Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that Norwegian Sky underwent a complete refurbishment focused on enhancing the guest experience while the 2,002-passenger ship was in dry dock last month in Freeport, Bahamas. The ship, which entered the Miami short cruise market approximately one year ago, received enhancements to its public areas, staterooms and suites, as well as the addition of three new staterooms.
“Norwegian Sky has been in high demand since we brought her to Miami to sail three and four-day Bahamas cruises last year; and therefore we wanted to give her a beautiful new look for the summer season and beyond,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “The ship is the perfect getaway as it offers great value for money for families, friends and couples alike looking to relax and escape the everyday.”
Norwegian Sky’s total refurbishment includes:
- reupholstering all 1,000 seats in the Stardust Theater;
- major updates to 14 suites which received new wallpaper; new marble tiles in the showers and tubs; and refinishing all wood work including the teak around the whirlpools on the suite balconies;
- improvements to Dazzles Bar and Nightclub, including refinishing of the dance floor; reupholstering of the club’s chairs and bar stools and removal of banquette seating creating additional room on the dance floor;
- new upholstery to all of the seating in the Atrium;
- installation of new food stations in the Garden Café, Norwegian’s signature action station restaurant, along with refurbishment of Il Adagio, the ship’s Italian restaurant;
- the addition of three new staterooms; and
- repainting of the colorful murals surrounding the pool area.
Norwegian Sky’s three and four-day Bahamas sailings departing from Miami are from $199 per person. Norwegian Sky departs Miami on Mondays sailing four-day Bahamas cruises with full-day stops in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas. On Fridays, the ship sails a weekend getaway three-day Bahamas itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings.
Norwegian Sky has more than 240 balcony staterooms, a choice of six different restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, a luxurious spa, two pools, extensive children’s facilities, a sports deck and a variety of spacious public rooms.
A two-part exclusive James Taylor video diary was recorded starting with embarkation in New York on 19 June that captures interviews with James and his family and the afternoon sail away.Here is part one:
Coming soon, part two will include the Ray Rouse interview of James Taylor in front of a live audience in the Royal Court Theatre, guest autograph and photo session, video clips from his Cunard Command Performances and guest reaction to this exclusive event aboard Queen Mary 2.
Veteran wardrobe stylists and designers will host a complimentary “Style Desk” aboard Crystal Cruises’ new “Sun, Sea and Euro-Style” sailing this fall. Crystal’s Experiences of Discovery program promises an experience to remember as fashion experts offer one-on-one consultations, answer fashion dilemmas and help travelers enhance their own personal sense of style. Setting the stage for the ultra-luxury line’s new Fashion & Style cruise is Crystal Serenity’s 12-day Mediterranean itinerary from Venice to Barcelona on October 20.
Stylist/costume designer Anna Wycoff and designer Gayle Davis will also provide an insider’s look at the fashion world, with a strong emphasis on European style. The team will present a colorful look at the evolution of European fashion and cinema costuming, culminating in a fanciful afternoon tea themed with a 1950’s vintage fashion show.
Fashionable highlights of the voyage include:
Fashion & Style Desk – Stylists offer personal consultations to perfect your look.
Personal Style – Embracing Authenticity as a Virtue – From Bardot to Bogart: A discussion of signature styles.
European Cinema Costuming – Learn how costumes enhance a film’s story, and examine iconic characters from films like La Dolce Vita and Roman Holiday set in the ship’s destinations.
A European Fashion Evolution – Explore the 1950’s to 60’s, when a radical ready-to-wear European revolution replaced manicured couture.
Fashion Show Tea – “Riviera Rendezvous,” a vintage fashion show created exclusively for Crystal guests.
Anna Wyckoff is a Los Angeles-based costume designer and personal wardrobe stylist who has styled runway shows on both coasts. Gayle Davis is the co-owner of the M Stevens dancewear company who also custom designs and styles under her own label.
“The Mediterranean provides a chic backdrop to an insightful look at memorable European fashion,” says Christopher Escamilla, Crystal’s entertainment coordinator. “Always open and accessible, with infectious enthusiasm, Anna and Gayle are fashion cheerleaders for men and women.”
The 12-day cruise visits Venice, Dubrovnik, Catania, Civitavecchia/Rome, Livorno/Florence, Monte Carlo and Barcelona. With Celebration Savings of up to $1,500 per person, fares start at $4,515, per person, double occupancy, plus $1,000 All Inclusive – As You Wish onboard spending credits.
Celebrity Cruises today announced that Nina Barough, CBE (Commander of the British Empire), founder of the UK-based charity, “Walk the Walk,” will serve as Godmother of Celebrity Equinox, the second in Celebrity’s lauded Solstice Class fleet.
Barough will officially name the ship in Southampton, England, during the formal naming ceremony July 29, culminating in a large bottle of champagne custom-made by The Corning Museum of Glass crashing against the hull of the 2,850-guest ship.
Celebrity selected Barough in recognition of her fervent devotion to raising awareness of breast cancer and her tremendous success in raising funds for the cause – $85-million to-date – through Walk the Walk’s “SunWalks” and “MoonWalks.” The four annual marathon walks in London, Edinburgh, Bristol and Newcastle attract thousands of women typically clad in decorated bras – the signature apparel for most participants. A fair number of men also participate in the walks.
“Nina is an outstanding leader, business person, and fundraiser, but what is perhaps most impressive, and certainly most inspiring, is her tireless devotion to breast cancer causes,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises and Chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “We are honored to have as Godmother of Celebrity Equinox someone whose work has benefited so many battling breast cancer, and whose personal triumph over the disease has inspired and encouraged thousands of women, men and families in the UK and beyond,” said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan.
A breast cancer survivor herself, Barough’s numerous other life achievements include receiving a CBE for her contributions to health care through the British “New Year Honours” in December 2006. More recently, she was recognized at the “Pride of Britain Awards” (September 2008), where she was named “Fundraiser of the Year.” And in October 2008, Barough was honored once again; this time, with the “Woman of the Year – Outstanding Achievement Award” in recognition of her willpower, spirit and courage.
“I am extremely excited to serve as this fantastic ship’s Godmother, and look forward to presiding over such a meaningful and celebratory ceremony,” said Barough. “I feel blessed to be given this opportunity to raise the profile of our charity through my association with Celebrity Cruises, and very honored to name a vessel as gorgeous as Celebrity Equinox.”
Celebrity Equinox enters service July 31 from Southampton on an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise, then returns to Southampton to embark on the ship’s official maiden voyage departing August 8 for the Mediterranean. The ship will present a series of Mediterranean sailings from Rome (Civitavecchia) through the fall and will offer Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beginning this winter.
According to a press release, issued in Germany, a drop of about 50% in its river cruise bookings, combined with unfavorable exchange rates, have forced Peter Deilmann to eliminate its river cruise business. A spokesperson for Deilmann confirmed the cessation of river cruises to Travel Trade. The line will finish its 2009 river cruise season and starting in 2010 will only operate its ocean cruise ship the MS Deutschland. Personnel in the US office offered no additional comment.
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