Players Choice

05/12/2024

What Notre Dame's reopening means.
Paris has its share of bucket-list attractions -- from the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum to the Arc de Triomphe and the storied Champs Elysees.
But Notre Dame Cathedral, set to reopen to the public on Dec. 8 after a fire ravaged the structure in 2019, is an icon unto itself thanks in part to the fact that it's not just something to look at or take selfies in front of, but rather to experience in all its complicated glory.
Even before the fire that destroyed the famous spire and most of the roof, Notre Dame had already been through a lot.
Built in the 12th century, the cathedral survived the ravages of the black plague, anti-church destruction during the French Revolution, two World Wars -- including Hitler's order to burn the city to the ground -- and finally, the shocking fire five years ago that left Parisians speechless with grief and spurred international support, both emotional and financial.
As to the building itself, there are too many highlights to single out. Architecture buffs marvel at the flying buttresses — a breathtaking innovation in its day — and the rose windows, which were dismantled and hidden during WWII and reinstalled after the war. The windows survived the fire but have now been cleaned during the interior restoration, returning them to vivid colors that haven't been seen in many years.
The spire, which was destroyed in the fire, has been an unforgettable part of the city skyline for centuries, and the bells have acted as a soundtrack to Paris since the Middle Ages, working their way into the culture -- think Quasimodo and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" -- along the way.
The gargoyles that hunker over the upper reaches of the exterior and seem to guard not only the Gothic structure below but also the city itself from whatever fresh challenges may come.
On any given day, you'll likely see groups of people congregating in the space in front of the cathedral, hanging out, meeting friends and enjoying the magic of the city against the backdrop of its dramatic façade.
View Notre Dame is from a Seine cruise aboard a vedette at Pont Neuf -- an hourlong sailing along the river that divides the Left and Right Banks. You'll see some of Paris' most famous sites along the route, including the Musee d'Orsay and the Eiffel Tower, but the real highlight is Notre Dame itself, holding pride of place in the Ile de la Cite and dominating both banks of the Seine River.
The view of that resurrected spire and the sound of those bells pealing once again in the restored belfry will lift the spirits of everyone who hears them -- even those of us listening in our imaginations from several thousand miles away.

03/12/2024

Norwegian Cruise Line Redeploying Ships to Tampa and Miami After Last-Minute Cancellations.

Norwegian Cruise Line will be moving two ships to Tampa and one to Miami for the upcoming winter deployments.
After cancelling 38 cruises on at least three different cruise ships two weeks ago, Norwegian Cruise Line is revealing where these vessels will homeport for the 2025 and 2026 winter seasons.
Norwegian Dawn and Norwegian Star will both be sailing out of Tampa, Florida beginning in November and December of 2025 respectively. Additionally, these two ships will offer cruises to the Caribbean and The Bahamas from Tampa for the winter season of 2026.
Before sailing on a 14-day Transatlantic cruise to Portugal in April of 2026, Norwegian Dawn will offer mostly 7-day sailings to the Caribbean out of Tampa in addition to a set of 10-day sailings that will visit Aruba and Curacao.
The Norwegian Star will offer a variety of cruises ranging from 4 to 12 nights to the Eastern, Southern, and Western Caribbean, as well as the Bahamas.
Norwegian Jewel also saw its 2025 and 2026 sailings cancelled recently and will now be redeployed to PortMiami in November of 2025 through April of 2026.
Before the cancellations, Norwegian Jewel was originally scheduled to sail out of Tampa, offering 5 to 14-night cruises out of the port.

03/12/2024

Celebrity Cruises Sailing from Florida Port for First Time Ever.

