May 13

Allure of the Seas Set to Entice Vacationers – 3-D Movie Screens, Trendy Retail Stores and New Dining Offerings

MIAMI, May 13, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –When she debuts this December 2010, Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas will bring a refreshing new array of features and amenities to the high seas as the world’s next largest and most innovative cruise ship. Following the announcement of Chicago: The Musical as the ship’s signature Broadway production, Royal Caribbean is sharing the next of several new onboard amenities that will surprise and delight Allure of the Seas’ guests.

“Allure of the Seas will offer guests a new set of onboard amenities and entertainment and dining options that will help make a most memorable vacation,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Though Allure of the Seas and Oasis of the Seas are sister ships, each ship’s distinctive onboard experience will offer guests a wide selection of choices that appeals to every age and lifestyle. Throughout, guests will also enjoy the Royal treatment, delivered by every member of our world-renowned friendly and engaging staff and crew.”

Among the features being introduced aboard Allure of the Seas will include a 3-D Movie Screen. The phenomenon of 3-D movies adds a new dimension to Entertainment Place, thanks to specially equipped 3-D screens in the ship’s Amber Theater. Following suit, Royal Caribbean’s popular Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, as well as sister-ship Oasis of the Seas, also will be equipped with 3-D technology as soon as January 2011.

Combining the best of classic Mexican beach bars and Southern California’s famed taquerias, Rita’s Cantina will be avibrant 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 entrées, 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 aboard 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, Rita Cantina will introduce new nightlife to Boardwalk with live guitar music, drinks and dancing. Rita’s Cantina’s design will include large open breeze ways and an outdoor seating area complete with high top tables and stools, and will be located in place of Seafood Shackaboard 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 Shoppe.

One of the world’s most recognizable fashion apparel companies, GUESS, also will debut its first flagship store at sea this December in Allure of the Seas’ Royal Promenade neighborhood. Guests will enjoy the latest stylish handbags, wallets, watches, shoes, jewelry, eyewear and perfumes in one of the largest GUESS accessory stores. The GUESS Accessory boutique will be located in place of Focus Photo Shop on deck six.

Guests also will enjoy new complimentary onboard conveniences, such as guest services kiosks in the Royal Promenade where guests can instantly view, print or e-mail their SeaPass folio or their personal calendar, or check-in and print airline boarding passes. Each stateroom aboard Allure of the Seas also will be equipped with an Apple Ipod dock for guests to set their own personal ambience.

Allure of the Seas will share 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.

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

May 11

Newly “Solsticized” Celebrity Constellation sets sail with style

Miami – (May 10, 2010 ) – Celebrity Cruises coined the word “Solsticized” in January, and yesterday, the meaning behind it became reality for guests embarking on Celebrity Constellation in Amsterdam.

Following an ambitious 15-day drydock and revitalization period, Celebrity Constellation now boasts some of the most popular venues found on the line’s widely-heralded Solstice Class ships, including the tantalizing Tuscan Grille steakhouse; the vibrant creperie, Bistro on Five; a “cool” new ice-topped Martini Bar; the inviting Café al Bacio and Gelateria; Cellarmasters wine bar, complete with the state-of-the-art wine serving systems known as “Enomatics,” allowing guests to select and serve wines by the glass, at the touch of a button; more sumptuous suites, with all new furniture, flat-screen TVs, upholstery, bedding and carpeting; restyled staterooms, with entirely new carpeting, flat-screen TVs, upholstery and bedding; and new color schemes, carpeting and upholstery reflective of the Solstice Class’s stylish, modern design in every public venue.


via Press Room Details.

May 10

Disney Dream Shipyard Picture

May 10

Norwegian Cruise Line hopes stand out with Epic ship

BY MARTHA BRANNIGAN

mbrannigan@MiamiHerald.com

When the new Norwegian Epic hosts Macy’s Fourth of July Fireworks in New York this summer, NBC-TV will broadcast the show live on prime-time national television.

It’s a fitting U.S. debut for the 4,100-passenger Epic, which will be Norwegian Cruise Line’s biggest and most expensive ship ever. NCL Corp., the cruise industry underdog, is betting big on glitzy entertainment to stand out from its far larger competitors, Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.

“It’s a perfect way to introduce the Norwegian Epic — with its big focus on entertainment, says Kevin Sheehan, who in November 2008 became chief executive officer of Miami-based NCL Corp., the parent of Norwegian Cruise Line.

The $1.2-billion Epic’s high-profile acts, which include the Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams and Legends in Concert, will replace the standard fare — two shows a night in a main theater.

