While there aren’t too many details about Disney’s new ships, they have released two renderings that reveal a lot about the direction that Disney is planning to go with their two new builds.
The first rendering we have is a profile view of the new ships, click on the photo for a larger version-
From this view the ship looks very similar to the Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. The new ships will obviously fit in well with the rest of the fleet.
When we first posted the announcement of the new ships, we had a thumbnail view of the four ships. We now have a larger version of that rendering. From this view you can clearly see many of the differences between the two new ships and the Disney Wonder and Disney Magic-
Earlier today in a traditional maritime handover ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera, Italy, Carnival Cruise Lines took delivery of the new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom – the 22nd vessel in the “Fun Ship†fleet. Following its official naming ceremony in Venice March 4, presided over by godmother Kathy Ireland, Carnival Freedom will sail on its inaugural voyage – a nine-day Mediterranean cruise from Venice departing March 5.
Carnival Freedom will then launch a program of 12-day Grand Mediterranean and Mediterranean & Greek Isles cruises March 14, operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia).
One of the most technically advanced cruise ships at sea, Carnival Freedom features Carnival’s Seaside Theater, a poolside 270-square-foot LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming, along with “100 percent bow-to-stern†Internet wireless access and cellular phone service.
Also featured are 22 lounges and bars with dramatic interiors inspired by prominent design themes of the past decades and centuries, as well as a 13,300-square-foot health club, one eighth-mile jogging track, and extensive facilities for children and teens, part of Carnival’s popular “Camp Carnival†and “Club O2†programs, respectively.
Sixty percent of its 1,487 staterooms offer either an ocean view or balcony – perfect for scenic European cruising. All staterooms feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.
Following its European program, Carnival Freedom will sail on a 14-day transatlantic voyage from Rome (Civitavecchia) to Miami, positioning the vessel for a winter schedule of seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning Nov. 17, 2007.
Reservations are being accepted on all of Carnival Freedom’s European and Caribbean itineraries. Call us at 888-286-9827 to book onboard Carnival’s newest Fun Ship.
In July, Holland America debuted self guided audio art tours onboard the ms Westerdam. Guests desiring to take a tour simply sign out an iPod free of charge and take the tour at their leisure, returning the device when they finish. In addition the tours were available for download from the Holland America website. All of Holland America’s audio art tours are now available as free downloads from the iTunes Music Store, you’ll find them here.
Narrated by well-known radio hosts Paul Lasley and Elizabeth Harryman, the 40- to 50-minute tours include walking directions, interviews with artists, background music and photo images displayed on the iPod screen to help guests locate each piece. For convenience, tours are confined to the main public decks to facilitate casual, unhurried strolling from piece to piece.
Each tour begins with a welcome message from Holland America Line President and CEO Stein Kruse and includes comments from ship architect/designer Frans Dingemans, as well as others associated with the line’s art program.
Since we had a week off last week there were quite a few news stories that popped up, two of which were quite big.
- The stories we discussed this week included Carnival’s decision not to move the Triumph to New Orleans later this year.
- Crystal and MSC offering special golf cruises.
- Queen Mary 2’s New York sailings to the Caribbean
- Norwegian Dawn’s July 7 sailing canceled- and boy did we have a mouthful about this one!
- Damage to the Regal Princess
- Crystal launches Windows Vista and Office 2007 training
- Disney orders two new ships
- Windstar is sold and Swan Helenic will be shutting down
- Silver Whisper attends America’s Cup
- Seattle OKs cruise ship terminal move
There were several other stories from the past few weeks that we didn’t discuss on the show, including Costa’s 2008 worldwide itineraries announced, Deilman’s Seine and Rhone cruises begin March 24, and Holland America announces new Panama Canal cuises for 2008.
Since Disney has announced two new ships we’ve decided to run a pool of sorts to predict the names of the new Disney ships. So, leave a comment and tell us what you think Disney should name the two ships. The first ones people who accurate predict what Disney names the new ships will get a special prize pack. However, Disney Fascination, Disney Celebration, and Disney Hope are all taken.
Don’t forget to check out this week’s Deal of the Week, you’ll find it here.
As always you can find the show in iTunes, or click on one of the links below to download the show or listen to it right in your browser window.
Royal Caribbean International today announced plans to deploy Independence of the Seas – the third in its new Freedom class of ships – in the United Kingdom, when she debuts in May 2008. Sharing the title of the largest, most innovative cruise ship in the world with sister ships, Freedom of the Seas and the soon-to-be-launched Liberty of the Seas, Independence of the Seas will be the largest ship ever to be home-ported in Europe.
Currently under construction in Aker Yards in Turku, Finland, Independence of the Seas will be delivered to Royal Caribbean in May 2008 and will feature the line’s signature innovations including the FlowRider(R) surf simulator, the H2O Zone water park, an ice-skating rink, a rock-climbing wall and a boxing ring. The 3,634-guest cruise ship will sail the 2008 summer season from Southampton, United Kingdom.
We have the details on Independence of The Seas European itineraries when you click on “more” or call us at 888-286-9827 to book one of these new itineraries when they go on sale March 14.
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