Carnival Dream Christened, Debuts In North America

Carnival Cruise Line’s newest fun ship, the 130,000-GRT Carnival Dream, has been christened in the New York by her godmother Marcia Gay Harden. The award-winning actress swung an official Yankees baseball bat autographed by player Alex Rodriguez at a 1.8-meter tall faux bottle of Moet & Chandon champagne onstage in the ship’s theater, triggering the release of a real bottle against the ship’s hull.

 

The festivities, hosted by Carnival’s Senior Cruise Director John Heald, continued throughout the ship and guests at the Encore! show lounge were treated to a live dance performance by Carnival Dream’s Fun Force dance troupe. Dressed in blue track suits, the performers breakdanced and cartwheeled to techno music, with one performer being revealed at the end of the number to be Carnival Cruise Lines CEO Gerry Cahill.

 

The 3652-guest Carnival Dream is the largest ship in the Carnival fleet and offers a host of innovations, including the Ocean Plaza indoor/outdoor dining and entertainment venue and a 2,206-square meter Cloud 9 Spa. The ship also features the longest water slide at sea as part of the Carnival Waterworks aqua park, to be christened with a ride down by Hailee Steberger, the winner of Carnival’s “Virtual Book of Dreams” contest.

 

Constructed in Italy, Carnival Dream entered service in September 2009 , sailing in the Mediterranean before crossing the Atlantic Ocean to New York, making her North American debut. She will operate a series of short cruises before repositioning again to homeport in Port Canaveral in Florida to operate Caribbean cruises throughout the year.

 

For more information, visit www.carnival.com.

Carnival Dream Embarks On Inaugural Cruise

The newest and largest ship of Carnival Cruise Lines, Carnival Dream, makes its inaugural cruise today from the Italian port of Civitavecchia. The vessel will take guests on a 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyage, calling at Barcelona, Dubrovnik, Messina, Monaco, Naples, Livorno and Venice.

 

The 130,000-GRT ship was handed over to Carnival in a traditional maritime ceremony at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone shipyard and incorporates a host of innovations. Guests can look forward to a sprawling Carnival WaterWorks aqua park featuring the longest water slide at sea, cantilevered whirlpools and a wraparound promenade at The Lanai, outdoor laser shows and movies at the Waves Lido pool and a 2,206-square meter Cloud 9 Spa. Other entertainment options onboard include a comedy club featuring 24-hour performances, the Jackpot Casino, the adult-only retreat area Serenity and the Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor venue featuring live music performances.

 

Dining options are spearheaded by The Crimson and The Gathering formal dining rooms offering extensive menus and wine lists. For casual dining, Carnival Dream offers a variety of restaurants and cafes serving a multitude of cuisines, ranging from The Chef’s Art Steakhouse and its USDA prime beef to delectable sushi at Wasabi and freshly baked pastries, specialty coffees and world famous teas at the Plaza Cafe. Guests can also find a 24-hour pizzeria, a pasta bar and Indian tandoor specialties onboard, before heading for the ship’s bars and clubs, including the Caliente Dance Club, The Song Jazz Bar, Sam’s Piano Bar and the Scarlet Lounge.

 

The ship also offers a host of accomodation categories, ranging from well-equipped Interior Staterooms to the luxurious Penthouse Suites with its own walk-in closets, to suit the varied needs of guests. Travelling families will appreciate the additional space and amenities of the 2-bath, 5-berth staterooms, while the Cove Balcony cabins offer spectacular views from its proximity to the waterline. The Cloud 9 staterooms and suites also feature private access to the spa and exclusive spa amenities.

 

Carnival Dream will sail a 16-day transatlantic crossing on 27 October 2009 following its Mediterranean voyages to New York, where she will operate a special 2-day cruise to nowhere and 2 8-day Caribbean sailings. The vessel will then reposition to homeport in Port Canaveral in Florida to cruise the Caribbean year-round. The 23rd vessel and the first of a new class of ships in Carnival Cruise Line’s fleet, Carnival Dream will be joined in 2011 by her sister ship Carnival Magic, currently under construction in Italy.

 

For more information, visit www.carnival.com.

