Celebrity Cruises, which this fall will debut the innovative, has this weekend extended its existing shipyard order to five vessels according to Germany-based Meyer Werft.

Delivery of the fifth ship is slated for fall 2012. Celebrity has already announced that the four previous orders will be introduced each autumn between 2008 and 2011.

The 122,000-ton, 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice features a number of new-to-cruising twists, which include an actual lawn for picnics and bocce, a glass blowing studio, and a wine bar with sommelier service. Among the new-to-Celebrity elements include family staterooms, AquaClass cabins that offer a spa-destination experience, and Blu, a restaurant featuring healthy cuisine. Also important to note is that these ships will be Celebrity’s largest, and fall in the post-Panamax size classification. That means the vessels are too large to fit through the Panama Canal (at least until a planned expansion of the Canal in 2014 or thereabouts).

In a statement released by the shipyard, Bernard Meyer, who runs Meyer Werft, noted his pleasure in receiving an additional order for a Solstice-class vessel.

But what’s more intriguing about the announcement of this one ship addition, says Cruise Business Review’s Teijo Niemela, is that the order is a boost for the North American market. “These days, with so much attention focused on increasing cruise travel to European and Asian passengers, the new-build orders we’re seeing mostly benefit lines that serve new markets. Celebrity, while also expanding to attract a more international customer, really has a firm tradition of serving travelers from the U.S. and Canada.”

Niemela anticipates that as Celebrity unveils its first few Solstice-class ships (beyond 2008’s Solstice there’s also 2009’s Equinox and 2010’s Eclipse) it will begin to phase out some of its smaller, existing vessels. That would include Century, Galaxy and Mercury.

Cunard Line announces that it has ordered a new 92,000-ton liner, to be named ‘Queen Elizabeth’, scheduled to enter service in the autumn of 2010. Cunard signed an agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of the new 2092–passenger ocean liner, which will be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard at an all-in cost of approximately €500 million. The vessel will be the second largest Cunarder ever built.

In making the announcement, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Carol Marlow, said:

“Cunard already owns and operates the two most famous ocean liners in the world, Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2, and a third - Queen Victoria - is due to be named by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, in the presence of HRH The Prince of Wales, in December of this year. The decision to order another ship for Cunard Line has been taken as a result of the strong booking response to the new Queen Victoria, and we are extremely pleased that Cunard will once again become a three-ship fleet so soon after the departure of the much-celebrated Queen Elizabeth 2 in November next year. Furthermore we are delighted that Her Majesty The Queen has given her blessing to our calling this new Cunarder ‘Queen Elizabeth’, after our first vessel of that name. ”

The new ship follows a long line of famous Cunard liners stretching back to the company’s inception as the first operator of a timetabled transatlantic service 167 years ago.

Queen Elizabeth will offer the very best of Cunard’s values and traditions, blended with every conceivable modern luxury that today’s discerning travellers expect. Through her opulent public rooms and impeccable service, the new ship will reflect the grandeur which has been associated with Cunard ships since the introduction of the Mauretania in 1907; and from the outside, her black hull, gleaming white superstructure and distinctive red funnel will echo the classic characteristics of the company’s distinctive liner heritage.

Queen Elizabeth will fly the Red Ensign with her home-port Southampton, as is the case with the other ships in the Cunard fleet.

Design details and initial itineraries will be announced in due course.

Celebrity, which is building an entirely new class of ships it’s calling Solstice, trickled out a few tantalizing details last night during an event in New York for travel agents, Captain’s Club members and the media. The 122,000-ton, 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice, the first in the new class, is currently under construction at Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard and debuts in late fall 2008. Three more ships will follow.

The big news? Think pink. Celebrity designers have unabashedly embraced the female spirit when creating cabin designs. In fact, their design team — led by architectural firm RTKL’s Greg Walton, who’s, ahem, a guy — went a step further, tapping five women to serve on a “what women want” advisory panel.

Women, noted Dan Hanrahan, Celebrity Cruises’ president, are the prime decision makers when it comes to choosing a vacation venue. And in creating a panel of women to address female preferences, “we took the ’suggestion box’ idea to a whole new level to create a new kind of stateroom.”

The panel of five women was chosen by a consultant to Celebrity Cruises, and included a veteran cruise traveler, a travel agent, a cruise journalist, a hotel executive and a woman who’d never traveled by ship. They spent about two weeks learning about Celebrity — the cruise line and the concept — cruising for a night on Celebrity Constellation, touring a yacht, visiting chic South Beach hotels, prowling designer ateliers in Miami and even traveling to Finland’s Turku, where Aker Yards operates a cabin-building factory. Ultimately the women spent about four months on the project.

Indeed, many of the details incorporated into the design of Solstice’s standard verandah cabins are quite unique. For instance:

The color scheme. Walton said one message from the panelists came through particularly loud and clear: “No more teal.” Color schemes will instead reflect muted colors and a softer ambience.

Connecting cabins. As a result of cruising’s heightened popularity amongst families and groups of friends, connecting cabins have become so sought after that they’re typically hard to book. Not so on Celebrity Solstice; there will be 265 pairs of staterooms that connect.

And wait … there’s more. For those cabins with interlocking doors new vestibules can be created by opening doors (or shutting them); how this will look is still a mystery since the rendering we saw did not include it. Also, balcony doors are being created to be unlatched easily….

Flexible balconies. This one seems obvious — yet it’s clearly not as few cruise lines have paid any heed: Verandah furnishings will be adjustable so you can choose between a straight back chair and a slouchy one.

The flat screen. All cabins will have a 32-inch flat-screen TV that’s adjustable so you can watch from anywhere in the cabin. That improvement’s another of those “you’d be surprised at how often cruise lines get this detail wrong” features and is by no means merely a female preference!

Bigger bathrooms, better showers. In the cruise industry, bathroom design — at least in standard-size cabin scenarios — is probably the area that most needs a makeover and here Celebrity is an innovator. On Solstice-class ships, bathrooms themselves will be 24 percent larger than those on Millennium-class vessels (which frankly offer a pretty similar layout to those in other fleets). Hanrahan noted that designers were able to make the bathrooms larger by looking for ways to make HVAC systems smaller. HVAC systems, responsible for plumbing and water functions, are typically built into a corner of the bathroom unit; while they’re not visible to passengers, they do take up a lot of space.

Nifty bathroom features. Look for all-glass showers, fog-free mirrors and extra storage space. One of the most unusual touches is the addition of a foot rail/shower shelf.

