Looking All Around

When Princess Cruises first gave us 360-degree views of their staterooms and suites, we were working with huge files and dial-up modems. (You remember those, don’t you?) Click on the button and within a couple of minutes you could “stand” by the bed if your cabin and look toward the window or move the mouse and look toward the bathroom. Could planning a cruise get any better?

There have been lots of improvements since than, but Azamara just took the whole thing several steps further. They have begun to offer 360-degree video, not just of the ship, but since they are all into destinations, you can experience some of their fascination ports of call and see all around you in video. The next best thing to being there.

Details appeared in the April 17 edition of Cruise News Daily.

The Butler Does It

Cunard has produced a new video about their butlers. Don't understand what a butler would do for you? Once you watch this video, you'll understand why you suddenly feel the need for a butler the next time you sail on Cunard.

Shipwrecked on a Deserted Island

Crew from Celebrity Solstice rescue two from deserted island

You know all those theoretical discussions about what you would want to have if you were shipwrecked on a deserted island? Two men can tell you tonight - from experience - that two absolutely essential things are a satellite telephone and Celebrity Solstice sailing nearby.

The crew of Celebrity Solstice performed a rescue on Thursday that was far from the usual sighting of a disabled boat floating out at sea and lowering a boat to pick up the people. Instead, the cruise ship went to a deserted island, found a save place to take a landing boat ashore, and radioed the men needing a rescue where to meet them.

The complete story appeared in the April 17 edition of Cruise News Daily.

First Look around Antherm of the Seas

Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas is in its summer home of Southampton, and Saturday it will board its first visitors. We have the first look around this Quantum clone below and on our Pinterest board.

North Star observation platform being readied for first passengers

More photos from Anthem of the Seas on our Pinterest board

Additional photos from Anthem's arrival at Southampton

Photos courtesy of Royal Caribbean International. All rights reserved. May not be copied or used without permission.

There’s Gold Down Under

Princess Cruises just released the preliminary information about their 2016-2017 program in Australia, and it’s going to be a big year - five ships and a 20% capacity increase.

Responsible for much of the increase is the introduction of 3,082-passenger Emerald Princess. Adding to the excitement surrounding Emerald Princess is that it will be arriving in Sydney via a 42-day, four-continent voyage from Southampton.

Details appeared in the April 16 edition of Cruise News Daily.