NCL's New Wave Staterooms

NCL’s next generation of Freestyle Cruising ships, F3, will feature the New Wave Standard, New Wave balcony and New Wave deluxe staterooms. This represents a huge leap forward in cruise ship accommodation with an entirely fresh take on bathroom design, contemporary curved architecture and open living space.

There are some distinctive design features in the New Wave staterooms, from curved walls and lines creating a modern chic experience. NCL have optimised the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink.

Staterooms will be designed in sophisticated earth toned palettes, accented with a splash of colour and rich, dark wood. There are concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings to set a relaxing atmosphere.

"From the introduction of the first Caribbean cruise more than 41 years ago to the launch of Freestyle Cruising in 2000 and beyond, NCL has always blazed a trail of innovation," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "We have thrown away the rule book with the design of F3 and today are revealing the very first element with our New Wave staterooms. Gone are the regimented typical designs and in place are sleek staterooms that are totally outside the box, designed for the needs of tomorrow's guests."

Included with the amenities and comforts of NCL’s Freestyle 2.0 enhancements will be upgraded bedding, linens and towels, Euro pillows, Elemis bathroom products and MP3 connectivity. Balcony and deluxe staterooms have bathrobes, a customised fruit menu, a fresh baked cookie at turn down on the last night of cruise, priority restaurant reservation and special colour key card for ship wide recognition.

"Today's announcement is just the first chapter in a series of innovations we will be revealing about our new F3 ships leading up to their launch in 2010," Veitch said. "These ships will further deconstruct the traditional cruise ship experience with innovations in design, accommodations, luxury and entertainment to create a cutting-edge resort vacation experience unlike any other at sea."

The 150,000 ton F3 class ships are expected to be delivered in 2010.

Boston Symphony Chamber Players to Perform Aboard Queen Mary 2

One of the worlds most distinguished chamber music ensembles The Boston Symphony Chamber Players will perform on Cunard Cruises Queen Mary 2 on her eastbound Transatlantic crossing departing from New York on September 4.

Cunard, the official cruise line of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, will welcome the players and the Boston Symphony Orchestra’s esteemed Artistic Administrator, Anthony Fogg, for special performances and lectures held throughout the voyage.

The Boston Symphony Chamber Players were founded in 1964 to ensure the BSO could share the unique qualities of the full chamber repertoire with concertgoers. The Boston Symphony Chamber Players engagement is a highlight this season of many illuminating performances and appearances that comprise Cunard Insights™, the lines award winning enrichment program which is now available on all three of the celebrated ocean liners.

"Live classical music remains a Cunard hallmark to this day and showcasing a world-class chamber orchestra of this notoriety will be a truly memorable event for our guests," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line.

Exciting new cuisine on Carnival Cruises

A study by Ciao Surveys has revealed that a third of UK consumers admitted that food is a key aspect of a holiday for them.

The third of Britons mentioned will undoubtedly be pleased to find that for the most part cruise holidays cater for this requirement, especially after Carnival Cruises have announced that they are adding an array of international dishes to their menus this summer.

There will de delicacies such as Mongolian barbeque, fresh sushi and Indian tandoori among the delights that passengers travelling on European cruises can expect in summer 2008.

“Today’s consumers are savvier than ever and when it comes to cuisine they want not only long time favourites but also the opportunity to enjoy new choices they typically wouldn’t try at home,” Natko Nincevic, Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations for Royal Caribbean Cruises commented.

Carnival Cruises ship Splendour will be offering passengers on board a selection of multi course meals featuring Indian style chicken, fish kebabs and a Mongolian wok. Guests can choose their own vegetables, seafood, meat and seasonings before it is prepared in front of them.

In addition to new Asian delicacies traditional cuisine will also be available on Carnival’s ships.

"Innovative" Royal Caribbean Cruises

At this time of year many cruise lines are releasing details of their 2009-10 cruise brochures, highlighting on shore excursions and interesting packages, however Royal Caribbean Cruises

believe that their own sailings offer more choice to passengers.

They will be offering a series of innovative new cruises, with 31 distinct itineraries and a total of 264 sailings from six to fourteen night voyages in the Caribbean.

Alice Norsworthy, Senior Vice-President of Marketing at the cruise line, commented: "We continue our legacy of delivering exhilarating Caribbean experiences in one of the world's most spectacular destinations with some of the best ships in the industry geared for family and active vacations."

Freedom of the Seas will be sailing to the eastern and western Caribbean offering cruisers a wealth of on board amenities, such as the FlowRider surf simulator, rock climbing wall and indoor skating rink.

Carnival Dream to be based from Port Canaveral

Carnival Cruises newest ship will be the largest “Fun Ship” ever built and will be based at Port Canaveral, Florida from Autumn 2009.

The new ship is currently under construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. It will hold 3,652 passengers and will be named Carnival Dream, the first in a new class of ship for Carnival Cruises. The new class will feature a unique interior design, sleek hull and distinctive profile, along with a whole host of innovative facilities, the details of which will be released in the coming months.

Carnival Dream’s deployment to Port Canaveral continues the line’s 18 year relationship with the Canaveral Port Authority, the longest tenure of any cruise line there.

There are another two ships scheduled to join Carnival Dream, the 113,300 tonne Carnival Splendor set to debut in Europe 2 July 2008 and the 130,000 tonne Carnival Magic, for delivery in June 2011.

