A Cruise Brochure For The iGeneration

Cruisers who are comfortable with their iPods and au fait with their iTunes will be interested to know Royal Caribbean has launched a new 2014 family cruise brochure specifically for tablets. Designed to coincide with peak booking season, the industry-first brochure is filled with videos and interactive content to help showcase all of the family-friendly features and amazing experiences available on a Royal Caribbean holiday.

Available to download free on iTunes, the new brochure also includes special early booking offers and a selection of the most popular itineraries. Featuring a range of helpful planning guides for mums and dads, including information on onboard restaurants and a link to the cruise line’s new kid-friendly Penguin Ahoy! app, the e-brochure is packed with great reasons to cruise.

Families seeking a star-studded cruise holiday can enjoy a break with DreamWorks favourites such as Shrek, Puss In Boots and more; watch special onboard productions of Let You Entertain Me, an ice skating show of How to Train Your Dragon; see the DreamWorks Animation parade down the Royal Promenade; and sample interactive character breakfasts in the main dining room and various other shows and activities.

For young princesses, The Barbie™ Premium Experience is the ultimate indulgence for Barbie enthusiasts. Guests can enjoy staterooms decorated in the iconic doll's signature style as well as exclusive, themed activities throughout the cruise – from an invitation-only tea party and mermaid dance class to a fashion design workshop and Barbie fashion show.

As well as two of the most popular experiences across the Royal Caribbean International fleet, the new e-brochure contains a whole host of information and interactive features to get families excited in advance of their cruise.

Jo Briody, director of marketing & PR, UK & Ireland, Royal Caribbean International explained: “Our new tablet friendly brochure is designed to allow families to plan their holidays together and to showcase all of our family-friendly videos and onboard features in one place. We hope its ease of use and inspiring content will urge more families to consider a cruise for the first time.”

Key offers for 2014 featured in the new family friendly e-brochure include:

• A seven-night Western Mediterranean fly/cruise onboard Liberty of the Seas from £1,272 per adult and £861 per child (based on a family of four sharing an inside stateroom, including flights from London Heathrow). Based on 24 August departure.
• A seven-night Greek Isles fly/cruise onboard Splendour of the Seas from £1,254 per adult and £744 per child (based on a family of four sharing an inside stateroom, including flights from London Gatwick). Based on 23 August departure.

More info: visit https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/royal-caribbean-international/id692839966?mt=8.

The new edition of World of Cruising is now out, and you can see the digital version online on our home page at www.worldofcruising.co.uk. To subscribe at our special offer rate of 50% off for 2014, see this link.

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Cunard’s Apple iStudy courses now available on all three liners.

Cunard’s highly popular Apple iStudy courses are now available on all three Cunard ocean liners, following the recent opening of the Apple Learning Centre on board Queen Victoria. The centres offer the latest iMac machines for confidence-boosting seminars and workshops that aim to familiarise guests with the latest technology, from Facebook to iPads, in a fun and interactive way.

iStudy has been a feature of Queen Mary 2 since last October while Queen Elizabeth has had an Apple centre on board since her introduction in 2010. The workshops have proved a particularly strong draw on QM2's transatlantic crossings to and from the Big Apple, with many guests bringing along their own iPads to use during the sessions.

The iStudy on all three ship aims to take advantage of today's technology and present computer-based learning in an accessible and un-threatening way. All Guest Computer Services Managers have been trained on the latest Apple technology to offer Apple courses to interested passengers. Apple iMacs are fitted throughout iStudy to provide guests with an intuitive and stimulating learning experience.

For more info and booking details, be sure to check out this link with the UK's luxury cruise specialists, The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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Oceania's Second Phase of Fleet Enhancements

By guest blogger Steve Newman

As part of the company’s ongoing fleet enhancements, the most significant product investment in the company’s history, Oceania Cruises has announced the second phase of its 'Pillars of Distinction' initiative. The multi-million-dollar upgrades are in addition to the previously announced physical enhancements being made during the regularly scheduled dry-docks for Regatta (above), Insignia and Nautica.

The latest fleet enhancements include:

· An expanded menu of “Jacques Pepin Signature Items” in the Grand Dining Rooms, which include Cotes d’Agneau Grillees – grilled lamb chop served with ratatouille and lamb gravy with thyme, and Gambas Sauté Provençal – sautéed shrimp in olive oil from Nice with garlic, parsley and tomatoes.

· Evening menus in the Terrace Café will focus on regional specialities from the area where the ship is sailing, in addition to each evening’s ever-changing range of traditional favourites.

· Gourmet VIP canapé service for all suite guests now includes a wider array of speciality, gourmet-inspired delicacies which are presented on new, custom-designed china.

· A free shuttle service in more than 90 ports worldwide where the ship is docked away from the city centre.

· Dramatically faster internet speeds as a result of a new partnership with MTN.

· Complimentary in-suite newspaper delivery for Owner’s, Vista and Oceania suites.

· Upgraded bath amenities and toiletries in all accommodations, including Bvlgari for Concierge-level and suite guests.

· Laptops, currently featured in all Owner’s and Vista suites on Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, will be added to all Penthouse Suites.

· iPads for all Owner’s, Vista and Oceania suites.

The new Pillars of Distinction amenities will also be extensively featured on Oceania's new Marina, scheduled for delivery in January 2011, and her sister ship Riviera, which joins the fleet in April 2012. They will be introduced on board Regatta, Insignia and Nautica in the spring of 2011.

To find out more about Oceania Cruises, visit OceaniaCruises.co.uk or call the UK specialist cruise agents The Cruise Line Ltd.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.

Digital and APP versions of the "Cruising Bible"

By guest blogger Steve Newman

After 26 years' success in print form, the annual Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships is now also available in digital form as the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App. The beauty of the new app is that, with just a couple of touch-screen taps, would-be cruise-goers can search the 284 featured cruise ships according to their needs - whether for size of ship, families, couples, solo travellers or star ratings, among many more.

Available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App features in-depth searchable cruise ship reviews. For regular cruise-goers and first-time cruisers alike, the App features quick and easy access to Douglas Ward's authoritative and hard-hitting reviews, ratings and statistical information through user-friendly touch-screen menus.

Browse through the ships according to Ward’s world-respected rating system, search by traveller type, ship size or cruise line, and highlight favourite ships for future reference. As the most extensive cruise ship information available anywhere, the App allows users to find out about each cruise ship's accommodation, cuisine, entertainment and fitness facilities, and to see images of every vessel.

Completely independent and accepting no sponsorship, the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App and its author sets the internationally recognised ratings system for cruise ships worldwide. Douglas Ward is recognised as the world’s top authority on cruising and cruise ships, with more than 40 years of experience. He continues to spend up to 200 days a year aboard cruise ships, inspecting and evaluating their facilities.

Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App is available now at a promotional price of £9.99 (standard price £12.99). For further information, visit http://www.berlitzpublishing.com/

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

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