My Personal Experience Onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Brand-New Icon of the Seas: Q&A Edition

In January 2024, one of our Boscov’s Travel employees went on an inaugural cruise onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Brand-New Icon of the Seas! Read her incredible experience below:

Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas

Q: Was this your first time sailing on Royal Caribbean? – A: It was! Working in the Marketing Department, I’ve been promoting Royal Caribbean to our clients for 11+ years and was so excited to be able to experience the product for myself.

Q: Where did you sail to and from? – A: We sailed from the Port of Miami, FL to Royal Caribbean’s private island, Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas.

Q: What stateroom did you stay in? – A: We stayed in an Infinite Veranda. This stateroom type can be found when you sail with both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises. It takes the traditional balcony (with door and outdoor seating) and turns your stateroom into part of the balcony with a floor to ceiling window that opens halfway. I personally LOVE this type of stateroom as it really extends the length of the room and who doesn’t love sleeping with fresh wind blowing in from the sea?

Infinite Veranda stateroom

Q: How did you feel about the Icon of the Seas being the biggest cruise ship in the world? Could you tell? – A: The bigger the better, in my opinion. I know speaking with a lot of friends and family, they said “it would be too big for me”, but honestly, every inch of the ship is so thoughtfully designed that it never felt overwhelming. If you love the Oasis class ships, the Icon of the Seas is similar, but just slightly on steroids. And of course, who doesn’t love a ship that is shiny and new?

Q: What did you love most about the ship? – A: A WOW moment for me was walking out of the elevators on deck 16 into Chill Island and looking several stories down into Central Park. It gives you a unique vantage point of the center of the ship and all the beautiful live foliage they brought (and maintain!) onboard. I’m a thrill over chill type of person so I also really loved the waterslides onboard. Also, the entertainment and dining experiences onboard were expertly crafted too!

Chill Island looking into Central Park

Q: What surprised you most about the ship? – A: Even though it is the biggest cruise ship in the world, it truly did not feel overwhelming. There are so many nooks and crannies on where you could go and never felt “crowded”. The new elevator system was a pleasant surprise to say the least. Instead of everyone going into the elevator and choosing a deck, you choose the deck you want to go to from a kiosk. A letter is given on the kiosk which corresponds to an elevator to go to. In my opinion, this is brilliant engineering to move many people without the common backlog at the elevators, especially after shows.

Elevator Kiosk

Elevator matching Kiosk

Q: There are five new neighborhoods on this ship. Can we talk about each of them?

            Q: The Aqua Dome –  A: A sensory delight. Enjoy lounging, entertainment and dining with unique and dazzling ocean views.

            Q: Chill Island – A: Pools, hot tubs, swim-up bar – need I say more?

            Q: Thrill Island – A: Waterslides, mini-golf, rock climbing, Crown’s Edge – thrill seekers unite and adults feel like kids again.

Thrill Island

            Q: The Hideaway – A: Adults-only area on the back of the ship with a suspended pool and wrap around bar.

            Q: Surfside – A: My kids would have loved this neighborhood. Some adjectives that come to mind are delightful, colorful and fun.

Surfside

Surfside

Q: What was your favorite restaurant onboard? – A:

            Q: Complimentary? – A: I LOVED dinner in the main dining room, it was delicious to say the least. My favorite complimentary grab and go has to be El Loco Fresh because who couldn’t eat tacos every day of the week? The chips and salsa varieties were great and they had really good margaritas. We also love grabbing breakfast from the Park Café. They had a lot of great grab and go items (loved the parfaits) and also some made-to-order breakfast items (loved the ham, egg and cheese on an English muffin). The coffee was great too!

Main Dining Room Steak

Main Dining Room Creme Brulee

El Loco Fresh

Park Cafe

            Q: Specialty? – A: Since we sailed on an inaugural sailing, a lot of the specialty restaurants were not available to us, but we did get to sample the food at Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade. Playmakers offers all your favorite comfort foods and has a fun sports bar vibe to it including retro video games, a pool and foosball table and a few arcade games. This was probably the most crowded spot onboard as it was during football season and the only place onboard to see the playoff games.

Q: What was your favorite bar onboard? – A: Some of the bars are located in the Promenade and we had a lot of fun bar hopping. The Schooner Bar had a nice laid-back atmosphere and was beautiful. But our favorite bar had to have been 1400 which had a lot of fun cocktails and a signature martini with a blown bubble.

Q: What was your favorite entertainment onboard? – A: My favorite entertainment onboard had to be The Wizard of Oz. This Broadway hit musical was filled with so much talent, color, props, backgrounds, songs, dances and brought back everything you love about the movie. It truly was incredible to see!

The Wizard of Oz

Q: How many shows did you attend? – A: We saw three preview shows on our three-night cruise and included The Wizard of Oz, Elemental Beauty (ice skating) and Aqua Action! (aqua show)

Elemental Beauty (ice skating)

Aqua Action! (aqua show)

Q: What other activities did you do onboard and which was your favorite? – A: We truly had fun exploring every inch of the ship and some highlights included winning a bronze medal in a glow-in-the-dark mini golf competition, winning some money in the casino, working up a sweat in the gym and running the track onboard. We also spent a good amount of time visiting every type of stateroom onboard and loved seeing everything from an Interior stateroom all the way up to the Ultimate Family suite.

Mini Golf

Fitness Center 

Q: There are seven pools onboard, which one did you enjoy the most and why? – A: Hands down the Hideaway Pool was my favorite. For adults 18+, the pool is located at the back of the ship and is the first suspended infinity pool at sea. Perfect to hang in the pool with a cocktail and watch the sunset. Next would be the first swim up bar at sea (can never go wrong here!).

Hideaway Pool

Q: What did you think of The Pearl? – A: Definitely another WOW moment. My husband, an engineer, was truly intrigued trying to figure out how it all worked being that it is the world’s largest kinetic art sculpture.

The Pearl

Q: What was the newest thing you saw on the ship that impressed you the most? – A: Not new to the Royal Caribbean brand, but Central Park at night was so magical. The vibrant colors against the night sky stop you in your tracks, is a plant lover’s dream, and provides a nice breeze from several decks above. In terms of most impressive, I have to go back to the elevator system. It may sound silly, but a “why didn’t I think of that”? idea.