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 “Fun Ships” operating three- to 18-day voyages to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Europe and South America.

Royal Caribbean takes delivery of Independence of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Cruises has just taken delivery of its newest ship, Independence of the Seas, during a ceremony at Aker Yards in Turku, Finland.

Continuing its innovative and revolutionary cruise experiences, Royal Caribbean’s Independence of the Seas is the third of the lines Freedom class of ship and will be the largest cruise ship ever to be home-ported in Europe when she sails out of Southampton for her inaugural season.

Independence of the Seas shares the title of worlds largest and most innovative cruise ship with her sister ships Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas. Her sister ships were launched in the United States in May 2006 and 2007 respectively.

Royal Caribbean has made a break from tradition with a Nationwide search to find a godmother for Independence of the Seas. The ships godmother will be an ‘ordinary’ woman who has done extraordinary things to further the well being of youth in her community and will have been nominated by peers and family members. The search was conducted with the cruise line's charity partner and British five-time Olympic gold medalist, Sir Steve Redgrave.

The four Godmother finalists joined Royal Caribbean Cruises chairman and CEO Richard Fain at Aker Yards to welcome Independence into service. The four finalists are Barbara Natasegra, Elizabeth Hill, Madeleine Henry and Sue Stones. The Godmother, who will be announced on the 18th of April, will be selected by a distinguished panel of judges, including Sir Steve Redgrave; Royal Caribbean executives and guest judges. She will have the honor of participating in the inaugural celebrations and official naming ceremony in Southampton on the 30th of April.

"We are delighted to welcome Independence of the Seas to our fleet and to introduce her to vacationers throughout the United Kingdom and Europe," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Positioning one of our largest and newest ships in Southampton reaffirms Royal Caribbean's strong commitment to the region and will provide the opportunity for more European guests to experience the distinctive and award-winning vacation our brand has become recognized for throughout the world."

There will be a number of preview sailings in Oslo, Norway and Southampton, after which Independence will embark on her maiden voyage on the 2 May. Throughout the summer of 2008 she will sail 14 night 'Mediterranean Treasures' and 'Italian Mediterranean' itineraries round-trip from Southampton.

Independence of the Seas has a capacity of 3,634 guests and will feature all of the industry first amenities which are trademarks on the Freedom class ships. Features such as a FlowRider surf simulator, H20 Zone water park, cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 ft above the ocean, a full size boxing ring and a 14 person family suite.

Independence also will feature some of the other distinctive offerings the global cruise line is known for including an ice-skating rink; a rock-climbing wall; an award-winning children's program; fine to casual dining venues; Broadway-style entertainment and the Royal Promenade - an entertainment boulevard stretching the length of the ship with its shops, restaurants, bars and lounges, which provides guests with an endless variety of choices and experiences to suit their taste and preference.

P&O Cruises first cruise round Britain in 2009

P&O Cruises has released its new 2009 Preview Edition brochure. The Preview Edition brochure features cruise holidays to 235 destinations in 82 countries with the first cruise around Britain for P&O Cruises.

After Ventura’s exciting launch party this month she will be sailing her first full year programme in 2009, with 19 departures from Southampton and 10 fly-cruise holidays from Barbados. Ventura is the largest and newest superliner built exclusively for Britain and her godmother is Dame Helen Mirren, who recently christened her in a fabulous glitzy ceremony.

P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “Our 2009 programme is our biggest yet, offering a 30% increase in capacity for our brand with the first full year of Ventura. We have more ships, more UK departures and more breadth of appeal than any other cruise line.”

P&O Cruises Artemis will be departing on the 5 July 2009 on an 11 night debut tour of the British Isles. Ports of call are Leith for Edinburgh, Invergordon, Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands, Moville for Londonderry, Greenock for Glasgow, Dublin, Falmouth and St Peter Port.

“For a brand that has brought the world to the door of British passengers for almost 170 years, it is perhaps long overdue and fitting for us to visit the British Isles.”

Other new ports of call a little further a field include Antwerp in Belgium, the island of Hvar in Croatia and La Spezia in Italy.

“Cruise holidays are becoming an increasingly popular choice for younger couples and families and we have two ships within the fleet dedicated to serving this market in terms of length of holiday, destination, on board entertainment, facilities and dining, and pricing.

“Shorter cruises on Ventura and Oceana are the perfect choice for people who are new to cruising and want to see if it’s for them without being away for two weeks. In 2009 we are offering 16 such itineraries of either two or seven nights – this is double the amount we offered in 2008.”

For those of you looking to book your cruise holiday soon there are early booking incentives available if you book before 30 June 2008, including up to 45 per cent Pricebreakers discount and free car parking on all Southampton roundtrip itineraries within the brochure. This will offer passengers up to an additional £115 saving on an average two week cruise.

MSC Cruises round trips from Dover to Northern Europe

This summer MSC Cruises are offering a number of cruises to see the beautiful cultural scenery of Northern Europe. In addition all sailings will be in and out of Dover.

There are a variety of sailings to choose from, including a trip to the breathtaking Norwegian Fjords on the elegant MSC Armonia which sets sail for a 10 night cruise visiting Amsterdam, Bremerhaven, Olden, Alesund, Bergen, Kristiansand and Oslo before making the return journey home to Dover.

