Cruise Happenings in 2015

As the new year rolls in, the cruise lines have been busy in bringing on new attractions that will entice not only the first time cruiser, but also engender interest from the experienced cruise passenger.  For example:

On Norwegian Cruise Line’s new ship coming out in 2015, the Norwegian Escape, they plan on offering the delights of Margaritaville on that ship.   One of the complimentary dining venues will feature the 5 O’Clock Somewhere Bar which will host live nightly performances, a separate music venue, and an outdoor bar on The Waterfront.  There is no word yet on which other ships will receive the new venues, but you can be sure it is coming to other ships in 2015-16.

In the fall of 2015, Princess is teaming up with chocolatier Norman Love to bring their guests a series of onboard experiences introducing special chocolate desserts, chocolate and wine pairings, and even chocolate spa treatments.  Norman Love has been named by National Geographic as one of the 10 best chocolatiers in the world and is world-renown for his work with chocolate and dessert.  This is one of their special efforts in celebrating 50 years in the cruising business.

Carnival Cruise Line is planning on offering 10-14 day voyages beginning in Oct. 2015.  They have traditionally been known as a 7-night, 3-4-5 night cruise line, but based on feedback from their guests and travel agent partners, they have decided on extended calls at ports in the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mexican Riviera.  For us in this neck of the woods, the only close by port featuring these departures is New Orleans, and the negative is that you would have to fly back to New Orleans from San Juan.

Some of the best news for all our guests who frequent the departures out of Galveston on Carnival or Royal Caribbean, The Port of Galveston just announced a $13 million expansion of Terminal 2.  It will feature 150,000 square feet of space and have a seating capacity of over 2,000 passengers.  Goodness knows they need it!!!  This primary port of embarkation for cruises to the Western Caribbean handles over one million cruise passengers in a year and is the 4^th busiest cruise port in the nation, and ranks in the top ten in the world.

Talking about that reminds me to remind our listeners and readers that our cruise on Sept. 20 next year on RCCL’s Navigator of the Seas is having a real good promotion right now, good until the end of this month.  The rates are a little less than my group rate, plus for a balcony room, you get $200 on-board-credit, so give us a call today for all the particulars and get that deposit down for an exciting week-long trip to Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Jamaica.  Too much fun to adequately describe!!!

We are at 4150 Southwest Drive or call us at 698-1421 or toll free 800-760-4040, or see the invitation described on our website: www.thetravelfactoryabilene.com.