Norwegian Cruises

Norwegian Cruises

Norwegian Cruise Line is proud to present Freestyle Cruising to all its valued guests. For the first time ever, enjoy open seating dining where you can dine whenever and with whomever you wish. Don't want to pack formal wear on your vacation? With the new resort casual evening attire, you no longer have to

Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises is one of the most, if not the most recognized cruise line in the world. Who can forget Issac the bartender, right? Today, Princess has raised cruising to a whole new level, with spacious and accommodating ships packed with amenities.

Cunard Cruises

It was a more civilized era, the golden age of sea travel. Crossing the ocean was a grand event unto itself, the very embodiment of sophistication and privilege. And traveling Cunard was what one naturally chose for such a voyage. Cunard's glorious ocean liners were floating palaces of art deco splendor and Edwardian excess, surrounding guests with every comfort and luxury.

Crystal Cruises

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Think of the farthest corners of the world connected by a smooth and shining sea. Imagine that a floating luxury resort, filled with everything you ever could desire, is waiting to carry you on the journey of your dreams. Crystal Cruises takes pride in navigating that magical highway of the sea, transporting you to the best the world has to offer.

Costa Cruises

Costa Cruises enjoys the reputation of being Europe's number one cruise line. The Italian company, with its North American headquarters in Miami, has been hosting passengers since 1948, when the line switched from its business of transporting olive oil to a passenger line.

At age 15, Prinsendam has seen the world. More than once! Designed for upscale worldwide cruising as flagship of the now defunct Royal Viking Line, she was constructed at Wärtsilä Marine's Helsinki shipyard and entered service as the widely acclaimed Royal Viking Sun in December of 1989. At the time, the ship was the epitome of luxury with her huge single seating dining room, lap pool, large standard staterooms with walk-in closets and bath tubs, plus some of the most extravagant balconied suites afloat. In 1994, Royal Viking Line was taken over by Cunard. Once Cunard joined the Carnival family a few years later, a tonnage reshuffle brought Royal Viking Sun to the five-star Seabourn fleet as Seabourn Sun. That career move didn't really work out as the 37,845 ton, 793-guest vessel proved difficult to market amongst Seabourn 200-guest super yachts.

She is big. She is bold. And whether she is beautiful remains to be seen as we travel to Southampton, England on a sunny day in May, 2001 to witness the birth of a new Princess. At 108,865 gross register tons, Golden Princess is not exactly a lightweight, but after getting to know Princess Cruises' new baby it seems she was well worth the 2 year pregnancy. Delivered well in time for her spring debut, Italian builders Fincantieri managed to create a stunning sister to the 1998-delivered Grand Princess. Costing an amazing US$ 450 million, Golden Princess spent her first summer in Mediterranean waters before heading to Florida for a winter in the warm Caribbean.

Princess Cruises goes global! The wind-blown coiffure of the “sea witch” that became world-famous in the TV hit show “The Love Boat” can these days been seen on dozens of funnels in hundreds of far-flung ports around the world. And just as bold as Princess Cruises' global conquest is their ship design. When Grand Princess, first of the 100,000+ ton Grand Class vessels, entered service comparisons with a floating shopping cart were often made. Making good use of her futuristic looks Star Princess, the third in the series, was welcomed with open arms for a maiden call at the port of Rotterdam on May 12, 2005. A good opportunity for ShipParade.com to go "star gazing" on board!

Amid huge fireworks displays and to Calypso beats, Oceana made her debut in the P&O Cruises fleet on Friday 1 November, 2002 as she set sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Quite unusual for the British cruise line, Oceana debuted in the Americas rather than her traditional European home waters. But then, Oceana has a distinctively American background, having previously sailed for P&O subsidiary Princess Cruises as Ocean Princess. Today, her American legacy makes Oceana the most "buzzing" ship in the very British P&O Cruises fleet, catering to a largely British crowd looking for the ship that has it all. Oceana sure seems to fit the bill! She can be found sailing from Ft. Lauderdale this winter on attractive 14-day cruises before returning to Europe next spring to pick up her season of 6- to 17-dIn true P&O style, the 550 seat Footlights Theatre is being used as a fully fledged cinema during the day, so we tip-toe through the gently sloping room that offers all guests an uninterrupted view of the large stage. The cruise line is well known for offering good-quality production shows specifically aimed at their large UK following. Next door is the delightful Yacht & Compass, a watering hole in the true sense of the word. Done in an attractive old-fashioned maritime style with colorful carpeting and deep leather chairs, an inviting bar and lots of wood paneling, this room is arguably one of the most popular places on board. Across the atrium is the Le Club, the ship's disco.ay cruises from Southampton

