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Legendary Sophia Loren Godmother To MSC Magnificia

2010-03-09T00:00:00.000Z

The 11th in the MSC Cruise fleet MSC Magnificia was christened by actress Sophia Loren to a backdrop of spectacular fireworks and of course champagne.

The ceremony was enjoyed by invited on board guests as well as being viewed by thousands via two giant floating screens and full MSC TV coverage.

MSC Magnificia weighs 90,000 gross tonnes and has capacity for over 3,000 passengers. The ship boasts state of the art facilities with it's innovative design concepts being found on the company's flagships MSC Fantasia and MSC Spendida.

MSC Magnificia's features include the Magrodome, the 1st within the Musica class series of ships. It's retractable roof, the largest of its kind, offer the opportunity for passengers to swim in all weathers, which is ideal for the Mediterranean sailings.

The ship also has world class double star Michelin chef Mauro Uliassi who will be at the forefront of the L'Oasi Restaurant. What more would one expect from MSC Cruises?

Passengers who like to keep fit, but also like to relax are also superbly catered for with a myriad of Olympic themed articles displayed in the L'Olimpiade sports bar.

MSC Magnifica will cruise the Mediterranean starting on the 20th March 2010. The 7 night itineraries take in Bari and Venice- Italy, Katakalon/Olympia -Greece, Izmir and Istanbul -Turkey and Dubrovnik - Croatia. Further MSC cruise deals and sailings are scheduled throughout the year.

Final Paint Coats For Disney Dream's Funnel

2010-03-06T00:00:00.000Z

Disney Dream, currently under construction in Germany, is having the final touches of paint coats along with Disney Cruises traditional red and black coloured smokestack, before it is permanently mounted onto the ship.

The funnel is made from aluminium and is approximately nine-eight feet long, forty one feet wide and sixty five feet high. This massive funnel weighs 200 tons!
Scheduled to join the Disney Cruises fleet next year it is the first of two newly designed cruise ships which focuses on family cruises. The maiden voyage will be from the ships home port, Port Canaveral on 26th January 2011.

The second of the new Disney Cruise Line's ships, Disney Fantasy will be launched in 2012 along with two new ocean liners which will double the capacity of Disney Cruise Line. Each of the new ocean liners will have 1,250 staterooms and a tonnage of 128,000.

Disney Cruises are building on their reputation for offering family orientated cruises which incorporate the latest design innovations and offering fun packed cruise deals with wide and varied itineraries to suit Disney lovers of all ages. Each of their ships have areas designed specifically for different age groups from tots to teens and of course a whole host of entertainment and activities for whole families to experience together.

Image: Cruise Industry News

Swarkovski Crystal Staircase Links MSC Yacht Club Decks

2010-03-03T00:00:00.000Z

There's more that opulence and grandeur on board MSC Cruises flagship the Fantasia.
MSC Fantasia joined the fleet in December 2008 and is the largest cruise ship specifically built for the European cruise line.

Fantasia has 1,637 staterooms with 80% having an ocean view and many with their own private balconies.

So what else can you expect from MSC Cruises Fantasia?

* The Acqua park has 150 illuminated musical fountains.

* 1,700 seats in the theatre which has live entertainment every night.

* Fantasia boasts a 4-D cinema.

* For passengers who love an adrenaline rush there is a F1 race car simulator when driving skills can be put to the test.

* A water slide in the children's pool.

* A glass roof called a magrodome encloses the pool area of the The MSC Fantasia I Tropici.

* World class restaurants in a variety of dining options, including Tex Mex.

* The La Caramella Candy Shop for those young and old with a sweet tooth.

The list is not exhaustive merely a 'taster' of what passengers looking for fantastic cruise deals can expect!

And if that's not tempting enough there's always the 99 MSC Yacht club suites which all have butler service, their own private sky-dome pool along with an exclusive Observation Lounge to meet the demands of the most discerning of cruise passengers. The Yacht Club suites are on two decks and linked by an impressive Swarkovski crystal staircase.

MSC Fantasia Image - MSC Cruises

Tempt Your Taste Buds And Dine In Style On Celebrity Eclipse

2010-02-28T00:00:00.000Z

First class restaurants in the cosmopolitan capitals of the world are the usual places to find the world's finest dining, however for food lovers the place to be is on board Celebrity Cruises Solstice Class Fleet ship Celebrity Eclipse.

