Cruise Innovations - A Look Back

This past year saw the introduction of only a few new, big cruise ships, most significantly Norwegian Getaway, Regal Princess and "smart ship" Quantum of the Seas. But 2014 will be remembered as a "wow" year – one that saw the debut of amazing features and programs geared towards making cruising a younger, trendier vacation choice.

Robot Bartenders

Ordering drinks on the brand new Quantum of the Seas is a total kick. The mechanical arms – originally designed for use in car manufacturing – "man" the first-ever Bionic Bar by Makr Shakr. You place your order on a tablet, the robots do the pouring and mixing, and your drink is delivered on a conveyor belt. It's a huge "wow."




Adventures in the air

Getting high above the water is a trend that appeared on all the new ships. Norwegian Getaway has The Plank, which allows you to walk a few feet off the ship (while wearing a harness), with nothing but the sea below. Regal Princess has SeaWalk, a top deck, glass-bottomed walkway that cantilevers off the ship so you can see down some 128 feet to the sea. Quantum of the Seas doubles down (or up) with North Star, a ride that takes you in a glass capsule some 300 feet above the sea; and RipCord by IFLY, an indoor skydiving experience.


Faster Internet

Cheaper and faster Internet access at sea is a significant development, including for those who want to stay in touch via social media. Royal Caribbean is showing off superfast broadband on Quantum of the Seas, achieved via low-orbit satellite. Carnival Corp., parent of nine brands including Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises and Holland America Line, is speeding things up with a setup that combines satellite, port connections and land-based antennas.

Magic

Norwegian Cruise Line's Miami-centric Norwegian Getaway brought the cruising world The Illusionarium, an extraordinary magic/dinner show experience (for a fee). Five Master magicians, illusionists and mentalists perform amazing feats in a specially created video dome; the accompanying surf & turf dinner is just an added bonus.

Bumper Cars

At the first-of-its-kind SeaPlex, an indoor (all-weather) sports center on Quantum of the Seas, at various times of day passengers can play basketball, volleyball and soccer, go roller skating and do a circus school.  But a first-at-sea favorite is the opportunity to ride bumper cars, smashing into your fellow passengers.






180-day World Cruises

Oceania Cruises had an immediate hit when the upscale line announced its first world cruise would also make history as the longest ever – 180 days visiting five continents, 44 countries and 89 ports of call. The sailing sold out so quickly the line announced a second 180-day world cruise embarking July 2015 and then another for 2016.


Carnival Live!

Carnival launched this first-of-its-kind shipboard concert series, which brings top-rate performers onboard ships in ports including Cozumel, Catalina Island and Nassau. They do private concerts available only to cruise passengers, with tickets starting at $20 to $40. Those who splurge on VIP tickets add extra time with the stars – who included Jennifer Hudson, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, Styx and REO Speedwagon. The series continues in 2015.



Smoking bans

This year saw pretty much the end of the concept of using your cabin balcony as your private smoking space. Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian instituted bans on balcony smoking (the only holdout among major lines is Holland America).

Happy Cruising!

Excerpts from USA Today