Dress rehearsals are almost over for the Disney Fantasy, the fourth ship of the Disney Cruise Line, which greets its first paying customers this week.
Company executives and industry experts expect the ship to be a star performer like its sister ship, the Disney Dream, which debuted just over a year ago.
The Fantasy has been in practice mode since its star-studded christening in New York City on March 1. Trial-run cruises have been filled with Disney employees and their families, plus travel-industry associates. Members of the news media got a first look at the ship's interior Monday. Fantasy's official maiden voyage begins Saturday, with a sold-out, seven-night cruise to the Caribbean.
The Fantasy and Dream are similar vessels, carrying 4,000 passengers each, and they both are based out of Port Canaveral for trips to the western and eastern Caribbean. They have identical floor plans, but there are differences in décor and themes, particularly with the adults-only nightclubs and original stage shows.
Fantasy's clubs are collectively called Europa, with each sector dedicated to different countries.
Exclusive to the Fantasy are an interactive game that explores the ship and features the Muppets, a Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique that transforms little girls into princesses, and an eating experience in the 700-seat Animator's Palate restaurant, where passengers draw figures that are incorporated into animation with Mickey Mouse by the end of the meal.
Analysts expect the addition of the Fantasy and the Dream, which cost $900 million each, to enable Disney's cruise revenue to reach $1 billion a year. Fantasy brings Disney's fleet up to four vessels. The Magic and the Wonder were introduced in the 1990s.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Wednesday, 28 March 2012
Tuesday, 27 March 2012
Cruise Ship Holidays and Costa Concordia
Why choose a cruise holiday?
Following the Costa Concordia disaster, new safety procedures have been introduced to cruise ships. But what does this mean for the cruise industry?
On the 13th January the Italian cruise ship, Costa Concordia, partially sank after hitting a reef off the Tuscan coast. More than 4,200 people had to be evacuated and since then, the ship has lain submerged as experts attempt to remove the 500,000 gallons of fuel on board.
The sunken vessel can only begin to be removed when all the fuel has been taken off, but this could take up to a month.
The ship will then be removed either by floating it in one piece or cutting it up and towing it away as a wreck - an operation that could take up to ten months.
So, in the wake of this disaster, how has the cruise industry reacted?
Following a review of safety procedures the Cruise Lines International Association, European Cruise Council and Passenger Shipping Association announced that cruise holidaymakers will now need to take part in pre-departure safety drills.
This should help ensure that all passengers know what to do and where to go in the event of an incident while on board.
So as peak booking time approaches and in light of these new safety regulations, why choose a cruise holiday?
Value for money: You pay one price and your accommodation, food, drink and entertainment is all included.
Variety: With hundreds of ships and thousands of ports to choose from, there's a cruise to suit everyone.
Destinations: If you've only got limited time for a holiday, a cruise is the best way to see several destinations in one go.
Great for families: Many cruise ships are geared up for families with kid's clubs and activities to keep your little ones entertained.
Activities: These days cruise ships have every activity you can think of and more - from sports, lectures and dancing to music, gaming and of course, sunbathing.
Protecting your holiday:
If you do decide to embark on a cruise holiday, it's important to make sure you have the right travel insurance in place to protect you.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Following the Costa Concordia disaster, new safety procedures have been introduced to cruise ships. But what does this mean for the cruise industry?
On the 13th January the Italian cruise ship, Costa Concordia, partially sank after hitting a reef off the Tuscan coast. More than 4,200 people had to be evacuated and since then, the ship has lain submerged as experts attempt to remove the 500,000 gallons of fuel on board.
The sunken vessel can only begin to be removed when all the fuel has been taken off, but this could take up to a month.
The ship will then be removed either by floating it in one piece or cutting it up and towing it away as a wreck - an operation that could take up to ten months.
So, in the wake of this disaster, how has the cruise industry reacted?
Following a review of safety procedures the Cruise Lines International Association, European Cruise Council and Passenger Shipping Association announced that cruise holidaymakers will now need to take part in pre-departure safety drills.
This should help ensure that all passengers know what to do and where to go in the event of an incident while on board.
So as peak booking time approaches and in light of these new safety regulations, why choose a cruise holiday?
Value for money: You pay one price and your accommodation, food, drink and entertainment is all included.