Central Park at night

Q: You mentioned you sailed to Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. What do you want to share about the port? – A: It’s a lot bigger than I thought it would be and truly has something for everyone. We really enjoyed partaking in the water park and all the water slides which is something we can’t do together when we have our kids with. If you are a thrill seeker, don’t miss out on Daredevil’s Peak as it is definitely worth the stair climb! If your idea of fun is toes in the sand and drink in hand, there are, I believe seven plus beaches on the island. We tested them all out and even stumbled across Rover, the Icon of the Seas’ Chief Dog Officer.

Daredevil’s Peak at Thrill Waterpark

Rover, the Icon of the Seas’ Chief Dog Officer

Q: Did you do anything special on the island? – A: We were signed up for a snorkel adventure, but unfortunately could not do this because of rough seas. But we did get to go to Hideaway Beach, the island’s adults-only area. We enjoyed elevated snacks, sipping on drinks in the island’s only heated pool which included a big swim up bar, lounging in lounge chairs, and swimming across the lagoon. There is an added cost for Hideaway Beach, but I would recommend it for anyone that likes a relaxed party vibe.

Hideaway Beach

Hideaway Beach Swim-Up Bar

Q: What was your favorite part of Perfect Day at CocoCay? – A: We did really have fun exploring the whole island and think this could be an overnight port with all there is to do. I’d say our favorite would be going back to having fun on the water slides and bringing back some childhood fun as adults.

Q: Is there anything else we did not discuss that you would like to mention? – A: Of course!

            – You have to research Icon of the Seas and all that went into the sustainability when the ship was built. Most notably are the liquified natural gas engines—really awesome advancements onboard to be as eco-friendly as possible.

            – There are lots and lots of storage spaces in the staterooms, a really nice touch.

            – A lot of people I heard couldn’t find the safe in the stateroom, pro top: it’s behind the glass cabinet.

            – Don’t discredit the snack stands on Perfect Day at CocoCay, they were definitely our preference over the buffet.

            – If your pre-paid excursion gets cancelled by Royal Caribbean because of bad weather, they will automatically credit you back to your original form of payment (takes several days, but it does get done).

            – Always pay attention to information provided to you from your transportation company taking you to the pier. I had to help two-couples with transportation back to the Fort Lauderdale pier after they got on our bus to go to The Port of Miami. Thankfully, they made it in the nick of time, but I’d imagine it was so stressful to them (and also another reason to book with your favorite Boscov’s Travel Advisor).

Q: What do you recommend to anyone sailing on the Icon of the Seas? – A: Try a little bit of everything the ship has to offer and really soak in the beauty and memories made with your friends and family.

Q: Would you sail on the Icon of the Seas again? – A: Absolutely, when are we going? ; )

Does this incredible experience incline you to sail on Royal Caribbean’s Icon of the Seas? Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to assist you in planning whenever you’re ready! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit https://www.boscovstravel.com/cruises/royal-caribbean/index.html to learn more.

 

My personal experience onboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas

Recently one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took a cruise onboard Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. Read her incredible experience below.

My family and I had recently sailed to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay on Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas! We had such a great time onboard and at the ports! The ship sailed out of Cape Liberty, New Jersey with stops in the ports: Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida; Nassau, Bahamas; and Perfect Day at CocoCay, Bahamas. So far, I have been on all four Oasis class ships, but this was my first Oasis of the Seas sailing after it’s “royal enhancement,” which means the ship has been newly renovated.

On our sailing, we had adjoined Central Park Balcony View Staterooms and the views were stunning as this neighborhood is set with more than 10,000 plants and flowers – a tropical nature sanctuary onboard. For those of you who don’t know, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships have seven different neighborhoods which include the beautiful open-air Central Park, the Royal Promenade where parades and parties take place, the Boardwalk, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and the Youth Zone. All of these neighborhoods are filled with exciting new discoveries and memories to be made.

The food and bars onboard were absolutely incredible. From the main dining room to the specialty dining, you truly can’t go wrong. We decided to visit the specialty restaurant Chops Grill which was absolutely delicious! My favorite part was the lemon meringue pie which was refreshing and tasty.

Our favorite thing on the cruise ship was the water show Aqua80 – we were blown away! The awesome show is at the ship’s AquaTheater with world-class extreme sports athletes performing top-deck high dives, acrobatics and so much more, all to the tunes of the 1980’s! Aqua80 was truly spectacular!  Don’t forget that on the Oasis of the Seas you need to reserve your showtimes a month prior to your departure via the Royal Caribbean International app.

For our favorite port we visited, we all can agree that we loved Perfect Day at CocoCay! We rented a private cabana on the private island down at the South Beach, which is just one of four beaches on Perfect Day at CocoCay. With our private cabana we received VIP service and our own attendant, which made the experience even more relaxing and fun!

We also took an excursion while we were at Perfect Day at CocoCay. We did a swim with the Bahamian pigs excursion, which was so much fun! The pigs themselves range in colors from black to pink and have cute flat button noses that act as a snorkel when they swim. The pigs were very friendly and so excited to spend time with us. We loved every minute of this excursion!

The best part of our experience onboard the Oasis of the Seas was the great pricing we got for the cruise! We actually booked the cruise with our Boscov’s Travel exclusive public group space, which saved us almost 40% off from the retail promotions that the cruise line runs. These are incredibly special deals! Even better? This Boscov’s Travel group space special pricing is available to you, our valued clients all because of our partnership with Royal Caribbean International!

Overall, we truly enjoyed our cruise to the Bahamas and Perfect Day at CocoCay. We love Royal Caribbean International and look forward to future sailings on some of their newly innovated ships that are to be debuted over the next year. I highly recommend cruising with Royal Caribbean as soon as you can, and with our wealth of knowledge, your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor can help you plan your next cruise too. Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020 or visit boscovstravel.com/cruises/royal-caribbean/index.html to learn more.

My experience on the BRAND-NEW Norwegian Prima

Recently one of our Boscov’s Travel employees took a cruise on the brand-new Norwegian Prima. Read her incredible experience below.

