Sep 21

Celebrity Cruises Raises Another Glass to Its Guests’ Love of Wine — MIAMI, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ —

MIAMI, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ — Premium vacation brand Celebrity Cruises, employer of one of the world’s largest staff of sommeliers, will illuminate its extensive onboard wine program later this year when it launches its second annual “Wine Harvest Celebration.” Guests on Celebrity’s cruises departing November 1 to December 11, 2010 – the time of year just after the seasonal harvesting of grapes used to produce wine – will have the opportunity to enjoy a variety of exclusive wine-related events, including those offered year-round through the cruise line’s “Celebrity Life” onboard programming series.

“We see a Celebrity cruise and a wine celebration as ‘the perfect pairing,'” said Jacques Van Staden, Celebrity’s Vice President of Culinary Operations. “A high percentage of our guests are wine enthusiasts, which is why year-round, we offer up to 480 wines per sailing and a number of wine-focused Celebrity Life activities. Our fleetwide Wine Harvest Celebration is a seasonal event that gives guests yet another way to celebrate their passion as we find even more ways to celebrate wine and its role in modern society.”

Among the highlights of Celebrity’s Wine Harvest Celebration will be an emphasis on French food, wine and spirits, presented in partnership with the French Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries, available to guests onboard Celebrity’s ships from November 1-19, 2010.

Celebrity will reprise its 2009 industry-first unveiling of Beaujolais Nouveau simultaneously across the fleet, on November 18 (November 19 on Celebrity Century). Hosted by a guest speaker and Celebrity’s own Cellar Master, the event will offer guests the opportunity to sip the eagerly-anticipated light wine from oak casks and commemorative bottles, while enjoying live music and dancing, canapes, a gourmet French cheese pairing and a roast carving station.

Guests with a passion for cool music and rich chocolate are likely to be “seduced” by Celebrity’s “Jazz, Port and Chocolate Tasting Seduction,” with a complimentary glass of port wine and a deluxe chocolate buffet and fountain, all set against a backdrop of light jazz music.

Throughout the course of the celebration, a “Celebrity Wine Harvest Exposition” will be open to all guests on embarkation day. Hosted by Celebrity’s certified sommeliers, the event features a complimentary glass of house wine, canapes and hors d’oeuvres, and an overview of the varied wine experiences and packages available for guests, paired with the opportunity to make reservations for limited-capacity events.

Additionally, among the wine-focused experiences offered year-round through Celebrity Life are:

  • “Wine Appreciation 101” presents tastings of six different varietals and wine appreciation tips offered by Celebrity’s certified cellarmasters.
  • “The Art of Food and Wine Pairing” explores how certain flavor components, such as acids in food, can impact the flavor of wines.
  • “Celebrity’s World Wine Tour and Silent Auction” allows guests to taste wines from each of the regions represented in Celebrity’s global wine program, including South Africa, France, Germany/Austria, Italy, Spain, the U.S. and South America. The tastings are paired with canapes, fruits and cheeses, and highlighted by a silent auction of premium wines packaged at special prices.
  • “The Riedel Comparative Wine Crystal Workshop” is a one-hour seminar Celebrity has offered since becoming the first cruise line endorsed by Riedel to offer it in 2007. Participants learn and experience how dramatically the shape of a wine glass can affect the outcome of flavors on the palate, and hear the interesting tale of how the Riedel family has influenced the crystal industry.
  • Complimentary wine tastings.
  • Every sailing will feature presentations by Celebrity’s certified Cellar Master, a guest winemaker, or a guest speaker.

 

Only the Riedel workshop requires pre-registration; guests can sign up once onboard, at the Celebrity Wine Harvest Exposition or at the guest relations desk. Some of Celebrity’s wine-focused activities require guests to pay a participation fee.

Celebrity’s Wine Harvest Celebration will be offered on nine of its ten ships; Celebrity Xpedition, the 92-guest mega-yacht sailing year-round in the Galapagos Islands, will not offer these activities.

Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with modern, sophisticated environments, impeccable service, enriching and inspiring onboard programs, and world-class cuisine. The ultimate in premium cruising, Celebrity sails in Alaska, Bermuda, California, Canada/New England, Europe, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, and year-round in the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity’s mega-series of honors include being named the top mega-ship line in Conde Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards (November 2009). Celebrity’s fleet currently consists of 10 ships. Its $3.7-billion investment in building five stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012 represents the largest newbuild commitment for a single brand in industry history. For more information, call your travel agent, dial               1-800-437-3111         1-800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.

via Celebrity Cruises Raises Another Glass to Its Guests’ Love of Wine — MIAMI, Sept. 21 /PRNewswire/ —.

