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View into the covered building dock II (hall 6), with the new cruise liner “Disney Dream” (Disney Cruises Line, USA) under construction.
Views updated weekly.
via Meyerwerft Website.
May 27
Celebrity Mercury Leaves Celebrity Fleet – headed to Germany TUI
MIAMI, May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Mercury will become the second ship in the fleet of TUI Cruises, a cruise brand established in 2008 through a joint venture between Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and TUI AG, tailored for the German market. The new ship, to be named Mein Schiff 2, will become sister ship to Mein Schiff (the former Celebrity Galaxy), which set sail in May 2009. Â
“Celebrity Mercury has been a cherished member of the Celebrity family since she entered service in 1997, and has offered countless guests outstanding vacation experiences,” said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. “We are dedicated to offering the same impeccable service our brand is known for right up until the ship transitions to TUI Cruises, and we are confident that the ship’s future with TUI Cruises is very bright.”
Hanrahan assured that the future for the crew on Celebrity Mercury is equally bright. “With the rapid growth and momentum of the Celebrity brand, and the fourth member of our five-ship Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Silhouette, launching in July 2011, we have abundant opportunities for the fine crew on Celebrity Mercury to transfer to another Celebrity ship.”
Celebrity Mercury joined the Celebrity Cruises fleet in November 1997, and was built by Meyer Werft in Papenburg, Germany — builder of Celebrity’s widely heralded, new Solstice Class fleet. The 77,713-ton ship carries 1,898 guests (double occupancy) and 909 crew.
“The timing for expanding the TUI Cruises fleet could not be better,” said TUI Cruises CEO Richard J. Vogel. “Mein Schiff has firmly established its place in the German market, and now, it is time to broaden and further develop the concept. The cruise industry has shown its resilience in the midst of the economic crisis, and we look forward to growing it further, with our expanded fleet and our unique ‘premium all-inclusive’ concept.”
Celebrity Mercury will complete its scheduled sailings through the February 14, 2011, itinerary. Guests with individual bookings and named group bookings on Celebrity Mercury on or after February 26, 2011 have the option to either cancel their booking or move to any Celebrity Mercury sailing from Baltimore from October 18, 2010, through February 14, 2011, with the exception of the December 20, 2010 itinerary.
Guests who pursue this option will receive an onboard credit of $75 per stateroom for inside or ocean-view accommodations; $100 per stateroom for veranda or Concierge Class, and $200 per suite.
Guests with reservations affected by the transition will be proactively contacted by Celebrity Cruises. Guests with questions specific to impacted bookings are welcome to call 1-888-281-9343.
Celebrity Mercury will enter service with TUI Cruises in May 2011, as Mein Schiff 2, following an extensive refurbishment resulting in additional verandas, an expanded spa and fitness area, inclusion of a teen bar, and a host of design elements and other attributes consistent with those found on Mein Schiff.
Mein Schiff 2 will spend her first cruising season in the Baltic and Nordic regions. Full itinerary details will be published when bookings open June 1, 2010.
Royal Caribbean Cruises, Ltd. has agreed to provide seller’s financing in the event that alternative financing is not fully available at the time of delivery. Additionally, the company will recognize a gain related to the sale of the Celebrity Mercury, but the gain is not expected to have a material effect on the company’s annual earnings.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Club Cruises, CDF Croisieres de France, and TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture. Â The company has a combined total of 39 ships in service and three under construction. Â It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, Latin America and New Zealand. Â Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com, www.celebritycruises.com. www.pullmantur.com, www.azamaraclubcruises.com, www.cdfcroisieresdefrance.com, www.tuicruises.com or www.rclinvestor.com.
May 26
Enchanted Garden – Disney Dream Dining
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Enchanted Garden on the Disney Dream is a large-sized, Main Dining restaurant located on Deck 2, Midship. Inspired by the picturesque gardens of Versailles, Enchanted Garden boasts a market-inspired menu of mouthwatering flavors from around the world for breakfast, lunch and dinner—and a wondrous environment that magically transforms from day to night over the course of the dining experience.
Boasting painted frescoes where rolling hills mingle with lush greenery and a magnificent blue sky overhead, Enchanted Garden invites Guests to dine in a serene splendor that recalls an elegant conservatory amid the foothills in France. Adding to the idyllic atmosphere are custom-glass flower light fixtures that suspend overhead, white trellises, ornamental light posts and—at the center of the restaurant—a delightful 7-foot tall cascading fountain, home to a fanciful stone cherub Mickey Mouse.
Dining Experience
Dining at Enchanted Garden means you can expect something magical to happen. During dinner, the restaurant’s sweeping ceiling changes from a brilliant blue daytime color into the golden red of a setting sun, finally transforming into a captivating nighttime constellation of twinkling stars. Additionally, flower light fixtures “bloom” and become bathed in color, decorative wall sconces fall away to become folding fans, wall paintings project a dusky illumination and the centerpiece fountain is flooded with shimmering light.
via Enchanted Garden | Disney Dream Restaurants & Dining | Disney Cruise Line.
