New, Enticing Cruise Amenities for 2017

Image Source: Holland America

Cruises offer a sea of possibilities for travelers. The lines entice passengers with varied dining, a range of entertainment, specialty sailings, thrill rides, private beach oases and increased luxury. Use these updates to help you find the ship of your dreams.

Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Vista, which debuted May 2016, features some 30 dining and bar venues. For thrills, pedal across the deck while suspended high in the air on SkyRide, watch an IMAX movie or experience images jumping off the screen at you in the 3-D Thrill Theater.

Celebrity Cruises: After an $8 million renovation the Celebrity Millennium features updated suites, a rooftop terrace with a large movie screen, the anchor for “A Taste of Film,” a program that pairs movies evocative of a specific destination with a multi-course meal from that region.

Image Source: Candyce Stapen

Crystal Cruises: An award-winning luxury brand, Crystal launched Crystal Mozart, their first river ship in July 2016. Much wider than traditional river ships, the Mozart, which sails the Danube River, affords passengers the luxury of spacious public rooms and good food. Crystal will also debut four river yachts in 2017.

Disney Cruise Line: The updated Disney Wonder features new children’s spaces, and Tiana’s Place Restaurant, a new eatery with southern-style cuisine.

Fathom: Visit three ports in Cuba aboard Fathom’s 7-day people-to-people voyages from South Florida.

Image Source: Holland America

Holland America Line: The new Koningsdam, which debuted April 2016, features an expanded Culinary Arts Center with individual cooking stations, and the line’s first purpose-built staterooms for families. With Music Walk, a program of music on three stages, listen to live chamber music at Lincoln Center Stage, Memphis-style blues, soul and funk at B.B. King’s Blues Club, and get into the act with sing-alongs at Billboard Onboard, a mix of live musicians audience participation.

Image Source: Norweigan Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian welcomes passengers to Harvest Caye, the line’s new, 75-acre island experience in Belize that comes with 7-acres of white sands overlooking the Caribbean Sea and a 15,000-square-foot pool. You can paddleboard and kayak in a saltwater lagoon, glide on a zipline, walk across suspension bridges and view exotic birds as you stroll through an aviary. The Norwegian Escape debuted in October 2015, offering more than 20 venues for dining, including a few upscale choices. The Norwegian Joy, slated to debut summer 2017, is targeted to Chinese travelers.

Princess Cruises: The Majestic Princess, to launch April 2017, will service the Chinese market.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises: The luxury line recently launched the $450 million, 750-passenger Seven Seas Explorer. The deep-pocketed can relax in the Regent Suite, whose 3,875-feet include two bedrooms, a living room, two-and-a half bathrooms and a wraparound balcony.

Royal Caribbean International: Swirl down the Ultimate Abyss, a 10-deck dry slide on Harmony of the Seas or get wet on the ship’s trio of 5-deck high waterslides.

SeaDream Yacht Club: The line offers seven new wine voyages.

Silversea Cruises: The 596-passenger Silver Muse launches April 2017. The ship features eight specialty restaurants.

Viking: Long known for its river ships, Viking’s ocean going vessels are gaining praise for their destination-focused experiences come with overnights in some ports and shore excursions that, according to Viking, emphasize a destination’s “food, culture, countryside and customs.” Viking Star and Viking Sea forgo casinos, using the space for additional lounges and dining.