Oct 09

Two Celebrity Cruises Ships to Undergo Bold, New Refresh

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OCTOBER 08, 2015Building on the multi-million dollar investment in previously “Solsticizing” its Millennium Class ships, now Celebrity Cruises is making even more upgrades to two of these ships, with a series of exciting refreshes that will elevate the modern luxury experience onboard. As the first cruise line to offer a spacious lawn of real, growing grass on the top decks of its ships, Celebrity will expand its lineup of modern, luxurious outdoor spaces this month, when Celebrity Infinityreceives a new “Rooftop Terrace” venue – the first in Celebrity’s fleet – during a scheduled drydock. Featuring chic, comfortable furniture and unique artistic elements, a large, outdoor film screen and stereo surround sound will highlight this space, which fuses movies with unique food experiences. The drydock work also will broaden Celebrity’s commitment to its Suite Class, with significant renovations to the ships’ Penthouse and Royal Suites, and will include conversion of the ship’s specialty restaurant to one of Celebrity’s signature venues, Tuscan Grille. Celebrity Summit will follow with a similar scheduled drydock in March of 2016.

With modular furniture, a metal “garden-like” design, and cabanas, the new, multi-functional Rooftop Terrace will offer guests a relaxing, open space during the day. By night, the space will be illuminated by unique decorative lighting, and a large screen and soundscape will showcase movies and other entertainment. Rounding out the unique outdoor experience will be a variety of specially curated food options available for purchase and presented in unique serving vessels, inspired by the entertainment content, the destination, or the occasion. The Rooftop Terrace will be on the 12th deck of the ship, at the aft end. The Rooftop Terrace will officially open on December 5, 2015.

“The Rooftop Terrace is a brand-new way to enjoy the great outdoors on a modern luxury vacation,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “The popularity of our Lawn Club venues has shown us that some of the richest moments our guests enjoy are when relaxing in beautiful outdoor spaces. In creating the Rooftop Terrace, we wanted to create a hot spot where guests can kick back under the stars in the middle of the ocean, with amazing entertainment and food.”

As part of the $16 million refresh plan, Celebrity is investing heavily in its Suite Class experience on Celebrity Infinity and Celebrity Summit, as every Penthouse and Royal Suite will receive new glimmering fixtures, marble surfaces, and comfortable seats in the bathrooms. The rest of the suite will get refreshing touches like new carpeting, drapes, and bed linens.

Celebrity Cruises’ Bold, New Refresh of Two Iconic Ships

“We want these suites to be so luxurious and comfortable that it’s difficult for guests to leave at the end of their vacation,” Lutoff-Perlo said. “We want the entire ship to turn heads.”

Conversion of Celebrity Infinity’ S.S. United States restaurant to Tuscan Grille, Celebrity’s popular, Mediterranean-inspired steakhouse that debuted on its Solstice Class ships, will include complete refinishing of the space and the introduction of a refreshed menu designed to tantalize, including fresh pasta made in-house; an Italian cocktail menu, a first for Tuscan Grille; a wine list focused on the wine-growing regions of Italy; and new foods like artisanal salumi and cheeses; crispy crab arancini with lemon pepper aioli; grilled branzino with spinach and olive oil; swordfish with Castelvetrano olives, fennel and white wine; and oven-roasted USDA Prime dry-aged steak. Guests who are currently booked in the S.S. United States for sailings beginning on October 29, 2015 or later, will be given the first opportunity to cancel their reservations in order to rebook in Tuscan Grille. On Celebrity Summit, The Normandie will be converted into Tuscan Grille. Guests who are currently booked in The Normandie for sailings beginning on March 19, 2016 or later, will also have first dibs on reservations in Tuscan Grille.

On Celebrity Infinity, the maritime artifacts in the S.S. United States will be featured in a special display area in the casino’s entry vestibule. Items include charts, maps, an original place setting, a ship model, and more. On Celebrity Summit’s Normandie also features numerous artifacts that will be preserved and displayed in a special area onboard. These include photographs, artistic works, a ship model, and more.