Under the bed. Have you noticed lately that newer suitcases are often too high to fit under most beds on cruise ships? Mine are…. And so, among other storage innovations, beds on Celebrity Solstice will be raised slightly higher — so the luggage can fit. As well, there are built-in storage units over the bed, modular closets to accommodate a variety of clothing types, and storage areas tucked away inside of functional furnishings.

Guest quarters. For those sleeping three or four to a cabin, many staterooms will still have Pullmans — those drop-down beds that are stored by day in the ceiling. But cabins are also outfitted with couches that convert into trundle beds (you get two single beds and there’s no need to climb up into a Pullman).

The marriage factor. Other small, homey touches that are being added to cabins include shelves on each side of the bed for personal items (books, glasses, medications) and, especially for couples, individual reading lights at each nightstand. If one wants to read, the other can sleep, notes Walton, the ship’s designer, who half-jokingly notes that “Of course we want to keep marriages intact.”

Some other issues that came up during the event:

Will the Solstice-class ships be more expensive than other Celebrity vessels? Hanrahan answered that one, saying that since Solstice opened for booking earlier this summer, fares have been about 10 to 20 percent higher. But there’s an interesting rationale: Beyond the appeal of a new ship with new amenities, Celebrity Solstice has far more balcony cabins (and fewer cheaper inside ones) and that naturally would raise the price a bit.

Has a captain been chosen yet? Chuckling, Hanrahan said that yes, a captain has been picked — but since the master himself hasn’t yet been informed, the company will wait to reveal the name.

Who were the panelists, anyway? Read their bios here. As a perk for their efforts (the company wouldn’t reveal whether or not they were paid for the estimated two weeks of time spent on the project), they’ll be sailing on the ship’s maiden voyage … in standard balcony cabins, of course.

Beyond standard balcony cabins, what are other accommodation options? The folks from Celebrity declined to offer more details on this or any other aspect of Celebrity Solstice except for one other pretty intriguing concept. An idea pioneered by Costa, Celebrity Solstice will be the first ship in its fleet to offer spa cabins. The AquaClass staterooms, which come with verandahs, are identical to the standards in structure — but there are differences. These cabins, located near the spa, will sport different color schemes. Passengers will be able to choose aromatherapy scents tied to their needs (relaxing, for instance, or re-energizing). Toiletries will feature the spa logo and passengers will be able to choose from menus of health-related drinks. Of the ship’s 1,425 staterooms, 130 will qualify as AquaClass; folks who book them are also entitled to unlimited use of the Persian Garden steam room and access to Blu, a spa-oriented restaurant.

Celebrity Solstice will make its maiden voyage December 14, 2008. Throughout the winter, the ship will sail alternating seven-night Caribbean itineraries from Ft. Lauderdale.

The image of the verandah stateroom on Celebrity Solstice is an artistic rendering and reflects the proposed design and layout. Design and layout are subject to change without notice.

During the 2007/2008 winter season the Costa Marina will depart from Mauritius on a 14-day Indian Ocean cruise, a global first for the industry. A total of approximately 11,000 passenger movements are forecast. The itinerary also includes the Seychelles, Kenya, Mayotte, Madagascar and Reunion.

Mauritius, the beautiful island in the Indian Ocean renowned for its endless white beaches and lush vegetation, is set to become a new international cruise destination. In December 2007 Costa Cruises, the Italian company and market leader in Europe and South America, will become the first operator worldwide to offer Indian Ocean cruises departing from Mauritius. The news was officially announced in the Republic during a press conference co-hosted by Costa Cruises SpA Chairman & CEO Pier Luigi Foschi and Xavier Luc Duval, Mauritius’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications.

“In 2008 we will confirm our role as leaders in innovation,” commented Costa Cruises SpA Chairman & CEO Pier Luigi Foschi, “and we will be able to offer our customers a truly unique holiday destination, never before marketed by a cruise operator. Following the opening of new routes in Asia and out of Dubai last year, next winter there will also be cruises from Mauritius, which are already proving to be popular judging from the advance bookings. For these cruises we’re aiming in particular at customers in our main markets of reference in Europe, but we also have an eye on Asia, where Mauritius and the other stopovers on the itinerary are more and more in demand as holiday destinations. I wish to thank the authorities of Mauritius for their cooperation and commitment, which have enabled us to be the first to offer cruise departures from this splendid island.”

“We are proud to have such a prestigious partner bringing quality visitors to our island,” said Mauritius’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Tourism, Transport and Communications Xavier Luc Duval. “Thanks to the high standard of the tourist facilities and the wide range of excursions, Mauritius is the ideal base for this operation, which will reveal to an international clientele not only our turquoise sea, but also the rich heritage of our hinterland, our culture and our traditions. We are sure that this operation will have beneficial effects on our tourist industry and on other sectors of our economy. In 2006 we had over 510,000 tourists coming from Europe, of which 69,407 were Italians.”

Over the course of the 2007/2008 winter season the Costa Marina, a 25,600 gross tonnage member of the Costa fleet with total Guest capacity of 1000, will set sail from Mauritius every Saturday on six 14-day cruises (16 days counting the flights to and from Italy and elsewhere in Europe) in the Indian Ocean.

The first departure is scheduled for December 21, 2007, with the last one on February 29, 2008. The itinerary includes 2-day stopovers in Mauritius and Mahè (Seychelles), and one-day calls at Mombasa (Kenya), Mayotte, Nosy Be (Madagascar), Toamasina (Madagascar) and Reunion.

In addition, there will be two exciting 27-day positioning cruises (including the flights): one from Savona to Mauritius, leaving November 26, 2007 and taking in Egypt, Jordan, Yemen, the Seychelles, Kenya, Mayotte and Madagascar, while the other will sail from Mauritius to Savona, departing on March 14, 2008 and the same route in the opposite direction.

The Costa Marina will bring a total of around 11,000 passengers to Mauritius, mainly Europeans, in particular from Italy, France, Germany, Spain and the UK. They will fly from Europe (Milan, London and Paris) to Mauritius to embark the ship. Guests are also expected to arrive from Asia and China, where since March 2006 Costa Cruises has had two representative offices - one in Shanghai and the other in Hong Kong - promoting and marketing all its cruises.

