38 | CRUISE NEWS
www.nitravelnews.com Royal Caribbean’s Star of the Seas Set To Deliver Ultimate Family Holiday
•Surfside – The neighbourhood designed for young families is where they can stay and play all day together and without compromise. There’s everything from ways to splash, with kids and tots at Splashaway Bay and Baby Bay and grown-ups nearby at Water’s Edge pool, to spots to grab a bite like Surfside Eatery and The Lemon Post bar – all with options for adults and kids. •AquaDome – The tranquil oasis by day and
vibrant hot spot at night atop of Star is back with wraparound ocean views, deck-defying shows with high divers, aerialists, robots, dancers and more at the marquee AquaTheater; and food and drinks to take it all in at the AquaDome Market food hall, the Rye & Bean bar, Hooked and The Overlook bar and Overlook Pods for jaw-dropping views. •The Hideaway – Hidden 135 feet above the
ROYAL Caribbean International’s Star of the Seas will soon double the world’s best holiday count in one of the world’s top travel destinations, and the full lineup of unrivalled experiences in store has been revealed. From thrills like the fastest and tallest waterslides to 40-plus ways to dine and drink combined with adventures in idyllic destinations like the cruise line’s Perfect Day at CocoCay in The Bahamas, the next combination of the best of every holiday sets the stage for everyone to make memories from Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida. To dive into the exclusive details and book the highly anticipated 7-night holidays on Star. In August 2025, every type of family and holiday-maker can experience the acclaimed features first introduced by Icon of the Seas and even twists to fast favourites, like new restaurant Lincoln Park Supper Club – a 1930s Chicago- inspired spin on the supper club experience that pairs multiple courses with live entertainment. On deck is everything from the six adrenaline- pumping waterslides at Category 6 waterpark and seven pools – one for every day of the week – to the Surfside neighbourhood designed for young families and what will be one of only two suspended infinity pools at sea – the adults-only Hideaway. “Star of the Seas is the second bold act of this
exciting, new era of holidays first introduced with Icon of the Seas, and it’s putting the world’s best holiday on the map at yet another top travel
Riviera Travel Boosts 2026 Tall-Ship Programme
destination,” said Michael Bayley, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Between Miami and Port Canaveral (Orlando),
more
adventurers than ever can set their sights on the only holiday that combines the best of all holidays – from the beach retreat to the resort escape and the theme park adventure – with experiences that have and will continue to make headlines and memories for years to come.” Star is set to bring more of the revolutionary Icon
Class combination across eight neighbourhoods that are destinations in themselves,
with
everything from restaurants and bars to live entertainment and more. The highlights include five neighbourhoods unique to Icon and Star: •Thrill Island – There are thrills of all kinds
with Category 6, the first waterpark at sea when introduced on Icon, and its six record-breaking waterslides – from family raft slides to a drop slide and mat-racing duos; Crown’s Edge, the part skywalk and thrill ride 154 feet above the ocean; plus longtime favourites, the FlowRider surf simulator and mini golf, and spots to grab a bite and drinks like Basecamp and Desserted. •Chill Island – The three-deck slice of paradise is home to four of seven pools, each with different vibes and prime ocean views, including swim-up bar Swim & Tonic and Royal Bay, the largest pool at sea. With live bands and DJs, and places for drinks and quick, casual food just steps away, like The Lime & Coconut, holiday-makers can chill day and night.
ocean, the adults-only spot combines all the good vibes of beach club scenes around the world with a suspended infinity pool – joining the only other pool of its kind on Icon – a DJ, dedicated bar, a terrace with whirlpools and uninterrupted ocean views. The tried-and-true favourites reimagined on
Icon round out the best-selling Icon Class holidays on Star, from the Royal Promenade with floor-to- ceiling ocean views, the jaw-dropping Pearl – the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture – and 15-plus restaurants, bars and lounges to the open-air Central Park lined with more than 30,500 real plants and alive day to night with restaurants like the new Lincoln Park Supper Club, live music at Lou’s Jazz ‘n Blues, convenient pick-up windows for sushi and champagne, and more. Plus, the ultra- luxe and exclusive Suite Neighbourhood. Star is also joining the newly debuted Oasis
Class holiday, Utopia of the Seas – the ultimate short getaway – when it arrives in Port Canaveral (Orlando). By next summer,
holiday-makers
celebrating any occasion or just getting away can head to Central Florida and have their pick of the best of both worlds – a weeklong Caribbean holiday, a 3-night weekend or 4-night weekday getaway to The Bahamas, with weekend energy from beginning to end; or both. Also upping the ante when it comes to destinations and joining the expanding lineup of Royal Caribbean’s standout experiences will be the opening of Royal Beach Club Paradise Island in The Bahamas – the first of the Royal Beach Club Collection – in late 2025.
September/October 2024
Princess Cruises Unveil New Premier Drink Package
IMAGINE a holiday where your glass is never empty, and you can indulge in unlimited beverages – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic – without a second thought. Now add in world- class meals at the best speciality restaurants every night of your cruise if you choose and have the best connectivity at sea. This kind of luxury and convenience, and more, will soon be available to guests onboard ships from Princess Cruises, with the newest enhancements to its Princess Premier package. “With the Princess Premier Package,
we’re
delivering the absolute greatest value in travel and making all-inclusive cruising super easy,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “The most comprehensive package in cruise for an unmatched £75 a day ensures our guests can enjoy their cruise experience without any limitations.” The glass is always full for Premier guests, offering an unlimited number of drinks daily of up to $20 each. Princess Premier, which also comes with free OceanNow access, makes it easy for guests to enjoy their preferred drinks anytime and anywhere on the ship without worrying about additional costs. An impressive array of beverages is available, including: ·
cocktails by celebrity mixologist Rob Floyd ·
Stag’s Leap, and Grgich Hills ·
Barrel Select ·
FIRST LOOK: Windstar’s 224-Guest Ship to Debut in 2026
RIVIERA Travel has added to its 2026 tall-ship programme with two new 11-day itineraries. A ‘Greece, Sicily and Malta’ voyage, on the 162-guest Star Flyer, will depart on October 16. It will include visits to the Acropolis and Athens on a one- night stay in a five-star hotel, before sailing across the Aegean and Mediterranean seas.
