NCL has altered the itinerary of Norwegian Spirit’s six-day Bahamas & Florida sailing, departing New York on August 31, 2008. Norwegian Spirit will now call on the island of Bermuda for this sailing. At this time, NCL is also closely monitoring the weather conditions for Norwegian Sky’s four-day Bahamas sailing, departing Miami on September 1, 2008.
Carnival has announced the following itinerary changes:
- Carnival Conquest Sun., 8/24 departure from Galveston: The ship will visit Grand Cayman (Wed), Cozumel (Thur), Progreso (Fri)
- Carnival Triumph Sun., 8/24 departure from Miami: The ship will visit Cozumel (Tue), Half Moon Cay (Fri), Nassau (Sat)
- Carnival Ecstasy Thur., 8/28 departure from Galveston: The ship will visit Progreso, Yucatan (Sat)
- Carnival Fantasy Thur., 8/28 departure from Mobile: The ship will visit Progreso, Yucatan (Sat)
- Carnival Liberty Sat., 8/30 departure from Miami: The ship will visit the ports of call in reverse order Ocho Rios (Mon), Grand Cayman (Tue), Cozumel (Thur)
Royal Caribbean has announed the following itinerary changes:
Mariner of the Seas, which departed Port Canaveral, Sunday, August 24, has sailed a revised itinerary, visiting St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Wednesday; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Thursday. The ship will return to Port Canaveral, Sunday, August 31, as scheduled.
Grandeur of the Seas, which departed Norfolk, Virginia, Thursday, August 21, did not visit Labadee, Haiti, Wednesday. Instead, the ship spent Wednesday at sea and visited Coco Cay, Bahamas, Thursday. The ship will return to Norfolk, Saturday, August 30, as scheduled.
Enchantment of the Seas, which departed Port Everglades, Thursday, August 28, will not visit Cozumel, Mexico, Saturday. Instead, the ship will visit Nassau, Bahamas, Saturday. The ship will return to Port Everglades, Monday, September 1, as scheduled.
Royal Caribbean International unveiled two more neighborhoods for Oasis of the Seas. The Pool and Sports Zone and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center were announced at an Internet event, revealing additional examples of innovation and amenities for which Royal Caribbean has been renowned throughout the cruise line’s history. This latest announcement precedes the opening of Oasis of the Seas’ general bookings on September 3, 2008.
The Pool and Sports Zone and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center – coupled with the previously announced neighborhoods of Central Park, Boardwalk and Royal Promenade – will provide guests with the widest array of experiences from which to satisfy their personal styles, preferences or moods on a cruise. Stretching the length of the ship, the Pool and Sports Zone is an ample playground for guests of all ages, featuring private cabanas, four unique types of pools, and two FlowRider surf simulators – each larger than the single FlowRider found on the line’s Freedom-class ships. Building on the Royal Caribbean’s popular Vitality wellness program, guests will be able to soothe mind, body and soul in the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center. New to the spa services menu and fitness line-up are unique spa treatments and Kinesis group classes, a full-body, no-impact workout utilizing fluid, natural movement to engage several muscle groups simultaneously.
The Pool and Sports Zone will showcase new additions to traditional amenities, including an intimate adults-only Solarium and sports deck that will awe even the most seasoned cruiser. The first Beach Pool at sea will have a sloped entry where guests will be able to wade into the water or relax in colorful beach chairs under an umbrella as the water rolls gently beneath. Two whirlpools will flank either side of the “beach” for guests who prefer warmer waters. Located on the opposite side of the ship from the Beach Pool and separated by Central Park six decks below, is the Main Pool with two side-by-side whirlpools, ideal for rest and relaxation in the sun. Overlooking both pools will be private cabanas, complete with a dedicated attendant. Families looking for fun in the sun will easily spot Royal Caribbean’s signature H2O Zone, marked by a giant octopus with its slides and water-spraying tentacles and surrounded by fellow water-spouting ocean creatures. Separate wading and current pools, as well as a dedicated infant and toddler pool, will be set in the interactive aquatic playground and surrounded by adult and child-sized lounge chairs. The more competitive set will find haven in the Sports Pool, where afternoon water team sports will include basketball, badminton and water polo, while morning hours will be dedicated to lap swimming.
