Cruise News

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 Cruises not only marked the launch of a 710-guest ship which sets sail tomorrow, and 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 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.”

• Read More »

Picture of Liberty of the Seas giving Navigator of the Seas a kiss before she set sail for New York!

Click to enlarge

• Read More »

When Carnival Cruise Lines‘ 113,000-ton, 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor launches in July 2008, it will represent a new class of ship for the line — and new details are now emerging about the ship’s amenities and itineraries.

Splendor, which the cruise line previously announced would feature the fleet’s largest spa, will also introduce Carnival’s first “spa staterooms.” Sixty-eight staterooms will surround the 21,000-square-ft. health and fitness facility. Cruisers who book these special cabins will have exclusive access to the spa and other perks such as priority spa appointments and free fitness classes. Occupants will also get unlimited use of the thermal suite and thalassotherapy pool — Carnival’s first — covered by a glass dome.

• Read More »

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.

• Read More »

Norwegian Cruise Line’s announcement today that it will be the first line to offer the Wii, Nintendo’s incredibly popular, interactive gaming system, onboard all its ships, may be controversial for families cruising together. Sure, kids reluctant to cruise because of the prospect of losing a week of video gaming — we know you’re out there! — can now stay in touch. Parents hoping for some family togetherness and a temporary disconnection from high-tech toys may be disappointed.

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.

• Read More »

CHILDREN’S WATER PARKS, EXCLUSIVE ADULTS-ONLY AREAS TO BE INTRODUCED AS PART OF CARNIVAL’S $250 MILLION ‘EVOLUTIONS OF FUN’ INITIATIVE

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.

• Read More »

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

• Read More »

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.”

• Read More »

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.

• Read More »

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.

• Read More »

As the April 2008 launch date approaches for P&O’s latest new-build Ventura, the U.K.-based brand has announced a wide-ranging, ambitious series of European and Caribbean itineraries for the vessel’s inaugural year.

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.

• Read More »

Brillance of the Seas

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.”

• Read More »

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.

• Read More »

In an announcement today, Royal Caribbean revealed a handful of options not only new to Liberty of the Seas, but also new to the fleet. In particular, the cruise line is clearly targeting health-conscious and family travelers, as well as honeymooners. Among the new options?

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.

• Read More »

Both Holland America Line and Regent Seven Seas Cruises, in announcements last week, are planning to incorporate special onboard — and onshore — features into iPod- and MP3-ready formats.

Holland America is offering free downloads of its ships’ art tours, available for each of the fleet’s 13 ships. Every piece of art — from the Art Deco pieces dating from the original Nieuw Amsterdam in 1938 on ms Amsterdam to the “Carnival in Venice” sculptures on ms Zuiderdam — is catalogued and described. Topping the free “podcasts,” passengers who don’t have video iPods or MP3 players can borrow, free of charge, one of the devices onboard. To get your art tour, visit the Holland America Web site.

• Read More »