I’ll be honest with you the thought of cruising made me nervous, neither my boyfriend Matt nor I have gone on a cruise before. My grandparents and my coworkers have all raved about cruising, but I only vicariously lived through their experiences. I wasn’t sure if I ever planned on cruising, but when I was given the opportunity to go on the new Norwegian Prima, I thought ‘how could I possibly not take this incredible opportunity?’ Our cruise was an inaugural sailing on the BRAND NEW Norwegian Prima. The sailing was 4-nights to Halifax, Nova Scotia roundtrip from New York City, NY (no need to fly!).

The morning of our departure was seamless with transportation to the pier and the ease with being able to be dropped off right at the terminal (and right in front of the big and beautiful, Norwegian Prima). Our driver, which happened to be my mother, giggled, got out of the car and asked us to take her photo because that’s the closest she’s ever been to a cruise ship. It was hilarious, but as you can see, none of us have ever cruised before and this was a big deal. My boyfriend and I said our so-longs to her and we went into the terminal. Everybody in the terminal was so friendly and willing to help us navigate where to go and check in. The process was smooth and it only took us approximately ten minutes. We were given a keycard lanyard that would give us access to all things including our room and reservations. We actually found all of this easier and friendlier than the airport. I couldn’t believe I was actually about to step on to a cruise ship for the next five days.

As we walked onboard the Prima, I was amazed. The first area I saw was the atrium which felt like a five-star hotel – three stories tall with a bar on the main level, Starbucks on the next, and a whiskey bar at the top. ‘Am I really on a ship right now?’ I thought. We made our way to our room which was easy to navigate, but there were Norwegian workers to guide the way if assistance was needed. Our room was a balcony stateroom and it was absolutely stunning. The layout was much more spacious than I thought it would be, the bathroom was quaint, the balcony was cozy and the bed was comfy! I was even able to put on my makeup at our room’s makeup stand and hang all our formal attire up in the room’s closet.

Once we got settled in, we went onto the deck and took in the views of the Manhattan skyline and as we sailed away from port we waved to the Statue of Liberty and saw Ellis Island. The view was incredible with the sunset behind Lady Liberty. After this, we knew it was time to explore and make our reservations for dining and entertainment. We wanted to experience every single thing we could to get the most out of our first cruise – and that we did.

My onboard experiences

Dining

I cannot begin to tell you how delicious the food was on the Norwegian Prima. Some of our favorites include the Indulge Food Hall (complimentary), The Local Bar & Grill (complimentary), and Cagney’s Steakhouse (specialty). The nicest part about Norwegian Cruise Line is that there are no fixed dining times which means you can eat when you want, with who you want. I enjoyed this because Matt and I never eat at a consistent time – when we’re hungry we’re hungry, so this worked out well for us. We did have to make reservations for our included specialty dining which can be done on the NCL app.

Indulge Food Hall

AMAZING! In an onboard meeting, I learned that Indulge Food Hall is a new dining concept onboard and I truthfully would not want to go without it. You can literally dine around the world from Indian Food to Italian, Latin and more – don’t forget the incredible Coco’s desserts. There are eight dining options and the food hall is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. We went here at least once every day. The food choices are endless and I mean it – even if you went here every day for a week-long cruise, you could enjoy something different every single day.

When you order at Indulge, you use a screen to look at all your options and the waiters in your section of the food hall serve your orders and drinks. The staff were super kind and attentive. We even made a friend with our first-day waiter, Bhilly. After our first meeting, he was always ecstatic to see us – he asked us about our day, would recommend food, and just make sure we were having an overall great time. The waiters truly gave exceptional service and I hope to see Bhilly one day again on a cruise.

The Local Bar & Grill

The Local Bar & Grill was a dining option we figured would be more American food as it is a pub option so we waited to go there until our third day for lunch. Boy, were we glad we finally did. I had the fish sandwich the first day and I went back for another the next – that’s how delicious it was. Matt did the same, but with the chicken salad sandwich. All of our appetizers and drinks were perfect. I highly recommend the Local Bar & Grill.

Cagney’s Steakhouse

Apparently, a lot of people like Cagney’s Steakhouse and you can add us to that list. Matt really wanted to go here and we had one specialty dining package to use. For our inaugural sailing, specialty restaurants required reservations so our first day on board we snagged our Cagney’s reservation.

Matt and I ordered an abundance of food to try and there was not a single thing we didn’t enjoy. For starters we ordered the black tiger shrimp trio and the lobster bisque, which had big pieces of lobster in it. I’m getting hungry again just talking about it. For our entrees, I got filet mignon and Matt got the ribeye. Our waiter, Cloyd (fun side note, he said the way you remember his name is either Pink CLOYD or CLOYD Mayweather) came to our table with a box of knives to choose to use with our steaks. Cloyd explained what each knife was good for and what he recommended. Then our steaks came out and I have to tell you, I am not the biggest steak eater, but I’ve never had a better steak in my life. I crave Cagney’s filet mignon all the time now, that’s how good it was!

For our sides we took Bhilly from Indulge Food Hall’s recommendation of parmesan dusted truffle fries and Cloyd’s recommendation of potatoes au gratin, plus some broccoli. I can’t express enough how delicious our food was. For dessert we got the seven-layer chocolate cake and the “omg” caramel-butterscotch cheesecake, both were incredible. If you are a steak-lover or a good-food lover (who isn’t?), I am confident you will LOVE this specialty dining restaurant.

Side note on specialty dining: A few of my fellow coworkers tried out some of the other specialty restaurants including Le Bistro, Palomar, and Los Lobos. Everyone enjoyed their food and recommended their specific choice in specialty dining. I have a feeling you can’t go wrong with any of the specialty dining options.

Bars and Lounges

The bars and lounges on the Prima were so neat and diverse. I’ll touch on some of them.

Belvedere Bar

The Belvedere Bar was tucked away behind the casino. They had fun cocktails and the bartenders were very kind and informative to us as we were new to cruising. The Belvedere Bar was nice for a quiet cocktail during the day and a bit livelier with a small crowd in the evening.

Waves Pool Bar

We visited the Waves Pool Bar as we waited for the ship to sail. My favorite cocktail was the frozen Pina Colada. The drinks were delicious and it was nice to watch all the activity on deck.

