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| Cruise Ship Comparison Chart |
| Ship Id | Cruise Line | Ship | Weight | Length | Passenger Capacity | First Year | Pools | Restaurants | Basketball Court | Miniature Golf | Bowling Alley |
| 5 | Carnival | Conquest | 110000 tons | 952 ft | 2974 | 2002 | 4 | 4 | Y | Y | N |
| 6 | Carnival | Elation | 70367 tons | 855 ft | 2628 | 1998 | 3 | 3 | N | Y | N |
| 7 | Carnival | Glory | 110000 tons | 952 ft | 2974 | 2003 | 4 | 4 | Y | Y | N |
| 8 | Carnival | Paradise | 70390 tons | 859 ft | 2600 | 1998 | 3 | 3 | N | Y | N |
| 9 | Carnival | Splendor | 113300 tons | 952 ft | 3006 | 2008 | 4 | 3 | Y | Y | N |
| 12 | Celebrity Cruises | Century | 71545 tons | 815 ft | 2150 | 1995 | 3 | 2 | N | Y | N |
| 16 | Crystal | Serenity | 68000 tons | 820 ft | 1080 | 2003 | 2 | 6 | Y | Y | N |
| 15 | Crystal | Symphony | 51044 tons | 781 ft | 940 | 1995 | 2 | 2 | N | N | N |
| 13 | Disney | Magic | 83000 tons | 964 ft | 2400 | 1998 | 3 | 4 | Y | Y | N |
| 14 | Disney | Wonder | 83000 tons | 964 ft | 2400 | 1999 | 3 | 4 | Y | Y | N |
| 19 | Holland America | Rotterdam | 59652 tons | 778 ft | 1316 | 1997 | 2 | 2 | N | N | N |
| 20 | Holland America | Veendam | 55541 tons | 720 ft | 1258 | 1996 | 2 | 2 | N | N | N |
| 21 | NCL | Dawn | 92250 tons | 965 ft | 2224 | 2002 | 2 | 8 | Y | N | N |
| 3 | NCL | Gem | 93502 tons | 965 ft | 2466 | 2007 | 2 | 12 | Y | N | Y |
| 22 | NCL | Jade | 93558 tons | 965 ft | 2224 | 2006 | 4 | 12 | Y | N | N |
| 23 | NCL | Pride of America | 81000 tons | 921 ft | 2146 | 2000 | 2 | 11 | Y | N | N |
| 24 | NCL | Spirit | 77000 tons | 879 ft | 1996 | 1998 | 2 | 11 | Y | N | N |
| 2 | NCL | Star | 91740 tons | 965 ft | 2240 | 2001 | 2 | 8 | Y | N | N |
| 1 | NCL | Sun | 78309 tons | 848 ft | 2400 | 2001 | 2 | 8 | Y | N | N |
| 11 | Princess Cruises | Golden Princess | 109000 tons | 951 ft | 2600 | 2001 | 4 | 4 | N | Y | N |
| 10 | Princess Cruises | Grand Princess | 109000 tons | 951 ft | 2600 | 1998 | 4 | 4 | N | Y | N |
| 4 | Royal Caribbean | Freedom of the Seas | 160000 tons | 1112 ft | 3634 | 2006 | 3 | 4 | Y | Y | N |
| 18 | Royal Caribbean | Independence of the Seas | 154407 tons | 1112 ft | 4370 | 2008 | 3 | 4 | Y | Y | N |
| 17 | Royal Caribbean | Majesty of the Seas | 73941 tons | 880 ft | 2744 | 1992 | 2 | 4 | Y | N | N |
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Celebrity Eclipse Debuts
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Thursday, March 11, 2010 - 02:24 PM
cruise-news
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Conventional wisdom advises the use of special eye protection when viewing an eclipse. But none of that was necessary for the thousands of individuals who lined the banks of Germany's River Ems today to see Celebrity Eclipse embark on a fascinating adventure in cruising.
The third of five in Celebrity Cruises' stylish, $3.7-billion Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Eclipse today made her first departure from the innovative Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, to embark on what is very likely to be the most challenging ride of her life: an event known as the "conveyance."
At the tightest points along the way, there are as few as two feet between each side of the 1,040-foot-long, 121-foot-wide Celebrity Eclipse and the locks. The depth of the river and the draft of the ship allow for mere inches - or less - beneath the ship. These factors and others led Celebrity Cruises and Meyer Werft to essentially create a science all their own, carefully monitoring the position of the moon and tidal conditions to identify the precise moment when the depth of the river is ideal for the ship to set sail from the shipyard.
"Cruise ship captains generally do not expect to encounter the challenges the conveyance presents," said Celebrity Eclipse Captain Panagiotis Skylogiannis. "Although I am accustomed to docking in tight ports, I prefer to be chasing sunshine in the open sea. Celebrity Eclipse is only a few feet slimmer than the narrowest lock we have to navigate, which isn't much room, particularly when the president of the company is onboard, keeping a close watch! But we've done this twice before, and I am entirely confident of another smooth and successful passage."
Celebrity's President & CEO Dan Hanrahan and the Captain are far from alone on the ship. This year, among those experiencing the once-in-a-lifetime conveyance are a host of winners of the line's global "Eclipse of a Lifetime" sweepstakes. "This event is a vivid example of our 'Designed for you' brand platform, as it's an experience ideally suited for discerning cruisers like those who entered our sweepstakes," said Hanrahan. "Our sweeps in North America alone generated more than 200,000 entries, which attests to the appeal of this very unique experience."
Before setting sail, the lucky winners - as well as a select group of travel agents and elite members of the press - had the exclusive opportunity to press the button activating the very first cuts of steel that will become a permanent part of the next ship in Celebrity's Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Silhouette, during a customized, private tour at Meyer Werft shipyard. After arriving in Emshaven, Netherlands, where those fortunate first few individuals to experience Celebrity Eclipse will depart, the ship will embark on sea trials, followed by a series of promotional events in Hamburg, Germany, and Southampton, England, where the vessel will be the first in the Celebrity fleet to be dedicated to the UK market. During her inaugural season, Celebrity Eclipse will offer cruises in the Mediterranean, Canary Islands, Scandinavia and Russia, as well as short cruise options to Le Havre (for Paris), France, and Cork, Ireland, all roundtrip from Southampton. The ship will present Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Miami, Fla., after crossing the Atlantic in November.
Celebrity Eclipse will be the industry's first to offer the "Celebrity iLounge," complete with a retail area offering the latest products through Celebrity's Authorized Apple Reseller status, and the first to present "Qsine," a "uniquely unordinary," interactive dining venue complete with wine menus on a personal touchscreen.
Like her sister ships - Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox - Celebrity Eclipse will present The Lawn Club, with real, growing grass; The Hot Glass Show, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 unrivaled dining venues, including Qsine; and widely varied entertainment, including shows with breathtaking aerial acts.
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Princess Cruises Europe 2011
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Wednesday, March 10, 2010 - 12:48 PM
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Princess Cruises has unveiled its most extensive Europe season ever for 2011, with more ships, departure choices and itinerary options than in previous years. In total, seven vessels will offer 42 itinerary choices, including seven new routes, with calls at more than 135 ports.
More than half of these ports feature access to notable attractions designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These remarkable places that make up the planet's cultural and natural heritage range from Italy's Amalfi Coast and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg to the birthplace of Apollo on the island of Delos (from Mykonos) and the 16th-century Suleymaniye Mosque (in Istanbul).
In addition, Princess has enhanced overnight offerings to give passengers extra time in fascinating ports throughout Europe, such as Venice, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Alexandria, Dublin and Edinburgh on various routes.
The line's 2011 program includes seven new itineraries, offering fresh vacation opportunities in each major cruise region. Among the new routes are an expanded 11-day Scandinavia & Russia itinerary featuring calls in ports such as Oslo, Berlin, Stockholm and a two-day stay in St. Petersburg. The season also features new seven-day Interlude voyages that can be combined for longer sailings, visiting boutique ports in the Mediterranean.
