06/30/08 SeaDream Yacht Club Continues to Offer 2008 Value Rates

 
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SeaDream Yacht Club still has a few staterooms available for sailings in Europe and transatlantic crossings through November on its twin mega-yacht cruisers SeaDream I and II. The cruises range from seven to 11 days, and best-available rates range from $3,099 to $8,599 per person, based on double occupancy. Guaranteed rates are for Deck Two staterooms with selection confirmed within one week of departure. Government fees etc. are extra. Sample voyages are from Piraeus to Istanbul, Rome roundtrip, Seville to Lisbon, Tenerife to Antigua and Tenerife to Miami. Fares include all meals, wine with lunch and dinner, open bar with selected premium brands, plus use of water toys and gratuities.

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06/30/08 Norwegian Cruise Lines Partners with Bermuda Chamber on Dining Guide

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NCL Corp. has partnered with the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce to develop an “All Ashore Dining Guide.” The guide, which replaces the previous voucher program, features full menus and discounts for NCL guests at 36 restaurants throughout the island. Restaurants offer NCL guests a range of discounts, from a percentage off their meal to complimentary wines, specialty drinks, and appetizers. Bermuda Bistro at the Beach offers 20 percent off all food purchases, while Landfall Restaurant offers a complimentary glass of wine or appetizer with dinner. Salt Rock Grill, Blackbeard’s Hideout Restaurant and Bar and Griffin’s Bistro offers NCL guests a complimentary specialty cocktail, while Frog & Onion Pub will host a “Taste of Bermuda” so NCL guests can sample local beers, rums, jams, peppers, rum cakes and more from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday and Thursday.

NCL and the Bermuda Government reached a long-term agreement in 2007 that calls for two of NCL’s newest and largest ships to be deployed to Bermuda for the next 10 years, commencing 2009 and running through 2018. These ships will predominantly depart from New York and Boston and will each sail at least 22 cruises per season. The combined itineraries of the two vessels will provide four overnights in Bermuda from Sunday through Friday. The agreement also calls for NCL to continue through the 10-year term its tradition of being the exclusive line to sail from Boston to Bermuda. The 2008 Bermuda itineraries include the Norwegian Dawn sailing from New York, Norwegian Dream replacing Norwegian Majesty from Boston, and Norwegian Majesty sailing to Bermuda from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Charleston.

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06/27/08 Cunard Line Partners with Royal Astronomical Society

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Cunard Line entered a partnership with the Royal Astronomical Society (RAS) that will include enrichment programs on its three ships. The RAS partnership begins this summer with RAS Fellows joining 15 voyages on such popular itineraries as Queen Mary 2’s transatlantic crossings and Caribbean voyages and Queen Victoria’s Mediterranean sailings. RAS will offer custom night-sky displays of constellations and star navigation instruction and highlight astronomical points of interest using the SkyScan software in the planetarium on Queen Mary 2. The program will also feature nighttime “Star Parties” on deck, informal discussion groups and formal lectures with leading astronomers

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06/27/08 Carnival Cruise Lines Launches Summer Sale

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Carnival Cruise Lines will launch a new “Endless Summer Celebration” sales promotion with different weekly specials on cruises booked during July. Upcoming offers include shipboard credits, stateroom upgrades, special rates for third and fourth guests in a stateroom, holiday deals and regional savings, and discounts on a variety of fall, winter and spring departures. The promotion is capacity controlled and not combinable with any other discount offer. The promotion applies to new individual bookings only.

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MSC Cruises Sets Two-Night Inaugural for Orchestra

MSC Cruise Line

 
MSC Cruises opened reservations for a two-night Caribbean inaugural cruise on MSC Orchestra departing Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 2. The cruise will launch the ship’s first season sailing Caribbean itineraries. The ship will spend one day in Nassau and return to Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 4.

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Cruise-only rates for the two-night inaugural sailing begin at $199 per person, double occupancy; government fees and taxes are additional, as is a fuel surcharge for the first two people occupying a stateroom.