Their new restaurant 'Qsine' is the inspiration of Chef Jacques Van Staden, Celebrity’s Vice President. 'Qsine' will serve passengers with an unexpected yet modern approach to familiar gastronomic delights from around the world.

Van Staden said 'Our guests love new and different dining experiences, and we’ve designed Qsine to deliver that in a big way, Qsine is designed to offer a globally-influenced blend of nostalgic and contemporary favorites, artfully presented with elements of surprise.'

He also believes that Qsine will confirm that Celebrity’s premier position in offering world class dining experiences as already seen in their Solstice ships speciality restaurants.

Even the menu design has been designed to show that Qsine is a different place to be, with wording and phrases to engage passengers in a new dinging experience. Most of the cuisine has fun and unusual names to entice and enthral guests.
So if you want to get your taste buds tingling and try 'Sushi Lollipops', 'Meatball Trilogy' or 'Popcorn Fish and Chips', Celebrity Eclipse's new dining experience 'Qsine' is where you're have to be!

Celebrity Eclipse was designed with a distinctive style and design which embraces the current and emerging trends within Celebrity Cruises Solstice Class travel for the most discerning of passengers who love the finer things in life, including exquisite cruise and dining experiences.

Royal Caribbean Sailing Down Under

2010-02-25T00:00:00.000Z

Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania are the latest destination for Royal Caribbean as they continue to expand their horizons. They are customising their itineraries with highlights to enthral passengers at ports of call including a tour of Sydney Opera House, experiencing native wildlife up close and personal at the Bonorong Wildlife Park along with museum visits to discover the arts, crafts and history of New Zealand.

Whilst cruising to ports of call passengers can enjoy all the luxury and fabulous on board facilities Royal Caribbean has to offer including rock climbing walls and cantilevered whirlpools as well as a whole host of other fascinating on board facilities which have become synonymous with Royal Caribbean cruises.

Those who have dreamed of the beautiful South Pacific will relish the opportunity to experience the warmth of the sunshine both on board and ashore are in for an experience of a lifetime as Royal Caribbean Cruises make headway for the stunning South Pacific with their newest cruise deals.

Furthermore Royal Caribbean have a loyalty reward system where passengers can earn credits for future cruises. The Crown & Anchor Society, the name given to the reward system, has different levels of membership with some interesting and enticing benefits for joining and moving up the levels!

Princess Cruises New 'A la Carte' Excursion Opportunities

2010-02-22T00:00:00.000Z

This summer Princess Cruises have four new 'A la Carte' cruise tour options which focuses on those who wish to 'do their own thing' during their cruise holiday.

The new concept enables flexibility by spending an extra three nights at one of the Denali area Princess lodges without excursions, allowing passengers to make their own individualised schedules. Departing from Vancouver the 'A la Carte' cruises feature northbound 'Voyage of the Glaciers – Gulf of Alaska cruise sailing on either Coral Princess or Island Princess. Both cruises visit top attractions in the Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park.

President of Princess Tour, Charlie Ball, has said 'These new A la Carte cruise-tours are designed specifically with the value-conscious, independent traveller in mind. With fewer extras' included, we can offer a more affordable tour option with greater flexibility for travellers 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."

These new cruises are available from May to September Alaska season. Princess Cruises also offer a wide variety of Alaska land/sea experiences within their itineraries to accommodate the most discerning of cruisers.

The new concept will be a welcome change for many passengers who prefer to have a more relaxed cruise holiday which includes experiences they wish to participate in rather than tag along with a group of others on organised tours.

2 New Mega-Ships For Princess Cruises

2010-02-19T00:00:00.000Z

Latest news within the world of cruise ships is the announcement that parent company to Princess Cruises, Carnival Corporation, has signed a memorandum of agreement with Fincantari, an Italian shipbuilder, for two new Princess cruise ships which will début in 2013 and 2014.

