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.

Marriott Announces Launch Of The Autograph Collection

Marriott International has announced the launch of a new brand within its portfolio. The Autograph Collection will comprise of upper upscale and luxury, independent hotels with distinct personalities in major cities and destinations around the world.

 

The Bethesda, Maryland-based company has plans to add up to 25 properties to the brand in 2010. The iconic hotels will be grouped according to the unique experiences they offer to guests, ranging from boutique arts, resort getaways, to historic and urban-edge encounters.

 

The Autograph Collection combines the experience of an independent hotel with the product and standards of Marriott’s other full-service hotels. Each hotel will be featured on the group’s sales and marketing platforms, with affiliation with the Marriott Rewards guest loyalty program. The properties will also be required to maintain high levels of guest satisfaction and quality assurance to remain part of The Autograph Collection.

 

Marriott International joins rival hotel groups Hilton Worldwide and Starwood Hotels & Resorts in managing a portfolio of independent luxury hotels under the Waldorf Astoria Collection and Luxury Collection brands respectively.

 

For more information, visit www.marriott.com.

United Adds New Destinations For 2010

United Airlines has announced it will begin flights from the USA to new destinations in Africa, Europe and the Middle East in 2010. The Chicago-based airline will inaugurate a daily, same-plane service to Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria, as well as flights to Brussels and Bahrain.

 

Washington DC – Accra – Lagos

From 2 May 2010, United will fly non-stop from Washington DC to Accra, connecting the capital cities of the USA and Ghana. The service is United’s first-ever non-stop flight to Africa and continues to Lagos, Nigeria.

 

Flight UA 990 departs Washington Dulles International Airport at 2210 hrs, arriving in Accra at 1240 hrs the next day, before continuing to Lagos at 1420 hrs where it lands at Murtala Muhammed International Airport at 1625 hrs. The return flight, UA 991, takes off from Lagos at 2115 hrs for Accra, where it arrives at Kotoka International Airport at 2120 hrs, before departing at 2300 hrs back to Washington DC, where it arrives at 0625 hrs the next morning.

 

United will operate on the route daily with a 4-class Boeing 767-300ER aircraft configured with 6 First, 26 Business, 71 Economy Plus and 80 Economy Class seats. 

 

Chicago – Brussels

United Airlines will also expand its operations at Brussels with a new flight connecting the Belgian capital to Chicago. The new service, which begins on 28 March 2010, adds a second US city to the airline’s flights from Brussels, in addition to its existing Washington DC-Brussels service.

 

Flight UA 972 departs Chicago O’Hare International Airport at 1800 hrs and arrives in Brussels Airport at 0920 hrs the next morning. The aircraft returns to Chicago as flight UA 973 at 1100 hrs, landing back at O’Hare International Airport at 1315 hrs.

 

Flight timings have been scheduled to allow for connections at O’Hare International Airport to cities in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Across the atlantic, the new route allows passengers to enjoy convenient connections to onward destinations on Brussels Airlines, which joins the Star Alliance next month. United will fly a 4-class Boeing 767 aircraft on the route daily.

 

Washington DC – Kuwait – Bahrain

Beginning 18 April 2010, United will extend its existing Washington DC-Kuwait service to Bahrain. United Airlines will become the first and only US carrier to serve Bahrain and the flight will be the only same-plane service between Bahrain and the North America.

 

Flight UA 982 departs Washington Dulles International Airport at 1812 hrs, arriving in Kuwait at 1335 hrs the next day, before taking off again at 1450 hrs for Bahrain, where it arrives at 1555 hrs. The return flight, UA 981, takes off from Bahrain International Airport at 2125 hrs, landing in Kuwait at 2230 hrs. The flight continues to Washington DC at 2345 hrs for a 0647 hrs arrival the next morning.

 

Operated by a Boeing 777-200 fitted with 348 seats in a 3-class configuration, passengers can look forward to a product enhancement as the airline outfits its aircraft with the new United First and Business Class cabin product in 2010 and 2011.

 

For more information, visit www.united.com.

W Hotels Opens 35th Property

W Hotels has opened its 35th property with the unveiling of the new W Boston, marking a milestone in the brand’s ongoing expansion. Located in the heart of Boston near Chinatown and the Theater District, the hotel is designed as a ‘virtual garden’ concept and is the result of a collaboration between local architect William Rawn, TRO Jung|Brannen and New York-based Bentel & Bentel. The building’s glass facade enables light to be subtly transitioned as it filters through into the interior spaces, while the designers have made use of falling water and a modern fireplace to create visual interest of the interior.

