Oasis of the Seas unveils final neighbourhood

Royal Caribbean Cruises have revealed details of Oasis of the Seas’ final neighbourhood during an online unveiling sponsored by American Express Travel. The Youth Zone, as the final neighbourhood will be called, joins the six other previously announced diverse neighbourhoods that will be aboard the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship.

The six other neighbourhoods are Central Park, Boardwalk with the AquaTheater, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, and Entertainment Place. Oasis of the Seas is set to launch November 2009 and will feature the unique neighbourhood concept which allows guests to seek out experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood.

The latest neighbourhood will be some 28,700 sq. feet or child and teen friendly adventures Kids Avenue, Royal Caribbean Cruises’ first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months of older), state-of-the-art teen areas and the Kids Arcade.

Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated advancements is the addition of the Royal Babies and Tots nursery, a first for Royal Caribbean Cruises. This colorful space will serve as a fully-staffed nursery where children can be left in the care of Royal Caribbean Cruises' trained professionals, as well as host various playgroups created by Fisher-Price and Crayola for babies and tots.

Longtime favorite Royal Caribbean Cruises teen-only spaces, Fuel disco and The Living Room, will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, only larger and more state-of-the-art. The Living Room will be the ultimate go-to hangout for teens to kick back and socialize at the "mock-tail" bar, which serves non-alcoholic sodas and juice concoctions; learn to spin and mix music in Scratch DJ 101 classes, a part of Royal Caribbean Cruises' Scratch DJ Academy; or surf the Internet and keep in touch with friends via the bank of computer stations dedicated to the space. Teens also will be able to kick it up a notch at Fuel, a disco which will feature a hip environment, where they can hang out with friends, and a dance floor, where they can show off their moves. A spacious outdoor deck adjacent to these venues will give teens more opportunities to make new friends while on their cruise vacation.

When she launches in November 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms.

Ruby Princess to serve 'Pub Lunches' and fresh waffles

Princess Cruises tradition of evolving their on board experience for guests continues with the launch of Ruby Princess on the 8 November 2008. Ruby Princess will feature a host of new amenities with a number of special features, including new dining options such as pub lunches and exclusive breakfasts for suite guests. There will also be unique enrichment programs from astronomy to mixology, two new stage shows, plus extended wireless Internet and cell phone connectivity.

The 3,072 passenger Ruby Princess will feature many of the familiar favourites that guests enjoyed aboard her sister ships Crown Princess and Emerald Princess, but in addition there will be an array of special touches and innovations to be found throughout the service, dining and entertainment areas.

"The new features aboard Ruby Princess are a perfect example of our commitment to provide passengers with the widest array of intriguing options to customize their cruise vacation," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president.

Many of the features on Princess Cruises’ newest addition are also set to be added to ships across the fleet following Ruby Princess’ debut. Some highlights of the new features to be introduced on Ruby Princess:

Wheelhouse Bar Pub Lunch - On sea days, Ruby Princess' Wheelhouse Bar will be transformed into an authentic English-style pub, serving a selection of traditional fare. A menu of British favorites, including bangers & mash, fish & chips, ploughman's lunch and cottage pie, will complement a selection of traditional pub brews such as Stella Artois, Bass Ale or Guinness.

Sabatini’s Breakfast for Suite Passengers - Suite passengers aboard Ruby Princess will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive breakfast in Sabatini's. Beginning with a "Good Morning Mimosa," the menu features a variety of breakfast favorites, plus specialty items such as brioche French toast with apple & cinnamon compote, yogurt and super granola parfait with raspberry swirl, soft-poached egg over potato & vegetables with hollandaise sauce, and freshly made Belgian waffles.

A Few Fine Touches - A number of new service touches will be introduced to delight passengers. In the Horizon Court buffet, new waffle stations will offer fresh cooked-to-order waffles at breakfast and throughout lunchtime, and the buffet will also begin serving complimentary lemonade as a beverage choice. In the evening, passengers will find a selection of canapés in several of the ship's public lounges. Passengers arriving back from shore will be greeted with chilled face cloths, and by the pool, "misting stewards" will offer a quick refreshing spritz with Evian to cool off.

Marco opens two new restaurants on P&O Cruises ships

Marco Pierre White, star of Hell’s Kitchen, has opened two new restaurants at sea on board P&O Cruises super-liners Aurora and Oceana.

P&O Cruises ship Oceana had its Café Jardin restaurant upgraded during a recent refit and served the first Marco Pierre White dishes early October on a two-night cruise. Aurora’s Café Bordeaux open its doors to guests this weekend to sample the new menus.