The cruises out of Mauritius on the Costa Marina will feature guided shore excursions in each port of call, with the chance to visit some of the local highlights. The main attraction is represented by the superb beaches - Mauritius, Mahè in the Seychelles, Mayotte and Reunion - but there are no shortage of sightseeing excursions, such as the Pamplemousses Botanical Gardens, which first opened in 1735, Tsavo East National Park safaris in Kenya, in one of the world’s largest game sanctuaries, daytrips to see the wildlife at Parc Ivoloina in Madagascar, the tour of Mombasa Old Town with a spectacular ’son et lumière’ presentation portraying the historical struggles between the Arabs and the Portuguese for control of the city, as well as dolphin-watching trips at Mayotte or the blue safari in Mauritius, exploring the superb barrier reef and coral gardens.

To find out more about the excursion possibilities, visit the website www.costacruises.co.uk

Hogwarts Goes To Sea For Moonlit Launch Of The “Deathly Hallows”

Fans of Harry Potter needn’t be disappointed this summer if they have planned a holiday with P&O Cruises.

In an exclusive deal, family friendly superliners Aurora and Oriana will take delivery of the latest book before they sail from Southampton to the Mediterranean on Friday 20th July.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows goes on sale in the UK at midnight on Saturday 21 July, so avid readers on these cruise holidays can buy their copy at exactly the same time as they could in the UK.

The cruise line has planned ‘moonlit launch’ events on board both ships so that fans of Harry, Ron and Hermione don’t have to wait a minute longer to start reading this eagerly anticipated final instalment in the Harry Potter adventure.

P&O Cruises head of brand marketing, Philip Price, said, “Harry Potter is of huge interest to our passengers - both children and adults alike. It is with great pleasure that we can offer this special service to our passengers and we are confident that they will have a ’spook-tacular’ holiday with P&O Cruises!”

The daily ship newsletter will be specially themed and renamed the ‘Daily Prophet’ to mark the occasion on 20th July and fans of the books will also be pleased to see familiar Hogwarts characters such as Dumbledore, Hagrid and Harry hosting the moonlit launch parties in the on board libraries.

Ghoulish treats such as cauldron cakes, liquorice wands, sugar quills, chocolate frogs, peppermint toads, jelly slugs, fudge flies and butterbeer will be served.

Children can also win prizes in a costume contest and a special ‘Petrified Potters’ version of the children’s classic - musical statues.

Aurora is departing on a 16-night Venetian Magic itinerary calling in Majorca, Greece, Dalmatia, Italy and Gibraltar. Oriana’s voyage is a 14-night Dolce Vita cruise calling in Spain, Monaco, Italy and Gibraltar.

Both itineraries are fully booked but similar cruise holidays are available

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Ltd. has announced plans to lengthen and upgrade another of its cruise ships during 2008. The Braemar will undergo the work during its dry dock period scheduled for May and June next year.
The work will be carried out by Blohm + Voss Repair GmbH Hamburg which will be handling a similar project on the company’s latest acquisition, Balmoral, later this year.
The project involves adding a 31.2 metre extension in the mid-section of the ship, and extending the fore and aft sections on deck 8. This work will increase the amount of premium accommodation by providing more cabins and suites with balconies and will increase the capacity of the ship from 727 to 977 (an additional 250 passengers). Extra public space includes a bar designed on the concept of a British pub.
In addition to further balcony suites, the new deck 8 space will accommodate a new restaurant along with an Observatory Lounge similar to those found on other Fred. Olsen ships. There will also be plenty of extra deck space, and a second swimming pool which will also have an area for children to play safely.

Mike Rodwell, Managing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “This project to lengthen Braemar has been on the drawing board for several months, and I am delighted that we are now able to announce it will be going ahead. There will be no disruption to schedules as we had pencilled in this period in our 2008 itinerary planning in anticipation that this work would be carried out.” He continued: “Fred. Olsen intends to maintain its strong position in the UK cruise market and this additional capacity will allow us to grow our market in keeping with the increasing demand for cruise holidays.”

The world’s most famous ship, the Queen Elizabeth 2, will leave the Cunard fleet in autumn 2008.

As part of a $100 million deal, the QE2 will be delivered to Dubai, where she will be refurbished and adapted to become a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination at The Palm Jumeirah man-made island.

The ship, which has sailed the world’s seas for almost 40 years and travelled over 5 million miles, is Cunard’s longest-serving ship.

“After such an illustrious career, we feel that the time will be right for her to leave the fleet next year,” said Cunard president and managing director Carol Marlow in a letter to agents.

“However, she will not disappear. She has been purchased by Istithmar, the investment arm of Dubai World and a wholly owned company of the Government of Dubai.

“We think it very important that QE2 should end her ocean–going career with dignity.

“We are, therefore, very pleased to have secured a permanent home for her that will enable future generations to continue to experience fully both the ship and her history.”

The QE2 was launched by The Queen in September 1967 and has undertaken 25 world cruises and and crossed the Atlantic over 800 times.

She will remain with the Cunard fleet until November 11 2008, when she will leave her homeport of Southampton for the last time to commence her final voyage to Dubai.

Two itinerary changes have been made in order to celebrate her historic departure. These affect Canary Islands Splendour and Taste of the Mediterranean II.

These new Farewell Voyages, including her final voyage to Dubai, will be on sale from 2pm on June 27.

Click on the below link to access the webcast page:

View the webcast page

Exotic Destination-Driven Brand to Sail in Europe, South America, Asia and Around the World

The launch of a new ship is a momentous occasion for any cruise line, but Celebrity Cruises has made the introduction of their latest liner especially significant. Today, Celebrity not only marked the launch of a 710-guest ship which sets sail tomorrow, but also introduced an entirely new, deluxe cruise brand: “Azamara Cruises.”

Designed to offer exotic destination-driven travel experiences, Azamara Cruises — consisting of Azamara Journey, which sets sail May 5, and sister ship, Azamara Quest, which enters service in October — will present a more intimate onboard experience, while allowing access to the less-traveled ports of call experienced travelers want to visit.

“We created Azamara Cruises to target an area of the market that we believe is underserved, and an area this product is ideally suited to fill,” said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, parent company of Azamara Cruises. “This new line falls into what we consider the deluxe category — a category between premium and luxury.”

According to Azamara Cruises President Dan Hanrahan, who also is president of Celebrity Cruises, “Azamara Cruises is expressly designed for travel enthusiasts who appreciate what a cruise vacation has to offer, but are looking for something a little different, and a little more special. And what’s special about Azamara Cruises is its distinctive combination of impeccable service, exceptional cuisine and off-the-beaten-path destinations, with truly immersive excursions.”