Additional work taking place onboard both ships will include:

  • The addition of an enclosed portrait studio similar to that found on Celebrity’s Solstice Class ships, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Equinox
  • The creation of a new future cruise sales office, where guests can take advantage of special offers
  • A refresh of the Solarium, with new furniture, new floors, and refinished pool tops, and a refresh of finishes in the spa café
  • The removal of the themed décor in the ship’s casino

Celebrity Infinity enters drydock on October 15 and will emerge on October 29, 2015, before sailing several Panama Canal itineraries leading up to December 5. Then, Celebrity Infinity will begin its South America season, which will be followed by an Alaska season beginning in May 2016. Celebrity Summit will sail 7-night Southern Caribbean itineraries this winter, both before and after her drydock from February 27 to March 12, 2016, before heading to Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey in April, for her summer season of 7-night cruises to Bermuda. Both drydocks will take place at Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas.

Consumers who book a 2016 Alaska cruise on Celebrity Infinity by October 18, 2015, will be eligible for two free “Go Big, Go Better, Go Best” perks at the “Go Better” tier, which will be offered at no incremental charge. This is combinable with an onboard credit for guests who book Alaska cruisetours, also by October 18. More information is available at www.celebritycruises.com.

About Celebrity Cruises:

Oct 09

Take Care of YourSelfie Around the World with Celebrity Cruises and Randi Zuckerberg

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SEPTEMBER 30, 2015Vacationers can power up while powering down with Celebrity Cruises’ new, exclusive Take Care of YourSelfie shore excursions. In partnership with New York Times best-selling author and digital trailblazer Randi Zuckerberg, the exclusive Take Care of YourSelfie wellness program – first introduced in early 2015 – has been expanded to offer specially designed holistic experiences on land.

“With this new collection of shore excursions, finding a tech-life balance now can happen on land and at sea,” explained Dot Complicated founder Randi Zuckerberg. “On vacation, many of us have grown accustomed to literally experiencing a destination through a digital lens. These active experiences ensure that there is an opportunity to be fully engaged and present during your modern luxury vacation.”

“In our very connected culture, it can be challenging to take time and disconnect while on vacation, even for a moment” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “We have loved working with Randi to combine our expertise with hers and provide more ways for guests to enjoy their vacation and enrich their mind, body and soul with the Take Care of YourSelfie program. Personally, I can’t wait to experience the new shore excursions, plus the incredible options from the curated spa and fitness menu that started it all.”

Celebrity Cruises guests can rejuvenate and explore destinations like a local with unique experiences – such as Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Yoga, hydrobiking, cycling and canoeing – in regions around the world, including the Caribbean, Europe and Australia. The seven new Take Care of YourSelfie shore excursions include:

  • Power Core’d– On the Mediterranean waters in Ibiza, Spain, this guided Stand-Up Paddle (SUP) Yoga experience allows guests to engage in a complete mind and body workout and connect with the sea – and not the internet.
  • Ultimate ESCape– Vacationers will discover firsthand the thousand faces of the city of Naples, Italy by land and sea as they canoe through the exquisite Neapolitan blue waters and take a panoramic drive.
  • Morning SHIFT– Foregoing electronic devices, guests shift from the traditional fast pace of their routine with a light, guided morning jog through scenic Philipsburg, St. Maarten.
  • Hot Spot– In Melbourne, Australia, guests can bathe and unwind as they soothe their tired hands and muscles in the natural thermal mineral waters at a local, award-winning coastal escape.
  • Power Cycle– Guests “sign off” from technology and explore the Roi’s Eco Park Lagoon on a hydrobike while burning calories and enjoying a tranquil, environmentally friendly ride through the crystal blue waters in Falmouth, Jamaica.
  • Reiki Recharge– Vacationers rejuvenate by finding their Zen during a trainer-led meditation and yoga experience that takes place on the beautiful white-sand beaches of Roatan, Honduras.
  • Flash, Drive, and Ride– Guests unplug and embark on a panoramic bicycle tour of Valletta, Malta for an up-close look at the history and culture of Malta.