Each of the two new ships will be the largest in the princess Fleet at 139,000 tons. They will hold 3,600 passengers making them approximately 20% larger than any other ship in the fleet. At a cost estimated at around $768 million the ships will be competing in size with other mega cruise ships; being slightly larger than the new Carnival Dream, the ships will dwarf the Ruby Princess which made its début in 2008. Neither of the ships have been named as yet and no indication as to the potential 'godmothers' has been mentioned to date.

With more and more people taking full advantage of cruise deals and the latest innovation in cruising luxury it looks as if the cruise industry is set to keep ahead of consumer trends with regards to both passenger needs and value for money.
Carnival Cruises have an existing fleet of over 20 cruise ships, sailing from twenty different ports to destinations around the world, including Europe.

The company focuses on providing passengers a fun packed cruise holiday with activities and entertainment itineraries to suit all ages. Offer 3-8 day cruises Carnival have built their reputation on providing excellence in an exciting an innovative way.

Image: Ruby Princess - Princess Cruises (Examiner)

Themed Cruises A Big Hit With Passengers

2010-02-16T00:00:00.000Z

Cruise passengers who adore 'soaps' will be delighted to know that they can experience more than watching they favourite 'soap' during their cruise! Celebrity cruises have a four day 'Soap Cruise' departing from Miami this season.

Themed cruises are becoming more and more popular as such many of the leading cruise lines have a variety of diverse themed cruise deals this year. From lectures, demonstrations, performances by top personalities and tours are amongst the vast ranges on offer, where passenger participation is encouraged and welcomed.

Crystal Cruises have seven Wine and Food Experiences of Discovery this year featuring top chefs and wine experts. Crystal Cruises also have a mind, body and spirit Wellness cruise Departing from Singapore in April.

Holland and America Line also have a gastronomic delights for their passengers with over seventy chefs from the US providing a wealth of knowledge for the most discerning of palettes throughout their 2010 cruise season, all demonstrations will be presented in the new on-board Culinary Arts Centre.

MSC Cruises have a whole host of different themed cruises throughout the season from baseball, big band, polka, bridge along with varied food and wine themes. On their cruise ship Melody there are some unusual themes which include n Circus, arts, crafts, magic and dreams; further themes include music, fashion. Beauty and dance on South America cruises until May.

The whole ethos of passengers being spoilt for choice certainly holds true as themed cruises are becoming an integral part of meeting passenger needs.

Image: MSC Melody

Reviving Old Traditions: 'Bon Voyage' Experiences

2010-02-13T00:00:00.000Z

Princess Cruises return to a by gone era of reviving the tradition of family and friends boarding cruise ships to say 'Bon Voyage'. This practice was stopped over two decades agao as the need for tighter security measures where needed.

However, the innovative programme 'Bon Voyage ExperienceSM' has a modern twist allowing passengers to invite guests on board to join them during the sailing day for a four course lunch, a tour of the ship as well as a souvenir photograph. Guests will have the opportunity to spend four hours with passengers prior to departure.
The programme is a proactive approach to introduce and tempt those who have never been on a cruise to savour the experience with the cost redeemable towards a future Princess cruise deals.

Bon Voyage ExperienceSM débuts this March in the ports of Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles, with the experience being available in New York from May, San Francisco from June and during the Alaska season, Sapphire Princess, Golden Princess and Royal Princess will offer the program in Seattle, beginning in May.

Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president said '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'.

The Bon Voyage ExperienceSM will be available to approximately 50 guests on any given depature day.

$62 Million Cruise Liner Terminal And Retail Centre Opens At Roatan

2010-02-10T00:00:00.000Z

A $62 million cruise liner terminal and retail centre has opened at Roatan the Caribbean's latest private island.

Carnival Cruises have developed the complex to enable its Seabourn, Princess, Holland America, Carnival and P&O cruise ship to call there along with non-Carnival ships. The cruise centre is spread over 20 acres with an additional 10 acre private island which is expected to host over half a million passengers annually on board over 200 cruise liners.

The new ship terminal and private island will boast a number of innovative facilities for passengers which include:

* A 'Magical Flying Beach Chair', a cable suspended lift, will be one way in which passengers will be able to travel from pier to the beach.
* A beach with 825 feet of pristine white sand.
* An extensive range of shops and restaurants on the beach.
* Volleyball courts and water sports opportunities.
* Shore excursion facilities.

