Royal Caribbean are teaming up with the World Wildlife Fund

It's good to see a travel company working with the environment. This is a positive step in sustainable tourism. Well done Royal Caribbean!

The partners will set measurable and achievable sustainability targets that will reduce Royal Caribbean’s environmental footprint, raise awareness about ocean conservation among the company’s more than five million guests, and support WWF’s global oceans conservation work. 

The targets announced today focus on supply chain sustainability and emissions reductions through 2020. Royal Caribbean and WWF are also working together to develop targets aimed at strengthening the company’s sustainable sourcing strategy and its destination stewardship and sustainable tour operations platforms.

“Our mantra at Royal Caribbean is ‘Continuous Improvement,’ and this partnership with WWF represents a great opportunity to make a big step forward in meeting our special responsibility to protect the oceans,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “It is also gratifying to see that our determination to make a meaningful difference is shared by our employees and our guests. This new partnership aligns all of us at RCL with WWF’s mission to conserve the world’s oceans. Together we are setting aggressive goals and together we will start implementing them right away.”

“The threats that are facing the ocean are greater than ever – in the last 30 years, some ocean wildlife populations have declined by nearly 50 percent. If we are going to reverse the downward trends, we must take serious steps to repair, restore and protect the oceans,” said Carter Roberts, WWF-US President and CEO.

“This initiative centres on two core concepts: first, committing to specific and measurable targets to reduce carbon emissions, increase sustainable sourcing and build destination stewardship; and second, comprehensively engaging their millions of travellers to learn about the ocean and then act to help save it."

Royal Caribbean Cruises and WWF jointly developed new 2020 environmental sustainability targets for the company that include:

Carbon Emissions 2020 Target:

·         Reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35 percent by 2020.

Sustainable Seafood 2020 Target

·         Responsibly source 90% of its wild-caught seafood by volume from MSC certified sustainable fisheries, fisheries in full assessment for MSC certification, comprehensive Fishery Improvement Projects (FIPs), and/or sourced from International Seafood Sustainability Association (ISSA) member companies.

·         In North America and Europe operations, responsibly source 75% of its farmed seafood by volume from ASC certified responsible farms, farms in full assessment for ASC certification, and/or comprehensive aquaculture improvement projects.

·         In addition, by June 30, 2016, RCL will set specific traceability goals with targets for obtaining MSC and ASC chain of custody.

In addition, Royal Caribbean and WWF have agreed to develop and announce new targets by June 30 that will address destination stewardship. As part of this, WWF and RCL will collaborate to strengthen RCL’s destination sustainability assessment and selection process.

Royal Caribbean also will financially support WWF’s global ocean conservation work through a $5 million philanthropic contribution during the partnership, and will collaborate with WWF to build global awareness about ocean conservation issues among its millions of passengers.

The organisations made their announcement at an event in Donsol, Sorsogon, Philippines that is home to a model community-based ecotourism program. At the event, RCL also made a separate, $200,000 donation to WWF Philippines in support of conservation programs in the Donsol area.

Jamie Oliver takes to the seas this year with Royal Caribbean's new ships!

In yet another first for Britain’s best loved chef, Jamie’s Italian and leading holiday company Royal Caribbean International today announce that it will open the first Jamie Oliver eaterie at sea.  The company’s most innovative resort ships, Quantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas will feature a Jamie’s Italian.  ‘Anthem of the Seas’ will open to guests during spring 2015 and sail from Southampton whilst ‘Quantum of the Seas’ will open to guests during autumn 2014 and sail from New York.

The addition of Jamie’s Italian to the restaurant portfolio aboard the Royal Caribbean ships reflects the holiday company’s plans to completely reimagine dining at sea. Smaller, flexible and personalised main restaurants and a collection of smaller, modern and distinct eateries such as ‘Jamie’s Italian’ and experiential restaurant ‘Wonderland’ will cater for the full spectrum of food lover.  The new approach to dining will feature exclusively on Royal Caribbean International ships ‘Quantum of the Seas’ and ‘Anthem of the Seas’ replacing the Captain’s Table style dining usually associated with the cruise holiday experience.  