Disney Cruise Line Unveils Itineraries For 2011

Disney Cruise Line has announced the itineraries for its ships in 2011, with cruises in the Mexican Riviera, Europe and Alaskan cruises for the first time. The Disney Wonder will sail 18 voyages during its 4-month deployment to Alaska, while sister ship Disney Magic will spend the summer in Europe cruising the Mediterranean.

 

Disney Wonder To Sail Alaska, Mexican Riviera

from 3 May 2011 to 30 August 2011, the 83,000-GRT Disney Wonder will be homeported in Vancouver and offer 7-night cruises to Alaska, marking Disney Cruise Line’s debut in the largest state of the USA. 

 

The new itinerary takes guests to experience the breathtaking vistas of majestic glaciers and fjords in Juneau, catching a glimpse of brown bears, bald eagles and other abundant wildlife. In Ketchikan, guests can also learn more about the rich history and customs of Alaska’s native culture through hand-carved totem poles and fish for some of the largest wild salmon in the world, while Skagway offers the opportunity to pan for gold like the miners from the famous Klondike gold rush.

 

Prior to repositioning to Alaska, Disney Wonder will sail 7-night voyages out of Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera, including a special 10-night cruise with a stop at Manzanillo. The ship will resume cruising voyages from Los Angeles to the Mexican Riviera after its Alaskan deployment, calling at Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.

 

Disney Magic Returns To The Mediterranean

Departing out of Barcelona, Disney Magic will sail 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises for the 2011 summer season, taking guests to popular ports in France, Italy and Spain to explore the cultures of Europe.

 

Beginning 28 September 2011, the vessel offer 10 cruises calling at Civitavecchia, La Spezia, Naples and Villafranche, with 2 or 3 days at sea. Disney Magic will also visit Ajaccio in Corsica, the birthplace of Napoleon Bonaparte, as well as the island nation of Malta and explore the Arab influences of Tunis in North Africa.

 

For the majority of 2011, Disney Magic will sail out of Port Canaveral on alternating 7-night Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises, with both itineraries calling at Disney’s private island Castaway Cay. The vessel will also sail 2 repositioning 14-night transatlantic voyages.

 

For more information, visit disneycruise.disney.go.com.

Disney’s Castaway Cay To Be Expanded

Disney Cruise Line has announced that Castaway Cay, it’s private island in the Bahamas, will be expanded and enhanced to provide guests with more water-based family activities, conveniences and beachside luxury. The 1,000-acre island was designed by Disney with one-of-a-kind areas and activities whilst preserving its natural beauty.

 

Expanded Family Beach

The Castaway Family Beach will be extended by more than 213 meters for beachgoers to enjoy the pristine sand and warm, azure waters of the lagoon. Together with the longer beach, guests can look forward to new Flippers & Floats beach rentals providing essential equipment such as snorkels, masks and fins, as well as a new Buy the Sea Shore merchandise store complementing the She Sells Sea Shells & everything else store.

 

As an added convenience, the new Cookies Too located in a covered pavillion near the beach serves barbecue buffet and a variety of snacks, including island-spiced rotisserie chicken, burgers, grilled fish, salads, flatbreads, ice cream and complimentary soda. For adult guests, the Sand Bar offers cold beers, mixed drinks such as Castaway Cay’s signature Konk Kooler and other beverages.

 

New Water Feature and Water Play Areas

Guests can slide and splash at a new water feature called the Pelican Plunge,  a 223-square meter floating platform adorned with various flotsam and jetsam. Featuring an enclosed corkscrew slide and a 13-meter open slide, guests are twisted and turned before ending in the clear waters of the lagoon. The platform also has a giant “bucket dump” to deliver hundreds of gallons of water onto waiting guests, while the 4 water cannons test guests’ marksmanship skills.

 

On the island, a brand new water play area called Spring-a-Leak is being developed. In the form of a storm-ravaged beach dwelling, the 223-square meter structure offers guests a sensory experience with dripping pipes, broken plumbing and hissing meters. At its centerpiece is a splash pad giving the impression of water pooled on the ground as water jets squirt and douse guests.

