P&O Cruises launch new brochure for 2009

P&O Cruises are to launch a transformed brochure for 2009, according to reports from TravelMole. Customer research has indicated that customers would prefer a more destination-led brochure.

The current P&O Cruises brochure is organised around the various ships in the fleet, but with recent surveys revealing cruisers choose their cruise holiday based on destination more than anything else, P&O Cruises are revamping their brochure accordingly.

"Overall we have injected more energy and dynamism into the brochure. It is now easier to navigate with itineraries grouped by region, colour-coded sections and cross-referencing to the website for additional information," managing director of P&O Cruises Nigel Esdale commented.

P&O Cruises newest ship, Ventura, will be making a number of Caribbean cruises in her first year at sea. P&O Cruises sister ships Aurora, Oceana and Oriana will also be making sailings to the Mediterranean, the Norwegian fjords and the Canary Islands among other destinations in 2009.

MSC Cruises newest ship MSC Fantasia

MSC Cruises are a fabulous family owned and operated Italian cruise line, that provides only the finest service and true Italian hospitality, which is reflected in their authentic Mediterranean and International cuisine. MSC Cruises are also soon to be the new owners of the largest cruise ship that has ever been built by a European ship owner with the launch of MSC Fantasia.

MSC Fantasia will be an incredible ship weighing in a 133,500 tonnes, 333 metres long and 38 metres wide. With a guest capacity of 3,000, MSC Fantasia is actually nine metres taller than the Eiffel Tower. There will be a huge array of on board amenities, with six restaurants, eleven bars, three pools (one with a retractable glass roof), children’s pool, solarium, casino, fitness centre and jogging track to mention but a few.

Fantastic cuisine comes as standard with MSC Cruises and MSC Fantasia is no exception. Experience the festive Italian atmosphere as you take a walk through the outdoor Piazza San Giorgio and then enjoy the spicy flavours of El Sombrero or the romantic sophistication of a la carte French cuisine. Take in the panoramic views and international cuisine at Il Cerchio d’Oro and for families the relaxed pizzeria is perfect.

After your gastronomic experience in one of the glorious restaurants, relax in one of the lounges, piano or wine bars, enjoy 4D cinematic movies or take in one of the world class live entertainments acts and shows. If you are looking to jazz it up a bit, hit the casino or dance the night away at the disco.

For guests looking for something a little extra special, the MSC Yacht Club takes cruising to new heights and makes guests feel like superstars. MSC Yacht Club is available in 99 suites of up to 65 sq metres and includes on board priority check in with 24 hour concierge and butler service, exclusive VIP Top Sail Lounges with sky dome allowing midnight feats under the stars, exclusive swimming pool with hydro massage and solarium, dedicated menus in MSC Fantasia’s restaurants and reserved private lifts to the lounge and spa.

MSC Fantasia is set to be launched in January 2009.

Costa Cruises One Millionth Customer

Costa Cruises are having a record-breaking 2008, topping the record figure of one million customer bookings for the year’s cruises some five weeks earlier than in 2007.

This historic moment happened on 10 June 2008, 37 days earlier than in 2007 when Costa Cruises passed the one million guest mark for that year. This was a first for the popular Italian cruise company in 2007, as in their 60 year history they had never before carried so many passengers in a 12 month period. It was also a first for the European cruise industry as a whole, confirming Costa Cruises is the most popular cruise line in Italy and across Europe.

“Thanks to the healthy trend in our global sales, reflecting the increasing popularity of our product,” commented Costa Crociere S.p.A. Group Chairman & CEO Pier Luigi Foschi, “we have done even better than last year, when we celebrated the record of one million customers, set in mid July, for the first time in Europe. This is a truly excellent performance, which consolidates and confirms our position as Europe’s number one cruise line and rewards the efforts of the 15,000 plus people who work for Costa Cruises”.

By the end of 2008, Costa Cruises expect an increase in total guests of 6% compared to 1,100,000 guests who travelled with Costa Cruises in 2007. The rise is indicative of the extra capacity offered on cruises this year and the year long availability of the flagship, Costa Serena that entered service in May 2007.

Costa Cruises are not being complacent however and aim to reach 1.5 million total guests by 2010, which would be a growth in excess of 35% in just three years. This impressive goal is supported by a huge fleet wide over-haul programme – the biggest in the world at present – which will include five new ships due for delivery by 2012, all built by Fincantieri in Italy and totalling an investment of €2.4 billion. The inclusion of the new ships will create a 50% increase in Costa Cruises fleet capacity, which will be 17 strong by 2012, with enough berths for 46,400 guests at any one time.