"As a leader in Europe cruises we constantly aim to design an intriguing range of vacation choices, but next year our lineup may really challenge passengers to choose among some outstanding options," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Whether they want the amenities of a large ship or the intimate experience of a smaller vessel; a short, seven-day getaway or an extended adventure over several weeks, there's a Princess cruise to match."
The 2011 Europe program ships and routes:
# Ruby Princess returns with the line's signature 12-day Grand Mediterranean itinerary and Greek Isles routes.
# Star Princess also cruises the Mediterranean, taking over the 12-day Egypt, Greek Isles and Mediterranean itineraries.
# Emerald Princess returns to Europe with a new 11-day Scandinavia & Russia itinerary including the best of the Baltic region with Princess' signature two-day experience in St. Petersburg
# Crown Princess sails to the British Isles on two 12-day itinerary options, as well voyages to Norway and Iceland from seven to 12 days.
# Grand Princess offers three new itineraries featuring a selection of Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages, ranging from seven to 17 days.
# The intimate Ocean Princess offers new seven-day Greek Isles and Mediterranean Interlude itineraries that can be combined into 14-day or longer voyages, giving passengers the opportunity to explore boutique ports such as Cephalonia in Greece, and Koper, Slovenia.
# Small sister ship Pacific Princess sails to the Holy Land and Black Sea, and offers experiences in classic destinations such as Egypt, Israel, Ukraine, Greece and Turkey
Overnight Calls and Two-Day Experiences -- More itineraries than ever offer passengers more time to explore port highlights and enjoy a more immersive experience. All 12-day Mediterranean voyages have been enhanced to include an overnight stay in Venice, while the 12-day Black Sea & Crimean Coasts route now features an overnight stay in Istanbul. Passengers on 12-day Holy Land voyages can explore more of Egypt and Israel, with calls in two ports in each country. In Northern Europe, overnight calls in Dublin and Edinburgh are featured on select voyages, and 11-day Scandinavia & Russia sailings offer two full days in St. Petersburg on every voyage.
New ports -- Princess ships will add five new European ports this season, including the charming city of Aahus, home to the tallest cathedral in Denmark; Motril (for Grenada), on Spain's beautiful coast of Andalusia and within reach of the stunning Alhambra palace; the Mediterranean port of Sete, France; the resort city of Aghios Nikolaos on Crete (Greece), and cosmopolitan Antwerp, Belgium.
Mediterranean and Greek Isles -- Princess ships offer 21 different itineraries through the storied waters of the Mediterranean, including six new routes. Both Ruby Princess and Star Princess will offer the line's signature Grand Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries, as well as Egypt & Aegean sailings, giving passengers 30 different cruises to choose from in the Mediterranean. Grand Princess offers roundtrip voyages from Southampton to the Western Mediterranean, including new Canary Isles and Mediterranean & Adriatic sailings.
Seven-Day Interlude Voyages -- Ocean Princess offers the small ship experience on a number of Mediterranean options, including new week-long Interlude voyages that are specially designed so they can be combined into longer 14- or 21-day sailings without repeating a port.
Holy Land and Black Sea -- Pacific Princess also offers an intimate cruise experience as it sails to the unforgettable ports of the Holy Land, plus Mediterranean Collection voyages and a Black Sea & Crimean Coasts itinerary.
Scandinavia & Russia -- Emerald Princess returns to the Baltic region to debut a rich new 11-day itinerary that features the best of the region with calls in Oslo, the new port of Aarhous (Denmark), Berlin, Tallinn, a two-day experience in St. Petersburg, Helsinki, and Stockholm.
Northern Europe -- A selection of 14 different itinerary options throughout Northern Europe offers passengers cruise options to the British Isles, Norwegian fjords, and even Iceland and Greenland. A new seven-day Norwegian Fjords Interlude adds to a lineup that includes sailings from Southampton aboard Crown Princess, Grand Princess and Ocean Princess; plus the opportunity to travel on top-of-the-world voyages aboard Ocean Princess to explore the beauty of Iceland and Greenland, or sail on a week-long Ireland & Scotland Interlude.
Princess also offers three European cruisetours which combine certain sailings with a fully-escorted land tour to explore the Italian destinations of Rome and Florence, Ireland's wild west and the breathtaking Ring of Kerry, or the imperial treasures in Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin.
The 2011 Princess Europe season opens for bookings on March 25, 2010. Launch Fares for seven-day Europe sailings start at $1,199 per person, based on double occupancy.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.
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Carnival Dream Lanai Barbecue Venue A Hit
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 01:54 PM
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The new open-air barbeque on The Lanai aboard the Carnival Dream has been a huge hit with guests, attracting upwards of 700 diners each day.Located along the ship’s expansive outdoor promenade, the new barbecue option was introduced a few weeks ago and features a variety of delectable grilled items, from sliders and chicken to quesadillas and hot dogs, along with salads, homemade chips and salsa and traditional barbecue accompaniments.
The new al fresco venue is just one of several casual dining choices on board. The massive 3,646-passenger ship also features a 1,700-seat poolside eatery called The Gathering with an Indian tandoori, burrito bar, Mongolian wok station, a custom-made pasta venue, a New York-style deli, extensive salad and dessert bars, and Carnival’s ever-popular 24-hour pizzeria. These casual alternatives complement delicious full-service meals available in the Scarlet and Crimson main dining rooms and The Chef’s Art Steakhouse serving prime steaks and other gourmet cuisine.
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Paul Oakenfold "Perfecto At Sea" Cruise
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Tuesday, March 09, 2010 - 12:33 PM
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Sixthman and Carnival Cruise Lines have teamed up to present a new vacation experience called Perfecto at Sea, an unparalleled floating electronic music festival hosted by legendary DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold. This cruise will take place aboard the 2,052-passenger Carnival Inspiration Sept. 30 – Oct 4, 2010.
Perfecto at Sea is a four-day journey that will span the shores of Tampa to beautiful Grand Cayman. Synonymous with high-caliber nightlife, Oakenfold’s Perfecto experience will feature the epic sounds that he’s become known for, but rather than the traditional club or festival experience, the beats will hail from under the stars as guests cruise the Caribbean.
Oakenfold will bring friends and other special guests to help keep the party going 24/7 and deliver a cutting edge, music-meets-leisure experience. The full line-up will be announced very soon. Perfecto at Sea will include theme nights, gambling, pool-side cocktails, and a sea deck turned dance floor.
Prices for Perfecto at Sea start at $599 per person. For additional information and reservations, visit www.perfectoatsea.com. Additional information on Carnival is available by contacting any travel agent, calling 1-800-CARNIVAL or visiting www.carnival.com.
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Cunard Queen Mary 2 Circumnavigates Australia
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 07:36 PM
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Cunard Line has announced that the world's grandest ocean liner, its majestic Queen Mary 2, will be based in Australia in 2012 for a history-making circumnavigation which will see her visit five states and the Northern Territory.
Queen Mary 2's Royal Circumnavigation of Australia is a first for Cunard.
The largest ship ever to visit Australia, Queen Mary 2 will call at eight Australian ports during her time Down Under including Sydney, Fremantle, Adelaide and the Whitsundays, as well as maiden visits to Cairns (Yorkey's Knob), Darwin, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her circumnavigation will also include a call at Bali.
Australians will be able to choose from three circumnavigation options - a 22-night voyage departing Sydney on 14 February 2012, a 20-night voyage departing Fremantle on 8 February 2012 and a 21-night voyage departing Adelaide on 11 February 2012.
In all, Queen Mary 2 will spend 28 nights in Australian waters, as she sails from Cape Town to Sydney via Fremantle and Adelaide, and then circumnavigates the country. As a result, Fremantle, Adelaide and Sydney will each enjoy two visits from the liner during her Australian season.
The Australian deployment will mark the longest period of time that Queen Mary 2 has been based in one country outside of her northern hemisphere home ports of Southampton and New York.
Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line, said, "Cunard has strong and proud links with Australia, going back many years."
"Recognising the enduring appeal and increased demand from Australians for the unique Cunard Line experience, we are delighted to offer this series of legendary voyages for our flagship Queen Mary 2 in Australia 2012," he said.
The Royal Circumnavigation of Australia will go on sale this spring as part of the announcement of the 2012 World Voyage programme.
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MSC Magnifica Begins Service
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 07:36 PM
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MSC Magnifica – the fourth Panamax cruise ship in the MSC Cruises Musica class—joins MSC Cruises as the 11th ship in the fleet after being christened in Hamburg, Germany on March 6.
Renowned Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti, adult contemporary/soft rock/pop artist, performed on stage during the christening while Italian screen legend and icon Sophia Loren, participated in the ribbon cutting as the godmother of her eighth MSC ship.
MSC Magnifica combines the intimacy of her three Musica Class sister vessels—MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, and MSC Poesia—with the state-of-the-art facilities and comfort of the company’s larger flagships, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia.
A magrodome or retractable roof covers the pool, La Grotta Azzurra, making it possible to enjoy one of the four pools throughout the year regardless of the weather. The Il Bar del Sole area on the top deck boasts its own whirlpools and solarium.
The ship’s 16 bars and lounges, four restaurants, and a large new buffet area—Sahara—will serve Italian and international cuisine; an à la carte restaurant, L’Oasi, will provide fine dining in an exotic Moroccan atmosphere.
Culinary masterpieces by Mauro Uliassi, the Michelin Star Chef, recipient of three prized Gambero Rosso forks, and winner of the prestigious Kungsfenan Award for the best seafood, are available in the L’Oasi restaurant; soon, they’ll be offered in all of MSC Cruises’ Musica Class à la carte restaurants.
There’s even a Tiger bar, themed after the striped feline, serving up cocktails and musical acts. Other entertainment features on board include a high-tech 4D cinema, mini-bowling alley and a billiard table in the L’Olimpiade sports bar. L’Olimpiade is the first sports bar featured in the Musica class of ships, and its theme is inspired by the Olympics.
Relaxation opportunities await guests in the MSC Aurea Spa wellness center for massages, facials, and other specialty spa treatments in a resort-standard setting. Two treatments created just for MSC and are being offered on the MSC Magnifica—Aurea Papaveris, a 60-minute slimming and cellulite treatment, and a Himalayan massage.
MSC Magnificasails 7-night Eastern Mediterranean itineraries departing Venice, Italy and calling at Bari, Italy; Katakolon (Olympia) Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruisesusa.com, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.
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NCL Increasing Prices on April 2, 2010 by 7%
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Monday, March 08, 2010 - 07:35 PM
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Norwegian Cruise Line experienced an unprecedented year-to-date increase in booking volume during its "Year of the Freestyle Vacation" wave season promotion in January and February. In addition, group business was up close to twofold. The company also saw a strong interest in its new ship debuting in June, Norwegian Epic, and for its Hawaii-based ship, Pride of America. Because of this demand, prices are set to increase fleet wide up to seven percent as of Thursday, April 2, 2010.
"Our first quarter wave season promotion definitely persuaded consumers to book a Norwegian cruise vacation as we saw heavy call volumes translating to exceptional bookings," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line chief executive officer. "As we move out of wave season, consumers and travel partners can expect to see our prices rise across the fleet, especially for our new, highly anticipated ship Norwegian Epic."
Travel partners should take advantage of the current pricing environment for their individual bookings and to block group space up to four months prior to sailing without paying a deposit.
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Celebrity Eclipse Qsine Restaurant Debuts
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 12:40 PM
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The world's top-rated restaurants are often showplaces for art and design, and beginning April 26, in-the-know food followers can experience a new venue whose cuisine is an engaging combination of both. But they won't find it through MapQuest, and their GPS will find it tough to track, too…since it's moving. That's because the new restaurant, "Qsine," can be found only on Celebrity Eclipse., the third of five ships in Celebrity Cruises' stylish, $3.7-billion Solstice Class fleet.
The brainchild of Celebrity's Vice President of Culinary Operations, Chef Jacques Van Staden, Qsine presents guests with an unexpected, modern approach to familiar dishes from around the world.
"Our guests love new and different dining experiences, and we've designed Qsine to deliver that in a big way," said Van Staden. "Qsine is designed to offer a globally-influenced blend of nostalgic and contemporary favorites, artfully presented with elements of surprise."
Van Staden says Qsine also will further validate Celebrity's leadership position in offering world-class dining experiences, as evidenced in the brand's stunningly designed, guest-inspired Solstice Class specialty restaurants including Tuscan Grille, Blu, Murano and Silk Harvest, not to mention the series of intimate venues on Celebrity's Millennium Class foursome. Qsine's menu design alone - a large, backlit square filled with words and phrases designed to engage guests in the experience - implies that Qsine is an unusual place. And the cuisine makes it abundantly clear, with most of the selections so unique that nearly all of the dishes and plating have been designed exclusively for Celebrity.
Among the selections are spring rolls nestled in vertical springs, "Sushi Lollipops" (Nigiri sushi with soy center, wasabi mayonnaise and pickled ginger-radish salad), "Meatball Trilogy" (Kobe beef with cheddar and marinara sauce; veal with mushrooms and marsala sauce; and turkey with cranberry and sage gravy), "Chitinis" (Chinese selections served in martini glasses), "Tresviche" (tiger shrimp and bay scallops with lemon juice, tequila, cilantro, tomatoes and jalapeno oil), "Popcorn Fish & Chips" (Boddington's-battered codfish and chips served with malt vinegar or aioli), "Slider Party" (mini-grilled Kobe beef patties with aged Wisconsin cheddar served on brioche buns with "Qsine's original slider sauce" and garnishes), "Taco Royale" (Black Angus sirloin steak, homemade taco shells, caramelized onion-poblano, and do-it-yourself fresh guacamole, with a stone mortar and pestle), and "Lava Crab" (Alaskan King crab, sweet yellow corn and scallions with Hataifi and Old Bay sauce, served in glasses over heated red stones).
Libations to accompany the cuisine range from approximately 100 varieties of primarily organic, contemporary wines, to a vast array of creative cocktails.
And, for the first time on a Celebrity ship - just one week after announcing the hip, new "Celebrity iLounge" - Celebrity has designed a means for guests to capitalize on technology to easily review and order wines via the latest touch-screen devices. Even the uniforms of the wait staff illustrate the venue's unique nature. Designed by Van Staden and custom-made exclusively for Celebrity, the jackets are decidedly asymmetrical and sport square buttons, and are intended to illustrate that the wait staff also are considered chefs, offering guests a highly interactive and personalized dining experience.
Capping the Qsine experience is a series of desserts whose menu is as sweet and surprising as its selections: A hinged, twistable cube presents options ranging from candied apples to popcorn to individual cookie jars.
"Qsine is designed to surprise our guests with uniquely unordinary dishes, innovative presentations and engaging experiences," said Van Staden. "It's designed to allow them to share with each other, sample several different selections, and simply experience both new and favorite foods in an entirely fun and unexpected way."
Qsine will be open nightly on Celebrity Eclipse from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., for a cover charge of $30 per person. There are no age restrictions for dining in Qsine, and the dress code is smart casual and above.
Guests booked to sail on Celebrity Eclipse can plan their unique evening in Qsine right now, by making dining reservations on the Celebrity web site. Designed for cruisers who appreciate online options, the Celebrity site offers Celebrity Select Dining, the industry's first pre-cruise, day-by-day flexible dining reservation system. The site also presents guests with the option to book pre-cruise AquaSpa reservations, specialty dining reservations, shore excursion bookings, and online documentation, or "e-docs."
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MSC’s Three-Day Sale on Caribbean Cruises Starts Today Ends 2-27-2010
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 12:39 PM
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Beginning today, MSC is offering special rates on select 7-night Caribbean cruises for savings of more than 60 percent off through Friday, February 26.