 

Disney will also add a new water play area at Scuttle’s Cove for young guests as part of supervised youth activities on the island. The soft, wet deck area is 112-square meters and provides freshwater fun with its array of jets, bubblers and geysers

 

New Beach Cabanas

For a quiet time at Castaway Cay, 20 new private beach cabanas are available. Each 30-square meter cabana is furnished with comfortable cushioned chairs, chaise lounge chairs, side tables and dining table. There is also a refrigerator, lockable storage unit, outdoor shower and sail cloth providing shade.

 

The majority of these exclusive cabanas will be located on the far side of the Family Beach, although Disney will place a handful on the nearby adults-only Serenity Bay Beach. There will also be 3 new massage cabanas offering panoramic views of the sea.

 

Other Enhancements

Castaway Ray’s Stingray Adventure, where guests can swim and interact with stingrays, will be moved to a new location with a larger area within the lagoon. At Hide Out, a new secluded area on the island, teenage guests can gather, relax and enjoy themselves in their own exclusive space. Disney is also adding a new In Da Shade Games Pavillion for guests to escape the sun and play indoor games such as table tennis and foosball.

 

To handle the increased traffic from these improvements, the island’s tram paths will be expanded and a new Pelican Point tram stop constructed near most of the new attractions. On the water, an expanded Marge’s Barges & Sea Charters Dock will be able to handle more excursion boats for offshore activities, while the Cruise Ship Dock will allow Disney Cruise Line’s ships to moor directly on the island.

 

The additional facilities are scheduled to be completed by summer 2010 in time for special 5-night cruises aboard the Disney Wonder with 2 stops at Castaway Cay and cruises by the new Disney Dream, scheduled to enter service in early 2011. Disney Cruise Line sails to Castaway Cay on all voyages originating from Port Canaveral, Florida.

 

For more information, visit disneycruise.disney.go.com.

Celebrity Equinox Officially Named In Southampton

Celebrity Cruises has officially named its newest ship, the 122,000-GRT Celebrity Equinox, in formal ceremonies at the port of Southampton in the UK. The second of the Solstice-class cruise ships, Celebrity Equinox was christened by her godmother, Nina Barough, Commander of the British Empire and founder of the breast cancer charity “Walk the Walk”.

 

The ceremony was opened by buglers and a bagpipe and drums corps, followed by a piano rendition of The Beatles’ “Here Comes the Sun”. In an industry first, Celebrity Cruises invited the godmother of Celebrity Equinox’s sister ship Celebrity Solstice, Sharon Smith, to the ceremony. Together with Celebrity Cruises’ Chairman Richard Fain, both godmothers cut the pink ribbon – a symbol in recognition of breast cancer causes – to release the bottle of champagne that crashed against the ship’s stack.

 

The bottle was created by the renowned Corning Museum of Glass, a strategic partner of Celebrity Cruises since 2008. Like her sister ship, Celebrity Equinox will offer the usually standing-room-only Hot Glass Show, becoming only the second cruise ship to showcase the glassblowing demonstration at sea. Other notable features onboard include the top deck Lawn Club, Sky Observation Lounge and Cellarmasters, inspired by the vineyards of the Napa Valley. Gourmet dining at the Silhouette Dining Room, Murano Restaurant, Tuscan Grill Restaurant and the Silk Harvest Restaurant offer an epicurean experience for guests.

 

Leading the variety of accomodation options onboard the ship is the luxurious Penthouse Suite. At 120 square meters, the suite features its own living and dining areas, verandah with whirlpool and lounge seating, creating the intimate atmosphere of a private yacht within the ship. Guests can also indulge in the AquaClass staterooms, with floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors leading out to the verandah, Hansgrohe shower panel paired with luxury amenities from AquaSpa and dining at the exclusive Blu Restaurant.

 

Celebrity Equinox enters service on 31 July 2009, sailing a 8-night Norwegian Fjords cruise from Southampton, before returning to the British port to embark on her maiden voyage on 8 August 2009 to the Mediterranean. The vessel will present a series of Mediterranean sailings from Civitavecchia (Rome) through fall, after which it will transit to Fort Lauderdale to sail the Caribbean in the winter.