Observation Lounge

The Observation Lounge is beautiful because its wide-open windows allow you a beautiful panoramic view of the ocean. We were here for two cocktail hours and the time spent was great and the bartenders were very attentive. My favorite part of this bar and lounge was definitely watching the moon come into view over the ocean as the sun went down.

Penrose Bar

The Penrose Bar is so fun and pretty as it is on the lowest level of the atrium. Plus, being in the atrium it’s a great place to people watch.  After one of the entertainment shows, we went there with a fellow colleague and her husband, had some drinks and listened to the live band. They were phenomenal! Every evening there was a band that played here so don’t miss out as they did not disappoint.

Starbucks

The good ole morning friend, Starbucks. There’s not much to say other than every morning my coffee was great and the lounge was cozy. Keep in mind, there’s a Starbucks in Indulge Food Hall if the line in the atrium Starbucks is too long.

Onboard Activities

The activities and entertainment on the Prima were top tier. From the games, slides, experiences and more, there was always something fun to do!

Prima Speedway

I have to tell you the Prima Speedway was so impressive. How can a three-level go-kart race track on top of a cruise ship not be impressive? This had to be one of the most fun activities on board. Zipping around a race track on top of a cruise ship at almost thirty miles per hour is loads of fun. The track had many turns, dips, and brought you up to the top where you could see amazing views of the ocean. All of us got at least fourteen laps in!

The Speedway also has an observation deck where you can shoot lasers at the go-karts in play to give them a speed boost. On the deck there is a winner’s circle where you can pose for a photo op and see the leader boards for your sailing. The Prima Speedway is great for anyone who likes to have fun, is adventurous and competitive. Even better, get off the track and turn the corner and you’ll be at the Speedway Bar for a drink. The Prima Speedway was incredible and you have to try it out at least once!

Tee Time

Mini-golf on a cruise ship, but not your usual mini-golf, this is an interactive course and tech-immersive! There are nine holes mapped out in a Vegas-style backdrop (out of this world). You will receive your golf ball that has technology in it so every time you place your ball on the green, it syncs up to the hole. The course knows it’s you, knows how many times you’ve hit your ball for par, and at the end you can even win a prize – including a free cruise!

The Bull’s Eye

The Bull’s Eye is your classic game of darts with a twist! The game has a video tracking system that automatically calculates each person’s score. There are multiple types of dart games you can play and the technology keeps your game light-hearted, but competitive. So fun!

The Stadium

The Stadium is a fun place to play it up with tabletop shuffleboard, pickleball, subsoccer (our favorite), beer pong and more! Some of these classic games even have a few twists. Matt and I found our competitive sides yet again, and had such a fun time testing out each game.

Galaxy Pavilion

If you enjoy virtual reality, top golf, and simulators – this is for you! The Galaxy Pavilion has a flying, interactive theater, a TopGolf “driving range,” racing simulators and more. The high-tech world of the Galaxy Pavilion is fun for everyone and I can tell you, we definitely had fun here.

The Drop

Intimidating? Kind of. Fun? YES! We stood on the top deck watching people free-fall down this 10-story slide and it was a bit nerve-wracking. I kept reminding myself that I sky-dived before so I could handle a slide. But this was a free-fall slide that went over the side of a ship. Oh well! We gave it a go and it was SUPER FUN! Once it’s your turn, you get in at the top of the slide and the Norwegian employee will explain how to lay for the ride. Then the door closes over, the countdown begins… woosh – The Drop! The slide was fun with turns and at one part there is a window section of the slide where you can see down to the ocean. If you can overcome the nerves – do try this, it’s worth it.

Pool Deck

While it was a bit to chilly for the pool, we did enjoy the pool deck on our first day since it was a bit warmer than the rest of the sailing. If you like to people-watch like I do, this is a great place for you. The pool deck is definitely the hub area for people to gather, hangout and lounge. The scenery of the ocean was stunning and the pool is fabulous. Don’t forget about the infinity hot tubs (super relaxing with stunning views) and waterslides or get a drink at Waves Pool Bar!

Oceanwalk and The Concourse

The Oceanwalk was beautiful and thrilling. Take a walk and you’ll be impressed as you’ll find the first glass walkway at sea! The ocean is right under your feet and the views are incredible! Right next to Oceanwalk is the The Concourse where beautiful interactive artwork is displayed. We took a lot of fun photos and videos here.

Casino

Casinos aren’t necessarily our thing, but it was really neat to see a full-running casino on the cruise chip. If you enjoy casinos, you’ll love this!

Mandara Spa & Thermal Suite

We decided we wanted to have a nice relaxing day here and we’re both glad we did. If you enjoy spas, you’re going to love this. We bought a day pass to the Mandara Spa & Thermal Suite which allowed us access to robes, towels, refreshments, and some of the spa’s neatest features including: the Vitality Pool & Salt Flotation Pool which has a multi-story waterfall, a relaxation area with hot stone loungers and a beautiful ocean view, a charcoal sauna, a Finnish sauna, an infrared sauna, a salt room, an ice room, a steam room, an experiential shower! The spa also offers massages, acupuncture, manicures/pedicures, facials and more. Plus, there is the Pulse Fitness Center attached to the spa for all to use. The fitness center also has panoramic views of the ocean too. The spa was definitely the place to unwind and feel good so do try it if you like that kind of thing!

Entertainment

I cannot say enough how incredible the onboard entertainment was. For each show you need to reserve your spot to the theater on the NCL app, but if you can’t get a reservation there’s no need to worry! Every night before the show begins you can join a standby que on the NCL app and if someone does not show up for their reservation ten minutes prior to showtime, you’ll get notified that you are able to go in to the show! So get there early and all you have to do is show your notification or reservation and you’ll be on your way to enjoy the entertainment. We were able to get into every show by doing this which was so worth it! Keep reading for our favorite entertainment on board.

Prima Theater turned Nightclub

To begin on the entertainment, the Prima Theater was spectacular because not only were there incredible shows, but it is the first venue in the world that transforms from a three-story theater to a spectacular Vegas-Style nightclub. We watched the theater transform in a matter of minutes. After the transformation, the seats were gone and the dance floor was open – AMAZING! Our favorite theme night at the nightclub was the 80’s Flashback night. The music, lights and vibes were all set as we danced the night away!

