Carnival Glory Returns to Service After Two-Week Dry Dock

The Carnival Glory returned to service last week following an extensive, multi-million dollar renovation that added an array of exciting on-board spaces, from a new burger venue developed by Food Network personality Guy Fieri and a pair of tropics-inspired poolside watering holes to a “cocktail pharmacy”-themed lounge called the Alchemy Bar.

Carnival Glory’s new dining, bar and entertainment options are part of Fun Ship 2.0, a $500 million product enhancement initiative that is being rolled out across the Carnival fleet.

Following a special three-day cruise from Miami to Nassau departing later this afternoon, Carnival Glory will launch a winter schedule of seven-day Caribbean voyages beginning Nov. 18. In June 2013, the ship will reposition to Boston for a series of four- and five-day Canada voyages before heading to New York for four- to seven-day Canada/New England departures through October.

Here’s a rundown of the many new features added to the Carnival Glory during its two-week dry dock:

• Guy’s Burger Joint, a complimentary poolside venue offering fresh-made burgers, hand-cut fries and innovative toppings and condiments created by Food Network personality and chef Guy Fieri
• BlueIguana Cantina, a free-of-charge Mexican cantina with authentic tacos and burritos that can be personalized by diners at an extensive salsa and toppings bar
• Alchemy Bar, a cocktail “pharmacy” where highly trained mixologists create custom cocktails using interesting flavors and ingredients
• EA SPORTS Bar, an interactive sports bar where patrons can view live action, play popular EA SPORTS video games and keep up with the latest scores on the 24/7 sports ticker
• RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside Caribbean-themed watering hole offering a variety of the region’s top rums and beers, which are enjoyed in a laid back island-infused atmosphere
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a friendly rival to the RedFrog Rum Bar, this lively and engaging poolside bar specializes in frozen cocktails and Mexican beers, in a fun and festive environment
• The Punchliner Comedy Club & Punchliner Comedy Brunch Presented by George Lopez, who is taking Carnival’s popular comedy offerings to the next level with hilarious, side-splitting comedians and a humorous twist on the traditional mid-morning culinary feast
• Cherry On Top, which celebrates the joys of simple indulgences with bins of bulk candy, fun fanciful gifts and novelties, custom apparel and more
• Hasbro, The Game Show and Playlist Productions will also be added to Carnival Glory over the next several weeks. Hasbro, The Game Show makes guests the stars of the show through larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic board games, while Playlist Productions is a dramatic retooling of Carnival’s legendary revues that combines captivating live performances with high-tech LED staging and special effects that set a new standard in seagoing productions.

Celebrity Reveals Taste of San Francisco Pop-Up Menu

Premium vacation brand Celebrity Cruises’ is bringing its award-winning, from-scratch culinary philosophy from sea to land this month in San Francisco, California, in the form of the first-ever cruise line pop-up restaurant. Elegant simplicity, modern pairings and abundance of earth and sea are the theme of the restaurant, which will pop up at Stable Café in the Mission District.

Diners will enjoy a taste of modern luxury as Celebrity’s Director of Culinary Operations, James Beard-featured chef John Suley, and his team, present a menu rich with unexpected flavors, delicate textures, and of-the-moment culinary techniques.

The menu draws on Celebrity’s award-winning onboard cuisine, as exemplified by a five-spice crusted Cervena venison loin with celery root fondant, wilted spinach, red cabbage marmalade and lingonberry sauce from the classic specialty restaurant Murano, and the “Strawberry Fields” dessert from the “uniquely unordinary” specialty restaurant Qsine.

Other menu items are inspired by seasonal, local ingredients and flavors in and around San Francisco and the Pacific Northwest.

For example, Suley and team will offer a roasted parsnip salad with apple, celery, radicchio, capriago cheese and truffled hazlelnut vinaegrette at lunch, and at dinner, a Jerusalem artichoke veloute with chanterelle mushrooms, mascarpone cheese, Iberico ham and sourdough crouton, as well as a seared Arctic char with “beluga” pasta, chorizo, mussels and a smoked paprika emulsion.

Artful, decadent desserts and locally inspired beverages will complete the experience.

Celebrity has partnered with Tasting Table to invite its San Francisco-area subscribers. Attendees will be entered into a giveaway to win a 7-night Alaska cruise for two on the stunning, luxurious Celebrity Solstice in 2013. Tickets are available online at http://celebritycruisespopup.eventbrite.com and are subject to availability.

Princess Cruises Announces First-Ever Cruise to Support U.S. Veterans

Princess Cruises is marking Veterans Day by announcing an unprecedented cruise to support U.S. veterans, expected to raise $1 million for two highly regarded U.S. veterans organizations – the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) and Operation Homefront. Princess President and CEO Alan Buckelew, himself a Vietnam veteran, will be onboard to host the sailing.

Sailing from November 5-9, 2013 aboard Caribbean Princess from Galveston to the Western Caribbean, the four-day cruise will offer passengers the opportunity to honor both those who have served in the military as well as active duty military personnel. Onboard programming and activities – including guest lecturers, special topic panels, a Stars and Stripes Sailaway, service branch get-togethers, a film festival and more – will be custom-designed to celebrate those who have, and are, serving our country.

“We all know someone – a family member, a neighbor, a friend, perhaps ourselves – who has served,” said Buckelew. “As a veteran myself, I know that America’s warriors face immeasurable challenges both during active duty and when they return home. I look forward to meeting many of our passengers on board to help us raise much-needed funds to assist our veterans.” A video introduction from Buckelew is also available on YouTube.

A portion of each passenger’s cruise fare totaling approximately $500,000 will be matched by Princess Cruises with a further $500,000, for a total of $1 million earmarked for the two veterans causes. Funds raised will be shared equally by both organizations.

The Western Caribbean cruise will sail roundtrip from Galveston, with a call at Progreso, Mexico.

Cruise fares range from $604 to $1,704 per person based on double occupancy. A portion of each fare ranging from $100 to $300 per person, depending upon cabin category, will be donated to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Operation Homefront.