The name of Carnival Cruise Lines’ next new ship and its interior design complement each other perfectly; the central design idea of the line’s new 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor — set to debut in July 2008 — is “Splendid Things,†a celebration of the magnificent, lustrous and elegant. The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor is a new class of vessel for Carnival, with a number of innovative new features, including a luxurious 21,000-square-foot spa — the largest in the “Fun Ship†fleet. Carnival Splendor is scheduled to launch Carnival’s first-ever northern European cruise program July 13, 2008.
“When I thought about the name of this ship, it brought to mind all the splendid things there are in the world,†said Joe Farcus, Carnival’s ship architect. “The central idea that ties the rooms together is the concept of fine, luxurious, sumptuous elegance. So we used elements like pearls, gold leaf and wood grains to give the ship a feeling of richness,†he added.
So what can you expect onboard? Click “more” to find out. Then call us at 888-286-9827 for more information.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Carnival Cruise Lines Posted by Michael on 06/18/07
Cunard Line today announced the sale of QE2 to Dubai World, in a US$100 million deal which will turn the iconic liner into a first-class tourism destination at The Palm Jumeirah in Dubai.
QE2 will be delivered to Dubai World in November 2008, where she will cease her role as an ocean-going passenger vessel and be refurbished and adapted for her new home. From 2009, the vessel will be berthed at a specially-constructed pier to create a luxury floating hotel, retail and entertainment destination at The Palm Jumeirah, the world’s largest man-made island.
The ship, which was launched by Her Majesty The Queen in September 1967, 40 years ago this year, is the longest-serving ship in Cunard’s 168-year history, and was their longest-serving flagship. Since she came into service in 1969, she has undertaken 25 world cruises, has crossed the Atlantic more than 800 times and has carried more than 2.5 million passengers.
QE2 has been purchased by Istithmar, the investment arm of Dubai World, a wholly owned company of the Government of Dubai. Nakheel, developer of The Palm Jumeirah, is also a Dubai World company.
Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard, said:
“We are delighted that when her legendary career as an ocean liner ends there will continue to be a permanent home for her that will enable future generations to continue to experience fully both the ship and her history.”
Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, chairman of Dubai World, said:
“QE2 is without a doubt one of the wonders of the maritime world, and is easily the most famous serving liner in the world today. I am delighted we will be able to create a home for her on the newest wonder of the world, The Palm Jumeirah.”
“QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will become one of the must-see experiences of Dubai and of the Middle East. We are investing in creating a truly global tourism destination.”
“Dubai is a maritime nation and we understand the rich heritage of QE2. She is coming to a home where she will be cherished.”
Istithmar said its refurbishment programme will aim to recreate QE2’s original interior décor and fittings. QE2 at The Palm Jumeirah will also include a museum celebrating the rich history of the ship
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Cunard Cruise Lines Posted by Michael on 06/18/07
Celebrity Cruises is beaming about the approach of summer solstice. The term for the longest day and shortest night of the year, summer solstice traditionally marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, but at Celebrity Cruises, it also marks the opening of bookings for Celebrity Solstice, the toprated premium cruise line’s first new ship since 2002.
Bookings for Celebrity Solstice will open exclusively for members of Celebrity’s loyalty program, “Captain’s Club,†on June 21, the date of this year’s summer solstice. Beginning July 5, all other cruise enthusiasts are welcome to book a Celebrity Solstice vacation. Celebrity Solstice will offer the extraordinary service and dining experience the brand is known for providing, along with a variety of compelling new features that will be revealed over time. One of those features is the line’s new AquaClass category of veranda accommodations expressly designed for spa enthusiasts. Guests booked in AquaClass will receive unlimited access to Celebrity Solstice’s new AquaSpa relaxation room and the Persian Garden, an exotic aromatherapy and steam room, as well as exclusive, complimentary dining in Blu, an intimate, 130 seat specialty restaurant whose design is likely to be as inviting as the cuisine.
AquaClass will comprise 130 of the ship’s 1,425 staterooms. A full 85 percent of all staterooms onboard Celebrity Solstice will have verandas, and all staterooms will be equipped with flatscreen TVs, smarter storage and closet space, spacious bathrooms, and plush European bedding. The ship will offer wireless Internet access throughout.
Following several weeks of inaugural activities, Celebrity Solstice will make its maiden voyage December 14, 2008, on a seven night Eastern Caribbean cruise roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., visiting San Juan, Puerto Rico; Basseterre, St. Kitts; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten. The itinerary will be offered on Sundays through April 5, 2009, with an alternating itinerary calling on San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Tortola, B.V.I.; and Labadee, Haiti, through April 12, 2009. Fares for veranda staterooms begin at $1,099 per person, based on double occupancy.