Sep 21

Allure Sea Trials | chairmans-blog

The Allure has returned from a very successful sea trial. Here is Harri Kulovaara’s report. I couldn’t help but note that he uses uncharacteristically flowery language; he must be happy. 

During a typical brisk autumn morning in Scandinavia with grey skies and rain drops just about to start falling, a remarkably untypical vessel sailed through the waters for the very first time.  Allure of the Seas had already been afloat, but tied to her dock at STX Europe in Turku, for 10 months until she departed the shipyard early Monday morning to perform systems training at sea. 

As she was transitioning through the archipelago, during the first day of the sea trials, in order to reach the open seas of the Baltic she was attracting a lot of attention both from shore and from a number of European Navy vessels conducting military exercises in the area. One of the most curious vessels, a submarine, even extended its best wishes communicated by the lady captain over the radio. When Allure reached the “box,” an area designated for the majority of the tests and her “playground” for the coming few days, the wind started picking up creating swells of about 12 feet. Fortunately this remarkably vessel handles the seas extremely well. 

For the 500 people that have sailed onboard Allure life has been somewhat more spartan than usual. Treats like a hot shower, hot meals and a newly replenished coffee and cookies tray have been much appreciated. Nothing can be taken for granted under these circumstances. If you are lucky you also get a night of peaceful sleep uninterrupted by fire alarms, the public address system or vibration tests. 

This week the team has been testing everything from propulsion and maneuverability to the Rising Tides bar and Aqua Theater show equipment. As the vessel was positioned in the lee of the island of Gotland performing testing of more sensitive systems requiring calm conditions we had an unexpected visitor from the sky. A Search and Rescue helicopter conducted a series of successful landing drills on our helipad. Apart from the bustling environment on the bridge and the engine control room, where tests were coordinated and performance monitored around the clock, the vessel was empty, almost ghostlike. Our beloved guests were missing. However, having experienced Oasis in service it is not difficult to imagine thousands of guests filling up the empty public spaces, enjoying themselves on the Boardwalk or strolling down Central park. Standing in the Viking crown overlooking the Pool area and Central Park down below after having first looked down and aft at the Boardwalk from the Windjammer, you can truly appreciate the magnificent size of this construction. 

Today as you are getting ready to enjoy your weekend Allure is resting at the shipyard again, brought back by our team after a week of successful trials at sea. I am sure that with this taste of freedom, the two remaining months before she is sailing in open waters again will seem to simply fly by. Both Allure and her amazing crew will be exited to welcome you onboard for an astonishing experience very soon. 

Allure is saluted by a navy ship.

The submarine heads down.

Allure returns from her sea tials. Photo credit: Jani Teikari.

A helicopter lands on Allure of the Seas

via Allure Sea Trials | chairmans-blog.

Sep 14

Princess Cruises Reveals 2011-12 Panama Canal Season

Line’s Unique Two-Day Canal Experience Offers Extra Time in Panama

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (September 2, 2010) — Since its debut nearly a century ago, the Panama Canal has been considered one of the world’s most important engineering marvels. This 51-mile passageway between oceans can save a ship more than 7,000 transit miles around South America, and never ceases to amaze cruise passengers. Princess Cruises’ ships have long offered a front-row view of the Panama Canal, and in 2011-12 the line will offer 38 cruises to this signature destination, with five different itinerary options.

The Panama Canal’s history adds to its status as a “must see” destination. The single most expensive construction project in United States history at the time, “big ditch” took more than 30 years to build at a cost of about $375 million. The Canal’s lengthy history included construction efforts by two different nations and the creation of an independent Panama. In total, Canal construction involved as many as 80,000 workers and the excavation of around 268,000,000 cubic yards of earth.

Today the Canal offers passage to approximately 14,000 ships a year. Princess passengers sailing the Canal will enjoy the amenities of two vessels specifically built for Panama Canal cruising — Coral Princess and Island Princess. The sides of these ships just clear the massive locks that use an average of 52 million gallons of water in each chamber as they eventually lift and lower vessels a total of 170 feet as they pass from the Caribbean to the Pacific during the nine-hour transit.

“Our ships have been transiting the Panama Canal for more than 40 years and, in fact, we even christened Coral Princess as it moved through the Canal,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “There really is no better way to watch the fascinating process as the ship transits each lock than from the decks of our ships — it’s an exceptional way to experience this wonder of engineering.”