About Take Care of YourSelfie spa and fitness experiences

Celebrity Cruises first launched Take Care of YourSelfie in January 2015, unveiling spa and fitness experiences curated by Zuckerberg and available exclusively at Canyon Ranch SpaClub onboard Celebrity ships. The wellness treatments and services designed to invigorate vacationers include: “fACEial Time,” which effectively treats skin care needs related to overexposure to computer and digital screens; “Texticure,” created with text-weary hands in mind; Get wrAPPed,” which helps remove toxins associated with tech-related stress;“Control ALT Delight,” developed for guests to stretch and flex out of a texting crouch with yoga and T-Spheres; and “InstaGlow,” a detoxifying, cleansing body scrub that draws out impurities and encourages vacationers to disconnect and be in the moment.

Vacationers can find out more and book Take Care of YourSelfie experiences by visiting celebritycruises.com/ takecareofyourselfie, contacting Celebrity at 1.800.437.3111 or calling their travel agent.

Oct 09

Princess Cruises to Name New China-Based Cruise Ship Majestic Princess

Princess Cruises announced today that its ship now under construction, a sister ship to Royal Princess and Regal Princess, will be named Majestic Princess. The new ship will be based in China year-round beginning in summer 2017 and become the first vessel built specifically for Chinese guests incorporating a unique blend of international and Chinese features.

“Royal Princess and Regal Princess were named after iconic previous vessels, while Majestic Princess will carry a name that was chosen by our global employees,” said Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises. “The name Majestic Princess is well suited to the Princess Cruises experience in China, and she will offer a truly magnificent experience to our Chinese guests,” added Ms Swartz.

Befitting her dedication to the Chinese market, Majestic Princess will also carry a Chinese name on the hull, 盛世公主号 (Shèng Shì Gōng Zhǔ Haò) – an interpretation selected by Carnival plc’s China employees, which has the suggestive meaning of “Grand World” or “Grand Spirit.”

The 143,000-tonne vessel, Majestic Princess, is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.  She will be homeported in Shanghai, carrying 3560 guests for cruises to Japan and Korea, and will offer many of the special features that have made Royal Princess and Regal Princess so popular and distinctive. These include a dramatic multi-storey atrium serving as the social hub of the ship; the unique over-the-ocean SeaWalk – a glass-floor walkway extending more than eight metres beyond the edge of the ship; the Princess Live! interactive studio; and the special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds guests in a curtain of light.

“We’re excited that Shanghai will be welcoming this newest, most advanced addition to the Princess fleet, as it represents our brand’s long-term commitment to the continuing growth of the China market,” Ms Swartz said.

Majestic Princess will offer the international flavour of cruising with Princess, drawn from the brand’s award-winning expertise as the world’s leader in premium destination cruising.  The ship’s cuisine will span the globe, serving authentic dishes from Italy, France, North and South America, Southeast Asia, Japan and China – all freshly prepared onboard.  Guests will enjoy a festival celebrating dance, music and crafts of exotic cultures; an array of international guest entertainers; and Las Vegas-style production shows starring a cast of singers and dancers from around the world.

“Every day, around the world, our guests create lifelong memories from authentic experiences while enjoying freshly made cuisine designed to bring each destination to life,” Ms Swartz added. “Majestic Princess will allow us to bring the best the world has to offer to more Chinese guests, for an unparalleled premium and international vacation, inspired by our passion for the many places we sail.”