It was a memorable day at Fincantieri's Monfalcone shipyard. On July 16, 2005 more than 2,000 invited guests flocked to the northern Italian town from all corners of the earth to board Carnival Cruise Lines' newest "Fun Ship", the 110,239 ton Carnival Liberty. That same afternoon, the giant vessel set off on a short pre-inaugural voyage to Dubrovnik and her summer home of Civitavecchia, signaling the starIn 33 years, Carnival Cruise Lines have grown from a one-ship budget operation to being the most popular cruise line on earth, strongly drawing on millions of die-hard Carnival fans in the Americas. So, what has made them so successful? First and foremost, Carnival has always managed to deliver what they promise: an upbeat cruise experience on well-designed ships that are a destination in themselves. Better call them "Fun Ships", a brilliant marketing slogan that has worked for decades and still says it all. t of a sell-out Mediterranean season.

Choosing the right cruise vacation can be a little problematic. After all, what are you looking for? Is it the floating high rise hotel with its soaring atrium, ice skating rink or bowling alley? Or the cozy seagoing inn where you feel among family and where all these modern creature comforts suddenly seem less important?

Personally, I think both ways of cruising can be fun, but when discussing the possibility of going on a cruise to Norway with my good friend Lucy and my 81-year old father, choosing Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines seemed obvious. After all, the typical mix of Norwegian officers, Philippine service staff and a mature British clientele proved to be a winning combination on my
previous Fred. Olsen cruises. Cruising with older Brits is really a treat; in times where many people seem completely preoccupied with getting their money's worth, it is rather refreshing to see people relax and really enjoy the art of traveling.

The second-ever cruise ship I visited back in 1980 was Royal Viking Sky, one of three ultra-deluxe sisters of Norwegian Royal Viking Line. Now, 28 years later, Royal Viking Sky has found a good new Norwegian home at family-owned Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. After a complete renovation, Fred. Olsen renamed her Boudicca. I visited the ship during an unexpected call at IJmuiden, Netherlands on May 31, 2008.

The success story of MSC Cruises reads like a novel. In a world where cruise lines are multinational companies run by invisible boards of directors that have no apparent links to shipping, it is quite refreshing to see that MSC Cruises is very much a family affair. As Italian as Ferrari and cappuccino, the whole Aponte family turned up for the naming ceremony of their latest musical masterpiece MSC Orchestra at St. Nazaire on May 3, 2007.

Choosing the right cruise vacation can be a little problematic. After all, what are you looking for? Is it the floating high rise hotel with its soaring atrium, ice skating rink or bowling alley? Or the cozy seagoing inn where you feel among family and where all these modern creature comforts suddenly seem less important?

Personally, I think both ways of cruising can be fun, but when discussing the possibility of going on a cruise to Norway with my good friend Lucy and my 81-year old father, choosing Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines seemed obvious. After all, the typical mix of Norwegian officers, Philippine service staff and a mature British clientele proved to be a winning combination on my
previous Fred. Olsen cruises. Cruising with older Brits is really a treat; in times where many people seem completely preoccupied with getting their money's worth, it is rather refreshing to see people relax and really enjoy the art of traveling.

In 1966, Norwegian ship owner Knut Kloster and Miami-based Arison family formed NCL and changed the face of the cruise industry by offering the first fly-cruises out of Miami. Now, 40 years later, Norwegian Cruise Line is back - stronger than ever. The line's new owners (Star Cruises of Malaysia) have invested heavily to once again make NCL one of the front runners in today's demanding cruise industry. And from what I have seen, they will certainly succeed.