Royal Caribbean Expands Allure of the Seas Inaugural Season

Royal Caribbean International has announced that the first revenue voyage for Allure of the Seas’ inaugural season will take place one week earlier than originally planned. The ship’s first revenue voyage will be a seven-night Western Caribbean itinerary, sailing on December 5, 2010. Allure of the Seas’ new cruise for the inaugural season is now open for booking.

Guests booked on the original inaugural season sail date of December 12, 2010, will be contacted by their travel agent or a Royal Caribbean representative, and given the opportunity to move their cruise vacation to the new sailing of December 5. Booked guests who wish to take the December 5 sailing will be re-accommodated in the same stateroom and category, and the cruise fare will be the lower of either the fare paid or current prices. Guests booked on the December 12, 2010 sailing will have until the end of February 2010 to opt to change their cruise to the December 5 sailing and ensure they keep the same stateroom.

Costa Cruises Newest Ship - The Costa Deliziosa

Costa Cruises has taken delivery of its latest ship, the $625 million Costa Deliziosa in Venice. Sister ship to the Costa Luminosa, the 92,600-ton Costa Deliziosa carries 2,826 guests in 1,130 staterooms – including 52 Samsara, 718 veranda cabins, 50 suites and four Samsara suites inside the 11,000 square foot Samsara Spa. There are a host of leading-edge innovations on board including a 20-seat 4D cinema that takes guests on a wild sensory ride, a golf and Grand Prix simulator, a Playstation World and many more.

The Costa Deliziosa is currently on its way from Savona, Italy on a 20-night inaugural cruise to Dubai where it will be based for the winter season along with the Costa Luminosa and Costa Europa.

For more information on Costa Cruises or the Costa Deliziosa, visit us at www.CruiseCafe.com or call us at 1-800-788-2545.

Carnival Fascination Returns Following Extensive 'Evolutions of Fun' Upgrades

The 2,052-passenger Carnival Fascination resumes its year-round four- and five-day schedule from Jacksonville, Fla., following a $34 million dry dock that included the addition of an expansive new water park, exclusive adults-only retreat, redesigned main pool area and 98 balconies to existing staterooms.

These renovations are part of the line’s $350 million “Evolutions of Fun” refurbishment program for its eight 70,000-ton Fantasy-class vessels. The Carnival Fascination is the sixth ship in the series to receive the extensive upgrades.

Exciting Top Deck Features - Carnival Fascination’s multi-million dollar refurbishment included a total transformation of its open decks, which now feature a massive new WaterWorks aqua park on Verandah Deck. This sprawling, all-ages facility includes an enclosed 300-foot-long Twister water slide full of exhilarating twists and turns, two 82-foot-long racing slides, and a splash zone for kids. The ship’s Lido Deck pool was also renovated with a colorful tropical theme featuring oversized umbrellas, vibrant tile work, thatched roofing and huge stylized palm trees, creating a relaxing resort-style ambiance.

New Balcony Accommodations - Ninety-eight balconies were also added to existing accommodations during the dry dock, creating spacious 230-square-foot balcony staterooms that provide the ideal vantage point for viewing the tropical scenery. Sixty-two of the new balcony staterooms are located aft with several of these featuring extended balconies, while 24 are located mid-ship and 12 near the stern. Several suites were also retrofitted with larger, extended balconies.

New Adults-Only Retreat - Another popular “Evolutions of Fun” element added during the dry dock was an adults-only retreat called Serenity, which is located on Promenade Deck aft, providing magnificent ocean vistas. Designed as an oceangoing oasis for relaxation, this area features a tropical design with teak-style decking, colorful umbrellas, and thatched roofing, along with two oversized whirlpools. Guests can relax in comfortable chaise lounges and chairs while enjoying frozen drinks and other icy concoctions.

Dining Enhancements - Delicious new dining options were added to the ship’s casual poolside restaurant, Coconut Grove Bar & Grill. These include a Mongolian wok venue where guests can select their favorite meat, sauce, vegetables and other ingredients and watch as a chef creates their custom-designed stir fry dish, and a rotisserie featuring roasted chicken and traditional side dishes.

Carnival Fascination operates Jacksonville’s only year-round cruise schedule, carrying approximately 170,000 passengers a year. On this program, four-day cruises departing Thursdays visit Freeport and Nassau, The Bahamas; five-day cruises departing Mondays call at Key West, Fla., and Nassau; and five-day voyages departing Saturdays visit the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Nassau.

Mahogany Bay Cruise Center Rated Outstanding by Guests

The $62 million Mahogany Bay Cruise Center at Roatan in the Bay Islands of Honduras officially opened in November and began welcoming cruise ships. Reaction from cruise guests to the new facility has been outstanding!

More than five years in development, and two years under construction, Mahogany Bay Cruise Center encompasses 20 acres of waterfront property and includes a two-berth cruise terminal which can accommodate up to 8,000 passengers daily. It is a joint project of Carnival Corporation & plc and Roatan businessman Jerry Hynds. The Mahogany Bay Cruise Center offers a welcome center along with a variety of retail outlets, including two themed bars, a restaurant and several shops.

Unique to Mahogany Bay is a new chair lift system that takes cruise ship guests from the welcome center to beautiful Mahogany Beach, a 10-acre private island featuring an 825-foot-long white-sand beach with a beach volleyball court and a myriad of watersports opportunities. Eight exclusive cabanas are also available for rent.

The “Magical Flying Beach Chair” takes guests on a six-minute ride across nearly 1,200 feet of suspended cables, providing not only convenient beach access but views of the lush countryside as well. All-day passes for the beach chair lift are $5 per person. An elevated path is also available for those who prefer to walk.

For more information on the new Mahogany Bay Cruise Center, visit www.mahoganybaycc.com.

Princess Named "Weather Cruise Ship Company of the Year" by NOAA

While passengers are relaxing and exploring the world aboard Princess Cruises’ ships, little do they know that throughout their vacation the vessels are also helping the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) track global weather patterns. In 2009, Princess ships made 20,139 weather observations – more than any other cruise line – earning the company the distinction of NOAA’s “Weather Cruise Ship Company of the Year.” Coral Princess led the fleet with 5,142 observations.

The voluntary reporting system helps NOAA track weather patterns in many areas of the world where the organization doesn’t have direct access to local information. The ships measure air temperature, humidity, wind direction and strength, sea waves and swells. Ships send information at a minimum of every six hours when at sea to a database which is forwarded to NOAA.