 

The hotel features 235 guestrooms and suites, ranging from W Hotels’ signature Wonderful Room to the Extreme WOW Suite, vividly-designed with high-energy interiors familiar to guests at sister properties around the world. Each room is furnished with the W bed and pillow menu, a spacious bathroom with separate bathtub and rain shower complemented by amenities from Bliss, flat-screen televisions with CD/DVD player and iPod docking station, high-speed internet access, dual-line cordless telephones with voicemail feature, workdesk and a munchie box/minibar.

 

Dining at W Boston promises to be a gastronomic experience with outlets offering gourmet food and drinks from Michelin-starred Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten and master mixologist Sasha Petraske. Market by Jean-Georges serves a multicultural menu inspired by Asian, French and Italian influences and prepared with ingredients from the New England region. The cozy W Bar boasts stylish spaces to mix and mingle over drinks and light snacks, while Descent, scheduled to open early next year, will be an exclusive underground spot with cocktails created by Sasha Petraske of New York’s Milk & Honey fame.

 

Business travellers at W Boston requiring conference facilities will have 9 spaces available to them, including the 177-square meter Great Room. Each meeting space is equipped with complete audio-visual support and a teleconferencing system, with business and secretarial services provided by the WIRED business center. Guests seeking a workout can do so at the SWEAT fitness center, or indulge in the variety of spa treatments available at Bliss Spa.

 

W Boston is the brand’s ninth hotel to open in 2009. W Hotels is on track to double its portfolio by 2011, with new hotels scheduled to open in Athens, Bangkok, Dubai, Hollywood, Koh Samui, London, Marrakech, Paris and Shanghai.

 

For more information, visit www.whotels.com.

New Business Lounge For Qantas Passengers In Hong Kong

Australia’s Qantas Airways has opened a new International Business Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. The new facility replaces the original lounge opened in 1998 and is the latest in a series of lounge upgrades for the airline, following Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland, Perth, Tokyo (Narita), Los Angeles and Honolulu.

 

To provide greater comfort and personal space for passengers, Qantas has rearranged the seating layout and furnished the lounge with a new furniture range. Plush armchairs, dining chairs and bar stools combining wood, leather and fabrics are paired with chocolate brown carpets, as well as designer elements such as Moooi lighting and an Akira Isogawa rug.

 

The food and beverage offering has been expanded to include a greater selection of hot and cold foods, beverages and snacks, while 11 bathroom and shower suites with Molten Brown bath amenities let passengers relax and freshen up before their flight. Complimentary internet access, power and data ports, as well as 14 individual workstations equipped with PCs support the needs of business travellers who need to catch up with work.

 

The Qantas International Business Lounge is open to all Business Class, Chairman’s Lounge, Platinum and Gold Frequent Flyers, Qantas Club members and eligible passengers travelling on Oneworld marketed or operated flights. Qantas is also upgrading and expanding its First Lounge in Hong Kong, due to reopen in early December 2009.

 

From Hong Kong, Qantas operates flights to Brisbane, London (Heathrow), Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.  For more information, visit www.qantas.com.au.

Doubletree Opens Largest Property In Orlando

Hilton Worldwide’s Doubletree Hotels has opened its largest hotel in Orlando, Florida. Formerly the International Plaza Resort and Spa, the 1,094-room Doubletree Resort Orlando-International Drive has undergone a USD35 million transformation. The resort now features a Balinese-inspired theme with contemporary dark wood furnishings and Indonesian design accents again the tropical landscape. Located in the heart of the city’s tourism corridor, the property is easily accessible from Orlando International Airport, while the Orange County Convention Center and Seaworld, as well as shopping and dining facilities, are within walking distance of the hotel.

 

A variety of accomodation options, ranging from Resort Guestrooms, Tower Accomodations and Suites are available to guests. Each guestroom is furnished with the signature Sweet Dreams by Doubletree bed, bathroom with glass-enclosed shower and products by Neutrogena, 32-inch LCD television with clock radio featuring iPod connectivity, high-speed internet access, 2 telephones with voicemail capability, workdesk with power and connector ports, in-room safe, microwave, minibar and coffee-/tea-making facilities. In addition to standard amenities, the Suites include a comfortable, oversized living room, separate dining room with table and a kitchenette.

 

The Doubletree Resort Orlando-International Drive presents 3 unique dining options for guests. Max’s Deli offers casual dining, with breakfast pastries and Starbucks coffee on the menu, while the Bamboo Grille is a full-service, 270-seat all-day dining restaurant serving contemporary American cuisine with an Asian fusion twist. For drinks, guests can head to the Red Parrot Pool Bar and Tropical Isle located by the resort’s swimming pool, where they can enjoy signature drinks and frozen specialties.