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The “Kids Sail Free” offer lets youngsters age 17 and under sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults. MSC Orchestra, which debuted in 2007, is the largest of the line’s ships to sail in North American waters.

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The ship has five restaurants, 10 lounges, a 12-by-21-foot outdoor LED movie screen and a 16,146-square-foot spa. After the special inaugural sailing, MSC Orchestra will sail alternating seven-night roundtrips through April 25.

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Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at St. Maarten, Antigua, Nassau and Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic. The Western Caribbean route will visit Key West, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Cayo Levantado, the line’s private beach experience.

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A seven-night Bermuda cruise departs Fort Lauderdale April 25 and includes three days in King’s Wharf, Bermuda, and a day in Nassau.

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06/26/08 Crystal Introduces “Experiences of Discovery” Cruises

 
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Crystal Cruises is unveiling “Experiences of Discovery,” a collection of 2009 theme cruises designed to enrich more than two dozen cruises with a special-interest focus. The newest of the theme topics are pegged to global events (think Wimbledon and Venice Film Festival) and the arts (like “Emerging Artists” and “Fashion & Style”). Special-interest classes, events and, in most cases, a destination program, will augment 25 cruises aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in Asia, Europe, Panama Canal and beyond. Other new “Experiences of Discovery” showcase photography, ancient civilizations and “Chance & Fortune,” complementing Crystal’s casino. Also returning are Crystal’s “Wine & Food Festival” on nine cruises, “Mind, Body & Spirit,” jazz, golf, “Smithsonian Journeys,” “Film & Theater Festival,” “Cabaret at Sea,” Big Band, ballroom dance, “Comprehensive Creative Learning Institute” and President’s and holiday cruises.

New in 2009 is “Fashion & Style,” featuring fashion shows, themed dinners, cocktail parties, films, seminars, and shopping and design excursions that celebrate Asian, Italian and French style. These are scheduled for the 15-day April 5 cruise from Beijing to Hong Kong on Crystal Serenity and the 12-day Oct. 20 voyage from Venice to Barcelona on Crystal Serenity. The new ancient civilizations theme voyage will include expert lectures and optional shore-side Crystal Adventures featuring the history and culture of the Middle East and Holy Land. These are set for the 14-day May 17 Red Sea cruise from Dubai to Athens on Crystal Symphony and the 12-day Oct. 8, 2009, Holy Land cruise from Athens to Venice on Serenity.

The new tennis-themed voyage will feature onboard instruction and insight in anticipation of the Wimbledon Championships in London. This 11-day Baltic cruise departs June 19 from London to Stockholm on Crystal Symphony. The new “Emerging Artists” cruise will feature performances by a new generation of rising international artists. The new artists will join the 11-day Aug. 12, 2009, cruise from Stockholm to London on Symphony, the 12-day July 28, 2009, voyage from Venice to Athens on Serenity, and the 14-day Sept. 14 sailing from Istanbul to Venice on Serenity.

The “Wine & Food Festival” is set for the 14-day Feb. 16 Panama Canal cruise from Miami to Los Angeles, the 16-day May 1 voyage from Singapore to Dubai, the 12-day June 7 sailing from Rome to London, the 11-day July 25 cruise from Stockholm to Copenhagen, the 12-day Nov. 10 Caribbean voyage from New York to Miami, the 13-day Nov. 22 South America/Amazon voyage from Miami to Manaus; the 18-day March 1 World Cruise Segment from Sydney to Singapore, the 12-day July 16 cruise from Barcelona to Venice, and the 12-day Aug. 9 voyage from Athens to Barcelona.