Guests who book these Eastern or Western Caribbean cruises can experience destinations in Mexico, the Bahamas, Grand Cayman, and more, from just $619.MSC Poesia departs from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. during this “Three-Day Sale” with itineraries including:
* “Eastern Caribbean Enchantment” (Baseball greats cruise) calling in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. Departs March 6. Rates begin at $699 [plus $84.28 pp. government fees and taxes (GFT’s)].
* “Island Treasures and Ancient Temples” Western Caribbean cruise calling in Key West, Florida; Playa del Carmen, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Nassau, Bahamas. Departs March 13 and 27 and April 10 (Festa Italiana cruise). Rates begin at $649, $749, and $669, respectively (plus $95.85 pp. GFT’s).
* “Eastern Caribbean Dream” cruise calling in San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. Departs March 20 (Oldies theme cruise featuring the Lettermen) and April 3 (Baseball greats cruise). Rates begin at $669 and $619, respectively (plus $84.28 pp. GFT’s).
Cruise-only rates are per person, double occupancy for residents of the U.S. and Canada. Offer cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion and may be withdrawn without notice. Offer is capacity controlled, subject to availability and restrictions apply. This offer expires on February 26 at 6 p.m. For more information, visit www.msccruisesusa.com, call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.
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Carnival Raises Price Citing High Cruise Booking Activity
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Wednesday, February 24, 2010 - 12:06 PM
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Carnival Cruise Lines is reporting record wave season bookings, with strong reservations activity for 2010 departures. As a result of the strong booking volumes, a general price increase will be implemented effective March 22 for all summer sailings in June, July and August.
For the period of Jan. 1 through Feb. 21, 2010, bookings were at unprecedented levels for the line’s 22 ships which operate three- to 15-day voyages from a variety of convenient North American home ports.
Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill said, “We’re seeing significantly increased volume as consumers are taking advantage of the incredible value that a Carnival cruise provides. And while pricing hasn’t fully recovered to 2008 levels, we are increasing prices and will implement an across-the-board increase effective March 22.”
He said that the price increases will vary by departure date but will be up to 5 percent.
Cahill attributed the record booking activity to a wide range of factors, including strong travel agent partner support, targeted marketing initiatives, itinerary enhancements and the wide variety of close-to-home departure points.
Wave season typically runs from about mid-January through early spring and is traditionally the busiest, most important booking period in the cruise industry.
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Princess Cruises Passenger Dies on Tortola Excursion Bus
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 - 05:14 PM
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We are deeply saddened to report that at approximately 9:35 am local time today in Tortola, British Virgin Islands, a tour bus carrying a group of Caribbean Princess passengers left the road and rolled over, killing one passenger, and injuring several others. A total of 20 passengers were on the bus. The passenger who passed away was a 24-year-old man from Rochester, New York. He was traveling with his parents, who were with him on the tour bus. Our thoughts and prayers are with this family, and we are providing support to them during this difficult time.
The injured passengers were taken to a local hospital, where they were evaluated and released. The other passengers on the bus returned to Caribbean Princess. All of these passengers are being looked after by the ship's staff and Princess care team members who are en route to the ship.
We are still in the process of determining the details of the accident but it appears as though the bus left the road and turned over as it was taking passengers on a "Tropical Forest Hike and Beach" excursion.
Caribbean Princess is on a seven-day Southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan calling at St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, St. Lucia and Barbados.
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NCL Tampa and Rome Starting in 2011-2012 Winter
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 - 01:41 PM
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Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that its 2011/12 winter/spring deployment includes two new seasonal homeports: Tampa, Florida and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, marking the first time Norwegian has initiated voyages from these cities. In addition, for the first time since 1999 the cruise line will visit Israel.
Guests cruising from Tampa on Norwegian Star will sail a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary beginning October 16, 2011 through April 8, 2012. In Europe, Norwegian Jade will sail from Rome (Civitavecchia) on 11-day Mediterranean and Holy Land cruises, along with 10-day Eastern Mediterranean sailings, from October 15, 2011 to April 11, 2012.
In the Caribbean, Norwegian Pearl's seven-day Western Caribbean cruise from Miami now includes Ocho Rios, Jamaica as a port of call. The company also announced new sailing dates for Pride of America in Hawaii.
"Norwegian's 2011/2012 winter/spring cruise season will be one of our most exciting Freestyle Cruising seasons yet with opportunities to sail from three cities in the Sunshine State, including from Miami on our newest ship Norwegian Epic," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian's chief executive officer. "We've also added an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cruise to five countries in 11 days on Norwegian Jade, which includes a visit to the Holy Land, a first for Norwegian since 1999."
These new sailings go on sale today to Latitudes members (guests who have cruised with Norwegian before) along with the line's top travel partners. The cruises open for sale to the public on Thursday, February 25, 2010. As part of Norwegian's "Year of the Freestyle Vacation" promotion, all new reservations from today through March 14, 2010 will receive up to a six-category upgrade. In addition, book any category suite including Penthouse, Deluxe Owners Suite, Courtyard Villa and Garden Villa from now through April 1, 2010 on a cruise departing at least nine months prior to sailing and receive up to $300 in on-board credits.
Norwegian in Europe
Norwegian Jade's 11-day Mediterranean and Holy Land itinerary offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Alanya, Turkey; Limassol, Cyprus; Haifa and Ashdod, Israel; Port Said and Alexandria, Egypt, along with four relaxing days at sea. Featured shore excursions include overnight tours in Israel to Jerusalem, Galilee, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, the Dead Sea and Masada, as well as in Egypt to Cairo's pyramids and tombs. Guests can also discover the Taurus Mountains in Turkey on a 4x4 safari and set off on a wine tour through the picturesque villages in Cyprus. Norwegian Jade's 10-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) includes the following ports: Olympia (Katakolon) and Athens (Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey; and an overnight in Alexandria, Egypt, offering two full days to experience all of the ancient treasures.
Norwegian in the Caribbean
Norwegian Star's seven-day Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa will depart on Sundays and include stops in Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; along with two days at sea. Norwegian Sun will return to Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida from October 8, 2011 through April 7, 2012 offering alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. Norwegian Sun's Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes the following ports of call: Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian's private island in the Bahamas. The ship's Western Caribbean itinerary includes: Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great Stirrup Cay.
From Miami, Norwegian Cruise Line will feature its largest and most innovative ship to date, Norwegian Epic, sailing seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas with three full days at sea to enjoy all of the ship's amenities and world-class entertainment.
Norwegian Pearl will return to Miami from October 16, 2011 to April 8, 2012, sailing seven-day Western Caribbean cruises with stops in Great Stirrup Cay; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico, along with two days at sea.
Rounding out Norwegian's winter/spring deployment from Miami is Norwegian Dawn offering 10 and 11-day Southern Caribbean escapes from November 13, 2011 through April 8, 2012. The ship's 10-day itinerary visits the following ports: Samana, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John's, Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Basseterre, St. Kitts; along with three full days at sea. Norwegian Dawn's 11-day Southern Caribbean cruise includes Samana, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John's, Antigua; Roseau, Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Basseterre, St. Kitts; and three days at sea.
For those in the Northeast looking to escape the cold winter temperatures, Norwegian Gem will sail 10-day Eastern Caribbean itineraries from New York City departing January 8, 2012 through February 8, 2012. This offers guests an easy and convenient departure point without the expense and hassle of air travel. Ports of call include: San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; St. John's, Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Tortola, British Virgin Islands.
Norwegian in Hawaii
Pride of America will continue as the only US-flagged vessel sailing among all four of Hawaii's main islands. Pride of America's seven-day Hawaii inter-island cruises departing from Honolulu are now available through April 7, 2012. Ports of call include: an overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; an evening sail by the Kilauea Volcano; Kona, Hawaii; an overnight in Nawiliwili, Kauai; and an afternoon cruise of the breathtaking Napali Coast.
