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) is reporting that Bermuda is proceeding with plans to build a second large ship pier at the Royal Naval Dockyard. With a planned completion in 2008, the new facility will be large enough to accomodate vessels as large as Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 and Royal Caribbean’s Freedom class of ships.
However, Bermuda has tight controls on the number and size of ships that the island will allow to visit. Currently Royal Caribban’s Voyager class are the largest ships permitted to visit the island. Bermuda officials insist that even though the new pier can accomodate ships larger than the Voyager class, there are no plans to ease the current restrictions.
The project, estimated to cost $40m will include a terminal building, an information center, and a floating dock for taxis and tour buses. A wave attenuator will also be installed to minimize the potential for damage caused by ship thrusters.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: General News Posted by Michael on 06/28/06
Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, is expanding wireless Internet access to all public rooms and suites aboard its 21 “Fun Ships” by the end of 2006.
With the installation of strategically located Wi-Fi “hot spots,” guests sailing on Carnival can now access Web sites and send e-mails via any wireless-equipped laptop computer from virtually anywhere aboard ship, including all lounges, bars, pool areas, open decks, dining venues and suite accommodations.
The project is roughly 75 percent complete with the balance of the fleet expected to be completed by year’s end.
Wi-Fi technology expands Carnival’s existing shipboard wireless Internet capabilities as guests can use wireless-equipped laptop computers in select areas in and around the Internet cafes fleetwide. Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty also feature “100 percent bow to stern” wireless access.
If you’re reading this, then the ability to access the internet even on vacation is a valuable amenity, but your going to pay to have access to that amenity, click on “more” to get the details on pricing. Be sure to visit Cruise Planners for more information about Carnival’s ships and itineraries, or call us at 888-286-9827 to book your Carnival Cruises vacation.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Carnival Cruise Lines Posted by Michael on 06/27/06
Viking River Cruises, today announced their Early Booking Discount offering travelers the best savings of the year – $900 off per cabin – on any newly-released 2007 sailings. Travelers can choose among 17 itineraries from the new 2007 Europe, Russia and China schedules, and sail the famous rivers of the world with included tours of landmarks like Beijing’s Forbidden City, Moscow’s Kremlin or Paris’s Eiffel Tower.
Travelers can save $900 on 2007 Vacations Through Early Booking Discounts
Viking River Cruises offers a 3-tiered Early Booking Discount, available by asking for “EBD Offer.” When passengers book and pay for a cruise in full by:
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July 31, 2006: They save $450 per person ($900 savings per cabin maximum)
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October 18, 2006: Save $350 per person ($700 per cabin maximum)
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December 18, 2006: Save $250 per person ($500 per cabin maximum)
Click “more” to find out about European and Chinese River cruise tour offerings, or call us at 888-286-9827 for more information about Viking River Cruises.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Viking River Cruises Posted by Michael on 06/27/06
From cosmopolitan Hong Kong’s vibrant harbor and colorful markets to the ethereal beauty of Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, Silversea is offering travelers the chance to explore the fascinating cultures of the Far East from the private veranda of a luxurious six-star ship. From December through February, the intimate, all-suite ships Silver Cloud and Silver Whisper will offer a collection of eight voyages, ranging from nine to 14 days, showcasing some of the world’s most enchanting and exotic destinations.
In addition to savings of up to 50%, guests will enjoy spacious, ocean-view accommodations, most with private veranda, award-winning gourmet cuisine, personalized service, warm Italian hospitality, and Silversea’s unmatched selection of all-inclusive shipboard amenities, including complimentary beverages, wines and spirits served throughout the ship, 24-hour room service, stocked in-suite beverage cabinet and all gratuities.
Highlighting the Far East program are two complimentary tours in Vietnam. Guests aboard Silver Whisper’s January 14 cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore will be treated to a free “Scenic Wonders of Ha Long Bay” excursion, offering a chance to sail aboard a traditional red-sailed boat to discover the many fascinating islets rising from the misty waters of this Unesco World Heritage Site. And on Silver Whisper’s following voyage to Bangkok, departing Singapore on January 23, the line is offering a complimentary “Evening of Vietnamese Cuisine and Culture” in Ho Chi Minh City.
Click “more” to find out about the optional land extensions available on these special voyages. Visit Cruise Planners or call us at 888-286-9827 for more information about these or any other Silversea Cruises itinerary.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Silversea Cruises Posted by Michael on 06/27/06
When Crown Princess set sail for the first time on June 14, she was dripping in more than one million dollars in diamonds specially commissioned to commemorate her inaugural. An exclusive collection of diamond jewelry is showcased on board, the highlight of which is a showpiece, 100-carat matching set of four pieces, appropriately dubbed the “Crown Jewels.” The pieces in this sparkling collection will be available for purchase aboard Crown Princess only for her first eight sailings, and during that time, four lucky women on each sailing will have the opportunity to “borrow” the Crown Jewels for a special portrait sitting on formal night. The entire million dollar collection will be on display for passengers to view (and purchase) in the ship’s Facets jewelry salon.
The Crown Jewels made their debut among some very royal company. America’s favorite pop princess Katharine McPhee, home and lifestyle expert Martha Stewart, and Scripps National Spelling Bee champion Kerry Close were all on hand for the ship’s naming ceremony and helped unveil the jewels amidst a flutter of paparazzi flashes.
The elaborate ensemble features flawless diamonds and platinum, in settings reminiscent of the Victorian era, and the Crown Jewels pieces include a necklace, earrings, bracelet, and ring. Valued at $585,000 for the four-piece set, the Crown Jewels come with a diamond grading report from an independent gemological institute, authenticating the carat weight, color, cut, and value of the stones in each piece.
On each of the first eight sailings, Princess will offer a drawing to give four passengers the opportunity to wear the Crown Jewels pieces while sitting for a special keepsake portrait on formal night. “Diamonds are indeed a girl’s best friend, and we are pleased to offer passengers the opportunity to truly feel like ‘red carpet royalty’…right down to the borrowed jewels,” says Jan Swartz, Princess’ senior vice president of customer service and sales. “It seems appropriate to offer our own Crown Jewels aboard this spectacular new ship.”
The Crown Jewels’ home, 113,000-ton Crown Princess, introduces a number of new design innovations to the Princess fleet, including a dramatic new piazza-style atrium and new casual dining venues. Within the new street café environment of the atrium, passengers will find an International Café serving up fresh pastries and baked goods in the morning and assorted other offerings throughout the day, as well as a wine and seafood bar. Several signature Princess venues have been further enhanced, including an expanded Sabatini’s Italian trattoria with a new piano lounge, and the Crown Grill, a new steak and seafood restaurant with an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare steamed shellfish and cooked-to-order steaks and chops.
The ship also showcases the many hallmark features that define the Princess experience, including the dramatic Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, multiple dining and entertainment options, a Lotus Spa fitness center, an extensive children and teen’s center, a wedding chapel and nearly 900 staterooms with private balconies.
The inaugural 2006 summer season for Crown Princess features nine-day roundtrip voyages to both the Eastern and Western Caribbean, and marks the return of Princess visits to Bermuda, as well as the line’s first-ever regular calls to Grand Turk. In the fall the ship will reposition to San Juan for winter Caribbean sailings.
For more information about the inaugural itineraries offered by Crown Princess visit Cruise Planners or call us at 888-286-9827
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