'Weather Cruise Ship Of The Year' – Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises has been named 'Weather Cruise Ship Of The Year'. Unbeknown to passengers sailing aboard Princess Cruises ships that their cruise holiday is also helping the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, NOAA, to track global weather patterns.

Last year the Princess Cruise's fleet made in excess of 20,000 weather observations, more than any other cruise line, which has won them this prestigious award. The 4 star luxurious Coral Princess, which carries over 2,500 passengers, led the fleet with over 5,000 weather observations.

The weather reporting system is voluntary and assists NOAA to track weather patterns in parts of the world where the organisation has no direct contact to local weather information. The ships measure, humidity, air pressure, wind speeds and directions, sea waves and swells. The information is sent a minimum of every six hours during their voyages to a database which is subsequently forwarded to NOAA.

Executive Vice President of Princess Cruises Jan Swartz said 'As long-time participants in this important program, we’re happy that our fleet was able to provide so much data this year to help with worldwide weather forecasting. With Princess ships sailing around the globe to all seven continents, we’re in the unique position to be able to take weather readings in a multitude of destinations where NOAA might not otherwise be able to get information.'

Weather data is also gathered from all types of ships worldwide to help NOAA to track and forecast weather patterns globally.

Carnival Cruise Lines Bring 'Magic' Into Passenger's On-Board Experiences!

Carnival Magic, Carnival Cruises latest ship is expected to leave the Italian shipyard on time to begin its itinerary of seven, nine and twelve day Mediterranean cruises operating round trips from Barcelona May to October 2011. Carnival magic is scheduled to run 21 round trip cruises along with a special one off nine day voyage from Venice to Barcelona departing May 1st 2011.

carnival Cruises have listened to their passenger's needs by having the voyages start and end on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday to enable them to add on pre and post cruise stays in the vibrant city Spanish city.

Considered one of the best cruise terminals in Europe, Barcelona provides a cosmopolitan city from which their cruises will depart and return. The itinerary for Carnival Magic includes a wide attraction of first class regional cuisine, fabulous sightseeing opportunities, combined with stunning landmarks and museums for those who wish to enjoy some time exploring the beautiful Mediterranean historical towns and cities.

For the first time in three years Carnival Cruise will once again bring the delights of the Mediterranean to their passenger's. For those new to Carnival Cruises full ranges of cruises can take advantage of Early Saver rates which go on sale today for their ship Carnival Dream, sister ship to Carnival Magic.

Building on the reputation as being the leader in family cruises, Carnival magic will include a full and very extensive range of on board activities and entertainment to appeal to families of all ages, with an emphasis on informal dining for those who prefer a more casual approach to their cruise. Not withstanding formal dining areas are also include for passengers who still love to indulge in the finer things in life along with staterooms with deluxe ocean views and two bathrooms.

Holland America Cruises Increases The Number Of No-Fly Cruises

For people who love cruising and yet don't like or are unable to fly out to ports to embark on-board cruises ships will be able to leave the Port of Dover as Holland America Cruise Lines begin their no-fly itineraries next year with three of their ships.

Based in Dover from May to August 2010 the 2,104 passenger Eurodam is scheduled to sail five 12 night cruises, one to the Norwegian fjords and the other four to the Baltic.

The Baltic cruise itineraries include ports of call at Copenhagen, Warnemunde, Tallinn, St Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm and the Norwegian Fjord cruise visits Copenhagen, Oslo, Kristiansand, Bergen, Invergordon, South Queensferry and Newcastle.

The Ryndam, with capacity for 1,400 passengers, will also be at Dover to begin a 20-night round trip to the Mediterranean, calling at Portugal, Spain, France and Italy. A further three 7-night cruises to the Baltic and Norwegian fjords will be available in July and August which is hoped will attract novice cruisers to indulge and experience what Holland America Cruise Lines, HAL, have to offer, with tasters of enjoying unique, yet unpretentious cruise deals.

The third ship is the smaller 793 passenger Prinsendan which will be sailing two 14-night round Britain cruises leaving from Tilbury on July 11th and August 29th.