Complementing the exotic Caribbean and Europe itineraries for Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, previously announced under the former “Celebrity Expeditions” banner, Hanrahan today announced that Azamara Cruises’ itineraries will not only take travelers to some of the most desirable locations in the Caribbean, but will immerse them in Asia, and even transport them around the world. Itinerary details for Azamara Cruises’ Asia and world cruises are yet to be announced, but once finalized, the line expects to visit more than 200 ports — most of them new to cruise travelers — in over 70 countries.

While delving deep into the history and culture of remote destinations larger ships can’t reach, guests sailing with Azamara Cruises also will enjoy a more exclusive guest experience. Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest offer butler service in every stateroom and suite, as well as concierge-style amenities, including fresh-cut flowers, fresh fruit, Elemis toiletries, complimentary use of Frette cotton robes, two complimentary pairs of slippers, plasma TVs and plush European bedding.

Despite the ships’ smaller size, each offers two specialty restaurants: On Azamara Journey, the Mediterranean-influenced “Aqualina” and the stylish steak and seafood restaurant, “Prime C.” Guests staying in suites will receive two nights of complimentary dining in one of the two specialty restaurants, while guests in staterooms will receive one. The ships will not require formal attire for dining, and will feature open seating in the main dining room.

Azamara Cruises also presents a wine bar with a spectacular wine cellar offering wine and champagne tastings, seminars, and mini-pairings of food and wine, in addition to its standard menu of fine wines by the glass or bottle.

Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest offer an enhanced emphasis on spa and relaxation, with treatments many cruise travelers have never experienced. Guests in suites can enjoy certain spa services in the privacy of their room. Both ships also will offer an outdoor spa relaxation lounge and an aesthetics suite offering acupuncture, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion.

An onboard “excursion expert” will not only help guests select shore excursions based on their personal interests, but also will serve as a destination guide, offering information about the culture and history of each port of call.

The Azamara retail experience onboard also will be enticing to most experienced travelers, with its focus on fine art, sculpture, photography, jewelry, and upscale resort wear.

Just prior to setting sail on its maiden voyage May 5, Azamara Journey completed a four-week, approximately $19-million makeover, highlighted by the conversion of 48 staterooms into 32 suites, a complete refurbishment of the dining areas to create the two new specialty restaurants, an expansion of the spa area to include an aesthetics suite, a new Sunset Bar on the aft deck, a new art collection, Cova Cafe, entirely new carpets and flooring throughout, new exterior decking, new paint schemes, new walls, and entirely new “soft goods,” ranging from plush European bedding to cushions, drapes and table linens.

The name “Azamara” is a coined term, rooted in Romance language references to blue (”aza”), the sea (”mar”), and a lesser-known word, “acamar,” which, in Classical times, was the southernmost bright star that could be seen from the latitude of Greece. Hanrahan said the company views the new brand as “a bright star on the deep blue sea.”

Azamara Cruises unlocks the hidden corners of the world for those who desire to immerse themselves in the rich details of every voyage. The deluxe ships — Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest — offer an intimate experience, while allowing access to exotic destinations experienced travelers long to reach. For the 710 guests on each Azamara Cruises ship, every moment at sea embodies the pinnacle of luxury, and each footstep on shore accentuates the difference between visiting a place and getting a true sense of place. Azamara Cruises presents the best of Bermuda and Panama Canal/South America in 2007, elite Asia and the most captivating Caribbean, South America and Europe in 2008, and around-the-world voyages in 2010. For more information, call 0845 345 1747 or visit www.azamaracruises.com.

Serena is scheduled to launch from Savona May 17 on a three-night inaugural sailing; a festive celebration in Marseille will follow on May 20, with stunning French actress Marion Cotillard serving as godmother. The ship will then begin its season sailing a series of Eastern and Western Mediterranean cruises of various lengths, roundtrip from Venice and Savona.

Don’t expect too many innovative features aboard Costa Serena. The highlights are on par with many of the amenities introduced aboard sister ship Costa Conocrodia including:

• The Samsara Spa, one of the largest spa complexes at sea
• Grand Prix racecar driving simulator
• Two covered pools with a sliding glass roof (”magrodome”)
• A poolside movie screen
• Alternative restaurant created by celebrity chef Ettore Bocchia.

Serena becomes the 12th ship in the rapidly expanding Costa fleet. Costa has three more ships — Costa Luminosa and two as-yet-unnamed vessels — set to debut in spring 2009, summer 2009 and 2010, respectively.

Stahre-Janson discovered her love for sailing at the age of 7 when her parents gave her a small boat, and cultivated her passion at sailing camp. While growing up, she also took — and taught — sailing lessons and competitively raced tall ships. She graduated from the Chalmers University of Technology in Sweden with a bachelor’s degree in Nautical Science and obtained an Unlimited Masters License enabling her to command any ship of any size (maybe Genesis is next…).

Interestingly, Stahre-Janson already completed a tour of duty onboard Monarch, sailing three- and four-night Baja cruises; she’ll resume command in August. A spokesman for Royal Caribbean tells us that the line waited to announce Captain Stahre-Janson’s appointment per her wishes — she wanted to get settled in aboard Monarch and with her new crew before fielding the inevitable interviews that would come after the news got out.

Of course, among the kudos and congratulations there are a few jokesters (”Will she only stop the ship in ports with really great shopping?” and “I’m sure she’s had plenty of experience driving from the backseat.”) But let’s not forget which sex is famous for not stopping for directions….

In the Caribbean, MSC Lirica will offer two separate seven-night Christmas and New Year itineraries on the 21 and 28 December. These can also be combined into 14-night itinerary which covers the entire the festive season.

For the 14-night holiday - from 21 December - there are calls at San Juan, St Thomas, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Key West, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, returning to the UK from Fort Lauderdale on 4 January 2008.

For a taste of the Mediterranean, MSC Orchestra which is being christened on 14 May and MSC Musica offer Christmas and New Year departures.

Said Claudia Baino, managing director UK & Ireland: Christmas cruises last year sold exceptionally well and it seems that our Truly Italian hospitality on board is proving an attractive alternative for the UK market.

Christmas is traditionally a busy season. Last year we sold out on the one ship very early. This year we have combined attractive flight options with BA to Miami with one nights pre-cruise hotel accommodation in Florida.

Whether clients wish to spend the holidays in the Mediterranean or the Caribbean, MSC has an attractive SAILFLIGHT package to offer them.

