Royal Caribbean announce latest neighbourhoods on Oasis of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Cruises have revealed further exciting details about the much anticipated Oasis of the Seas. The Pool and Sports Zone and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Centre are the two latest neighbourhood attractions to be announced after details were released about Central Park, the Boardwalk and the Aqua Park.

The Pool and Sports Zone will stretch the whole length of the enormous ship and will have features such as private cabanas, four pools and two FlowRider surf simulators, both of which are larger than the single FlowRider found on Freedom class ships in Royal Caribbean Cruises fleet such as Independence of the Seas. Highlights are the first ever beach pool at sea with sloped entry allowing guests to wade into the water, private cabanas overlooking the pools, interactive aquatic playground, a sports pools where water team sports take place in the afternoon, four cantilevered whirlpools suspended 136 feet above the ocean and the new Club 20 nightclub.

The Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness centre will have new spa relaxation rooms to encourage guests to unwind before any treatments, a thermal suite with heated tile loungers, saunas and steam rooms, three couples massage suites and a dedicated kids and teen Spa for younger guests. The Fitness centre will feature the latest cardio and resistance equipments and facilities for kick boxing, Pilates and yoga classes. There is also a Vitality Café for healthy smoothies, juices, snacks and light meals.

Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International commented:
“This latest unveiling of two more neighbourhoods to be found on Oasis of the Seas continues to prove our legacy of revolutionary cruise ship design. We have developed the Pool and Sports Zone and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center to give our guests even more choices on a unique and memorable Royal Caribbean cruise.”

Royal Caribbean Cruises Oasis of the Seas is now open for ticket sales to the loyalty club members who have taken at least ten cruises with Royal Caribbean. Oasis of the Seas goes on general sale on 3 September 2008.

Sweet to sail on Norwegian Spirit

A new lesbian travel company called Sweet has announced its agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line to charter the 1,972 passenger Norwegian Spirit for a Caribbean cruise starting the 8 November 2009.

The ‘Sweet Caribbean Cruise’ is the first offering from the company and will depart from New Orleans and call at Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Roatan, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. To start of the cruise in style, Sweet are offering guests a two day pre-departure package in New Orleans which includes city tours, voluntourism and ecotourism programs as well as a kick-off celebration.

Sweet will be working with local agencies at each port they visit to ensure they leave them better than they found them. There will be projects looking at locals needs involving education, wildlife and natural resource preservation, as well as assisting with the construction and renovation of schools, cleaning up beaches and wildlife habitat restoration.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Norwegian Cruise Line as they share our passion for protecting the world’s natural resources and integrating smart green strategies into their business. It’s a great fit for us,” said Shannon Wentworth, CEO and founding partner, Sweet. “Additionally, the ship provides a fun and sophisticated range of dining, spa and sporting activities under the innovative concept of Freestyle Cruising. Our guests will love the pampering, affordability and freedom.”

Norwegian Cruise Line is the perfect choice for a cruise of this nature as their Freestyle cruising style will provide guests with flexibility and freedom. Sweet guests will appreciate the range of amenities on Norwegian Spirit, as well as the choice of staterooms, many with ocean views and balconies. There are also 11 restaurants to choose from, nine bars and lounges, a casino, a spa and fitness center and two lovely pools.

Evening entertainment for Sweet guests will include performances from popular comedienne Suzanne Westenhoafer, award winning musical artist Jen Foster, comedienne Erin Foley and the talented singer Edie Carey. Not only this, but Sweet is working with the country’s largest lesbian party promoter, Club Skirks, who will be hosting tea dances and parties on board Norwegian Spirit.

Sweet is a lesbian travel company that was founded in 2008 and is based in the San Francisco Bay area. Their mission is to provide fun-filled, eco friendly, volunteer orientated lesbian travel experiences.

Ocean Village launch new Caribbean itineraries

Ocean Village have introduced new 14 night cruises for their winter 2009-2010 season in the Caribbean. The launch of longer cruises allows new ports of call to be added that could previously not have been visited during a one week sailing.

Ocean Village’s two ships, Ocean Village and Ocean Village 2, will be operating three fl/cruise itineraries departing from Barbados. ‘Hammocks and Harbours’ is the first of these, visiting the centre of the Caribbean with ports of call at Samana in the Dominican Republic and Grand Turk.

‘Beaches and Breezes’ promises a taste of the Latin flavour in the southern Caribbean, including visits at Mayreau and Isla Margarita.

