What’s Next for Cruise Ship Design? A Q&A with Expert and Quantum Consultant Tim McGill

June 11, 2013 | By | No Comments

two70 quantum royal caribbean cruise
Working for a partnership that designed casinos, Tim McGill first came into contact with Royal Caribbean International at a gaming panel in Las Vegas in 2005. The panel was held to help Royal Caribbean learn about state-of-the-art land-based gaming. From there, McGill went on to work with Royal Caribbean on its Oasis Class ships.
As part of his work consulting on Quantum of the Seas, McGill has helped develop top-of-the-line spaces, including Two70, a dining, activity and event space designed to accommodate casual diners looking for spectacular views or night owls looking to dance until dawn. Two70 combines architecture and audiovisual to create an engaging atmosphere.
Cruise Critic spoke with McGill about his experience working to create unique spaces onboard cruise ships and what the next thing in cruise ship design might look like.

Learn about the challenges of designing for a ship.

    Category: New Ship Alert
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    Video: Royal Princess Sails into Southampton

    June 10, 2013 | By | No Comments

    To kick off a week of all things Royal Princess, we found this lovely video of the ship arriving in Southampton last Friday.
    The ship will be docked in the port for most of the week, ahead of Thursday’s naming ceremony.

    Read on to find out more about Royal Princess.

      Category: New Ship Alert

      A New Stamp on the Passport

      June 10, 2013 | By | No Comments

      Cruise Norway Excursion
      Maritime travels to Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Caribbean and Mexico have turned Cruise Critic member orangevet and her husband into seasoned cruisers of the western hemisphere. But the couple were in search of something new. Intrigued by Western Europe and the British Isles, they decided to set sail aboard Holland America‘s Ryndam.
      From the overnight accommodations to the bus ride from London to Dover, everything was booked ahead of time. A good night’s sleep at a local bed-and-breakfast had them at port early enough to be the second and third passengers aboard the ship. Antiques, artwork and friendly staff blended to create a refined feel. And their verandah cabin provided just the right dose of relaxation in between all the excursions.
      Read on to explore Norway for yourself.
        Category: Cruise Reviews of the Week

        In Search of a Decent Room Service Breakfast

        June 7, 2013 | By | 10 Comments

        Room Service
        I’ve pictured it a thousand times: sun shining, waves lapping against the side of the ship as I enjoy my perfect breakfast on my cruise balcony. A thousand times. Maybe more. The reality, though, is while nature might have cooperated, I’ve never had the perfect room service breakfast on a cruise. At best, I’ve had so-so room service breakfasts. But mostly, the experience has been disappointing.

        See why our writer is always disappointed with room service breakfast.

          Category: Cruise Food, Dining Week

          Steal of the Week: Cruise Alaska from $40/Night

          June 6, 2013 | By | 1 Comment

          Everyone is looking for the deal of the century. So how do you choose the one that’s right for you? Check the Lido Deck each week to get the scoop on our favorite deals — then grab the phone and pack your bags.
          THE DEAL: Avoya Travel is offering a seven-night Alaska cruise onboard Norwegian Sun, sailing from Whittier to Vancouver on June 24, 2013. Prices start from $279, per person, for an inside cabin. Bonus amenities may include onboard credit, spa credit, specialty dining, reduced deposit, wine and treats.

          See why this is such a bargain … and what you need to know.

            Category: Deal of the Week

            Carnival Memories Come to Life

            June 6, 2013 | By | 2 Comments

            Since we’ve upgraded from instant-film Polaroids and disposable cameras to megapixel smartphones and digital cameras, capturing our cruise memories has become almost effortless. Plus, all the easy-to-use editing tools out there can make anyone feel like a pro.
            Recently, a real pro — Cruise Critic member matthew19, with The Film Poets — has taken it a step further.
            While onboard Carnival Victory, cruising the Southern Caribbean with his family, he captured his memories by filming them. Check out his video entitled Islands of the Caribbean above.
            Have a great shot you’d like to see on our Facebook page? Send your photos to editor@cruisecritic.com.
            Share your memories with us by writing a member review.
            Get your very own Lido Deck subscription.
              Category: Member Media

              Dining Debate: Why I Choose Flexible Dining

              June 6, 2013 | By | 2 Comments

              Norwegian Epic Dining Room
              Even in the Cruise Critic office, our staff disagree on which is better: flexible, anytime dining and assigned-seating, traditional dining. Bring up the subject, and the discussion will get heated! In this pair of blogs, two Cruise Critic editors go head to head, debating the two sides of the dining dilemma. To read the opposing argument, click here.
              When I was between the ages of 5 and 17, adults told me when and where I could eat lunch on weekdays. If I was hungry beforehand or afterward, it was tough luck for me. And, in my household, dinner — every day of the week — was when Mom and Dad said it was.
              Then came college and adulthood, and though I’ve had to schedule around class times or work, I have pretty much been free to pick whatever time I want to eat my meals ever since. So why on earth would I want to go back to being told when I can eat? The answer is, I don’t.

              See why our writer is prefers picking her dining times.

                Category: Cruise Food, Dining Week, Face-Off

                Dining Debate: Why I Choose Assigned Dining

                June 6, 2013 | By | No Comments

                Assigned Dining
                Even in the Cruise Critic office, our staff disagrees on which is better: flexible, anytime dining and assigned-seating, traditional dining. Bring up the subject, and the discussion will get heated! In this pair of blogs, two Cruise Critic editors go head to head, debating the two sides of the dining dilemma. To read the opposing argument, click here.
                I choose assigned dining because I’m a planner. I love assigned dining because cruising, to me, is about relationships.
                As a planner, I outline vacations down to the very last detail because I want to make sure my cruise goes as smoothly as possible with the least amount of effort. I don’t want to settle for a second-choice activity because I didn’t book in advance, and I don’t want to waste precious vacation time stuck in a long line. My brain, taxed to the max from my workday managerial efforts, does not want to put effort into making too many decisions on its week off. (Beer or fruity drink is tough enough.)

                What exactly makes our editor wax poetic about set-time dining? Keep reading to find out.

                  Category: Cruise Food, Dining Week, Face-Off
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