May 26
Norwegian Cruise Line offers sneak peek at next ship, Norwegian Epic – USATODAY.com
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The buzz in the Cruise World in recent months has been all about Norwegian Cruise Line’s soon-to-debut Norwegian Epic — one of the biggest ships ever built. What will it be like? After months of trickling out details, the line is offering a full-blown video sneak peek of the vessel today on YouTube.
As the video makes clear, the 153,000-ton, 4,200-passenger behemoth, scheduled to set sail for the first time with paying passengers in just a few weeks, is as glitzy as it is large (and well on its way to being finished).
Norwegian is promising to take cruise ship entertainment to a new level with Epic, which will feature performances by such well-known icons of Las Vegas as the Blue Man Group and Legends in Concert, and (fraction-of-a-second) glimpses of some of the venues are on the video.
The ship also will be home to an unusual circus-and-dinner show called Cirque Dreams located in what’s billed as the first big top at sea.
Bigger than all but a handful of Royal Caribbean ships, Epic will be more than 60% larger than the largest NCL ship currently at sea and dwarf the biggest vessels operated by such big-ship lines as Carnival, Princess and Celebrity
via Norwegian Cruise Line offers sneak peek at next ship, Norwegian Epic – USATODAY.com.
May 25
Royal Caribbean Adds Europe Itineraries
Royal Caribbean International has added 47 additional Europe cruises for the 2011-12 season aboard Splendour of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas.
Splendour of the Seas will depart from Venice on a series of 10- and 11-night Greek Isles and Turkey tours, while Mariner of the Seas departs on six- to 13-night voyages from Rome on Western Med, Egypt and Holy Land itineraries.
Cruisers can take advantage of cruisetours, which are excursions that combine sailings with other experiences. For example the Italian Lakes and Venice cruistour combines a three-night itinerary exploring Italy’s Stresa as well as an excursion to Lake como for a private boat tour, a walking tour of Piazza San Marco and the Doge’s Palace and an overnight in Venice.
Guests on Mariner of the Seas’ Holy Land cruises can choose the “Grand Overland” land excursion, which hits some of the most sacred sites in Israel. There is also the “Grand Egypt Tour” and the “Best of Ephesus.”
Visit www.royalcaribbean.com.
http://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/royal-caribbean-adds-europe-itineraries-21654
May 20
Royal Caribbean to Open “Historic Falmouth Jamaica†Port in 2011
There was a time, not so long ago, when cruise lines had little or no role to play in the development of ports other than their own private destinations. Things sure are different now, and the change is best exemplified by a huge project Royal Caribbean has spearheaded in the Caribbean as described by Craig Milan, our Senior VP, Land Operations and President of Royal Celebrity Tours:
For the past 3 years, Royal Caribbean has been leading an initiative in collaboration with the Port Authority of Jamaica to create a brand new cruise port of call: “Historic Falmouth Jamaica”. The port is located on the North coast of Jamaica midway between Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. It is currently under construction and is designed to accommodate two large ships simultaneously. It meets the operating requirements of the Oasis of the Seas and will become a marquee destination of the Oasis’ Western itinerary beginning in March 2011. The new port will start to accept cruise ships in January 2011 (January 7 with Navigator of the Seas) and Oasis and Allure will start to make biweekly calls in March 2011. Originally we had planned to open this port at the same time as Oasis arrived into Port Everglades but as is often the case with really big projects, it has taken somewhat longer than we originally anticipated. But we are no less excited by the prospect for the development.
The project was designed by renowned thematic designer Idea Group of Orlando to reflect the historic character of Falmouth Jamaica. Falmouth was founded in 1769 and maintains much of its historical patrimony. It was the original port of Jamaica and the site where many slaves were brought to the New World. For a time it was also the world’s leading export port for sugar and rum. Time passed, shipping activity moved to Port Royale in Kingston and Falmouth harbor gradually silted in. Historic Falmouth Port will begin the revitalization of this town, now located in the booming touristic zone of the North Coast of Jamaica between Ocho Rios and Montego Bay. The buildings and attractions of Historic Falmouth Port are being designed in classic Georgian style. As the phases of the port are implemented the new state-of-the-art port will blend into the old town. It is anticipated that the remaining designated historic buildings in the community will gradually be restored.
Many local workers are involved in the $170 million development, and the community is expected to be dramatically revitalized as cruise ships begin to call in 2011. Guests arriving into Falmouth will be able to choose between the shore excursion options in both Ocho Rios and Montego Bay since the new port is equidistant from both of these Jamaican towns. Additionally there will be an array of options for both tour and non tour guests at Falmouth. Guests arriving into Falmouth will feel like they are in the old world of the Caribbean and find themselves availed of numerous shopping and authentic dining opportunities. Historic Falmouth will blend well into the local town and will seamlessly allow our guests to experience one of the true treasures of Jamaica.