“As long-time participants in this important program, we’re happy that our fleet was able to provide so much data this year to help with worldwide weather forecasting,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “With Princess ships sailing around the globe to all seven continents, we’re in the unique position to be able to take weather readings in a multitude of destinations where NOAA might not otherwise be able to get information.”

This data, which is gathered not only from cruise ships, but from all types of ships worldwide, is used to help NOAA track and forecast weather patterns around the world.

Carnival Cruise Lines Returns to Europe in 2011

Carnival Cruise Lines’ newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, will debut with a schedule of seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Barcelona from May to October 2011.

This marks Carnival’s first full season of Mediterranean cruises in three years, as well as the first time the line has homeported a ship in Barcelona.

To commemorate the line’s return to Europe, for the first time ever Carnival is offering an exclusive pre-sale for past guests until January 25, including complimentary two-category upgrades, along with special pricing with rates starting at just $829 per person, based on double occupancy.

For consumers new to Carnival, the line’s full range of cruise fares, including highly attractive Early Saver rates will open on Tuesday, January 26.

The 130,000-ton Carnival Magic will offer a host of features popularized on its sister ship Carnival Dream, including a WaterWorks aqua park, a stunning café/live entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza; Serenity adults-only retreat; spacious, modern facilities for children and teens; and a wide range of stateroom categories. Several innovations unique to the Carnival Magic will be announced in the coming months.

Nickelodeon and Norwegian Cruise Line Partner to Deliver the Ultimate Family Experience

Norwegian Cruise Line has announced a new partnership with Nickelodeon in which select Norwegian ships will feature Nickelodeon-themed family entertainment and programming all year long. Beginning in April on Norwegian Jewel and this summer on Norwegian Epic, Nickelodeon and Norwegian experiences for the entire family will include: character meet and greets; interactive game shows; and more. The three-year partnership also includes select specialty Nickelodeon-themed cruises each year, featuring Nickelodeon TV stars, show premieres and continuous themed-entertainment on the ship.

Nickelodeon at Sea will launch on Norwegian Jewel when the ship begins sailing from New York in late April, and on Norwegian’s latest addition to its fleet—Norwegian Epic--when she launches in July. Each cruise will feature live Nickelodeon-themed interactive shows, including: SlimeTime LIVE! with Nick’s signature slime; Nick Live! Poolside entertainment; character breakfasts and meet and greets; Nick-themed dance parties; and more. Nickelodeon-themed elements will also be incorporated into Norwegian’s Kids’ Crew program.

In addition to the year-round programming on Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Epic, special Nickelodeon-themed cruises will be offered annually where families can immerse themselves in everything Nickelodeon all day, every day. These unique cruises will include: special appearances by the Network’s live talent; show premieres; more live game shows; even more opportunities to visit with kids’ favorite Nick characters; and much more. The first of the Nickelodeon-themed specialty cruises is scheduled on Norwegian Jewel later this year. More details and an on sale date will be released soon.

Oceania Cruises’ New Marina Will Offer A Computer In Every Cabin

When she debuts in January 2011, Oceania Cruises’ new Marina will offer elegantly appointed and custom-crafted accommodations that are reminiscent of a luxurious private estate. The ship’s 629 staterooms and suites – among the most spacious at sea – are destined to set new cruise industry standards.

Standard veranda staterooms on Marina are 282 square feet – the largest standard veranda staterooms in the cruise industry. Both Veranda- and Concierge-level accommodations feature a sitting area and private teak balcony furnished with a chaise lounge, armchair and occasional table.

Other stateroom amenities include a flat-panel TV, lap-top computer with wireless access, refrigerated mini bar, security safe, writing desk, plush terry robes, bed slippers, and marble and granite bathroom.

Oceania Cruises’ new Marina has been purposefully designed to carry 1,258 guests to the world’s most alluring ports in elegance and style. Rich woods, marble and granite, fine wool carpets and lustrous leathers adorn public rooms. Facilities include 10 dining venues – six of which are open-seating gourmet restaurants, an array of bars and lounges, a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub and fitness center, swimming pool and hot tubs.

Reservations are scheduled to open in the coming weeks. For more information, visit www.CruiseCafe.com or call toll-free 800-788-2545.

Cunard Partners with The Juilliard School

Cunard Line, operator of the most famous ocean liners in the world, is pleased to announce a partnership with The Juilliard School that will present stellar jazz performances on select 2010 eastbound Transatlantic Crossings aboard Queen Mary 2. Students and faculty from Juilliard, which has set America’s standard for education in the performing arts, will perform programmes in the ship's Royal Court Theatre, treating guests to the best in classic and contemporary jazz. These presentations are part of Cunard’s entertainment and award-winning enrichment programme, which showcases a variety of compelling entertainers – from new and emerging world-class talent to today's most enduring and iconic artists. Last August, Juilliard Jazz scholar Jumaane Smith became the first student from the school to take the stage onboard Queen Mary 2, presenting a trumpet recital that proved to be very popular with the voyage’s guests.

"Our partnership with Juilliard will provide our guests access to outstanding, world class performances, reflecting both the rich history and lineage of Juilliard, as well as Cunard’s ongoing commitment to supporting the arts and to offering our guests exclusive onboard experiences," said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.

“We are honored that a famous and trusted brand such as Cunard has invited Juilliard to help enhance their legendary Transatlantic voyages with the talents of our students and faculty,” said Dr. Laurie A. Carter, the School’s vice president and general counsel, as well as executive director of Jazz Studies. “At Juilliard, we seek to foster the skills of our musicians, while helping them share their gifts with the world. With these special performances, we are proud to be able to provide them the opportunity to do so and, in return, bestow upon them what are sure to be unforgettable journeys.”

For more information on Cunard's Transatlantic voyages, call us at 1-800-788-2545 or visit www.CruiseCafe.com.

Jamaica Expects Multi-Million Dollar Falmouth Cruise Port To Be Open By October

The first call from Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas is expected in November. Government officials told Cruise Industry News the surrounding town, which is being developed by both Jamaica and Royal Caribbean, is expected to be completed within the next five years. It is unclear whether any ships besides the Oasis under the Royal Caribbean corporate umbrella will visit Falmouth, but port officials said it was under consideration.

With the addition of Falmouth, Jamaica adds a third port for cruise calls. Falmouth joints Ocho Rios and Montego Bay, where a new shopping center is under construction.

Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett commented: “Cruise tourism has been very strong and a main stay of our country. We’ll have a new experience in 2010 with the Oasis of the Seas which will mean more investment for the island. When thousands of people get off there need to be places to go and things to do. Arrivals will drive demand that needs to be supplied by other industries which will create more employment.”