MSC Armonia also has the perfect itinerary for those with a love of art, with a cruise that visits the Baltic and St Petersburg. This voyage offers passengers optional excursions to view the amazing art collections of Rembrandt, Picasso and Matisse. The wonderful 11 day cruise visits Amsterdam, Bremerhaven, Visby, Helsinki, St Petersburg, Copenhagen and Dover.

MSC Cruises are also offering excellent value for those traveling with families as children under 18 sail for free on all cruise excluding flights and port dues. For additional convenience, round trips from Dover on board MSC Armonia offer free coach transfers or car parking at Dover, and UK regional flights from only £50pp.

Dame Helen Mirren names Ventura

P&O Cruises newest superliner Ventura was named on the 16 April in a spectacular evening ceremony. British icon and Oscar winning actress Dame Helen Mirren named the ship, the largest superliner ever designed for Britain.

Dame Helen Mirren, Ventura’s godmother, named the superliner prior to Ventura’s maiden cruise to the Mediterranean on the 18 April. Breaking with the traditional method of simply pressing a button to release a cradled Taittinger champagne bottle towards the ship, she commanded a crack team of Royal Marine Commandoes in a dramatic abseil down the side of the ship.

Dame Helen Mirren said, "It is the first time I have ever named a ship, let alone one of the size of P&O Cruises Ventura and am really looking forward to being Godmother.”

Royal Marines display team commanding officer, Lt Colonel Steve Richards, "This is a rather unusual assignment for our lads, but well within their capabilities. They are very keen to assist Dame Helen with the launch - they will not let her down."

P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale said: "Dame Helen Mirren embodies glamour, vitality and Britishness, which are all values that will be a feature of Ventura. We are honoured that she has agreed to become Godmother. The arrival of Ventura is set to usher in a new era for the British cruise industry and will accelerate the rate of progress of an already fast growing market. We are delighted that Dame Helen is to be associated with her. At the same time, we are determined to get the bottle-smashing right, and are grateful for the military coordinated assistance of the Royal Marines."

The excitement did not stop there and in line with Ventura’s contemporary and innovative image her naming ceremony was a departure from tradition. In addition to Dame Helen’s customary champagne naming the celebration featured a dramatic show with a number of exciting surprises.

There were 1,500 guests on board Ventura including consultant celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, Hugh Bonneville, Kate Ford, Imelda Staunton and Nicholas Lyndhurst. The occasion benefited three children's charities supported by Dame Helen and P&O Cruises - Barnardos, Kid's Company and Naomi House.

NCL America’s Pride of Aloha rescues Shipwrecked Dog

NCL America’s Pride of Aloha returned to Honolulu from a 12 day Hawaii cruise with an extra guest last week – an eight month old cocker spaniel named Snickers.

Snickers has spent the last four months on Fanning Island after being shipwrecked in December 2007. The Darla Jean, a 48 foot motor sailor, washed up on Fanning Island after spending 95 days drifting across the Pacific. Luckily the boat owners and their pet dog Snickers were all unharmed and after spending two weeks on the island the owners returned to their home in California on an inter-island supply ship. Unfortunately Snickers was not able to accompany them and he was left behind.

A Nevada, Las Vegas, resident Jack Joslin heard of Snicker’s plight and contacted the Hawaiian Humane Society for help in retrieving the dog from Fannings Island. The Human Society contacted NCL America who was happy to provide assistance and worked in conjunction to make arrangements for the abandoned dog to be picked up.

The Pride of Aloha was making a planned stop at Fanning Island on the 9 April and after a stop in Honolulu Snickers will be flown to his new owner in Las Vegas.

“We are pleased that we could help bring Snickers back to the United States,” said Alan Yamamoto, NCL America’s vice president of Hawaii operations.

Silversea Cruises Renews Agreement with Relais & Châteaux

Silversea Cruises, the super luxurious cruise line, have announced that they will be renewing its culinary and marketing partnership with Relais & Chateaux throughout 2009, the prestigious international association of boutique hotels and fine dining restaurants.

The partnership is now in its eight year and will be highlighted by the creation of new signature dishes for La Collection du Monde, a sampling of specialty dishes featured regularly on all Siversea cruises. The sampling of specialty dishes is a collaboration of Jacques Thorel, Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux of L'Auberge Bretonne (La Roche-Bernard, Brittany) and Silversea's own master chefs.

There will be a number of other enhancements such as new wine-inspired menus for Silversea’s Wine Restaurant by Relais & Chateaux and the development of programs to ensure the highest quality gourmet dining experience for guests. In addition both of the companies will be working together to design a range of unique shore excursions that will have a culinary and wine focus.

The Culinary Arts program is the foundation stone of the alliance and is the perfect opportunity for Relais & Chateaux to showcase the culinary talents of their Grand Chefs. Informative and entertaining cooking demonstrations will be hosted by the Relais & Chateaux guest chefs and in addition the enriched Culinary Arts voyages will feature trips to international marls, food and wine pairings, creative regional dishes and a five-course grand gourmet dinner.

"We are very pleased with our Relais & Châteaux alliance," said Silversea president and CEO Amerigo Perasso. "Our two organizations share a passion for quality and excellence achieved through exacting standards and this partnership allows us to work together to create new and innovative programs that will further enhance the cruise and dining experience for our guests."

