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blog https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/ It’s Showtime! https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/it-s-showtime/ Cruiseships entertainment is true variety offering everything from dance performances and jazz bands to talent shows with DJ and circus skills for teens, tea dances for seniors and kiddie discos. 
<img src="https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/assets/Showtime-1.png" width="564" height="317" alt="" title=""/><img src="https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600400-Showtime-3.png" width="600" height="400" alt="" title=""/>
On a typical cruise, modern entertainment will span a huge range of family options in true variety style. There may be a comedian, a magician and a trio of classical musicians, a singer belting out power ballads, a tribute act and a ballroom dance performance. Murder Mystery Nights are popular too as are celebrity talks and One Man Shows.And with a growing number of families on cruise ships,special guests can be a famous face from Nickelodeon, TikTok or anime. 
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For adults aboard a luxury cruise, the evening tends to start with wining, dining and the fine art of conversation and often leads to a Broadway-style show, live music, movie or dancing. The mood is social, convivial and relaxed and most passengers make new travel companions and friends during their trip - many arrange to meet back the next year. 
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Small vessels are generally more low key, laidback and intimate with the larger 4,000-passenger-plus mega-ships more uptempo. Most people however, unless they have run themselves ragged on an onshore excursion, will enjoy pre-dinner cocktails or champagne and share a meal even if they don’t party until dawn. Theres a good atmosphere from around 5.30pm, when the lounges start to hum with activity as sunset approaches. If your ship has a formal night, this is considered a real highlight. 
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Every ship has its own music preferences but you can generally expect to find a duo or two playing standards and contemporary hits in the lounges before- and after dinner. Piano bars are common, while larger ships often have more musicians aboard and multi-piece live bands. Some Caribbean cruises have an in-house steel band or a calypso-style tribute band that can cover any pop song you can imagine - Caribbean style. Some ships have small orchestras, others a harpist. Every cruise ship has a casino and most have a cigar bar. All of the larger liners have theatres, which tend to focus on cabaret-style entertainment, such as hypnotists or acts that sing medleys from well-known Broadway shows. And, don't forget about the crew show. Just about every ship offers up one of these once per itinerary. It's an opportunity for you to witness the hidden talents of the ship's crew and officers - it’s also a hoot!
<img src="https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600450-Showtime-7.png" width="600" height="450" alt="" title=""/> Sat, 10 Jul 2021 05:30:44 +0000 https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/it-s-showtime/ Food Glorious Food https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/food-glorious-food/ Delectable produce, exquisite flavours and gastronomic menus are synonymous with luxury cruises where an unparalleled variety of cuisine is readily available 24/7 
On almost all cruise ships, food is included in the ticket price and this adds to the stress-free decadence of the dining experience. Food is plentiful, and easily (read: always) available with themed restaurants, casual diners, buffets and formal dining all there to be enjoyed. The accessibility, scale and variety of food ensures there is something for every passenger, from the vegan snacker and the carnivore traditionalist to the faddy toddler, big eater and gourmands. Some cruise ship dining remains an elegant affair taking place three meals a day plus an option for an afternoon snack served during tea time - though this is rare now. The trend now is to allow diners to dine whenever they want, from basic meal service all the way up to luxury specialty dining experiences. 
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When dining in the Main Restaurant, there are usually two dinner seatings each evening: at 6 pm and 8/8:30 pm. Most Main Restaurants offer a range of traditional American and Continental dishes served in a large, banquet-style room.
Less formal dining venues serve casual fare and this usually a buffet, pizzeria, poolside grill or even a New York style hot dog cart.
Complimentary room service is becoming more common although some cruise ships charge $3.95 per room service order delivered between midnight and 5 am. 
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The addition of speciality restaurants is a new trend in cruise dining and generally provides superior service in showcase decor. Examples include Carnival's steakhouses, Holland America's Pinnacle Grill, Princess' Share, Crown Grill and Sabatini's, and Disney's Remy and Palo. 
<img src="https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600398-FoodGlorious-4.png" width="600" height="398" alt="" title=""/>
Open seating has been a feature of the cruise scene for decades though some are now offering assigned seating too. Cruise lines that offer open seating in the main dining room include Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Hurtigruten, Norwegian, Oceania, Paul Gauguin, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, SeaDream, Star Clippers, Uniworld, Viking, Windstar and the luxury lines. Breakfast and lunch are usually open seating. Note that several of the cruise lines listed above — Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean — offer both assigned seating and open seating. 