The President’s Cruise, hosted by Crystal President Gregg L. Michel and his wife, Adriana, will feature special receptions and activities onboard and ashore during the 11-day Oct. 30 New England/Canada cruise from Montréal to New York. For a complete lineup of “Experiences of Discovery”

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Princess Cruise Line Passengers First to Experience Nintendo Wii Fit Game

 

Princess Cruise Lines

 

Princess Cruises has installed the Nintendo Wii Fit game system, just a month after it made its U.S. debut. Princess is the first cruise line to offer passengers the chance to get their hearts pumping with the new release from Wii. All Princess ships, which have long featured Nintendo Wii systems onboard, have added the Wii Fit balance games, challenging passengers to video game tournaments such as the ski jump, Hula Hoop or soccer.

Family competitions will be held onboard, including some on the huge poolside video screens. Youth and teen centers will also offer Wii Fit activities. “We’re very excited to partner with Nintendo to bring the Wii Fit experience to our passengers,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “Our onboard team has just finished training with the experts at Nintendo to ensure that we’re able to offer passengers the best possible experience with this innovative fitness game.”

Wii Fit can track users’ progress, which lets people see how they’ve improved while challenging them to better their scores and stay motivated. The Wii Fit Balance Board is a precisely engineered platform that senses both weight and shifts in movement and balance.

It connects wirelessly to the Wii console and serves as the centerpiece for more than 40 activities in areas like yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance. Virtual trainers talk users through the motions and makes suggestions for improvements. On ships equipped with Movies Under the Stars screen, the Wii tournaments are shown on the giant poolside screens, offering a larger-than-life gaming experience.

The 300-square-foot screens are featured on Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Sea Princess and the upcoming Ruby Princess

 

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06/24/08 MSC Cruises Supports Formula 1 Grand Prix of France

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MSC Cruises advertised at the Formula 1 Grand Prix of France 2008, which recently took place in Magny-Cours. The MSC Cruises logo was displayed on advertising panels around the track. The event and its qualifying rounds were broadcast worldwide on major cable and television networks. MSC Cruises also will be featured as a trackside advertiser at the Grand Prix of Germany in Hockenheim on July 20 and the Grand Prix of Brazil in Sao Paulo on Nov. 2. “Through our new involvement in Formula 1 events, MSC Cruises proves to be a leader in every field,” said Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises. “Our growth can be measured not only in terms of our fleet but also by our decision to sponsor leading events like this. It reinforces our image and emphasizes our position in the market.”

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06/24/08 Fred. Olsen Sets Music and Comedy Sailings This Fall

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has announced that two fall cruises will feature the “Great Music at Sea” and “Comedy at Sea” programs. The 12-night “Around the British Isles” cruise on the 1,340-passenger Balmoral will sail roundtrip from Dover, England, departing on Oct. 7. Ports of call include Falmouth, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, Cobh (for Cork), Dublin, Liverpool, Belfast, Leith (for Edinburgh), Newcastle and Amsterdam. This sailing will star the Jimmy Dorsey 8 Big Band Sound, Lorri Hafer and the Mike Hafer All-Stars, Broadway singer/recording artist Vicki Belmonte and radio personality/emcee Chuck Southcott. Comic Chris Rich and special guest Al “George Burns” Long will also be featured. Per-person fares begin at $1,650 for inside cabins, $2,010 for ocean-view cabins, and $2,975 for suites with balconies. Fares include all port charges, taxes and fuel supplements. Discounted airfares for groups of 15 or more are also available from major U.S. gateways.

The 11-night “Caribbean Treasures” cruise on the 977-passenger Braemar will sail roundtrip from Miami, departing on Dec. 11. Ports of call include Port Antonio, Belize, Santo Tomas de Castilla, Roatan Island, Playa del Carmen, Cozumel and Key West. The cruise will feature Buddy Morrow and the Dorsey 8, Hafer and the Mike Hafer All-Stars and recording artist Michele Anastasio. Herb Oscar Anderson will emcee, and Long again will be featured. Per-person fares begin at $1,050 per person for inside cabins, $1,355 for ocean-view cabins, and $2,445 for suites with balconies. Fred. Olsen is also offering two World Cruises in 2009. Black Watch departs Southampton Jan. 6 on a 97-night westbound World Cruise. Balmoral sails from Dover Feb. 14 on a 104-night eastbound circumnavigation

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Carnival’s Cruise Lines Newest Ship 130,000-Ton Carnival Dream to Feature Innovations

 

Carnival Cruise Lines

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Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream — the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed — is slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009 with an array of innovations. The vessel will operate an inaugural schedule in Europe and the Caribbean. Currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, the 3,646-passenger ship will be a new class of vessel for the line.

