Princess Cruises will deploy a record six ships in Europe in 2008. The season, which starts in early April and stretches through November, will include five new itineraries and visits to eight new destinations. Cruises will range from seven to 23 days.
New to Europe will be Crown Princess, which adds capacity to Scandinavia/Russia itineraries, and Pacific Princess, which gives another small-ship option in the Mediterranean and will significantly increase Holy Land sailings.
The 710-passenger Royal Princess returns with a new schedule, including a ‘Classical Europe’ route which combines Scandinavia/Russia with the Mediterranean. Emerald Princess, which debuts this spring in the Mediterranean, sails once again throughout the Med and Greek Isles. Grand Princess showcases both Northern Europe and the Mediterranean, and Sea Princess sails on one- and two-week Mediterranean and Northern Europe itineraries from Southampton.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Silversea's Spa Sensation
Silversea Cruises is launching a new spa concept throughout its four-ship fleet, starting with the Silver Shadow. The new spa brand, known as The Spa at Silversea, will replace the line's existing Mandara Spas and will feature new treatments and ceremonies designed to offer a more personalized and holistic spa experience that focuses on the guest's individual needs and lifestyle.
Recently unveiled during the Silver Shadow's World Cruise, The Spa has a refurbished décor of new artwork and contemporary furnishings in a color palette of white and silver with subtle hints of color. The new spa will be implemented aboard Silver Wind in July, and will be expanded to the Silver Cloud and Silver Whisper in the following months.
Recently unveiled during the Silver Shadow's World Cruise, The Spa has a refurbished décor of new artwork and contemporary furnishings in a color palette of white and silver with subtle hints of color. The new spa will be implemented aboard Silver Wind in July, and will be expanded to the Silver Cloud and Silver Whisper in the following months.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Emerald not Emeril
The Emerald Princess will introduce the Chef’s Table when she enters service this spring, offering ‘foodies’ an opportunity to join the executive chef for cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the galley, followed by a multi-course tasting dinner in the dining room.
The new Chef’s Table concept will give a select group of passengers the opportunity to visit the galley at its busiest time – dinner – where they will be served French champagne with appetizers while the chef previews the menu he has created for them. The fare will be at the chef’s discretion – perhaps focusing on regional cuisine or ingredients from a recent port – and will not be offered elsewhere on the ship.
The group will then go to their special table in the dining room, where wine selected by the maitre d’ is included. The chef will join the group for dessert. The Chef’s Table can be reserved by up to 10 passengers on select nights at a cost of $75 per person. After its debut on Emerald Princess, the concept will be gradually introduced fleetwide.
The new Chef’s Table concept will give a select group of passengers the opportunity to visit the galley at its busiest time – dinner – where they will be served French champagne with appetizers while the chef previews the menu he has created for them. The fare will be at the chef’s discretion – perhaps focusing on regional cuisine or ingredients from a recent port – and will not be offered elsewhere on the ship.
The group will then go to their special table in the dining room, where wine selected by the maitre d’ is included. The chef will join the group for dessert. The Chef’s Table can be reserved by up to 10 passengers on select nights at a cost of $75 per person. After its debut on Emerald Princess, the concept will be gradually introduced fleetwide.
Monday, March 26, 2007
Cruisin' Kids Rule on Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean International provided details of its previously announced loyalty program for young cruisers. The Crown & Anchor Society Youth Program is designed for passengers under 18 and will launch with Liberty of the Seas’ maiden voyage on May 19.
Children will automatically attain their parents’ membership level -- Gold, Platinum, Diamond or Diamond Plus -- when enrolled in the program. Members will be welcomed at the beginning of each cruise with a Youth Ultimate Value Booklet, which includes coloring pages, puzzles, games and special offers for shipboard amenities such as Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Airbrush Tattoo, arcade games and Y-spa (teen treatments). Members also will receive Crayola Twistable crayons or a Royal Caribbean messenger bag.
Parents can enroll their children at www.RoyalCaribbean.com/youth.