Give us a ring on 0845 345 1747 for more information

Designed to offer exotic destination-driven travel experiences, Azamara Cruises - consisting of Azamara Journey, which sets sail 5 May 2007, and sister ship, Azamara Quest, which enters service in October - will present a more intimate onboard experience, while allowing access to the less-travelled ports of call experienced travellers want to visit.

“We created Azamara Cruises to target an area of the market that we believe is underserved, and an area this product is ideally suited to fill,” said Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited, parent company of Azamara Cruises. “This new line falls into what we consider the deluxe category - a category between premium and luxury.”

According to Azamara Cruises President Dan Hanrahan, who is also president of Celebrity Cruises, “Azamara Cruises is expressly designed for travel enthusiasts who appreciate what a cruise vacation has to offer, but are looking for something a little different, and a little more special. And what’s special about Azamara Cruises is its distinctive combination of impeccable service, exceptional cuisine and off-the-beaten-path destinations, with truly immersive excursions.”

Complementing the exotic Caribbean and Europe itineraries for Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, previously announced under the former “Celebrity Expeditions” banner, Hanrahan today announced that Azamara Cruises’ itineraries will not only take travellers to some of the most desirable locations in the Caribbean, but will immerse them in Asia, and even transport them around the world. Itinerary details for Azamara Cruises’ Asia and world cruises are yet to be announced, but once finalised, the line expects to visit more than 200 ports - most of them new to cruise travellers - in over 70 countries.

While delving deep into the history and culture of remote destinations larger ships can’t reach, guests sailing with Azamara Cruises also will enjoy a more exclusive guest experience. Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest offer butler service in every stateroom and suite, as well as concierge-style amenities, including freshly-cut flowers, fresh fruit, Elemis toiletries, complimentary use of Frette cotton robes, two complimentary pairs of slippers, plasma TVs and plush European bedding.

Despite the ships smaller size, each offers two specialty restaurants: On Azamara Journey, the Mediterranean-influenced “Aqualina” and the stylish steak and seafood restaurant, “Prime C.” Guests staying in suites will receive two nights of complimentary dining in one of the two specialty restaurants, while guests in staterooms will receive one. The ships will not require formal attire for dining, and will feature open seating in the main dining room.

Azamara Cruises also presents a wine bar with a spectacular wine cellar offering wine and champagne tastings, seminars, and mini-pairings of food and wine, in addition to its standard menu of fine wines by the glass or bottle.

Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest offer an enhanced emphasis on spa and relaxation, with treatments many cruise travellers have never experienced. Guests in suites can enjoy certain spa services in the privacy of their room. Both ships also will offer an outdoor spa relaxation lounge and an aesthetics suite offering acupuncture, laser hair removal and microdermabrasion.

An onboard “excursion expert” will not only help guests select shore excursions based on their personal interests, but also will serve as a destination guide, offering information about the culture and history of each port of call.

The Azamara retail experience onboard also will be enticing to most experienced travellers, with its focus on fine art, sculpture, photography, jewellery, and upmarket resort wear.

Just prior to setting sail on its maiden voyage May 5, Azamara Journey completed a four-week, approximately $19-million makeover, highlighted by the conversion of 48 staterooms into 32 suites, a complete refurbishment of the dining areas to create the two new specialty restaurants, an expansion of the spa area to include an aesthetics suite, a new Sunset Bar on the aft deck, a new art collection, Cova Café, entirely new carpets and flooring throughout, new exterior decking, new paint schemes, new walls, and entirely new “soft goods,” ranging from plush European bedding to cushions, drapes and table linens.

The name “Azamara” is a coined term, rooted in Romance language references to blue (”aza”), the sea (”mar”), and a lesser-known word, “acamar,” which, in Classical times, was the southernmost bright star that could be seen from the latitude of Greece. Hanrahan said the company views the new brand as “a bright star on the deep blue sea.”

Azamara Cruises unlocks the hidden corners of the world for those who desire to immerse themselves in the rich details of every voyage. The deluxe ships - Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest - offer an intimate experience, while allowing access to exotic destinations experienced travelers long to reach. For the 710 guests on each Azamara Cruises ship, every moment at sea embodies the pinnacle of luxury, and each footstep on shore accentuates the difference between visiting a place and getting a true sense of place. Azamara Cruises presents the best of Bermuda and Panama Canal/South America in 2007, elite Asia and the most captivating Caribbean, South America and Europe in 2008, and around-the-world voyages in 2010

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Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Pte. Ltd. (FOCL) has announced it has signed an agreement to lengthen its latest purchase, the Norwegian Crown, which is currently under bareboat charter to Norwegian Cruise Lines. FOCL will have the vessel redelivered in November 2007, and has entered into a contract with Blohm + Voss Repair GmbH Hamburg to extend the length of the vessel by about 30m. In addition to increasing public areas, it will also increase passenger capacity by approximately 350 bringing the total passenger count to around 1,340 in lower beds/berths.

Work on constructing this new section will begin immediately by Blohm Voss and will be ready to be slotted into the vessel during the refit programme scheduled to take place between November 2007 and January 2008 at Blohm + Voss in Hamburg. Details of the interior design are being finalised between FOCL and Space The Design Practice (of London).Following redelivery under the bareboat charter with Norwegian Cruise Lines the vessel will be renamed Balmoral. It will then undergo a period of refit and refurbishment before beginning its regular cruise operations from the UK in January 2008.

Balmoral will remain on schedule for planned inaugural activities in Dover from 23rd January 2008. Initial itineraries will include a two week cruise to the Canary Islands followed by a transatlantic crossing for a short season of Caribbean cruises from Miami.

FOCL is a company indirectly wholly owned by Bonheur ASA and Ganger Rolf ASA, listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. This ship purchase together with the lengthening work and the further contemplated upgradings underlines the company’s commitment towards the UK cruise market which is currently enjoying consistent growth.

Still, NCL’s announcement is just the latest in a series of different products, services and amenities that cruise lines are integrating these days for the “don’t want to leave home without it” brigade. Shipwide cell phone access and faster Wi-Fi are others.

At NCL, the Wii is currently available on Norwegian Pearl, as well as Pride of Aloha, Pride of America and Pride of Hawaii, its three NCL America vessels; NCL plans to have the system installed fleetwide by next month.

How does it work? Wii, a gaming system that integrates a classic video game experience with a wireless, motion-sensing joystick (in a tennis game, for instance, you would “swing” the racket by swinging your arm), will be located in the atrium and other public rooms, allowing guests to gather and play against each other in various sports games while crowds view the game on large video screens. Each ship’s Kid’s Crew facility will also feature two Wii consoles (Sorry parents, no grown-ups allowed!). The ships will also host tournaments and other activities.