Like all Princess cruises in China, Majestic Princess will showcase the brand’s exclusive Princess Class experience, designed specifically for the Chinese market. Delivered by the ship’s extensively trained international crew, these Princess Class enhancements enrich the travel experience of each cruise guest: authentic, classic events like the World Leaders Dinner and Traditional English Afternoon Tea; special culinary experiences such as the Lobster Grill, Ultimate Balcony Dining, and an ocean-view hot pot dinner option; and an unparalleled duty-free shopping experience, featuring leading designer brands.

The ship will also offer Princess’ signature Movies Under the Stars, with the largest outdoor screen at sea, and the exciting Princess Water Colour Fantasy fountain and light show.  Accommodations will be configured to appeal to families and multi-generational travellers; all outside staterooms will have private balconies.  Additional details about the new ship’s features and deployment schedule will be announced over the coming months.

Oct 09

Diamond Princess Kicks Off Record New Zealand Cruise Season

Auckland’s biggest ever cruise season is now underway, with Princess Cruises’ megaliner Diamond Princess heading up a flotilla of ships sailing local waters over the coming months.

The 116,000-tonne, 2670-guest Diamond Princess arrived in the harbour city this morning – the first of more than 30 different ships which will visit Auckland between now and April 2016.

The most frequent cruise line visitor to New Zealand, Princess Cruises has six ships scheduled to make more than 200 calls to local ports over the coming months – accounting for about one-third of all cruise ship visits. The majority of the ships’ passengers will be Australian, with Princess Cruises carrying more Australians across the Tasman than all other cruise lines combined.

The visiting Princess ships include newcomer Golden Princess which will make her maiden visit to New Zealand this Saturday (October 10) when she berths in Auckland.

Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said Princess’ ships visits would deliver close to $100 million to the New Zealand economy in passenger and crew spending, supplies and ports charges over the coming months.

Mr Allison said New Zealand continued to be a very popular destination for Australian cruisers, with almost 90,000 Australians cruising across the Tasman in 2014.

“New Zealand offers a diverse range of ports, each featuring remarkable scenic beauty and memorable experiences yet all positioned in relative proximity to each other, which is why it’s such a great cruise destination,” Mr Allison said.

New Zealand ports now account for seven of Princess’ top 10 ports in the Australasian and Pacific region, and five of the cruise line’s top 30 ports around the world, with one-third of the cruise line’s global 18-ship fleet visiting the country this summer.

Mr Allison said Princess’ ships would call at 10 different New Zealand ports during the season, from Bay of Islands in the north to Dunedin in the south.  A new addition for Princess this season is Gisborne, which will receive 10 calls from Princess ships.

Auckland is one of Princess’ most frequent ports of call, with 27 Princess visits scheduled for the city this summer.

Mr Allison said that in addition to being a great cruise destination, New Zealand was also developing as a nation of cruisers, with close to 70,000 Kiwis taking a holiday at sea last year.

“More and more New Zealanders are recognizing cruising as an easy and great value way to travel so we’re now responding to local demand and offering new opportunities for New Zealanders to cruise direct from their doorstep on Princess’ ships, sailing to destinations from Australia to Tahiti, South America and beyond,” he said.

Sep 12

Royal Caribbean Cruises planning expansion at PortMiami | Miami Herald

Will PortMiami finally land one of the world’s largest cruise ships?

A deal in the works between Miami-Dade County and Royal Caribbean Cruises appears to be smoothing the way.

The cruise operator, which has headquarters at PortMiami, plans to finance, design, build and operate a new cruise terminal in the northeast section of the port, according to county officials. A preliminary vote before the Miami-Dade County Commission is set for Wednesday.

The agreement would last for no less than 20 years and no more than 60 — “an extraordinarily long period of time,” said deputy port director Kevin Lynskey.

Lynskey said the berth will be 400 meters long — which could fit “an Oasis and then some.” He was referring to the Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas and its sister ships, which are the largest cruise vessels in the world. The third and fourth ships in the class will be delivered in 2016 and 2018.