And last but not least there are two sailings of ‘Jungles and Jetties’, a grand tour from Barbados to the Panama Canal, with destinations along the way such as Colon.

Ocean Village’s fresh new itineraries offer the perfect opportunity to get off the beaten Caribbean cruises track and experience more of what the Caribbean has to offer.

Oasis of the Seas cruises go on sale

Cruises on the worlds most eagerly anticipated ship Oasis of the Seas are set to go on sale from 1pm on Wednesday 3^rd September 2008. Royal Caribbean Cruises newest addition to the fleet, Oasis of the Seas, will make its first revenue sailing on the 12^th December 2009 from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Royal Caribbean Cruises will not be offering any early booking discounts and expect the first cruises on Oasis of the Seas to be the fastest selling in history. Prices for a nine-night fly/cruise including return flights from the UK and a seven-night Caribbean cruise on board Oasis of the Seas will start from £1,299 per person.

The inaugural season will begin with 19 consecutive seven-night sailings to the Eastern Caribbean, with ports of call at Charlotte Amalie, St Thomas; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Nassau, Bahamas. From the 1 May 2010, Oasis of the Seas will alternate its Eastern Caribbean itinerary with the Western Caribbean itinerary, which will call at Labadee, Royal Caribbean International’s private beach destination in Haiti; the new port of Falmouth, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico.

Oasis of the Seas is almost 40 per cent larger than any other cruise ship to date and will feature some of the most innovative and exciting amenities at sea including Central Park, an open air space in the centre of the ship with lush, tropical gardens with al fresco dining and street entertainment. Other highlights will be the Boardwalk, a family orientated area inspired by seaside piers with the first carousel at sea and opening onto the AquaTheater, an open air amphitheatre space with two 43 foot rock climbing walls and zip-line suspended nine decks above.

The new loft staterooms will be the most luxurious accommodation available at sea, with spectacular views of the ocean from floor-to-ceiling double-height windows. Loft suites will feature a modern spacious living area with contemporary detailing and a private balcony with sun chairs. Prices for a nine-night fly/cruise including accommodation in a loft stateroom start from £2,999 per person.

Jo Rzymowska, associate vice president and general manager, Royal Caribbean International, UK and Ireland, said:
“Oasis of the Seas is the most hyped holiday experience ever to be available. We are predicting a day of mammoth sales on 3rd September. The prices represent phenomenal value for money and includes access to some of the most groundbreaking facilities ever available from a leisure resort, especially when you consider that this one will be at sea.”

Norwegian Majesty clean up in Bermuda

Norwegian Cruise Line has been giving something back to St Georges in Bermuda where one of their ships, Norwegian Majesty, has docked during the summer. Seventeen officers and crew members including Captain Goran Blomqvist, the doctor and environmental officer, collected over 25 bags of rubbish over a 3 mile area.

Norwegian Cruise Line’s ship Norwegian Majesty is sailing seven-day cruises to Bermuda from Baltimore and Philadelphia from 4 October 2008.

Grand Cayman plays host to two Royal Caribbean ships

The Grand Cayman Islands were home to a momentous occasion last week when two Royal Caribbean Cruise ships called into the port at the same time. There were over 9,000 passengers that disembarked from the Royal Caribbean ships with over a third of them being children.

Royal Caribbean ships cater for children extremely well with a huge variety of fun activities and youth programmes geared towards children from 6 months to 17 years old. Children onboard Royal Caribbean’s Freedom of the Seas would have been enjoying the Nickelodeon themed cruise.

Guests who disembarked at Grand Cayman were amazed by the warm welcome they received and locals had organised music and cultural displays, as well as a treasure hunt for the children.

Trina Christian, Executive Director of the Cayman Islands Tourism Association (CITA) commented: "CITA looks forward to future endeavours of this nature that align with our cruise sector goals and our general Association objective to provide more opportunity for converting cruise passengers are into return overnight visitors."

There is a vast array of attractions in Grand Cayman, including learning about the turtles that live here, visiting the town of Hell, exploring Seven Mile Beach and enjoying the undersea world with some snorkeling or scuba diving. Other highlights are Grand Cayman Botanic Park and the Cayman Islands National Museum.

First ever National Cruise Week

The UK’s first ever National Cruise Week will take place next month, with travel companies from across the UK teaming up to promote the vast diversity of cruise holidays.

