Showing posts with label USA. Show all posts

Saturday, June 25, 2016

Michael Bayley CEO Royal Caribbean International

Michael Bayley

President and Chief Executive Officer
Royal Caribbean International

Seasoned travel and hospitality executive Michael Bayley was named President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International, the world’s largest cruise brand, in December 2014. Bayley’s career with the brand’s parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL), spans 30 years. In his former role as President and CEO of Celebrity Cruises, Bayley delivered strong results while building the company’s “Modern Luxury” positioning, which resonated successfully with Celebrity’s sophisticated customer base

Prior to that Bayley was Executive Vice President of Operations for Royal Caribbean International, where he oversaw the brand’s Hotel Operations; Marine Operations for Royal Caribbean International and Azamara Club Cruises; Land Operations for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises, and Commercial Development for RCL.

Prior to that, as RCL’s Executive Vice President, International, Bayley was responsible for the strategic international business development of three of the company’s cruise lines: Azamara Club Cruises, Celebrity Cruises and Royal Caribbean International. Over the course of just four years, he established 11 regional offices around the world, which now generate more than 50 percent of the corporation’s total revenue.

Earlier, Bayley served as Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations for Royal Caribbean International, leading the worldwide hotel operations and onboard revenue of 21 cruise ships and 30,000 employees. Prior to that, he served as Chairman and Managing Director of Island Cruises plc, a joint venture cruise line and tour operator begun in 2002 by RCL and British tour operator First Choice Holidays.

Bayley began his career with the company in 1981, working in a variety of shipboard and shoreside positions with increasing management responsibility, including that of Vice President of Total Guest Satisfaction, Fleet Operations. He also served as Vice President for Caesars Palace Hotel and Casino, one of the world’s largest premium gaming resorts, in Las Vegas.

A native of the United Kingdom, Bayley graduated with a degree in business administration from the University of Bournemouth in England, and has attended management programs at Harvard Business School and Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. He is a member of the board of SteamShip Mutual in London, U.K.

Bayley has two children and lives in Miami, Fla.

Friday, June 24, 2016

Time To Get Ship Faced On Royal Caribbean International!

Cruise 101: One Package. One Price. Your Budget.

Kick back and relax with unlimited drinks.

image: http://d38s399h0y8g1i.cloudfront.net/connect/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/RCI_OA_GENIE_11_RoyalLoft_BarCart_0927_RETOUCHED_CMYK-1650x1100.jpg?dcb443

Beverage packages don’t just offer savings: they offer peace of mind, too—and isn’t that what vacationing is all about? By paying one price up front, instead of shelling out cash (virtually speaking) each time you, your friends, or one of your kids want something to drink, you have the freedom to refill and relax whenever. Now that you’ve got your cruise booked and the flight to go with it, take a look at the drink packages Royal Caribbean offers; you’re sure to find one that perfectly suits your preferences.

Non-alcoholic packages

For non-alcoholic beverages, the Royal Replenish package is $19 per guest, per day, and includes coffee, tea, sparkling or still bottled water, fresh-squeezed juice, non-alcoholic cocktails and fountain soda. Onboard, bottled water can start at $3.25, and this package is worth it if you plan on enjoying a few of those throughout your cruise—plus a coffee and OJ each morning.

If your kids love soda, they’ll love you when you get them the Royal Refreshment package, which is just $5.50 per guest, per day, for unlimited soft drinks. Soda onboard typically is $2 per can, which can add up quickly if you have a few throughout the day.

Alcoholic packages

On the other hand, there are alcohol-inclusive packages, too. At $45 per guest, per day, the Select package also includes beer, wines by the glass (up to $12 per glass), non-alcoholic cocktails, fountain soda, juice, and a 20 percent discount on bottles of wine. At $55 per guest, per day, the Premium option adds unlimited frozen drinks and cocktails to that list.

Finally, at $65 per day, the Ultimate package combines elements of the Royal Replenish package, adding tea, coffee, bottled sparkling and still water, and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Whether the Ultimate is right for you depends on the price of your favorite drinks a la carte. A glass of wine, for example, starts at $6.50. If your beverage choices run the gamut while on vacation—and you plan to stay properly hydrated while onboard—consider opting for this package.