Children will automatically attain their parents’ membership level -- Gold, Platinum, Diamond or Diamond Plus -- when enrolled in the program. Members will be welcomed at the beginning of each cruise with a Youth Ultimate Value Booklet, which includes coloring pages, puzzles, games and special offers for shipboard amenities such as Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, Airbrush Tattoo, arcade games and Y-spa (teen treatments). Members also will receive Crayola Twistable crayons or a Royal Caribbean messenger bag.
Parents can enroll their children at www.RoyalCaribbean.com/youth.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Wine but no Whining Allowed
Celebrity Cruises unveiled more details of the two wine-themed voyages that will bookend the Mercury’s Alaska season. The ship will depart San Francisco on April 27 for a seven-night voyage to Vancouver with stops in Monterey (Calif.), Astoria (Ore.), Seattle and Victoria. On Nov. 2, Mercury casts off from Vancouver for a 10-night wine cruise to San Diego via Victoria, Seattle, Astoria and Catalina Island, with an overnight in San Francisco.
Activities on board will include talks by a California winemaker or wine expert, wine appreciation seminars, wine and cheese tastings, blending courses and culinary demonstrations.
Shoreside, excursions will include tastings and winery tours, a seafood cooking school, a wine and chocolate tour of Victoria’s Butchart Gardens and an overnight stay in Napa Valley with visits to Sterling Vineyards, The Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, Opus One Winery, Jarvis Winery, Rubicon Estate Winery, Robert Mondavi Winery and Domaine Chandon. Also available are a post-cruise, chauffeured culinary adventure through British Columbia’s Fraser Valley and a tour of Oregon's prominent Willamette Valley wineries, Willakenzie Estate and Ken Wright Cellars.
Contact your cruise specialist for more details, rates and reservations.
Activities on board will include talks by a California winemaker or wine expert, wine appreciation seminars, wine and cheese tastings, blending courses and culinary demonstrations.
Shoreside, excursions will include tastings and winery tours, a seafood cooking school, a wine and chocolate tour of Victoria’s Butchart Gardens and an overnight stay in Napa Valley with visits to Sterling Vineyards, The Wine Spectator Greystone Restaurant, Opus One Winery, Jarvis Winery, Rubicon Estate Winery, Robert Mondavi Winery and Domaine Chandon. Also available are a post-cruise, chauffeured culinary adventure through British Columbia’s Fraser Valley and a tour of Oregon's prominent Willamette Valley wineries, Willakenzie Estate and Ken Wright Cellars.
Contact your cruise specialist for more details, rates and reservations.
Wednesday, March 21, 2007
Destiny's Delightful Dominican Diversions
Carnival Destiny’s new five-port, seven-day itinerary from San Juan will feature an overnight in La Romana/Casa de Campo, along with visits to St. Kitts, Dominica, Barbados and St. Thomas/St. John.
The new route kicks off Jan. 8, 2008.
Prices start at $479 per person, double occupancy. Air supplements from a variety of North American gateways are available. Contact your cruise specialist for details.
The new route kicks off Jan. 8, 2008.
Prices start at $479 per person, double occupancy. Air supplements from a variety of North American gateways are available. Contact your cruise specialist for details.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
In the Bag
With the new Princess Luggage Valet service, US and Canadian passengers can have their baggage picked up at home and delivered to their cabin on board.
The service will first be available for European voyages, beginning aboard Grand Princess on May 14, Emerald Princess on May 17, Star Princess on May 22 and Royal Princess on June 1. The program will be expanded to other destinations later in the year.
Shipping for Princess Luggage Valet will be provided by DHL Worldwide Express. Prices start at $90 per bag each way for domestic shipments, and vary depending on baggage weight and destination.
The service will first be available for European voyages, beginning aboard Grand Princess on May 14, Emerald Princess on May 17, Star Princess on May 22 and Royal Princess on June 1. The program will be expanded to other destinations later in the year.
Shipping for Princess Luggage Valet will be provided by DHL Worldwide Express. Prices start at $90 per bag each way for domestic shipments, and vary depending on baggage weight and destination.
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Something for everyone?