Jamaican officials were also thrilled at tourism growth numbers for the island, noting that they experienced 4.5 percent growth in 2009 compared to 2008. By comparison, officials went onto note that projections had global tourism down between 7 and 8 percent and Caribbean tourism down 3 percent.

Children Customize Their Cruise Experience with More Choices than Ever on Disney Cruise Line

Disney Cruise Line, the leader in family cruising, is once again reinventing onboard children’s experiences. Through an entirely new approach to youth activities, kids can let their imaginations set sail by customizing their cruise vacation. More youth activities than ever before are available and children choose experiences based on interest, not age.

Exciting new youth activities and dedicated children’s spaces are available now on the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder and are coming to the Disney Dream beginning with the ship’s maiden voyage in January 2011.

While Disney Cruise Line will continue to recommend activities that appeal to specific maturity levels and ages, the entire menu of offerings is open to every child. With this evolutionary approach to shipboard youth activities, children and parents select programs based on the specific interests of each child to create a customized and very personalized experience. Best of all, children of different ages -- siblings, extended family and friends -- can participate in youth activities together throughout their cruise.

The majority of children’s events and free-time activities occur within dedicated youth spaces on the ship and on Castaway Cay. As always, Disney Cruise Line youth activities are supervised by specially trained, experienced counselors.

Specific program information is available to guests on the day of check-in at the Youth Activities registration desk located in the Disney cruise ship terminal building prior to boarding, or onboard in the Oceaneer Club and Oceaneer Lab.

Celebrity Names Fourth Solstice Class Ship

On the shortest day of 2009, Celebrity Cruises made a symbolic announcement with the naming of the fourth ship in its Solstice Class fleet. The 122,000-ton, 2,850-guest Celebrity Silhouette will enter service in April and joins the Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Eclipse ships.

Similar to its sisters, the Silohouette will include a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass and a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass. The ship will feature larger staterooms (90 percent outside, 85 percent with verandas) and categories of accommodations, including Celebrity's ConciergeClass and spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms.

Celebrity sails in Alaska, California, Canada, New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. Call 1-800-788-2545 or visit www.CruiseCafe.com.

Costa Spends $79 Million Refurbishing The Old Carnival Holiday

Costa Cruises is refurbishing the former Holiday of Carnival Cruise Lines for its new service as the Grand Holiday for Iberocruceros starting in May. The work, estimated at $79 million, is being done at the S. Giorgio yard in Genoa.

In addition to completely restyling the cabins and public areas, four new suites with balconies and a new wellness center will be built. The hull will be treated with a silicone-based paint that also increases the vessel’s hydrodynamic performance while reducing the environmental impact thanks to reduced fuel consumption, according to a prepared statement from Costa.

The Grand Holiday will be the fourth ship of Iberocruceros. The first cruise will depart from Barcelona on May 18, 2010, calling at Villafranche-sur-Mer, Leghorn, Civitavecchia and Porto Torres. The ship will sail seven-day cruises in the western Mediterranean during the summer season, departing from Barcelona on Sundays, calling at Villafranche, Leghorn, Civitavecchia, Naples and La Goulette.

The other three Costa ships having undergone routine maintenance work are the Magica (Nov. 4 to 18); the Mediterranea (Nov. 21 to Dec. 5) in Palermo; and the Marina (Nov. 4o to 18) in Genoa.

Norwegian Declares 2010 'The Year Of The Freestyle Vacation'

Norwegian Cruise Line is ringing in the New Year early with a bevy of promotions marking 2010 as “The Year of the Freestyle Vacation.” All new reservations through March 14, 2010 on any of the line’s 10 Freestyle Cruising ships will receive up to a six-category upgrade and on-board savings certificates of up to $400. In addition, bi-weekly promotions will feature special offers on select ships and destinations. The first offer from January 4-17, 2010 includes reduced deposits and kids from $249 for bookings on Norwegian Epic’s seven-day cruises to the Eastern and Western Caribbean.

“It has been ten years since Norwegian first introduced its innovative Freestyle Cruising, so it is fitting that we celebrate 2010 as ‘The Year of the Freestyle Vacation’ as we move to introduce the next phase of Freestyle Cruising with the launch of Norwegian Epic in the summer of 2010,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “We encourage travel partners to take advantage of these value-oriented offers to help spur consumers into booking their Freestyle vacation.”

For more information on this fantastic promotion, visit www.CruiseCafe.com or call us at 1-800-788-2545 today.

Oasis of the Seas Now in Ft. Lauderdale

The world's largest cruise ship – Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas – rolled into Port Everglades Friday morning as thousands of people watched from shore. The giant ship blocked the view of portside buildings as it completed its transatlantic voyage to its new home port.

Escorted by fireboats billowing streams of water, the ship eased through the channel into the port shortly after 8 a.m.. Dozens of boats were there to greet it, and from the desk, people were waving to those who came out to welcome the new ship, while arrived 2 days overdue because of bad weather.

"While crossing the North Atlantic Ocean on its way to Port Everglades, Florida, Oasis of the Seas encountered strong winds and high seas," cruise ship officials said in a statement.

"The heavy weather meant no work on the outer decks and especially the AquaTheatre during most of the crossing," Richard Fain notes in his popular Chairman's Blog at the Royal Caribbean website. "And it took longer to do all the requisite work in the Opus Theatre than expected."

Fain says the line is confident it can make up for the delays and finish the entertainment areas in time for the ship's first cruises with paying passengers on Dec. 1.

World's Largest Cruise Ship Clears Crucial Obstacle

The Oasis of the Seas cleared a crucial obstacle Sunday, lowering its smokestacks to squeeze under a bridge in Denmark.

The Oasis of the Seas — which rises about 20 stories high — passed below the Great Belt Fixed Link with a slim margin as it left the Baltic Sea on its maiden voyage to Florida.

Bridge operators said that even after lowering its telescopic smokestacks the giant ship had less than a 2-foot gap.

Hundreds of people gathered on beaches at both ends of the bridge, waiting for hours to watch the brightly lit behemoth sail by shortly after midnight (7 p.m. EDT).

"It was fantastic to see it glide under the bridge. Boy, it was big," said Kurt Hal, 56.

It was built by STX Finland for Royal Caribbean International and left the shipyard in Finland on Friday. Officials hadn't expected any problems in passing the Great Belt bridge, but traffic was stopped for about 15 minutes as a precaution when the ship approached, Danish navy spokesman Joergen Brand said.