Norwegian in Canada & New England
Norwegian Jewel will sail four seven-day sailings from New York City to Canada & New England from September 17 through October 8, 2011. Ports of call include Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, Bay of Fundy, New Brunswick; and Portland, Maine.
Norwegian Repositioning Cruises
Norwegian's repositioning cruises are a great way to hit several cruise regions on one trip and include more sea days offering a relaxing vacation without back-to-back port calls. Norwegian Jade offers a 15-day Best of the Mediterranean from Barcelona to Venice and a seven-day Adriatic & Italy from Venice to Rome. Closer to home, Norwegian Pearl offers two 14-day Panama Canal cruises from Miami to Los Angeles and Los Angeles to Miami; a seven-day British Columbia & US West Coast from Los Angeles to Vancouver and a five-day Pacific Coastal from Vancouver to Los Angeles; Norwegian Star offers a 14-day Panama Canal cruise from Los Angeles to Tampa; and a seven-day British Columbia & US West Coast from Vancouver to Los Angeles. For an extended Caribbean vacation, Norwegian Gem will offer a 13-day Caribbean Escape from Miami to New York and Norwegian Jewel will offer an 11-day Caribbean Escape from Miami to New York.
To book one or more of these new sailings, please visit www.ncl.com; call 866-234-7350 or contact a travel professional. Also, visit Norwegian's Facebook page at www.ncl.com/facebook to become a fan, vote for your favorite homeport in the company's winter deployment and let others know which itinerary you find most exciting.
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Cunard Queen Elizabeth Officers Appointed
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 - 01:27 PM
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Following the appointment of Captain Christopher Wells as Master of its new Queen Elizabeth, Cunard Line has appointed four more Senior Officers who will be onboard when the ship enters service in October 2010.
Robert Howie, Hotel Manager
Scottish-born Robert Howie brings almost 25 years of experience - on land and at sea - to his new post as Hotel Manager aboard Queen Elizabeth. He held the position of Food and Beverage Manager aboard Queen Mary 2 in the ocean liner's inaugural year and was later promoted to the prestigious position of Hotel Manager on Cunard's flagship in 2005. Howie was also the first Hotel Manager onboard Queen Victoria when she entered service in December 2007.
As Hotel Manager, Howie is in charge of all onboard operations: housekeeping, food and beverage, entertainment and human resources. Prior to joining Cunard, he served in senior managerial food and beverage positions for Princess Cruises - both shoreside and onboard - since 1990.
Alastair Greener, Entertainment Director
Alastair Greener from Marlborough, England has a love of both the sea and stage, characteristics that will serve him well as he prepares to join Queen Elizabeth as Entertainment Director. Alastair has also served as Entertainment Director on both Queen Mary 2 and QE2 and was the first Entertainment Director onboard Queen Victoria.
Currently, Greener is the face of the company's very popular blog, WeAreCunard.com, which he frequently updates with all the latest news about the fleet. Alastair is a member of the British Actors' Union and has appeared in a wide range of film, theatre and television productions, including the BBC's "House of Cards" and Warner Brothers' "Black Beauty." He was also asked to represent CLIA (Cruise Lines International Association) as a media tour spokesperson.
Prior to Cunard, Greener joined Princess Cruises in 1997 and served on eight ships within the fleet.
Hamish Sunter, Staff Captain
Halifax-born Captain Hamish Sunter joined Cunard in 1990 as an officer on Cunard Princess, where he remained for three years. He also obtained his Master's Certificate at this time. In 1993 he was transferred to QE2 as Junior First Officer and left that ship as Chief Officer in 1998. After two years Sunter was keen to go back to sea, which he did in 2000 with P&O Cruises, sailing as First Officer on several of their ships. He returned to Cunard as Chief Officer on Queen Mary 2 in October 2005. He rejoined QE2 as Staff Captain in December 2006 and has also served in that capacity onboard Queen Victoria.
Colin Black, Chief Engineer
Colin Black hales from East Lothian near Edinburgh, Scotland and joined P&O / Princess Cruises in 1990 as a CPO Mechanic onboard Royal Princess. He subsequently moved up the ranks to First Engineer prior to being given the responsibility for the newbuild of Princess Cruises' Dawn Princess, followed by Ocean Princess. In 2001 he was based in the Southampton Office working within the newbuild department. In 2002 he moved across to P&O Cruises serving onboard Oriana, Aurora and then the new Arcadia. Black's first appointment as Chief Engineer was onboard Tahitian Princess in 2006 and her sister ship Pacific Princess.
In 2007 he was assigned as Technical Fleet Services Project Manager for Queen Victoria, thereafter taking over as Chief Engineer.
"Loyal Cunarders will be delighted to find so many familiar faces aboard our newest ship," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. "One of our distinguishing characteristics is the number and frequency of our repeat guests, and they will truly appreciate sailing with these revered and long time Cunard staff members."
Queen Elizabeth will feature many unique Cunard traditions linking her with her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, and their predecessors, together with all the modern day luxuries Cunard's guests have come to expect.
From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at an experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship's adherence to liner traditions, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, luxuriously endowed with rich wood panelling, intricate mosaics, hand-woven carpets, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel.
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Carnival Dream Earns Perfect 100 Score on First Full U.S.P.H. Inspection
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Tuesday, February 23, 2010 - 01:24 PM
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Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, which made its U.S. debut late last year, earned a perfect 100 score on its first full United States Public Health (U.S.P.H.) inspection conducted in Port Canaveral, Fla. This marks the second time this month that a Carnival ship has earned a perfect score; Carnival Splendor also earned a 100 score on its U.S.P.H. inspection just two weeks ago.
To earn 100 score, cruise ships must receive perfect marks on all 42 items that comprise the U.S. Public Health Service’s comprehensive Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) checklist.
The unannounced inspections, which are conducted twice a year and required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling at a U.S. port, evaluate vessels in a wide variety of areas, including adherence to proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures, and overall galley cleanliness. Ships’ potable water supplies used in spas and pools are evaluated, as well.
Carnival Dream launched year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises from Port Canaveral in December. It is expected to carry 200,000 passengers annually from that port.
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Princess Cruises Alaska Cruisetours "A la Carte" Options
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Friday, February 19, 2010 - 03:44 PM
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Princess Cruises is introducing four new "A la Carte" Alaska cruisetour options for this summer's season, offering more affordable and flexible options for independent-minded travelers. These new cruisetours spend an extra day at one of the Denali-area Princess lodges, and do not include excursions, giving travelers the time to customize their own daily schedules.
The four A la Carte tours range from 10 to 12 nights, offering at least three nights in the Denali area. All cruisetours feature a northbound "Voyage of the Glaciers" Gulf of Alaska cruise aboard Coral Princess or Island Princess, departing from Vancouver; combined with a three-, four- or five-night land tour to the heart of Alaska, featuring stays in Princess' two Denali-area wilderness lodges and exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service. All tours will visit both of the state's top attractions: Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park.
Travelers choosing these itineraries will not be scheduled on the Denali National Park tour or other activities usually included with cruisetours, and instead can choose to add any of four park tour options or a variety of other area excursions offered at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.
"These new A la Carte cruisetours are designed specifically with the value-conscious, independent traveler in mind," said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. "With fewer extras' included, we can offer a more affordable tour option with greater flexibility for travelers who prefer to discover the wonders of Alaska at their own pace. Passengers can truly customize their vacation to suit their own interests, whether they want to spend extra time viewing Denali's fascinating wildlife, hike through the spectacular wilderness or try an exhilarating pursuit such as river rafting."
The four A la Carte cruisetours itineraries are:
Tour 101 -- 10 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge, one night at Mt. McKinley lodge)
Tour 102 -- 11 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge, one night at Mt. McKinley lodge, one night Fairbanks)
Tour 103 -- 11 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge, two nights at Mt. McKinley lodge)
Tour 104 -- 12 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge, two nights at Mt. McKinley lodge, one night Fairbanks)
All A la Carte tour options are available throughout the May to September Alaska season, with fares beginning at $899 per person.
