Cruising into the future

The face of cruising is evolving.

By John Pedler
Published: Wednesday, November 6, 2019

What wouldn’t Australia’s early settlers have given for a poolside cinema, surf simulator or a mini-golf course to keep them entertained on their long sea voyage?

Passenger facilities have certainly improved over the past 200 years.

And as the competition among cruise companies heats up, travellers can expect to see even quirkier features adorn the world’s floating resorts. Here are a few of the more recent additions.

A magic portal

Trying to decide between an interior or outside stateroom? Well now there’s a third option – sort of. The wizards of entertainment at Disney have come up with the Magical Porthole.

Interior staterooms on Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy are fitted with circular, porthole-like screens that stream real-time vision from cameras mounted on the ship’s exterior.

Taking the concept to the next level, Royal Caribbean interior staterooms now come with a floor to ceiling virtual balcony, which also includes audio from the outside world. It’s remarkably realistic, so when you return to your cabin at the end of the night, be sure to remember you booked an inside room.

Virtual balcony, Royal Caribbean.
Virtual balcony, Royal Caribbean.

Go-kart track

Passengers, start your engines. Way up on the 19th deck of Norwegian Bliss, zippy go-karts race around a two-level outdoor track at up to 50km/h.

Although their environmentally responsible electric motors are whisper quiet, the throaty roar of a petrol engine can be heard through speakers in the driver’s racing helmet.

From this height the views are stunning, whether you’re out on the open ocean or passing through the jaw-dropping scenery of a Norwegian fiord – adding the extra challenge of keeping your eyes on the road. For more thrills, head out for a session of night racing on the flood-lit circuit.

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The Ultimate Joy Ride south of Baja. #CruiseNorwegian

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Snow worries

An homage to the Scandinavian tradition of enjoying a steaming hot sauna and then inexplicably heading outside to roll in the snow, Viking Ocean Cruises have introduced the Snow Grotto as part of their free spa service.

It might sound harrowing, but standing in the snow after a sauna session is surprisingly invigorating and is said to help detoxify the body. While you’re in the mood for Viking Cruises’ watery delights, take a dip in the infinity pool that hangs off the back of deck seven.

Snow Grotto, Viking Ocean Cruises
Snow Grotto, Viking Ocean Cruises

Bionic bar

Tired of having humans mix your martinis? The good folk at Royal Caribbean have come up with the bionic bar, staffed by state-of-the-art robot bartenders. While they’re not big on conversation, they can whip up a cocktail, mocktail or drink of your choice in a mechanical flurry.

While they have more in common with production-line robots than C-3PO from Star Wars, their agile flourishes are modelled on the movements of skilled dancers, so you get a drink and a show for the one price.

Magic Carpet

The length of a tennis court, the Magic Carpet is a 6 metre wide exterior platform that moves up and down between decks on the outside of Celebrity Edge, the newest ship in the Celebrity fleet.

At deck 16 it’s an alfresco venue for elegant dinners; at pool level it transforms into a lively outdoor bar, and down on the fifth floor it becomes an extension of Raw on 5 seafood restaurant.

At the bottom of its journey, it transforms into a spacious platform for boarding the Edge’s tenders, which are among the most comfortable ship-to-shore transports on the high seas.

Launched in December 2018, Celebrity Edge includes other unique touches, like hot tubs sitting in 6 metre high wineglass-like sculptures overlooking the main pool.

Magic Carpet, Celebrity Edge
Magic Carpet, Celebrity Edge

HUB app

For times when you’re plonked by the pool and don’t want to move, Carnival Cruises has introduced the Pizza Anywhere feature as part of their HUB app. Simply take a selfie, mark your location on the deck plan and ‘place order’.

And, just like that, a pizza will be delivered to you anywhere on the ship. The free app also allows passengers to check out shipboard activities, track on-board spending, view and book shore excursions, and much more.

But surely the star of the show is poolside pizza. Maybe one day there’ll be an app that gently lifts slices into passengers’ mouths. Ahh, cruising.

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