In conjunction with the expansion plans, Costa Cruises are continuing to add exclusive new itineraries and are the first cruise line in the world to offer cruises in the Far East with departures from China, in the Arabian Gulf with departures from Dubai and in the Indian Ocean with departures from Mauritius.

Destination is the most important factor to cruisers

A survey has found that 49% of people booking a cruise holiday said that the most important factor is a ship’s port of calls.

The survey was conducted on behalf of Travel Weekly and indicates that for holidaymakers the most important consideration they make when booking their cruise is where in the world the ship will visit. The second most important factor was deemed to be the overall cost of the cruise, with 15% of people choosing this as the most important factor.

It came as a surprise that discounts and special offers made little impact on the choices holidaymakers made when booking their cruise, with only 3% stating it was a factor, while 25% claimed discounts were least important to them.

Service was an important consideration to 13% of cruisers whilst only 7% make the choice based on the ship, with only 5% choosing according to a specific cruise operator.

As always with holidaymakers, tipping is a sensitive matter and two thirds of Britons said that they would prefer to tip the staff that had impressed them during their cruise rather than be made to pay an automatic tip added to the total cost of the cruise or at the end of the holiday.

Cruise ship staff will be pleased to know that 46% of people feel that 10% is an appropriate amount to tip, whereas 28% believe 5% is better. Almost one fifth of generous holidaymakers tip 15% or more.

TNS head of travel and tourism Tom Costley said: "What is counter intuitive from our research is the apparent lack of loyalty to specific cruise operators, especially in a market where there appears to be a significant degree of repeat purchase. "Also unexpected is the apparent lack of appeal of discounts and special offers - particularly in an industry that is dominated by deals like these."

The survey of 2,059 respondents was conducted face to face among representatives of the UK adult population.

Carnival Cruises Dream Fun Ship Under Construction

Carnival Cruises newest and largest ‘Fun Ship’, Carnival Dream, is currently under constructed at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The 130,000, 3,646-passenger ship is set to be unveiled on the 21 September 2009 and will be cruising diverse inaugural itineraries in Europe and the Caribbean.

Carnival Dream is set to introduce a new era of ‘Fun Ship’ cruising for Carnival Cruises. It will feature a contemporary new layout with a sleek hull and distinctive profile. There will be a number of impressive features aboard Carnival Dream, including a new concept in entertainment named The Piazza, a breathtaking indoor/outdoor café and live music venue.

The newest Carnival Cruises superliner will also have the most elaborate children’s facilities at sea, with huge play areas and an incredible Carnival WaterWords aqua park, ‘scenic whirlpools’ that extend over the ship’s beam and an array of new stateroom categories, including ones especially designed for families.

“We’ve taken everything we’ve learned about shipbuilding and incorporated it
into the magnificent Carnival Dream. By offering the widest variety of all
inclusive facilities and features at sea, we will create fun, memorable
vacations for our guests, all at an incredible value,” said Gerry Cahill,
Carnival president and CEO.

“From a bold new entertainment concept called The Piazza to innovative new
larger stateroom categories and the most elaborate children’s facilities ever
featured on any Carnival ‘Fun Ship’ all of which are included in the initial
cruise fare and accessible to everyone on board. Carnival Dream was specifically
designed with our valued guests in mind,” he added.

Carnival Cruises will be releasing further details of many other exciting and original features over the coming months, so watch this space!

Crystal Cruises 2009 Themed Cruises

For cruisers looking to enrich their mind and knowledge whilst on their cruise holiday, Crystal Cruises are introducing ‘Experiences of Discovery’. A fascinating collection of more than two dozen themed cruises designed to reflect global events, such as Wimbledon or the Venice Film Festival.

The arts will play a major role in the themed topics as well, with stylish and sophisticated cruises such as Emerging Artists and Fashion & Style. Special interest classes, events and, in most cases, a destination program will augment 25 cruisers on board Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.

"The 2009 'Experiences of Discovery' offer guests more in-depth exploration of topics about which they're passionate or simply curious," said Bill Smith, senior vice president, sales and marketing.

There will be a number of other absorbing ‘Experiences of Discovery’ topics on board Crystal Cruises, including Photography, Ancient Civilizations, and Chance & Fortune, complementing Crystal's luxury casino. Also to return are Crystal Cruises popular Wine & Food Festival, Cabaret at Sea, Big Band, Ballroom Dance, Comprehensive Creative Learning Institute and President’s and Holiday cruises.

Princess Cruises introduce Wii Fit to all ships

For those of you unable to get hold of Nintendo’s new Wii Fit, take a cruise with Princess Cruises. Not only will you have the holiday of a lifetime but you can also get the chance to enjoy the much anticipated new fitness system.