A new 3690 passenger, 130, 00-ton ship has also been ordered by Carnival for 2012 spring delivery. This ship will also include the latest innovative design features which include:

* A 300 foot corkscrew water slide.
* Indoor and outdoor cafés.
* Centres design with teens and children in mind.
* Cantilevered whirlpools which extend over the sides of the ship.
* A 24,000 square foot spa.

Further facilities are due to be revealed as the construction of the ship continues. Exciting times are ahead for cruisers looking for exceptional value for money and the very latest technological advances in the world of cruise ships.

Image: Carnival Sensation

Cunard Caters For Jazz Enthusiasts During 2010

2010-02-07T00:00:00.000Z

Jazz enthusiasts are being given a spectacular itinerary on board Queen Mary 2 this year. Select Cunard Cruies eastbound Transatlantic Crossings will present classical and contemporary jazz performances from one of the world's top music schools, The Juiliard School.

The concerts will feature many well known and popular jazz performers, including Eddie Henderson on trumpet, who had his fiirst trumpet lesson from the legendary Louis Armstrong and Ben Wolfe on bass. Students from The Juiliard School will accompany professors to bring a wealth and expertise to the performances.
The new partnership between Cunard and The Juiliard School commences this April and continues through until October with concerts being performed in the ship's Royal Court Theatre.

One of the grandest ocean liners ever built, Queen Mary 2 provides passengers with the timeless elegance of cruising in spectacular style. Although the ship retains the sophistication of cruising in sumptuous surroundings, Cunard remain focused on the needs of passengers, including the most modern luxuries along with entertainment catered to the tastes of the most discerning passengers needs.

The partnership with The Juiiard School clearly demonstrates their commitment to include diversity as well as retaining the Golden Age of Ocean Travel at its very best for their cruise passengers

Classical Disney 'Villains' Take Centre Stage

2010-02-04T00:00:00.000Z

For those who love all things Disney, especially the Disney 'Villains' are in for a treat this spring as Disney Cruises are premièring a musical spectacular aptly named 'Villains Tonight!'.

The début of the show will be on-board Disney Magic this March as well as being included on the itinerary of Disney Dream in early 2011.

Dedicated to the Disney Villains we love to hate, the musical is the first full scale musical extravaganza that uses the famous villains and evil-doers in some comical moments to enthral passengers of all ages.

Focused on family fun, Disney cruise deals remain extremely popular, providing the traditions of extraordinary family entertainment and superb service throughout all of their cruises.

Jim Urry, Vice President of Entertainment for Disney Cruise Line, has said 'We pride ourselves in delivering exceptional entertainment and magnificent stage spectaculars aboard our ships,' adding 'With 'Villains Tonight!' we are bringing the lovable and loathsome Disney villains to life in a way never seen before - as the stars of the first musical comedy devoted to the anti-heroes of our films.'

An all-star creative team has been assembled by Disney Cruise Line, who are joined by Karma camp choreographer Allison Narver and Ben Cohn as musical director.

Image: Disney Magic's Sports Deck

'Disney Dream' Offers Fun Packed Family Cruises

2010-02-01T00:00:00.001Z

Disney Cruises continues to provide a wide range of unique water-sports facilities on board their newest ship Disney Dream. An interactive sports deck, water themed play area along with poolside haven of rest and relaxation for adults, the first on board water coaster, AquaDuck, will be just one of the many different sports themes for cruise passengers to choose from.

* Nemo's Reef continues the water theme where children can experience a world of water fun with pop jets, bubblers along with underwater favourite friends including Nemo, Dory and other characters from the film 'Finding Nemo'. The 1,500 square feet Nemo's Reef has shaded areas to provide protection from the sun as well as a soft wet-deck area.

* A miniature golf course Goofy's Golf offers 'lessons' as Goofy and his son Max show passengers a nine hole course filled with whacky fun. Each hole has its own 'special' golf instructions to guide passengers round the course which advises players to avoid fire hydrants and use Pluto's dog bone to help them get to the hole.

* Goofy's Sports Deck also includes 2 digital sports simulators to provide a range of virtual game experiences including tennis, basketball, soccer and golf, furthermore there is a full sized basketball court which can double up as a mini soccer pitch or volleyball court. Children can also enjoy a range of sports on two mini-sized courts.