Summer: The Donna Summer Musical

This Tony Award-nominated Broadway show did not disappoint. I thought it was spectacular. You’ll be immersed in Donna Summer’s incredible life journey all while singing along and dancing to the Disco Queen’s hits. Even though I was not alive during the disco era, I can tell you this Prima Theater show is incredible no matter your age!

The Price is Right Live

Yes, this is exactly what you think it is. The Price is Right brought right to the Prima Theater. Seriously, they brought the real traveling Price is Right Live replication right to the ship. When you arrive at the Prima Theater you will get your name tag and hope you are one of the lucky players to hear “come on down” to the stage to play. We weren’t called down, but the entire experience was super fun.

Syd Norman’s Pour House

At Syd Norman’s you’ll have drinks and sing along to your favorite rock hits. We had so much fun here that went more than one night. The house band was comical, fun, and interactive all while rocking out. It’s one of those things where I will say you have to see it for yourself.

The Improv At Sea

We went to both the family show and the late-night adult show, both of which were hilarious! We really were laughing the night away. Comedy at its finest.

Destination and Excursion – Peggy’s Cove, Halifax, Nova Scotia

I was actually fairly nervous to do an excursion as I did not know what to expect or how it worked. We made our reservations for the excursion on Norwegians website and were told to meet in the Prima Theater prior to our excursion start time. Once at the theater, Norwegian employees called the excursion names and when your excursion was called you met with your tour group. We met our group and followed our guide off of the ship. We immediately got into our excursion van and were on our way!

Our ship docked in Halifax, Nova Scotia and we chose the beautiful Peggy’s Cove and Arcadian Maple Syrup excursion. Throughout our ride to Peggy’s Cove our guide told us about the area and pointed out popular sites and attractions that we passed. When we finally arrived to Peggy’s Cove and fishing village, our guide explained what we could do and see as well as told us what time we needed to be back at the van. After that, we took off exploring the entire village. We viewed the lighthouse, tried a lobster roll (YUM), took photos, went into the fishing village shops and more. The area was stunning and if you ever go on a cruise to Canada, I highly recommend Peggy’s Cove!

Once it was time to meet back up with the group, we had a head count to make sure everyone was there and moved on to the Arcadian Maple Syrup store to taste the maple syrup and shop. After this stop we made our way back to the Prima. To get back on the ship all we had to do was scan ourselves in with our keycard lanyard and then be double-checked with facial recognition. Going on an excursion was much simpler and exciting than I expected it to be. I’m so glad we went on one!

I’ve officially filled you in on all of our favorite highlights and experiences from the Norwegian Prima inaugural sailing. The morning the ship arrived back in New York City, I was sad to leave. Thankfully, the process to unload was as easy as the process to board. The Norwegian crew announced on the ship’s overhead speakers when it was each group’s time to load off. We waited in a line and the process was simple to go through customs. Then we found my Mom in the pickup area and as soon as Matt and I got in her car we told her she needs to go on a cruise! We do hope to take her on one someday as she would absolutely love it.

Soooo…. To answer your question, yes, I would cruise again! And yes, the Norwegian Prima is really this incredible. I never thought that I’d be on a cruise ship, let alone something as magnificent as this. What I am going to leave you with is if you have the opportunity to go on the brand-new Norwegian Prima, do it! Explore everything you possibly can, relax and have fun! I really hope to go back on a cruise ship soon and by soon, I mean, like yesterday.

I recommend cruising on the Norwegian Prima as soon as you can, and with our wealth of knowledge, your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor can help you plan your next cruise too! Contact your local Boscov’s Travel or call 800-755-8020, boscovstravel.com.

My personal experience visiting Dreams Tulum for Dia de los Muertos

Last year one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took a trip to Tulum, Mexico for Dia de los Muertos. Read her incredible experience below.

I was fortunate enough to experience the celebration of Dia de los Muertos while visiting Tulum, Mexico.  Although celebrated around the same time of year, Halloween and Dia de los Muertos are not the same. Celebrated throughout Mexico and parts of Central America, Dia de los Muertos is a multi-day celebration of family and loved ones who have passed away. It honors their memory and helps to guide them on their journey to the afterlife. It is a celebration of life, and a reminder that all life is cyclical.

While celebrating Dia de los Muertos, I was able to see elaborate alters which are created out of flowers, seeds, paper banners, water and fire – the four elements – to provide the loved ones’ spirits with everything they need for their journey and to guide them on the right path.

While in Tulum I also visited the Temple of the God of Winds. Tulum is a pre-Columbian Mayan walled city that is on a cliff overlooking the Caribbean sea. It was a port city for the nearby ancient city of Coba whose ruins are also available for the public to visit.

We stayed at the Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa, which was about a 10 minute cab ride from the ancient ruins, and the small town of Tulum where there are many shops for souvenirs and a number of lovely little cantinas to stop for a cervesa or two. The resort sits on an expansive white sand beach and has two pools including a heated relax pool and a heated activities pool plus a splash park for kids.

You’ll never be hungry or thirsty at this resort, with 6 a la carte, sit down, themed restaurants and a large international buffet to choose from. There are also 6 bars throughout the property and a smoothie bar for all of your drink desires.

We stayed in the Preferred Club section, which gives the guest upgraded status and amenities such as an upgraded, in-room minibar, a Preferred Club section on the beach with Bali beds and wait staff, and a concierge to arrange your reservations, excursions, and spa treatments. It also gives you access to the Preferred Club lounge that serves hot and cold hors d’oeuvres throughout the day, a sit down breakfast service, and top shelf international brand liquors.

When the sun goes down, the night heats up with many activities, entertainments and open bars with live music. One evening they had a complete Mariachi band perform and dance with the guests. Another evening they performed an elaborate stage show depicting Mayan culture and Dia de los Muertos that was wonderful. They had a Cirque du Soleir-like acrobatic performance over the pool with a fire and water theme that was equally enjoyable on another night. Needless to say, their entertainment team is top notch!