Unique features of the Carnival Dream include The Piazza, an indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; elaborate children’s facilities, including expansive play areas and a Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; scenic whirlpools that extend over the ship’s beam; and new stateroom categories, including those specifically catering to families. “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about shipbuilding and incorporated it into the magnificent Carnival Dream,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Carnival Dream’s inaugural voyage is a 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia) visiting Naples, Livorno and Venice (two-day call), Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Messina, Sicily; Monaco; and Barcelona, Spain. Two additional 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises will be offered on Oct. 3 and Oct. 15, 2009.

The ship will then operate a 16-day transatlantic crossing departing Civitavecchia Oct. 27 and arriving New York Nov. 12, 2009. Ports of call include Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Malaga, Spain; Las Palmas, Canary Islands; and King’s Wharf, Bermuda (overnight call). From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and Nov. 23, 2009. These voyages include a call at Port Canaveral, followed by visits to Nassau and Freeport in the Bahamas.

Following its New York departures, Carnival Dream will reposition to Port Canaveral Dec. 5, 2009 for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises. Carnival Dream will depart every Saturday on alternating weeklong cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at Nassau, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Maarten. Western Caribbean voyages will visit Cozumel, Belize, Costa Maya and Nassau. Carnival Dream will assume this route from the Carnival Glory, which will redeploy to Miami to operate year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning Oct. 3, 2009.

One of the ship’s innovations is called the Piazza, which is designed to be a comfortable oasis during the day and a bustling entertainment complex at night. It will feature a bandstand and a large circular dance floor. A floor-to-ceiling curved glass wall will separate the indoor and outdoor seating areas. Guests at The Piazza can also enjoy full bar service, along with an espresso bar offering gelato and baked goods, along with high-speed Internet access.

Carnival Dream will also have a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling the ship on Promenade Deck 5. Along the promenade, four scenic whirlpools cantilever out over the sea. Higher up, Lido Deck 10 will offer a tropical, resort-style main pool complete with a Seaside Theatre LED screen and a Serenity adults-only retreat.

A variety of lounges, bars and nightspots — including a new dance club concept offering indoor/outdoor access-will be accessible via an 11-deck-high atrium whose ground level will offer a cantilevered bandstand atop a dance floor. Other features include a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, Carnival’s largest and most elaborate health and wellness center to date. Several new types of staterooms will be introduced.

The line’s first “cove” balcony staterooms — located closer to the water line — will offer sea views at a value price. New deluxe ocean-view staterooms will feature two bathrooms. In addition to twin beds that convert to a king, the two-bathroom configuration will include one full bathroom and a second bathroom featuring a junior tub with shower and sink.

Some staterooms will accommodate five guests, making them ideal for families. Additionally, there will be a selection of balcony staterooms and suites. Additionally, adjacent to the Cloud 9 Spa will be 65 spa staterooms and suites which will offer exclusive amenities and privileges. All Carnival Dream staterooms will feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, duvets and high-quality linens and pillows.

Carnival Dream’s family-friendly amenities will include separate, purpose-built facilities for the line’s three children’s programs: Camp Carnival for kids ages 2-11, Circle C for 12- to 14-year-olds, and Club O2 for teens ages 15 to 17, along with a full schedule of morning-until-night activities catering to each age group. Also fun for children will be Carnival WaterWorks, an aqua park offering water slides and water spray apparatus, and a two-level miniature golf course. Reservations will be accepted for all Carnival Dream’s cruises starting July 1.

