News wise this was a pretty quiet week for the cruise lines.
Celebrity announced new audio tours to help their passengers learn about the various pieces of art on board their ships. We’re also hearing that repairs for Celebrity Millennium are on track and the ship is expected to re-enter service in time for her scheduled July 24 sailing.
Carnival has decided to name the spa on board Carnival Splendor “Cloud 9.”
Holland America has official announced their “As You Wish” dining program, while Royal Caribbean has announced that they would begin testing a similar program on Freedom of The Seas.
Regent’s “Discovery Collection” voyage will feature new Circles of Interest
This week we also had another segment of our ongoing Cruising Anywhere but the Caribbean series, this time focusing on Bermuda. The island is Britain’s oldest colony and is know for it’s unique style among other things. There’s more to Bermuda than just Bermuda shorts!
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Filed under: Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Holland America Line, Podcast, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean International Posted by Michael on 07/18/07
Gourmands, chocoholics and aspiring photographers can explore some of the world’s most thrilling destinations along with their own personal passions aboard Regent Seven Seas CruisesSM, first-ever “Discovery Collection,” an extended exploration of Africa, the Middle East, India and South America debuting in 2008. Through new Circles of InterestSM and other programs, guests can learn about photography, marine life, food and wine, and the chocolates and coffees of South America through a series of special lectures, themed events and on shore activities during this 82-night, five-continent odyssey.The Discovery Collection includes six combinable cruise segments aboard the 490-guest, all-suite (90 percent with private balconies) Seven Seas Navigator. This thrilling collection was created for seasoned travelers eager to explore new destinations as well as first-time guests with a taste for the exotic. Regent developed the unique itinerary based on feedback from Regent guests and travel agents.
For more information click below or call us at 888-286-9827
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Regent Seven Seas Cruises Posted by Michael on 07/16/07
Holland America Line launches As You Wish dining, an innovative program that allows guests to choose from thebest of both worlds — either traditional pre-set seating and dining times, or a completely flexible dining schedule. One level of the two-tiered restaurant will offer a flexible/open dining service from 5:15 to 9 p.m. daily, and the other will host two seatings, an early and main seating.
“Providing more options for our guests has been a hallmark of our Signature of Excellence initiative,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales, and guest programs. “Since flexible dining options have become more desirable by many of our guests, we will roll As You Wish dining out across the fleet to provide the most flexibility, choice and service to our guests.”
“We’ve operated As You Wish dining in a pre-launch phase aboard the ms Noordam and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Meadows added.
Prior to their cruise, during the booking phase, guests will choose flexible/open dining or Holland America Line’s traditional pre-set dining time (early or main). Guests with flexible seating may make reservations daily during a cruise up to 4 p.m. or simply walk up anytime during dining hours. Holland America Line manages reservations and guest preferences through a unique computer system ensuring the same efficient and high quality service for the flexible/open dining as with the traditional pre-set format.
In addition to fixed and flexible/open dining options in the main dining room, Holland America Line features the reservations-only Pinnacle Grill restaurant with Pacific Northwest steak and seafood specialties and casual Lido dining with waiter service and the option to select dishes from the main restaurant menu or regular Lido offerings. For guests who choose an evening “in,” 24-hour complimentary room service includes dishes from the main restaurant during dining hours and a selection of meals and snacks. As You Wish dining will be introduced on the Holland America Line ships with the following sailings:
Operational Now msNoordam 10/11/07 ms Ryndam 11/13/07 ms Volendam 12/18/07 ms Statendam 1/5/08 ms Oosterdam 1/27/08 ms Rotterdam 2/3/08 ms Zaandam 2/24/08 ms Westerdam 3/15/08 ms Zuiderdam 4/6/08 ms Veendam 4/24/08 ms Maasdam 5/16/08 ms Amsterdam 5/23/08 ms Prinsendam 7/5/08 ms Eurodam (upon delivery)
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Holland America Line Posted by Michael on 07/16/07
Celebrity Cruises’ guests now can enjoy museum-quality audio equipment and commentary while viewing the fleet’s permanent onboard art collection. Seven of the line’s ships now offer complimentary use of handheld audio devices featuring self-guided art tours that provide education and insight into the works.
To take an audio tour, a guest can simply visit the Guest Relations desk and sign out an audio tour device. The easy-to-use devices - the same equipment used in the Louvre and the Metropolitan Museum of Art - allow guests to explore works of art at their own pace and in whatever order they choose. Each device offers the highest available sound quality.
Written by an art historian, each tour has been created to appeal to a broad range of tastes. Featuring points of interest that will appeal to the novice art enthusiast or an art historian, the tours offer a combination of academic information and lighter knowledge as they introduce the listener to thought-provoking concepts such as what the artist may have been thinking when he or she created the piece, or whether an artist’s intent is more important than a viewer’s perception.
The line implemented the new self-guided audio art tour on Celebrity Century in April. By the end of October 2007, Celebrity will complete installation on Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Galaxy, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury, Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Summit.
Each ship’s collection is valued at more than $1.5 million, and features modern and contemporary 20th century works by artists such as Jasper Johns, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Robert Rauschenberg and Pablo Picasso, in a variety of media, including sculpture, oil on canvas and photography. Each collection offers a balance of serious and whimsical art; this mixture is reflective of the comfortable sophistication guests experience on a Celebrity vacation.
(0) Comments (Leave a Comment)Filed under: Celebrity Cruises Posted by Michael on 07/16/07
“Cloud 9 Spa” has been selected as the name for the luxurious 21,000-square-foot health and fitness facility aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor, which is scheduled to launch the line’s first Northern Europe cruise program July 13, 2008. The name was submitted by Gregg Harper of Aurora, Colo., as part of Carnival’s “Name Our Most Spectacular Spa” contest that attracted more than 24,000 entries.
For his creativity in naming the elaborate new facility, Harper will receive a complimentary cruise for two in one of Carnival Splendor’s exclusive spa suites, as well as complimentary spa services throughout the entire voyage.
“Carnival Splendor’s spa promises to be the most elaborate and luxurious at sea and the name ‘Cloud 9 Spa’ truly embodies the feeling of pampering, relaxation and rejuvenation that guests will experience within this spacious and modern facility,” said Christine Arnholt, Carnival’s vice president of marketing services.
Spanning the forward portion of two full decks with large picture windows providing panoramic views of the sea, Carnival Splendor’s “Cloud 9 Spa” will offer a host of innovations, including 68 exclusive spa staterooms and suites – a first for the line – accessible by a private elevator.
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