Princess’ unique Two-day Canal Experience, available on many longer sailings, combines a full transit of the Canal, including the Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun Locks, with a second day in Panama at Fuerte Amador. This extra day gives travelers time to explore Panama further with excursions such as riding the Panama Canal Railway, exploring a rainforest, visiting an authentic Embera Indian village or touring bustling Panama City.

Beyond the Panama Canal, these itineraries offer calls in Caribbean Islands, Mexican Riviera resort towns, and a number of intriguing ports in Central America. In Costa Rica, passengers will discover a land of tropical rain forests, lush coffee plantations and white sand coastlines set against a backdrop of majestic mountains. In San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, this scenic fishing village offers beautiful white-sand beaches and ecological richness, while the nearby city of Granada is the oldest city in Central America.

Panama Canal itineraries include:

Panama Canal Two-Day Experience Cruises — Coral Princess and Island Princess will feature three itineraries offering Princess’ Two-Day Canal Experience — a full Panama Canal transit combined with a full day at Fuerte Amador on the Pacific side of Panama. The 14-day itinerary sails between Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles with calls at Aruba, Cartagena, and Puntarenas (Costa Rica) in addition to the Two-Day Canal Experience. A 15-day option offers an additional call in Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala). And another 15-day option sails from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale with calls at Cabo San Lucas, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena, and Aruba. Sailings on these itineraries depart between September 25, 2011 and April 27, 2012. Coral Princess and Island Princess also offer longer Grand Adventures of 17, 18 and 19 days, sailing to and from Vancouver.

Full Panama Canal Transit Sailings — A new 14-day itinerary between Los Angeles and Ft Lauderdale, offering a full Panama Canal transit plus visits to Cabo San Lucas, San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena and Aruba. Coral Princess offers four sailings on this route, with departures on October 25, November 8, 2011, February 28, and March 13, 2012.

Roundtrip Panama Canal Cruises — Island Princess will sail on this classic 10-day roundtrip itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale, which offers a partial Panama Canal transit to Gatun Lake followed by a call in Colon, plus calls in the Caribbean ports of Aruba, Cartagena, Limon (Costa Rica), and Grand Cayman or Ocho Rios. The ship offers 20 departures between October 10, 2011 and April 17, 2012.

via News Article : Princess Cruises®.

Sep 14

The Latest Update on Our Newest Ship Allure of the Seas

 

allure-of-the-seas

We recently spent a day at the STX Turku shipyard with a global mix of media.  The point was to show off Allure of the Seas and wow was she looking good for 8+ weeks in advance of delivery.  After many years in the business, including numerous trips to the shipyard in advance of a ship delivery, one develops a certain sense of what one will see.  Occasionally, this produces cognitive dissonance when one’s expectation doesn’t match up with the reality. I distinctly remember this confused feeling when I visited Voyager of the Seas in 1999 and her dimensions were so much bigger than what I had seen before.  On our Vision and Sovereign Class ships, you could stand pretty close to the hull and still see the steel curving away at the bow and the stern.  But standing next to Voyager at midship you could only see straight steel to either side.

Allure of the Seas main dinning room

This time the feeling was about the readiness of Allure.  With every ship we have ever built, no matter what number ship in a particular class, the chaos of the final outfitting always produces the visceral reaction that there is no way the ship will ever be done on time for the delivery date.  This is true even a few days in advance.  Not so this time.  Allure is so ready that even now it is obvious she will be completely ready for delivery on October 28th.

Congratulations to the shipyard, our newbuild team, and the operation for the current state of Allure.

Allure of the Seas view to royal promenade

We revealed our plans to have the Solarium Bistro restaurant area turn into the Samba Grill churrascaria for dinner on Allure.  I will leave it to Lisa Bauer to give the details.  We’ve gotten accustomed to announcing new features on new ships practically up to delivery.  We’re not necessarily done.

Running Note – Ran my first 5k of the new season up and down the hills of Vista View Park in Broward (yes it is a former landfill).  I’m not happy with my 19:31time even though I finished 13th overall and easily won my age group.  48 year olds should not be passing me in the last mile.  Discussed the upcoming year with my coach and will point towards 1500 meters on the track.  Lots of hard work ahead if I want to challenge the best runners my age.

via Why Not?.

Sep 08

Disney Dream Photo Update: The Curtain is Almost Up at the Walt Disney Theatre

 

Walt Disney Theater

 

Hey Disney Parks Bloggers! We want to continue bringing you updates on the progress Disney Dream as we get ready for the launch of the ship in January of 2011.