Celebrity Equinox just arrived at her new home in Florida. The 2,850-passenger Solstice-class vessel was welcomed into Port Canaveral Tuesday morning, marking the first time Celebrity Cruises will homeport a ship from the area.
The move to homeport a ship in Port Canaveral was announced last August when the cruise line revealed the new location in order to reach more travelers who were both in-state and out-of-state.
“At Celebrity we are continually striving to elevate our guests’ holiday experience from start to finish, and are delighted to offer even more ways to relax, unwind and explore the Caribbean,” stated Laura Hodges Bethge, President of Celebrity Cruises. “The addition of Port Canaveral offers guests the ultimate flexibility for their perfect Caribbean getaway.”
Celebrity joins six other cruise lines that currently offer regular sailings from the port, including Carnival, Disney, MSC, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, and a recent addition: Princess Cruises.
Caribbean Princess was just moved to the Florida port last week.
Celebrity Equinox arrived in Florida after a 12-day transatlantic cruise from Portugal.
The 121,878 gross ton ship will begin its sailings out of Port Canaveral with a 4-day sailing to Bimini and Nassau in The Bahamas.
After this debut sailing, Celebrity Equinox will offer 7-day sailings to the Caribbean and Bahamas, including ports of call in Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica, Grand Cayman, Key West, and other destinations.
More than 15 ports of call are included on sailings with Equinox, including stops at the popular private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay.
The ship will call Port Canaveral home through April of 2025. The next assignment for the vessel will be in Europe.
In May of 2025, Celebrity Equinox is scheduled to offer a transatlantic cruise to Barcelona, and the ship will remain in the Mediterranean until December of 2025 when it will begin offering sailings to Antarctica from Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Solstice-class ships have been a very popular class with the cruise line, and even after the more modern Edge-class ships were built, many Celebrity cruisers still gravitate to the classic ships.
Celebrity Equinox was the second of five Solstice-class vessels and was last renovated in 2019. There are some reports of the ship heading to dry dock in April of 2025 after a season in the Caribbean, but nothing official has been announced yet.

03/12/2024

Adults Only Cruise Line Virgin Adds Annual Pass.

Virgin’s new Annual Pass will start in 2025 and allow you to hop from ship to ship, anytime, anywhere, during the calendar year.
The Annual Pass is good for one year from the selected date. It includes a balcony cabin (Sea Terrace) and is good on all of the cruise line’s cruises including the inaugural voyages on their next new ship, Brilliant Lady.
In addition, Virgin Voyages will allow you to pay in Bitcoin for the first time. The cruise line confirmed with Cruise Fever they are only accepting Bitcoin for the Annual Pass right now, not for regular cruises.
The cost of the Annual Pass is $120,000 (excluding taxes and fees) and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. It includes the following amenities:
• Priority boarding
• Complimentary laundry services
• Dedicated concierge support
• Unlimited premium WiFi
• $100 bar tab per cruise
• Access to exclusive events and experiences on board

As an added benefit, Annual Pass holders can add a plus one to their cabin, with the ability to travel with different companions throughout the year.
Pass holders can select a start date of January 1, February 1, March 1 or April 1, and the pass will be valid for one year from the desired start date. Sailors (what Virgin calls their guests) must book between now and March 31, 2025.

Annual Pass is not combinable with other offers or Bar Tab. Sailors will also earn Deep Blue Extras upon booking.
Richard Branson, Virgin Group Founder, gave the following statement:
“I’ve always been a big believer in the power of travel and adventure to spark creativity and bring clarity. What started as a sought after ‘work from sea’ concept with our Season Pass has evolved into something even more special.
“Now, Sailors can jump aboard any of our ships, across an endless variety of exciting destinations for an entire year. We’re offering unlimited opportunities for adventure in a way that has never been done in cruising before.”

01/12/2024

25/11/2024

MSC World America is currently under construction and is scheduled to debut in Miami on April 12, 2025. It will be the largest non-Royal Caribbean ship sailing from the U.S. and will give cruisers an incredible new option for vacations.

MSC World America will have 19 different cabin options to choose from that range from inside staterooms to the 1,600 square foot Owner’s Suites.
Here’s a look at a few of the cabin options that will be the most popular on the cruise ship.
****The Infinite Ocean View cabins will have a panoramic window that also opens and doubles as a balcony railing. ****
The most popular cabins on any cruise ship, the Deluxe Balcony staterooms offer a private veranda with chairs. The deluxe cabins are also one of the roomiest on the ship that aren’t suites.
MSC Cruises is a family cruise line, and their Connecting Family Staterooms are perfect for families cruising together but also want privacy.
The internal doors are great for multi-generational families and there are a number of different options available on MSC World America.
The MSC Yacht Club Owner’s Suites are the two largest cabins on the ship at 1,600 square feet.
They feature a large bedroom with a walk-in closet, a bathroom complete with a full-size imperial bathtub, and a separate living-dining area.
Each suite also features a large private terrace with a hot tub and al fresco dining area.
Other unique cabins on MSC World America are Deluxe Suites in the MSC Yacht Club and Promenade View Balcony Staterooms that overlook the heart of the ship.
MSC World America will sail seven-night cruises from the Cruise Capital of the World, Port Miami starting on April 12, 2025.
All cruises will visit the cruise line’s private island in The Bahamas, Ocean Cay MSC Marine Reserve.