 

For more information, visit www.celebritycruises.com.

China’s First Wyndham Hotel Opens In Xiamen

Wyndham Hotel Group has launched its Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand in China with the opening of the new Wyndham Xiamen Hotel. Located at the heart of Xiamen’s business and entertainment districts, the new 26-floor property is 20 minutes from Gaoqi International Airport, 10 minutes from the railway station and a 5 minute walk from the ferry terminal.

 

460 energy-efficient light bulbs adorn the Wyndham Xiamen’s front facade, creating a kaleidoscope of colours and designs at night. The distinctive hotel boasts several architectural and design features, including a 20-meter high waterfall and a 7-meter tall lobby chandelier with 882 large crystal drops. Both are complemented by the Goddess of Heping statue, an interpretation of Mazu, protector of East Asian fishermen and sailors.

 

588 spacious sea-view rooms are available to guests, ranging from 14 square meters to 120 square meters. The top 5 floors comprise the Wyndham Club and its 90 executive rooms, library and split level lounge. Each room is furnished with a luxury bed, bathroom with separate bathtub and shower, 32-inch LCD television, direct-dial telephone and high-speed internet access. Other amenities include a spacious work desk, in-room safe large enough to accomodate a laptop, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities.

 

The Wyndham Xiamen Hotel offers guests 5 gourmet dining venues. Le Rivage Cafe Restaurant serves international cuisine throughout the day. For casual dining, the Cafe Terrace is open for dinner while the spacious and modern Lobby Bar is ideal for drinks and light snacks accompanied by live entertainment every night. Xinnan Xuan Chinese Restaurant offers Cantonese and regional specialties for lunch and dinner. JuJuAn Japanese Restaurant serves guests the finest sushi and teppanyaki dishes for a taste of Okinawa.

 

For business travellers, the hotel offers state-of-the-art conference and business facilities. A 1,260-square meter pillarless Grand Ballroom accomodates up to 1,000 guests and is complemented by 11 additional meeting rooms for small- to mid-sized groups. Supporting the event space is a modern business center fully-equipped with workstations, printers and other facilities.

 

Guests can relax after a day of business in the hotel’s fitness center, featuring an exercise room with weight-lifting equipment and a heated indoor swimming pool. There is also a personal trainer available to assist and instruct guests.

 

The Wyndham Xiamen Hotel joins Wyndham Hotels and Resorts’ upscale accomodation portfolio across the globe, with properties throughout Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Mexico and the USA.

 

For more information, visit www.wyndham.com.

Seabourn Odyssey Debuts In Venice

The Yachts of Seabourn have debuted its newest vessel, the 32,000-GRT Seabourn Odyssey, in Venice last Wednesday. Built in Italy, the vessel accomodates 450 guests in 225 luxury suites with highly personalized service onboard.

 

Guests can choose from 8 different accomodation options, ranging from the 27.5-square meter Seabourn Suite to the 156-square meter Grand Signature Suite, with 90% of the suites featuring private verandas. Each suite is furnished with a separate living area, luxury bedding and a spacious granite bathroom with separate bathtub and shower. Entertainment and communications is provided by the interactive flatscreen television, audiobooks, CDs and DVDs, direct-dial telephone, a writing desk and a fully-stocked bar replenished daily.

 

Dining onboard the Seabourn Odyssey is offered from its 4 food and beverage outlets. The Restaurant is an open-seating gourmet dining venue featuring menus from celebrity Chef Charlie Palmer, while guests can dine on individually created dishes prepared in tasting portions at Restaurant 2. For casual dining, guests can choose between the indoor/outdoor restaurant, The Colonnade, or the Patio Grill by the pool.

 

With an intimate yacht-like atmosphere, a selection of activities are available to guests, including 2 outdoor swimming pools, 6 outdoor whirlpools, watersports from the ship’s own marina, miniature golf and a private diamond showroom. In selected ports, the Seabourn Odyssey hosts lavish beach parties with fresh grilled seafood and signature Caviar in the Surf service. After sunset, the Observation Lounge provides an ideal location for stargazing, while live entertainment is available every night at the lounge. Guests can also head to the casino to play a hand of blackjack.