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Carnival Cruise Lines Offers 100 Excursions for Northern Europe Program

 
 

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines has assembled nearly 100 shore excursions for its first Northern Europe cruise program set to debut aboard the new Carnival Splendor July 13. Carnival Splendor will operate five 12-day Northern Europe cruises from London (Dover) July 13 to Aug. 30. Featured ports include Copenhagen, Denmark; Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany; Helsinki, Finland; St. Petersburg, Russia (a two-day call); Tallinn, Estonia; and Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Among the shore excursions in Copenhagen is a visit to Amalie Palace, the winter home of the Danish Royal Family, built in 1794. The three-hour tour also includes time for sightseeing throughout Copenhagen’s cobblestone streets and centuries-old homes and museums.

From Helsinki, there’s an excursion to Suomenlinna Island Fortress, the largest fortification in Finland surrounded by a variety of elegant shops and museums. Built in 1748 and located near Helsinki harbor, the fortress has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1991. In St. Petersburg, there’s a tour to the Hermitage Museum and Gold Room, originally founded as a private museum to Catherine the Great in 1764 and now home to more than 3 million pieces, including original works by Da Vinci, Raphael and Titian. Reservations are currently being accepted for all of Carnival’s European departures

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Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship Sets Inaugural Oasis of the Seas Itineraries

Royal Caribbean Newset Ship Oasis of the Seas

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Royal Caribbean International has announced inaugural itineraries for its massive 220,000-ton Oasis of the Seas. When Oasis enters service in late 2009, it will operate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. The inaugural voyage is scheduled to depart Dec. 12, 2009 from its homeport at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Bookings will open Sept. 3.

The ship will start out with 19 seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailings to St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau. Starting May 1, 2010, Oasis of the Seas will alternate its Eastern Caribbean itinerary with a Western Caribbean route to Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach destination in Haiti; the new port of Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Royal Caribbean has been working closely with the ports to ensure the guest experience is seamless when the ship visits. The cruise line and St. Maarten will enhance the guest welcome facilities, while Cozumel’s pier will be widened. Approaches to the docks at St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Nassau will also be dredged. Royal Caribbean is working with the Port Authority of Jamaica to complete the new Falmouth Cruise Pier by March 2010, as well as establish the associated infrastructure necessary to welcome cruise guests.

A historically important 18th century settlement, Falmouth was a colonial center of Jamaica’s sugar and rum industry. The town’s history and Georgian architecture has most recently drawn the attention of Prince Charles, a long-time supporter of restoring historic buildings. The ship will be docked in all of its ports.

Royal Caribbean also is working with the government of Haiti to construct a pier at Labadee. Additional plans are under way to expand guest offerings with an alpine coaster and fast-boat tours, among others, to complement Labadee’s Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, which has proven to be one of the destination’s most popular attractions.

When launched in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest cruise ship in the world with 16 decks and 2,700 staterooms that will accommodate 5,400 guests double occupancy or roughly 6,300 when all berths are filled. Oasis of the Seas will feature a neighborhood concept of seven themed areas, including Central Park, Boardwalk and the Royal Promenade

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Carnival Cruise Ship Inspiration to Appear on Travel Channel Show

Carnival Cruise Lines

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Carnival Cruise Lines’ Inspiration will be showcased on Travel Channel’s “Samantha Brown: Great Cruise Weekend,” which premiered on June 19. The one-hour show is hosted by Travel Channel personality Samantha Brown, who takes viewers on a tour of the 2,052-passenger super liner and its amenities, including the Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity adults-only retreat and the redesigned main pool.

A highlight of the show is Brown’s ride down the 300-foot-long tube water slide. During the show, Brown also plays blackjack in the casino, gets a spa treatment and sings in the ship’s piano bar. Cameras also followed Brown as she participated in a dune buggy excursion in Cozumel. Following its June 19 premiere episode, the show will air again at 9 p.m. ET/PT June 27 on Travel Channel.

