s all new Wi-Fi connectivity, which spans the whole of the ship.  Gadget lovers will enjoy the iPads in the staterooms (which are perfect for exploring the day’s itinerary!) plus the new LED movies screen on the pool deck.  As if that wasn’t enough for the technology enthusiasts, the refurb ALSO includes a new state of the art digital way-finding system, which first debuted on both RCI’s Oasis and Allure of the Seas ships during their overhauls last year.

The best of the rest:

And if all of THAT wasn’t enough to excite you, we can also reveal that Rhapsody has even MORE changes for you to enjoy too:

• Royal Babies and Tots Nursery
• a Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members
• a Concierge Lounge for suite guests and top-tier loyalty guests
• Completely refreshed staterooms, complete with iPads!
• Flat-panel televisions in all staterooms
• Reinvented Centrum

Once Rhapsody arrives at Sydney, it will sail cross the Pacific via Hawaii before beginning the new Alaska season, which kicks off in May 2012.

Rhapsody of the Seas emerges from dry dock after $54 million refurb was written by Kelly Brennan for Cruise 1st UK News

According to the World Tourism Rankings, the top five holiday destinations (excluding the United Kingdom) in Europe for 2009 were:

1. France
2. Spain
3. Italy
4. Turkey
5. Germany

So, today we’re looking at these wonderful countries in detail and recommending one or two cruise journeys that will let you explore these places in more detail.

France:

Colmar Alsacia, France. © Fr Antunes, Flickr

France boasts a myriad of different experiences for holidayers, as it is one of the most geographically diverse countries in Europe.   From trekking the summits of the Pyrenees to relaxing on a beach along the Mediterranean Sea coast; from skiing down a mountain in the Alps to enjoying the glitz and glamour of the French Riviera, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

Spain:

Valencia, Spain. © Puuikibeach, Flickr

Spain is a wonderful, relaxed country with a thriving and vibrant nightlife, plus plenty of festivities for everybody to enjoy.  Those seeking outstanding beauty will be pleased  to hear that Spain is home to the second-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world!

Holidayers can enjoy hot temperatures, great beaches, fun nightlife, historic cities, cultural diversity and lush countryside.  The geographical diversity of the country means you can experience both snowy mountains and baron deserts when travelling from west to east.

Italy:

Bike on the wall. © Perrimoon, Flickr

Italy has much to offer for travellers: it is home to the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, perfect if you’re wishing to holiday in an area that’s outstandingly beautiful.  Enjoy high art, historic monuments, gorgeous coastlines, alpine lakes and great skiing in the mountains.

The country has a magic atmosphere that offers a pleasant and unforgettable experience for everyone visiting.   Although there are plenty of modern cafes, nightclubs, bars and fashionable outlets to shop in, around every corner there is a romantic building steeped in history that will transport you back to ancient times within an instant!

Turkey:

Pamukkale, Turkey. © Archer10, Flickr

Turkey is classed as Eurasian, as most of the country is located in Western Asia but the “Eastern Thrace” (known as European Turkey) is geographically located in Europe.   The country offers Mediterranean beaches, Roman ruins, Byzantine-influenced mosques and wonderful landscapes.

One of the most unmissable places in Turkey is the outstandingly beautiful white  travertines of Pamukkale that are located in the southwest of the country.  If you’ve never heard of Pamukkale before, you may be excused for thinking that the picture above depicts cold, white snow, but that couldn’t be further from the truth!  Pamukkale is actually a city of hot springs and the white appearance is actually formed from calcium and other minerals; the area is classed as a World Heritage Site due to its outstanding natural beauty and unique nature.

Visitors can pay to bathe in the pools and take in the stunning views of  Hierapolis, the ruins of a 12,000-seat Roman Amphitheatre that lie close by.  If you’ve paid to visit Pamukkale, you can also tour Hierapolis for free too.    If your cruise docks at Turkey, you MUST ensure you make an excursion to Pamukkale!

Germany:

Germany. © Jw Wu, Flickr

Germany is made up of many different regions, each with their own distinct cultures.  Although Germany is regarded as one of the economic “powers” of Europe and known for its engineering and high-tech products, many revellers also enjoy the old-world charm, coziness and hospitality on offer.  There are many historical regions to explore and plenty of local diversity to enjoy.  Travellers can also look forward to breathtaking views in the stunning valleys of Western Germany, the ancient forests located in Central Germany, and plenty of historical and eccentric cites located in Eastern Germany.

Cruising around Europe:

If you’d like to book a cruise trip around Europe, visit this page.  There are plenty of cruise liners visiting the continent, offering both long and short breaks.

The top five countries to visit in Europe was written by Belinda Goodman for Cruise 1st UK News

Princess cruises are introducing a new Royal Princess into its fleet that will set sail in June 2013.  At present, the cruise company are drip-feeding fans information in advance of its maiden voyage.  This is building anticipation and making us question what else the ship can possibly offer!   To date, we know that the new Royal Princess will have an expanded atrium for additional entertainment and dining options; a “first-of-its-kind enclosed walkway” with glass floors and ocean views known as the “SeaView Bar”; a new upper-deck pool exclusively for adults, featuring plush private cabanas; a dazzling evening water and light show on the largest Princess top-deck pool ever; an enhanced “Movies Under the Stars” screen AND balconies on all outside staterooms.  Wow!   AND to add to this spectacular list, this week we learnt a fresh batch of details from the company about the new dining features onboard; these promise to give us an intriguing “fresh twist on dining favourites.”  So let’s take a look:

“A fresh twist on dining favourites:”

The Horizon Court buffet will feature a brand new layout that will offer more seating and extra table choices.  This also brings new dining options to the ship, including intriguing new bistro options and plenty of new action stations.  Sample from the crab shack or enjoy an indulgent treat from the fondue restaurant.  There’s going to be a dedicated “grab and go” pastry shop onboard too, which is a cruise ship first!

There are some wonderful new dining experiences available on the new Royal Princess: the “Lumiere” experience will allow diners at the Chef’s Table  to be surrounded by a magical curtain of light, which will provide a soft wall of privacy in the dining room.  There are also the wine cellar-inspired dining spaces in the main dining rooms.  Each will offer a unique atmosphere, perfect for celebrations and private functions.  Up to 12 people  can sit in the sociably circular areas that are surrounded by wine bottles.  The Wine Cellar speciality menus are currently under development with noted winemakers, and holidayers will be able to enjoy tipples that are hand-selected to accompany the sumptuous food on offer.

There’s plenty more too –  enjoy the rest of the details on Princess’ website:  click here.

Setting Sail:

The Royal Princess’ European debut kicks off with the 7-day “Maiden Iberia Voyage”, which sets sail from Southampton on June 16th.  It tours Vigo, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Malaga and Barcelona.  Tickets go on sale March 15th.

Princess Cruises unveil exciting new dining features aboard their Royal Princess ship was written by Kelly Brennan for Cruise 1st UK News