Adults looking for a retreat from the bustle of every day life will find solace in the grandest Solarium yet. Boasting a redefined layout, guests will have the sensation of floating on air from the two-deck high, glass-paneled enclave designed with seating on various “islands” surrounded by water. The open-air Solarium will offer a tranquil swimming pool, two serene whirlpools, and four cantilevered whirlpools suspended 136 feet above the ocean. The mezzanine level of the adult-dedicated area will overlook the pool deck below, offering additional chaise lounges and seating. The new Solarium Bistro will offer casual fare from the Vitality spa menu during the day, and in the evenings, transform into a romantic and intimate setting for specialty dining and dancing under the stars. It is also the perfect venue for a unique late night dance club experience – Club 20 – made popular on the line’s Freedom-class ships.
The Sports Deck in the Pool and Sports Zone also will boast new innovations, including the first zipline at sea, and two of the popular FlowRider surf simulators, flanking either side of the elevated back deck. Royal Caribbean favorites such as the nine-hole miniature golf course, Oasis Dunes, will challenge golfers of different abilities, and the Sports Court, will allow for friendly games of basketball and volleyball. Spectators will be able to cheer flowboarding guests from the Wipe Out Bar or enjoying casual dining at the Wipe Out Café.
Created as the crown jewel of the cruise line’s Vitality program, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center will encompass various amenities that cater to complete body wellness. As a precursor to any treatment, guests are encouraged to begin the spa experience by unwinding in the calming relaxation rooms. The new Vitality at Sea Spa will include a Thermal Suite, featuring heated tile loungers, saunas and steam rooms; three couples massage suites and seven individual treatment rooms – the largest collection at sea. Kids and teen guests also will find their own dedicated Spa in which to enjoy specially catered services. The Fitness Center will offer vacationers a plentiful and varied selection of the latest cardio and resistance equipment for working out alone or for joining one of the several classes, including spinning, kickboxing, Pilates and yoga. Whether after a satisfying workout or a soothing spa session, the Vitality Café will be a convenient stop for healthy snacks, light meals and refreshing juices.
Royal Caribbean
Mariner of the Seas, which departed Port Canaveral, Sunday, August 24, will sail a revised itinerary. The ship will not visit Labadee, Haiti, Tuesday; Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Wednesday; George Town, Cayman Islands, Thursday; or Cozumel, Mexico, Friday. Instead, the ship will spend Tuesday at sea; visit St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, Wednesday; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Thursday. The ship will be at sea Friday and Saturday as it returns to Port Canaveral, Sunday, August 31, as scheduled.
Grandeur of the Seas, which departed Norfolk, Virginia, Thursday, August 21, will not be visit Labadee, Haiti, Wednesday. Instead, the ship will spend Wednesday at sea and visit Coco Cay, Bahamas, Thursday. The ship will be at sea Friday as it returns to Norfolk, Saturday, August 30, as scheduled.
Enchantment of the Seas, which will depart Port Everglades Thursday, August 28, will not visit Cozumel, Mexico, Saturday. Instead, the ship will visit Nassau, Bahamas, that day. The ship will be at sea Sunday as it returns to Port Everglades, Monday, September 1, as scheduled.
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Conquest, which sailed Sunday from Galveston, is visiting Progreso in lieu of Montego Bay. The scheduled calls in Grand Cayman and Cozumel were each moved forward a day.
Carnival Triumph, which sailed Sunday from Miami, is going to Half Moon Cay and Nassau, instead of Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. The ship is in Cozumel today, as planned.
Disney Cruise Line will host a red-carpet, world-premiere event for the new Disney Channel original series “The Suite Life on Deck,” a spin-off of the Emmy-nominated “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” on the Disney Wonder Aug. 28-31.