That’s in keeping with Norwegian’s “freestyle concept of cruising, which boasts of letting passengers do what they want when they want.

The balcony-laden Epic has an ice bar and radically different curve-shaped cabins. A private “ship within a ship spans the top two decks with 60 suites and villas dedicated to elite guests.

The ship has 19 restaurants and an embarrassment of night spots, including Spice H2O, where a daytime pool floor will rise in the evening and morph into an adults-only dance floor with a beach-club theme.

“The Epic coming out in July will be the cruise event of the year says David Brams, president of World Wide Cruises, a travel agency in Fort Lauderdale.

Click link below for full article

via Norwegian Cruise Line hopes stand out with ‘Epic’ ship – Business Monday – MiamiHerald.com.

May 10

Cruise lines making waves at South Florida’s ports

The past year has been one of monumental change for the South Florida cruise industry.

With the arrival of Royal Caribbean International’s 5,400 passenger Oasis of the Seas — the world’s largest cruise ship — at Port Everglades last fall and sailings beginning this December of its equally large sister ship, Allure of the Seas, Port Everglades is poised to overtake the Port of Miami as the world’s largest cruise port in two years.

But Royal Caribbean isn’t the only line with fancy new ships on the horizon.

Cruise lines in North America will be debuting 12 new ships this year. And the Port of Miami also will be capturing a prize: Norwegian Cruise Line’s innovative 4,200-passenger Epic, which will arrive in July.

As Martha Brannigan writes in today’s cover story, Epic Turnaround (page 14), this ship also has a ground-breaking design.

It will include a ship within a ship with the top two decks reserved for premium-paying customers who will enjoy fancy suites and villas — and exclusive access to amenities such as their own pool, sauna, fitness center, lounge, restaurant and steam room.

Open to all passengers are innovations such as an ice bar where the temperature is kept at 17 F or lower and patrons are given faux fur coats and gloves to keep from getting as frosty as their drinks.

via Cruise lines making waves at South Florida’s ports – Business Monday – MiamiHerald.com.

May 07

Celebrity Cruises Celebrates Strong Caribbean Presence by Designing New Sweepstakes Highlighting Solstice-Class Ships

MIAMI, May 7 /PRNewswire/ — The color blue has long symbolized serenity, sky, ocean and tranquility, and this winter, Celebrity Cruises is offering cruisers a wide variety of ways to escape the demands of everyday life and immerse themselves in blue – the deep blue waters of the Caribbean Sea, that is. With eight ships representing over 80 percent of its fleetwide capacity – including its three newest ships – sailing the Caribbean this winter, Celebrity has created the “Cruise the Caribbean Sweepstakes” to give guests yet another potential opportunity to experience the ever-popular destination on its award-winning Solstice-class ships.

“Year after year, the Caribbean continues to be one of the most desirable destinations for discerning cruisers,” said Lisa Z. Kauffman, Vice President, Marketing.  “Guests and travel agents have long applauded our suite butler service, the amenities of our ConciergeClass veranda staterooms, and now the AquaClass accommodations offered on our Solstice-class ships. Our ‘Designed for you’ brand platform is really exemplified in the Caribbean, with a wide variety of itineraries where guests can enjoy world-class dining, extraordinary service and stunning onboard spaces on all of our ship classes. Our Cruise the Caribbean Sweepstakes not only showcases our Caribbean product, but it also will provide some lucky cruisers with the opportunity to experience our award-winning Solstice Class.”

Celebrity’s Cruise the Caribbean Sweepstakes will highlight the brand’s award-winning Solstice-class ships’ presence in one of the world’s most popular cruise destinations.

When the first Solstice-class ship, Celebrity Solstice, set sail in 2008, she introduced a new level of style and design previously unseen in the cruise industry. From more spacious staterooms and five specialty dining venues to the first “Lawn Club” and “Hot Glass Show” at sea, Celebrity Solstice was designed with discerning cruisers’ interests in mind, as was sister ship Celebrity Equinox, which launched in 2009 and will offer 10- and 11-night Caribbean sailings this winter.

Celebrity Eclipse offers the same compelling features as Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox, and is the industry’s first ship to offer the “Celebrity iLounge,” complete with a retail area offering the latest products through Celebrity’s Authorized Apple Reseller status, and the first to present “Qsine,” a “uniquely unordinary,” interactive dining venue complete with food and wine menus on iPads. Later this month, Celebrity Solstice will introduce a Celebrity iLounge, which will complement its line-up of highly stylized guest venues.

Celebrity’s Solstice Class has expanded Celebrity’s overall Caribbean line-up to include even more opportunities for guests to experience stylish accommodations, outstanding cuisine and exceptional service.