Princess offers a variety of land/sea Alaska experiences with itineraries ranging from 10 to 15 nights. All cruisetour options feature at least two nights in the Denali National Park area, stays in Princess' own riverside wilderness lodges, and a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers sailing with Glacier Bay National Park.
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Eros Ramazzotti and Sophia Loren on MSC Magnifica on March 6, 2010
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 06:29 PM
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MSC Magnifica – the fourth Panamax cruise ship in the MSC Cruises Musica class is scheduled to have her flag-changing ceremony on February 25, in Saint-Nazaire, France followed by her christening in Hamburg, Germany on March 6 as the 11th ship in the MSC fleet.
Renowned Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti, adult contemporary/soft rock/pop artist, performs on stage during the christening while MSC Cruises’ traditional godmother, Italian screen legend and icon Sophia Loren, participates in the ribbon cutting. Ramazzotti is one of the most popular Italian singers and songwriters selling more than 40 million records in his 25-year career.
MSC Magnifica combines the intimacy of her three Musica Class sister vessels—MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, and MSC Poesia—with the state-of-the-art facilities and comfort of the company’s larger flagships, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia.
A magrodome or retractable roof covers the pool, La Grotta Azzurra, making it possible to enjoy one of the four pools throughout the year regardless of the weather. The Il Bar del Sole area on the top deck boasts its own whirlpools and solarium.
The ship’s 16 bars and lounges, four restaurants, and a large new buffet area—Sahara—will serve Italian and international cuisine; an à la carte restaurant L’Oasi will provide fine dining in an exotic Moroccan atmosphere.
There’s even a Tiger bar, themed after this striped feline, serving up cocktails and musical acts. Other entertainment features on board include a high-tech 4D cinema, mini-bowling alley and a billiard table in the L’Olimpiade sports bar.
Relaxation opportunities await guests in the MSC Aurea Spa wellness center for massages, facials, and other specialty spa treatments in a resort-standard setting.
The new addition to the MSC Cruises’ fleet will sail the Eastern Mediterranean beginning March 20, for 7-night itineraries departing Venice, Italy and calling at Bari, Italy; Katakolon (Olympia) Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
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Celebrity iLounge Introduced
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Thursday, February 18, 2010 - 12:10 PM
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When Celebrity Eclipse - the third in Celebrity Cruises' stylish Solstice Class fleet of ships - launches in April, guests will find the first "Celebrity iLounge." Designed to not only offer a hip, modern lounge ambience, Celebrity also created the space to offer what its guests said they wanted most in an Internet café: easy access to the Internet, inspiring classes and new products.
The Celebrity iLounge is composed of three main areas: a series of 26 contemporary workstations where guests can check their e-mail, retain their social media connections, or print boarding passes; a retail space offering cruisers the opportunity to see and try out the latest MacBooks®, iPods® and accessories; and an enrichment center where certified staff will offer guests tips on Mac or iPod usage.
"Our new Celebrity iLounge is a direct outgrowth of our 'Designed for you' brand platform, and our commitment to listen to our guests and offer experiences and programs expressly designed for them," said Celebrity's President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "Our surveys show that our guests rely heavily on the Internet for research, learning and staying in touch, so we think this new offering will be a big hit, as will the contemporary online classes offered through the 'Discover' series of our inspiring and enriching 'Celebrity Life' experiences."
Enhancing the "Discover" component of its "Celebrity Life" series of inspiring enrichment and entertainment experiences, Celebrity will offer in the Celebrity iLounge a series of engaging new courses designed to suit its guests' interests - including do-it-yourself photo books, movie editing and web design, through programs including iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and iWeb. And whether guests are savvy or novice users of Mac or iPod products, Celebrity's certified staff will be well-equipped to assist, following more than 125 hours of training in operating systems, applications, and products. They also will be poised to illustrate to guests the differences between Macs and PCs.
Guests eager to expand their collection of merchandise will find the Celebrity iLounge an enticing venue, too. As an Authorized Apple Reseller, Celebrity will have products available for guests to purchase, including iPods, MacBooks, and essential accessories.
Located on deck six of Celebrity Eclipse, the Celebrity iLounge will house the 26 MacBook Pro's, classroom and retail area, in addition to display pods, a 56-inch flat-screen TV for use during classes, and an accessible workstation.
The Celebrity iLounge also will be presented on Celebrity Silhouette, which launches in 2011, and the fifth ship in the Solstice Class fleet, which sets sail in 2012.
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Norwegian Epic Sea A Triumphant Success
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Monday, February 15, 2010 - 03:27 PM
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Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise Line's largest and most innovative ship to date, returned from her first successful sea trials on Sunday, February 14, 2010, after four days of sailing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. During the sea trials, 300 technicians and engineers from STX FRANCE SA, along with 30 Norwegian Cruise Line representatives, checked more than 60 different aspects of the ship's performance by running trials of the vessel's speed, maneuverability, hydrodynamics and propulsion, amongst others.
"During her first time ever at sea, Norwegian Epic performed above expectations with excellent marine behavior," said Roberto Martinoli, Norwegian's president and COO, who was on-board during the sea trials. "All tests were conducted with positive results. She is a beautiful ship with outstanding performance. Now that sea trials are completed, we can concentrate on finishing the ship and showing her to the world in June."
A second round of sea trials is scheduled for mid-April in order to finalize all tests, including final speed measurement. The 153,000-gross ton, 4,200-passenger ship - the largest ship ever built in Saint-Nazaire - is scheduled for delivery on June 15, 2010.
Photos from the sea trials along with new construction photos can be seen on Norwegian's Facebook page at www.ncl.com/facebook.
Following her seven-day transatlantic crossing from Southhampton to New York on June 24, 2010 and inaugural activities in New York and Miami, Norwegian Epic will sail alternating seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami from July 10, 2010 through April 30, 2011. Ports of call on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas. The Western Caribbean cruises visit Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The 2011 cruise season from May-October will have Norwegian Epic sailing a series of seven-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. When she returns to Miami on November 5, 2011, she will sail a series of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises through April 7, 2012.
To book one of these itineraries or for more information on Norwegian Epic, call Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visit http://epic.ncl.com, or contact a travel professional.
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Carnival Glory New Features and Enhancements
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Monday, February 15, 2010 - 11:56 AM
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The 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory has resumed Caribbean service from Miami following a multi-million-dollar renovation that added a host of new facilities and features, including a Serenity adults-only retreat, a 270-square-foot Seaside Theatre poolside LED screen, and a Circle “C” facility for 12- to 14- year olds.
Eighteen new balconies were also incorporated onto existing ocean view staterooms and a new Mongolian wok venue was added to the casual poolside restaurant. Bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access was added, as well.
From February to May, Carnival Glory operates seasonal seven-day cruises from Miami, alternating weekly to the eastern and western Caribbean. Seven-day eastern Caribbean cruises visit Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas, San Juan and Grand Turk, while the western route features Grand Cayman, Isla Roatan, Belize and Cozumel.
The ship will then be deployed to New York where it will offer a series of four- and five-day Atlantic Canada voyages from June 6 – September 6, 2010, followed by a series of seven-day Canada/New England cruises, from September 11 – October 9.
New Seaside Theatre
Located poolside on Lido Deck is the Carnival Glory’s new “Seaside Theatre,” a massive 270-square-foot LED screen displaying movies, concerts, sporting events, and other programming, including the popular “Morning Show” hosted by the ship’s cruise director. Utilizing the same technology featured in large stadiums and New York’s Times Square, the state-of-the-art entertainment system includes a 70,000-watt sound system, providing concert quality sound, even outdoors.
New Balcony Accommodations
During dry dock, 18 new balconies were added to existing Spa Deck accommodations, creating spacious 220-square-foot verandah staterooms. They are conveniently located next to the ship’s 14,500-square-foot “Spa Carnival” facility offering sophisticated exercise equipment, expansive workout facilities and a variety of soothing European-style treatments.