If you are considering a trip to Riviera Maya, you can’t go wrong with staying at Dreams Tulum Resort & Spa. While it is a little over an hour away from the airport, it is worth the trip. With our wealth of knowledge, your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor can help you plan your next vacation to Mexico too! Contact us today. See you on the beach!

My personal experience at RIU Dunamar Costa Mujeres, Mexico

Recently one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took a trip to Costa Mujeres, Mexico. Read her incredible experience below.

We travel to Mexico two times a year and stay at different resorts each time. We enjoy the beautiful sand, drinks, and food – it’s a great place to go! In the past some of our favorite hotels that we have stayed at are RIU Palace Costa Mujeres, Hard Rock Riveria Maya, Sun Palace and Blue Bay Esmeralda. This April 2022 we stayed at the RIU Dunamar, Costa Mujeres, and all-inclusive beachfront and kid friendly resort. We loved it!

This resort is across the bay on the mainland, just north of Cancun. The beauty is its location. This area feels calm and secluded, but is just thirty minutes away from Cancun’s bustling restaurants and nightlife. Isla Mujeres is visible from the resorts in this area.

Some of the best parts of our trips to Mexico is the all-inclusive amenities! RIU Dunamar offers four specialty dinner restaurants, a lunchtime poolside barbecue grill, six bars, including a 24-hour bar with snacks, and two swim-up bars.  I would highly recommend this resort to families because of the Splash Water Park, RIU Land Kids’ Club and poolside activities during the day which are geared towards families.

When staying in Mexico there is a lot you can do with many excursion options to choose from if you want to stray away from your resort. Every time we take our vacation, we take a day trip from our resort to explore the area. On this trip we took a three-hour snorkeling excursion that picked us up at our resort to visit a coral reef, the MUSA statues which are made of material for coral to grow on, a shipwreck and underwater cenotes. The entirety of the excursion was beautiful, fun and educational. Afterward, we visited El Meco which is a small archaeological Mayan Ruins site, which was stunning.

The Mayan Ruins have eighteen structures located off the beaten path to the North of Cancun en route to Costa Mujeres near the Puerto Juarez ferry dock. It has the tallest pyramid on the Northeast Yucatan Peninsula. From the top of the Castillo Ruins one can see the Caribbean Sea, all of Cancun’s lagoons, and Isla Mujeres. I highly recommend visiting some of the Mayan Ruins on a vacation to Mexico.

Obviously, we love vacationing in Mexico and I highly recommend going at least once. Cancun, Rivera Maya and Costa Mujeres are all great vacation spots for singles, couples and families. Since I have a wide range of knowledge on the area, and with all the lodging options and areas to stay in, it is important that I qualify my clients to fit them with the right resort for what they expect on their vacations. Your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor is ready to help you find the perfect fit for your next vacation in Mexico and beyond. Contact us today!

 

My personal experience at the Virginia International Tattoo

Recently one of our Boscov’s Travel Advisors took a trip to Virginia International Tattoo and its surrounding areas. Read her incredible experience below.

“I recently had the pleasure of attending the Virginia International Tattoo.  To the surprise of many, it has nothing to do with skin tattoos, but is a military exhibition that is the signature event of the Virginia Arts Festival.  This was an especially great experience because it was the 25th Anniversary “Silver Jubilee.”  This performance showcased 25 years of presenting the world’s most patriotic Tattoo, with an all-star lineup up of performers including: Military Bands, Massed Pipes and Drums, Elegant Highland Dancers, Precision Drill Teams, and Stunning International Performers.

The Tattoo was very entertaining and commanded audience participation throughout the show.  Most amazing was the Star Spangled Banner, which brought everyone to their feet; service songs from all branches of the military that asked people to stand when your family’s service song was sung; and a grand finale of hundreds of pipers, military musicians, and singers joining together to perform Amazing Grace.  This event occurs annually in Norfolk, VA.

While there, I took the opportunity to visit various other points of interest including:  Virginia Beach; King Neptune, a colossal 34 feet high bronze statue that rises from the depth of the Atlantic Ocean at 31st Street and Atlantic Avenue overlooking Neptune Park; Virginia Military Aviation Museum; Norfolk Botanical Gardens; Navy Cruises “Victory Rover” sightseeing cruise; Nauticus, The National Maritime Center; General Douglas MacArthur Memorial, and the Chrysler Museum.

If you’re looking for a fun, educational, vacation, definitely consider booking tickets for next year’s Virginia International Tattoo and plan several days before and/or after to explore the rest that Norfolk and Virginia Beach have to offer.”

Contact your local Boscov’s Travel Advisor today to book a trip to next year’s Virginia International Tattoo.

Premier World Discovery 2022 Tours

From the breathtaking scenery, rich cultural history and wide-open spaces, the western United States and Canada is a must for your future travels. Do you want to check off some of these awesome places from your bucket list? Well now you can! We’ve partnered with Premier World Discovery and hand-picked 8 exciting tours for 2022. Premier World Discovery is one of our premier travel partners for guided tours with excellent feedback from clients who have traveled with them in the past. We are confident you will be in great hands if you choose to embark on one of these incredible journeys.

These trips are a great value and include roundtrip airfare from Philadelphia International Airport, first-class hotel accommodations, deluxe motorcoach transportation, the services of an experienced tour director and local guides, selected meal packages, entrance to included parks and sites, and more. Now for what you’ve been waiting for – the trips and highlights!

The Magnolia Trail & the Heart of Texas, April 23 – 27, 2022

Trip Highlights:
– Dallas City Tour
– Tour of AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys
– Historic JFK Sites & Locations
– Magnolia Markets at the Silos
– Fort Worth Stockyards Historic District & Cattle Drive Viewing
– & more!

Utah’s Mighty National Parks, May 1 – 7, 2022

Trip Highlights:
– Canyonlands National Park
– Arches National Park
– Grand Junction Colorado
– Scenic Byway 128
– Colorado River Cruise
– & more!

Idaho Adventure, June 15 – 21, 2022

Trip Highlights:
– Ketchum & Sun Valley
– Sawtooth Mountains
– Salmon River Jetboat
– Silver Mine Tour
– Rider Ranch Cookout
– & more!