During this special premiere at sea, guests sailing will experience a Hollywood-style, red-carpet arrival of some of Disney Channel’s hottest stars, an exclusive sneak-peek of the first episode of “The Suite Life on Deck” and an opportunity to participate in a Question & Answer session with stars of the show. Cast members from “The Suite Life on Deck” scheduled to appear include Cole Sprouse (Cody Martin), Dylan Sprouse (Zack Martin), Brenda Song (London Tipton), Phill Lewis (Mr. Moseby) and Debby Ryan (Bailey Pickett). All events will take place on decks 9 and 10 of the Disney Wonder on Friday, Aug. 29, at the Goofy Pool.
“We’re thrilled to give “The Suite Life on Deck” a fabulous bon voyage celebration aboard the Disney Wonder. The cruise ship setting of the series made the Disney Wonder a great fit to host this event,” said Adam Sanderson, Senior Vice President, Brand Marketing, Disney ABC Networks Group. A day after the world-premiere, and following a day of fun-and-sun on Disney’s private island Castaway Cay, another Disney Channel star will take the stage. Mitchel Musso, star of Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana” and “Phineas and Ferb” will perform a mini-concert at the Goofy Pool. At the concert’s end, Musso will spend a few minutes answering questions from the audience.
This marks the first time Disney Cruise Line and Disney Channel have partnered together to develop a multi-day event. It should prove to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for fans of the Disney Channel sailing on the sold-out voyage.
“The Suite Life on Deck” premieres on Disney Channel on Friday, September 26 at 8p.m. ET/PT. In this new live-action comedy series, “The Suite Life of Zack & Cody,” teenage twins Zack and Cody Martin, and spoiled hotel heiress London Tipton, go aboard a luxury passenger cruise liner, the SS Tipton, owned by London’s father, as it cruises the world with tourists and students who attend classes at its Seven Seas High. To his delight, the dutiful Mr. Moseby is reassigned from the Tipton Hotel to be the cruise ship’s hotel manager, but is quickly deflated when he finds out that Zack, Cody and London are onboard too. Joining in the hijinks is London’s new roommate Bailey, a sweet, southern girl who has just left her small town roots to experience a whole new world.
the Princess Captain’s Circle is adding even more benefits for Platinum and Elite members. Frequent cruisers can now use their free Internet packages to access the ships’ wireless Internet networks, they’ll receive a complimentary upgrade to Platinum-level coverage when purchasing the new Princess Vacation Protection plan, and they have an exclusive new phone number to reach the “Circle Desk.”
The new Platinum- and Elite-level benefits, for passengers having taken at least six and 16 cruises, respectively, include:
Wireless Internet Access – Members can now choose to use their free Internet package minutes on their personal laptops in wireless hot spots, or in the Internet Cafes. This generous benefit rewards guests with a credit of $75 to $400 per person towards Internet use, depending on cruise length. Wireless connections are currently available on all ships in various locations, and this new member benefit will be available fleetwide by winter 2008.
Exclusive Phone Number – Members will have their calls directly routed to the Circle Desk through an exclusive phone number expressly for the line’s most loyal cruisers. Calls to the new number will be quickly referred to a membership representative so passengers can easily check on their cruise history, member status and benefits.
Princess Vacation Protection Upgrade – Beginning with summer 2009 voyages, the line is introducing a new Princess Vacation Protection program that replaces Princess Travel Care and features additional benefits. For North American Platinum and Elite Circle members, Princess will provide a complimentary upgrade to the higher level Princess Platinum Vacation Protection, offering members more coverage than ever before including a 100 percent “cancel for any reason” benefit.
The Princess Captain’s Circle offers an extensive array of loyalty benefits. Among the many other perks available to repeat cruisers are exclusive Launch Savings discounts for early booking, a free mini-bar set up, free laundry services, priority tender embarkation, complimentary wine tasting, a boutiques discount, preferred embarkation and disembarkation, a Referral Rewards program and last-minute sailing opportunities.
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