Europe | Royal Caribbean Connect

Adam’s Favorites: Insights into Adam’s Favorite Cruise Activities, Vacation Style and Favorite Destinations

In a week I’ll be on Oasis of the Seas for several nights. You’ll see this afterwards and most likely I will comment on what actually transpires during my trip. Here are some pre-cruise thoughts.

People inside and outside the industry ask me questions such as “Do you like to cruise?”, “How often do you cruise?”, “What do you do on a cruise?”, “What is your favorite cruise?” and “What else do you do for vacation?” So here are my short answers to those questions.

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The Puzzle of Placing Ships: Adam Takes a Look at the 2012 Deployment

Another year of Royal Caribbean International deployment is open, in this case from the spring of 2012 to the spring of 2013. Deployment means the placement of the ships on itineraries every day of the year except for when they are in dry-dock. Deployment is one of the most important and time-consuming processes we undertake each year. It is one of the most secretive processes we engage in while it is in process, and then one of the most publicized after we are finished.

Everyone cares about deployment – shareholders, customers, employees and communities. These are the same four constituencies we mention in our corporate vision statement. One of my occasional guest bloggers, Chris Allen, is Director of Deployment and Itinerary Planning. He oversees a small but ace team of experts who coordinate amongst numerous departments internally and with hundreds of ports externally to identify the right place for each ship on each day of each year. His team is charged with understanding the economics (i.e., profitability) of every decision we make with our fleet. As if that were not enough, another team led by Jason Liberty, our VP of Corporate Planning, evaluates ship profitability from its own perspective.

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Which New Voyager of the Seas Port is on Your Must-See List?

Voyager of the Seas is embarking on a new cruise itinerary this summer and many of her ports of call will be new to the Royal Caribbean International brand. In this blog entry, I have asked Patrick Schneider, Director, Shore Excursions, to update you on some of the highlights of the tour program that will be offered for guests cruising on Voyager of the Seas this summer. Patrick is one of the leaders in Craig Milan’s Land Operations group.

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My primary responsibility as Director, Shore Excursions, is to oversee a team of Account Managers who identify and develop the tour programs offered worldwide on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. We have added several new ports to our cruise itineraries this summer, several of which are included on Voyager of the Seas’ sailings. I recently returned from a site inspection of many of these ports and wanted to provide an update on the experiences awaiting our guests this summer.

We conduct site inspections for several reasons and one of those is to visit new ports we’ll be calling to frequently in the coming months. The goal of a site inspection may vary but it’s often focused on reviewing the operation with the local tour operators who will be conducting tours for our guests. We visit the venues, port facilities, downtown areas, etc. that our guests will be visiting. We work with experienced and reputable tour operators and through collaboration with these professionals, it’s quite common to develop several additional ideas for tour products we believe our guests will find interesting.

During the recent site inspection, we visited five of the ports Voyager of the Seas will be calling on in 2011.

Koper, Slovenia is this modern-day country’s only commercial outlet to the Adriatic Sea. I’m excited about this port in particular, as it is relatively unknown to most of our guests, and it has so much to offer. The local population is thrilled to welcome our guests, and the town of Koper is such a wonderful experience right next to the ship. However, the port is just a gateway to so many other interesting and unique venues. It is quite a fascinating country, offering a new experience in Southern European cruise destinations. There are several interesting things for guests to visit, many of which are outside the town of Koper, including the town of Bled and Lake Bled, which have existed for over a thousand years. Or guests can visit the picturesque Karst region of Slovenia which is a short distance from the Slovenian/Italian border and is home to the Lipica Stud Farm, founded in 1580 and for over four centuries, has nurtured the tradition of breeding and selecting thoroughbred Lipizzaner horses. Or guests can explore the Postojna Cave which has well-kept paths making it a horizontal cave, and is quite impressive. There is also a unique tour available so guests can explore Slovenian heritage on display through various festivals in small towns. The tour will visit various festivals based on the local schedule. Examples of the festivals to be visited during the 2011 season are the Cherries Festival, Festival of Prosciutto & Wine, Festival of Plums, Fisherman’s Festival, Salt Festival, and Medieval Festival.