National Cruise Week will take place between 7 September to the 14 September with over 2,000 travel agents and tour operators organising events aimed at promoting world cruises and advertising the variety of packages and itineraries available.

Andy Harmer, business development director of the Association of Cruise Experts, said that cruising has become "ever more popular" of late.

"National Cruise Week is a great way to show that there really is a cruise for everyone. The choice now offered by companies is immense – there is a cruise to suit all ages and all pockets, you can find intimacy or full-on fun, snow or sun, desert or jungle, relaxation or activity, the choice is truly endless," he explained.

It has been reported by the Press Association this week that the cruise sector is anticipated to grow by 14 per cent this year as more and more people take to the seas for their holidays.

There are a number of popular cruise companies operating from the UK including Royal Caribbean Cruises, P&O Cruises and Celebrity Cruises.

NCL a World Savers Awards finalist

Norwegian Cruise Line has been named as a finalist in Condé Nast Traveler magazine’s 2008 World Savers Awards. The awards focus on 38 travel companies from around the world who have lead the way in social responsibility in the following five areas: poverty alleviation, cultural and/or environmental preservation, education, wildlife conservation and health.

The list of finalists is detailed in the September issue of Condé Nast Traveler magazine which was available to buy on newsstands Tuesday 19 August. The World Savers Awards will be presented during an award ceremony on 23 September at the 2^nd annual Condé Nast Traveler World Savers congress in New York City.

Norwegian Cruise Line last year recycled 96 tons of cardboard, 206 tons of wood pallets, 275 cubic meters of cooking oil; 364 tons of plastics, 909 tons of scrap metal, and 1,813 tons of glass. NCL also recycle used cooking oil from its ship at the Port of Miami, more than 15,000 gallons of it was offloaded and donated to an organic farmer in Vero Beach, Florida who converted the oil to 870 gallons of useable bio-diesel for his farming equipment.

NCL ships recycle whenever and wherever it is possible. They have invested heaving and not just on new environmental protection technology but also on a shore-side environmental departed and on every ship there is a trained environmental officer. Every one of NCL’s ships has a state-of-the-art solid and liquid waste processing equipment on board.

“Sustaining maritime ecosystems is among NCL’s highest priorities,” said Colin Veitch, NCL’s CEO. “The protection of the oceans on which NCL makes its living is of paramount importance to the company and so it is with great pride that we accept this recognition from Condé Nast Traveler for our efforts.”

Romantic christening of Ruby Princess

It has been revealed that Princess Cruises newest ship, Ruby Princess, is to be named by a couple who met very publicly on America’s reality TV show The Bachelorette.

The announcement came from Princess Cruises during National Romance Week. Trista and Ryan Sutter (above) are to christen the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, Ruby Princess, on the 6 November 2008 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

The Sutter’s met on ABC’s reality series, The Bacherlorette, will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary this autumn and will mark the even during the Ruby Princess inaugural, which will be themed around ‘romantic moments and milestones’. Trista and Ryan are one of the best-known romantic duos in recent broadcast history, as they are the first and only couple from the The Bachelor and Bachelorette franchises who have actually gotten married. The Sutters also recently celebrated the first birthday of their son, Max.

"We're incredibly honored to be invited to be the godparents of Ruby Princess," said Trista Sutter. "It's hard to believe that it's been five years since we got married. This is a wonderful way to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and also to remind people about the importance of marking not only the key milestones in a relationship, but also making time to incorporate romance into our everyday lives. We are so excited to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"

The 3,070 passenger Ruby Princess includes a host of favourite Princess Cruises innovations that define the Princess experience and well as many new additions, such as the dramatic piazza-style atrium and the adults only area called The Sanctuary.

During Ruby Princess’ inaugural season she will make seven-day weekly sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Western Caribbean, with calls at Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico and Princess Cays in the Bahamas. Next spring Princess Cruises Ruby Princess will move to Europe for 12 day sailings in the Mediterranean and Greek Islands.

Seven Seas Voyager to sail British Isles

Regent Seven Seas cruise ship, Seven Seas Voyager, will be embarking on a sailing around the British Isles on a 10 night cruise beginning in Copenhagen on the 30 August 2008. The captain of Seven Seas Voyager, John McNeill, will treat this as his ‘homecoming cruise’ as he grew up in Scotland and is now a resident of Southampton. To celebrate British culture Captain McNeill has organised a selection of special events for guests during the cruise.