With the addition of these newly reconfigured staterooms, nearly 40 percent of the Carnival Glory’s 1,487 cabins now feature private balconies.
New Adults-Only Retreat
Another popular feature added during the dry dock is Serenity, a two-level adults-only retreat located forward on Sun Deck and Sky Deck. Designed as an oceangoing oasis for relaxation, with decorative latticework and teak-style decking, this area features different styles of seating, including shaded sun loungers and hammocks, a full bar, and two oversized whirlpools.
Circle “C” Facility for 12- to 14-Year-Olds
A new Circle “C” facility catering to 12- to 14-year-olds has been added as part of the line’s unique offerings for kids. The center features a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma-screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles.
Dining Enhancements
A new Mongolian wok option was added to the Carnival Glory’s Red Sail casual restaurant located poolside on Lido Deck. At the new venue, guests can select their favorite meat, sauce, vegetables and other ingredients and watch as a chef creates their custom-designed stir fry dish right before their eyes.
Additionally, the Golden dining room, located forward, was reconfigured for Your Time Dining providing guests the option of open seating between 5:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. nightly.
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Spanish Fisherman Benito Estevez Finds Cunard Queen Mary 2 Passenger's Camera in Ocean
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Friday, February 12, 2010 - 02:15 PM
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When standing on the deck of Cunard's Queen Mary 2 in October 2008, Mr. and Mrs. Gregory from South Africa were enjoying the spectacle of sailing alongside QE2 and capturing the view on camera when disaster struck as the camera was accidentally dropped into the Atlantic. At the time, both ships were off the south coast of Ireland over the Continental Shelf and the Gregorys understandably thought their holiday photos were lost forever.
That was until Benito Estevez, a Spanish fisherman who was trawling the ocean last month, discovered the lost camera in his net! While the camera itself was damaged beyond repair, the photo memory card was amazingly intact.
The fisherman contacted both Cunard and the BBC and the BBC managed to locate the couple in South Africa. The Gregorys have since been reunited with the camera and their photographs.
“In all my years in the travel industry I have never heard of such a heart-warming stroke of luck and we at Cunard are delighted that Mr. and Mrs. Gregory have been reunited with their photos,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “The images are even more poignant as they depict the last transatlantic crossing of the great QE2 and can never be taken again.”
For more information about Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria or Queen Elizabeth and to book a voyage, consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to
Cunard.com.
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Port of San Diego Cruises 2010
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 01:50 PM
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Four cruise lines that serve the Port of San Diego are inviting Southern Californians to experience beginning and ending a cruise from the Big Bay®. Carnival, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America and Royal Caribbean are offering deals on cruises with port calls to the Mexican Riviera, eastbound Panama Canal and the Hawaiian Islands. Fares are as low as $499, and many packages include incentives and complimentary vouchers for shopping and dining.
“The cruise lines are united under San Diego’s Carefree Vacations, one of the West's Super Regional retail travel agency chains,” said Rita Vandergaw, director of Marketing and Cruise for the Port of San Diego. “With reduced pricing and added perks, Southern Californians are invited to experience the ease and comfort of departing and returning on a cruise from San Diego.”
For information on cruising from San Diego, go to sandiegocruiseport.com. Click on the Cruise Specials link to view the offers. Participating cruise lines and itineraries include:
* Carnival Spirit eight-day exotic Mexican Riviera cruises, October 27, 2010, to March 28, 2011, starting at $449 interior and $679 balcony. Ports include Acapulco, Zijuantenejo/Ixtapa and Manzanillo.
* Royal Caribbean Radiance of the Seas is offering five-, seven-, nine-, ten- and eleven-night cruises along the Mexican Riviera. Book before February 28, 2010, and receive a complimentary dinner for two at a specialty restaurant. Cruises are scheduled through May 3, 2010.
* Celebrity Cruises 14-night eastbound Panama Canal Cruise, September 27, 2010. Category 7 ocean view cabin: $1,739. Includes up to $150 shipboard credit per stateroom
* Holland America 14- to 15-day Hawaii Cruises, starting at $1,499 — $400 off the regular price. Ports include Hilo, Lahaina, Honolulu, Nawiliwili and Kona. Cruises available October 24, November 7 and 21, and December 5 and 19, 2010.
The Big Bay — San Diego’s biggest attraction — offers 34 miles of scenic waterfront dotted with restaurants, shops, attractions, parks and marinas. San Diego’s Cruise Port is located just steps from downtown. With a wide range of itineraries, options for cruising from San Diego are better than ever before and the San Diego B Street Cruise Ship Terminal on the Big Bay is an ideal place to begin and end your journey.
More information on cruising from San Diego and other Big Bay attractions can be found at thebigbay.com.
The Port of San Diego was formed 45 years ago by an act of the California State legislature to take a regional approach to managing San Diego Bay and its waterfront. The Port’s member cities are Chula Vista, Coronado, Imperial Beach, National City and San Diego. Today the Port carries out its mission by serving as an environmental steward for San Diego Bay, an economic engine for the region, a provider of community services and amenities such as public art, parks, and community events that open the waterfront to everyone; and a leader in public safety and homeland security.
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Princess Cruises Bon Voyage Experience Announced
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Thursday, February 11, 2010 - 01:46 PM
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Reviving a signature tradition from the early days of cruising, Princess Cruises is debuting an innovative, new program giving passengers the opportunity to invite their friends and family aboard their ship on embarkation day to wish them "bon voyage" and get a taste of the onboard experience.
Called the "Bon Voyage Experience," the program is a new twist on the departure celebration of bygone days, when friends and family would routinely come aboard to see off passengers. Because of increasingly tighter security procedures, this practice disappeared more than two decades ago, but it's now back -- complete with lunch in the dining room and tour of the ship.
Unique in the cruise industry, the Bon Voyage Experience enables passengers to extend an invitation to their guests to join them onboard during sailing day for a four-course dining room lunch with wine, a ship tour and even a souvenir photo. Passengers and their guests can enjoy priority embarkation and will be able to spend approximately four hours together on the ship before it sets sail. The cost for the program is $39 per person, which can be applied toward a future Princess cruise.
The program will debut in March in the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, and then roll out to New York, San Francisco and Seattle.
"Long-time cruisers will recall the fun of the bon voyage send-off with their family and friends, and we're excited to re-introduce a new, modern version of this experience," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.
Cruise passengers will be notified about the program through the pre-cruise emails they receive from Princess as their cruise date approaches. In-port guests can be booked through a travel agent or by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, beginning 120 days before the cruise and up to six days before the sailing date. Once registered, guests will be able to input their required security information through the line's Cruise Personalizer.
The number of guests who will be able to participate in the Bon Voyage Experience on any given embarkation day will be approximately 50.
The roll-out schedule for the launch of the Bon Voyage Experience is:
# Sapphire Princess -- March 6 in Los Angeles
# Crown Princess -- March 6 in Fort Lauderdale
# Coral Princess -- March 7 in Los Angeles
# Emerald Princess -- March 7 in Fort Lauderdale
# Island Princess -- March 10 in Los Angeles
# Ruby Princess -- March 10 in Fort Lauderdale
# Golden Princess -- March 14 in Los Angeles
# Royal Princess -- March 27 in Fort Lauderdale
# Star Princess -- April 10 in Fort Lauderdale
# Caribbean Princess -- May 18 in New York
# Sea Princess -- June 1 in San Francisco
During the Alaska season, Sapphire Princess, Golden Princess and Royal Princess will offer the program in Seattle, beginning in May.
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MSC Poesia Aids in Miami Capsized Boat Rescue
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Wednesday, February 10, 2010 - 10:01 PM
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MSC Poesia was the first point of contact in assisting the US Coast Guard with the rescue of four passengers from a small, capsized boat over the weekend off the coast of Miami, Fla.