Located on the Adriatic coast in northeast Italy, Ravenna was briefly the capital of the Roman Empire and later the Italian capital of the Byzantine Empire. During this time, incredible mosaics were constructed throughout the city. Described as a symphony of color in Dante’s Divine Comedy, Ravenna’s well-preserved mosaics are some of the finest remaining in the western world and it is home to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The history and significance of Ravenna is often overlooked, and the walking tours with the guides really bring it into perspective. It is also a gateway to two major Italian cities, Bologna and Florence (and Voyager remains in Ravenna long enough to for guests to visit to Florence, which is a first for ships in the Adriatic). Bologna, approximately 75 minutes from Ravenna, was once an ancient Etruscan settlement and within its walls the first university of the world was established in the 11th century. In its charming historical center, many ancient palaces and churches stand as a witness to the cultural relevance that Bologna has had over the course of time. I would categorize Bologna as a ‘don’t miss’ Italian city – once you have wandered its streets and understood its history (it has the two towers that are over 10 stories tall and date back almost 1000 years – right in the middle of the city!), you will want to come back to visit it again. Of course, one of my personal favorite attractions from this port would be the Ferrari and Lamborghini museums, with the added bonus of actually going onto the production floor of the Lamborghini factory and watching them assemble these famous cars by hand.

A principal harbor for over two thousand years, Bari, Italy is a charming city on the Adriatic coast. The old town, Barivecchia, is cherished for its medieval characteristics and buildings. For me, it is more about the region than just the town, however. What struck me most about Bari and the surrounding area was its ‘old school’ atmosphere of Italy. You can go to the downtown area and the women are still making pasta outside their houses, visit the unique trulli houses in Alberobello, and then there are olive tree plantations where some of the olive trees are up to 2,000 years old – and still producing olives. Imagine that – the region has been able to sustain these olive plantations through so many different civilizations.

For guests who may have visited Venice, Italy before, there are always new experiences to be had in the city that is composed of 117 islands in the Venetian Lagoon and held together by a series of canals. While Venice is a very well-known city, it is hard to understand it without exploring it thoroughly. It is a maze of pathways, with no vehicles driving around, just lots of people! As you explore, and think of the history of the city, why it developed, how it was developed (fascinating in its own right!), and how much influence it had on Europe’s development, you really start to feel the mystique. I do think there is a lot of value to taking a tour, and then spending time delving deeper into the towns, exploring the various squares and neighborhoods. We offer an after hours visit to the famous St. Mark’s Basilica, appropriately titled St. Mark’s Basilica After Hours. St. Mark’s is one of the most popular and visited sites in the city and is crowded with visitors during the day but it becomes a silent temple of worship as the evening falls and guests can experience this reverential peace. Most visitors catch only a glimpse of Venice which may provide a very superficial picture of the city. There is far more to see in Venice than the traditional sight of St. Mark’s and our Secret Venice Walking Tour will take guests deep into Venice’s intricate maze of hidden pedestrian passageways on a 2.5-hour guided walk, plunging into the bustle of everyday Venetian life.

Couple Biking in Dubrovnik, Croatia Dubrovnik, Croatia is most famous for its old city and walls which have been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. Dubrovnik has recently become a highlight port for many European itineraries, and there is no question it is worth all of the hype. However, the villages near Dubrovnik give our guests a much more comprehensive understanding of the lifestyles of Croatians, as well as a great view of the amazing coastline. Visiting the old city is a must for first-time visitors and we offer multiple tours that include or entirely focus on the walled city, but our local tour operator has also put together some great full day options that enable our guests to see both the city and also experience other parts of the country. For returning visitors, the resort town of Cavtat is a charming example of a seaside town and the views along the Dalmatian coastline are fantastic. One unique way to experience this is on the Konavle 4WD Safari which allows you to explore areas of Dubrovnik, not often visited by tourists, as well as some of the most beautiful parts of the Croatian countryside. Or try the Bike Adventure in Konavle Valley for a scenic ride through the countryside, vineyards and along the Ljuta River.