 
Majestic Canadian Rockies, July 10 – 15, 2022

Trip Highlights:
– Emerald Lake
– Banff National Park
– Dinner at Chateau Lake Louise
– Moraine Lake & Valley of the Ten Peaks
– Columbia Icefield Ice Explorer Ride
– & more!

Great Trains & Grand Canyons, September 25 – 30, 2022

Trip Highlights:
– Two Railroad Journeys: Grand Canyon Railway & Verde Canyon Railroad
– Grand Canyon National Park
– Sedona Trolley Tour
– Chapel of the Holy Cross
– Montezuma Castle
– & more!

Explore Santa Fe & the Land of Enchantment, October 23 – 28, 2022

Trip Highlights:
– Albuquerque
– Santa Fe City Tour
-Taos Pueblo
– Madrid
– Loretto Chapel
– & more!

Southern Harmony, November 6 – 11, 2021

Trip Highlights:
– French Quarter Walking Tour
– Mardi Gras World
– New Orleans City Tour
– Steamboat Natchez Cruise
– Gulf Island National Seashore
– & more!

Montreal & Quebec City Christmas Markets, December 8 – 12, 2022

Trip Highlights:
– Montreal Christmas Market
– Montreal City Tour
– Quebec City Christmas Market
– Quebec City Tour
– Quartier Petit Champlain & German
– & more!

Now that you’ve seen the tours and the highlights, the hard part will be picking only one! We have an incredible booking discount where you can save up to $400 with no risk deposit or change fees. So, what are you waiting for? Book today! Don’t forget, book using your Boscov’s Credit Card and receive special financing. Contact your Boscov’s Travel Advisor today to book and check off another destination on your bucket list.

 

Halloween Fans Vacations

Spooky thrills, the hair on your neck standing straight up, screams, and pumpkins – nothing sounds better to a Halloween fan than this. It’s October, are you itching for some Halloween fun? We’ve pulled together some of the best vacation spots for Halloween thrills for all ages. We promise you’ll be shaking in your boots and having the time of your life. Now is the perfect time to start planning a ghoulish getaway for next year.

1 – Savannah, Georgia – Known as the city that’s built on top of her dead as there’s always a cemetery nearby

© Ghost City Tours
Grave Tales Ghost Tour:

• All ages
• 90-minutes
• Walking tour
• Alcohol and pet friendly tour
• History and haunting
• Visit Savannah Haunted Mansions, Historic Homes, Haunted Cemeteries, Burial grounds, Revolutionary War Battlefield, and more
• Visit Johnson Square where you could meet Little Gracie. This spirit plays in the square and is known for grabbing guests’ hands

© Ghost City Tours
Dead of Night Ghost Tour:

• Ages 16 +, most popular adults only tour
• 90-minutes
• Walking tour
• Alcohol and pet friendly tour
• Explore locations where darker hauntings take place like demons, possessions and murders – you’ll always be watched on this tour
• Visit 5-8 locations including: the Foley House Inn and the Sorrel Weed House

© Trolley Tours
Ghosts and Gravestones Trolley Tour:

• Ages 13+
• 1-hour
• Trolley tour
• Haunted sites, eerie legends, and frightening residents
• Visit the Andrew Low House, Perkins & Son’s Ship Chandlery, cemeteries, bloodshed battlegrounds, and more

2 – New Orleans, Louisiana – Known for it’s rich and dark history haunts

© Ghost City Tours
Haunted Pub Crawl:

• Ages 21+
• 2-hours
• Walking tour
• Alcohol friendly – drinks keep flowing
• Visit haunted pubs and restaurants
• Visit the Haunted Bourbon Orleans, the Ghosts of Tujague’s, Pirate’s Alley, Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, and more

© Ghost City Tours
The Killers and Thrillers Tour:

• Ages 16+
• 90-minutes
• Walking tour
• Alcohol and pet friendly tour
• If you’re a true crime fan, this one’s for you – you’ll learn about the most notorious and gruesome crimes of the city
• Visit the Pharmacy Museum, Sultan’s Palace, Beauregard-Keyes House and follow an off beaten path for more

© Ghost City Tours
Ghosts of New Orleans Tour:

• All ages
• 90-minutes
• Walking tour
• Alcohol and pet friendly tour
• Visit some of New Orleans most famous haunted locations including: Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop, LaLaurie Mansion, the Andrew Jackson hotel, the Haunted Hotel Villa Convento, and more

3 – Disney’s Magic Kingdom, Orlando, Florida – Known for its not too spooky magical time


Boo Bash:

• All ages
• 3-hours
• Trick-or-treating throughout the park
• Shorter wait times
• Parades
• Performances
• Characters in Halloween attire
• Special décor, lighting and music
• Ice cream novelties, popcorn, and select beverages included in event cost
• Festive food and beverages including: foolish mortal funnel cake and apple ginger dale frozen drink (allergy-free options available)

4 – Universal Studios, Orlando, Florida & Hollywood, California – the 30th year of the world’s premier Halloween event

© Universal Studios
Halloween Horror Nights

• Ages 13+
• Hours vary between 6:30pm and 2:00am
• Scare zones where you’ll be surrounded by shadows lurking, scares, screams, and thrills
• 13 Haunted Houses including: Beetlejuice, the Haunting of Hill House, the Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Universal Monsters: the Bride of Frankenstein, Case Files Unearthed: Legendary Truth, and more
• Jack the Clown will be back lunging from the shadows
• Mazes
• Select rides and attractions
• Live entertainment
• Themed foods and drinks including alcoholic beverages

These thrilling locations and tours make our hairs stand up – we’re excited to go! Are you ready for the biggest spooks and fun of your life? Dare to begin your Halloween vacation now by visiting our start planning page today. Outside of the area? We are happy to assist you online and by phone at 800-755-8020.

 

One Year Back! And WOW, What a Year…

We are here for you - the world awaits

As you’ve heard and thought numerous times, who would have thought that we would have had the year we’ve all experienced when this all started back in March 2020?! But we are so happy to have weathered the storm and come out strong on the other side.

While we just celebrated our 47th year in business, it is now one year back in person in our offices, and we could not be more excited!