For Jacques-Olivier Chauvin, CEO of Relais & Châteaux, "Our partnership with Silversea continues to be an excellent arrangement for us as both organizations are strongly committed to presenting a level of luxury, charm and hospitality that is unsurpassed. We look forward to continuing to work together."

Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 475 of the finest hotels and gourmet restaurants in 55 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association's mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.

Introducing P&O Cruises Oceana

P&O Cruises Oceana has recently undergone a refurbishment and offers something special for both her returning and first time passengers.

Oceana has an impressive atrium, with glass fronted lifts, sweeping marble staircases and towering palm trees. There are ten decks of every kind of activity you could wish for, with 12 different places to drink, 7 dining venues, 4 swimming pools, a spa, casino, theatre and even a wedding chapel.

It is some of these features, plus every cabin, that has benefited from a fresh new look. Following the refurbishments cabins now have luxurious Egyptian cotton linen, a Slumberland eight-inch deep ‘Gold Seal’ posture spring mattress, complimentary welcome and pamper packs and tea and coffee making facilities designed by Nick Munro.

Oceana’s gym also has a new look, with all the latest high-tech exercise machines including the new Cardio Wave, an exercise similar to skiing, it is great fun and suitable for everyone. There is also the new X-dream, the first indoor fitness product that accurately stimulates the experience of cycling outdoors. 'Real feel' gears, brakes, handlebars, pedals and seat sensors enable each move the rider makes to be accurately portrayed on the virtual reality screen.

The refurbishment extended to Winners and the Monte Carlo Casino, originally two rooms it is now one, spanning the width of the D deck with an intimate French style jazz feel. New features include a bandstand, dance floor and video panels showing live sporting events, plus PokerPro, a revolutionary poker table where players view their game via touch screens.

The second part of Oceana's refurbishment is planned for September 2008 when Marco Pierre White will take ownership of Café Jardin. Situated on the edge of Winners' and the Monte Carlo Casino, the French style jazz feel will flow through into this 24 hour dining venue, ideally located for a quick afternoon snack or intimate evening meal.

MSC Cruises sales go through the roof!

Following the successful launch of MSC Poesia, MSC Cruises anticipated new ship, the company have found that sales have more than doubled since the launch.

Feedback from both established and new customers has been outstanding and the MSC Cruises sales team have reported record bookings and enquiries. The staff have even had to skip lunches to keep up with demand and the MD and Chairman have taken to answering the phones in support.

A record number of brochure requests have been reported by the marketing department and to cope with the abundance of online enquiries cruise consultants have put all their attention to just responding to web requests in the days following the launch.

MSC Poesia was christened in Dover on 5 April, in the presence of her godmother Hollywood icon Sophia Loren and their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess Michael of Kent and a whole host of stars, including Andrea Bocelli, KT Tunstall, Annie Mac, Gloria Hunniford, Price Azim and the Italian Ambassador Giancarlo Aragona.

Claudia Baino, MD for MSC Cruises UK and Ireland adds: “The launch of MSC Poesia, whilst being a major step, is the first of many in securing a larger share of the UK market. The astounding sales, combined with the wealth of positive feedback from consumers and agents alike only serve to emphasize the interest and potential which exists for MSC here in the UK. We are of course absolutely delighted and want to thank agents for their support in bringing MSC Poesia to British shores.”

Thomson and First Choice launch ‘World Care Fund’

Thomson and First Choice are joining forces to introduce ‘World Care Fund’.

For all Summer 2009 bookings the scheme gives customers the opportunity to donate £1 per adult and fifty pence per child on an opt out basis – a donation that is matched by the company. First Choice initially launched the scheme in 2007 and has so far raised £1,000,000 for the Travel Foundation and Climate Care.

The Travel Foundation organise projects that benefit local environments and communities abroad and Climate Care are one of the UK’s leading offsetting providers.

More than one third of First Choice customers contributed to the scheme in the past 12 months, with the payment automatically being added to the bill. This is explained to the customer so that they know exactly what the amount is for and it can easily be removed if the customer does not want to contribute. The opt out scheme is proving to be an excellent system, whilst other industry schemes traditionally only have an uptake of around 15%.

Sarah Perry, Sustainable Development Manager, TUI Travel PLC, said: “We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to help combat climate change - Thomson, First Choice and those traveling on their holidays can lead by example and make a genuine difference.

“Our success to date clearly shows that when you introduce an opt-out scheme at an amount that most customers find acceptable, you will get far greater results. If Thomson customers contribute to the fund at the same level we’ve seen with First Choice, once matched, we could be looking at a total of over £2.5 million in donations next year.

“While we know that off-setting and donation schemes cannot work in isolation – which is why the World Care Fund is supported by a robust carbon reduction programme, including fuel efficiency measures, the £2.5 million in is not an insignificant amount.

Our experience with the World Care Fund dispels the myth that sustainability is only for the well-off. When we analysed the contributions that First Choice customers made to the scheme in its first year, we found that young families with children were most likely to contribute – and that less well-off families were more likely to contribute than their more “affluent” counterparts. Therefore, the projected £2.5m we’re looking to raise next year could be exceeded if all of our customers, from all walks of life, contribute towards the new, joint initiative.”

The Travel Foundation is the first organisation of its type in the world and also receives funding from the World Care Fund. They help to care for the travel destinations that we love to visit and it ensures that local people get a fair share from tourism generated.