Each year, like the swallows returning to Capistrano, key cruise industry executives flock to Miami Beach for the industry’s signature event SeaTrade. This editor had a chance to attend the conference and report back on the “State of the Industry”. The various presentations and panel discussions provided an insider's view of what is in store for cruising in 2007 and beyond. And the news is really good for cruise enthusiasts.
Firstly, a ship building boom not seen since the late 90’s is in full swing. In fact, at the conference, Silversea Cruises announced a new building and Oceania Cruises, not be outdone in the ultra premium/luxury segment, unveiled plans for not one but two new ships. It all adds up to 39 cruise ships scheduled for delivery over the next 5 years at a cost of more than 20 billion dollars.
What does this mean for the cruising consumer? More choices and increasing diversity of available amenities. Unlike the past shipbuilding boom where most vessels were in the super-size category, this time there is an abundance of ships of varying sizes – from smaller luxury liners to mega-ships. More capacity means continued competition for the traveler’s dollar and the need to differentiate the onboard experience.
Itineraries and ports of call were also a hot topic at SeaTrade as U.S. based cruise lines continue to set their sights on foreign shores, namely Europe and Asia Pacific. Royal Caribbean and Carnival have expanded their presence in Europe and the strength of the Euro means that North America travelers are discovering that the best values lie in purchasing European cruises priced in dollars.
The Caribbean remains a popular and well priced destination due to some short term over capacity in that sector. That bodes well for cruisers looking to optimize their spending, especially throughout the balance of 2007. Cruise lines are aggressively seeking to develop new and re-invented Caribbean ports of call to appeal to the “been there, done that, crowd”. For example in recent years Carnival Corp. has invested in the development of destination ports in Costa Maya, Mexico and Turks and Caicos and just announced a $50 million project in Roatán, Honduras. Not to be outdone, Royal Caribbean International has finalized a joint venture with the Aruba Ports Authority for a 40 acres waterfront development in Orangestad. What does this mean to cruisers? It means better port infrastructure and facilities consistent with those delivered on-board.
All in all, it’s a good time to take a cruise and an exciting time for the cruise industry as all engines are set for Full Speed Ahead.
Firstly, a ship building boom not seen since the late 90’s is in full swing. In fact, at the conference, Silversea Cruises announced a new building and Oceania Cruises, not be outdone in the ultra premium/luxury segment, unveiled plans for not one but two new ships. It all adds up to 39 cruise ships scheduled for delivery over the next 5 years at a cost of more than 20 billion dollars.
What does this mean for the cruising consumer? More choices and increasing diversity of available amenities. Unlike the past shipbuilding boom where most vessels were in the super-size category, this time there is an abundance of ships of varying sizes – from smaller luxury liners to mega-ships. More capacity means continued competition for the traveler’s dollar and the need to differentiate the onboard experience.
Itineraries and ports of call were also a hot topic at SeaTrade as U.S. based cruise lines continue to set their sights on foreign shores, namely Europe and Asia Pacific. Royal Caribbean and Carnival have expanded their presence in Europe and the strength of the Euro means that North America travelers are discovering that the best values lie in purchasing European cruises priced in dollars.
The Caribbean remains a popular and well priced destination due to some short term over capacity in that sector. That bodes well for cruisers looking to optimize their spending, especially throughout the balance of 2007. Cruise lines are aggressively seeking to develop new and re-invented Caribbean ports of call to appeal to the “been there, done that, crowd”. For example in recent years Carnival Corp. has invested in the development of destination ports in Costa Maya, Mexico and Turks and Caicos and just announced a $50 million project in Roatán, Honduras. Not to be outdone, Royal Caribbean International has finalized a joint venture with the Aruba Ports Authority for a 40 acres waterfront development in Orangestad. What does this mean to cruisers? It means better port infrastructure and facilities consistent with those delivered on-board.
All in all, it’s a good time to take a cruise and an exciting time for the cruise industry as all engines are set for Full Speed Ahead.
Friday, March 9, 2007
Carnival debuts "Family Fun Tours"
Carnival Freedom’s inaugural 12-day European cruise program will offer more than 150 shore excursions, including new ‘Family Fun Tours’ in Turkey.