I’ve only covered some of the highlights in this blog – each of these ports has much more to offer. Visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/ShoreEx for more details on the tours and venues referenced in this blog as well as all the other exciting options available. Guests looking for a new and unique experience will have plenty to talk about after cruising on Voyager of the Seas this summer and experiencing all that these ports have to offer.

Become One with the Wilderness and Explore an Alaska Cruisetour

In my role as Senior Vice President, Land Operations, I am privileged to oversee many aspects of our business designed to help you have the best vacation experience possible. This department includes our port operations team who assist you in embarking and debarking our ships, the Shore Excursions team who provide you with many opportunities to experience our ports during your cruise and our cruisetours team which offers you a combination land and sea vacation package designed to take your vacation to another level. The cruisetour products are what I’d like to chat with you about today.

Our cruisetour product is a combination cruise and land vacation package that takes you into the heart of Alaska, Canadian Rockies, Europe, Australia/New Zealand and Dubai, many of them can be taken before or after select cruises. With over 600,000 square miles of pure, unadulterated wilderness, Alaska is by far the most popular of all the destinations our cruisetours visit. In over 20 years of experience in the travel industry, no place that I have traveled is as stunningly beautiful or as captivating as the state of Alaska.

I’ve visited Alaska many times, and each time I discover even more of its splendor. To see the sun rise over snowcapped mountains that have a valley of green trees underneath is just indescribable. The beauty of the state is only matched by its people. They are warm and friendly, open to sharing stories about their life in Alaska to anyone willing to listen. It amazes me how well these residents care for their state. Those who live in Alaska love the land, the animals and its vast resources using only what they need for survival while giving back to the fragile, yet thriving, ecosystem. Since I spend a great deal of time outdoors cycling or swimming and enjoying our environment, I value that mindset.

For those of us that appreciate the outdoors and exploration, an Alaska Cruisetour that includes a visit to Denali National Park, the third largest national park in the U.S., is a must! The park has nearly 5 million acres of land surrounding the majestic Mount Denali (also known as Mount McKinley). We offer tours into the park varying from 3 – 8 hours in length so you can take in all of its sites from the mountains to the animals. In fact, during the 2011 and 2012 Alaska seasons 90% of our cruisetour packages venture into Denali affording you many opportunities to see the magnificent park no matter the length of your cruisetour vacation.

Our cruisetour packages also visit many other cities and towns in Alaska, such as Talkeetna, a small, quaint town best for exploring Alaska from the air with flight-seeing tours, by water with white water rafting, or by staying in town to enjoy the great restaurants and local lore – I prefer the Alaskan King Crab legs at the Talkeetna Alaskan Lodge. Seward, an old fishing village, offers you the opportunity to explore and learn about the local marine life, especially at the Alaska SeaLife Center; Alyeska where you can check into the exquisitely appointed Hotel Alyeska and dine atop Mt. Alyeska amidst the stunning scenery surrounding you at the Seven Glaciers Restaurant. Be sure to make reservations ahead of time as this extraordinary dining experience is not to be missed. Of course we also visit Anchorage for those of us that desire a touch of city with our Alaskan wilderness.

Most people think the ideal time to visit Alaska would be early in the season, but there’s a little known secret I’ll share with you. The late season, which runs mid-August until mid-September, is also an ideal time to visit Alaska. During this time you are more likely to see animals, there will be fewer crowds, and there’s a very good chance of seeing the Northern Lights. Our Alaska Cruisetours are a great value for all budgets, with our included features such as a Tour Director that acts as your personal concierge, smaller more intimate groups of guests traveling together, your hotel accommodations, all land transportation, and more! Whether you are ready to travel to Alaska this summer or looking to plan your 2012 Alaska vacation, we hope you will book an Alaska Cruisetour and explore this beautiful state by sea and land. Perhaps I’ll see you there on my next visit.