The deal doesn’t specify which ships would come to the port, but both PortMiami and Royal Caribbean have expressed interest in having one of the megaships based in Miami. For now, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas are based most of the year at Fort Lauderdale’s Port Everglades, though the current commitment expires in 2018.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/business/article34621548.html#storylink=cpy

Source: Royal Caribbean Cruises planning expansion at PortMiami | Miami Herald

Sep 12

Norwegian Escape To Offer Lacoste And Carolina Herrera Boutiques

When Norwegian Escape makes her maiden voyage in November, the ship will feature unprecedented dining, beverage and entertainment options– and now, luxurious shopping with two dazzling name-brand boutiques.

The two boutiques – LACOSTE and Carolina Herrera – will be the first at sea for each acclaimed brand, as well as the first boutiques to be designed specifically for a Norwegian Cruise Line ship. These new offerings are the latest of several that are shaping Norwegian Escape into one of the most sensational cruise ships at sea, with other alliances including Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville; James Beard Award-winning Iron Chef Jose Garces; Michael Mondavi Family Wines; Tony Award-winning Broadway musicals After Midnight andMillion Dollar Quartet; and more.

“These exclusive boutiques from two legendary fashion industry icons add further glamour to one of the most exciting cruise ships ever built,” said Andy Stuart, Norwegian Cruise Line’s president and chief operating officer. “LACOSTE and Carolina Herrera will offer Norwegian Escape guests a shopping experience unlike any at sea.”

More than 80 years after its founding, LACOSTE continues to be a sport inspired lifestyle brand renowned for elegance and comfort. Famous for its iconic polo shirt, LACOSTE offers sportswear apparel for men and women, as well as footwear, eyewear, watches, fragrances, leather goods, and other items. The LACOSTE boutique aboard Norwegian Escape will include a wide assortment of clothing items, including signature polos, t-shirts, dresses, skirts, footwear, and accessories.

Carolina Herrera is an international fashion house recognized for timeless elegance and refinement. From fashion and accessories to fragrances, the brand embodies the creative vision established by founder, Carolina Herrera, over three decades ago. The Carolina Herrera boutique aboard Norwegian Escape will include beautiful, hand-selected luxury products, including handbags, leather goods, pashminas, scarves, jewelry, footwear and accessories.

In addition to dedicated boutiques, Norwegian Escape will feature further retail from widely-recognized brands including, but not limited to, Hublot, Bvlgari, Tissot and Uno de 50. The ship will be the first to introduce Ulysse Nardin watches, as well as a hand-picked collection of Columbian Emeralds, also exclusive to Norwegian Escape.

Sep 12

Princess Cruises to Sweeten Chocolate Journeys Partnership

Princess Cruises’ delicious partnership with internationally acclaimed master chocolatier and pastry designer Norman Love is set to expand, allowing guests to experience even more mouthwatering creations on their cruise.

Following the overwhelming success of the cruise line’s signature Chocolate Journeys experience, Princess has again partnered with Chef Love to create a series of delicious new chocolate products, including breakfast treats and a premium chocolate cocktail.

The indulgent offerings will be rolled out across the fleet from November, including on Princess’ Australian-based ships.

Princess Cruises Vice President Australia & New Zealand Stuart Allison said the partnership with Chef Love had proven very popular with travellers, which was no surprise given the results of a recent Princess Cruises’ survey showing that 40 per cent of Australians eat more chocolate while on holiday.

“Australians are well known for their love of good chocolate – in fact according to our survey almost 60 per cent of Australians have chocolate cravings and more than 50 per cent eat chocolate when they are happy – so we’re confident the latest offerings will go down a treat with our guests as they enjoy their holidays,” Mr Allison said.

Trained in France and a former executive pastry chef of the Ritz-Carlton, Chef Love has been recognised as one of the top 10 Chocolatiers in North America by Dessert Magazine.