22/11/2024

Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday at Sea...SHIP MEET UPS AT SEA

On July 4, 2026, America’s 250th birthday, Carnival Cruise lines will have seven ships sailing from east coast homeports which will meet up near Celebration Key for a unique celebration at sea, while three ships will unite off the west coast near Ensenada. During the meetups, each ship will host patriotic birthday-themed deck parties. The cruises will also feature patriotic entertainment and special food and drink offerings.
• Meetup #1 | Location: The Bahamas – At sea outside Celebration Key.
Ships: Carnival Celebration®, Carnival Conquest®, Carnival Elation®, Carnival Glory®, Carnival Sunrise®, Carnival Venezia™, Carnival Vista®

• Meetup #2 | Location: Baja Mexico – At sea outside Ensenada.
Ships: Carnival Firenze™, Carnival Luminosa®, Carnival Radiance®

STARS, STRIPES &
CELEBRATION AT SEA
ENTERTAINMENT STARS ON THESE SAILINGS
Activities and entertainment that don't just happen every cruise… or even every year! The centerpiece is the exclusive America's Birthday Deck Party, but the fun goes all cruise long with themed dance classes and trivia, live music sets focusing on American rock & roll, a special balloon drop and even crafts classes focusing on that iconic color palette (you know it, just check the flag!).


FLAVORS OF FREEDOM
What birthday celebration would be complete without the great flavors? We will be serving up some special ones during this cruise, and you will find them all over the ship… from daily specials in the main dining room to rare dishes and more surprises. That includes plenty of fun, tasty and refreshing drinks, including nonalcoholic, of course. And the great news doesn't end there: your cruise will feature all the legendarily delicious choices that folks love on every Carnival cruise.

We hope you are as excited as we are! These cruises offer great variety, so you can choose the ideal way to take part in a truly once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Make sure to share the news, and let’s get planning and booking! Cheers

15/11/2024

Carnival Cruise Line Expanding Late Night Food Options With Midnight Buffet.
The midnight buffet is coming back to Carnival Cruise Line! Carnival is expanding their late night food options to include more variety in the ship’s buffet that starts at midnight.
Carnival’s Brand Ambassador John Heald announced the news on his page earlier this morning.
Around midnight, food options will move from the pizza chefs to the Lido buffet. Now, Carnival cruisers will be able to have items like chicken tenders, soup, sandwiches, cookies and more.
These new food options on Carnival cruise ships are in addition to pizza that is currently available.
There will be two areas open on the Lido for these new menus.
Carnival said the reason for the addition of more food options was due to the long wait for pizza late at night.