Seven Seas Voyager is well known as the World’s most luxurious cruise ship and is the youngest of the Regent Seven Seas fleet it has 350 all-balcony suites. Culinary experiences are first class aboard Voyager, with a choice of four restaurants one of which being Signatures which is affiliated to the famed Le Cordon Bleu Ecole Culinaire. Guests can truly relax on Voyager and bask in the gracious and efficient service.

The British Isles cruise will enable guests to see the stunning scenery of Scotland and experience the authentic Scottish traditions such as bagpipe music on deck and the taste of whisky and haggis as Voyager docks in Edinburgh. Guests will have the chance to take part in a fun-filled evening in Belfast with an Irish dancing performance. The Lord Mayor will be presenting Captain McNeil with the City City in Bristol as part of a ceremony to commemorate the ‘Freedom of the City of Bristol’. The fun carries on in Falmouth with a special performance from a local pipe band.

Captain John McNeill, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, comments: “I want to make my homecoming cruise as exciting for my guests as it is for me, which is why I have organised these celebrations. Sailing around the British Isles is very close to my heart as I was born in Southern Ireland, grew up in Scotland and now live in the UK’s cruise capital, Southampton.”

MSC Cruises placed order for two new ships

MSC Cruises are once more expanding their fleet with a new order placed with Aker Yards in St. Nazair France for two Musica class ships which will be due for delivery February 2011 and February 2012.

Aker Yards have produced many of the ships currently in MSC Cruises fleet, including the most recent additions MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and the soon to be launched MSC Fantasia and Splendida.

MSC Cruises are looking to expand their fleet by one ship a year which considering the current economic pressure is a positive move. The new ships on order with Aker Yards will be for the Musica class and are approximately 89,000 tonnes and will carry 3000 passengers. The newest ships on order with be the fifth and sixth in the class, with MSC Magnifica due to launch in 2010 the fourth.

The most recent ships to be introduced to the fleet are MSC Fantasia due to be launched in Naples in December and MSC Splendida will be launching in 2009.

Silversea Cruises Prince Albert II to sail French Polynesia

Silversea Cruises is set to base their ship Prince Albert II in Papeete from Mid March until late October 2009. This move has been brought about by a number of successful meetings between Silversea Cruises and the French Polynesian government. This new positioning of Prince Albert II in Tahiti will provide a number of very exciting new itineraries.

“We are delighted to base the Prince Albert II in beautiful Tahiti for a series of explorations next year,” comments Amerigo Perasso, Silversea Cruises president and CEO. “The South Pacific is home to magnificent natural vistas and some of the world’s most intriguing cultures, offering our guests the perfect setting for mind-enriching authentic adventures”

Gaston Tong Sang, President of French Polynesia added “The itineraries and land programmes designed by Silversea Cruises are in sync with our tourism positioning as well as our aims for the islands and remote archipelagos development. The unique voyages developed by Silversea will enable travellers to discover the unknown beauties and treasures of our five archipelagos in exceptional luxury.”

Prince Albert II is a purpose built luxurious expedition shop designed specifically for navigating waters in some of the world’s most remote destinations. Onboard Silversea Cruises Prince Albert II you can savour a cosmopolitan ambience and many special amenities usually only found on larger ships. Prince Albert II can transport 132 privileged guests in utmost luxury.

Highlights of the 2009 French Polynesia cruises include Austral Island Adventures, Journeys to the Marquesas, and Tuamotu Expeditions.

Norwegian Gem to appear on The Ultimate Cruise Guide

Norwegian Cruise Line’s amazing new cruise ship Norwegian Gem is to appear in a Fine Living Network TV special in America. The one hour special is entitled The Ultimate Cruise Guide and will air on 16 August, including a feature on Norwegian Cruise Line’s seven day western Mediterranean cruise.

The programme is a representation of what a typical American family can expect from a family cruise and it will demonstrate the choice of activities and excursions which are on offer. The show will also have top cruising tips and will show viewers insights into the cruise industry.

Commenting on the programme, Norwegian Cruise Line's president and chief executive Colin Veitch said: "During this special cruise guide on Fine Living Network, viewers will experience 'Freestyle Cruising' and all it has to offer on our newest ship, Norwegian Gem.

"We hope that after watching the special, they will want to take their own cruise vacation aboard one of our 12 Freestyle Cruising ships."