Also featured are several new excursions, including a wine cellar tour in Barcelona, and a land/sea adventure in Dubrovnik, a driving tour of France’s Provencal villages, and a visit to Florence’s Uffizi Gallery.
Among the ‘Family Fun’ options are ‘Ancient Past & Modern Istanbul’ which includes city highlights, a stroll along a local café-lined street, traditional Turkish lunch and a ride on an old-time trolley. From Izmir, ‘Ephesus and The Train Museum’ combines the ancient Greek city of Ephesus with a visit to Hadrian Temple and a stop at Camlik for its open-air Train Museum.
Also featured are several new excursions, including a wine cellar tour in Barcelona, and a land/sea adventure in Dubrovnik, a driving tour of France’s Provencal villages, and a visit to Florence’s Uffizi Gallery.
Among the ‘Family Fun’ options are ‘Ancient Past & Modern Istanbul’ which includes city highlights, a stroll along a local café-lined street, traditional Turkish lunch and a ride on an old-time trolley. From Izmir, ‘Ephesus and The Train Museum’ combines the ancient Greek city of Ephesus with a visit to Hadrian Temple and a stop at Camlik for its open-air Train Museum.
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas Float Out
Here is a photo of Royal Caribbean's Liberty of the Seas at float out. Note that she is also one of the tallest buildings in Turku, Finland (and the only one that will leave in April). She enters U.S. service in May 2007 in New York.
Sizzling Seabourn Luxury Cruise Savings
Seabourn Cruise Line is offering a free two-night pre-cruise stay at London’s Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park hotel and 50% savings on Seabourn Pride’s 11-day trans-Atlantic voyage departing Sept. 18.
The ship will sail from Dover to St. John’s, Newfoundland; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Bar Harbor, Maine. The voyage ends in Gloucester, Mass., just a short coastal drive from Boston.
With the 50% savings, fares start at $3,898 per person, double occupancy.
The ship will sail from Dover to St. John’s, Newfoundland; Halifax, Nova Scotia; and Bar Harbor, Maine. The voyage ends in Gloucester, Mass., just a short coastal drive from Boston.
With the 50% savings, fares start at $3,898 per person, double occupancy.
Monday, March 5, 2007
Cruise Ship Cuisine Re-defined
Carnival Cruise Lines revamped its ‘Spa Carnival Fare’ to incorporate the latest trends in preparation, ingredients and presentation.
The new selections will be featured on all dining room menus and include nearly 50 salads, appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts, all lower in calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium content, and free of trans fat.
For example, a tilapia fillet over ratatouille, zucchini cannelloni and asparagus nage is 280 calories, 7 mg fat, 50 mg cholesterol and 330 mg sodium.
The new items debuted over the weekend at inaugural events on Carnival Freedom in Italy.
The new selections will be featured on all dining room menus and include nearly 50 salads, appetizers, soups, entrees and desserts, all lower in calories, fat, cholesterol and sodium content, and free of trans fat.
For example, a tilapia fillet over ratatouille, zucchini cannelloni and asparagus nage is 280 calories, 7 mg fat, 50 mg cholesterol and 330 mg sodium.
The new items debuted over the weekend at inaugural events on Carnival Freedom in Italy.
Thursday, March 1, 2007
Turn Silver into Gold on Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises is offering savings on 25 ‘Elegant Explorations’ – extended voyages ranging from 27 to 69 days – in 2007 and 2008.
The program offers savings and on-board spending credits of $500 per suite (based on double occupancy) for customers sailing 44 to 65 days and $1,000 per suite for those sailing 66 to 109 days. Free business-class air upgrades are also available with the purchase of the optional air program on cruises of 50 or more consecutive days.
The program offers savings and on-board spending credits of $500 per suite (based on double occupancy) for customers sailing 44 to 65 days and $1,000 per suite for those sailing 66 to 109 days. Free business-class air upgrades are also available with the purchase of the optional air program on cruises of 50 or more consecutive days.
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