14/11/2024

12 Best Things to Do in Key West.
It doesn’t matter if you are a Key West newbie or experienced visitor, below are some suggestions for your next visit. Keep reading for 12 of the best things to do in Key West while on a cruise.
1. Make the Trek to the Southernmost point
When visiting Key West, you might as well go as far south as possible, right? If that is your thought process, don’t miss a trip to the southernmost point.
Most have seen photos of the southernmost point buoy. It’s practically a rite of passage to visit the buoy and have your photo taken. While you are here, you are a mere 90 miles from Cuba.
Is this a tourist trap? Of course. Will you be waiting in line a while to have your photo taken? You better believe it!
2. Visit the Hemingway Home and Museum
It was practically unheard of to have an inground pool in Key West in the 1930’s. You’ll find that here and other luxuries of the legend, Ernest Hemingway.
The most unique element of the home is the presence of the six-toed cats. Ernest Hemingway was gifted a six-toed cat by a sea captain. The cats that live at the home today are descendants of the original pet of Hemingway.
To be fair, I cannot stand cats and six-toed cats sound like something out of an 80’s sci-fi film. But guess what? These cats guard the legacy of Hemingway and all things “Old Man and the Sea”.
3. Check out Captain Tony’s Saloon
If you want to indulge in a few drinks and eats where past local celebrities liked to hang out, be sure to visit Captain Tony’s Saloon. This location was originally built in 1851 and served as an icehouse. In fact, the icehouse doubled as the local morgue and is supposedly haunted.
Grab a pint and sit in the same spot as Jimmy Buffet, Truman Capote, Ernest Hemingway, and Tennessee Williams once sat. Don’t forget to pick up your very own Captain Tony’s Saloon t-shirt’s, books, koozies, and more.
This is the perfect dive bar for reasonably-priced, potent drinks. Pair a beverage and the chance at seeing a ghost. What more could you need?
4. Stroll Down Duval Street
The “key” to Key West’s party scene is Duval Street. This street is a mile long and was named after the first territorial governor of Florida, William Duval.
You can find almost anything on Duval Street. Souvenir shops are plentiful and local restaurants line this area with an abundance of choices. The world-famous Sloppy Joe’s Bar is here and other favorites like Green Parrot Bar and Cowboy Bill’s Ho**ey Tonk Saloon.
Of course, there are plenty of options besides bars on Duval Street. A yearly Key West Food & Wine Festival is held here, amongst other events. We recommend using the Old Town Trolley while visiting. This is a great hop-on, hop-off option for seeing Duval Street.
5. Explore Mallory Square
At the center of Key West’s social scene, you will find Mallory Square. Surrounded by local merchants, restaurants, and museums, Mallory Square is an open-air plaza adjacent to the beautiful Key West waters.
There is truly something for everyone in Mallory Square. Check out a cup of specialty coffee at Cuban Coffee Queen or grab a bite to eat at Aqua D’Keys. If you have the chance to stay later in the day, sunsets are unforgettable here.
Wandering out to Mallory Square while visiting the shops is an incredible experience.
6. Take a Day Trip to Dry Tortugas National Park
For longer trips to Key West, visiting the Dry Tortugas National Park should be at the top of most lists. Located 70 miles to the west, this 100 square mile park is truly paradise.
You will need to ride a ferry to explore this oasis. It takes approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes to get to the park. You can explore Fort Jefferson, snorkel, or visit pristine beaches.
The water is a color of blue like no other and the snorkeling cannot be beat.
7. Grab Drinks at Sloppy Joe’s
The first word that comes to my mind when thinking of Sloppy Joe’s is “iconic”. Just passing by this bar makes you feel like you might run into Ernest Hemingway and join him for a beer. Visit Sloppy Joe’s in July, and you might see the yearly Hemingway Look-Alike Contest.
Music lovers will love spending time here. There is live music every single day of the year. Don’t leave without a souvenir t-shirt to remember this truly unique experience by.
Do not leave Key West without trying the award-winning Sloppy Rita – Cazadores Reposado Tequila, Citronage, sour mix, orange juice, club soda, and lime. It is literally perfection in a glass.
8. Visit the Key West Cemetery
For something a little off the beaten path, take a trip to the Key West Cemetery. This historical cemetery was established in 1847 and is located at the corner of Margaret and Angela Streets. The cemetery is nineteen acres and the final resting place for a diverse group of citizens.
If you want to visit the cemetery, there are maps available at the entrance. Horror movie lovers might be tempted to try a Ghosts & Gravestones Tour..
9. Take an Old Town Trolley Tour
For an easy and convenient way to see Key West, the Old Town Trolley Tour is a fantastic option. They offer a Hop-On, Hop-Off tour that features 13 different stops. After the purchase of a ticket, you can stop and return to the bus anytime that day.
A few of the possible stops for this tour include Mallory Square, Truman Little White House, Duval Street, Bahama Village, East Martello Fort, and the Southernmost Point.
10. Stop by Blue Heaven for Lunch
Blue Heaven is a local favorite serving some of the tastiest, freshest food around. The restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Reservations are an option for dinner only. The atmosphere is incredibly authentic here. Art in the form of a leopard-spotted mannequin is the norm.
Variety is key at Blue Heaven. The Caribbean “BBQ” Shrimp is a favorite, as is the Famous Key Lime Pie.

11. Pick Out a Perfect Pair of Soles at Kino Sandals
A real treat awaits those who decide to visit Kino Sandals. Since 1966, this Key West establishment has provided the best in handmade leather sandals, created by Roberto “Kino” Lopez himself. Kino moved to Key West from Cuba in the 60’s and along with his wife, created a lasting Key West tradition.
You can visit the store and choose from over 17 different styles of sandals. Plan some extra time for this stop and you may be able to see the artisans crafting the sandals. For the price and the craftsmanship, Kino Sandals are hard to compete with.
12. Catch a World-Famous Sunset
Sunsets in Key West are “World Famous” for a reason. They are arguably some of the most beautiful you will ever experience. Visitors will make their way to Mallory Square 1 or 2 hours before the event. Definitely plan to watch the sunset from Mallory Square or on one of several sunset cruises.
A sunset in Key West is something that will live on in your memory forever..