Both menus will serve classic Mediterranean dishes which have been given the Marco treatments especially for guests on board.

Marco Pierre White said: "I enjoyed working with P&O Cruises so much creating the White Room and Frankie's Bar & Grill for Ventura, that I leapt at the chance when invited to expand the Marco Pierre White experience to Aurora and Oceana.

"The two new restaurants on Aurora and Oceana will offer passengers completely different dining experiences and both will encompass the best possible ingredients cooked in my unique way."

P&O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale said: "Marco Pierre White is a great talent and his menus add a unique twist to our passengers' dining experience."

Carnival Sensation to receive 'extreme makeover'

Carnival Cruises is set to add balconies to 98 existing staterooms on the 2,052 passenger Carnival Sensation during a 35 day scheduled dry dock in January 2009.

The existing staterooms currently have ocean view and will be retrofitted with new balconies that will extend from the feet and measure approximately 230 square feet. Twenty-four of the new balcony staterooms will be located mid-ship on both the port and starboard sides and 12 will be located near the stern, while the other 62 will be located within the aft section of the ship, with several of these cabins featuring extended balconies.

In addition to these modifications, a number of Carnival Sensation’s suites will be altered to include larger, extended balconies creating a more spacious area from which to enjoy the panoramic views.

As part of the ship’s extensive multi-million dollar renovation, the stateroom modifications are just one aspect of what is known as Carnival Cruises ‘Evolutions of Fun’ product enhancement initiative. Carnival Sensations makeover will also include a WaterWorks away park, Serenity adults-only area and a redesigned tropical-themed swimming pool area. Not only this, but all staterooms will be completely refurbished, as well as all dining, dancing and entertainment venues plus guest corridors.

Carnival Cruises Carnival Sensation currently operates year-round three and four day Bahamas cruises.

Fred Olsen's Black Prince to retire

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has announced that in October 2009 Black Prince will retire from their fleet of ships. Black Prince was built by Flender Werft in Lubeck in 1966 and after entering service on the 19 October 1966 operated as a joint passenger/freight ferry between the UK and the Canary Islands in the winter, and the UK and Norway in the summer. Black Prince was converted to a full time cruise ship in 1987.

There will be a series of four farewell cruises for Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s Black Prince, starting on the 9 September with a 10 night cruise from Liverpool to Southampton, a 3 night mini cruise from Liverpool to Southampton, a 10 night Historic Home Ports cruise and finally a 14 night cruise to the Canary Islands. Black Prince will return to Southampton on the 16^th October.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines managing director Mike Rodwell said: “This is a very sad announcement for the company to make as Black Prince is one of the best loved ships that caters to the UK market, and many passengers have cruised on her so often that even they have lost track of the number of holidays they have taken. We know that there will be thousands of passengers who have sailed on her who will be very sad on that final day.”

Celebrity Cruises launch "Shop Celebrity"

Celebrity Cruises has launched a new on-line shopping portal, open for business 24 hours a day. “Shop Celebrity” allows consumers and travel agents to purchase a wide selection of items which can be delivered on board or at home. “Shop Celebrity” will also feature Celebrity Cruises new amenity program, “Gifts by Celebrity”.

“Shop Celebrity” will offer an extensive choice of Celebrity Cruises logo items, gifts and memorabilia, as well a culinary delicacies, spirits, wine and soda. The portal will also offer ordering opportunities from partner websites - LeapFrog® School, timetospa® and Celebrity Vineyards, which includes products by Riedel® Crystal, the world renowned manufacturer of wine glasses who offer wine workshops on Celebrity Cruises ships.

"Based on feedback from our guests and travel agent partners as well as the growing popularity of online shopping in today's marketplace, we wanted to create a virtual experience reflective of the bricks-and-mortar shopping experience that we offer on our ships," said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity's vice president of hotel operations and onboard revenue. "The complete Shop Celebrity program offers something for everyone, anytime, whether they want to surprise a friend or a client with an onboard gift, or whether they want stylish keepsakes for themselves or others."

Star Princess undergoes a transformation

Following a three-week dry-dock, Princess Cruises’ Star Princess set sail this weekend with a dramatically transformed new look. Several areas on board have received the new updates, including the alteration of the atrium into a vibrant street-style piazza and the addition of the adults-only retreat The Sanctuary on the top deck, plus the installation of a 300 square foot Movies Under the Stars poolside screen.

