Are You Relaxing Enough?? #PrincessCruises #comebacknew

Survey Shows Almost All Americans Believe Relaxation is Essential for Health and Well-Being - But Their Habits Prove Otherwise

Princess Cruises' Annual Relaxation Report Reveals Americans Spend Less Than 5% of Their Day on Relaxation

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Aug. 15, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Princess Cruises today released results from its fifth annual Relaxation Report, conducted in celebration of National Relaxation Day on Aug. 15. Despite that an overwhelming 99% of Americans agree that relaxation is essential for their overall health and well-being, on average Americans spend only an hour a day dedicated to unwinding.

In honor of National Relaxation Day, Princess Cruises is encouraging all Americans to observe the day with dedicated time spent relaxing.

The national survey also revealed other insights including that 38% frequently feel guilty about relaxing, and that more than one-quarter (28%) of those polled feel stressed out by the mere thought of trying to relax. That figure increases to 39% for parents and 41% among Americans under 40.

"It's not surprising that almost all Americans see relaxation as key to improving their health, however, our survey found that the demands of our daily lives have made only 60 minutes attainable," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. "In honor of National Relaxation Day, we're asking Americans to make a concerted effort to take a break today to relax and decompress, which we all know is good for both our mind and body." She added that for those who looking for the ultimate chance to unwind, Princess Cruises offers an array of options for any traveler looking for a relaxing vacation escape.

Princess Cruises, which helps more than 1.7 million travelers each year "come back new" aboard its worldwide fleet of ships in exotic destinations, commissioned the annual report to uncover consumer attitudes towards vacation and relaxation habits.

Relax, Just Do It

An overwhelming 85% of those surveyed say sex is better when they're relaxed and can just go with it. Interestingly enough, 16% report that sex is better when they're stressed. For those looking for a relaxing couple's getaway (wink, wink), consider a cruise vacation.

Going Off the Grid in 3, 2, 1

Two-thirds of Americans (67%) reported they would feel completely relaxed if they were entirely "off the grid" (without any electronics or Internet access). And on an average day, 42% of men and women feel completely or mostly relaxed. Additionally, over half (52%) of American's say that having a smart phone makes it harder to relax.

Let the Music Soothe You

More Americans would prefer to use sound over sight when trying to relax. Two in five Americans (40%) of Americans choose music to help decompress and, now in 2014, reading has been shelved with only 5% naming it the best relaxation tool.

Who has it Harder?

Of those with significant others, 52% share they're more stressed than their partner. However, among men, 62% say their significant other is more stressed out.

About the 2014 Survey

The Princess Cruises Relaxation Report survey was conducted by Wakefield Research among 1,000 nationally representative U.S. adults ages 18+, between August 8th and August 12th, 2014, using an online omnibus survey. Quotas have been set to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the U.S. adult population 18+. The margin of error for this survey is +/- 3.1 percent.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at http://www.princess.com.

About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 18 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.7 million passengers each year to destinations around the globe ranging in length from three to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE: CUK).

This post is written by Sarah Coulsey. She is a Wife, and Mother of two boys living in New England. This post may contain affiliate links.

Norwegian Getaway Is Making Miami Their Home!!

Norwegian Getaway will be the largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami

MIAMI – PortMiami and Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that Norwegian Cruise Line’s new state-of-the-art 4,000 passenger ship, Norwegian Getaway, will make Miami her year-round home port. Norwegian Getaway - which will be the largest ship ever to home port year-round in Miami - will embark on weekly cruises beginning in the spring of 2014. Miami-Dade County officials joined Norwegian Cruise Line Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sheehan today at PortMiami on board Norwegian Spirit for this announcement.

“PortMiami is pleased to be the home of the most modern and innovative ships on the seas today. Norwegian Getaway will be a great addition to our fleet,” said Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos A. Gimenez. “We are anxious to welcome Norwegian Getaway to the Cruise Capital of the World.”
Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise brand to sail from Miami.

“Miami has been the home of this Company since our beginning in 1966. Therefore, we are so excited to bring one of our two new Breakaway-class ships here to Miami to homeport year-round,” said Norwegian Cruise Line Chief Executive Officer Kevin Sheehan. “Norwegian Getaway will embrace all that the Magic City has to offer and will offer an extraordinary cruise experience to the more than 4,000 guests who will sail on her each week beginning in spring 2014.”

Miami-Dade County Commissioner Rebeca Sosa, joined County Commission Chairman Joe A. Martinez in welcoming this new vessel to South Florida.

“The Norwegian brand is known around the world for its Freestyle Cruising,” Sosa said. “We are looking forward to bringing a new Norwegian ship to our community.”

PortMiami Director Bill Johnson said, “Norwegian vessels will generate more than one million passenger moves annually through the Port once Norwegian Getaway arrives, contributing an estimated $500,000,000 each year to Florida's economy. Norwegian Getaway alone is expected to generate 450,000 passenger moves each year.”

Norwegian Cruise Line has been sailing its ships from PortMiami longer than any other cruise brand, since the company’s origins in 1966. Norwegian currently has three ships sailing seasonally from Miami, including Norwegian Epic, the line’s largest vessel carrying more than 4,100 guests. Norwegian Sky has been sailing three and four-day itineraries to the Bahamas year-round from Miami since 2007.

Being built at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Getaway will be 144,000 gross tons and is scheduled for delivery in spring 2014. Norwegian will announce the ship’s inaugural itineraries and on-sale dates later this year. Norwegian Getaway’s sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, will begin sailing from her year-round home port of New York City in May 2013.

To book a Norwegian Cruise Line sailing, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 800-327-7030 or visit www.ncl.com.

About PortMiami

PortMiami is the world’s busiest cruise port handling more than four million passengers last year, the fourth year in a row in which the Port topped the four million mark for cruise traffic. For more information about PortMiami please visit www.miamadade.gov.

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 47-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which revolutionized the industry by giving guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian invites guests to “Cruise Like a Norwegian” on one of 13 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed, resort style cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. Recently, the line was named “Europe’s Leading Cruise Line” for the sixth consecutive year, as well as “Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Line” and “World’s Leading Large Ship Cruise Line” by the World Travel Awards.

The Company recently took delivery of its most innovative ship to date, the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Getaway on January 10, 2014. The largest ship to homeport year-round in Miami, Norwegian Getaway boasts 28 dining venues, including seafood restaurant Ocean Blue by famed New York Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and a branch of Carlo’s Bake Shop by Buddy Valastro, star of the TLC series “Cake Boss.” The entertainment lineup includes Broadway shows Legally Blonde and Burn the Floor and the unique dining and magic venue, the Illusionarium. Norwegian Getaway’s sister ship, Norwegian Breakaway, was named “Best New Ship of 2013” by the editors of Cruise Critic and “Best Rookie Cruise Ship” by the readers of Travel Weekly. Known as New York’s ship, Norwegian Breakaway is the largest vessel to homeport year-round in the city.

The Company has two 4,200-passenger vessels on order at Meyer Werft: Norwegian Escape with delivery scheduled in the fall of 2015; and Norwegian Bliss with delivery in the spring of 2017.

Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of the Miami Dolphins/Sun Life Stadium, The New York Knicks, Blue Man Group and Legends in Concert; and the official cruise line partner of The GRAMMY Awards and is an official partner of the Rockettes and Radio City Music Hall.