Aboard the Oasis of the Seas, project manager Toivo Ilvonen of STX Finland confirmed that the ship had passed under the bridge without any incidents.

It is due to make its U.S. debut on Nov. 20 at its home port, Port Everglades in Florida.

Disney Cruise Line Introduces a Virtual Porthole for Inside Staterooms. . .

With the Disney Dream setting sail on Jan. 26, 2011, preparations are underway to expand the one-of-a-kind family experience, utilizing technology to enhance the world-class entertainment and legendary guest services onboard. From stem to stern, the Disney Dream will offer a cruise experience that caters to the preferences of the whole family.

Disney Cruise Line introduces another stateroom innovation with all inside staterooms on the new Disney Dream featuring a Virtual Porthole that provides guests with a real-time view outside the ship. High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each Virtual Porthole.

As guests observe the impressive outside views, they may glimpse a magical surprise: animated characters such as Peach the starfish from the Disney-Pixar hit film "Finding Nemo," or Mickey Mouse may pop by the Virtual Porthole.

The Disney Dream is scheduled to depart on its maiden voyage Jan. 26, 2011, and will sail alternating three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. During summer months, the ship will alternate four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay. Guests can book their Disney Dream cruise beginning Nov. 9, 2009.

For more information on the Disney Dream, call us at 1-800-788-2545 or visit us at www.CruiseCafe.com.

Going for a Swim in the Atlantic Nearly a Thousand Miles from Shore

"Guests had been telling me they would like to take a swim in the Atlantic and at dawn on Thursday, Oct. 15, I knew that this was the day. The seas were as still as a pond.", said the Captain of the SeaDream II.

The vessel, owned by SeaDream Yacht Club, is equipped with a small retractable marina deck that is often extended when the ship is in the sheltered bays of the Caribbean or the Mediterranean. It wasn't necessarily designed for the open ocean. But on this trans-Atlantic cruise, the seas of the Atlantic were so unusually calm that the captain concluded it was safe to offer passengers a rare open-ocean dip.

The vessel was 958 nautical from the Azores and 1,541 nautical miles from its destination, San Juan, Puerto Rico, at the time.

SeaDream Yacht Club is an innovative, yachting company that operates the twin, ultra-luxury mega yachts SeaDream I and SeaDream II. When they were originally introduced they soon became the prototypes of the casual and intimate yachting experience. SeaDream Yacht Club has built upon this legacy and today the two sleek and rakish SeaDream yachts are highly acclaimed by discerning travelers seeking a unique seagoing experience and by travel industry observers everywhere.

Princess New Family Cruisetours in Alaska

Princess Cruises is once again leading the way in Alaska cruisetours with its new Family Cruisetours to alaska. Alaska is famous for wildlife and nature at its best, and Princess Cruises thinks the whole family should get to enjoy it. With its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and plethora of active adventure opportunities, Alaska offers the perfect family vacation. The tours will offer many exciting shore excursions to bring the family together and create a lifetime of fabulouys memories.

The 12-night cruisetour offers the best of Alaska by land and sea and includes a variety of special features not usually included in a cruisetour package. Families will have the opportunity to travel on a jetboat, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and experience what Alaska is like in the winter when it’s many degrees below zero.

The cruisetour (number: FUN) is offered at a 25 percent discount for all berths, so all members of the family are included in the special pricing.

“This is really the ultimate family vacation,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “Alaska is a wonderful travel destination with kids, so we wanted to make it easy and affordable to plan the perfect Alaska experience for everyone in the family.”

The Family Fun cruisetour includes a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour featuring one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. At sea, families can also take advantage of Princess’ many onboard programs especially for children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park.

For more information on what is included special in these cruisetours, visit us at www.CruiseCafe.com or call us at 1-800-788-2545.

Carnival Cruise Lines Implements New Safety Briefing

Carnival Cruise Lines will implement a new Safety Briefing, formerly referred to as the “Boat Drill”. The new Safety Briefing will be rolled out throughout the fleet by the end of 2009.

According to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), Chapter III, Regulations 19.2.2. and 19.2.3, whenever new passengers embark, a passenger Safety Briefing shall be given immediately before sailing or immediately after sailing. Passengers shall be instructed in the use of the lifejackets and the action to take in an emergency.

Therefore, when the signal for the Safety Briefing blares out, guests will no longer be required to go to their stateroom to collect their lifejackets. They will proceed directly to their assigned muster station from their location at that time.

The letter of the muster station to which the guest is assigned (according to stateroom number) is printed on the left bottom corner of the Guest’s Sail & Sign card. The guest will need to have the Sail & Sign card in hand during the Safety Briefing.

During the Safety Briefing, the Evacuation Personnel will be visible to all guests and demonstrate how to wear a lifejacket.

This new procedure will improve the guest’s experience and prevent unnecessary accidents due to hanging strings from the lifejackets as well as heat exhaustion at the muster stations during summer-type weather.

Costa Atlantica Receives Perfect Score for Vessel Sanitation

The Costa Atlantica, a member of the Costa Cruises fleet, scored a perfect 100 in a recent inspection conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The inspection was held on September 26 during a stopover in New York, one of the port calls of the Costa Atlantica during the latter part of her transatlantic cruise, which departed on September 16 from Savona and ended on October 3 in Quebec City (Canada).

The CDC inspections are part of the Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), which was introduced in the early 1970s and involves all ships that stop in a US port. They are unannounced events and are carried out by officials from the USPHS (United States Public Health Service) twice a year. The score, on a scale from 1 to 100, is assigned on the basis of a checklist with some 48 areas of assessment encompassing hygiene and sanitation of food (from storage to preparation), water, shipboard personnel and the ship as a whole. A complete list of vessel sanitation scores can be found here.

This is the 6th time that the Costa Cruises fleet has received maximum marks from the CDC inspectors. The first vessel to obtain the perfect 100 was actually the Costa Atlantica herself in 2001, and she repeated this success in 2005; meanwhile the sister ship of the Costa Atlantica, Costa Mediterranea, obtained the top score in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

From October 3 the Costa Atlantica will be deployed on a series of three cruises along the Atlantic coast of Canada and the USA, an exclusive innovation offered by the Italian Company, to see the stunning natural spectacle of the fall foliage tinged with gorgeous autumnal shades. During the winter 2009/2010 season the Costa Atlantica will be engaged in 7-day Caribbean cruises with departures from Fort Lauderdale.