Cruise vacations are all about being easy, relaxed, and as exciting and indulgent as you make them, and choosing the beverage package that complements your personal style before you sail will maximize your savings and your experience.

Read more at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/connect/cruise-101-one-package-one-price-your-budget/#K7hi3sj6HtYyWy8r.99

Sunday, June 12, 2016

CEO Of Royal Caribbean Sending Off Harmony Of The Seas!

CEO Of Royal Caribbean International Michael Bayley

Saying Good Bye is hard to do! Harmony of the Seas headed for it Summer Home Port of Barcelona Spain.

Clean Water On A Royal Caribbean Ship

WHAT IT TAKES TO KEEP WATER CLEAN AND USAGE LEAN ON CRUISE SHIPS

STAFF WRITER | APRIL 15, 2016

Referring to a modern cruise ship as a “floating city” is no simple analogy. Not only does it provide accommodation, recreation, relaxation and transportation, it also literally has to support life in the most basic sense.

On the open saltwater seas, as Coleridge famously noted, while water is everywhere, there is not a drop to drink – unless potable water is collected in port or “made” using reliably tested methods.

Nick Rose, environmental regulatory lead, environmental stewardship, for Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., says the company’s fleet provides clean, safe, drinkable water in three ways.

“One is through bunkering it,” Rose says, using the maritime term for loading water in port and storing it on board. “We follow strict WHO (World Health Organization) as well as U.S. Public Health standards, so water is taken from a reputable drinking source.”

While it’s collected, the water is tested for microbials and other pollutants, then treated and chlorinated for any potential organisms or pathogens that may have eluded onshore treatment.

The second method, used for years and for which all RCL ships are equipped, goes by any of three names – steam evaporation, flash evaporation or steam desalination. One clever “green” aspect of this method is its use of waste heat from the ship’s engines.

“We bring on seawater and boil it using the waste steam and heat from our engines to remove the salt from the water,” Rose explains. “The water from the evaporator travels down to a condenser where the steam then condenses back into what at that time would be distilled purified water.”

As anyone who’s ever tasted it knows, distilled water has no familiar water flavor. So next, minerals are added, “so that it has the normal taste that most people like,” Rose continues.

“After it goes to the mineralizer we send it for chlorination, just again to make sure that you have nothing growing in it.”

The third, most technologically advanced method of creating potable water is through reverse osmosis using equipment now on most RCL ships.

“You bring on seawater, but instead of using heat or high amounts of energy, you actually use a little bit of energy to push the saltwater through a semi-permeable membrane,” Rose says. “The only thing that makes it through the membrane is pure, clean water.”

All the salt and other possible contaminants remain blocked on the intake side of the membrane, while the water that passes through is mineralized for flavor and chlorinated for added safety.

Taking all onboard freshwater usage into account, RCL reports that on average its guests consume 55 gallons per day, compared to the U.S. average of as much as 100 gallons.

Contributing to the difference, Rose says, is the shipboard use of low-flow showerheads and washbasin faucet aerators in guest and crew cabins; highly efficient ice makers, dishwashers and laundry equipment; re-use of condensed water from air-conditioners to supplement laundry needs, and other above-and-beyond-compliance conservation efforts.

Sunday, May 22, 2016

Royal Caribbean Twist On The Classic...With Recipe!

A Very Royal Recipe: Epic Homemade Brownie

An Italian twist on a classic brownie.

Rich chocolate brownies are nothing short of a sweet-tooth’s staple. The version onboard Anthem of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas —courtesy of celebrity chef Jamie Oliver—kicks the classic up a notch with caramel and amaretti. The combo of salty crunch and sweet, fudgy brownie makes for one unforgettable dessert.

The Jamie’s Italian chocolate brownie is what a true brownie should be! Full of proper Belgian chocolate, we use a no nonsense 70% cocoa grade chocolate – never powder – for a grown up indulgent flavour. We also use light brown muscovado sugar which gives a warm and nostalgic caramel undertone.

