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Royal Princess reaches first-year milestone

Royal Princess this weekend marked its first year anniversary following entry into service last June. The Princess Cruises vessel has been sailing all over the world since it was christened by the Duchess of Cambridge Katherine Middleton in what was her last public appearance before the birth of son Prince George. In order to mark the occasion, guests sailing on the ship this weekend were treated to a range of festivities including a Royal Ball Birthday Party in the atrium. Since its entry into active service, Royal Princess has carried a total of 150,000 guests over some 120,000 miles. It has completed 44 cruises, visiting 39 pots across 20 countries in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Over the next few months, it will be visiting destinations throughout Scandinavia and Russia, as well as sailing the waters around the British Isles, before heading to New York for its first New England and Canada season in the autumn. Jan Swartz, president of Princess, said: “Today we look back with great pride as we celebrate the first birthday of Royal Princess “She’s been a wonderful addition to our fleet and we’re delighted that she’s been so well received by our guests.” Chat with us about this story...

Quantum of the Seas damaged in ship fire

Quantum of the Seas, the next addition to Royal Caribbean’s fleet, has suffered damage after a fire broke out on one if its decks. The vessel is still being built at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and is due to enter service at the end of October, with an initial season scheduled in the Bahamas over the winter before it relocates to Shanghai in China from next spring. According to reports, the blaze broke out in a cabin on deck three of the 167,800-ton vessel, which will be capable of carrying up to 4,180 passengers. Local fire services were called to the shipyard and were able to tackle the fire in a short amount of time, however two people were transferred to the local hospital in Papenburg to be treated for smoke inhalation. It is estimated that the damage to Quantum of the Seas will cost approximately €50,000 (£40,300) to remedy. The first Quantum-class vessel from Royal Caribbean, it will be followed next spring by sister ship Anthem of the Seas, which will sail out of Southampton. Talk about this story with...

Partial float out for Anthem of the Seas

A partial float out has taken place for Anthem of the Seas, which is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany. Footage has been uploaded onto YouTube showing a large mid section of the ship exiting one of the yard’s hangers. This is the first section of the ship to be floated out and it was certainly an impressive thanks to the sheer enormity of the vessel, despite the fact that it will be much longer once it is fully constructed. The newest addition to Royal Caribbean’s UK fleet, Anthem of the Seas is due to make waves at Southampton from next year. It is one of two major new vessels being constructed specifically for the UK cruise market, with P&O’s Britannia also set to sail from Southampton. Among the features on Anthem of the Seas will be a second Jamie’s Italian Restaurant at sea, with the first appearing on Quantum of the Seas when it makes its debut later this year. Why not discuss this topic...

Only 1% of norovirus from cruise ships

While newspaper and internet headlines might have some who don’t know any better believing that norovirus, or the winter vomiting bug as it is known, is reserved solely for cruise passengers at sea, it’s always nice when actual science allows cooler heads to prevail. And so it is with a new study from experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – the actual scientists who are dispatched to investigate ships operating in North American waters when an outbreak of the virus is recorded. With this in mind, it makes for interesting reading to note that their new research suggests only about one per cent of all reported cases are from cruise ship outbreaks. In incidents where the source of contamination is known, the majority (70 per cent) come from food workers, with roughly half of these resulting from them touching ‘ready-to-eat’ foods with their bare hands. The CDC recommends food workers reduce the risks by washing their hands carefully using soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, doing so whenever they use the restroom especially. Have you ever suffered from norovirus at sea? Has it put you off cruising? Tell us on our...

Top Tips From An Experienced Cruiser

I have been with www.CRUISE.co.uk for eight years and during this time I have had the opportunity to take many cruises; so many I have now lost count. So yes, I would consider myself to be a seasoned traveller and there isn’t much you can teach me about cruises. However, during my recent cruise I was left slightly red-faced by some obvious faux pas. In short I should have known better and its these tips I would like to share with you. 1) Take full advantage of your ‘loyalty status’. Having been awarded Platinum status with Princess Cruises one of the benefits is priority boarding. This means not having to wait in the long queues with the other passengers at check-in. I basically queue jumped! A great added benefit, from arriving into the departure lounge we were through the gates within no time. My in-law’s (who were not Platinum) were also allowed through so an all-round good start to our family holiday! Tip: push your luck at check-in, if you don’t ask, you don’t get. 2) Travelling with children Do your research before you get on board. What kids clubs can your little one join and what activities take place? It’s not always easy to find. Maybe join a forum where other parents can share ideas and practical tips. Read the material provided in your cabin on...