Royal Caribbean and Port Authority of Jamaica anticipate that Historic Falmouth Jamaica will become one of the premier ports of call in the Caribbean, offering a unique historic ambiance together with a broad range of adventurous tour opportunities. I have attached a rendering of Historic Falmouth as well as a recent picture of the development so you can get a feel for what this new exciting destination will look and feel like.
Why Not?
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May 18
New Video of pelican plunge at castaway cay
With summer right around the corner, we wanted to share with Disney Parks Blog fans some fun video of our brand-new Pelican Plunge water feature at Castaway Cay.
Check out the two corkscrew water slides in action, giant bucket dump and water cannons.
May 17
Norwegian Epic Debuts Advance, Online Ticketing For World-Class Entertainment
Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that its largest, most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, will feature a pre-cruise online reservation system for select on-board entertainment. Norwegian Epic is changing the face of cruise line entertainment with unprecedented and world-class on-board entertainment including Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner, The Second City® Comedy Troupe, Legends in Concert, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos Show and Nickelodeon™ at Sea.
To book tickets for many of these stellar performances, Norwegian Epic guests can pre-book reservations prior to their cruise. Booked guests can go to the Norwegian website, www.ncl.com, log in to the “My NCL” section and visit a special entertainment page where they can select and reserve their desired performance. Pre-booking will be available for performances of Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, Legends in Concert, The Second City Comedy Troupe, Nickelodeonâ„¢ Slime Time Live!, Breakfast with Nickelodeonâ„¢ and the Murder Mystery “Presumed Murdered.” Guests may make a reservation for each show once per sailing.
Online bookings open 45 days prior to sailing date. Reservations for entertainment events with no cover charge are valid until 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time. At that time, all unclaimed reservations with be released to guests on a first come first serve basis. Cancellations of reservations for entertainment events which have a cover charge must be made no later than 24 hours prior to the scheduled start time to receive a full refund. If cancellation occurs with less than 24 hours notice, the full price of the ticket will be charged. Once on board, guests may still make reservations for available shows through the ship’s iTV system or by contacting the Box Office.
“Norwegian Epic will redefine cruise ship entertainment with its wide variety of world-class entertainment,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We believe there will be a huge demand for the on-board entertainment and to ensure that guests can see the performances of their choice, we created a special pre-booking mechanism. We feel that this will further the Freestyle Cruising experience, offering guests unsurpassed flexibility and convenience.”
Guests will have many entertainment options and venues to choose from on board Norwegian Epic. Blue Man Group will perform eight shows per sailing; Legends in Concert, six performances; Legends Unplugged, three shows; Nickelodeon SlimeTime Live, three shows; Cirque Dreams & Dinner will be performed 12 shows per cruise; Second City, 14; Howl at the Moon, four shows; and there will be Breakfast with Nickelodeon on three mornings per sailing. Amongst the 13 entertainment venues is the first big top at sea, the Spiegel Tent, which will be home to Cirque Dreams & Dinner, created and directed by Neil Goldberg. A special Murder Mystery, called “Presumed Murdered,” presented by The Second City will also be featured in the Spiegel Tent one time per cruise.
Online reservations for entertainment are currently being accepted for Norwegian Epic’s June 24 transatlantic sailing. The ship begins alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean seven-day sailings from Miami on July 10. To book a cruise on Norwegian Epic, visit www.ncl.com; call 888-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784); or contact a travel professional.
May 14
New Construction Photos of the Disney Dream Bow « Disney Parks Blog
Quite astonishing in size, yet very recognizable is the bow of the Disney Dream cruise ship, pictured here in its unfinished state in the shipyard. Soon this section will be lowered into place in the building dock where construction continues, on track for the January 26, 2011, Maiden Voyage.
Similar to the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder, the intricate scrollwork pattern is reminiscent of the classic ocean liners of the 1930s. Look closer and you’ll recognize our signature Mickey Medallion, front and center, which adds just the right amount of Disney whimsy to the design.
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New Construction Photos of the Disney Dream Bow « Disney Parks Blog
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May 13
Reba McEntire To Christen Norwegian Epic
Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that one of music’s most iconic performers, Reba McEntire, will christen the company’s newest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, the hottest new ship of the year. The christening ceremony will take place in New York on July 2, 2010 on board Norwegian Epic.
Ms. McEntire, who recently hosted the 45th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, has achieved legendary status in the music world having sold over 55 million albums worldwide; earned 34 #1 singles and won 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, nine People’s Choice Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards and two GRAMMY Awards. She is also an avid cruiser and has taken several family cruise vacations, most recently on Norwegian Gem in the Mediterranean.
Norwegian Epic is an innovator in cruise ship entertainment, featuring world-class entertainment on board such as Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams” & Dinner, Legends in Concert, The Second City®, Howl at the Moon and Nickelodeon” at Sea. In keeping with its focus on exceptional entertainment, it is only fitting that an entertainer – particularly one as celebrated as Reba McEntire – christens the ship.
via Welcome to NCL.
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