Cruise To Trace Titanic's Route On Centennial Of Ship's Sinking

A memorial cruise is scheduled to set sail 100 years after the sinking of the Titanic, following the same trans-Atlantic route as the ill-fated ship, according to organizers.

The Titanic Memorial Cruise is to set sail in April 2012, departing from Southampton, England, on April 8, just as the Titanic did.

On April 15, the ship -- the Balmoral -- will arrive at the spot in the North Atlantic where the Titanic sank after it collided with an iceberg.

Passengers on the 2012 cruise will take part in a memorial service at the site, according to organizer Miles Morgan Travel.

Artifacts from the Titanic and a piece of the ship's hull have been recovered, but most of the wreckage remains where the luxury cruise liner sank.

The 12-night memorial cruise will then take passengers to Halifax in Nova Scotia, Canada, so they can visit cemeteries where some of the Titanic victims are buried. The trip will end in New York, where the Titanic was headed. Prices for the trip start at $3,900.

St. Maarten Is Ready For The Oasis of the Seas

St. Maarten has built a new pier and upland support area that is ready for the Oasis of the Seas, according to Mark Mingo, CEO of the St. Maarten Port Authority. “Passenger distribution has also been carefully planned,” he said, “via water taxis and land-based transportation.” The $50 million project is intended to accommodate the bigger ships of Royal Caribbean International as well as Carnival Corporation. The upland development will cover an area from about 16,000 to 18,000 square meters when it is fully developed. A new trolley transportation system for the piers has also been installed.

Queen Victoria Visits Boston on Maiden Call

As part of a 24-day Canada/New England “Autumn Colours” cruise from Southampton, Cunard’s newest queen came to the Port of Boston on her maiden call September 28. Queen Victoria received a welcome “fit for a queen” when the Massachusetts Port Authority’s Fire-Rescue fireboat, Howard W. Fitzpatrick welcomed her in the harbor with a spectacular water display. The Queen Victoria spent the day at Cruiseport Boston’s Black Falcon Cruise Terminal along with two other visiting cruise ships, Caribbean Princess and Saga Ruby.

Luxury Line Crystal Cruises Introduces 2-for-1 Pricing

At a Friday morning press conference in New York City, Crystal Cruises unveiled two-for-one pricing on all sailings in 2010. The new pricing structure comes into effect today.

1,000s of already booked reservations will be re-priced accordingly, according to Bill Smith, senior vice president of Crystal Cruises.

In addition to two-for-one fares for all destinations, Crystal is granting up to $2,000 per couple in ship board credit, free round-trip air on most sailings, business class air for Penthouse suite bookings in Europe, and a price guarantee.

Smith noted that Crystal had hired two outside research companies to investigate various promotions.

Smith said: “The scope of changes we’ve made is unprecedented as we literally have had to reproduce every piece of collateral we’ve had in the marketplace.”

"We found we had the wrong offer in the marketplace," Smith commented.

Crystal’s marketing department will be working around the clock for the next two weeks to re-produce the cruise atlas, direct mail campaigns and more with the new promotions, said Smith.

Smith noted that occupancy in 2009 is down between 15 and 18 percent.

Carnival Cruise Lines to Launch First Year-Round Cruise Program From Charleston in 2010

Carnival Cruise Lines will introduce the first year-round cruise schedule from Charleston, S.C., with the deployment of the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy in May 2010.

Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages to The Bahamas and Key West, Fla., from the Passenger Terminal in historic downtown Charleston beginning May 18, 2010.
On Carnival Fantasy’s new Charleston-based cruises, Carnival is expected to carry more than 140,000 passengers annually from the port. Including Charleston, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate from 20 North American homeports in 2010, with 12 year-round departure points – the most in cruising.

The new year-round departures from Charleston dramatically expand upon Carnival’s decade-long relationship with the port. Previously, Carnival has operated seasonal voyages from Charleston, including two five-day departures on the Carnival Triumph this year and two on the Carnival Glory next year.

Charleston’s centralized location within the southeastern U.S., as well as the city’s strong appeal as a tourist destination, were key factors in the decision to launch year-round service aboard the Carnival Fantasy.

Holland America Line Launches Extensive New Mariner Society Rewards Program

For those who have sailed even just once with Holland America Line, there’s now more to enjoy on future cruises. The new Mariner Society Rewards Program provides past guests with exciting new benefits from generous onboard discounts while sailing and special rates on select cruises to reduced or free third and fourth rates when booking future cruises. Benefits are tiered and vary based on a guest’s cruise history.

“We wanted to create a program that gives our loyal Mariner members fantastic perks, cruise values and enhances that sense of pride they feel after having sailed on several cruises with Holland America Line,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “We have one of the highest repeat guest ratios in the cruise industry and our loyal guests deserve the valuable benefits in our new Mariner Society Rewards Program.”

The Mariner Society Rewards Program offers a four-level progressive membership with a wide range of cruise and on-board savings and extra values. All guests who sail with Holland America Line are automatically welcomed into the Mariner Society where they receive special offers on upcoming cruises as well as advance information about new ships and the latest product enhancements. Based on past cruises recorded as cruise days, members now enjoy Star memberships with four different levels offering an ever-widening range of cruise options and enhancements. Guests automatically collect additional “cruise days” or cruise day credits based on their onboard spending or through the purchase of one of the premium line’s suite options.

The new Mariner Society Rewards Program will roll out to the entire fleet by October 18, 2009. For more information, call 1-800-788-2545 or visit www.CruiseCafe.com.

Carnival Cruise Lines Officially Took Delivery of the Carnival Dream

In a traditional maritime handover ceremony at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, last week, Carnival Cruise Lines officially took delivery of its newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream.

Following the ceremony, Carnival Dream departed for Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, for its inaugural cruise, a 12-day Grand Mediterranean voyage departing Sept. 21 – the first of three voyages within the region.

The ship will then sail a trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome to New York followed by a special two-day cruise and two eight-day Caribbean voyages from the Big Apple. Carnival Dream will then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special one-time nine-day voyage Dec. 3 before launching year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 12.

Representing a new class of vessel for the line, the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream offers a host of innovations, including Ocean Plaza, a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live music venue; The Lanai, an outdoor area featuring a wrap-around promenade and cantilevered whirlpools that are suspended over the ship’s side; a host of new accommodation categories, including two-bath, five-berth staterooms that appeal to families and cove balcony cabins located closer to the water line; a sprawling Carnival WaterWorks aqua park featuring the longest water slide at sea; and a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, the largest in the fleet.