* Passengers aged 18 years and over can turn to the 'child free' Quiet Cove Pool and Cove bar to sunbathe and swim in peace, enjoy a drink or relax in the hot tub overlooking the ocean whilst cruising on board the Disney Dream.

Image: Quiet Cove Pool on board Disney Magic

'Weather Cruise Ship Of The Year' – Princess Cruises

2010-01-29T00:00:00.001Z

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!

2010-01-26T00:00:00.000Z

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

2010-01-23T00:00:00.000Z

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

2010-01-20T00:00:00.000Z

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

2010-01-17T00:00:00.000Z

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

2010-01-14T00:00:00.000Z

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

2010-01-11T00:00:00.000Z

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

2010-01-08T00:00:00.000Z

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

2010-01-05T00:00:00.002Z

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

2010-01-02T00:00:00.000Z

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.

New Spa Menu For Passengers On Board The Queen Mary 2

2009-12-31T00:00:00.000Z

Passengers on board Cunard Cruises Queen Mary 2 will be able to experience a whole host of different spa treatments in their Canyon Ranch, the spa-fitness provider. The extensive range of spa treatments include Detoxifying and Revitalising Rituals, Voya Seaweed Treatments, along with Performance Orthotics.

Covering 20,000 square feet of the Queen Mary 2, Canyon Ranch has a staff of thirty looking after passengers indulging in a choice of twenty-four treatment rooms and fifty pieces of equipment. As well as the new menu of treatments the spa has a Thalasso-therapy pool, neck fountains, body massage jet benches, herbal and Finish saunas and an aromatic steam room. The new itineraries are to be included on Cunard's two 2011 World Cruises.

The Queen Mary 2 will start its fourth world voyage from New York returning to New York after 103 days cruising around the world calling at numerous ports including China, Japan, Sydney, Thailand, Dubai and the UK. The ship will also make 21 transatlantic crossings in 2010 along with additional round-trip New York voyages.

Cunard Cruises new 2092 passenger Queen Elizabeth leaves Southampton in January to begin its 103 days global circuit heading westward to New York and then onto Fort Lauderdale, Los Angeles, Sydney, Singapore, Hong Kong, India, Dubai, Egypt, Greece, Italy along with other ports of call around the world. The ship will start its voyages in October 2010 in Spain and Portugal.

Cunard Cruises 3rd ship the Queen Victoria will spend the summer in Europe and then spend the winter of 2011 on the U.S. West Coast and Panama Canal, calling at Los Angeles and Hawaii.

Passengers looking for the ultimate in cruise holidays can rest assured that Cunard Cruises will live up to its reputation of being one of the most sought after and luxurious cruises with its opulence and grandeur being seen on all three of its magnificent fleet.

P&O Cruises 'January Sail'!

2009-12-29T00:00:00.000Z

We are all aware the high street and online retailers have their January Sales for savvy consumers to grab themselves a bargain! This year P&O Cruises are offering their own January sale or should that be 'sail'!

Once the festive season is over historically people turn their attention to their summer holidays, as such P&O Cruises are offering a whole host of incentives to encourage people to book their cruise holidays from today, 28^th December, until 31^st January 2010 by offering generous discounts of up to one thousand pounds per couple along with free on board shopping along with other enticing promotions and discounts.

P&O Cruises will have seven cruise ships sailing from the UK in 2010 with the addition of their super-liner Azura in April. P&O Cruises also offer the largest choice of departures from Southampton with a wide variation of cruise deals to suit novice cruise passengers to the more experienced cruisers.

P&O Cruises 'January Sail' incentives include:

Double discounts on the Ventura and Azura superior deluxe balcony staterooms, which means potential savings of up to £1,000 per couple.
On board spending money sees increases of up to £150 per person on selected departures during April and June.
Passengers booking online for cruise deals between April and June on selected departures can also save a further 2.5%.
P&O Cruises also have a 'Cruise Ahead' promotion which offers an additional 5% discount to passengers who pay in full for their cruise at the time of booking.

Those looking for great cruise deals will be spoilt for choice with P&O Cruises visiting more than 200 destinations around the world. The savings being offered makes cruising more affordable at a time when everyone is looking to snap up a bargain and make their money stretch further.