All onboard systems will equipped with the “Wii Sports” package, offering five distinct sports games: tennis, golf, baseball, boxing and bowling. Other games available on the ships include Wii Play, WarioWare: Smooth Moves and Excite Truck.

Expansive children’s water parks, a new design style and features for the pool areas, and the creation of the Serenity adults-only deck area will be part of a dramatic transformation of the open decks of Carnival Cruise Lines’ eight Fantasy-class ships.

The new features are just part of Carnival’s $250 million “Evolutions of Fun” programme, the cruise industry’s most ambitious ship refurbishment and product enhancement initiative, which focuses on the line’s eight Fantasy-class vessels. These “extreme makeovers” are part of an overall initiative to upgrade all of the unique guest-pleasing features and design style of the Fantasy-class vessels in addition to providing guests with new and exciting shipboard amenities.

“The Fantasy-class vessels are the most successful series of cruise ships ever introduced, as well as the industry leader in three- to five-day mini-cruises, carrying nearly 1.6 million guests annually,” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO. “Evolutions of Fun’ represents a multi-million-dollar investment designed to build upon these vessels’ tremendous appeal with guests by incorporating a host of new and exciting facilities and features,” he added.

The expanded outdoor recreation areas will initially be incorporated onto the 2,052-passenger Inspiration and Imagination during upcoming month-long dry docks this fall and added to other “Fantasy-class” ships in 2008 and 2009 during scheduled drydock periods.

The updated pool and deck areas on the Inspiration and Imagination are just one component of extensive ship-wide refurbishments to these vessels that initially began in 2005 and include renovations to virtually every guest area. Among the new features are fully re-modelled staterooms and suites including new bathrooms, flat-screen televisions in staterooms and select public areas, atrium lobby bars, updated sound and lighting systems in various lounges and clubs, coffee bars, nine-hole miniature golf courses, new art and photo galleries, New York-style delis in the Lido restaurants, and purpose-built conference facilities.

More Family-Friendly Areas, Updated Spas, Entertainment Venues
With Carnival expected to carry a record 575,000 children this year, particular emphasis is being placed on family friendly amenities, with new and expanded play areas, part of the line’s top-rated “Camp Carnival” programme, and new facilities for the “Club O2″ teen programme. Custom-designed spaces geared toward 12- to 14-year olds are also planned and more than 50 interconnecting staterooms are being added to several Fantasy-class ships - perfect for large families or family gatherings.

The “Evolutions of Fun” initiative is also responding to the changing needs of health-conscious consumers with a complete overhaul of 12,000-square-foot spa facilities. The spa makeovers include new private treatment rooms, state-of-the art exercise equipment and a host of cosmetic enhancements.
The addition of new sound and lighting systems in the main show lounges takes Carnival’s legendary revues to another level, with several new dazzling productions that make maximum use of video projections, pyrotechnics, lasers and elaborate sets and costumes.

Fantasy-class Fleet Makeovers Well Underway
Many aspects of the “Evolutions of Fun” enhancements have already been completed on the Fantasy, Ecstasy and Fascination and partially executed on the Sensation, Elation and Paradise. By 2009, the entire Fantasy-class fleet will be completed including the fabulous new transformation of open deck areas.

Other upgrades, incorporated fleet-wide, include the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system, with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high-quality linens and pillows, a variety of cuisine enhancements, as well as “Wi-Fi” Internet access in virtually all public areas, and cellular phone service.

“Carnival has always recognized the need to be a pacesetter in the overall travel industry. With our extensive research in consumer preferences, we’re able to anticipate holiday trends and tailor our product to the needs and desires of our guests, who are the driving force behind this initiative,” Dickinson said. “‘Evolutions of Fun’ is just the latest example of our commitment to guest satisfaction and our continued efforts at making the Carnival experience the best it can be,” he added.

Carnival is the world’s most popular cruise line with a fleet of 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages ranging from three to 16 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and the Greek Isles.

The line currently has three new ships on order - the 112,000-ton Carnival Splendor, scheduled to enter service in July 2008; and the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream and Carnival Magic - to be the largest Carnival SuperLiners ever constructed scheduled for delivery in October 2009 and June 2011, respectively.

Three distinct elements of British culture will be brought together by P&O Cruises when Ventura, the £300 million superliner designed specifically for British holidaymakers, is launched in April 2008 with an emphasis on fine dining, modern and contemporary art and family entertainment. Ventura weighs 115,000 tonnes - more than 40 per cent larger than P&O Cruises ship Arcadia. At full capacity, she will carry nearly 3,600 passengers and 1,200 crew.

The cruises go on sale on Monday 2nd April @ 8.30am.
Pre register your interest on

0845 345 1747

Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas is the first ship to be transferred to Pullmantur, the Spain-based cruise and tour operator it acquired last year. But you have another year (or so) to say goodbye: the ship will depart Royal Caribbean’s fleet on March 7, 2008.

If you’ve already booked a cruise past that date, Royal Caribbean’s release says its representatives will contact you.

More details on how the ship will be transformed once it’s officially transferred to Pullmantur were not revealed.

As you may recall, Royal Caribbean Cruises Limited — owner of Celebrity Cruises as well as Royal Caribbean International — acquired Pullmantur last November as part of its strategy to expand into Europe. Pullmantur, founded in 1971, is the largest cruise operator in Spain. It has two primary business interests: cruises and tour operations. Its cruise division consists of five ships operating in Europe and Latin America. The fleet included — at least at the time of RCCL’s acquisition — two former Renaissance R-series ships and the one-time Pacific Princess, which you may remember from the TV series “The Love Boat.”

Royal Caribbean already has swapped some ships. The two Renaissance R-class ships will head over to this side of the Atlantic where they will undergo refurbishments before being transformed into Celebrity Journey and Celebrity Quest; both will re-launch this year. In turn, Celebrity Zenith will be sent over to Pullmantur this spring. It sails its last cruise as Zenith on April 13.

Empress of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean’s oldest ships — read: few balconies, smaller staterooms. The 48,563-ton, 2,020-passenger ship joined the fleet in 1990, and just a few years ago became the first middle-aged Royal Caribbean ship to undergo a significant refurbishment (others that have followed include Enchantment of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas).