Princess Cruises have unveiled that Wii Fit will be added to all their ships, allowing guest to get their hearts pumping with the headline grabbing new release on Wii. Princess Cruises have long featured Nintendo’s popular Wii systems on board and Princess Cruises staff has just completed special onboard training with Nintendo team members, ensuring that they are able to offer guests the best possible experience.

The revolutionary Wii Fit will challenge guests to put their athletic skills to the test with active video game tournaments such as the ski jump, Hula Hoop or football. Wii Fit is a precisely engineered platform that senses both weight and shifts in movement and balance. Wii Fit can even track users progress, which lets people see how much they have improved whilst challenging them to better their scores and stay motivated.

Princess Cruises will introduce exciting family competitions that will be held on board and on ships equipped with Movies Under the Stars, tournaments will be shown on the 300 square foot poolside screens. Youth and teen centers will also offer younger cruisers the chance to participate in Wii Fit activities.

"We're very excited to partner with Nintendo to bring the Wii Fit experience to our passengers," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises senior vice president. "Our onboard team has just finished training with the experts at Nintendo to ensure that we're able to offer passengers the best possible experience with this innovative fitness game."

Island Cruises living it up in the City

Island Cruises continue to be the perfect choice for those looking for a relaxed, friendly and informal cruise experience. Island Cruises are soon to be trialling a unique new shore excursion called the ‘Live the City Experience’ which will enable guests to truly make the most of their time spent in some of their favourite ports of call.

The new shore excursions are geared at providing Island Cruises guests with the perfect opportunity to combine sightseeing and entertainment, culminating in an interactive quiz finale with prizes to win.

Guests on board one of Island Cruises ships can choose to take park in the ‘Live the City Experience’ and having done so will be provided with a pack, including a detailed guidebook, map with illustrated route and a pen. The guidebook will lead guests around the city, indicating fascinating sights along the way and providing interesting facts as well. There will be treasure hunt clues to solve along the way and once back at the ship, guests will be able to discover how many clues they have solved correctly on interactive screens. The three guests who scored the highest will each win a great prize.

Ben Green, Product Development Manager - Island Cruises, 'I am very excited
about this new initiative, and am sure this trial will be a success. I
believe our guests will really enjoy the mix of sightseeing, discovery, and
entertainment offered by the Live The City experience.'

Island Cruises ‘Live the City Experience’ is being trialed on both ships in Barcelona from July.

Holland America's ms Eurodam luxury Spa Staterooms

Holland America has just received delivery of its latest ship, the 14th ship in the fleet and the first of its new Signature Class series. At a naming ceremony in Venice, Holland America’s newest ship, ms Eurodam, was unveiled and is set to provide guests with a new standard of cruising experience with its luxury spa staterooms.

Located near to the Greenhouse Spa and salon on the Panorama and Observation decks, the luxurious staterooms will have a natural theme with walls of muted earth-tones and accent colours of bright fresh green to reflect natures own and with charcoal coloured carpet to bring the theme together. There will be a tranquil water feature in each room which will enhance the natural, soothing atmosphere with gentle background sounds.

The new Holland America Spa staterooms will also feature organic cotton bathrobes and slippers, a Burmese teak mat for bath and shower and invigorating shower head, as well as a Body Buff Loofah Mit and aroma therapy salts. There will also be additions such as iPod® docking station, a yoga mat, a pedometer for use aboard the ship, fitness DVD, a no-host minibar stocked with speciality waters, a cut-fruit tray at embarkation and a spa concierge to book treatments.

The natural theme Holland America are creating in the staterooms in reflected at the night turn-down, where pillow gifts include organic chocolate truffles, orchids and a line of chocolates called Elements which are herbal infused to enhance a sense of well-being and induce restful sleep.

The 56 staterooms on board Holland America ms Eurodam include two Superior Balcony Suites, 36 Deluxe Balcony Outside Staterooms, four large Ocean-View Staterooms and four large inside staterooms on Panorama Deck. The 10 Spa Staterooms located on the Observation Deck are all Deluxe Balcony Outside rooms with floor-to-ceiling windows and scalloped balconies.

"The spa experience is more compelling for today's premium vacation experience,"
said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest
services. "Our spa staterooms are a result of this trend and we expect them to
be popular as more and more of our guests seek the ultimate in
relaxation."

Holland America’s ms Eurodam will depart on its inaugural voyage on the 5 July with a 10 day round trip from Copenhagen.

Norwegian Cruise Line's F3 ships to be Ice Cool

The newest addition from Norwegian Cruise Line, F3 Generation, is set to be a ‘cool’ cruise ship. With rock climbing walls, bowling alleys, ice skating rinks and boxing rings announced as some of the recent cruise ships innovations, what more could Norwegian Cruise Line think of.