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Only formal dining requires the decorum and dress standards of bygone Cruises, all other food options can be enjoyed casual clothing. Traditionally, cruise lines set aside one evening on a 7-night cruise for a formal night, when cocktail dresses and evening wear are expected. On lines such as Princess, Cunard, Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea, men tend to wear tuxedoes on formal night with women in glamorous dresses of silk, sequins and shimmer. 
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Dining Options 
<ul style="font-size:15px;"><li>Sit-down meals served by wait staff in the main dining room</li>
<li>Serve yourself buffet</li>
<li>Formal dining, often on one night of the cruise on many ships </li>
<li>24-hour dining venue </li>
<li>Room service </li>
<li>Poolside grill</li>
<li>Outdoor dining at night around the pool deck</li>
<li>Balcony dining</li>
<li>Special dining with the chef events &amp; wine-pairing events </li>
<li>Rotational dining, where the room literally moves, as on Disney Cruise Line</li>
<li>Coffee bar (with cakes and pastries) </li>
</ul><img src="https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/assets/FoodGlorious-7.png" width="508" height="381" alt="" title=""/>
Typically, alcoholic drinks are not included in the cruise fare, though there may be exceptions to this on special party nights when a signature welcome cocktail is served.
<img src="https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600338-FoodGlorious-8.png" width="600" height="338" alt="" title=""/><img src="https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600338-FoodGlorious-9.png" width="600" height="338" alt="" title=""/> Thu, 08 Jul 2021 06:54:48 +0000 https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/food-glorious-food/ WE ARE FAMILY https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/we-are-family/ From babies and tiny tots to tweens, teens, parents and grandparents, the magic of family time together on a cruise vacation can start a life long passion for the sea. 
Cruise ships are perfect for the growing trend for tri-generation holidays, as they have been carefully designed with the whole family in mind. Family comes first aboard ship with every little detail taken care of to ensure everyone has unforgettable family holiday, from tiny tots to teens, grandma and grandpa. 
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Family cruising is also surprisingly cost-effective as everything - hotel, travel, food and onboard activities - are included in one price. There are family cruisesto suit every budget, from family-friendly staterooms to suites. And withonboard activities that run from slides, pools, splash parks and kiddie fun fairs to rock climbing, ice skating, surfing, ziplining, video games and teen spas - family cruises give everyone exactly what they want. 
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Onboard dining options cater for every taste from picky toddlers and faddy tweens to elegant fine dining.So if some members of your family want pizza fingers, and others want vegan falafel, those who are yearning for lobster and a bottle of Sancerre, or a Mexican buffet, don’t need to miss out. Seriously, most cruise liners have enough dining options to whiz your taste buds around the world several times on a global gastronomic tour. 
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Kids Clubs and Teen Adventures offer little ones and older kids their own thrills and spills each day, allowing the adults to do their own thing. Carefully created Summer School Holiday Cruise itIneraries are certain to make the most of fun-filled family getaways with activities that run from dodgeball and cupcake decorating to learning to juggle at Circus School with plenty of oh-so-cool themed parties and live music events. Newer ships are generally best for longer family stays as the facilities were designed for families from the outset, not just adapted. Newer vessels also tend to be bigger, offering more space for fun activities, such as bowling alleys, elaborate water parks with massive slides, ropes courses, bumper cars and surfing and skydiving simulators. These larger cruise liners are also likely to have the best pick of dining options, family-specific cabins and the latest brand-name partnerships. Excellent Broadway-style shows in the evenings will keep the older crowd engaged while a babysitting service takes care of the tots and the teens enjoy the soda bar, cinema and DJ Academy. Sat, 03 Jul 2021 07:37:51 +0000 https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/we-are-family/ Vitamin Sea https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/vitamin-sea/ Treat your body to the restorative health-giving curative properties of the ocean at a cruise ship spa to soothe tired, aching limbs and stressed-out skin with rejuvenating sea-salt scrubs, marine algae wraps and mineral-rich seaweed facials. 
