MSC Renames Ship
Just a month and a half after the first steel was cut for the 133,500gt MSC Serenata MSC has decided to instead call the ship the MSC Splendida.
The newly named MSC Splendida is the sister ship of MSC Fantasia, and both ships will be the first post-Panamax ships for the line.
Seabourn Announces Design Plans for New Flagship
After months of detailed planning, on May 9 the first steel plates were cut for The Yachts of Seabourn’s newest, largest vessel, the first addition to the ultra luxury segment of the cruise industry in six years. In all, more than 8,500 tons of steel will be cut and welded to form the sleek hull and graceful superstructure of the line’s $250 million flagship, which is scheduled to enter service in mid-June 2009.
The yet-unnamed vessel is being designed by the renowned architecture firm of Yran & Storbraaten of Norway and constructed in Italy by T. Mariotti S.p.A., leaders in the construction of mega-yachts and intimate cruising vessels. The ship’s designers have mirrored the distinctive silhouette of the existing Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend while adding additional facilities and amenities. Indeed, past guests will appreciate a familiar scheme to the general layout of public rooms and accommodations.
“We’ve been careful to incorporate Seabourn’s signature features while designing the next generation of ultra luxury ship to satisfy the desires of a new generation of luxury travelers,†said Pamela C. Conover, the line’s president and CEO.
Seabourn’s grand, new yacht will offer more dining options, more types of suites, more verandas, more entertainment venues and enhanced spa and recreational facilities. Although three times the size of her smaller 10,000-ton sister ships, the new vessel will carry just over twice as many guests (450 passengers), boasting among the highest space-per-guest ratio (71.1) in the cruise industry.
You'll find more information about Seabourn's newest ship when you click "more" below.
13 Categories of Suites
In response to feedback from past passengers, the new ship will offer a range of luxury accommodations. Seven of its 11 passenger decks will feature 225 ocean-view suites, measuring from 277 to over 1,300 square feet. Approximately 90 percent of the suites will include private verandas providing from 68 to 344 square feet of outdoor living space. Decks 9 and 10 are home to 22 penthouses with 450-square-foot interiors and verandas measuring nearly 100 square feet.
The most expansive guest quarters on board will be five Owners Suites that measure over 700 square feet (including veranda) and four, two-bedroom Grand Suites providing over 1300 square feet of private living space. All suites will feature granite bathrooms, with separate tub and shower, twin sinks and a stunning glass vanity.
Four Dining Venues
Guests can enjoy superb cuisine in a choice of four venues: The Restaurant – the ship’s gourmet, open-seating dining room, where guests savor multi-course dinner menus designed by acclaimed celebrity chef Charlie Palmer; Veranda Café – a stylish, yet casual restaurant serving regional specialties, with both indoor and outdoor seating; Restaurant 2 – an elegant and intimate specialty restaurant featuring innovative tasting menus; and Patio Grill – where guests can enjoy pizza and grilled items, poolside. In addition to a 24-hour, in-suite service menu, during dinner hours guests can order from The Restaurant menu, dining course-by-course if they wish.
Six Open Bars
Anticipating the desires of sophisticated travelers, the newest addition to the Seabourn fleet will offer a selection of lounges and bars to satisfy a myriad of moods and entertainment styles. With an open-bar policy that ensures fine wines, champagnes and spirits flow freely, choices will include:
Grand Salon – the main showroom and home to Seabourn’s dance band, features a unique living room-like foyer furnished with inviting booths and arm chairs, in addition to tiered banquettes that surround the dance floor.
The Club – with both indoor and outdoor seating, is where a pianist, duo or trio will perform a variety of musical genres throughout the evening.
Sky Bar – this popular icon of the existing Seabourn yachts overlooks the ship’s central, outdoor living space: Poolside Patio.
Patio Bar – in the evenings, guests can enjoy live, alfresco entertainment, weather permitting.
Coffee Bar – situated portside at Seabourn Square, traditional Italian espresso, cappuccino and café latte are complimented by champagne, wine and spirits.
With a dramatic square bar as its focal point, the ship’s forward-facing observation lounge is located atop the navigational bridge and boasts panoramic views; high-powered, motion-dampened spotting scopes and binoculars-behind-the-bar for use by patrons.
Other Facilities & Amenities
Seabourn Square – the heart of the ship and home to the pursers and tour desks, Internet center, library and three duty-free retail shops.