MSC Poesia was headed for the Western Caribbean after departing Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. at 7 p.m. on February 6. A few hours later at 9 p.m., a small boat was spotted by the MSC Poesia.
Captain Giacomo Romano notified the US Coast Guard, and for the next 30-minutes, rescue efforts were underway. All four people survived 12-hours in the choppy and cold waters, and were safely taken onboard the US Coast Guard vessel.
Then, MSC Poesia continued her voyage without any delays to Key West, her next port-of- call on the 7-night cruise.
One of the survivors expressed his gratitude for the rescue. “It was challenging to stay positive. The MSC Poesia was one of our last chances for survival. Our families owe you our lives,” said Michael Colon.
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Vallarta Adventures Help Save Whale
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 10:42 PM
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Vallarta Adventures, an operator of shore tours for Holland America Line, recently participated along with the Mexican navy in the rescue of an entangled humpback whale. The whale was ensnarled in fishing nets and staff of the tour company came alongside to free the creature.
“Our tour operators regularly become involved in these sorts of wildlife rescues,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. “We applaud Vallarta Adventures dedication to wildlife and are proud to work with them. We share their commitment to the environment and nature.”
Based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Vallarta Adventures provides safe learning experiences for those who like to explore nature and culture. For Holland America Line, they operate several tours in Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, including interactive ecological dolphin encounters, eco safaris, horseback rides to secluded beaches, canopy adventures and America’s Cup sailing regattas. Vallarta Adventures also works locally with ecological programs and regularly provides sea mammal rescue assistance.
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Princess Cruises New Alaska Excursions
Posted by: CruiseReporter on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 - 03:39 PM
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This year Princess Cruises offers passengers some fresh ways to experience Alaska up close and personal with a variety of new shore excursions for the summer. Among the 20 new options is a unique opportunity to join a scientific expedition while in Juneau to help study climate change and wildlife behavior patterns.
Passengers can also get closer to the dramatic glaciers of Tracy Arm, pilot their own zodiac on a tour of Ketchikan or enjoy the opportunity for animal encounters at a film trainer's wildlife park. These new options join Princess' extensive shore excursion program, which currently offers 215 different Alaska tour options for passengers starting in May.
"Alaska offers so many thrilling experiences for visitors -- there's beautiful scenery nearly everywhere you turn, great opportunities to encounter wildlife, an intriguing Native culture, and of course the towering glaciers," said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. "These new excursions showcase some of the many wonders available throughout this amazing state, and offer visitors a number of ways to get a very personal Alaska vacation."
New tours available to Alaska passengers this summer include:
Whales & Glaciers Citizen Science Adventure (Juneau) -- This unique tour will give participants a taste of what it's like to be a research scientist in the wilds of the Last Frontier. Passengers join a science-based excursion giving them the opportunity to participate in a GPS time-lapse photo project at the Mendenhall Glacier that documents the effects of climate change on the Juneau Icefield. Citizen scientists can also collect water samples, net plankton and record humpback whale and other marine wildlife behavior. This observational data will improve scientists' understanding of the many variables that affect Alaska's marine ecosystem. In addition, passengers will enjoy a whale-watching cruise, with guaranteed whale sightings.
Back Country Zodiac Expedition (Ketchikan) -- Passengers can be their own captain for the day as they skipper their custom-built motorized inflatable along the coastline of Revillagigado Island for a unique Alaska adventure. Participants will follow their guide on a journey that explores Native culture with a view of Saxman Native Village, and a search for wildlife such as bears, eagles, whales, seals and more. The group guide will explain the area's history, geology, culture and ecology.
Alaska Wildlife Park (Princess Exclusive -- Skagway) -- Visitors can meet many types of animals at the Kroschel Films Wildlife Park Center. The park is run by trainer Steve Kroschel who has a lifetime of experience working with wild animals for movies such as "Never Cry Wolf" and the PBS "Wild America" series. His center provides a home for numerous orphaned wild animals including wolves, Arctic fox, lynx, porcupine, pine marten, mink, reindeer and wolverines. Guests will enjoy hands-on, face-to-face encounters and intimate close-up photography of many of these animals as they learn about the behavior of these intriguing creatures and gain an understanding of the time and trust required to train them.
Whales, Bears & Glaciers Adventure (Princess Exclusive -- Juneau) -- This excursion offers an opportunity to experience the perfect Alaska trifecta: whale watching, bear viewing and a scenic flight over the glaciers of the Juneau Icefield. Visitors will see two of Alaska's most impressive creatures with a whale watching cruise that guarantees sightings, plus a bear search at a salmon-bearing stream. The tour caps off with a flight over the Juneau Icefield and the Mendenhall Glacier on the way back to town.
Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer (Juneau) -- Sapphire Princess passengers have a new way to get a close-up look at the glaciers of Tracy Arm as they cruise aboard a luxurious, high-speed catamaran for an in-depth exploration of the twin Sawyer Glaciers. The adventure begins just before Sapphire Princess reaches the entry to Tracy Arm, as participants board their catamaran directly from the ship. After viewing glaciers from a much closer vantage point than is possible from a cruise ship, they will travel to Juneau to rejoin Sapphire Princess.
Adventure Park & Zip Lines (Skagway) -- Thrill-seeking passengers can walk along raised balance beams, cross suspension bridges and fly through the air on a series of zip lines with this adventurous excursion. The exciting course will keep passengers challenged and exhilarated as they soar through the air on a series of six zip lines through the lush Alaska canopy.
Juneau Jeep Adventure (Princess Exclusive) -- Visitors can experience Juneau's most scenic and historic locales in the rugged comfort of a Jeep Wrangler for a small group adventure. A diver/guide will take each group on a tour through Juneau, to a scenic view of Mendenhall Glacier and other local sites, ending with a stop at the award-winning Alaskan Brewing Company for a final taste of Juneau.
Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter & Salmon Bake Combo (Princess Exclusive -- Juneau) -- This unique tour combination gives passengers a stunning aerial view of the famed Mendenhall Glacier plus the chance to feast on wild Alaska salmon. Participants will enjoy a glacier landing where they can explore the glacier's surface and learn how glaciers form, flow and shape the landscape. Once they've worked up an appetite, visitors join the salmon bake festivities for an all-you-can-eat meal.
Historical Ketchikan Walking Tour (Princess Exclusive) -- Visitors can gain a unique understanding of Ketchikan and its Tlingit culture on this guided walking tour of Alaska's "First City." Led by a former city mayor of Tlingit descent, the tour offers personal knowledge of the many changes Ketchikan has experienced over the years. Visitors will also learn the significance of totem poles within Native culture, see the former red light district, and visit a salmon ladder to see the incredible journey salmon endure as they return to their spawning ground.
Bear Country & Wildlife Expedition (Ketchikan) -- Passengers can view black bears in their natural habitat on a wildlife experience just a short drive from downtown Ketchikan. Participants will enjoy a nature walk on their way to a stream where more than 100,000 Pacific salmon return each year to spawn. Large concentrations of bears and other wildlife gather to feed on the huge runs of salmon. In addition to the bears, bald eagles wait for scraps, while mink, marten and wolf frequent the area, and seals can usually be seen feeding on the bountiful fish harvest.
Behind the Scenes at Butchart Gardens (Victoria) -- One of Victoria's premiere attractions, Butchart Gardens is a beautiful place to explore independently. However, with this tour, guests have the unusual opportunity to go beyond the usual self-guided visit, and enjoy an exclusive in-depth guided tour behind the scenes. Visitors will learn the history of the gardens and explore the Mediterranean Garden and botanist's greenhouse, plus see a demonstration by the gardens' ceramics master as he displays his skills in flower-pot making.
All Alaska shore excursions are currently available for pre-reservation. Passengers who are already booked on an Alaska cruise can reserve their tours by logging on to the Cruise Personalizer on princess.com, to ensure they get the excursions of their choice. As many tours fill up quickly, passengers are encouraged to make selections as early as possible.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.
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