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There’s something about the soothing effects of the sea that relaxes mind and body, which is why cruise ship spas are so high in demand. Standards are impeccable, spa techniques sublime and every cruise-goer who books spa time always wishes they’d booked out more. Twenty years ago a spa on a cruise ship was an afterthought; today it is a key component to any cruise vacation. Spas for men, hip teen spas and delectable therapies for mature skin and mums-to-be ensure a sizeable therapy menu offers pampering to every member of the family. From reflexology, soothing massage, refreshing facials, revitalising beauty and wellness therapies where hot stones, aromatherapy oils, shells and syncopated kneading work their magic. 
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Nutritional consultations and dietary advice promote a ‘beauty from within’ ethos. Medical wellbeing staff may also offer anti-wrinkle treatments in quick and painless non-surgicalproceduresthat bring lasting results to keep the holiday glow once you’re home. 
Teen spas cater 100% for teenagers from hip hairstyles and on-trend make-up artistryto glitzy pedicures, yoga and hip-hop fitness classes. 
<img src="https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600398-Vitamin-Sea-4.png" width="600" height="398" alt="" title=""/>
Special therapies for men, include sports massages for relieve deep tissue and restorative therapies to loosen a tired golf swing. Mature skin, post pregnancy muscle tone, blemishes, fatigued limbs, aches and arthritic joints all have a therapeutic solution though if you simply yearn to unwind in a tranquil space away from the excitement of the ship, the spa guarantees you the ultimate indulgence - namely, relaxation. 
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Thermal suites and Thalassotherapy Pools also promote ‘Solus Por Aqua’ - the powerful use of water in good health from which the spa acronym derived. Different water temperatures, and pools of different mineral composition, can ease a multitude of discomforts, from rheumatoid conditions, circulatory complaints and painful joints to poor digestion. From here, take the time to relish the peacefulness of a dimly lit Chill Room to be soothed by the barely audible calming tunes in a lullaby whisper where cucumber infused water, berry smoothies and lavender and camomile tea are sure to aid restful slumber.
<img src="https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/assets/_resampled/resizedimage600450-Vitamin-Sea-6.png" width="600" height="450" alt="" title=""/> Sat, 03 Jul 2021 07:23:22 +0000 https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/vitamin-sea/ SHIP SHAPE https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/ship-shape/ When you’re not ashore exploring, there are plenty of ways to stay fit and active aboard ship, from incredible classes and activities to dance sessions, jogging trails and deck treks. 
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While the whole “gain 2lbs a day on a cruise” is something of an urban legend,there is no denying that cruise ships are synonymous with relaxation and culinary indulgence. However modern liners are increasingly dedicating more space to gyms, and fitness amenities outfitting them with state-of-the-art equipment - from Kinesis walls, Pilates reformers and Zumba studios to high-tech cardio equipment with video screens attached. There are also plenty of alternatives for health-seekers that don’t enjoy the gym, from celebrity-led fitness classes to guidedstrolls around the deck neither of which involve a dumbbell. 
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Strengthening, calming and energisingfitness choices include yoga and toning while on deck classes make the most of the wraparound promenade. If a dip is more your thing, then splashing through a few lengths of the pool will do the trick. Aqua aerobic sessions and poolside HIT are other options with a growing number of cruise ship simulators providing a virtual golf course at sea. 
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For the traditionalists, there are usually shuffleboard and deck quoits right out of the nostalgic golden age of cruising. Feeling more physical? Then head to the sports court for a game of fast-paced tennis or to shoot somehoops. Some ships run spinning classes that benefit from expansive views across the front of the ship - a welcome distraction from thigh burn and sweat!You can swing a kettlebell, hop on a cross-trainer or enjoy a one-on-one workout session with your very own PT. 
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Looking for something more fun? Some cruise ships are equipped with a surf simulator that is great for core strength and balance.Other options could be rock-climbing walls, tango or salsa dancing, fencing or making use of the running track that every cruise ship has on deck.Few jogsare as enjoyable as those on a cruise vessel when the sun is coming up or going down.Slower paced circuits are often offered as a ‘Deck Trek’ to allow a fabulous walk-and-talk on a backdrop of sparkling seain an activity that mixes socialising with gentle exertion.
Cruise companies have responded to requests for healthy food choices in recent years by offering vegetarian, vegan, low-fat, gluten-free and sugar-free options in their main dining rooms – and there are now plenty more juice bars onboard too. Many even have menus that contain the calories for each menu item, which are available on request if you really are determined not to pile on a pound. Sat, 03 Jul 2021 07:05:26 +0000 https://caribbeanworld-magazine.com/caribbean-world-cruises/on-board/ship-shape/