Princess Cruises guests have enthusiastically enjoyed these features on other Princess Ships and so have inspired the introduction to other ships within the fleet and Star Princess was the first to be revitalised with these popular amenities.

Star Princess’s new piazza will feature an array of dining and entertainment opportunities, including specialty coffees, freshly baked goods, paninis, salads and tapas in the style of an International café. The Vines wine bar concept has been expanded with more than 30 varieties of wine available, a selection of artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop where guests can buy their favourite wines.

The Sanctuary is now available to adults on the top deck, where they can relax in a tranquil environment on plush lounge chairs whilst enjoying refreshing beverages and light snacks, with the choice of receiving a massage in on the two private cabanas.

Princess Cruises trademark Movies Under the Stars poolside screen is now in situ and will show a selection of films, concerts and special events daily. In the evenings the area will become an outdoor theatre with specially covered lounge chairs and warm blankets, where moviegoers and enjoy free popcorn, plus other snacks and beverages.

There were a number of other smaller changes that occurred during the three week dry dock, including a new Internet cage and library, enhancements to boutiques and the addition of flat screen LCD televisions in all staterooms, plus a variety of other cosmetic alterations.

The first of three ships to receive the updates, Star Princess will be followed by Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess which are due to receive them in January and April 2009 respectively.

America to bid farewell to QE2

Thursday 16 October is set to be a momentous day as Cunard Cruises Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) bids her final farewell to America during a celebratory call befitting of the cruise line’s longest serving ocean liner. This will be the legendary ship’s 706^th and final visit to New York and she will be escorted by FDNY fireboats and a flotilla of pleasure craft, due to depart Westside Terminal at 5pm to meet with her sister ship, Queen Mary 2, for a Cunard Royal Rendezvous at the Stature of Liberty. Following this, both ships will embark on a tandem voyage to Southampton, England, marking QE2’s 806^th and final Transatlantic crossing.

"It is most fitting that QE2's farewell to America be celebrated in New York, the city Cunard has called our North America homeport since 1847. She will always be remembered as the best loved ship in the world and we are delighted that she will be cherished by future generations of travelers at her new home in Dubai," said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. "Her mantle as flagship of the British merchant fleet has proudly been bestowed upon Queen Mary 2, a ship recognised as the grandest ocean liner ever built and surely destined to continue Cunard's legacy," Marlow added.

Recognised at the most famous ship in the world, QE2 has an illustrious history since her naming by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1967. QE2 has logged more than 5.9 million nautical miles – the equivalent of traveling to the moon and back 13 times – carried more than 2.5 million passengers and was even requisitioned for military service in the Falklands in 1982.

Throughout her arrival in New York in the early morning of 16 October, QE2 will fly a traditional Paying-Off Pennant, a maritime flag signifying the ship's length of service to the fleet. The pennant will be presented as a commemorative gift to a local dignitary during a reception onboard the ship.

To celebrate this historic occasion, a pipe and drum corps will perform in Battery Park as a fitting salute and final "Bon Voyage" to Queen Elizabeth 2.

QE2 completes service to Cunard in November after sailing a final voyage to Dubai where she will be refurbished and become a luxury hotel, entertainment destination and maritime museum.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons to perform on Seven Seas Voyager

Regent Seven Seas have announced that legendary performers Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons will make a private performance on board Seven Seas Voyager in Los Angeles on 12 January 2009. Regent Seven Seas’ ultra luxurious 700-guest ship will be in port overnight preparing for a 116 night world cruise departing 13 January. The only guests on board for the evening will be the 250 world travellers who are booked for the entire voyage.

"We are delighted to be able to offer our full World Cruise guests this special treat," said Mark Conroy, president of RSSC. "We wanted to provide something unique and memorable for these valued guests as they settle into their sea-going home for the winter," he added.

Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons have a career that spans over forty years and have sold over 100 million records making them the most long-lived and successful white doo-wop group. Their first big hit was "Sherry", followed by such classics as "Big Girls Don't Cry", "Walk Like a Man", "Candy Girl", "Stay" and "Rag Doll". Following the groups induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1990, they have enjoyed new success through the hit Broadway show ‘Jersey Boys’ and guest appearances on the hit TV series ‘The Sopranos’.

Seven Seas Voyager will visit 54 ports on five continents during its 116-night Grand Circumnavigation before returning to Fort Lauderdale on 8 May 2009. Regent Seven Seas all-suite, all-balcony ship will visit French Polynesia, New Zealand, Australia, the Philippines, China, Vietnam, Singapore, Thailand, India, the Arabian Gulf, Egypt, Jordan, Greece, Turkey, Italy, France, Spain and Bermuda.