Celebrity Solstice floats out

Celebrity Cruises newest addition to the fleet Celebrity Solstice has reached another landmark in its constructed process, successfully completing its float out at Germany’s Meyer Werft shipyard. Celebrity Solstice will now be docked at the pier where further work will be carried out.

Celebrity Solstice is due to begin its first sailings in the Caribbean in December 2008. Celebrity Solstice is the first of a new class of Celebrity Cruises ship, with a least a further four new ships in the pipeline. The second ship will be called Celebrity Equinox. Each of the ships will carry 2,850 guests and will feature Celebrity Cruises new style of accommodation, style and indulgent amenities.

Celebrity Solstice will also introduce a new contemporary class of balcony staterooms called AquaClass.

Costa Cruises celebrate 100th cruise in China

The all-Italian cruise company Costa Cruises is the world’s first cruise line to sell ‘made in Italy’ cruises to the Chinese. Costa Cruises Costa Allegra returns to Shanghai for the 2008 summer season to celebrate 100 cruises in China and a new terminal opening.

Costa Cruises is the first international cruise company to operate regular cruise itineraries in China and in Asia, selling its cruises to the Chinese. The first sailings began on Costa Allegra in July 2006 from Shanghai and since then Costa Cruises have completed 121 cruises in Asia, 100 of which were in China and about 40% from the port of Shanghai.

Supported by large marketing investments, Costa Cruises has launched its Italian-themed product with success and although the market is still developing are to position a second ship in Asia and China, the Costa Classica.

Costa Allegra will operate 19 cruises this year in the region, 12 of these departing from Shanghai port and four during the Beijing Olympic Games that will be broadcast on huge screens in the public areas and on stateroom TVs.

“China’s cruise market has good growth potential” declared Gianni Onorato, President of Costa Cruises. “Shanghai together with Tianjin (the port of Beijing) will play an important part in this sector due to their roles as main ports and economic centres for China. Costa Cruises was the first to believe in offering cruises in China and to choose Shanghai as its home port. This is the city where we began to develop our activities in Chin and the results of those decisions have gone beyond our greatest expectations. Since 2006, the Costa Allegra has completed 121 cruises in China and the Far East. Overall, about 75,000 guests have taken a cruise on board the Costa Allegra, including nearly 50,000 Chinese guests. These figures are real proof of just how much China and Asia appreciate the quality of the service and the style of our cruises. 98.28% of our Chinese guests are satisfied or very satisfied with their Costa cruise.”

Ruby Princess completes sea trials

Ruby Princess has achieved another landmark objective in readiness for her launch on 8 November 2008. Princess Cruises’ newest ship currently in the final stages of construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy and has completed her sea trials. Ruby Princess was put to the test with a series of manoeuvres to test her propulsion, steering and navigational equipment.

After four days of trials, Ruby Princess passed with flying colours and is now back in the shipyard for further exterior and interior finishing. Ruby Princess’s maiden voyage will be from Fort Lauderdale, a 7 night western Caribbean voyage sailing guests to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Princess Cays.

Sister ship to the Emerald Princess and Crown Princess, Ruby Princess will be Princess Cruises crowing glory with a number of exciting features. The dramatic piazza-style atrium so popular on her sister ships will be the same and other highlights will be the adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary, ‘Movies Under the Stars’ poolside movie screen, a seafood and steakhouse, an Italian trattoria and 900 staterooms with private balconies.

Carnival Sensation to receive multi-million dollar makeover

Carnival Cruises Carnival Sensation is set to undergo a multi-million dollar upgrade. The upgrades are expected to happen in January 2009 and once refurbished Carnival Sensation will boast 1,000 staterooms, an adult-only area and a luxurious tropical themed pool.

The extreme make-over represents Carnival Cruises next phase of the ‘Evolutions of Fun’ enhancement initiative for the line’s eight Fantasy class ships and will take place during a scheduled 35 day dry dock.

Carnival Sensation operates Carnival Cruises popular three and four day Bahamas itineraries from Port Canaveral, Florida and will be the fourth ship to receive the ‘Evolutions of Fun’ makeover. The expansive Carnival WaterWorks aqua park is sure to appeal to guests of all ages. It will be located on the Verandah deck and will include a 300 foot long spiral water slide – the longest at sea – along with twin 82 foot long racing slides and various water spray apparatus.