Other visits include Nafplion and Monemvasia (Greece), and Taormina
(Italy), as well as the
ancient sites of Epidaurus, Pylos and Syracuse’s Archaeological Park of Neopolis. Also new for 2026 is ‘An Italian Adventure’, on the 162-guest Star Clipper, departing September 3. It will feature visits and tours in Perugia, Assisi, Rome, Amalfi, Positano, Lipari, Ponza and Taormina. Will Sarson, product director at Riviera, said:
“There’s so much on offer in our 2026 tall-ship programme, such as pre- and post-cruise stays, exclusive guided tours to historic sites and a true iconic sailing experience on beautiful ships. These new 11-day voyages are the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation, from the bustling streets of Rome to the hill-top serenity of Taormina.” For more information, visit
rivieratravel.co.uk or call 01283 523431.
SMALL ship cruise line Windstar Cruises is unveiling a first look at its Star Seeker – a 224-guest, brand-new ship that will debut in January 2026. Star Seeker will have 112 spacious suites, all but ten featuring a full private veranda or floor-to-ceiling infinity window. The ship also boasts five dining options (all are included in
Windstar’s
cruise fare), a full-service spa with a grand entrance from the deck above, a fitness facility and a fresh take on the line’s iconic Watersports Platform, which turns the ocean into an infinity pool by letting guests access the sea directly from the ship. “Guests aboard Star Seeker will experience a sense of tranquility in their suites; they are designed to be an oasis for relaxation,” says Stijn Creupelandt, vice president of hotel operations at Windstar Cruises. “We used light wood and a soothing colour palette of light blues, greens and natural browns – elements that reflect our Star Class style. Inspired by the sea, sky and landscapes, these colours and textures create a serene atmosphere perfect for a relaxing getaway. In the ship’s public spaces and restaurants, you’ll find more vibrant hues inspired by sunrises and sunsets, including warm yellows, golds and oranges, ensuring a harmonious blend of elegance and comfort throughout the ship.” Star Seeker features two Horizon Owner’s Suites, a
new suite category for the line, at the aft of the ship on deck 7, which can be combined with adjacent suites for more space and multi-generational families. Each comes with a wrap-around balcony offering spectacular vistas – perfect for evening cocktails or a private dinner. The two suites are Star Seeker’s most luxurious and spacious offerings; however, the ship has a full menu of suite offerings with 12 different accommodation types to choose from,
many allowing triple
occupancy. Star Seeker has 72 suites with large verandas where guests may sit outside and enjoy the view and fresh air. New for Windstar, 30 infinity suites feature a large floor-to- ceiling infinity window that slides down half-
way from the top to open the suite to refreshing sea breezes. As on all Windstar ships, there are no interior cabins. Star Seeker’s 10 Oceanview suites have plenty of natural light and a view of the sea, a walk-in mosaic glass shower and an inviting queen bed which can be converted into twins if desired. All suites include a fully stocked mini-bar and refrigerator, interactive TV, safe, fresh fruit and waffle weave robe and slippers. The four highest suite categories – Horizon, Star, Classic, Deluxe – add other amenities such as an Illy espresso machine, Canapes service and fresh flowers. Windstar will debut an additional newsister ship, Star Explorer, in December of 2026.
Top shelf spirits, reserve wines and signature Selection of 75+ spirits, 40+ wines by the glass,
20+ high-end, crafted cocktails · Premier wines by the glass including Duckhorn,
created exclusively for Princess ·
Private Woodford Reserve Bourbon Selection Personalised Jack Daniel’s Whiskey Single 25% discount on wine bottles (including rare
vintages) · 25% discount on large bottles of water Dining reaches new heights with the addition
of unlimited speciality dining options. Guests can savour gourmet meals at some of Princess Cruises’ most beloved restaurants every night of their voyage if they’d like, including the sophisticated Crown Grill steakhouse, the authentic Italian trattoria Sabatini’s, and the seafood haven The Catch by Rudi, crafted by award-winning Chef Rudi Sodamin as well as Makoto Ocean, The Butcher’s Block by Dario and Umai Teppanyaki when sailing on Sun and Star Princess. This package also includes unlimited prix fixe meals at any casual dining location creating the ultimate in flexibility in your dining selections. For those who value staying connected, the new Unlimited MedallionNet Max Wi-Fi provides enhanced connectivity designed to meet the needs of today’s digitally connected travellers. Available exclusively as part of Princess Plus and Princess Premier inclusive bundles, MedallionNet Max offers guests prioritised access to the highest quality and highest performance bandwidth available anywhere in the world, which is typically Starlink. Fitness enthusiasts will
appreciate unlimited
premium boutique fitness classes, such as Pure Barre, Club Pilates, CycleBar, YogaSix, Stride, and StretchLab, ensuring they can maintain their wellness routines even while at sea. Additionally, guests will enjoy premium crafted desserts, fresh juices, and complimentary delivery service for all OceanNow and room service orders, adding to the all-inclusive convenience. The Princess Premier Ultimate package also includes reserved seating in the Princess Theatre and crew appreciation gratuities.
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