His new sweet experiences include:

·        New Premium Chocolate Cocktail – Designed by Chef Love, a new premium chocolate cocktail option will be available on the main dining room dessert menu.
·        Afternoon Tea – During Princess’ popular afternoon tea, guests will now be treated to one of seven yummy pastries and six cakes designed by Chef Love, including Baked Chocolate Tart with Lemon Chantilly, Chocolate Raspberry Clafoutis and Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cake.
·        Chocolate Soufflé – Available on select evenings, the main dining room desserts will feature a new signature Chocolate Soufflé with white chocolate sauce.
·        Chocolate Cookie – Chef Love has created two tasty new premium chocolate cookies that will be available in select locations around the ship including the International Café.
·        International Café Treats – A complimentary chocolate treat designed by Chef Love will be featured daily in the International Café, with six new pastries created such as a Chocolate Berry Tartlet with Coconut Mousse and Milk Chocolate Chantilly Éclairs.
·        Breakfast Treats – Savoury breakfast items designed by Chef Love and featuring touches of premium chocolate will be offered each morning in the Horizon Court.
·        Evening Treats – Each evening, one of 12 delicious new chocolate cakes from Chef Love will be offered in the Horizon Court. Cakes include a White Chocolate and Lemon Tart and an Almond Chocolate Coffee Cake.

The delectable new chocolate items will be in addition to the chocolate desserts, drinks, spa treatments, cooking demonstrations, chocolate and wine pairing, petit fours and formal night treats already offered onboard.

Sep 01

Carnival To Offer Wide Variety Of Bermuda Cruises In 2016 With 10 Different Voyages Between April And November

MIAMI, Aug. 31, 2015 /PRNewswire/ — With its famous pink-sand beaches, turquoise waters and picture-perfect weather, Bermuda is one of the most popular destinations in cruising. And Carnival Cruise Line will provide its guests with a variety of opportunities to visit the island paradise in 2016 with 10 departures that feature at least one overnight docked alongside at historic King’s Wharf.

From April through November 2016, guests can embark on five different Carnival ships departing from six convenient U.S. homeports offering itineraries ranging from five to eight days — making 2016 one of the cruise line’s most robust Bermuda programs ever.

Carnival’s 2016 Bermuda schedule includes:

  • Carnival Pride: five-day cruises from Baltimore departing April 10 and Oct. 26 as well as seven-day voyages departing Sept. 4 and 18.
  • Carnival Victory: an eight-day sailing from Port Canaveral departing May 19.
  • Carnival Ecstasy: seven-day cruises from Charleston departing May 12 and Nov. 5.
  • Carnival Splendor:  nine-day cruise from Miami departing May 26
  • Carnival Sunshine: a seven-day cruise from New York departing Oct. 1 and a five-day sailing from Norfolk departing Oct. 23.

Five-day itineraries feature an overnight call at Bermuda; seven-day cruises spend two nights docked at King’s Wharf; and the eight-day voyage features three nights on the island.

“By offering Bermuda cruises from a variety of convenient drive-to homeports, we’re providing guests even more opportunities to experience and explore this incredible island paradise,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president. “The island has tremendous tourist appeal and the wide range of cruises offer consumers maximum choice when planning their Bermuda vacation while providing travel agents with a sought-after destination to market to their clients,” she added.

While Bermuda might be best known for its unique pink sand beaches, pastel architecture and famous shorts, it’s also an island with an abundance of activities that enable guests to become immersed in its tropical ambiance and laid-back lifestyle.  From world-class golf courses and beautiful beaches to UNESCO World Heritage Sites and underwater explorations by glass-bottom boat, snorkel or scuba, the longer calls make it possible to participate in a variety of activities throughout the day and into the evening. With overnight visits, guests are also able to experience the island’s local nightlife and dine ashore if they choose.

For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.

Aug 25

An Inside Look at the Making of Royal Caribbean’s Azipods

Aug 25

Disney’s Private Island, Castaway Cay