Today we want to show you the progress of the Walt Disney Theatre, which will host some of the most elaborate productions presented at sea. The 40-foot-wide stage will include full-flying capabilities for moveable backdrops and scenery, a projection system for animated scrims and stage lifts, and the capacity for pyrotechnics.

via Disney Dream Photo Update: The Curtain is Almost Up at the Walt Disney Theatre « Disney Parks Blog.

Sep 08

YouTube Launches New Travel Channel Powered by Norwegian Cruise Line

 

Robust channel provides travel ideas and inspiration from experts along with ability to create personalized Freestyle Cruising videos

 

Miami   –    Sep 8, 2010   —    Norwegian Cruise Line today announced it is working with YouTube to power the first-ever YouTube Vacationer, a travel-specific channel within the world’s largest online video site providing vacation inspiration with ideas and advice from well-traveled experts, such as Lonely Planet, National Geographic and Travel Channel. The YouTube Vacationer, www.youtube.com/vacationer, is also interactive, offering visitors a first of its kind opportunity to create their own “Vacation You” video experience and share it with others.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s signature Freestyle Cruising approach is at the heart of this site, providing users the freedom, flexibility and choice to interact with more than two million combinations of video content enabling them to create and share their own unique Freestyle vacation experience.

When interacting within Norwegian’s “Vacation You” section of the YouTube Vacationer channel, visitors will select from a series of short video clips that tap into their vacation mindset to produce a customized 60-90 second montage of their ideal Freestyle Cruising vacations. Visitors can then share their personalized “Vacation You” video with friends and family through Facebook, Twitter or email.

“By working with YouTube on their first-ever travel-specific channel, we are giving visitors the opportunity to experience our brand and all the options that Freestyle Cruising offers,” said Maria Miller, Norwegian Cruise Line’s senior vice president of marketing. “From a marketing perspective, this opportunity is compelling because it provides a truly organic user experience and represents another great way for brands to work with YouTube.”

“We are pleased to be working with Norwegian Cruise Line, the innovators in cruise travel, on our first branded travel channel,” said Mark Day, Sales Development at YouTube. “The YouTube Vacationer channel brings the best of our partners’ travel videos into a single destination to help users explore, plan and dream about their next vacations, and it gives users a way to see themselves in a customized vacation video with Norwegian’s Vacation You’ application.”

To experience the YouTube Vacationer channel, visit www.youtube.com/vacationer.

 

via Welcome to NCL.

Sep 08

Allure of the Seas Debuts New Restaurants and Tantalizing Menus

Brazilian Steakhouse Completes the 24 Dining Venues That Cater to Any Craving MIAMI, Sept 08, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ —

Showcasing onboard experiences all her own, Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas, the world’s next largest and most innovative cruise ship debuting in December 2010, will introduce new culinary concepts and tempting twists to signature Oasis-class restaurants. A Brazilian steakhouse will be a destination restaurant that comes to life for dinner service in the Solarium, featuring authentic Brazilian-style meats and seafood dishes, from Picanha cut sirloin steak to Atlantic salmon marinated with sea salt and garlic, served table-side and sliced straight off the skewer. In Central Park, recently anointed Chef de Cuisine Molly Brandt will present guests with a one-of-a-kind menu and distinct dining experience at Allure of the Seas’150 Central Park, a signature fine dining experience.

“As churrascaria concept restaurants gain popularity on land, Royal Caribbean is taking advantage of having a new ship to introduce a Brazilian steakhouse and bring a new dynamic and colorful nightlife ambiance for adults in the Solarium,” says Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Guests onboard Allure of the Seas will have a new arrangement of dining experiences throughout the ship, from the Adagio Main Dining Room to new venues on the Boardwalk and Royal Promenade.”

Combining the best of classic Mexican beach bars and Southern California’s famed taquerias, Rita’s Cantina will be a vibrant new restaurant in the Boardwalk neighborhood. Adults and kids alike will enjoy some of their favorite Mexican fare, such as shrimp ceviche tostadas, warm tortilla chips with salsa and fiesta guacamole, as well as entrees, such as fajitas, fish tacos and Chipotle-style flautas. The more casual setting will be a favorite lunch, snack or dinner spot for guests seeking a flavorful fiesta onboard Allure of the Seas. Rita’s Cantina also will boast some of the best and widest selection of margaritas at sea, offering both authentic and signature concoctions mixed with a choice from the extensive list of quality tequilas, served on the rocks or frozen in a variety of fruit-flavor combinations. In addition, the restaurant will introduce new nightlife to Boardwalk with live guitar music, drinks and dancing. Rita Cantina’s design will include large open breezeways and an outdoor seating area complete with high top tables and stools, and will be located in place of Seafood Shack onboard sister-ship Oasis of the Seas.