“I’m thrilled to partner with Royal Caribbean, a brand that continually pushes the limits of what’s possible, to debut my very first restaurants at sea onboard the new Quantum-class ships,” said Jamie Oliver. “Royal Caribbean shares my approach to food and dining, which is to serve simple, fresh ingredients in a warm, inviting ambience. I couldn’t be more excited to bring my love of Italian cooking to their guests with Jamie’s Italian.  It’s going to be brilliant!”

Since opening its first restaurant in Oxford in May 2008, Jamie’s Italian has become one of the biggest success stories in high street eating. The quality of the food and service, coupled with the affordability of the food, has meant that customers return time and time again. The casual dining experience is based on offering tasty and simple Italian food, using only the best fresh ingredients. All produce used in Jamie’s Italian is higher welfare and the restaurants aboard the Royal Caribbean ships will be no different.

Click here to see Jamie Oliver explain about his new restaurants on RCCL

Alluring news

Royal Caribbean Cruise Line announced this week that they would be sending their ship Allure of the Seas to Europe in 2015 for a summer season out of Barcelona. This is a wonderful opportunity, especially for families, who have not experienced the absolute best in family entertainment at sea. I was so inspired by my trip around the Caribbean Islands last year that I have written a new series of short stories and set them on this ship.

Nicole and I made great friends on the ship. Travel writer Tracey Davies and her son Angus were two of those and we are joining them this weekend as we all set off for Oslo and there should be some interesting pictures to follow of the slopes in Winterland and the top city sights.

I'm recently back from a lovely time in Northern Ireland staying at the Slieve Donard hotel with the gorgeous presenter and producer of the Midday show Elaine Crowley.They carry the wonderful Espa brand and treatments and you can read about how we got on in the Sunday World soon... links will be posted.

If you would like to read more about our trip on the Allure of the Seas see my article on the Herald website by clicking here herald.ie

I hope you are planning something nice for your next trip...for now

Happy travels

Michelle x

Anthem of the Seas

I recently attended a function in London to hear some exciting news about Royal Caribbean's new cruise ship Anthem of the Seas. I travelled on the Allure of the Seas earlier this year and thought that Royal couldn't be anymore innovative but it seems that I am proved wrong. I've been updated on the ships progress by the Head of Press the lovely Surinder Manky pictured below.

 The new Quantum class is shaping up to be one of the most exciting cruise ships on the seas and I cannot wait to sea the sister ship of Anthem, Quantum of the Seas, when it is finished next year. One of the features which is going to appeal to all cruisers is the stunning new theatre called Two70, set against a 270* panoramic view of the sea. The big news to accompany the launch of Anthem is that Music is going to be a major feature on the ship. Music is important to everybody and Royal have certainly done their research on this one. In a poll of the British public they found that it was one of the most important mediums to express emotion and reminds us of pivotal moments in our life weddings, break up, romance and of course holidays. The poll also came up with a short list of rousing songs which touched their emotions deeply and among Elgar's 'Nimrod' theme and the Beatles' Hey Jude' the top anthem was chosen to be 'Beautiful Day' by the Irish boys, U2! The Royal Philharmonic played their own renditions of the songs and prepared the speeches by BBC DJ Stuart Marconie and the Chief Executive of RCCL Adam Goldstein.

To have an even more memorable holiday experience Royal have added a ski diving simulator, a bumper car arena and a circus school as features in the new ship along with all the old favourites. In the new year there will be further announcements regarding music acts which will be appearing on the new schedule for Anthem. Even better news for Irish and Uk passengers is that Anthem will be based in Southampton when she goes to sea in Spring 2015. That means routes to the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas.
There is another feature on the Quantum class that may well blow you away and that is the North Star -  a glass pod which will hover over the ship suspended by a giant arm, giving its occupants a completely unique experience of the sea around and below them. It may well be the perfect spot for a special proposal or exchanging of vows!

After the spectacular entertainment we were left with not doubt that the entertainment on the

Anthem of the Seas holds plenty of more surprises to be unveiled before its maiden voyage 

in early 2015. If you are a regular cruiser and thinking of trying out Anthem you will need to 

get booking in Spring 2014 because something tells me that the demand is going to be huge.

Happy cruising

Michelle  :)