5 Distinct European Flavors Everyone Should Try Once

Introduction by Adam Goldstein

As we have been reporting, we will have eleven ships cruising in Europe this summer visiting 85 ports in 34 countries which provides so many opportunities to visit this fascinating region of the world. In this blog entry, I have asked Patrick Schneider, Director, Shore Excursions, to update you on some of the highlights of the tour program that will be offered for guests visiting Europe this summer. Patrick is one of the leaders in Craig Milan’s Land Operations group.

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Guest blog by Patrick Shneider

My primary responsibility as Director, Shore Excursions, is to oversee a team of Account Managers who identify and develop the tour programs offered worldwide on Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises. I am passionate about providing our guests the opportunity to experience amazing cultures around the world, to try new things they never thought they would and to simply escape from their day to day routine. As a former Shore Excursion Manager onboard Celebrity Cruises, I spent several seasons cruising in Europe and learned to love this wildly diverse region for its culture, history, architecture, and people. In my current role, I travel to Europe periodically for onsite inspections and always find a new place to visit or a new experience to try, regardless of how many times I’ve been there before.

Since there are so many things to see and do in Europe I wanted to use this blog to share some of my destination and tour recommendations to help first time and returning visitors select ports and cities. While there are many options for exploring Europe during a cruise vacation, from exploring on your own to hiring a tour guide, my following recommendations highlight great tours that we offer.

Whatever you decide, the main point is to take advantage of the unique occasion to experience something different, and learn all sorts of new things!

First-time visitors to the amazing city of Rome, Italy via the port of Civitavecchia will undoubtedly want to experience the famous landmarks they’ve read and heard about. Rome has an atmosphere and mystique around it, which envelopes its visitors. It has such a deep and interesting history that even if you have visited the city before, you can go back and see something new. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience one of Europe’s most influential cities! Venues in Rome can be split into religious and secular options with some qualifying as both. The “Rome, the Eternal City” tour offers a religious overview of the city with visits to the Vatican Museum, Sistine Chapel, St. Peter’s Basilica and Colosseum while our “Imperial Rome” tour offers a secular perspective with stops at the Colosseum, Roman Forum and St. Peter’s Basilica. Guests who are returning to this port may want to experience something outside of Rome. The “Olive Oil Tasting & Scenic Drive” is perfect for guests who would like to take in the flavors and history of Etruscan Italy and enjoy the taste of typical Italian products, all homemade in a typical farmhouse located in the beautiful countryside of Tuscania. And for the chef (or want-to-be chef), try your hand at making three types of pasta on the “Pasta Making Experience & Lunch” tour before enjoying a five-course meal with several courses of pasta. Having just returned from a trip to Italy, believe me that there is nothing like Italian pasta. Well, except fresh mozzarella or pizza or wine or homemade olive oil or….

Corfu, Greece is on an island and is the most westerly point of Greece. For me, Corfu is a perfect example as to why the Greek Islands are so sought after as a premier vacation destination. It is full of beautiful scenic views, and has an air of relaxation around it. Even if you just go into the town and walk around, you can feel your stress just melt away. One of the highlights of Corfu is the Achilleion Palace, built by the Empress Elizabeth ‘Sissy’ of Austria in 1891 and later owned by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany. And one of the most beautiful spots on the island, celebrated for its unique and natural beauty, is the Bay of Paleokastritsa, known as the Capri of Greece. Both of which can be experienced on the “Achilleion Palace, Paleokastritsa & Old Town” tour. Guests looking for a more low-key experience will love the beaches of Corfu found in the “Dassia Beach Hotel Package.”

Guests returning to Europe will find the country of Israel fascinating. It is hard to compare this country with any of our other destinations, when you think of the number of different cultures that have inhabited the region. What I found most surprising and interesting during my visits were all of the different phases the area has gone through – and that you can explore all of these from the ports we visit. Royal Caribbean International visits two ports in Israel to provide guests with a comprehensive experience of the country. The most popular activity from Haifa, Israel is to visit Galilee, the scene of Christ’s youth where Jesus was baptized, preached and performed many of His miracles. Other popular sites include the River Jordan, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Church of Multiplication, and Nazareth, which are all visited during our “Nazareth and Galilee – Jesus Ministry” tour. Guests looking for another unique spiritual tour will enjoy learning about Kabbalah on a tour to its birthplace during “The Saffed Kabbalah Experience.”