If you’re making brownies at home, a top tip is don’t over bake them. If you are able to use a temperature probe and cook until the brownie reaches 75 degrees centrigrade, you’ll have a moist, gooey brownie every time. Simply the best!

Just in time for National Brownie Day, we’re giving you the recipe.

Yields: One portion

INGREDIENTS:

1 chocolate brownie

3 ½ tbsp. (1 scoop) salted caramel ice cream

1 tsp. caramelized popcorn

4 tsp. chocolate sauce batch (hot)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Spoon over hot chocolate sauce

2. Top with one scoop of ice cream

3. Garnish with caramelised popcorn

Read more at http://www.royalcaribbean.com/connect/a-very-royal-recipe-epic-homemade-brownie/#Uw92LbEZI9dbgS2i.99

Thursday, May 5, 2016

VOTED BEST CRUISE LINE OVERALL.... for 13 consecutive years

VOTED BEST CRUISE LINE OVERALL

for 13 consecutive years by Travel Weekly

After 40 years of cruising, Royal Caribbean has learned a thing or two about innovation at sea. There's only one rule: Anything is possible. We push the limits of the imagination for a vacation that exceeds every expectation. The vacation you deserve. We call it the Royal Advantage^SM – our promise to give you the most innovative ships, exciting worldwide destinations and best personalized service to each and every guest.

With hundreds of destinations in 72 countries on 6 continents to choose from, all you have to do is pick a spot and go. While you sail, enjoy first-at-sea experiences on our innovative ships such as the FlowRider® surf simulator, rock-climbing walls, zip line, ice-skating rink, AquaTheater shows and Boardwalk® carousel. Whether you're lounging at the pool, enjoying a gourmet meal in the dining room, relaxing with a massage in the spa or taking a break in your room, you will be wowed by our Gold Anchor Service®.

Friday, April 10, 2015

I have my Own Rum

I have my own Rum!

Monday, March 30, 2015

See our Stores that we are using for Make A Wish!

Make A wish Fashion for you and your home

Click on Links For Our Main stores

Nautical Jewelry Make A Wish

You can help us give a child a wish!

Thursday, March 26, 2015

A Sightseer's Tour Of Old San Juan

There are so many things to do in Puerto Rico, that the problem is not finding something of interest; rather, it is prioritizing the list of things to do in Puerto Rico according to how much time one has. I have lived in Puerto Rico for over 15 years and there are still many places on my Puerto Rico ‘bucket list’! Here is our great new inforgraphic on some of the top things to do in Puerto Rico. However, it is only a sampling… there are many more things to do and perhaps in the future we will add to them….

Here are some additional locations that should also be on the list:

Fajardo – Glowing waters of the Bioluminescent Bay; Boating/Marina Capital

Arecibo – Arecibo Observatory – largest radio telescope

Ponce – home of largest Carnaval, vejigante masks, and Art Museum

Coamo- Baths / Thermal Springs

Aibonito – known for its flowers and flower festival

Luquillo – Amazing Beaches and roadside food kioskos

Jayuya – Taino Indian relics

Loiza – traditional coconut vejigante masks

Barceloneta – black sand beaches

Dominican Republic: a 60-second guide

The Dominican Republic is the second largest Caribbean nation after Cuba, with approximately 10 million inhabitants. It occupies the eastern two-thirds of the island of Hispaniola, of which the western third is the country of Haiti. Haiti feels very African and most people speak French and Creole – theDominican Republic is more Latin American, and Dominicans speak Spanish. Not to be confused with the little-developed Caribbean island of Dominica, population 73,000.

In line with the 3rd United Nation’s Annual International Day of Happiness, Gallup researchers have released the Gallup Positive Experience Index 014 survey results, hailing Latin American countries as the top 10 happiest countries in the world, Live Science reported.

There are about 143 countries that were included in the research and about a thousand respondents in each country were interviewed on “how happy they felt the day before.” According to Gallup, more than 70 percent of the respondents answered 5 common reasons of their happiness and those were when they experienced enjoyment, when they smiled or laughed, when felt well rested and when they were treated with respect.

The goal of the annual research is to promote happiness worldwide. Collecting data about happiness is seen to be a huge help in creating programs that can improve people’s way of life by making them happy.