Celebrity Solstice will be the line’s first in a class of four 2,850 guest vessels with an exceptional range of guest inspired services and amenities. German shipbuilder Meyer Werft is building the 122,000 ton vessels. Meyer Werft also built the line’s Century class fleet: Celebrity Century, Celebrity Mercury, and Celebrity Galaxy.
Call us at 888-286-9827 to book your cabin onboard Celebrity Solstice.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Celebrity Cruises Posted by Michael on 06/15/07
Regent Seven Seas CruisesSM, the world’s largest luxury cruise line, has added four new Antarctica cruises in late 2007 and early 2008 due to overwhelming demand. These new cruise dates offer guests a rare opportunity to experience the stark beauty and abundant wildlife of the White Continent amid the comfort of the world’s top-rated expedition cruise ship, Explorer II.
Guests yearning to explore the largely unknown continent of Antarctica can choose from four new departure dates - November 8 and 24, December 20, 2007; and February 25, 2008. Each of these 10- or 16-night cruises will depart from the world’s southernmost city and capital of Tierra del Fuego, Ushuaia, Argentina, also known as “the end of the world.” (These dates will be offered in addition to the already sold-out departures on January 21, 2008 and February 1, 2008.)
Explorer II will then cross the Atlantic to the wildlife-rich shores of the Falkland Islands, where guests can explore the photogenic British outpost of Port Stanley, followed by the dramatic glacial coastline of the South Shetland Islands and the mountainous peaks of the Antarctic Peninsula. Guests can be among the very few to step foot on Antarctica and explore, weather permitting. Explorer II then sails along Cape Horn, located at the confluence of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, before moving onward through Drake Passage and returning to Ushuaia. The extended 16-night cruises also include a call at South Georgia, featuring large colonies of king penguins, fur and elephant seals.
These four new cruises will take place during Antarctica’s spring and summer seasons, which bring milder temperatures, longer days and unrivaled wildlife viewing including the famous shoreline gatherings of thousands of penguins. Guests may also see seal pups and parents, whales, blooming snow algae, albatross and other seabirds, and spectacular glaciers and icebergs. Explorer II’s team of naturalists, historians, marine biologists, geologists, and ornithologists will add immeasurably to guests’ adventures in these pristine realms. An onboard enrichment program hosted by a professional photographer will include group discussions and tips on how best to capture these wildlife sightings on camera.
Though a range of shore excursions can accommodate more adventurous travelers, the state-of-the-art Explorer II provide guests a way to experience the beauty of Antarctica in stylish comfort, and its small size and maneuverability brings guests face-to-face with each of the sites. Recently rated among the world’s top small cruise ships by readers of Condé Nast Traveler, Explorer II features a polished brass and wood interior with all ocean-view suites and staterooms, two open-seating restaurants, a full-service health club and a salon. Although the ship is designed to accommodate up to 394 passengers, space is limited aboard these cruises to 198 guests for maximum comfort. The vessel’s expedition team of highly trained naturalists and biologists, along with the high crew-to-guest ratio of 1 to 1.5, ensures the ultimate relaxing and enriching voyage.
Per person prices for Regent’s Antarctica cruises start from $9,795 for the 10-night voyages, including a one-night pre-cruise stay in Santiago (Chile); complimentary roundtrip economy air from one of Regent’s 86 North American gateways, round-trip charter flights from Santiago to Ushuaia; a city tour and Patagonian lunch on day of embarkation in Ushuaia; and a complimentary backpack and parka. As with all Regent Seven Seas cruises, fares include all shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship; and a refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily in higher stateroom categories.
Through The Regent Travel ConciergeSM, guests may select from a variety of exciting pre- and post-cruise land adventures, from horseback riding in Ushuaia to a guided walking tour of the city’s Tierra del Fuego National Park, including a trek across the border to Chile.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Regent Seven Seas Cruises Posted by Michael on 06/15/07
The official keel laying ceremony this week marked an important step in the construction of the new Ruby Princess, the next vessel to join the Princess Cruises fleet. The ceremony, which was held at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, consisted of moving the ship’s first section into the building dock, where it will remain until its float out ceremony. A sister ship to Crown Princess and the new Emerald Princess, the 113,000-ton Ruby Princess will join the Princess fleet in fall 2008, sailing on a series of Caribbean cruises from Ft. Lauderdale.
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