Royal Caribbean Cruises release short list of Godmother candidates

Royal Caribbean Cruises has released a list of potential godmothers for its newest cruise ship, Independence of the Seas. Royal Caribbean Cruises has a short list of candidates for the role of godmother, the list is comprised of:

Barbara Natasegara from Cardiff, Elizabeth Hill from Chesterfield in Derbyshire, Madeleine Henry from Southampton and Sue Stones from Bakewell in Derbyshire.

The cruise line has been searching for a godmother for Independence of the Seas with the emphasis placed on their work with children. Families of the women put their names forward as part of Royal Caribbean’s Search for a Godmother campaign.

The short-listed women now travel to Turku in Finland for a sneak preview of the ship before returning to the UK for interviews in front of a judging panel featuring Sir Steve Redgrave.

Independence of the Seas is to be launched at Southampton later this month.

Island Cruises to offer Barbadian Weddings

It has been revealed that the most popular destination for overseas wedding nuptials is exotic locations such as the Caribbean islands. There has been a huge growth in the number of people choosing to get married abroad, Carol Richardson, a spokesperson for wedding specialist Confetti, said.

A number of cruise lines offer the opportunity to be married at sea and now Island Cruises are launching a Caribbean weddings programme in Barbados which includes onboard ceremonies, while land-based venues are available at a supplemental cost. Couples wanting to exchange their vows at sea will have the chance to do this whilst combining their wedding with a luxury Caribbean cruise.

Island Cruises have also recently announced their Mediterranean itinerary for summer 2009, which includes new ports of call in Elba, Calvi, Cannes and Trapani in Sicily. They have also announced a fly-cruise itinerary called Mediterranean Splendour which includes calls to Naples, Civitavecchia, Calvi and Mahon and is aimed at previous customers.

P&O Cruises attract younger cruisers

P&O Cruises has made a breakthrough in attracting younger passengers to take up one of their cruise voyages it has been reported.

A report by TravelMole has found that P&O Cruises has tempted a younger clientele to their new ship Ventura for cruise holidays in its first season.

Manager Director Nigel Esdale told TravelMole that the average passenger age on the ships for its first season is 44, which is ten years younger than in general for the UK cruise market and three years older than the casual cruise brand Ocean Village.

It is believed that the drop in average age has come about due to the increase in popularity of family cruises. P&O Cruises have children’s favourite Noddy appearing on board some cruises on Ventura and even have a real life circus with trapeze artists on board the new super liner.

Thomson Cruises to retire Emerald ship in 2009

Thomson has announced that they will be retiring their Emerald ship next year and replacing it with a larger more modern ship in 2010.

Emerald was a popular Thomson ship and it’s loss will leave just four other ships in the fleet, sailing the Greek Islands, the Western Med and also revisiting the Caribbean for the first time in 8 years. Thomson Celebration ship will be taking over the Emeralds itinerary.

Emerald will make her last voyage on 17 October from Corfu to the Greek islands, Turkey, Cyprus, Egypt and Lebanon.

David Selby, director of cruising for TUI Travel mainstream division, said: "We have had Thomson Emerald for 11 years and it is as popular as ever, but the longer term strategy is to have more modern, larger vessels."

Celebrity Cruises short Caribbean Winter breaks

Celebrity Cruises 2009-2010 winter schedule will feature four and five night Caribbean sailings, which will be the perfect getaway for guests wanting to experience the line’s signature service and the incredible sunsets of the Caribbean.

There will be a series of three sailings in the winter Caribbean season on the recently refurbished Celebrity Century. Each itinerary features two ports of call; these include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Key West, Florida.

Once in port there are a variety of shore and land excursions to delight guests, including "Temazcal Mayan Steamlodge Experience" in Cozumel, which includes a shaman-guided ritual reflective of those that the ancient Mexicans would perform; "Chukka Ultimate Adventure" in Ocho Rios, which offers a horseback ride along the White River, river innertubing, a Jamaican lunch and a hike; or "Taste of Key West," a guided walking tour through the town’s colourful gardens and historic buildings, with delectable treats included.

There have been a number of enhancements on board Celebrity Century as part of a $55 million makeover in 2006. The 1,814 guest ship now has the addition of 314 new verandas, 14 new suites, 1 new staterooms ranging from inside to veranda categories and an expanded number of Concierge Class category staterooms.

Celebrity have also expanded the AquaSpa, added speciality restaurant Murano, refurbished the main dining room, created the first ice bar at sea and enhanced the bedding in staterooms.

MSC Cruise ships to proudly display logo

MSC Armonia based in Brazil this winter and MSC Lirica operating from Fort Lauderdale, Florida are the first ships in the MSC fleet to have the company logo painted on their sides. The remainder of the fleet are to have the logo completed by the end of the season.

The MSC logo is to ensure instant recognition at the ports visited by the ships, with the logo proudly displayed on the hull side of the ship.

The compass logo was created by MSC Cruises in 2004 and symbolises the diversity of the horizons reached by the ships in the fleet. The MSC acronym in the centre of the compass represents the guest at the centre of the MSC Cruises world.

MSC cruise ships offer impeccable service, warm hospitality, world renowned gastronomy, exciting design features in the cabins and public places with a real sense of comfort. MSC are a major cruise line in the international cruise market, offering guests the chance to cruise on ships with technologically advanced systems and with a distinct Italian elegance throughout the modern fleet.