Variety: With hundreds of ships and thousands of ports to choose from, there's a cruise to suit everyone.
Destinations: If you've only got limited time for a holiday, a cruise is the best way to see several destinations in one go.
Great for families: Many cruise ships are geared up for families with kid's clubs and activities to keep your little ones entertained.
Activities: These days cruise ships have every activity you can think of and more - from sports, lectures and dancing to music, gaming and of course, sunbathing.
Protecting your holiday:
If you do decide to embark on a cruise holiday, it's important to make sure you have the right travel insurance in place to protect you.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Monday, 26 March 2012
Delayed Launch for Refurbished Saga Sapphire
Multi-million-pound refurbishments are complicated affairs, and they become even more complex when your workforce goes on strike. To that end, Saga Cruises announced today that the arrival of its newest ship, Saga Sapphire, will be delayed, as will the ship's departure on its inaugural cruise to Venice.
Sapphire, which is en route to Southampton now, faced interruptions during a nearly four-month refurbishment in the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Italy, when workers participated in a national strike action.
The ship is expected to arrive in Southampton on Monday (26/03/2012), when it was originally scheduled to depart for Venice and will leave on a shortened cruise a week later (Monday, 2 April). During the weeklong stay in the U.K., the ship “will need to be loaded with provisions, and items such as furniture need to be loaded and installed,” said a company spokesman.
A 23-night inaugural cruise, which was scheduled to visit Mediterranean ports in Spain, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Greece, Gibraltar and Portugal, has now been shortened to 16 nights. The line has not made clear what stops the revised itinerary includes, saying only, “We have tried to keep as much of the original cruise as possible and minimise the disruption.”
The spokesperson commented that all passengers on the disrupted cruise have been contacted, and offered either a pro-rated refund for the missed portion of the cruise, alternative accommodation on another cruise, or the option to cancel and receive a full refund.
The makeover included the addition of 46 balconies to cabins on Deck 8, new restaurants and a "View From the Top" outdoor cinema. Also, cabins have been updated, several public areas have been redesigned, and the line is introducing iPads and onboard Wi-Fi connectivity.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Sapphire, which is en route to Southampton now, faced interruptions during a nearly four-month refurbishment in the Fincantieri shipyard in Palermo, Italy, when workers participated in a national strike action.
The ship is expected to arrive in Southampton on Monday (26/03/2012), when it was originally scheduled to depart for Venice and will leave on a shortened cruise a week later (Monday, 2 April). During the weeklong stay in the U.K., the ship “will need to be loaded with provisions, and items such as furniture need to be loaded and installed,” said a company spokesman.
A 23-night inaugural cruise, which was scheduled to visit Mediterranean ports in Spain, Italy, Malta, Croatia, Greece, Gibraltar and Portugal, has now been shortened to 16 nights. The line has not made clear what stops the revised itinerary includes, saying only, “We have tried to keep as much of the original cruise as possible and minimise the disruption.”
The spokesperson commented that all passengers on the disrupted cruise have been contacted, and offered either a pro-rated refund for the missed portion of the cruise, alternative accommodation on another cruise, or the option to cancel and receive a full refund.
The makeover included the addition of 46 balconies to cabins on Deck 8, new restaurants and a "View From the Top" outdoor cinema. Also, cabins have been updated, several public areas have been redesigned, and the line is introducing iPads and onboard Wi-Fi connectivity.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Saturday, 24 March 2012
Four Godmothers Name Four Ships
Garlands of red and white balloons, what seemed like acres of red carpet, and special effects including a pirouetting fireboat spraying water jets and a tenor belting out "Nessun Dorma" created a lavish spectacle in Amsterdam today.
The occasion? Viking River Cruises launch of four ships during a single ceremony. The line claims to have smashed the previous record for multiple and simultaneous christenings (three), which it also held.
The lavish festivities marked the debut of Viking's new series of riverboats, the Longship-class. Four of these sleek, 190-passenger sister-boats have been built together in Germany, although a delay at the shipyard meant that two, Viking Odin and Viking Idun, were named in Amsterdam and two, Viking Freya and Viking Njord, by live video link at the yard in Rostock, where they're being finished off for a mid-April debut. Four godmothers cut scarlet ribbons and four bottles of Veuve Cliquot, two in Amsterdam and two in Rostock, smashed to cheers of a 600-strong crowd gathered in Amsterdam under dazzling sunshine.