 

Catering to both business and leisure travellers, the resort offers  conventions and recreational facilities within its 28 acres of lushly landscaped grounds. Over 5,574 square meters of indoor and outdoor event space, ranging from large ballrooms at the Oceans Convention Center to the elegant and intimate outdoor spaces at the Tower Terrace. Each facility is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, business services and amenities. Guests on vacation will enjoy facilities such as the 3 swimming pools, mini-golf course, full-service day spa and fitness center, or the quiet solace of a palm-shaded hammock or a Polynesian hut. A high-tech children’s lounge with computers and Nintendo Wii game consoles will entertain younger guests, while shuttle services to Orlando’s renowned attractions (Walt Disney World, Seaworld and Universal Studios) complement Doubletree Resort Orlando-International Drive’s facilities.

 

Doubletree boasts a portfolio of distinctively designed hotels and resorts in more than 200 gateway cities, metropolitan areas and vacation destinations worldwide, including Beijing, Boston, Chicago, Dar es Salaam, Lima, London, New York City, Qingdao, San Juan and Washington DC.

 

For more information, visit doubletree1.hilton.com.

Continental Airlines Now A Star Aliiance Member

Houston-based Continental Airlines has joined Star Alliance as its 25th member airline, completing its switch from rival alliance Skyteam. The entry of Continental Airlines is expected to enhance the alliance’s customer benefits of global reach, worldwide recognition and seamless travel.

 

Passengers can now have access to 19,500 daily flights serving nearly 1,701 airports in 171 countries, with network enhancements in North and South America, transpacific and across the North Atlantic, including the prestigious London (Heathrow)-New York route. Continental adds its 3 hubs in Cleveland, Houston and Newark, offering greater connectivity and access to its extensive Caribbean and South American network. Across the Pacific, the airline adds flight options to mainland China, Hong Kong and Japan, while affiliate Continental Micronesia offers services from Guam.

 

Apart from network enhancements, travellers will also benefit from Continental’s operational integration with other Star Alliance member airlines. Effective immediately, through check-in will be available for any itinerary involving a Continental flight with another Star Alliance flight at the originating airport, eliminating the need to repeat the process at connecting airports. The airline will also physically move airport operations to co-locate with other member airlines at locations such as Bangkok, Chicago, Frankfurt, Los Angeles, Munich and Tokyo (Narita). In case of flight irregularities, Star Alliance Connection Centres will also include Continental-operated flights, looking after passengers and baggage transfers.

 

Continental’s entry also integrates its frequent flyer program with Star Alliance. OnePass Members can now accumulate and redeem miles on all Star Alliance member airlines, with Gold and Platinum Elite members automatically accorded Star Alliance Gold status and benefits while Silver Elite members will enjoy automatic Star Alliance Silver status. Members of the frequent flyer programs of the other 24 member airlines will also be able to earn miles when travelling on Continental Airlines.

 

Continental Airlines is the 3rd US member in Star Alliance, joining United Airlines and US Airways. For more information, visit www.continental.com and www.staralliance.com.

Japan Airlines Enhances Offerings On Chicago, Los Angeles Routes, Reopens Frankfurt Lounge

Tokyo-based Japan Airlines has introduced several enhancements in the air and on the ground to selected North American and European services respectively. Passengers flying to and from Chicago and Los Angeles can now enjoy the improved product onboard the airline’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft, while the airline’s lounge in Frankfurt has reopened following the completion of renovations.

 

Boeing 777-300ER Service On Chicago And Los Angeles Routes From Tokyo (Narita)

First introduced in summer 2008 on the New York and San Francisco routes from Tokyo, Japan Airlines has deployed the Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on its flights to Chicago and Los Angeles. The aircraft, configured in a 4-class layout, has been operating the daily JL 009/010 and JL 061/062 services to both cities respectively from 25 October 2009.

 

First Class passengers will be able to enjoy the comfort of the JAL Suite reminiscent of a traditional lounge chair and convertible into a full-flat bed. JAL Executive Class – Seasons passengers are accomodated in the JAL Shell Flat Neo seats, which are softer than previous generation seats and feature slip-proof upholstery, repositioned seat controls and 15.4-inch personal screens.

 

Japan Airlines will also offer a Premium Economy product on the Chicago and Los Angeles routes with the new aircraft. The award-winning JAL Sky Shell seat offers 20% more legroom than in Economy Class, with its shell-shaped slide down recline ensuring each passenger’s personal space is maintained throughout the flight. In Economy Class, new seats incorporate a ‘hammock headrest’ for added comfort and a 9-inch personal monitor installed in the seatback. All passengers onboard enjoy Japan Airlines’ state-of-the-art MAGIC III on-demand entertainment system. 132 channels of movies, music, videos and games can be accessed at their convenience throughout the flight.

 

The twin-engined aircraft will also allow Japan Airlines and passengers to reduce their carbon footprint whilst flying.  Offering better fuel efficiency, the jet produces 20% less carbon dioxide than the 4-engined Boeing 747-400 it replaces on the routes.