Culinary Enthusiasts Can Savor a Private Gastronomic Gathering With Executive Chef

When Emerald Princess sets sail for the first time this spring, she’ll offer “foodies” a unique treat: a rare opportunity to be welcomed into the inner sanctum of the ship’s galley by the executive chef for pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres, followed by a specially prepared multi-course tasting dinner in the dining room.

While many passengers are able to enjoy a tour of the ship’s galley during the quiet, off hours, the new Chef’s Table offering will give a select group of gourmands the opportunity to visit the galley at its most busy time — during dinner — and treated to a full evening of memorable sights, tastes and conversation. After the Maitre d’ personally escorts the passengers to the galley and introduces them to the executive chef, the group will enjoy French champagne with appetizers. The chef will preview the details of the menu he created for them that evening, and the group will be welcomed to their special table in the dining room.

The multi-course menu will be specially created at the chef’s choice, and will not be offered anywhere else on the ship. The fare might include anything from a focus on regional cuisine to a showcase of indigenous ingredients from a recent port. Each course will be accompanied by a detailed explanation of special features, preparation methods, and tasting suggestions. Red and white wine, selected by the Maitre d’ to complement the meal, is included in the evening.

During the dessert course, the chef will rejoin the group at their private table to participate in a lively discussion about the evening’s meal, answer any questions the guests may have, and share culinary secrets that have been perfected through the chef’s many years of experience at sea and on land. On average, Princess’ chefs have been honing their culinary arts skills both shipside and shoreside for at least 25 years, and all chefs are also members of the prestigious international Chaine des Rotisseurs gastronomic society.

“Our chefs are continuously asked by passengers how they manage to create such an impressive culinary experience for thousands of passengers each voyage,” said Rai Caluori, Princess’ executive vice president of fleet operations. “This will give a select group of guests an incredible close-up view of how our dishes are created and served, as well as introduce them to our talented executive chefs. They’re sure to come away with a memorable experience, and perhaps some cooking secrets as well!”

Additionally, each couple at the Chef’s Table will receive a personalized autographed copy of Princess’ best-selling cookbook, Courses, A Culinary Journey, which has sold more than 100,000 copies worldwide and is now available on amazon.com. Guests will also enjoy a complimentary photo taken at the private table with the chef.

The Chef’s Table experience can be reserved by up to 10 passengers on select nights during the sailing, at a cost of $75 per person. After its debut on Emerald Princess, Chef’s Table will be gradually introduced on all Princess ships fleet wide.

The 113,000-ton Emerald Princess, a sister ship to the line’s Crown Princess, will make its debut April 11 and offer an inaugural summer season of cruising in the Greek Isles and Mediterranean. The ship will feature the many design innovations introduced aboard Crown Princess last year including a dramatic piazza-style atrium with casual dining venues and an adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary.

CUNARD’S three queens will meet in New York in January 2008 during Queen Victoria’s maiden round-the-world voyage.

The new ship, which will join the fleet in December, will then sail in the Mediterranean and Baltic.
The launch of Queen Victoria frees up Queen Mary 2 to operate mainly transatlantic voyages. An expanded programme includes 24 six-day crossings.

The QE2 will sail in the Mediterranean, northern Europe and Canada. A new programme for all three ships goes on sale on April 2nd.

Call us on 0845 345 1747 to register your interest.

Ventura will homeport in Southampton from April to October, offering various sailings of between 2 and 16 nights to the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea and Atlantic Isles. Highlights include “Tranquil Fjords” sailing June 13 to 20, 2008 with calls in Bergen, Flaam, Olden, Nordfjord and Stavanger; and “An Indian Summer” sailing October 10 to 24, 2008 with calls in Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Elba, Rome (Civitavecchia), Alicante and Gibraltar.

There also will be six special “Tate Talks” art-themed cruises, offering an enriching program of talks, interviews and creative workshops in conjunction with the Tate Modern. On four additional special cruises, British celebrity chef and creator of Ventura’s White Room restaurant, Marco Pierre White, will be onboard to discuss all things gourmet with guests in an intimate dinnertime setting; there also will be book signings and photograph opportunities.

Following a trans-Atlantic repositioning cruise, Ventura will offer its British passenger base a somewhat unconventional series of 14-night Caribbean fly-cruise itineraries (from a variety of U.K. gateways), sailing roundtrip from Barbados. Instead of following the mega-ship norm of repeating or alternating seven-night itineraries, Ventura plans to sail a varied selection of longer holidays. For example, the “Paradise Isles” itinerary, sailing from November 21 through December 5, 2008 will feature calls in Antigua, Grand Turk, Cayo Levantado, St. Kitt’s, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, Tortola, Dominica and St. Vincent.

Onboard, guests will find several novel features including a rock ‘n’ roll school for kids, a 3D movie theater and a Grand Prix racing game.

For an interactive virtual tour of Ventura, visit www.virtualventura.co.uk.

Royal Caribbean International today announced its largest deployment in Europe with seven ships visiting the continent in 2008. Choosing from four- through 14-night cruises, guests will be able to tour Europe aboard the new Independence of the Seas, the first Freedom-class ship in the region; two Voyager-class ships, Navigator of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas; and Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Legend of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas. Bookings for Royal Caribbean’s 2008 Europe cruises will open on March 14, 2007.

“Our increased capacity in Europe reaffirms Royal Caribbean’s strong commitment to the region, which has shown tremendous growth in the recent years,” said Adam Goldstein, president, Royal Caribbean International. “The Europe cruises will take guests to some of the most spectacular locations throughout the continent aboard some of the world’s most innovative ships, offering travelers a range of exciting itineraries and experiences that best accommodate their needs. Active travelers, families and first-time cruisers will marvel at the rich history and culture of the region while enjoying the elements of our style of cruising that have made our brand globally recognized as an award-winning vacation experience.”

Guests aboard Royal Caribbean’s Europe cruises will enjoy the cruise line’s signature amenities. Independence of the Seas will feature the revolutionary FlowRider surf simulator and regulation-size boxing ring. Navigator and Voyager belong to the first class of ships in the world to offer guests an ice-skating rink and the Royal Promenade - the ship’s entertainment hub. Jewel and Brilliance boast self-leveling pool tables and golf simulators and allow guests to relax in expansive, themed solariums while kids play in the ships’ Adventure Beach water park. Legend and Splendour feature a 12-hole mini-golf course for families and a retractable glass roof. All ships offer an extensive range of spa services, fitness and wellness classes, engaging Adventure Ocean kids and teen programs, top-rated Broadway-style theater productions, and multiple restaurants and lounges from which to choose.