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06/19/08 Silversea Luxury Cruises to Host Spa Chef Jacky Oberti for Wellness Program

 
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Silversea Cruises, through its partnership with Monte Carlo’s Societe des Bains de Mer, has lined up spa chef Jacky Oberti to host a wellness culinary program aboard Silver Whisper’s July 5 Athens-to-Venice cruise. Oberti presides over the kitchens of L’Hirondelle, the gourmet restaurant at Les Thermes Marins, the spa that serves the well-heeled guests of the Hotel Hermitage and the Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo. At L’Hirondelle, Oberti, a trained nutritionist and native of southern France, uses fresh local ingredients to serve healthy, low-calorie cuisine with a Mediterranean flair. Oberti will present his gastronomic style and cooking methods in the ship’s demonstration culinary theater.

Custom-designed by Viking Range Corp., the theater is equipped with an induction stove, convection-microwave oven and Viking professional-caliber cookware, cutlery and countertop appliances. A large rear projection screen allows guests to view the cooking techniques. A selection of Oberti’s signature dishes will be featured nightly in The Restaurant, the ship’s main dining venue, and he will also prepare a special wellness risotto to be served every evening in the specialty restaurant La Terrazza. Another health-themed highlight of this voyage will be a water-tasting event that will give guests a chance to sniff and sample some still and sparkling waters. And the nightly turn-down service will be enhanced with wellness-themed amenities

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06/19/08 MSC Cruises Offers Shipboard Credits on 2009 Europe Sailings

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MSC Cruises is offering shipboard credits to those who book 2009 Europe sailings by July 31. The amount of the shipboard credit will be determined by the type of stateroom booked. An interior stateroom booking will lead to a $25 shipboard credit per person for a maximum of $50 per stateroom. Ocean-view staterooms include $50 shipboard credit per person for a maximum $100 per stateroom. Balcony staterooms net a $100 shipboard credit per person for a maximum $200 per stateroom). Fares for the line’s 2009 Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries begin at $799 per person, double occupancy, for a seven-night cruise. Children under the age of 17 sail free on all sailings when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults, and guests need only place a deposit of $100 per person.
The company’s new MSC Fantasia will debut in December, followed in June 2009 by sister ship MSC Splendida. They will offer an exclusive VIP area of 99 suites (up to 700 square feet), plus a bar, solarium, two Jacuzzis, a pool with sky dome, and butler service. After its December christening in Naples, MSC Fantasia will sail two eight-night roundtrips from Genoa: the Dec. 20 sailing calls at Rhodes, Alexandria, Messina and Naples, while the Dec. 28 itinerary visits Barcelona, Lisbon, Malaga and Civitavecchia. The ship will then sail 11-night Western Mediterranean and Canary Islands roundtrips from Genoa that call in Barcelona, Funchal, Tenerife, Arrecife, Malaga and Civitavecchia through March 1, when it will begin seven-night “Mediterranean Fantasy” roundtrips from Barcelona to Marseille, Genoa, Naples, Palermo, La Goulette, and Palma.

MSC Splendida will begin its inaugural season June 29, 2009, sailing “The Splendid Mediterranean,” roundtrip seven-night Western Mediterranean itineraries from Barcelona through November. MSC Poesia, which debuted in spring 2008, will spend the winter sailing alternating 11-night “Eastern Mediterranean and Egypt” itineraries with Western Mediterranean and Canary Islands itineraries roundtrip from Genoa. In April, it will begin a series of seven-night “Turkish Treasure and Croatian Coasts” Eastern Mediterranean itineraries from Venice. The MSC Musica will operate seven-night “Greek Islands in the Sun” cruises from Venice April through October. MSC Sinfonia offers seven-night “Sparking Rivieras” Western Mediterranean itineraries from Livorno, from late April through October. MSC Opera will operate seven-night “Jewels of the Adriatic” roundtrips from Trieste in fall 2009.

