Princess Cruises to broadcast inauguration of new president

Guests sailing with Princess Cruises will get the chance to watch live coverage of the inauguration of Barack Obama.

The swearing-in of the latest US president-elect will take place on the 20 January and is likely to be one of the most popular televisions events in recent history. CNN will be broadcasting the ceremony throughout the day.

Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises' executive vice president, said the cruise line had recognised the intense interest surrounding the event.

"We regularly broadcast 'don't miss' television events for passengers and this significant ceremony certainly fits with our dedication to providing these memorable viewing opportunities," she commented.

Princess Cruises will also be broadcasting a number of other upcoming events for guests to enjoy, such as the Super Bowl and the Academy Awards.

Queen Mary 2 Birthday Celebrations

In celebration of the ships fifth birthday, Cunard Cruises Queen Mary 2 will embark on a voyage around the UK this autumn. Queen Mary 2 entered service in 2004 and was named by HRH Queen Elizabeth in one of the most lavish naming ceremonies ever seen. Since then Queen Mary 2 has crossed the Atlantic 104 times and sailed more than 750,000 nautical miles.

Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Cruises Line, said the ship had reached an important milestone and that the Cunard Cruises Line was "very proud" of her many achievements.

"In her young life, Queen Mary 2 has attracted thousands of well-wishers in many ports around the world, achieving iconic status," she added.

As part of the ship’s birthday celebrations it will embark on a ‘lap of honour’ around the UK later this year, departing from Southampton on the 15 October 2008. Queen Mary 2 will call in at Rosyth, Greenock, Liverpool, Cork and Cherbourg in France before returning to Southampton. Guests will have the chance to explore Edinburgh and Glasgow on organised shore excursions, as well as the old town of Cherbourg with its ‘Plage Vert’, the town’s grassy beach.

Following the retirement of Cunard Cruises Line Queen Elizabeth 2 ship earlier this year, the line is now preparing to launch a new Queen Elizabeth ship in the autumn of 2010.

Silversea Cruises record number of voyages in 2010

Silversea Cruises, the ultra-luxury cruise line, has released its worldwide schedule for 2010 and there are to be a record number of voyages visiting more than 355 ports in 95 countries and island destinations. In total there will be over 175 itineraries to choose from sailing on Silversea Cruises all-suite ships Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and the new Silver Spirit.

"Our fleet expansion presents many opportunities for innovative deployment," said David Morris, Silversea Cruises' executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. "With the addition of a fifth all-suite ship in 2010, our schedule will offer an exceptionally broad range of travel choices, including Silver Spirit's exciting 91-day Grand Inaugural Voyage, and the first-ever, year-round deployment of Silver Cloud in the Mediterranean."

Reservations open on the 12 January, at which point the complete day-by-day itineraries for all ships will be announced. Silversea Cruises will be presenting a diverse collection of sailings from Australia's vast Outback and China's Great Wall to the fairy tale castles of Edinburgh and the gilded palaces of St. Petersburg. Among the highlights are Silver Shadow's return visits to scenic Alaska plus nine new Silversea destinations: Le Verdon, France; Rimini, Italy; Ile Rousse, Corsica; Cardiff, Wales; Sendai, Japan; Chan May, Vietnam; Lakshadweep, India; Buzios, Brazil; and Seydisfjordur, Iceland.

On January 21, the newest addition to Silversea Cruises fleet, the beautiful Silver Spirit, will embark from Fort Lauderdale on a fascinating Grand Inaugural Voyage that concludes in New York City. On this magnificent 91-day "Spirit of South America" odyssey, guests will visit more than 45 ports in over 20 different countries and island destinations across two continents. Highlights include a visit to Rio de Janeiro in time for the carnival, a journey around the end of the earth at Cape Horn, an in-depth exploration of the Mexican Riviera, and a crossing of the Panama Canal.

Microsoft Digital Workshops rolls across Holland America fleet

Holland America Line has announced schedule details of their popular Microsoft Digital Workshops. The program began last April and soon became very popular with guests. It has now been put into place on five of Holland America Line’s ships, ms Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Eurodam and ms Noordam with a further seven ships to be completed by 27 May 2009.

“The Microsoft Digital Workshops have become among the most popular activities for all ages on our ships,” says Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “The relationship with Microsoft has been fantastic and we are looking forward to having this well-received program across most of the fleet.”
“We are thrilled that passengers of Holland America Line are finding value in the Microsoft Digital Workshops,” said Chip Wood, group manager, Consumer Segment Marketing, Microsoft Corp. “Providing guests with a comfortable environment where they can learn how to create, edit and share digital memories is a fun and unique way for Windows to enhance the cruise experience.”
The onboard workshops are offered complimentary and are led by Microsoft-trained ‘techsperts’ who demonstrate state of the art technology, enabling all levels of camera and computer users to take better photos, make movies, edit and share scrapbooks and share digital memories. Guests have the chance to learn how to share their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking so that friends and family back home are view their cruise experience even before they get home.
Guests on board Holland America Cruise Line ships can decide to attend all or just some of the multiple workshops which are held daily. The program has its own dedicated area on each ship. Microsoft Digital Workshops will begin with the cruise dates and ships listed below:
ms Zaandam, Jan 21, 2009 in Hawaii
ms Maasdam, Jan 30, 2009 in Caribbean
ms Zuiderdam, Feb 17, 2009 in Caribbean
ms Ryndam, Mar 5, 2009 in Mexico
ms Veendam, April 27, 2009 in Panama Canal
ms Statendam, May 10, 2009 in Alaska
ms Volendam, May 27, 2009 in Alaska