 

Renovated Lounge Reopens In Frankfurt

In Europe, Japan Airlines has reopened its departure lounge at Frankfurt International Airport. Recently renovated, the new facility comprises a separate First Class Lounge and Sakura Lounge and is a convenient 2-minute walk from the departure gates.

 

Modelled after the Japan Airlines’ lounges at Narita International Airport, the revamped Frankfurt lounge is spacious and well-equipped with amenities to allow passengers to relax or catch up with work before their flight. Following feedback from passengers, the facility now incorporates amenities such as shower rooms, complimentary high-speed internet access and power outlets, in addition to comprehensive business and dining options.

 

Japan Airlines flies connects Frankfurt with Tokyo daily, operating a 4-class Boeing 777-300ER aircraft on the route. Passengers can connect at Frankfurt to other destinations across Europe through the airline’s Oneworld alliance partners.

 

For more information, visit www.jal.co.jp.

Aloft Arrives In The Middle East

Starwood Hotels & Resorts’ Aloft brand makes its debut in the Middle East, with the opening of the new Aloft Abu Dhabi today. Located within the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center (ADNEC), the 408-room hotel is minutes away from the airport, downtown Abu Dhabi and Yas Island, which hosts the emirate’s inaugural Formula One grand prix next weekend.

 

One of Abu Dhabi’s largest hotels, the property incorporates several environmental sustainability features in its design and construction. Guests are greeted by park-like landscaping upon arrival and natural materials such as cork and sustainable wood veneers can be found throughout the hotel. 560 solar panels, covering a total area of 2,300 square meters, will supply 90% of the hotel’s hot water and saving an estimated 870 mega watt hours of electricity every year.

 

Each room and suite at Aloft Abu Dhabi features the brand’s signature platform bed, spacious bathrooms with oversized showerheads and amenities from Tried and Blue by Bliss, extra-large windows, minibar and complimentary coffee/tea. Entertainment and connectivity facilities include a 42-inch LCD television, plug & play connectivity station, telephones and high-speed internet access.

 

A selection of innovative dining options is available at the hotel. The 24-7 re:fuel by Aloft self-serve gourmet eatery offers sweet, savoury and healthy treats, while Dine serves international cuisine from its open kitchen. The w xyz bar lets guests meet and mingle in its lively and abuzz surroundings. On the rooftop, relax@12 and Maï Cafe provide locations to relax and chill-out over snacks, drinks and shisha.

 

Aloft Abu Dhabi offers facilities catering to both business and leisure travellers. A 24 hour business center is available in the hotel, as well as 2 tactic rooms totalling 54 square meters of meeting space that can be easily configured to suit individual needs and equipped with a full suite of multimedia tools. Larger conventions can be catered for at ADNEC’s 55,000 square meters of multi-function exhibition space. After a day of meetings, guests can unwind at the re:mix lounge where they can watch television, play a game of pool, or lounge over their favorite book. Guests who prefer to workout can utilize the re:charge gymnasium and splash outdoor pool on the rooftop. Younger guests at the hotel can join camp Aloft, a program designed to ensure fun for them and peace-of-mind for parents as they proceed for meetings or personal time.

 

A vision of W Hotels, Aloft combines urban-inspired design with accessible technology, style and a social atmosphere. Aloft Abu Dhabi joins 38 other Aloft properties around the world in locations such as Beijing, Chicago, Houston, Minneapolis, Montreal and New York.

 

For more information, visit www.alofthotels.com.

Etihad To Return To Colombo In 2010

The national carrier of the UAE, Etihad Airways, has announced it will resume flights from its Abu Dhabi base to Colombo. Beginning January 2010, the airline will operate a 2-class Airbus A320 aircraft configured with 20 Pearl Business and 120 Coral Economy class seats 4 times weekly between both cities.

 

Flight EY 266 will depart Abu Dhabi International Airport at 2155 hrs on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, arriving at Bandaranaike International Airport at 0345 hrs the next day. The return flight, EY 267, takes off from Colombo at 0445 hrs and lands back in Abu Dhabi at 0800 hrs.

 

The airline has timed the flights to allow passengers convenient connections with key destinations in its network, including Moscow, New York and Toronto. Etihad is targeting increased tourist arrivals to Sri Lanka following the end of the civil conflict, as well as the large expatriate Sri Lankan community in the UAE and the Middle East.

 

Etihad stopped flying to Colombo in September 2007, but maintained service with codeshare partner Sri Lankan Airlines. With the resumption of flights, Sri Lankan Airlines will place its ‘UL’ code on the Etihad-operated services.

 

For more information, visit www.etihadairways.com.