The Marina – a beloved icon of the current Seabourn fleet, a fold-down teak platform provides a staging area for guests to enjoy complimentary water sports including waterskiing from the ship’s own speed boat, banana boat rides, paddleboats and kayaks.
Sun Terraces – Stepped terraces, on Deck 11, at the ship’s highest and furthest-forward point, are home to another intriguing amenity. There, protected by a glass windbreak, guests will find a terraced enclave furnished with large sun-beds.
Spa at Seabourn – With a thallasso whirlpool as its focal point, the spa will feature his and hers Finnish saunas, a selection of aromatic steam rooms, separate gym and aerobics areas and two outdoor decks, for exclusive use by spa guests.
Swimming pools and whirlpools – Guests can choose from swimming pools on Decks 8 and 5, plus a total of seven whirlpools.
Crystal Announces Partnership With Hotel Bel Air
Hotel Bel-Air and Crystal Cruises announce a new partnership, allowing guests to enjoy a seamless transition from one luxury experience to another. The Bel-Air invites travelers who are embarking or disembarking a Crystal cruise in Los Angeles to begin or conclude their vacation with a two- or three-night package in a Garden Suite. Additionally, frequent hotel guests will receive special offers for Crystal Cruises through Leading Hotels of the World's loyalty program, while Crystal Cruises' repeat guests (Crystal Society members) will receive special rates at the Hotel Bel-Air even when they are not cruising.
The Crystal Cruises/Hotel Bel-Air package, available with its December 21 Christmas/New Year cruise and all of its 2008 cruises to and from Los Angeles, includes:
- Two or three nights in a Garden Suite
- Welcome bottle of champagne and strawberries
- Full American breakfast for two, daily
- Private car transfer to and from the hotel, airport and the ship
The 2007 package is available at $1,815 or $2,430 per person, double occupancy for two- or three-night programs, respectively.
Crystal Society guests can also enjoy up to 23% off future deluxe guestroom and garden suite accommodations at the hotel, based on space availability. Hotel Bel-Air guests are eligible for a $100 per person shipboard credit on any future Crystal cruise.
The Mail Buoy Episode 65
This week's episode started with a question. Patricia was asked about shore excursions for somebody's upcoming European trip - they wanted to know what excursions they should choose to get the most out of their upcoming cruise.
Our first answer - slow down! Don't try and cram as much as humanly possible into your cruise. Step back, slow down, relax - it's a vacation not a marathon. Definately take a few excursions, but leave some time for you to relax and scout things out solo.
For those stops that you choose to take an excursion, there are plenty of options no matter where you go. The cruise lines have some fantastic excursions that they put together, and you can reserve them prior to your cruise or book them onboard your cruise. While there are some important benefits that you get when you book a cruise line excursion, you can also look at excursions offered by third parties. Our good friends over at Shore Trips have some options that are always worth looking in to.  While they offer many of the same options as the cruise lines, they also have some unique excursions that you won't find any place else. Plus they offer smaller groups, so you won't be joining 60 or more of your fellow passengers on your excursion.
Don't forget to check out this week's Deal of the Week, and the newly revised SeaSocks 2008.
Click below to download the show or to play it right in your browser window.
The Mail Buoy Episode 64
It been a heck of a week for us here at Mail Buoy Headquarters - A small piece of news from Princess sent things spinning here. After a few days of scurrying for alternate plans, things are back on track again for Seasocks 2008. But more on that later.
Celebrity has decided to order a fourth Solstice class ship, and sister line (or is it subsidiary?) Azamara Cruises has announced their 2008 itineraries for their two ships Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest. While I didn't rattle off all the ports in the show, click here for more information.
On the luxury front, kid's sail free on two upcoming Crystal sailings, and Oceania's Regatta has become the first Western cruise ship to visit Albania.
Crown Princess hosts a college grad, and Disney Magic arrived in Barcelona to kick off Disney Cruise Lines' inaugural European season.
Finally, Regent Seven Seas has announced a new fashion conscious Circle of Interest excursion and Empress of The North has arrived in Ketchikan for repairs.
Thanks to the reshuffle in Princess' 2008 Alaska schedule SeaSocks 2008 has been re-tooled. We're on a different ship, on a different itinerary and even a longer sailing. The details are all here.
Don't forget to check out this week's Deal of The Week.
As always you can find the show over in iTunes, or click below to download the show or play it right in your browser window.
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