Exciting new entertainment choices, including a comedy club offering 24 performances per voyage and outdoor laser shows on Lido Deck, are also featured. Also new is the “Fun Hub,” a comprehensive intranet portal and the first shipboard social network that provides a variety of helpful information on the vessel and allows guests to interact and connect with their fellow passengers on board.

Dining options include two formal restaurants with extensive menus and wine lists nightly, an expansive Lido-area eatery featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, Indian tandoori and new Italian pasta bar, an elegant steakhouse serving USDA prime dry-aged beef, a sushi bar, a patisserie and complimentary 24-hour stateroom service.

A host of bars, lounges, nightspots and live music venues – all bearing the unmistakable design stamp of Carnival’s renowned interior architect Joe Farcus – are also featured.

A sister ship to the Carnival Dream, the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic, is scheduled for delivery in June 2011. It is also being built in Italy by Fincantieri.

Royal Caribbean Announces "Sweet" Addition to Oasis of the Seas

When Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas debuts in December 2009, the world’s largest and most revolutionary ship will offer the most diverse lineup of dining options and guest activities available industry wide. The cruise line is combining both of those experiences with yet another exciting addition to Oasis of the Seas’ breadth of offerings with the first cupcake shop at sea, aptly named The Cupcake Cupboard.

Harking back to the days of baking in grandmother’s kitchen, the 1940’s-style shop will offer a wide array of the beloved delicacies and emphasize memorable family experiences including decorating cupcakes in various creative designs. A broad assortment of cupcakes will be offered daily at a la carte pricing, and specialty cupcakes and cupcake wedding cakes also will be available. Beyond its tempting and innovative menu, The Cupcake Cupboard, located in the Royal Promenade, also will provide a separate space for guests looking to celebrate special events—birthdays, anniversaries, reunions, and more.

The space also will host a variety of daily hands-on decorating classes where families can spend time together and learn the techniques behind cupcake decorating, from colorful sprinkles and icing to watercolors and candies. And guests will have the opportunity to take home the skills needed to create animal faces, sunflowers, snow globes, and more. There’s even the option of creating “pupcakes,” in honor of the family dog. Information on the classes, which are offered daily, can be found in the ship’s Daily Planner and are available to guests and groups of all ages at an additional charge.

Carnival Dream to Offer Amazing High-Energy Laser Shows

Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream will introduce the line’s first outdoor laser shows that will combine the latest in laser technology with rock music to provide guests a unique and exciting nighttime entertainment option. Carnival Dream’s laser shows will be the first ever for a North America–based cruise ship.

The 15-minute nighttime laser shows will feature choreographed lasers projecting brilliant aerial patterns of blue, red and green set to music by popular artists such as Styx, Rush, Van Halen, Boston and Pink Floyd.

Smoke machines will be used to enhance the laser light effects in the starry, moonlit sky, creating an ideal setting for guests to relax on Carnival Dream’s expansive open deck.

Four all-weather LaserNet ScannerPro lasers will be positioned high atop Carnival Dream’s Lido Deck. Each high-wattage laser will be independently computer controlled using Pangolin Laser Designer software that synchronizes the lasers in perfect time with the music, which will be amplified by the 70,000-watt sound system of the ship’s Seaside Theatre LED screen. The Seaside Theatre’s jumbo-sized monitor will also display custom-designed graphics and original music videos of the various artists played during the show.

“The idea of a spectacular laser show set to high-energy music from the deck of a cruise ship is truly unique and will provide Carnival Dream guests with a memorable, one-of-a-kind entertainment experience that they can’t find anywhere else,” said Roger Blum, Carnival’s vice president of cruise programming.

Carnival Dream is set to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome, followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 – Nov. 12.

From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, 2009.

For additional information and reservations, call 1-800-788-2545 or visit www.CruiseCafe.com.

Disney Cruise Line Creating More Magic at Castaway Cay

Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise in the tropical waters of the Bahamas, is getting an extra dose of pixie dust. Enhancements will provide guests with more water-based family-fun, additional conveniences and a slice of beachside luxury all designed to complement the idyllic island setting.

The additional island amenities are scheduled to be complete by summer 2010, in time for special five-night cruises aboard the Disney Wonder with two stops at Castaway Cay, and the Disney Dream cruise ship which starts sailing in early 2011.

Castaway Cay is consistently rated by Disney Cruise Line guests as their favorite port of call – the ultimate private island escape for adventure, relaxation and quality time with the family.

“The numerous enhancements and additions planned for Castaway Cay will take the already extraordinary guest experiences on our private island to the next level,” said Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz. “Whether our guests are seeking recreation or leisure – or a combination of both – they will find it at Castaway Cay, all complemented by unparalleled Disney service.”

Walt Disney Imagineers designed Castaway Cay with one-of-a-kind areas and activities for every member of the family, while celebrating the natural beauty of the 1,000-acre island. Among the crystal-clear turquoise waters, powdery white sand beaches, swaying palm trees and lush landscapes, guests soon will find the following transformations.

View the video below to find out all the exciting changes or visit us at www.CruiseCafe.com or call us at 1-800-788-2545 for further information.

Celebrity Century To Return To Mediterranean In 2010

The endless allure of Europe paired with the popularity of cruise vacations on Celebrity Century in the region have led Celebrity Cruises to redeploy the ship to the Mediterranean next summer. The new sailings replace the previously announced series of 4- and 5-night cruises from Miami between May and October 2010.

"Celebrity Century’s 4- and 5-night Caribbean vacations are very popular, but our dialogue with our travel partners and guests in North America and Europe indicated even stronger demand for the ship in Europe next summer," said Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "And, with our new, widely-heralded Celebrity Solstice scheduled to sail in the Caribbean year-round, our guests can enjoy the best 7-night Caribbean cruise experience on the market, whenever they’re ready to go."

Celebrity Century will continue to present 4- and 5-night Caribbean cruises from November 2009 through early May 2010.

As a prelude to its European season, the ship will depart Miami May 20, 2010, on a 14-night transatlantic voyage visiting Ponta Delgada, Azores; Lisbon, Portugal; and Seville and Malaga, Spain, ending in Barcelona. There, on June 3, Celebrity Century will begin a series of 12-night, roundtrip Mediterranean cruises, with a host of enticing ports of call that vary depending on departure date.