Paddington Bear to take to the sea for the first time in 50 years

Paddington Bear first arrived in London in 1958 and became Britain’s most loved bear. He arrived on a ship from deepest Peru and now 50 years on will set sail again when he joins Ocean Village as the cruise line’s fleet arrives in the Med for its summer season.

From May 2008 Paddington Bear will become a permanent addition on board Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two. The marmalade loving bear will be a regular at the ships kid club ‘Base Camp’. Fans young and old will get the chance to meet, take photos and even have tea with the well travelled and much loved character.

Paddington Bear appeals to all generations and has sold more than 30 million copies of his book worldwide, in 30 languages and across 70 titles. Peruvian born Paddington will join classic children’s character Bagpuss who became a resident crew member last summer on both Ocean Village ships.

Ocean Village has an amazing array of children’s facilities including Base Camp and the teen Hideout zone, night nursery, dedicated youth team, SEGA Village and of course Paddington Bear and Bagpuss’ on board presence.

To celebrate the arrival of Paddington Bear Ocean Village is offering free cruises for children travelling throughout Paddington’s 2008/2009 debut Caribbean seasons.* One or two children of any age can travel free n 7 and 14 night Caribbean cruise itineraries on the original Ocean Village ship or Ocean Village Two when sharing with two people paying the adult fare; flights included.

Gill Haynes, Head of Marketing Communications comments: “Though a renowned traveller, Paddington will join many of our first time cruisers this summer as he embarks on his debut Mediterranean season on board Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two.

“With this exciting new addition we can offer families memorable experiences with not just one, but two of the most popular and enduring children’s characters of all time. Mums and Dads have grown up with both Paddington and Bagpuss and children today still adore them. These cult icons will delight and entertain the young, and young at heart, and once again demonstrate our commitment to providing imaginative, high-quality and family-friendly holidays.”

*Kids travel free when sharing a cabin with two people paying the adult fare on Caribbean 2008/2009 holidays. Offer excludes Christmas and New Year and other holiday periods, is subject to availability and ends 31 May 2008.

Queen Mary 2 coming to Greenock

Cunard’s flagship Queen Mary 2 is currently the largest, longest, widest, tallest and most expansive ocean liner every built. She will be making a historic call at Greenock on Monday 19 October 2009 as part of a special British Isles voyage.

The British Isles voyage will mark the fifth anniversary of the introduction of Queen Mary 2 in January 2004. Queen Mary 2 will berth alongside the Ocean Terminal at 0800 hours and will depart at 1800 hours. It is expected that thousands of people will visit Greenock to see the largest ever vessel to dock there.

Greenock Ocean Terminal has established a growing international reputation as a cruise destination.

At the head of the sheltered and scenic Clyde estuary on Scotland's Atlantic coast, the deep water quay combines modern quayside facilities with convenient rail, air and motorway networks for any onward journey to Scotland's top tourist attractions.

Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says:

“We are delighted to be announcing this historic call at Greenock. Since it’s founding in May 1839 – the 170th anniversary of which we celebrate in 2009 – Cunard has owned over 220 ships. Of those 125 were built in Scotland, with the vast majority of those being built on the Clyde. They range from the tiny Unicorn, to the first superliner Lusitania, the palatial Aquitania and the famous Queens Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and QE2. We felt a visit by our flagship Queen Mary 2 to acknowledge our deep ties with the Clyde, Greenock and Glasgow was well overdue! If previous visits by our beloved QE2 are anything to go by then Queen Mary 2 can expect an emotional, warm and historic welcome”.

QE2 has called at Greenock seven times since she entered service in May 1969 – including a return visit on 20 September 2007 exactly 40 years after her launch.

Royal Caribbean unveils first marvel of Project Genesis

Royal Caribbean has unveiled the first architectural marvel of Project Genesis. The latest evolution in ship design will bring the best of the land to sea with what will be known as Central Park.

Central Park is a revolutionary design which will involve the center of the ship opening to the sky, revealing lush tropical grounds spanning the length of a football pitch. There will be a glorious public spaces with serene pathways, seasonal flower gardens and canopy trees. Central Park will provide cruisers with unique choices of outdoor space to further enhance their cruise experience.

Central Park is one of the ship’s most ground breaking spaces and will be the first of seven special areas to be revealed on Project Genesis. Each area will offer guests different features, depending on their personal style or mood.

Central park will be an elegant and lively area with a “town square” feel to it, with a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere throughout the day to a gathering place for alfresco dining and entertainment in the evening. Guests will have the chance to enjoy concerts and street performances, with an array of restaurants to choose from.

The dining choices will range from fine dining to casual chic and will be an enjoyable social space for guests to gather. 150 Central Park will be an elegant option; or the more casual Central Park Café for a picnic lunch, where guests can sit outdoors and people watch. Other dining choices will include: Giovanni’s Table, an Italian restaurant; Vintages wine bar; and Royal Caribbean’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse.

There will also be several bars scattered throughout, including the Canopy Bar which will be located at one of two impressive glass domed canopies. The fantastically unique Rising Tide Bar is a feat of engineering as it will give guests the chance to enjoy a cocktail as the bar slowly ascends into Central Park and then back down again into the public space below.