The top 10 countries which bagged the highest number of “positive index scores” are as follows:

1. Paraguay
2. Colombia
3. Ecuador
4. Guatemala
5. Honduras
6. Panama
7. Venezuela
8. Costa Rica
9. El Salvador
10. Nicaragua

With these results, Latin America may and could be the unofficial sponsor of the United Nation’s International Happiness Day which is held annually, Business Administration reported.

Also, another similar survey but from a separate independent research was initiated. Jetpac City Guide is a popular iPhone application that administers Instagram data in helping its users in finding top locations. They’ve listed top venues around the world which had the most number of “smile scores” over the past 12 months, International Business Times reported.

According to the Jetpac survey, Brazil topped the list as the happiest country in the planet, followed by Nicaragua and Colombia. Amazingly, Philippines was included in the list at #9, making it the only country located outside the Americas.
International Day of Happiness takes place every 20th of March. This is to celebrate and acknowledge the relevance of happiness and well-being as universal goals and aspirations in the lives of every human being worldwide. The event is participated by countries that are members of the United Nations, organizations, civil societies, non-governmental organizations and individuals.

The Day of Happiness website encourages everyone to join and connect with other people around the globe and share happiness through various group activities. Individuals can also participate by connecting to loved ones and friends by sharing positive thoughts personally or online.

For the original report go to http://www.latinospost.com/articles/56528/20150321/top-10-happiest-countries-latin-america.htm

Mercy Ship Our Hospital Ship Provides Free Lifesaving Surgeries For People Where Medical Care Is Nearly Non-Existent.

www.mercyships.org

Mercy Ships is an international charity that was founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens. Mercy Ships currently operates the largest non-governmental hospital ship in the world, providing free health care, community development projects, community health education, mental health programs, agriculture projects, and palliative care for terminally ill patients.

Mercy Ships has operated in more than 57 developing nations and 18 developed nations around the world, with a current focus on the countries of Africa.

Is A Cruise Ship The Best Way To See Hawaii?

The active volcano in Hawaii (the big island) is one of the most amazing sites in the world

The Only Way to See Hawaii

Everyone knows Hawaii is an extraordinary destination, but what is the best way to see it - staying in land-based resort or by cruise ship? The state of Hawaii is actually comprised of several hundred islands stretching nearly 1500 miles, but only four have a significant population. Oahu has the capital city Honolulu, Maui is one of the most popular, Kauai is considered the most beautiful, but the big island of Hawaii is arguably the most interesting because of its very active volcano.

Pride of Hawaii

Unfortunately, if you choose a land-based resort then getting from one island to another is a challenge. The ferry system between the islands was discontinued last year. Now the only option is to fly - the longest distance, between Hawaii and Kauai, requiring 90 minutes.

Our recommendation is to take a cruise in Hawaii, but not necessarily to cruise "to" Hawaii. Two obscure federal laws, The Passenger Vessel Services act and the Jones Act, restrict "foreign carriers" from transporting passengers between two U.S. destinations. Since all of the ports within the Hawaiian Islands are in the U.S. the only way a regular cruise ship can give you a Hawaiian cruise is to include a stop in either Mexico or Canada before heading across the Pacific to Hawaii, usually spending four or five days at sea, before you can even begin your Hawaii adventure.

IMAGE CREDIT:

THINKSTOCK

Kevin in Bentonville, Arkansas, just us a messaged a great question: "Why do you hear the ocean when you put a seashell up to your ear?"

Is that FREE Cruise Really a FREE cruise?

How and Why on Tipping while you cruise

I have many cruise and travel blogs and Social Media pages and I get this question very often.

What I discovered is that I often forget that most people know far less about cruising than I do.

This information may help about proper tipping etiquette on cruises

Tips To Staying Healthy from Tummy Problems While You Cruise

Tips keeping the tummy problems away!

Every few months another horror story appears in the news of an entire cruise ship struck down by Noro virus. It happens even on the most expensive lines with perfect health and safety records. And the finger is generally pointed at the self serve, all you can eat buffet. Stay healthy on your next cruise with these tips.

Cruising and Travel