Among the destinations on Celebrity Century’s new Mediterranean sailings include the French Riviera’s luxurious Cannes and Monte Carlo, exceptionally "nice" Nice, and Provence, known for its aromatic fields of lavender; the stunning seaside communities of Sicily and Salerno on Italy’s Amalfi Coast; historic Florence/Pisa and Rome; endlessly romantic Venice, complete with overnight stays in port; Ephesus, Turkey, with its fascinating ancient ruins; Greece’s classic and enriching Athens, and festive Mykonos; and the enchanting, Adriatic seaside communities of Dubrovnik and Split, Croatia.

Celebrity Century’s 2010 Europe season will be capped with a 14-night transatlantic voyage departing Barcelona October 25, with calls on Malaga, Spain; Madeira, Portugal; and Tenerife and La Palma, Canary Islands, ending November 8, 2010, in Miami, Fla., where the ship will resume its popular 4- and 5-night Celebrity Caribbean getaways.

Bookings for Celebrity Century’s new Europe sailings in 2010 open today.

All guests with confirmed bookings on Celebrity Century’s 4- and 5-night Caribbean sailings between May 20 through November 4, 2010, are being contacted with an exceptional option: To be reaccommodated from their 4- or 5-night cruise on Celebrity Century to a 7-night sailing on the new Celebrity Solstice, subject to availability, in a like category at the same fare paid.

For more information on this itinerary change, call us at 1-800-788-2545 or visit www.CruiseCafe.com.

Disney Dream Takes Shape

Disney Cruise Line celebrated the keel laying of the Disney Dream, the first of two newly-designed ships destined to expand family cruise options to more people in more places around the world.

“Since our inception, families have come to know and love Disney Cruise Line, and they are looking for additional ways to enjoy all that we have to offer,” Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz said during the ceremony at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. “Our fleet expansion will allow us to satisfy demand on both the East and West coasts of the United States while also giving us the flexibility to explore additional global destinations for our Guests.”

The keel laying ceremony is the first time the Disney Dream will begin to take shape after many years of design work. In the maritime industry, the ceremony marks a momentous occasion when the first block – or section – of the ship is lowered into the building dock and a coin is placed under the keel for good fortune.

Doing the honors of placing the coin was Captain Tom Forberg. With a distinguished maritime career aboard Disney Cruise Line, Forberg was the first crew member hired and the captain who launched the Disney Magic and the Disney Wonder. Recently, Forberg was named as the future Master of the Disney Dream.

The ship will continue to take its form through a block construction process in which pre-fabricated complete hull sections are joined together in block units and are then brought together to form the ship. The Disney Dream will be made up of 80 blocks, with the first block weighing in at approximately 380 tons.

Comedy Club Concept To Debut On New 130,000-Ton Carnival Dream

Building upon its reputation for offering the most diverse entertainment choices at sea, Carnival Cruise Lines will introduce the line’s first comedy club on its new 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. The club will feature six comedy shows on four different nights during each voyage.

The new 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream – the line’s largest ship – is set to debut Sept. 21, 2009.

Presented in the 425-seat Burgundy Lounge, Carnival Dream’s comedy club will highlight a wide variety of comedians offering both family-friendly and adult-only performances each night.

Six 35-minute shows will be presented nightly, with show times at 6, 7:15, 8:30, 9:45 and 11 p.m., and 12:15 a.m. The last two performances will be R-rated adult-only shows.

Carnival Dream’s comedy club will showcase the talents of both the line’s established comedians and up-and-coming performers, many of whom have appeared on television specials and in comedy venues throughout the country.

"Guests choose a Carnival vacation to relax, laugh and have a great time, and comedy shows are one of our most popular entertainment offerings," said Roger Blum, Carnival’s vice president of cruise programming. "On the Carnival Dream there will be 24 performances during each voyage, providing guests multiple opportunities to enjoy a highly talented roster of comics providing endless laughs in a fun and entertaining environment."

Guadeloupe Offers New Programs For Cruise Passengers

Guadeloupe is introducing new hospitality programs for cruise passengers for the 2009/2010 season, according to Destination Guadeloupe Islands. For passengers disembarking in Pointe-a-Pitre guides known as “Ameritouristes” will be positioned throughout the town offering assistance; there will also be a new city map marked with recommended stores; and also offered will be tours in carts pulled by oxen.

Ameritouristes - Thirty bilingual young men and women will be recruited and stationed in groups of three at posts throughout Pointe-a-Pitre. Their function will be to offer information, directions and in general be helpful to passengers. The guides will be able to communicate via walkie talkies and will wear yellow polo shirts so they will be easily recognizable. Starting in November, the Ameritouristes will work from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. for the duration of the season.

Map of the town - In October, a new map of Pointe-a-Pitre will be introduced that is not only useful, but also fun, according to Guadeloupe. The fun theme is based on pirates and a treasure hunt. There will also be a partnership with selected stores that will carry a sign offering 10 percent discounts and be marked on the map. The objective is to improve the quality of shopping in Pointe-a-Pitre. Other shopping projects are being studied

Visiting Pointe-a-Pointe in an oxen- drawn cart - Starting in December will be tours of the town in carts pulled by oxen. According to Guadeloupe, having passengers visit the town will be its first priority, so that passengers will be able to taste local specialties, such as sugar cane juice, coconut milk, rum, coffee, ice cream, and more. This type of transportation is said to be symbolic of the sugar cane industry and will create a link between the islands’ past and the present. The cruise passengers will be able to get onboard the carts as they disembark their ship. The tours will terminate in the middle of town.

For more information on ships that visit Guadeloupe, call us at 1-800-788-2545 or visit www.CruiseCafe.com.

Norwegian Launches Freestyle Voices For Guests

Norwegian Cruise Line has launched Freestyle Voices, www.ncl.com/FreestyleVoices, an online social media forum enabling guests to post their own experiences and opinions to Norwegian’s web site. The company is the first cruise line to directly post user-generated content, including reviews, on its main corporate web site. Freestyle Voices gives guests the ability to interact with each other by sharing their personal Freestyle Cruising stories, posting shore excursion reviews, along with asking and answering questions about the cruise line’s 11 ships and worldwide destinations.

Freestyle Voices showcases customer stories where guests can share their Freestyle Cruising experiences, post photos from their cruise vacation, and also link their story to their Facebook page to share with their friends. With the rate and review function, users can rate shore excursions and share their opinions with others by posting a full review including the ability to post photos and videos. In the ask and answer section, users can answer each other’s questions, rate the helpfulness of an answer or post new questions to be answered by the online community or in some instances by the cruise line itself.

To date, Freestyle Voices is engaging cruisers with more than 3,500 guest questions submitted via the ask and answer platform and approximately 200 past guests have shared their Freestyle Cruising stories. In addition, guests have given high marks to a number of shore excursions with more than 770 submitted reviews.