Silversea Cruises announce inaugural sailing details for Silver Spirit

Silversea Cruises have released details of the inaugural season planned for their newest ship, Silver Spirit. The ultra luxury ship will debut in lavish style with a Grand Inaugural Voyage on 21 January 2010. This extraordinary 91-day journey is being dubbed “The Spirit of South America” and will see Silver Spirit sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles with a twist back to New York.

The fascinating itinerary will feature a visit to Rio de Janeiro in time for the carnival, a journey around the end of the earth at Cape Horn, a crossing of the Panama Canal and an unforgettable Statue of Liberty event in New York Harbor. Silversea will begin accepting reservations on January 12.

"As the New Year begins and the construction of our new ship moves forward steadily, I am delighted to reveal some of the highlights of her much anticipated inaugural season," declared Silversea Cruises President and CEO Amerigo Perasso. "Silver Spirit, when launched in a year from now, almost to the day, added Mr. Perasso, "will embody the hallmarks of Silversea's understated elegance and distinct luxury with yet more superlatives in terms of her spacious suites, expansive wellness facilities and epicurean venues."

The “Spirit of South America” sailing will visit more than 45 ports in over 20 different countries and island destinations across two continents. Guests sailing on this inaugural cruise will also be invited to attend the naming ceremony, a gala dinner event on the eve of departure with accommodation aboard ship, exclusive shore-side events in select ports of call, such as a VIP evening at the Rio Carnival, not to mention special commemorative gifts and a $2,000 spending credit per suite to enjoy the voyage to the full.

The Silver Spirit is set to be the grandest ship in the Silversea Cruises fleet and will indulge 540 guests with the largest suites of all their ships. 95% will feature a private balcony and the ship will have one of the highest space-to-guest rations at sea today. The onboard décor will lend a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambience to the public spaces, highlights of which include an indoor/outdoor spa measuring no less than 8,300 square feet (770 square meters), three whirlpools (two adjacent to outdoor pool, one in spa area), enriching performances in The Show Lounge and a choice of six dining venues including Seishin, a Japanese restaurant, and the innovative Stars Supper Club, featuring live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment.

More sailings announced for Oasis of the Seas inaugural season

Royal Caribbean Cruises have announced that they plan to extend Oasis of the Seas inaugural season. The hugely anticipated new ship is set to launch next year and will be the world’s largest cruise ship and able to carry 5,400 guests. The additional two sailings will include a 7 night eastern Caribbean itinerary departing on the 5 December.

Oasis of the Seas inaugural season will also feature a special four night voyage to celebrate the launch of Royal Caribbean Cruises new ‘beach paradise’ in Haiti. Oasis of the Seas will make a maiden port of call at Labadee on December 3 2009, heralding the opening of new facilities and debut of a spectacular array of activities and excursion options at the private beach destination.

Oasis of the Seas will dock at Labadee’s new pier (currently under construction), which leads guests through a grand entry to the welcome plaza. Water taxis and five different walking paths, trails and avenues will take guests from the welcome plaza to many areas throughout the peninsula, including the new Dragon’s Plaza, Labadee Town Square, and Columbus Family Beach, all currently under development. Sea-based excursions, including a new exhilarating fast boat tour, also will depart from the welcome plaza.

Spanning 16 decks, Oasis of the Seas boasts more than 2,700 staterooms and brand new innovations such as the Loft Suites. The ship will be divided into several distinct areas, offering guests the widest choice of on board experiences possible.

New images of Carnival Dream

Carnival Cruises has released new pictures of the brand new ship Carnival Dream, set to launch next year. When Carnival Dream makes its debut in September 2009 it will become the largest ‘Fun Ship’ ever constructed for the cruise line.

Now open for reservations, Carnival Cruises has described the ship as their most visionary ship yet. Carnival Dream will feature an exclusive WaterWorks aqua park complete with the longest water slides at sea, along with a nine-deck atrium and an amazing indoor/outdoor entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza.

Carnival Dream is set to debut in September 2009 with an inaugural 12 day Grand Mediterranean cruise from Civitavecchia in Rome. Following a further two more 12 day Grand Mediterranean cruises she will then set sail for a 16 day trans-Atlantic crossing ready for two 8 day Port Canaveral (Orlando) and Bahamas cruises from New York.

Not only have Carnival Cruises unveiled new images of the much anticipated ship but they have also launched a blog by senior cruise director John Heald. Having recently toured Carnival Dream, Mr Heald’s blog features a number of behind-the-scenes insights and stories about the ship.

"The Carnival Dream is going to be biblically, stratospherically, crushingly brilliant. It is a ship that will set the tone for others to try and follow and is without doubt a ship that will be talked about for a long time to come," he commented.