 

At 1,059 square meters, The Spa at Seabourn is the largest luxury spa at sea on any luxury vessel and offers innovative therapies, a state-of-the-art fitness center and full service salon. Guests can enjoy a variety of treatments and facilities, including Finnish saunas, thalassotherapy pools, Kinesis wall and the expansive Spa Villas.

 

Seabourn Odyssey will sail the Mediterranean in her inaugural summer and early fall sailing seasons, before exploring the Caribbean. The ship will embark on her first world cruise on 5 January 2010 from Fort Lauderdale to Piraeus in Greece, calling at 42 ports in 26 countries, including Australia, Brunei, China, Colombia, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Egypt, French Polynesia, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jordan, Kiribati, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, UAE and the USA.

 

For more information, visit www.seabourn.com.

Refurbished Club Med II To Sail Mediterranean, Caribbean

Club Med, the French vacation resort operator, has announced the new facilities and itineraries of its cruise ship, the 14,983-GRT Club Med II. Refurbished earlier this year, the 5-masted sailing ship offers renovated  facilities and unique ports of call.

 

New Interior 

Under the direction of designer Sophie Jacqmin, the new interior reflects the warm and personal atmosphere onboard. 186 ocean-view cabins, ranging from the 17-square meter Club Rooms to the 39-square meter Shipowners Suite, offer a high level of comfort for guests. All cabins come with luxury bedding, attached bathrooms, flat-screen televisions and telephone, while the Deluxe Rooms and Suites featuring a sitting area with armchairs and sofas.

 

The ship’s restaurants have been awarded Table Coup de Couer status, an accolade reserved for Club Med’s finest restaurants and immerse guests in a seafaring atmosphere. At Le Méditerranée, guests dine on a variety of original dishes in the surroundings of old maps, navigation devices and deck gear. Le Magellan serves a host of French, exotic and rare dishes to diners as they trace the sea routes of great navigators on the large gold, coral and black world map.

 

4 onboard bars serve light snacks and a variety of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, with complimentary champagne offered in the evenings. New design elements include a wooden sperm whale’s tail at the Moby Dick bar and an English club atmosphere at Le Pacifique, which hosts the Captain’s Welcome Cocktail weekly. Le Venise and The Albatros are located by the poolside and are ideal for refreshments between activities.

 

Onboard the Club Med II, guests can participate in a wide selection of sports and wellness activities including luxury spa treatments at the new Spa Club Med 2 by Carita. Featuring 5 treatment rooms, guests can indulge in beauty, anti-aging and massage packages by the Carita-trained therapists.

 

Itineraries

During summer, the Club Med II sails the Mediterranean, offering over 28 distinct itineraries. The vessel will visit 70 regular ports in Croatia, Greece, Italy, Libya and Turkey, as well as offer 12 unique destinations with natural wonders and historical sites, such as Alexandria in Egypt.

 

In spring, the ship will also sail 1 transatlantic crossing to reposition in the Caribbean. Ports of call for this cruise include the Azores, Bermuda, Cuba and Portugal.

 

For the winter season, Club Med II cruises the Caribbean, calling at 46 tropical destinations such as the Antilles, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama and Venezuela.

 

For more information, visit www.clubmed.com.

Harbour Grand Hong Kong Opens

Harbour Grand Hong Kong, the new 5-star hotel from Harbour Plaza Hotels and Resorts, has opened for business. Situated in the heart of Hong Kong Island, the property enjoys convenient access to the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) system, connecting it to the shopping and commercial districts of Central, Causeway Bay, Tsim Sha Tsui and Wanchai.

 

Each of the 828 rooms and suites offer panoramic views of Victoria Harbour and the Kowloon skyline. Several accomondation options are available, including the Harbour Club Floor rooms and Serviced Suites for long-stay guests. The Superior Harbour View Room is furnished with a king-size or twin bed, bathroom with rainforest shower, LCD television with DVD player, iPod dock, voicemail-enabled dual-line telephones and high-speed internet access. Guests also enjoy the convenience of an in-room safe, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. Selected room types boast a private patio with a heated outdoor jacuzzi overlooking the harbour.