Once Again Carnival Says No Go For Quebec City

Carnival has decided for a second time not to operate 9-day "After the Glaciers" cruises from New York, which were to visit Quebec City. The line had first announced the summertime cruises for the Carnival Triumph for 2009, then decided to postpone the itinerary until 2010, with the Carnival Glory.

A Carnival spokesman said the 2010 cruises, which were also to include the St. Lawrence River ports of Baie-Comeau and Havre-Saint-Pierre, have now been scrapped. He said the line instead wants to concentrate its efforts on its 4-, 5-, and 7-day New England/Canada sailings from New York; cruises that include port calls at Halifax (Nova Scotia) and St. John (New Brunswick).

Passengers with bookings on the "After the Glaciers" cruises will be given the option of rebooking, the spokesman added.

For more information on Carnival's New England and Canada itineraries, contact us at 1-800-788-2545 or visit www.CruiseCafe.com.

Alaskan Port Takes Steps to Discourage Vendor Peddling

Tired of overly aggressive tour vendors? So is the town of Sitka, Alaska.

Last week, the popular cruise ship destination implemented tough new rules to keep vendors from hassling cruisers as they pour off ships during the summer.

The rules force vendors of everything from fishing trips to floatplane rides to remain within small assigned spaces in the staging areas that visitors pass after they arrive by tender from ships.

The spaces, marked with yellow lines, are less than five feet wide.

Sitka officials tell the Associated Press they've been fielding growing complaints from cruisers and cruise lines about increasingly ugly tactics used by vendors selling tours. Cruisers also complained about having to walk a gauntlet of competing shore-side businesses within moments of leaving their ships, and officials believed it was creating a bad first impression of the town.

"The problem has escalated to the point we had to do something right now," Sitka's Don Kluting tells the Associated Press. "It didn't develop overnight. It's been going on over the years."

Carnival’s New ‘Behind the Fun’ Tours Offer Unique Insight Into Line’s Shipboard Operations

For those who want to get an insider’s look at the inner-workings of a Carnival “Fun Ship,” the line has created Behind the Fun, a guided tour that provides guests with a unique insight into the company’s shipboard operations.

Currently available on the Carnival Valor and Carnival Conquest, the program will be rolled out to all 12 of the line’s ships operating voyages of seven days or longer by the end of September.

The informative three-and-a-half-hour tour offers participants a behind-the-scenes look at a wide range of shipboard venues that are normally off limits to guests. During the tour, key shipboard personnel, including the captain, chief engineer, chef de cuisine and other department heads, share their vast knowledge in their particular area of expertise.

Behind the Fun begins with a stop backstage in the main show lounge where participants can see exactly what goes into creating Carnival’s award-winning revues. The tour then moves on to normally restricted areas such as the laundry room, crew galley and dining room, crew gym, and crew training center.

Next it’s on to the expansive main galley where talented culinary artists prepare upwards of 12,000 meals and snacks a day for Carnival’s guests. The tour also includes a visit to the ship’s bridge and engine control room and informative Q&A sessions with the captain and chief engineer, respectively.

In addition to a comprehensive overview of Carnival’s shipboard operations, Behind the Fun participants receive a number of commemorative gifts, including a custom-made Behind the Fun baseball cap and lanyard, a Team Carnival Picture Perfect book with stunning photographs of Carnival ships and destinations taken by the line’s employees, and complimentary photos with the captain on the bridge.

Behind the Fun tours can be booked through the ships’ shore excursion desk. The cost is $95 per person and capacity is limited to 16 guests per tour. Guests must be 13 or older to participate.

A version of the Behind the Fun tour is planned for Carnival ships that operate itineraries of less than seven days in length.

Celebrity Cruises Launches "Celebrity Life" Redefining The Onboard Experience

Life has always been good on a Celebrity Cruises vacation, and last week, the brand announced a new program that will make it even better.

Celebrity Cruises announced "Celebrity Life," a new series of palate-pleasing, intellectually-enriching and life-enhancing programs designed to deliver the most unique and sophisticated onboard experience in premium cruising.

Built on long-established pillars of the Celebrity brand - dining, enrichment, and wellness - Celebrity Life encompasses three distinct program categories: "Savor," "Discover," and "Renew." "Celebrity Cruises has always been committed to offering the best vacation experience for discerning travelers," said Celebrity Cruises Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Lisa Lutoff-Perlo. "Celebrity Life will provide our guests with an array of experiences they will remember long after they sail with us, thanks to the delivery and dedication of our spectacular crew across the fleet."

"Savor" takes an already stellar culinary experience to new heights, with eight new wine enrichment events, six spirits and mixology tastings, and more than seven different interactive programs for guests, hosted by the ship's Executive Chef and team. "Discover" presents an opportunity for guests to do or learn what they have always wanted to try, but never had time to accomplish. Whether it's ordering a bottle of Chianti in Italian, or exploring the universe in 40 minutes, guests can delve into a wide variety of interests. "Renew" offers an improved, more goal-oriented approach to classes, seminars, and treatments designed to help guests on their journey to looking younger, feeling better and living longer.

For more information on the specific new programs in each category, call us at 1-800-788-2545 or visit www.CruiseCafe.com.

New Carnival Dream to Offer Widest Variety Of All-Inclusive Dining Options

From a two-level casual eatery featuring a new Italian pasta station, Indian tandoori and burrito bar, to an elegant steakhouse, and Ocean Plaza — a stunning indoor/outdoor café and live music venue — the new Carnival Dream will offer a tantalizing array of culinary choices.

All of the Carnival Dream’s dining options, except for the reservations-recommended steakhouse, specialty coffees and select patisserie items, are available free of charge.

The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream – the line’s largest ship – is set to debut Sept. 21 and the vessel’s size has provided the line additional opportunities to offer guests a host of palate-pleasing dining choices from around the world.

“‘Fun Ship’ cruising is already the best value at sea and we’ve conducted extensive research that shows that in today’s economy consumers are seeking a vacation that offers a multitude of delicious dining choices without a lot of added costs,” said Roberta Jacoby, Carnival’s senior vice president of hotel operations. “The dining options aboard the Carnival Dream represent the culmination of our wide-ranging consumer research efforts, while showcasing the incredible talents of our master chefs.”

Carnival Dream is slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome, followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 – Nov. 12, 2009.

From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special nine-day Caribbean cruise Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will then launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, offering weeklong voyages to the eastern and western Caribbean.