The incredible area will be lined with balcony staterooms rising six decks high with views of the Park below and the sky above. There will be a number of surprises to intrigue guests, including charming pathways and unusual plant life to be discovered, quiet reading corners, a chess garden with large scale pieces and a sculpture garden to name but a few.

Central Park will feature upscale retail boutiques for discerning travelers, including specialty outlets such as The Parkside Gallery, showcasing original artwork for purchase, and Picture This, a portrait studio.

“We are thrilled to debut Central Park, the first of many exciting neighborhoods on the Project Genesis ship, and a thrilling expression of the innovation and imagination for which Royal Caribbean is known,” said Richard Fain, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “This ship is a quantum leap in architecture and design and will deliver an unparalleled vacation experience to all who sail with us.”

Project Genesis is currently on order with Aker Yards in Finland and delivery is projected for August 2010.

Cunard Cuts Single Supplements

Cunard Cruises have reduced their single supplement charges just one week after Island Cruises announced the same. Single passengers sailing on the Queen Mary 2 will get a 25% reduction from the cost of sole occupancy from 100% to 75% on sailings in 2009.

This is obviously very welcome news but single guests will still be paying their full fare plus 75% again. There will be selected voyages offering a 50% reduction which is more generous for those seeking a better deal. The 50% reduction off the single supplement will be for cruises during April and May, subject to availability at time of booking.

Cunard currently offers a number of single cabins on their soon to be retired Queen Elizabeth 2. When QE2 completes her service next year it is hoped that Queen Mary 2 will be able to continue to welcome singles on board at a reasonable price.

Queen Mary 2 will be making a number of transatlantic crossings in addition to sailings that are on offer around the Mediterranean, British Isles, Northern Europe and Canada before sailing south to the warm Caribbean waters in the winter.

Cunard president and managing director Carol Marlow stated: “The world’s grandest ocean liner, Queen Mary 2, will offer an extended season of 25 transatlantic crossings, and each crossing can be linked to a series of fascinating American tours and city stays."

“And, Queen Victoria, our newest Cunard Queen, after listening to the wishes of our guests, we have positioned in Southampton for the full summer and autumn seasons. This allows her to assume QE2’s mantle of ex-UK voyages to the Mediterranean, the fjords and the Atlantic Isles and she continues her popular Baltic voyages.”

She added: "2008 is turning out to be record year for Cunard Line as the brand has uniquely benefited from strong demand for a return to the days of the Golden Age of ocean liner travel.

“As we see QE2 leave the fleet at the end of 2008, and prepare for the delivery of Queen Elizabeth in 2010, we will have lower capacity in 2009 which will result in a very high level of demand for Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria right around the world, as soon as the programme goes on sale.”

Ocean Village Announces New Summer 2009 Itineraries

Ocean Village, ‘the cruise for people who don’t do cruises’, has announced its summer 2009 itineraries. Venice, Cairo and Istanbul will be new locations on Ocean’s Mediterranean programme for the very first time. Ocean Village 2 will be making its debut between April and October 2009 to these new destinations from Heraklion, Crete.

Bookings will be opening on 21 April 2008 but the preview details for 2009 show exciting seven and fourteen night cruises in the Western and Eastern Mediterranean on board Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two. New ‘Stay and Cruise’ options are also available, with pre-cruise hotel stays in Palma and Crete.

Ocean Village Two will be embarking on its first Eastern Med season, with three new 7 night itineraries on offer from its summer base in Heraklion, Crete. Headline destinations will be Venice, Istanbul and Cairo, offering the chance to see not only the major must -see cities but also the scenic islands and popular beach locations.

Whilst the weather is more temperate at the start of the season between April and September, Ocean Village Two will follow the Cairo itinerary, with Venice becoming a fortnightly fixture and Istanbul being the option in peak summer between May to August. Cruises can be taken as 7 night or 14 night sailings or as a 14 night stay and cruise option with a week in Crete at a three or four star hotel before joining any of the three 7 night cruises.

Nick Lighton, Managing Director at Ocean Village comments: “These new calls at Venice, Cairo and Istanbul will create a real buzz of excitement with agents and passengers alike. They show how easy it can be to combine an easy-going, high-quality cruise with a shot of culture, time out on the beach, big-city sights, retail therapy and the chance to get active – all at a great value-for-money price. The Ocean Village philosophy has always been to offer a fresh take on cruising and these new holidays are a wake-up call for everyone who hasn’t yet realised the how much fun a cruise can be, as well as a great reason to come back for more for people who’ve already lost their cruising virginity.”

Royal Caribbean 2009 Alaska Cruise Season

Royal Caribbean has announced its 2009 Alaska cruise season, this being its 20^th consecutive season in the region. There will be a choice of 10 distinct itineraries for cruises to choose from, ranging from 7 to 15 nights, on 57 sailings departing from San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, Seward (Alaska) and Vancouver. Guests can even decide to extend their Alaskan adventure with a Royal Caribbean cruise tour on selected sailings, giving them the opportunity to go deeper inland.

There will be three Royal Caribbean ships deployed in the region in 2009 - Radiance of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas, and Rhapsody of the Seas. The Radiance class Radiance and Serenade are considered among the world’s most gracefully designed cruise ships. They feature a 10 deck level glass Centrum offering truly spectacular views of the coastal landscape. Vision class Rhapsody offers a more intimate cruise experience but still with a huge range of onboard amenities.