From Ashdod, Israel, the most popular destinations are Jerusalem and Bethlehem. On the “Jerusalem & Bethlehem” tour, guests will travel to Jerusalem to visit some of the most sacred sites in the world, including the Garden of Gethsemane, the Western or Wailing Wall and the Church of Holy Sepulcher. In Bethlehem, guests will visit the Church of the Nativity. Return visitors will be fascinated by The Dead Sea & Massada excursion. Here visitors can soak up the history of the moving site where Jewish zealots held Roman armies at bay for three years followed by a visit to the the Dead Sea, the lowest point on earth.

Guests who are looking to take full advantage of the two days in Israel can book the “Grand Overland” tour which features Galilee and Jerusalem and many of the sacred sites I mentioned earlier, as well as lunch in a kibbutz and an overnight stay in Jerusalem with an optional tour of the Old City at night.

Guests cruising in Northern Europe will find the ancient city of St. Petersburg, Russia rich in cultural heritage and a masterpiece of architecture. I have to confess that St. Petersburg is one of my favorite European destinations. While its history is not as long as some of the cities in the Mediterranean, it is very rich and displays one of the most impressive periods of the Russian culture. It is simply fascinating to explore these venues and see how much influence and interaction this empire had with other countries. Additionally, the collection of art and artifacts found in these venues is just beautiful. As with most cities in Europe, one day is never enough to fully explore all they have to offer. With St. Petersburg, you’re in luck as many of our cruise itineraries here offer two days in port. Guests can visit their fancy of palaces, cathedrals, museums and much more. On the “Hermitage & Peterhof” tour, guests will visit the Peterhof Palace which is a testament to the pomp, pageantry and extravagance of Russia’s ruling class. Also on this tour is Yusupov’s Palace which became known as the place of Rasputin’s assassination. On the “St. Petersburg Cathedrals” tour, guests will visit St. Isaac’s Cathedral which is one of the world’s largest cathedrals, the Cathedral of Resurrection on Spilled Blood, which was built on the spot where Tsar Alexander II was assassinated, and St. Nicholas Naval Cathedral, which combines the Baroque style with elements of traditional Russian architecture.

Of course, no trip to St. Petersburg would be complete without a visit to the Winter Palace, which is home to the Hermitage Museum. This enormous complex is comprised of five buildings and displays one of the greatest art treasures in the world. Today, the museum contains more than 3 million exhibits, rivaling the Louvre and Prado in architectural, historical and artistic magnificence (after 10 visits to this fascinating museum, I’ve probably only seen 30% of its displayed contents). On the ”Exclusive Hermitage Museum with Gold Room” tour, the highlight is a visit to the Golden Treasury Room which contains the famous Scythian and Greek gold, numerous royal gifts, and a collection of Western European jewelry made by the most prominent jewelers of the time. Guests looking for a perspective on today’s Russia will enjoy the “Local Life Experience: Metro Ride, Kuznechny Market” tour. Or take advantage of the opportunity to visit the home of the Kremlin on the “Journey to Moscow” tour.

I’ve only talked about five of the 85 ports we’re visiting this summer in Europe – if I had unlimited time and space, I could go on for hours about all there is to do in these ports (fortunately for you, that’s not the case). For more details on the tours I referenced and the hundreds of other tours we’re offering, you can visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com/ShoreEx.

Royal Caribbean – Changes to Deployment

Today Royal Caribbean International announced significant changes to the deployment of Mariner of the Seas beginning in early 2011. This is an important announcement and it deserves comment.

First, we will not be offering 15 seven night Mexican Riviera cruises from January 16, 2011 to April 24, 2011 that until now have been open for bookings. I apologize to our customers who had booked on these sailings. We felt obligated to make this change in order to align the ship’s new itineraries with the seasonality of traveling around the southern end of South America as well as the timing of the Brazilian and European cruise seasons. For customers who are affected by this change, we are offering compensation as explained on our website under itinerary updates or you can contact your travel partner for further details.