Although prices have yet to be confirmed by HAL they are expected to offer exceptional value for money, the actual costs will be given when the Ryndam cruises go on sale next Monday, 25th January in the UK as HAL are launching a mini brochure ahead of their main 2011 brouchure.

Lynn Narraway, managing director of HAL has said 'We will start to talk to agents next week about the cruises to secure early bookings.'

HAL no-fly cruises began in 2009 with a 4-night mini break departing from Dover on the Eurodam. They will also have three full length cruises on the Eorudam also departing from Dover this year.

HAL will have a total of 7 ships sailing in Europe in 2011, including their latest ship Nieuw Amsterdam which is scheduled for launch this July.

Great News For Solo Cruisers

Norwegian Cruise Lines are breaking the mould by being the first cruise line to offer no supplements for single passengers on their new Studio Staterooms on board their ship Norwegian Epic. The 128 new studio staterooms share a common living area, however, each studio has its own bedroom and bathroom.

Paying single room supplements has always been practised on many types of holidays, including cruises, with this ground breaking news solo passengers can still enjoy all the luxuries, without having to pay over the odds purely because they are on their own. With the many hundreds of cruise passengers who travel alone, this news will be music to their ears, as historically they have had to pay a supplement for being a single cabin occupant which has been a controversy amongst passengers for many years.

Despite the controversy many solo passengers opt for a cruise holiday for the on board camaraderie as well as the excellent facilities and service they can expect and rely upon, something which other styles of holidays simply don't offer.

The new studio staterooms provide ample room, with 100 square feet of living space along with full sized contemporary styled beds and a separate bathroom with sink and shower. With its own living area for singles, this is a first in the world of cruising, making single person cruise deals even more inviting. Some of the Studio staterooms have connecting doors, making them ideal for friends and family to share their cruise holiday and travel together, whilst still having their own space and privacy.

Despite being marked and classed as single Studio Staterooms, as they have either full sized or twin beds, couples will also be able to book the new rooms. The new Freestyle Cruising ship Norwegian Epic offers no single supplement on all of its sailings as from this week.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Provides Humanitarian Help To Haiti

Royal Caribbean Cruises has been one of Haiti's largest foreign investors for nearly thirty years, as such they have announced plans to provide much needed humanitarian help to the people of Haiti in response to the devastating earthquake.

Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd, Richard D. Fain has said 'The effect of the earthquake on Haiti has been catastrophic, leaving the country in need of not only immediate support, but assistance in their long-term recovery, Royal Caribbean wants to do its part to help out not only the general response, but also our hundreds of Haitian employees and their families through this disaster.'

Partnering charitable organisations which include Food for the Poor, Pan American Development Foundation, as well as the company's foundation, Solano Foundation, Royal Caribbean will delivering supplies to Haiti via their cruise ships.

Fain added 'In addition to our financial contribution, Royal Caribbean will continue to provide economic support through the continuous business we bring to Labadee.'
The aid began with Royal Caribbean International's Independence of the Seas arriving at Labadee with supplies which included powered milk, dried beans, water and rice which were loaded onto the ship during its stop at San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Over the next two weeks Royal Caribbean's ships which were scheduled to call at Labadee will also take extra supplies beginning with Navigator of the Seas on 18th January and Liberty of the Seas the following day, 19th January, and Celebrity Soltice on 22nd January.

Passengers on board Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises will be able to make donations Food for the Poor's Haiti Relief Fund, via a charge to their on board account. Royal Caribbean has more than 200 Haitian crew members, as such a portion of the $1 million donation will placed in the company's Crew Relief Fund which will enable the crew members to draw from in these desperate times.

Source information: Royal Caribbean Cruises

Diverse Choices Of On Board Amenities And Entertainment For Today's Discerning Cruisers

Today's discerning cruise passengers are looking for more than just sailing to exotic and exciting countries! On board they are looking for a wider variety of entertainment and amenities than ever before.

