Holidays defying credit crunch in 2009

It looks like holidays will be bucking the trend of the credit crunch this year, with a recent study showing that over 75 per cent of holidaymakers will be planning to spend as much on their holiday this year as they did in 2008.

Carnival Cruises have conducted their annual poll which indicates that nearly half of the people they questioned said they would rather cut back on buying designer clothes in order to pay for their holiday.

This all bodes well for cruise lines continuing to sail in the face of the economic turndown by introducing even more news ships throughout 2009. MSC Cruises will be introducing MSC Splendida in June to the line’s second flagship, to be followed by the smaller MSC Magnifica in December.

Meanwhile, Silversea Cruises are set to debut the 36,000 ton Art Deco-styled Silver Spirit, able to carry 540 passengers and boasting the line’s largest staterooms with almost all of them featuring a private balcony.

David Dingle, chief executive of Carnival Cruises line, said the findings of the poll confirm that there are plenty of holidaymakers planning to go on holiday this year, despite the economic downturn.

"Considering a cruise holiday includes accommodation, almost all food, entertainment and flights, it really does provide exceptional value at a time when the credit crunch is hitting our wallets," he commented.

Carnival Sensation undergoes massive revamp

Carnival Cruises’ Carnival Sensation has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation during a 35 day dry dock, as part of Carnival’s ‘Evolutions of Fun’ program. The 2,052 passenger Carnival Sensation now boasts a whole host of fabulous new facilities and features, including a vast water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat and a re-designed tropical themed main swimming pool.

Carnival Sensation has also had ninety-eight balconies added to the existing ocean-view staterooms and a new Circle C facility for 12 to 14 year olds. The new Carnival WaterWorks has a 300 foot long water slide – the longest at sea – along with two 82 foot long racing slides and many other water spray apparatus. Also new is the Serenity Adults-only retreat area, designed as an oasis of comfort and relaxation.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Lose pounds whilst cruising

We have all been there – struggling to lose a few extra pounds before the start of your holiday and the inevitable bathing costume ceremony. Now whilst the concept of a cruise holiday on board a super-liner with a whole host of tantalising restaurants and bars to tempt you and weight loss do not go hand in hand, it has been found that cruise holidays can actually be a great holiday for losing some pounds.

Many dining rooms on board cruise ships often have a healthy eating option. Royal Caribbean Cruises newest addition to the fleet, Independence of the Seas, offers guests the opportunity to take part in ‘An Eat More to Weigh Less’ scheme. The programme on Independence of the Seas includes a tour of the buffet restaurant by an instructor who can provide tops on the healthier food options available.

Most cruise ships also feature comprehensive and up-to-the-minute gym facilities and with jogging tracks and surf pools on Royal Caribbean Cruises, calorie conscious cruisers will be in heaven.

Carnival Cruises also boast a deck jogging track, a golf course and a multi-faceted swimming pool.

The latest innovative addition to Princess Cruises is Wii Fit, where guests can take part in fitness tournaments.

Myleene Klass to be Godmother to Carnival Splendor

Myleene Klass is set to be the celebrity Godmother for Carnival Cruises newest ship Splendor, due to be named at a glamorous ceremony in Dover next month.

The 4,914 guest ship is the first Carnival Cruises ship to have a naming ceremony in the UK. The multi talented musician, singer and TV presenter will christen Carnival Splendor, following which the ship will then sail on a three-day mini preview cruise to Amsterdam, returning to Dover on July 13.

Carnival Cruises Carnival Spendor will depart on July 13 for its official inaugural 12 day cruise to the Baltic, making ports of call at Copenhagen, Warnemunde, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallin and Amsterdam.

Carnival Cruise Lines president and CEO Gerry Cahill said: “Myleene is the perfect Godmother to name Carnival Splendor, with her many talents complementing the many features on the ship, which is already attracting a broad passenger base - from families to couples to groups of friends – all with a common desire to enjoy a fun, casual and memorable vacation.

“The British cruising market is growing fast, with over 1.3 million taking cruises from the UK last year, and this is why we have chosen Britain for our inaugural summer season for Carnival Splendor.

“For UK customers, the Carnival Splendor has just about everything on board except, we appreciate, a ‘u’.”

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!