Take a Cruise on New York's Newest Star

After rolling out the hottest new ship of 2014 ,Quantum of the Seas, Royal Caribbean is doubling down in 2015 with a nearly identical sister vessel, Anthem of the Seas.  The ship started sailing out of Bayonne, N.J. in November, is 167800 tons and has the ability to carry 4180 passengers in state of the art comfort.  She will sail from the New York year-round; on 7 to 12 night Bahamas or Caribbean cruises during the colder months, and 5 night Bermuda and 9 night Caribbean sailings during the warmer seasons.


Anthem of the Seas boasts such innovative new features as a skydiving simulator and a class capsule on a mechanical arm that will rise high above the ship for bird's-eye views.  Also on board is the Two70, an unusual, multilevel entertainment space with floor-to-ceiling windows that  features live aerial performances as well as digital performances projected on moving screens.  Anthem also is only the second cruise ship to feature a bar with robot bartenders.

Like Quantum, Anthem isn't be quite as big as Royal Caribbean's two Oasis class vessels - the world's largest cruise ships.  But it will still rank among the five largest passenger vessels afloat and features signature amenities Royal Caribbean fans have come to love, from a 30-foo-high rock climbing wall to a FlowRider surf simulator to an H2O Zone kids water park.

A Brand New "Escape" is Awaiting You This Winter

Fast-growing Norwegian Cruise Line is creating another major mega-resort at sea -- its third in three years.  An expanded version of the company's recently unveiled Norwegian Getaway and Norwegian Breakaway, the brand new Norwegian Escape will be the line's largest ship to date and feature a sprawling, deck-top fun zone with four major water slides; a restaurant-lined boardwalk; large production shows; and a giant, two-deck spa with a flurries-filled Snow Room.

Able to entertain over 4200 passengers on each cruise; the Norwegian Escape is set to become the largest cruise ship ever based year-round in Miami when she starts her 7 night Eastern Caribbean sailings this November.  Escape also will offer Norwegian's first dedicated nursery for young cruisers two and under; the first Margaritaville at sea; the largest ropes course at sea, a miniature golf course, a full-sized basketball court and a bocce ball court -- another first for the line.

As with past Norwegian ships, Escape also will feature the line's signature "ship-within-a-ship" luxury suite area, The Haven, which has its own private pool, restaurant, butler service and concierge.

For even more information Norwegian Escape

Visiting Aruba? 5 Great Ways To Take It All In!

While it's tempting to spend all of your time sipping Aruba Aribas at your beachfront resort, the unprocessed beauty of this Dutch Caribbean island demands you do more.

In Aruba, you will find cacti mingling with  coconut trees as the island's arid clime accounts for its uncommon coastline, discover the endless azure waters that likely lured you in the first place, and learn that dushi is a term for all things beloved and sweet in the island's native Papiamento.

Aruba is as multifaceted as its people are multicultural.  Traces of Amerindian, Dutch and Spanish influence the island's architecture and cuisine, and at least 90 different nationalities call the 75-square-mile island home.

But it's the raw rugged terrain untypical adventures that make Aruba a treat.  And because it has the most sunny days of any Caribbean island, you won't need to worry much about the weather any time of the year, one among many for the country's catchphrase, "One happy island."

Here, 5 ways to take it all in.

Savor a seafood spectacle

Seriously fresh catch.  All you can eat.  King Crab legs.  The seafood buffet at the Marriott Resorts's  La Vistas restaurant is one scene not to skip.  Aruba'a biggest dinner buffet, aptly named "Seafood Sensatio," is a carnival of culinary joy.  Sample the ceviche station where the citrus cured stuff is made by the restaurant's chef, get shrimp and scallops grilled to order, all the crab legs you could dream of, a side of orzo dill pasta and finish with flan and biscotti.  Then go for seconds--or thirds.  Dine outside to take in the sea breeze.

Take your sun salutations to sea

When you're ready for a challenge, try a yoga class.  On a paddleboard.  Vela Windsurf, a seaside shack on the white sands of Palm Beach gives core workout a new meaning with its paddleboard yoga lesson.  You'll paddle out to sea, fasten your board to the buoy line and practice doing downward dog without slipping into the water; the same tradewinds that make Aruba a top spot for winfsurfing and kitesurfing, may up the level of difficulty for your session.  Once you've nailed warrior pose on a paddleboard, you'll deserve to spend the rest of the afternoon soaking up some bliss.

Get your hands dirty at Zeerovers

The outside sink and generous paper towels should be clear indications that Zeerovers is anything but fancy, though any place where the locals dine is where you want to be.  At this dockside dive in the seaside town of Savaneta, fish comes fresh off incoming boats and served in a no-frills plastic bucket.  The only menu you'll find is won scrawled daily on a dry-erase board as the dishes depend on the fishermen's catch, and your order is priced by weight.  You'll nosh on barracuda, red snapper or king fish, with jumbo shrimp and a side side of pika (onions in vinegar) and pan bati, a corn flour pancake.  Try a cold Balashi beer and watch waves lap against the jetty.

Cool off in conchi

On the island's windward coast, far away from just about everything, you'll find Aruba's greatest unrefined beauty.  But only if you know where to look.  Almost as if designed to remain remote, the Natural Pool, a secluded pond encircled by volcanic stone and rocks--also called conchi--isn't accessible by car.  You'll have to hire a 4x4 or hike, and since oven the attraction signage is scarce, you'll make a left at the yellow house and drive off into the undefined rubble.  Once there, climb over a few rocks and slide into the clear, calm waters where you'll swim with striped sergeant major fish and watch the sea splash against the rocks.

Booze on a catamaran

Though sometimes cliche, sunset cruises can be a great way to take way to take in the island from a new vantage point, possibly while consuming open bar beverages.  Departing from De Palm Pier, Aruba's S  imply Sunset Sail takes you on a two-hour catamaran ride.  Timed to perfection, the sun falls just as your inhibitions subside, and the onboard DJ starts the dance party with saca, konpa, merengue and a little soul.  When  Pharrell's "Happy" plays, you'll realize it's the island's anthem.  After the cruise, it's time for a three-course meal at Simple Fish where you'll dine with your toes in the sand--shoes are prohibited.