MSC Orchestra will offer eight-night “Iberian Discovery” cruises from Barcelona in fall 2009, while MSC Lirica is set for seven-night “Mediterranean Marvels” roundtrip from Civitavecchia (Rome) in fall 2009. MSC Cruises also will have three ships in Northern Europe in 2009. MSC Lirica will offer 11-night “Treasures of the Russian Czars,” “Fairytale Towns and Towering Fjords” and “Voyage to the Top of the World” itineraries from Dover May through August. MSC Opera will alternate 11-night “Czarist Russia Revealed” and “Land of the Midnight Sun” from Copenhagen May-June; alternating seven-night “Baltic Beauty and Russian Treasures” and “Route of the Vikings” from Copenhagen July-August. MSC Orchestra will alternate seven-night “Baltic Castles and Russian Palaces” and “Fascinating Fjordlands” from Copenhagen May-September. MSC Cruises offers alternate departure ports, such as Bari, Valencia, Kiel and Amsterdam, on many itineraries.

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Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship Debuts New “Neighborhoods” on Oasis

Royal Caribbean Newset Ship Oasis of the Seas

 

 

 

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Royal Caribbean International introduced its latest amenities planned for its newest ship, Oasis of the Seas. Launching in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the world’s largest and most revolutionary ship, with a total capacity of roughly 6,300 passengers (third and fourth berths included).

The company, which in April debuted a Central Park running down the center of the ship, yesterday unveiled the Boardwalk, a space for families inspired by the nostalgic seaside piers of yester-year, plus the first amphitheater at sea, AquaTheater, which will celebrate water with the largest freshwater pool found on a ship offering a full spectrum of activities and performances for guests.

Central Park, the Boardwalk and AquaTheater will all be located on one deck, with AquaTheater in the stern. In addition, a new version of the Royal Promenade will allow guests to have a physical connection with the neighborhood above, Central Park, as natural light cascades down from the sky through the Crystal Canopy sculptured glass domes.

Reminiscent of the piers that dot the coast of England and amusement parks such as Coney Island, the elements of Boardwalk will engage the entire family in classic fun with eateries, retail outlets and carnival games. An original, handcrafted carousel — the first at sea — will be the centerpiece of this neighborhood.

Two rock-climbing walls and the first zip-line at sea will be suspended nine decks above the Boardwalk. AquaTheater, created to offer two unique experiences, will allow guests to swim in the theater’s magnificent kidney-shaped pool, relax on sun loungers located on tiered platforms surrounding the pool, and even take Scuba lessons in the afternoon.

At night, the venue will deliver a complete sensory experience playing on the element of surprise as audience members witness the area come alive with theatrical performances featuring dramatic acrobatics, synchronized swimming, water ballet, and professional high-diving, as well as elaborate fountain shows synchronized to music and lights.

Royal Caribbean also introduced a series of industry-first loft suites offering expansive ocean views and luxury amenities. The 28 contemporary two-level loft suites will feature vibrant, ocean-inspired colors in a sophisticated and spacious setting. The lofts will feature spectacular views of the ocean with floor-to-ceiling, double-height windows.

The signature lofts will round out a new portfolio of 37 categories of accommodation options, many with views unique to Oasis of the Seas, such as Central Park and the Boardwalk. “We are particularly excited about the neighborhood concept, which gives guests compelling choices and the ability to flow seamlessly throughout the ship to meet their individual desires and preferences,” said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

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Additions to Royal Promenade, the heart of the ship, will include a mezzanine level that overlooks the main promenade below. The Royal Promenade will be home to a vast array of shopping, dining and entertainment options including the Rising Tide bar, the first moving bar at sea, which will traverse three decks and allow cruisers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly ascend into Central Park.

A focal point will be a giant copper globe sculpture built into the facade above the Globe, and Atlas Pub, which will “crack open” to create a spectacular, surprise element for guests, as it unfurls on hinged hydraulics and becomes a bridge platform for performances. Other options include the Schooner Bar and Champagne Bar; the new Mondo Coffee Bar; Focus, a photo shop and gallery; and the Boleros Latin dance club.