No longer are passengers quite happy just a stroll around the promenade decks, swim or simply bask in the sunshine, they are now looking and expecting to be entertained throughout the day and night. With the wide range of cruise deals which are available, the discerning cruiser can now select from the finest ranges of entertainment and amenities which pertain to their particular interests and hobbies to ensure they have the best of both worlds whilst on board.

Princess Cruises offer an extensive range of bespoke entertainment for their passengers, with their Scolarship at Sea programme it is possible for passengers to attend lectures in culinary arts, photography and computer technology, not forgetting their ever popular courses and lectures on maritime history, health and fitness, nutrition, politics along with a whole host of other events to keep their passengers fully occupied throughout their voyage! These options are above the usual port of call excursions, and high-class nightly entertainment which has come to be expected by experienced and novice cruisers alike.

Offering more destinations than any other cruise company there are wide and very varied itineraries which not only have been introduced to keep returning cruisers happy. but also Princess Cruises have taken on board, quite literally, the need to extend their facilities in order to meet consumer demands. Their cruises cater for all age ranges with special facilities for young children as well as teenagers, making these ideal cruises for families.

As cruises are becoming one of the most popular ways to spend holiday time the cruise companies are keeping ahead of current and emerging trends on the consumer market by continually updating and rethinking their entertainment schedules. Princess Cruises offer 24-hour dining facilities as well as the more conventional styled restaurants, to suit all pallets and taste buds!

'Designed for You' - Celebrity Cruises Celebrate Their 20th Anniversary

2010 is the 20th anniversary for Celebrity Cruises, as such they have announced the launch of a brand new platform 'Designed for You'. This new platform has cost in the region of $200 million investment and includes the enhancement of the Millennium Class ships along with the new Celebrity Life on board experience.

Celebrity Cruise's President and CEO Dan Hanrahan has said that the new concept revolves around the existing ethos that everything Celebrity does is designed with guests foremost in their minds.

Hanrahan said 'Everything we’ve offered over the course of 20 years, and everything we’ll offer in the future, is designed for discerning cruisers, from our contemporary, new Celebrity Life on-board experiences, to the world-class cuisine of Chef Jacques Van Staden, to our enhanced Captain’s Club loyalty program. So, we’ve summed up our long-time commitment to understanding them and delivering what they want with a new brand platform: ‘Designed for You.’'

After six months of exploring the needs of cruisers, which includes a market survey of 10,000 international cruise passengers, focus group sessions along with a host of in-home interviews, Celebrity Cruises believe they have revitalised the cruise industry with further plans to 'Solsticize' their four Millennium Class ships. Celebrity Constellation will be the first of the ships to receive the new enhancements and rejuvenation during its scheduled dry-dock in April.

Celebrity sail to over 170 worldwide destinations and boasts an impressive 5 out of 10 of Condé Nast’s ‘Best Cruise Ships in the World’. Their ethos of designing cruises which offer top class facilities for the most discerning of cruise passengers goes hand in hand with their reputation of offering the best of everything, including the award-winning Elemis AquaSpa, extensive dining to tantalise the taste buds and a whole host of on-board luxury facilities to meet the needs of seasoned and novice cruisers. The age of refinement and elegance is apparent whichever of the Celebrity ships you select to sail on, which will be further enhanced with their latest 'Designed for You' concept.

Floating Out Ceremony For Cunard's Queen Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth, Cunard's new ship met the sea for the first time this week with a floating out ceremony at the shipbuilder's yard in Italy. The floating out ceremony is the name given when the dry dock in which the ship's exterior is completed is filled with water and then the ship is moved to a wet dock where interior building work will carry on.

Floating out is an auspicious occasion as it is the first time any ship takes to the water. Shipyard workers, along with the media and invited dignitaries watched a traditional coin ceremony to bring the ship good luck. The coins, a 1938 half crown, representing the year the first Queen Elizabeth was launched, a 1967 sovereign, the launch of the QE2 and a 2010 sovereign to commemorate the new ship's launch were welded under the ship's mast.