The sweepstakes will offer one grand prize of Royal Suite accommodations featuring Celebrity’s renowned European butler service for two people, five first prizes of an AquaClass stateroom for two, and 10 second prizes of a ConciergeClass stateroom for two, all on a seven-night Caribbean voyage roundtrip out of Fort Lauderdale on the award-winning Celebrity Solstice, or from Miami on Celebrity Eclipse, which took her maiden voyage in Southampton, England on April 26. Additionally, 20 Apple iPod Touch devices will be awarded as third prizes.

Overall, Celebrity’s overall Caribbean lineup for 2010-11 offers many options for cruisers seeking a stylish escape:

  • Celebrity Century will present four- and five-night cruises roundtrip from Miami;
  • Celebrity Constellation will present 14-night Exotic Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale;
  • Celebrity Eclipse will present alternating seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Miami;
  • Celebrity Equinox will present 10- and 11-night Ultimate Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale;
  • Celebrity Mercury will present a second season of nine-night Bahamas and 12-night Eastern Caribbean sailings from Baltimore from October 2010 through February 2011, followed by 10- and 11-night Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises departing from Charleston from March through April 2011;
  • Celebrity Millennium will reprise her series of 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises departing from San Juan, Puerto Rico;
  • Celebrity Solstice will round out her 2010 year-round Caribbean presence by continuing to offer seven-night cruises roundtrip out of Fort Lauderdale;
  • Celebrity Summit will continue to offer seven-night Southern Caribbean cruises departing roundtrip from San Juan.

 

Earlier this month, Celebrity launched a Caribbean booking promotion that features promotional rates and upgrade opportunities on select sailings. Between now and the end of May, cruisers can take advantage of extraordinary values, including free Solstice-class veranda upgrades, inside staterooms starting from $599 per person, and third- and fourth-berth rates from $349 per person, on select cruises sailing between May 2010 and April 2011. Additional information on the booking promotion is available at Celebrity’s travel agent portal, www.cruisingpower.com, and Celebrity’s consumer website, www.celebritycruises.com.

Celebrity’s Cruise the Caribbean sweepstakes began at 12:00 am Eastern Time on Friday, May 7, and will conclude at 11:59 pm on the Summer Solstice, June 21, 2010. The sweepstakes is open to residents of the 50 United States, the District of Columbia and Canada, who are 21 years of age or older. Winners will be selected beginning on June 24. Those interested in entering can do so via the cruise line’s website, at www.celebritycruises.com/cruisethecaribbean, or its official Facebook page, www.facebook.com/celebritycruises.

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 nine 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 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.

SOURCE Celebrity Cruises

May 06

Royal Caribbean’s Newest Ship, Allure Of The Seas, Steals The Spotlight With Chicago As Headline Show

MIAMI, May 6 /PRNewswire/ — This December, Royal Caribbean International will once again make waves on the cruise vacation scene with the debut of the world’s next largest and most innovative cruise ship, Allure of the Seas. As did sister-ship Oasis of the Seas, the arrival of Allure of the Seas will bring an unprecedented array of brand new features and onboard amenities, including one of Broadway’s longest-running and most recognizable theatric productions, Chicago: The Musical, which will headline in the ship’s main theater. Reprising the lauded at-sea debut of Hairspray aboard Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas’ Amber Theater will join an illustrious list of venues, such as the Ambassador Theater in New York City and the Cambridge Theatre in London’s West End, that have raised the curtain on the award-winning musical. A new webisode about Chicago: The Musical aboard Allure of the Seas is now playing at www.AllureoftheSeas.com.
“Allure of the Seas will feature an unbelievable lineup of new entertainment options that will dazzle and delight guests of all ages,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Chicago: The Musical will become the second Tony Award-winning musical that Royal Caribbean debuts at sea and tops the list of award-winning caliber entertainment created by our own Royal Caribbean Productions team.”
Chicago fans will find that Allure of the Seas’ version of the popular production includes the same infamous cast of characters and one show-stopping-song after another, weaving together a universal tale of fame, fortune and ‘all that jazz.’ Slightly condensed to fit an approximate run time of 90 minutes, the musical will be brought to life on Allure of the Seas’ Broadway-style proscenium stage in the ship’s state-of-the-art, 1,380-seat Amber Theater.
“We’re very excited at the opportunity to partner with Royal Caribbean, and we look forward to entertaining even more guests each week with the story of Chicago,” said Barry Weissler, Producer of Chicago: The Musical on Broadway.
While Chicago: The Musical is the first production announced for Allure of the Seas, many more world-class entertainment options will be available for guests to enjoy at the wide variety of venues found shipwide – including a spectacle of music, dance and aerial acrobatics called Blue Planet that also will run in the Amber Theater; OceanAria, a signature aquatic production in the ship’s open-air AquaTheater, fusing high dive thrills with dramatic aerial choreography; an ice show extravaganza planned for the ship’s ice-skating rink, Studio B; spectacular and colorful parades in the Royal Promenade; and everything else in between, from jazz performances to comedy.
Auditions for the Royal Caribbean’s production of Chicago, as well as the other shows on Allure of the Seas will begin June 3. Open casting calls will be held June 3 – 5 in Chicago, June 8 – 11 in London, and June 14 – 17 in New York. More details and a full schedule can be found at www.RoyalCaribbeanProductions.com.
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.

