Tom Stieghorst
One of my favorite ways to break a lull in the conversation is to ask someone: "What are you looking forward to?"
The question always generates some positive feelings and often leads to new appreciation for the person I'm speaking with.
As we enter the second half of 2019, there's a lot to look forward to in the cruise world. Here are 10 things, in no particular order, that I'm getting excited about as I think about the balance of the calendar year.
Seabourn Ovation: For the first time in seven years I'll be sailing on Seabourn (thanks for keeping after me, Rick Meadows). It will be interesting to see how my 2012 memories of the 450-passenger Seabourn Quest stack up to my 2019 experience on the 600-passenger Ovation.
Hurtigruten and Hapag-Lloyd: Both lines will have new expedition ships, the radical-looking Roald Amundsen from Hurtigruten and the more classic-contemporary Hanseatic Inspiration from Hapag-Lloyd. These two lines are full of fresh thinking, and I'm excited to see what they've cooked up with their designs.
Ocean Cay: MSC Cruises' private island and marine reserve opens (at last) in November. Late nights on a private island will be a new experience for Caribbean cruises.
Norwegian Encore: I had a preview tasting of the menu for Onda by Scarpetta, which will debut on Encore in November, and if the ship's version of short-rib agnolotti is anything like the one I had landside in Miami, there will be lines.
Windstar: The three yacht-like sister ships get stretched, starting with the Star Breeze in October. Bigger isn't always better, but I think these 212-passenger ships could be cooler at 312 passengers, while still being small-ish.
Carnival Panorama: There's something about that name Panorama combined with the historic Spruce Goose dome that Carnival Cruise Line uses for a terminal in Long Beach, Calif., that makes this December debut seem special.
Better internet: Continual improvement of the internet services at sea has been one of the best developments in the industry in recent years, and I'm curious to see how it will get better (cheaper?) than it is now.
Sky Princess: I've watched the YouTube animated rendering of the 1,800 square foot Sky Suite on the new Princess ship debuting in October. But I still don't think I'll have a feel for it until I take a walk-through. I love the terrace-like look of the balcony, though.
Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection: I recently saw the Yacht Collection's president, Doug Prothero, and he said the names for the first two ships are coming, along with some other developments. Panorama is already taken, but I hope these ships are going to get some sort of Eustace-Tilley-meets-James-Bond names that will set them apart.
Surprises: That's what Royal Caribbean International president Michael Bayley says are in store, and I can't wait. First up is the next Perfect Day location, which I'm guessing will be known by Labor Day.