13/11/2024

Celebrity Cruises hopes to attain 'Nirvana' with next class of ships.

Celebrity Cruises is on the Edge of something new.
With its final Edge-class ship scheduled to arrive next November, Celebrity Cruises is in the "dreaming stage" for its next class of ships, brand president Laura Hodges Bethge told CruiseWorld attendees Thursday.
Celebrity has chosen a dreamy name for the undertaking: Project Nirvana. And when will Celebrity reach Nirvana? Possibly around 2029 or 2030, but nothing's official.
"For those who have been doing this for a long time, you know you go from the dreaming stage to the receiving stage in five-ish years," said Bethge, who was on the Royal Caribbean Group Presidents Panel, moderated by Travel Weekly editor in chief Arnie Weissmann. "We're excited about what's next for the brand."
Meanwhile, the Celebrity Xcel, the brand's fifth and final Edge-class ship, is due to enter service next November, and Celebrity will start revealing that ship's features in the spring, Bethge said. The ship will be different than its sisters, as has been previously reported: There will be seven new products and experiences, according to Bethge.
Celebrity also is planning the revitalization of its Solstice-class ships.
"Those five beautiful ships are at what we call internally their half-life. Ships last around 30 years, and they're about 15 years old, so right now we're dreaming up what's going to happen with the modernization of the Solstice ships," Bethge said.
The Celebrity Solstice, which will turn 16 later this month, will enter an extended drydock in spring 2026. Bethge said Celebrity will start talking about the Solstice's changes in the middle of next year.
"There's three different areas of the ship where we'll be paying a lot of attention," she hinted.

10/11/2024

MSC Line Adds New Tier to Loyalty Program.
MSC Cruises, a cruise line with a growing presence in the U.S., is rolling out a new loyalty tier that offers more perks than ever before.
MSC Cruises is adding a fifth loyalty level called Blue Diamond to their Voyagers Club. It’s a level reserved for the cruise line’s most loyal guests.
New perks that Blue Diamond will offer include:
• Flexible check-in times with priority embarkation and dedicated luggage drop-off service via the MSC Yacht Club check-in desk
• My Choice dining, allowing guests to dine anytime within the main restaurant’s hours of service
• A free Browse Wi-Fi package for one device per member
• Free shuttle bus tickets in selected ports
• Meet and greet with ship’s captain or officer
• Priority embarkation and priority access to tender boats in port.
Of course, these perks are in addition to everything that Diamond status currently offers.
If you want to have Blue Diamond status on an MSC cruise, you won’t be able to achieve it by using the cruise line’s status match. It can only be obtained by taking cruises on MSC cruise ships.
You can obtain Blue Diamond by earning at least 25,000 points with MSC Cruises.
Points are earned per cruise and based on a few factors. They are:
• Length of the cruise
• Type of experience booked (Bella, Fantastica, Aurea, MSC Yacht Club)
• Prepaid onboard services
MSC Cruises’ loyalty levels are now as follows:
• Classic: 1 to 2,199 points
• Silver: 2,200 to 4,299 points
• Gold: 4,300 to 9,999 points
• Diamond: 10,000 to 24,999 points
• Blue Diamond: 25,000+ points
In addition, MSC Cruises extended the number of years before loyalty perks expire. Currently, one needs to sail at least once every three years to keep their perks. Now, it will be once every five years.

07/11/2024

Virgin Voyages will operate Alaska cruises in summer 2026 aboard the Brilliant Lady, the fourth ship in Virgin's fleet that will debut in New York in September 2025.
The Brilliant Lady will sail seven- to 12-night cruises departing from Seattle and Vancouver, starting May 21, 2026.
This past May, Virgin Voyages said it gave members of its Sailing Club loyalty program a first shot at securing a front-of-the-line pass to buy Alaskan cruises. Bookings open for them on Oct. 31. Cruises go on sale for the public on Nov. 13.
The Brilliant Lady's inaugural season includes voyages from multiple U.S. ports, including New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Seattle. They include a 16-night sailing through the Panama Canal.

03/11/2024

Get a first look behind the scenes of a historic moment at Royal Caribbean Group! For the first time ever, we brought together three of our newest and most i...