May 04

Celebrity has created four brand-new beverage packages

MIAMI, May 3, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –Discerning cruisers have long applauded Celebrity Cruises for its award-winning ships ability to deliver outstanding service, world-class cuisine and enriching activities in a stylish atmosphere. Now, inspired by its “Designed for you” brand platform and guests positive response to being able to pre-book aspects of their cruise vacation such as shore excursions and specialty dining reservations, Celebrity has created a way for guests to purchase a variety of beverage packages before their cruise.

“We took our guests favorite beverages and bundled them into packages that are simple to order from home,” said Jacques Van Staden, Vice President, Culinary Operations. “By the time guests board the ship, they can relax knowing that their favorite drinks are arranged for; they can then focus on enjoying themselves in the spa, exploring destinations through shore excursions, or simply lounging by the pool.”

As a result of extensive research and past guests feedback, Celebrity has created four brand-new beverage packages. These include two classic options and two premium options. The “Classic Non-Alcoholic Package” features fountain and can soda, bottled and fresh-squeezed juices, premium coffee and bottled water, and is available at $14.95 per person, per day. The “Premium Non-Alcoholic Package” includes everything in the classic non-alcoholic package plus specialty non-alcoholic coffee drinks, additional name-brand bottled water choices, canned energy drinks and flavored bottled water offerings, smoothies and frozen non-alcoholic drinks, and is available at $18.40 per person, per day. Celebrity’s new “Classic Package” features everything in the classic non-alcoholic package plus beers with a retail value of up to five dollars per serving and spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass with a retail value of up to eight dollars per serving, and costs guests $44.85 per person, per day. The “Premium Package” features all the premium beverages in the premium non-alcoholic package plus all beers, and spirits, cocktails, and wines by the glass with a retail value of up to 12 dollars per serving, and is available for $56.35 per person, per day. All prices include a standard 15 percent service charge.

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

http://www.celebritycruises.com/beverage/packages/summary.do?categoryId=18&pagename=beverage_packages&cS=SIDENAV

May 04

Why Not? RCCL to add Soda Dispensers on Pool Deck

ValidFill Soda Dispensers – We sell a lot of Unlimited Fountain Soda Packages either in advance of the cruise or during the cruise. Until now, if you wanted to get your free refills you needed to find one of our bar staff, which on the pool deck often entailed waiting at the pool bar including for children. That is beginning to change. Freedom of the Seas will soon have two soda dispensers on the pool deck that detect a chip implanted in the bottom of the Coca Cola soda mug and provide the refill automatically based on the presence of the chip. Majesty of the Seas has had one of these units as a test and we are very pleased with the results. Our goal is to extend this fleetwide.

via Why Not?.

May 04

TWO NEW CRUISE SHIPS FOR Princess Cruises®

 

 

MIAMI (May 4, 2010) — Princess Cruises, a unit of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), today announced that contracts to build two 3,600-passenger ships have been finalized with Italy's Fincantieri shipyard.

The new ships — which each will have an all-in cost of approximately 155,000 euros per lower berth — are scheduled to enter service in spring 2013 and spring 2014. At an estimated 141,000 tons, the as-yet-unnamed ships will be the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet.

The ships  design will be evolutionary, in keeping with the themes of the line's newest vessels, but with some new features and innovations. For example, all outside cabins will feature balconies, bringing the percentage of balconies on the ships to 80 percent of all staterooms.

The company's signature Piazza — the ship’s central atrium featuring dining, entertainment and retail — will be expanded, as will the popular Sanctuary, spa, and restaurants.

“We’re pleased that in this challenging economic environment, the order for these new ships is a testament to the confidence in the growth potential of the Princess brand,” said Alan Buckelew, president and CEO of Princess Cruises. “These new ships will include the features from our newest ships that have been so well received, and take them to the next level,” he added.

via News Article : Princess Cruises®.