Travel is returning:

  • All-inclusive resorts are open and guests are having amazing experiences. If you’re looking for a relaxing vacation where everything is ready and waiting for you, than check out the opportunities we have with Apple Vacations.
  • River cruises are sailing across Europe. What an amazing way to experience the world, having it pass by right out your window! We have many partners, destinations and itineraries for river cruising that are sure to spark interest.
  • Cruise ships will soon be sailing the open seas again! We have all been waiting anxiously for the opportunity to cruise again. Our cruise partners have been working diligently to ensure you have the best and safest experience that you have ever had. The world awaits, with cruising opportunities in the Caribbean,  Bermuda, Europe, the Mediterranean, Hawaii and Alaska. Talk to us about planning your next cruise today.
  • Amusements such as Disney, Universal, and all the fun of central Florida have been welcoming visitors for many months now, and our clients are coming back happy and ready to go back again.  Whether you travel on your own, or opt to use our exclusive Orlando Charter program, Florida fun awaits.
  • Touring new places – be it here in the U.S. or anywhere across the globe – is one of the best ways to learn and experience new cultures and the abundant history of our expansive world.  So go ahead and explore. With destinations from Hawaii and Alaska to Maine or as far off as Africa, Australia and Asia, we can help you plan the trip of your dreams.

We have been here for you throughout this difficult time, we are here for you now, and will be here well into the future. Our team of experienced travel experts are ready to help you plan your next adventure – simply stop in to any office located conveniently in your local Boscov’s. Not ready to meet in person? We understand, and are happy to assist via phone or email. Either way, we pride ourselves on personalized care and attention to detail that you cannot get with trying to coordinate a vacation on your own online. Now more than ever, the knowledge and support of a professional travel advisor can make or break your vacation experience. Welcome Back to Travel!

A Stellar River Cruise Experience Aboard the AMAWaterways Stella

The following post is written by Irene from the Boscov’s Travel Group Department. Irene and her husband Nabil just returned from an AmaWaterways European river cruise.

I just got back from a trip of a lifetime. My husband and I traveled to the Netherlands for our first ever river cruise. We enjoyed 7-days onboard AmaWaterways’ AmaStella sailing from Amsterdam down the Rhine to Basel, Switzerland. Every inch of this trip was truly perfect.

Day 1

The first day of our trip was in Amsterdam. Since AmaWaterways offers a variety of included excursions to choose from at each destination, we were able to take a guided canal cruise with commentary about the history of Amsterdam passing locks, churches, house boats, the Jewish quarter, a ton of bikes and the Anne Frank house!

The AmaWaterways AmaStella
Amsterdam

Day 2

Today we arrived into Cologne, Germany. It rained all morning along the way, but as soon as we arrived, the skies turned blue and beautiful for us! We enjoyed an included walking tour through the heart of the city underneath the famous Love Bridge with all of the locks, to St. Martin church and to the Cologne Cathedral… followed by a visit to Gaffel am Dom where we enjoyed tasting the typical Kolsch beer and reibekuken (potato cakes) with apple sauce.

A sign in Cologne, Germany

Day 3

The third day is Castle Day! Our morning was an unforgettable experience sailing to Rudesheim. We started off with a scenic cruise through the most famous stretch of the Rhine river. We saw about 30 castles or castle ruins in this short stretch of the river valley—more than anywhere else in the world! The AmaStella crew came up to the top deck where we were bundled up with blankets to serve us Rudesheimer coffee! We concluded the day with an AmaWaterways included winery and wine tasting tour!

A part of the Rhine River
One of the many castles we saw!

Day 4

We’ve arrived into Rudesheim! The prettiest storybook/fairytale city we’ve ever seen. Our captain greeted us as we exited our ship wishing us a great day! We enjoyed an included winery tour at the Adolf Storzel Vineyard and Wine Cellar for a wine tasting….a family owned winery since 1647! Then, time for exploring and shopping. Mode of transportation today was unique and by train… another fun day!

Wine Cellar

Day 5

The AmaStella crew celebrated Frühschoppen in the lounge. What fun! This is the breakfast of Champions in Germany 🇩🇪. In the afternoon, we chose an included tour to Speyer while some others went to Heidelberg to visit the castle. Speyer is one of Germany’s oldest towns, founded by the Romans. We visited the Speyer Cathedral – consecrated in 1061 and is the largest Romanesque church to this day. We then strolled through the quaint streets preparing for the Christmas Markets! They really transform the city streets into a winter wonderland!

Christmas Market

Day 6

We woke up this morning in the beautiful town of Strasbourg, one of Europe’s most attractive cities. Thanks to the richness and sheer density of its heritage sites, the entire town center has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Strasbourg is definitely well worth a visit to discover its history, cuisine and unique Alsatian atmosphere! And to make it EXTRA special, Zohdi, my brother in law and Dolly, his wife came to see us and we spent a wonderful day together in the most beautiful and fairytale place!

A store with hanging teddy bears
St. Paul Church in Strasbourg France
Strasbourg Cathedral
Macarons

Day 7

Our last day of river cruising brought us to Breisach, Germany, a city located only a few minutes drive to the French border! Our included tour today was to the charming village of Riquewihr in France. This village escaped damage during WWII so many houses we saw date back to the 16th and 17th centuries. This beautiful French village inspired Belle’s hometown in Beauty and the Beast! You can imagine I was singing the soundtrack as I was walking through the streets. 😜Even on a cloudy day, Riquewihr was truly magical!!

Riquewihr France
Riquewihr France

I loved the entire trip – from the ship and staff to the people of the picturesque villages we visited, everything exceeded our expectations. Thanks for letting me share my experiences aboard AmaStella and we’d love to hear from you! Let me or any of our Travel Specialists know if you’re ready to see Europe from a whole new perspective.

 

Visit Boscov’s Travel located within select Boscov’s including Pennsylvania (Camp Hill, Colonial Park/Harrisburg, Easton, Lancaster, Lebanon, Neshaminy/Bensalem, Wyomissing, Reading, Pottstown, Pottsville, Scranton, Selinsgrove, Wilkes-Barre), New York (Binghamton), New Jersey (Atlantic City and Moorestown), Delaware (Wilmington), and Maryland (Salisbury). View our locations here. If you live a little further away, book over the phone by calling us at 800-755-8020. Learn more at boscovstravel.com