Recognizing that small ships aren't everyone's cup of tea, we now do the same with their larger counterparts and present Four Large Ships Worth Watching. These are just a few of the unique vessels the mainstream press should be writing about, but generally aren't.
Disney Dream - Disney Cruise Line
Disney Dream, pictured during construction earlier this year.
Photo courtesy of Disney Cruise Line
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: the January 2011 launch of the Disney Dream could possibly be the most exciting in a long time. Why, you ask? There's plenty of reasons for cruisers young and old to be hyped up about this revolutionary ship.
Elegantly designed to resemble a modern interpretation of the classic ocean liners, Disney Dream eschews the boxy, apartment-like superstructures that have become popular on many newbuilds. There's still a full promenade deck - another feature rapidly disappearing from many newer ships.
Most of all, however, the famous Disney attention to detail is evident throughout this incredible 1,115-foot long ship, and the very reason cruisers young and old deserve to sail aboard her.
Room with a View: Inside staterooms boast a "virtual" porthole.
Photo-illustration courtesy of Disney Cruise Line.
One of these "little details" can be found in the ship's inside staterooms, which feature a "virtual" porthole. Essentially the same size as an actual porthole, these windows to the world are video screens featuring a live view captured via external cameras mounted to the ship. Which would be cool enough, but Disney has taken things a step further: if your cabin is all the way forward, starboard side, you will see the views from the forward, starboard side cameras. If your cabin is aft and port, you will see the views from the aft, port side cameras. This fascinating feature is something designers clearly didn't have to do - but chose to anyway. And that's what makes this ship special.
Other niceties: Disney's famous segmented bathrooms are back, and better than ever. Designed with families in mind, these offer separated bath and toilet areas, ensuring the room can be used by multiple people at once - perfect for families trying to get ready for a day ashore.
Cruisers without kids need not feel left out - in fact, they're just as welcome aboard Disney as any other line, and Disney Dream takes this one step beyond the line's other ships, in offering more dedicated adult venues, dining areas, bars and a total knockout of a spa.
If you've already sailed with Disney, chances are you need no convincing. If you haven't, there's never been a better time (or ship) to get your feet wet with The Mouse.
Grandeur of the Seas in Key West, Florida.
Photo © Aaron Saunders
After serving on a variety of Caribbean runs for the past several years, Royal Caribbean's 1996-built, 916-foot long Grandeur of the Seas is poised to sail a different part of the world next summer: the Mediterranean. On April 24, 2011, she will set sail from Colon, Panama bound for Spain - and there's reason to be excited.
Grandeur of the Seas is part of the Vision-class ships, which were considered groundbreaking upon their launch in the mid-1990's. They were also known as "ships of light", thanks to their enormous amount of glass, floor-to-ceiling windows. In fact, it's difficult to find a public room aboard Grandeur that doesn't feature expansive views of the ocean and its surroundings.
The original "ships of light" still retain their expansive views.
Photo © Aaron Saunders
The atrium, aft through the Schooner Bar, the dining room, and even the aft show lounge, are adorned in windows that seemingly never end. The Windjammer Cafe, all the way forward, features wraparound windows. Even the solarium pool is suitably sun-drenched. Sadly, this once popular feature is rapidly disappearing from many newer ships, some of which have public rooms with no windows at all.
While she might have been built fourteen years ago, Grandeur of the Seas still sparkles, and her future with the line seems secure given this redeployment to such a lucrative run. For the Mediterranean, dotted with islands and inlets seemingly every nautical mile, you'd be hard-pressed to pick a better ship to sail on.
Norwegian Sun at Canada Place in Vancouver, BC.
Photo © Aaron Saunders
Another favorite blazing new trails in Europe is Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Sun. Formerly a staple of the Alaska "Inside Passage" run, NCL shook things up by deploying the 848-foot long ship to the Baltics for the 2010 summer season. Her initial season in Europe was so successful that the line is bringing her back to the region next summer.
Fine dining at Le Bistro, high up on Deck 12.
Photo © Aaron Saunders
So why consider the Norwegian Sun? While she may not have a bowling alley or "bar central" like her newer fleetmates, the Sun does have a lot going for it: she has an astounding amount of outer deck space, perfect for watching the fjords drift by. She also boasts all the expected specialty restaurants frequent NCL guests have come to want and expect. Our personal favorite was Pacific Heights; tucked away on the port side of Deck 11 just aft of the midships pool, our meals here were delicious - and free.
Although purpose-built for NCL's "Freestyle Cruising", in many ways the ship is the perfect blend of the old and the new NCL: public rooms and decks still retain the "old" NCL names, such as Oslo Deck or Dazzles Disco, but without the odd mishmash of designs brought on by constant refits like the older Norwegian Wind and Norwegian Dream. The ship also boasts a number of comfortable public rooms, including many situated around the soaring, eleven-story atrium.
In the end, she is a comfortable, reliable ship that's perfect for those looking to explore the mysteries of Northern Europe for the first time.
Queen Elizabeth - Cunard Line
Queen Elizabeth arrives in Southampton, UK for the first time.
Photo courtesy of Cunard Line
Don't count Cunard out. The venerable line, which was very near death until its purchase by Carnival Corporation PLC in 1998, is experiencing another successful chapter in its long and storied history. With a fleet of three popular ships, including the majestic flagship and modern legend in her own right, RMS Queen Mary 2, things are looking up for the line that pioneered transatlantic travel.
The newly-launched Queen Elizabeth seems poised to ensure that success continues.
When her earlier sister ship Queen Victoria was launched, some lamented that, unlike QM2 - which was wholly original in design - Queen Victoria was built on a modified Vista-class platform, originally designed for Holland America Line's Zuiderdam. More concerning to Cunard loyalists was the fact that the Vista-class itself was essentially derived from Carnival's Spirit-class ships.
When Queen Victoria launched though, passengers were forced to concede it was worthy of the Cunard name. But there were improvements that could be made. With the launch of Queen Elizabeth this year, it seems Cunard has made good on those modifications.
The revised - and more open - Britannia restaurant.
Photo-illustration courtesy of Cunard Line
The ship still incorporates the traits and classic styling that have made Cunard so popular, but very much like the above Disney Dream, it does so with a modern twist. The once claustrophobic Britannia Dining Room has been redesigned and enlarged, creating a much more welcoming space than on her predecessor. Interiors have also been given a more art deco feel, paying homage to the original RMS Queen Elizabeth and her famous successor, Queen Elizabeth 2.
The 964-foot long ship also boasts a new covered games deck and while it's unlikely many North American passengers will know what to do with the croquet balls provided, you have to applaud the line for recognizing its uniquely British heritage and thinking outside the box at the same time. A spectacular spa, numerous bars and entertainment venues and a wide array of comfortable accommodation round out the mix. Passengers who opt for the upper-category Grills accommodations will also have use of two strategically placed telescopes, perfect for arrivals and departures.
If you haven't had the privilege of sailing with Cunard, but are put off by the immense size of the QM2, Queen Elizabeth serves as a fantastic introduction to the line.
Intrigued? Visit each of the above lines for more information on their respective ships.
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