The highly anticipated Independence of the Seas will embark on her maiden voyage in mid-May 2008, offering 14-night Western Mediterranean sailings from Southampton, England to the Spanish, French and Italian Riviera. Independence also offers travelers four voyages to the Canary Islands on ten- and 11-night itineraries.

From Harwich, England, guests aboard Jewel of the Seas embark on 11- to 13-night voyages to the majestic Norwegian coast and grand Baltic cities. Jewel also will sail on a series of three- and four-night North Sea short cruises departing from such ports as Amsterdam, Holland; Oslo, Norway and Hamburg, Germany, offering a call at one popular Northern Europe city per sailing, including Copenhagen, Denmark and Brussels, Belgium.

Navigator of the Seas, Voyager of the Seas and Brilliance of the Seas will sail from Barcelona, Spain on four- to 12-night itineraries throughout the Mediterranean. Perfect for first-time or time-strapped cruisers, Navigator’s four- and five-night sailings - beginning in April - give travelers a great opportunity to sample the Western Mediterranean and enjoy the innovative amenities of a Voyager-class ship. In addition, Navigator also offers a series of ten to 12-night sailings from Barcelona to the Eastern Mediterranean, Greece and Turkey. On certain sailings, guests will make an overnight call at Istanbul, Turkey to explore this gateway to the East. In July, Navigator will embark on seven-night voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia) to the Eastern Mediterranean.

Voyager follows the French Riviera to Sicily, Italy on weekly seven-night sailings from Barcelona through November. Voyager will call at some of the most popular cities in Europe, including Nice (Villefranche), France; and Florence/Pisa (Livorno) and Naples/Capri in Italy. Being deployed year-round at Barcelona, Brilliance of the Seas offers travelers ten- and 12-night sailings that combine popular Italian port cities with the Greek Isles, or with the Dalmatian Coast. On the voyages through the Adriatic, guests also will enjoy a two-day call at Venice. From Venice, Splendour of the Seas alternates roundtrip Turkey and Greece, and Greek Isles voyages ranging from six to eight nights. On the eight-night voyage, Crete is an additional port of call. Legend of the Seas alternates between 12-night Greece and Eastern Mediterranean and 13-night Italy and Croatia itineraries, both roundtrip from Rome (Civitavecchia). Guests on the 13-night voyage will enjoy an in-depth Italian peninsula experience with two full days in Florence/Pisa (Livorno) and Venice.

For travelers in search of more in-depth experiences, Royal Caribbean International’s cruisetour program offers pre-cruise packages as an extension of their European cruise vacation, allowing guests to immerse themselves in the customs and cultures of the locations they are visiting. The cruise line’s signature cruisetours makes travel planning simpler by taking care of all arrangements including air travel, hotel, land transfers and land-tours. Each cruisetour is led by experienced tour directors, who provide expert historical and cultural insights giving guests a deeper understanding of the attractions visited. Personal concierge services also provide anything from dinner reservations to the purchase of VIP museum, show or attractions tickets, allowing guest to avoid long lines.

The 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom is showcased in a special Web site that offers a first look at the new 110,000-ton SuperLiner, including exclusive video footage of the ship’s official naming in Venice by godmother Kathy Ireland.
Located at http://www.carnival.comfreedom, the site offers a comprehensive overview of numerous themed lounges, bars, restaurants and public areas featured aboard the 2,974-passenger vessel, whose stunning interiors are inspired by the prominent design styles of the past decades and centuries. Also planned is a “blog” written by Freedom Senior Cruise Director John Heald who will offer his own unique insight of the ship’s inaugural season.

Following the naming ceremony in Venice March 4, Carnival Freedom debuted March 5 with a nine-day Mediterranean cruise from Venice to be followed by 12- day Grand Mediterranean and Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises beginning March 14, round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia).

“With its dramatic decor and wide range of dining, activity and entertainment options and high-tech amenities, Carnival Freedom is the ultimate ‘floating resort’ and this new Web site offers consumers an exclusive look at the many exciting facilities and features of our newest ‘Fun Ship,’” said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president and CEO.

Created by Carnival’s in-house Internet management team, the new custom- designed “micro-site” also features images of the ship’s 13,300-square-foot Spa Carnival health and fitness center, expansive facilities for children and teens, and “Carnival’s Seaside Theatre,” a poolside 270-square-foot LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming.

Following its inaugural European season, Carnival Freedom will sail on a 14-day transatlantic voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Miami, positioning the vessel for a schedule of seven-day Caribbean sailings from that port. Carnival Freedom will return to Europe for another series of 12-day voyages in May 2008 then reposition to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., for six- and eight-day Caribbean departures.

Vitality, a program aimed at health and wellness enthusiasts, will blend a variety of facets, from seminars and fitness offerings (such as Tai Chi and acupuncture) to spa-style cuisine.

In expanding its Adventure Ocean program for kids, Liberty of the Seas will feature a few new twists, such as Adventure Theater by Camp Broadway. The affiliation with Camp Broadway, a well-known children’s theater group in New York will expose younger passengers to theater arts — weaving folktales, music, dance and cultural elements. Teens can explore the theater too, but also can take part in D.J. classes hosted by the Scratch DJ Academy. For younger passengers, the line’s Fisher-Price’s Chefs on Deck lets them learn to cook. And families can team up together to build their own ship in Build & Grow, a program with Lowe’s as an affiliate.

Cruise weddings are increasingly popular, and Royal Caribbean’s new Explorer Weddings, again to debut on Liberty of the Seas, adds a twist to its existing Royal Romance packages: Passengers can wed on an Alaskan glacier, in a hot-air balloon, while surfing on Liberty’s FlowRider or scuba diving on the ocean bed. This is available to those renewing vows as well (stay tuned for a news item offering further details).

Liberty of the Seas and sister-ship, Freedom of the Seas, will alternate between seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries, with Liberty departing on Saturdays (from May 19) and Freedom on Sundays from Miami. Both itineraries include stops at Royal Caribbean’s private destination Labadee, Haiti, before returning to Miami. Liberty’s Western Caribbean itinerary calls in Cozumel, Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Montego Bay, Jamaica; while the Eastern Caribbean itinerary calls in San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, allowing for a third day at sea to take advantage of all the ship has to offer.

The two Freedom-class ships will be joined by a third, Independence of the Seas, when it debuts in Europe in May 2008.