Well, Norwegian Cruise Line has just announced their latest innovation to feature on their new F3 generation cruise ships to be launched in 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line plan to feature the Ice Bar, a frozen chamber of iced vodka, lit up internally to stimulate the Northern Lights and provide an all round Artic experience.

The F3 generation Ice Bar was inspired by the original ice bars and hotels which can be found in Scandinavia and will be one of only 14 bars in the world. It will be the only Ice Bar to be situated on a cruise ship, making it an industry first for Norwegian Cruise Line.

The centrepiece in the Ice Bar will be a gigantic ice cube that will change colour to the techno beats, adding to the energy and atmosphere on this amazing nightclub venue. In addition, Norwegian Cruise Line’s Ice Bar will have a bar, tables, stools, glasses and life size sculptures all made from ice. The Ice Bar will be situated on deck seven and can accommodate 25 guests who will be provided with fur coats, gloves and hats to keep them warm – a necessity when the temperate of the room will be a consistent 17 degrees Fahrenheit.

Keen to attract a younger generation of cruisers, Norwegian Cruise Liner have over-hauled their entire night time activities for the F3 generation ships. In addition to the Ice Bar, ships will feature POSH Beach Club, inspired by the nightlife capitals of the world, South Beach, Ibiza and Vegas.

Guests can purchase a POSH pass for the day or week, providing access via a private glass elevator to an exclusive, adults-only outdoor setting at the top of the ship. During the day, guests can relax on white cushioned day beds and in private cabanas in a Mediterranean styled area combining the sizzle of South Beach, cooling off in the 35 foot long cascading waterfall. At night the atmosphere will hot up as POSH Beach Club becomes an open air night club.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s F3 ships will feature a world of new innovations. The 150,000 ton ships will each total a capacity for 4,200 guests and will be the largest in Norwegian Cruise Line’s fleet.

Oasis of the Seas - Royal Caribbean release more enticing details

Royal Caribbean Cruises have released details of the amenities to feature on their newest ship, Oasis of the Seas. Pushing the boundaries in every way, the latest ship in the Royal Caribbean Cruises fleet will be the worlds largest and most revolutionary cruise ship.

There will be an array of truly astounding and innovative features on Oasis of the Seas. The Broadwalk takes inspiration from days spent at the seaside piers, whilst the AquaTheatre will have the largest freshwater pool on a cruise ship offering a vast selection of activities and performances for guests. The urban living concept will be introduced to cruise ships via loft suites, an industry first that will offer panoramic views of the ocean and also luxurious amenities.

The Royal Promenade, Royal Caribbean’s signature feature, will be further enhanced allowing guests a connection with Central Park above, whilst natural light pours down through the sculptured glass domes. Other additions will be the first zip line at sea which will be suspended nine decks above Broadwalk and will enable guests to go zipping through the cruise ship.

The new announcement of the latest neighbourhoods on Oasis of the Seas adds to the previously released details of Central Park. Broadwalk will hark back to the nostalgic seaside piers on the coast of England and will have elements that will captivate the entire family in classic fun. There will be an amazing hand=crafted carousel which will be the centrepiece of this breathtaking space.

AquaTheatre will be providing guests with a completely unique water experience. By day guests can swim in the theatre’s beautiful kidney shaped pool, relax on sun loungers situated on tiered platforms around the pool and even take Scuba lessons in the afternoon. At night, the theatre will come alive, delivering a complete sensory experience to guests. There will be rousing theatrical performances that will include dramatic acrobats, synchronised swimming, water ballet and professional high-diving, as well as flamboyant fountain shows synchronised to music and lights.

The 28 two-level loft suites will add a contemporary edge to Oasis of the Seas, which will raise the bar of cruise ship accommodation with vibrant, ocean inspired colours in a sophisticated and airy setting. The lofts will feature floor-to-ceiling, double-height windows allowing guests ocean views from every angle.

“With our history of introducing game changing amenities, we’re pleased to be
able to answer the question of ‘what could possibly come next?’” said Richard D.
Fain, Chairman & CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We are
particularly excited about the neighbourhood concept which gives guests
compelling choices and the ability to flow seamlessly throughout the ship to
meet their individual desires and preferences.”

Royal Caribbean Cruises will be proud to have the largest and most revolutionary ship in their fleet following the launch of Oasis of the Seas in late 2009. Oasis of the Seas will span 16 decks, weight 220,000 gross tons, carry 5,400 guests and feature 2,700 staterooms.

In all, Oasis of the Seas will feature seven distinct themed areas, including Central Park, Broadwalk and the Royal Promenade. So watch this space for more announcements to come!