"Of our 170 years of history there has been an 'Elizabeth' in the fleet for over 70," Peter Shanks, Cunard's president and managing director, informed all who attended "and this ship -- the second largest Cunarder ever built -- will take the name far into the 21st century."

In Italian shipyard tradition, a madrina has already been named for Queen Elizabeth. Florence (Dennie) Farmer, a loyal Cunard cruises passenger and widow of the late Willie Farmer who served as chief engineer on both Queen Elizabeth and QE2, has been named as Queen Elizabeth's 'madrina' – godmother. Florence smashed a bottle of Italian sparkling wine against the party pained ship's hull prior to the values being opened as is the custom at floating out ceremonies.

Many are wondering whether Queen Elizabeth II herself will be asked to officially name the ship, however Cunard Cruises are keeping this close to their chest at present. The Queen Elizabeth is due to be completed in the autumn.

New Year – New Name For Azamara Cruises

Part of Royal Caribbean/Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Cruises is being given a new name. The two ships will now be called Azamara Club Cruises which will call at one hundred and forty ports this year in fifty different countries.

A new name is not the only new 'good news' from Azamara Club Cruises as from spring this year they will be introducing a whole host of new and exciting amenities and special offers for their passengers, including complementary soda, bottled water and coffee throughout the ships along with complementary house wines being poured at both lunch and diner.

Further money saving aspects for passengers include gratuities for housekeeping and dining staff as well as a free shuttle service when in port. All of these money saving aspects will help to ease the minds of novice cruisers who historically are known to forget to include gratuities within their spending budget.

Other aspects of Azamara Club Cruises will remain the same with passengers being spoilt for choice with the wide and varied on board amities, exceptional customer service, sumptuous dining options, with two nights of speciality dining, which go hand in hand with the warm welcome that smaller and more intimate cruise ships offer.

The two ships have been newly redecorated to the highest of standards and those that have previously booked cruise deals will be more than delighted with the all important finishing touches such as fresh flowers and fruit baskets daily, a 'sweet' surprise on passenger's pillows each night, new European style bedding, afternoon canapés, use of binoculars and plush robes all being complementary. For those who really enjoy the finer things in life but prefer to share with other passengers there is the opportunity to book spa treatments in-suite and private portrait sittings.

A Review Of Maiden Voyages In 2009

Despite the recession and the downturn in the economic climate 2009 saw the launch of a number of new cruise ships, each bringing unique levels of luxury for passengers.

Costa Cruises:
The maiden voyage of 1,130 cabin Luminosa set sail on 5th May during the summer touring Northern Europe, along with touring the Canary Islands, Spain and Morocco in the autumn. The Luminosa has the latest high-tech 4D cinema which uses scent as well as sound and vision to treat passenger's senses with new and exciting experiences!

Celebrity Cruises:
Celebrity Equinox had its maiden voyage through the Mediterranean and then headed off to the Caribbean. The Equinox holds 2,850 passengers and is part of Celebrity's new Solstice Class. Along with a whole host of on-board activities the Equinox has a lawn Club deck which has genuine grass, should passenger's have the need to step on terra-ferma! Glass blowing demonstrations is another of Equinox's new entertainment highlights.

Royal Caribbean Cruises:
The world's largest cruise ship, Oasis of the Seas, set sail from Fort Lauderdale to Haiti on its maiden voyage in December. The ship has the capacity to carry 6,360 passengers on its sixteen decks. Oasis of the Seas has a wide and varied entertainment and activities itinerary, including rock-climbing, zip-lining and surfing for passengers who like the adventure of new challenges. The ship also has an Aqua-theatre which is used as a swimming pool during the day before transforming into a aqua-theatre at night to host synchronized swimming, water baller and spectacular fountain shows by night.

P&O Cruises:
P&O Cruises launched their latest ship the Pacific Jewel with an extravaganza ceremony in Sydney which showcased their on board circus, 3 storey atrium foyer and a 1,330 square meter spa. The Pacific Jewel's maiden voyage set sail on 13th December and will be operating cruises from Sydney all year round.