Also new to Boardwalk’s dynamic and engaging scene will be The Boardwalk Dog House, an outdoor hot-dog specialty counter located where The Donut Shop is on Oasis of the Seas. Guests can choose from traditional hot dogs, wieners, brats, sausages and other delicious linked meats and a variety of toppings to split a long bun. The Donut Shop will remain on Boardwalk in a new location next to the Ice Cream Parlor.

The following includes a variety of other palate-pleasing options available throughout the neighborhoods on Allure:

THE BOARDWALK

  • Rita’s Cantina: A casual yet vibrant indoor/outdoor restaurant exclusively on Allure’s Boardwalk, caters to families by day, and adults by night; traditional Mexican fare, comprehensive selection of margaritas and live guitar music and dancing for evening entertainment
  • Boardwalk Bar: The main bar on the Boardwalk; offering fruit, salads and sandwiches
  • Boardwalk Donut Shop: A classic haunt for casual snacks and delicious treats
  • Ice Cream Parlor: A variety of ice cream flavors and toppings take center stage against a backdrop of 1950s kitsch
  • Johnny Rockets: ’50’s-style diner with server-entertainers

CENTRAL PARK

  • 150 Central Park: A trendy, upscale and intimate restaurant with a tasting menu and customized wine pairings created by Molly Brandt, winner of the Allure of the Seas Culinary Challenge co-hosted with The Culinary Institute of America, as well as Food and Wine’s 2006 best student chef
  • Giovanni‘s Table: An Italian trattoria with both indoor and alfresco seating featuring Italian classics served family-style
  • Park Cafe: An indoor/outdoor gourmet market featuring salads, sandwiches, soups, pastries and to-die-for fudge
  • Vintages: A wine bar with pre-dinner tapas and cheeses along with a robust selection of fine wines
  • Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse with views of Central Park, and premium cuts or quality meats

POOL AND SPORTS ZONE

  • Exclusive to Allure of the Seas, the new churascarria, styled after popular Brazilian steakhouses, is an interactive experience where guests choose from a variety of meats, chicken and seafood brought table-side by servers, ready to slice and serve upon request
  • Solarium Bistro: A health-conscious dining option for breakfast and lunch
  • The Wipe Out Cafe: A casual self-service buffet with pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and fresh salads
  • Izumi Asian Cuisine: Featuring mouthwatering flavors and a sushi bar with hot-rock cooking

ROYAL PROMENADE

  • Sorrento‘s Pizzeria: Featuring New York style pizza, with both made-to-order pies and by the slice
  • Cafe Promenade: Offering Seattle’s Best coffee, fruit shakes, pastries and sandwiches all day
  • The Cupcake Cupboard: Featuring fresh-baked gourmet cupcakes as well as parties and design classes

VITALITY AT SEA SPA AND FITNESS CENTER

  • The Vitality Cafe: Offering healthy snacks, sandwiches, wraps, fruit and smoothies

THE CLASSICS, Royal Caribbean hasn’t forgotten the classics of its fleet:

  • Adagio Dining Room: The ship’s main restaurant features a three-tier venue with a 1920s Art Deco style; flexible My Time Dining and traditional assigned seatings, as well as the highly anticipated DreamWorks Character Breakfast
  • Windjammer Marketplace: A casual buffet fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner
  • In-Stateroom Service: Order from the complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, or choose an original Johnny Rockets hamburger or Ghirardelli chocolate cookies from the new Dine In Delights menu

Allure of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas will tout Royal Caribbean’s exclusive neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will alternate a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.AllureoftheSeas.com.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. : Investor Relations : RSS Content.

Sep 06

Disney Cruise Line « Disney Parks Blog

 

 

 

 

Disney Cruise Line « Disney Parks Blog

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Sep 06

A Familiar Face Taking Shape Aboard the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog

 

 

The countdown clock keeps ticking; we are just 145 days away from the maiden voyage of the Disney Dream.

Here is a quick photo update showing a very iconic element of the Disney cruise ships, it’s the Mickey Pool. Continuing a favorite feature of the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder, the Disney Dream will also have a Mickey Pool for children. The shape of the Mickey Pool resembles the beloved Disney character and an oversized version of Mickey’s hand will support a yellow winding slide that will splash down near the pool.

via A Familiar Face Taking Shape Aboard the Disney Dream « Disney Parks Blog.

Sep 03

A sneak peek at Allure of the Seas – Photos – USATODAY.com

 

 

 

 

A sneak peek at Allure of the Seas – Photos – USATODAY.com

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