Carnival adding more balconies to three ships

Carnival Cruises will be increasing their already high number of balcony staterooms on three ships during dry docking over the next few months. Staterooms on the Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty that currently feature floor-to-ceiling windows will be retro-fitted with private balconies, thus creating a total of 48 additional 230 square foot balcony staterooms.

There will also be the addition of two new 750 square foot ‘deluxe penthouse suites’ which will nearly double the size of the largest staterooms in the fleet, to be added to Carnival Liberty. Carnival Cruises balcony accommodations include soft terrycloth robes for guest use during the cruise, satellite television, mini bar, hair dryer, ample clothes space and in-cabin amenity kits with a wide range of brand-name products.

“Balcony staterooms continue to be in great demand – in fact, they’re often the first cabin category to sell out,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. “Therefore, we are pleased to incorporate additional balcony staterooms on Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty, which will offer guests their own private, relaxing venue for viewing magnificent ocean vistas and scenery,” he added.

The new ‘deluxe penthouse suites’ on Carnival Liberty will be the largest in Carnival Cruises fleet and will have a separate bedroom, expansive living area and two bathrooms, one with a hot tub. The new suites will be located on the ship’s forward section on deck 9.

Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty are part of Carnival Cruises fleet of 22 ‘fun ships’, operating cruises in the Caribbean, Mexican Rivera, Hawaii, the Bahamas, the Panama Canal, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America. There are two new ships scheduled to enter service between now and 2011.

Clyde says goodbye to QE2

The former shipbuilding community of Clyde bid a fond farewell to Cunard Cruises Queen Elizabeth 2 as the world-famous cruise liner returned to the area is was constructed. The grand lady of the seas was waved off by thousands of people as it headed for Belfast and the Firth of Forth.

There was a mixture of tourists and local residents who climbed Lye Hill which affords views over the river in order to pay their respects to the world’s most famous cruise liner. Cunard Cruises QE2 made her maiden voyage in 1969 and following her retirement from service will now become a floating hotel located in Dubai.

Norman Harvey, a 73-year-old former Scott Lithgow worker added every time the ship comes back to Clyde, the crowds are attracted to it.

Christine McLaughlin, 62, a resident of Gourock, said: "A lot of people have fond memories of it. The QE2 means a lot to people."

Celebrity Sostile sets sail for first time

The world’s most eagerly anticipated ship, Celebrity Solstice, departed Meyer Werft shipyard yesterday in Papenburgh, Germany. Celebrity Solstice is the largest ship ever to be built by the shipyard and in a milestone event marked as ‘The Conveyance’, the 2,850 guest ship made its way down the River Eems, with tens of thousands of cheering residents watching its progress.

"This is a very momentous occasion for Celebrity Cruises," said the brand's President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity brand is all about: extraordinary service, spectacular dining, and fabulous style and design. And as the first in a series of five Solstice-class ships, it’s a vivid example of the growth and momentum of the Celebrity brand, and our commitment to meet our guests' and travel agent partners’ demands for more vacation options with Celebrity."

"There also is the intangible attribute which is consistent across the Celebrity fleet, and that's the extraordinary, anticipatory service our phenomenal staff offer our guests every day," said Hanrahan.

Celebrity Solstice will feature a wealth of fabulous amenities, including:

• The first Lawn Club at sea, a lush, half-acre recreation area with real grass

• Hot Glass show, demonstrating live glassblowing sessions

• Larger staterooms, with design inspirations offered by a panel of five women, hand-picked for their unique travel and hospitality insights.

• 10 restaurants, ranging from the dramatic, two-level “Grand Epernay” main dining room with a sweeping wine tower, to four exquisite specialty restaurants, to several stylish, casual venues

• A new category of staterooms, AquaClass, designed to offer a spa vacation experience at sea

Celebrity Solstice will be berthed in Eemshaven, Netherlands, from 29 September to 24 October, with two separate sea trials set to occur in the period. The crew will also be arriving during this time and there will be trainng, provisioning and finishing work taking place. Set to depart from Eemshaven on 24 October on a transatlantic voyage, Celebrity Solstice will arrive in Fort Lauderdale early November.

There will be a number of promotional cruises for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries. The formal naming ceremony will take place on the 14 November and the ship will begin its official maiden season 23 November, with a series of alternating 7 night Caribbean cruises.