The new adults-only area will be called ‘Serenity’ and will be located on the Promenade deck. It will be a complete oasis for relaxation and comfort, with magnificent ocean views along with plush chaise lounges and chairs for guests to relax on. There are two large whirlpools and guests will be served with a variety of ice cocktails and frozen drinks.

Another addition to Carnival Sensation will be a new resort-style pool on Lido deck with a tropical theme and thatched roofing, with comfortable deck chairs and a tiled ‘beach’ encircling the pool area.

There will be a number of enhancements to nearly 1,000 staterooms which will include flat-screen televisions, upgraded décor with new carpeting, wall coverings and light fixtures, as well as renovated bathrooms.

There will be cosmetic enhancements to virtually all the public rooms and areas on board Carnival Cruises Carnival Sensation, as well as the spa facility, nine hole miniature golf course and there will be expansive new facilities for children.

P&O Cruises to offer luxury cosmetics Couleur Caramel in spas

P&O Cruises have announced that they will be offering the organic make-up range Couleur Caramel in the on-board Spa on all of their P&O Cruises ships, such as P&O Ventura and P&O Artemis. The fair trade range from France is of exceptionally high quality make and is made completely from natural ingredients.

Couleur Caramel is a unique range of make-up as it combines the latest cosmetic technology with organically grown ingredients, whilst at the same time respecting the environment, animals and people. It is only available in the most exclusive leading professional salons and spa, but now lucky guests on board P&O Cruises will have the opportunity to indulge.

P&O Cruises, head of brand marketing, Philip Price said, "Our passengers expect the very best and Couleur Caramel is just that. Couleur Caramel products are professional quality, innovative, and made from natural, organic and fair trade ingredients.

"P&O Cruise’s passengers want more from a holiday. Offering Couleur Caramel products in our spas is simply one of the many attentive touches of luxury that sets us apart from other holidays."

MSC Cruises body shaping treatment

MSC Cruises newest addition to its fleet, MSC Fantasia, will offer treatments in its magnificent new wellbeing centre Aurea Spa that will help reshape the body under medical supervision.

MSC Fantasia is due to be christened in December 2008 in Naples and will be the largest ever European built ship. MSC Fantasia promises a new concept of cruising for MSC Cruises and will weigh 133,500 tonnes.

Aurea Spa on board MSC Cruises new MSC Fantasia ship will offer body treatments within a special area of the spa. The spa is expected to be introduced on board all of MSC Cruises ships and will be the first of its kind that carry out treatments under medical supervision.

The most current medical equipment will be used to reshape the body in the Aurea Spa and one of the procedures is The Active Press which is one of the most effective ways to combat cellulite, eliminate water retention and the heavy feeling found in limbs. This treatment will involve the client wearing specially designed leggings that create a gentle pressure on the areas that need to be treated including thighs, buttocks, calves and ankles. To enhance the drainage action, the pressure will be applied with essential oils.

Another new luxurious amenity to be found on MSC Fantasia is the MSC Yacht Club, an exclusive VIP area with 99 spacious and extravagant suites, wonderfully furnished to the highest standards, with butler service included and private communal areas.

For further information and to be book a cruise on board the upcoming MSC Fantasia visit our website.

P&O Cruises introduce 'once in a lifetime' shore excursions

P&O Cruises are aiming to attract guests looking for adventurous holiday experiences with the introduction of their new shore excursions for 2008/9. The new excursions will offer the opportunity to take part in ‘once in a lifetime’ activities.

There are exciting P&O Cruises excursions in the Mediterranean where you can drive through the streets of Italy in a red Ferrari F430, visit the Galimand Studio is Grasse to create your own personal fragrance or learn how to make Tuscan specialities in a farmhouse overlooking the Alps.

There are further delights on offer from P&O Cruises in the Baltic and Northern Europe, chances to explore glaciers and ice-fields on a snow-truck or maybe float downstream on the River Suldalslagen for a ‘salmon safari’. In the Caribbean there are amazing excursions where you can zip-wire through a rainforest in Jamaica or race a Beneteau 40 yacht in Antigua.

P&O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “We are now attracting more new to cruise passengers than ever before and these holidaymakers are looking for something a little different to do on shore than a guided coach tour.

“We can now offer them experiences that simply would not be possible on any other type of holiday. It is this breadth of choice that sets our holidays apart from any other.”

For all your P&O Cruises holiday requirements visit the Jetline Cruise website. Cruises on the brand new P&O Ventura are on sale now.