Royal Caribbean’s 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas.   The comeback of New Orleans as a cruise hub got a big boost over the weekend as Royal Caribbean returned to the city for the first time in four years.   The line’s 3,114-passenger Voyager of the Seas arrived in the Big Easy on Saturday for [...]

Effective spring 2012, the minimum drinking age for all alcoholic beverages on Royal Caribbean ships sailing from South America, Europe, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand will be 18.   To be clear, the current policy does allow 18- to 20-year-old passengers cruising in the aforementioned regions to purchase alcohol onboard — as long as [...]

  A rendering of Princess Cruises’ 2,670-passenger Emerald Princess.   Princess Cruises on Thursday announced a makeover for the Italian restaurants on its ships.   The line says the Sabatini’s eateries found on 13 of its 16 vessels will switch to an a la carte experience where diners pick each of their courses instead of [...]

  Princess Cruises’ 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess, which sails out of Fort Lauderdale during the winter.   Thinking about booking a cruise to Europe or Asia for the coming year? You’ll want to take a look at the latest offer from Princess Cruises.   The line today is rolling out a six-day sale on 70 sailings [...]

  Holland America’s 1,380-passenger Amsterdam during a port call in Sydney, Australia.   Holland America is planning yet another epic, around-the-world cruise for 2013.   The line today announced the 1,380-passenger Amsterdam would sail a 115-day, globe-circling itinerary out of Fort Lauderdale early in the year that includes more than 40 port calls in South [...]

  Carnival Magic   Industry giant Carnival is celebrating the upcoming Veteran’s Day with a promotion through the month of November, offering discounts for military families.   Active and retired personnel can book up to three cabins for themselves, friends and family at discounted rates through Nov. 30, for departures through April 30, 2013.   [...]

  The Diamond Princess is one of four ships participating in Princess Cruises’ Australia and New Zealand 2012-2013 itineraries. Princess Cruises’ 2012-13 season of “Down Under” cruising offers new routes, a solar eclipse cruise, a new cruise tour to the Outback and more sailings to New Zealand.   Four ships – Diamond Princess, Sun Princess, [...]

  The 2,974-passenger, 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest.   Carnival Cruise Lines is raising its tipping guidelines for the first time in a decade, increasing the amount 15%, from $10 to $11.50 per passenger, per day.   The increase – which amounts to an extra $21 for a couple on a weeklong cruise – takes effect on [...]

  Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas arrives in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Nov. 11, 2010.   How high will cruise fares go in 2012? In a conference call with Wall Street analysts on Thursday, Royal Caribbean Cruises executives were unusually hesitant to make predictions, citing the topsy-turvy nature of the current economic and political [...]

  Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas during construction in 2007.   Royal Caribbean’s experiment with year-round cruising out England is coming to an end.   The world’s second largest cruise line on Wednesday announced the 3,634-passenger Independence of the Seas will return to the Caribbean for the winter of 2012/13 after two years of [...]