Second, just to be clear about what Mariner of the Seas will be doing as well as the implications for two of our other ships, here is a summary of the new information:

Mariner of the Seas

On January 16, 2011 Mariner will begin her odyssey to Europe. She will depart from Los Angeles on a special 16-night voyage to Valparaiso, Chile and then continue on as part of an exotic 14-night voyage through the Chilean Fjords, the straits of Magellan and around Cape Horn of Chile and on to Sao Paulo (Santos), Brazil.

Once in Sao Paulo (Santos), Mariner of the Seas will offer a short season of 6-night Brazilian sailings in addition to a special 8-night voyage which will be offered over the Carnaval holiday. On March 13, 2011, Mariner of the Seas will offer a transatlantic sailing from Sao Paulo (Santos) to Rome (Civitavechia). In Rome, Mariner of the Seas will offer a unique 9-night Eastern Mediterranean sailing followed by a series of alternating 12-night Holy Land and Egypt itineraries. This program will be offered from March 27, 2011 to July 10, 2011 and again from September 8, 2011 to October 14, 2011.

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Global Development and More at Royal Caribbean International’s Fleet Operations Leadership Conference

This week is the Royal Caribbean International Fleet Operations Leadership Conference in Orlando. We have many of our Captains and Hotel Directors and some of our Chief Engineers and HR Managers there plus our shoreside leaders and guests from authors to travel agent producers to our onboard retail partners. Richard Fain and I kicked off the conference with a lively Q&A session. What a pleasure it is to be around this group of people. The longevity of some of the Captains is remarkable – several were reminiscing about being on Song of Norway in 1971. The focus of the conference is on the functioning of the shipboard Executive Committees because the success of a ship is a direct reflection of the success of the EC.

There are lots of things to discuss with this group and of course one of them is our continued global development. Among other things we will have 10 of our 22 ships in Europe in the summer of 2011. Just a few years ago we would not have imagined such a scenario. Over the next 90 days we will be releasing all of our itineraries from spring 2011 to spring 2012 for sale.

Almost any crisis in the world affects us. We are saddened by the destruction and casualties in Chile. While we don’t have as much involvement there as we do in Haiti, our sister line Celebrity Cruises operates out of Valparaiso, we are represented in Chile for sales and marketing by Interexpress and we had well over 100 crew there on vacation. While we are not aware of any of our own people who were killed or injured in the earthquake, there are some friends and family who lost their lives. Our thoughts and prayers go out to all Chileans.

On a much more positive note we have now accounted for all of our Haitian crew who were on vacation at the time of the earthquake there. Just after January 12th it seemed like we might not be able to account for dozens of employees. After weeks of little progress we have now made contact with everyone. We are very pleased about this but always mindful that many, many others were not so fortunate.

My “Memorable” Week of International Travel

The final chapter of my tour of our foreign offices is underway. If you have been reading this blog you probably get the idea that I have traveled a lot in my 21+ years at Royal Caribbean. Correct. You might also surmise that some trips are more memorable than others. Right again. This definitely fits into the more memorable category.

The itinerary took a lot of work and maybe a few years off the life of my assistant Marta. The jigsaw puzzle finally looked like this: Monday in London, Tuesday in Oslo, Wednesday in Madrid and Barcelona, Thursday in Frankfurt, Friday in Genoa. Maybe not the best way to enjoy Europe but we have cruises to sell and Oasis of the Seas and many other initiatives to promote. Plus I was long overdue to say hello to my team in Europe.

All of the above would not have pushed this trip into the memorable category. But this did: Sunday morning I wanted to get one more workout in before the trip. I wanted to run my 3.7 mile loop around UM campus in record time. I started at 5:15 a.m. By 2.5 miles I was on 6.45 per mile and I knew I wasn’t going to set my course PR. But I was running fast enough that when I tripped over an unseen barrier alongside the road I wiped out injuring my toe, shoulder, cheek and most of all my ear. I jogged home and my wife did her best to help me. I was a mess. So what does one do under these circumstances with a taxi scheduled to arrive in 45 minutes to take me on a one week European trip?

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