Cruisers on board Radiance of the Seas can extend their trip with one of 21 Royal Caribbean cruise tour options. These range from three to seven night cruise tours, combining a Royal Caribbean Alaska cruise with inclusive activities, transportation and hotel stays.

During the day, guest can opt for a rejuvenating session in the onboard Day Spa, or capture an unparalleled birds-eye view from the top of the line’s iconic rock-climbing wall. Onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, guests can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service, award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, top-rated Adventure Ocean kids programming with teen-only spaces fleet wide, and Royal Caribbean’s Gold Service Standard of friendly and engaging service from staff and crew.

“Royal Caribbean International is the premier cruise line for active vacationers to discover Alaska,” said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Royal Caribbean’s history of sailing the region has allowed us to continue offering some of the most compelling and robust vacation experiences in Alaska. Our cruise tours take our guests’ experience to the next level and make a Royal Caribbean Alaska vacation truly memorable.”

Princess Cruises add “Sanctuary” to All Ships

There has been such an enthusiastic response from Princess Cruises passengers that the cruise line have decided to add the ground breaking “pocket of tranquillity” The Sanctuary to the entire fleet of Princess ships. It has become a huge favourite with guests looking for a peaceful haven to escape to following its debut in 2006 aboard Crown Princess.

This summer Princess Cruise’s trademark retreat will be added to the Island Princess, followed by Grand Princess and Star Princess by the end of the year. Princess is looking to add The Sanctuary to additional ships throughout 2010.

Following its debut on the Crown Princess in 2006, The Sanctuary became an immediate success. It gave passengers the opportunity to escape to a private getaway, where they could really indulge and take a break. The Sanctuary is very luxurious, with an outdoor spa-inspired setting, complete with massage cabanas, signature beverages, light meals, attentive service and relaxing personal entertainment. The exclusive adults-only retreat enjoyed continued popularity on sister ship Emerald Princess, and will also be available on Ruby Princess, debuting in November.

"The Sanctuary has come to personify Princess' essential philosophy of escape coupled with personal service," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. "Passengers have told us they love this opportunity to completely relax in such a peaceful and pampering environment, so we're delighted to introduce this special Princess feature on all our vessels."

The Sanctuaries will be located in different areas depending on the design of the ship, for example the sports courts atop the Grand Class vessels will be relocated.

The outside positioned Sanctuary will allow guests to relax amidst lush greenery, with the presence of gentle breezes, ocean waves and softly piped spa music to enhance the sense of relaxation. Guests can lounge on plush outdoor furniture including double loungers for couples, as well as deluxe chaise lounges and chairs.

The Serenity Stewards will also be on hand in the Sanctuary to provide personal attention, everything from a chilled face towel, Evian water atomizers to a menu of healthy beverages and fare. Also available from the Serenity Stewards are personal MP3 players with noise cancelling headphones loaded with themed play lists focused on relaxation.

In addition, The Sanctuary features two outdoor private cabanas where guests can also take advantage of the exclusive Lotus Spa Services at The Sanctuary, including sybaritic favorites such as a Deep Tissue Muscle Massage, a relaxing Swedish Massage or a Full Body Lotus Massage especially for couples.

Ocean Village cruisers to see more of the Med

In 2009 Ocean Village will be adding even more Mediterranean cruise holidays to their itineraries, offering cruisers the chance to see even more of the Med.

The new itineraries for 2009 will include sailings to Cairo, Istanbul and Venice onboard the original Ocean Village and also Ocean Village Two, which will sail to the eastern Mediterranean for the first time. The two ships will cruise to an array of ports including Palma, Majorca and Venice, Italy offering a range of seven and 14 night fly-cruise holidays.

Ocean Village managing director Nick Lighton said: “These new calls at Venice, Cairo and Istanbul will create a real buzz of excitement with agents and passengers alike."

In addition cruisers will have the chance to enjoy excursions on a “Palaces and Pyramids” trip to Egypt where they can see the Pyramids and Sphinx in Cairo.

Ocean Village also have other sailing that include a “Tapas and Togas” voyage between Palma and Barcelona, with port stops at Tunis, Rome, Genoa and St Raphael.

No Smoking on Celebrity Balconies

As of October 2008 guests on Celebrity Cruises ships will not be allowed to smoke in staterooms and on the balconies of staterooms. Celebrity Cruises are responding to the requests of their patrons, with 90% of their cruisers being non-smokers.

These stricter non-smoking policies will be implemented across the Celebrity Cruises fleet and will affect passengers travelling onboard Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Millennium, Celebrity Summit, Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Century, Celebrity Equinox and Celebrity Solstice.

These policies are being implemented following a poll that revealed cruisers prefer cleaner air and so there will also be a reduction in the number of public areas available for smokers from October onwards.

There are still designated areas onboard where guests will be able to smoke, these being the port side of one lounge per ship and an area inside the slot machine zone of ship casinos.

Smoking will also be permitted outside on the port side of the pool deck and sundecks on Celebrity Cruises ships; however Celebrity Solstice’s Lawn Club and Sunset Bar at the Lawn Club will not allow smoking.

"We pay careful attention to what our guests have to say, and approximately 90 per cent of them have told us they are non-smokers. By increasing the number of smoke-free areas onboard while still designating areas for those who smoke, our aim is to make the onboard experience as pleasant as possible for all of our guests," commented president of Celebrity Cruises Dan Hanrahan