“Royal Caribbean is proud to introduce a number of industry firsts on a level and scale that the world has never seen before,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Oasis of the Seas is the ultimate expression of the creativity and imagination found on all of our ships, providing guests with a collection of experiences that will offer an incredible cruise vacation.

When she launches in December 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. She will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms.

Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

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06/18/08 Silversea Luxury Cruises to Feature Resident Artist on Prince Albert II

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Silversea Expeditions kicked off its new Resident Artist and Photographer Program aboard Prince Albert II’s June 12 inaugural sailing from London to Tromso, featuring Sharon K. Schafer as its first artist-in-residence. An award-winning designer, Schafer’s background also includes wildlife biologist, naturalist, photographer and writer. As a self-employed artist, she combines her love of nature and art as she sketches and photographs the polar expedition. Camille Seaman has been selected as the resident photographer for the following series of expeditions, starting from Tromso on June 30 and concluding in New York on Aug. 25. Seaman is a photographer best known for her polar images. Her work has been exhibited and published in magazines internationally.

As hosts of the Resident Artist and Photographer Program, Schafer and Seaman will lead art and photography workshops and lectures aboard Prince Albert II and accompany guests ashore to share their perspectives and offer photography advice. Using a camera and hydrophone, they will record the underwater environment and share these images with guests during evening presentations. The photographers will also photograph and videotape each expedition. Guests will receive a complimentary collection of these photos on a CD. A special DVD will be available for sale containing a digital slide show, interactive map and video footage of the voyage. All proceeds from the sale of the DVDs will be contributed to the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation to support work in environmental conservation

 

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06/18/08 Crystal Sets Broad Range of 2009 Value Collection Cruises

 
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Crystal Cruises announced its 2009 Value Collection sailings that offer savings of up to 50 percent off regular cruise fares. With the launch of each year’s new itineraries and fares, the line identifies cruises that can benefit from pricing incentives in all stateroom categories. While typically offered on shoulder season dates and repositioning cruises, for 2009, Crystal is expanding its Value Collection to more than a dozen sailings of seven to 17 days through the Panama Canal, South America, the Mediterranean, Western Europe, New England and Canada, Caribbean and the Amazon, as well as Atlantic and Pacific Ocean crossings. “With Value Collection, travelers can enjoy Crystal’s superb service and luxurious amenities at significant savings,” said Bill Smith, Crystal’s senior vice president of sales and marketing. “This offers a great opportunity to experience Crystal Cruises and understand why we’ve been voted World’s Best by travelers more than any other cruise line, hotel or resort.”

Itineraries offering savings of up to 50 percent in 2009 follow. Panama Canal/Caribbean/Amazon, Feb. 16, Miami to Los Angeles, 14 days, from $3,595 on Crystal Symphony; May 7, Los Angeles to Miami, 16 days, from $4,995 on Crystal Serenity; Nov. 22, round-trip Miami, seven days, from $2,480 on Crystal Serenity; Nov. 22, Miami to Manaus, 13 days, from $3,990 on Crystal Symphony; Nov. 29, Miami to Caldera, 11 days, from $3,775 on Crystal Serenity; and Dec. 10, Caldera to Miami, 11 days, from $3,775 on Crystal Serenity. In the Mediterranean and Western Europe, eligible cruises are: June 2, Lisbon to Venice, 12 days, from $5,070 on Crystal Serenity; and June 7, Rome to London, 12 days, from $4,360 on Crystal Symphony. New England and Canada voyages offered in the Value Collection are: Oct. 1, Boston to Montréal, seven days, from $2,575 on Crystal Symphony; and Oct. 30, Montréal to New York, 11 days, from $3,835 on Crystal Symphony. Specially priced ocean crossings are: March 9, Los Angeles to Hong Kong, 17 days, from $3,690 on Crystal Symphony; May 23, Miami to Lisbon, 10 days, from $3,540 on Crystal Serenity; and Nov. 12, Lisbon to Miami, 10 days, from $3,540 on Crystal Serenity. Fares quoted are based on per person, double occupancy accommodations

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