 

Designed with the business traveller in mind, the 202 Harbour Club Floor rooms feature additional amenities such as a multifunction printer and LCD television in the bathroom to keep executives informed with the latest news. Guests also enjoy exclusive access to the Harbour Club Lounge and its selection of food and beverage offerings. The hotel also has 3 types of suite accomodation, with the most luxurious being the 160-square meter Presidential Suite which boasts separate living and dining areas as well as a kitchenette to cater to the needs of long-stay guests.

 

5 dining outlets await guests at the Harbour Grand Hong Kong. Le 188° Restaurant and Lounge is located on the 41st floor of the hotel and offers guests continental cuisine and seafood specialties in a romantic, intimate environment, coupled with a 188-degree harbour view. Combining modern and traditional oriental design, Kwan Cheuk Heen serves authentic Cantonese cuisine while Nagomi Japanese Restaurant features a unique Japanese zen garden setting. For casual dining, guests can choose from the Harbour Grand Cafe, an all-day dining outlet by the swimming pool, or the Lobby Lounge for high teas and cocktails whilst enjoying the live music.

 

With a total function space of 1,178 square meters, including a 576-square meter pillar-less Grand Ballroom, the hotel is able to cater for meetings and events of different scales. All venues are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment and telecommunications, such as high-speed internet access, video conferencing and simultaneous interpretation. Additional secretarial support is provided by the hotel’s Business Center.

 

For leisure and recreation, there is a 27-meter long heated outdoor swimming pool and health club. Guests can also indulge in therapeutic treatments by professional therapists at the Harbour Grand Hong Kong’s luxury spa.

 

The Harbour Grand Hong Kong joins 7 other sister properties in Hong Kong, including the Harbour Plaza Hong Kong, Harbour Plaza Metropolis, Harbour Plaza North Point, The Kowloon Hotel, Harbour Plaza Resort City, Rambler Oasis Hotel and Rambler Garden Hotel. The group also manages the Harbour Plaza Chongqing in China and the 1,271-room Our Lucaya Resort on Grand Bahama, the largest Starwood-affiliated property in the Caribbean.

 

For more information, visit www.harbour-grand.com and www.harbour-plaza.com.

Carnival And Royal Caribbean Return To Mexican Ports

Following the latest guidance from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on travel to Mexico, Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International have announced that their ships will resume port calls to the country.

 

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines have announced that its ships will return to Mexico following the completion of all modified itineraries. The cruise line has 15 ships poised to revert to their original itineraries featuring Mexican ports.

 

From Miami, Carnival Imagination, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Valor will sail itineraries calling at Cozumel. The Carnival Ecstacy and Carnival Conquest will operate cruises returning to Cozumel and Progreso from Galveston, Texas.

 

Carnival Elation will sail from San Diego on 3-day and 4-day cruises calling at Ensenada, while Carnival Fantasy returns to Cozumel and Progreso on 4-day and 5-day sailings from New Orleans.

 

From their respective homeports, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Glory, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Legend, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Splendor and Holiday will resume calls to Cabo San Lucas, Calica, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Ensenada and Mazatlan.

 

For more information, visit www.carnival.com.

 

Royal Caribbean International

Beginning with sailings departing on or after 24 May 2009, Royal Caribbean will resume its port calls to Cozumel by the Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas.

 

The 3 vessels had been sailing revised itineraries following the decision to suspend Mexican port calls late last month, spending more time at sea and calling at alternate ports in the Caribbean.

 

A fourth vessel, Mariner of the Seas, will continue sailing its modified 7-night itinerary in the Pacific Northwest up to and including the 14 June 2009 cruise.

 

Despite returning to Mexico, Royal Carribean International will continue to follow proactive measures as part of its Influenza Prevention and Response Plans, including the provision of H1N1 flu information from the US CDC, health screenings of all ship visitors, enhanced sanitization onboard all vessels and the isolation and treatment of guests/crew who display flu-like symptoms with anti-viral medication supplies.

 

For more information, visit www.royalcarribean.com.