The godmothers were an eclectic group.
Joanna Lumley, star of "Absolutely Fabulous," christened Viking Odin, a ship named after the chief god of Norse mythology. "I've never been godmother to a god before," she told the delighted crowd.
Gail Wiswedel, who named Viking Njord, was chosen because she's Viking's most travelled customer, having notched up 11 cruises (which goes to show how young river cruising really is, given that plenty of ocean-going passengers would consider nothing less than 30 as an impressive total).
Dr Lisa Randall, Viking Idun's godmother, is a respected theoretical physicist, a subject close to the heart of Viking's Norwegian founder, Torstein Hagen, who himself holds a degree in nuclear physics.
Award-winning TV producer Rebecca Eaton, who served as godmother for Viking Freya, heads up "Masterpiece Theatre," a company sponsored by Viking.
Champagne flowed throughout the ceremony and on into the evening, when Viking Odin and Idun set sail for a celebratory dinner on Amsterdam's Ij Bay. The line has good reason to congratulate itself. The four ships, which Hagen describes as a "quantum leap" in riverboat design, with their full balconies, indoor-outdoor dining and chic interiors, are pretty well sold out for the rest of the year. And there are eight more sisters coming. Two Longships, Viking Embla and Viking Aegir, will debut this summer, and six more are scheduled to hit the rivers in 2013.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
The occasion? Viking River Cruises launch of four ships during a single ceremony. The line claims to have smashed the previous record for multiple and simultaneous christenings (three), which it also held.
The lavish festivities marked the debut of Viking's new series of riverboats, the Longship-class. Four of these sleek, 190-passenger sister-boats have been built together in Germany, although a delay at the shipyard meant that two, Viking Odin and Viking Idun, were named in Amsterdam and two, Viking Freya and Viking Njord, by live video link at the yard in Rostock, where they're being finished off for a mid-April debut. Four godmothers cut scarlet ribbons and four bottles of Veuve Cliquot, two in Amsterdam and two in Rostock, smashed to cheers of a 600-strong crowd gathered in Amsterdam under dazzling sunshine.
The godmothers were an eclectic group.
Joanna Lumley, star of "Absolutely Fabulous," christened Viking Odin, a ship named after the chief god of Norse mythology. "I've never been godmother to a god before," she told the delighted crowd.
Gail Wiswedel, who named Viking Njord, was chosen because she's Viking's most travelled customer, having notched up 11 cruises (which goes to show how young river cruising really is, given that plenty of ocean-going passengers would consider nothing less than 30 as an impressive total).
Dr Lisa Randall, Viking Idun's godmother, is a respected theoretical physicist, a subject close to the heart of Viking's Norwegian founder, Torstein Hagen, who himself holds a degree in nuclear physics.
Award-winning TV producer Rebecca Eaton, who served as godmother for Viking Freya, heads up "Masterpiece Theatre," a company sponsored by Viking.
Champagne flowed throughout the ceremony and on into the evening, when Viking Odin and Idun set sail for a celebratory dinner on Amsterdam's Ij Bay. The line has good reason to congratulate itself. The four ships, which Hagen describes as a "quantum leap" in riverboat design, with their full balconies, indoor-outdoor dining and chic interiors, are pretty well sold out for the rest of the year. And there are eight more sisters coming. Two Longships, Viking Embla and Viking Aegir, will debut this summer, and six more are scheduled to hit the rivers in 2013.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
Friday, 23 March 2012
Royal Caribbean to Send Monarch of the Seas to Pullmantur
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has announced the transfer of Monarch of the Seas from its Royal Caribbean International cruise brand to its Pullmantur brand, a cruise and tour operator based in Madrid. Monarch of the Seas will transfer to Pullmantur on April 1, 2013, following its last sailing for Royal Caribbean International, which departs on March 29, 2013.
"We are very proud of Monarch of the Seas for delivering great service and outstanding destinations to vacationers since her maiden voyage," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "She will go on creating wonderful travel memories through her final sailings for our brand through next March and then continue doing the same for Pullmantur's guests."
With the incorporation of Monarch of the Seas, Pullmantur will increase its total guest capacity by nearly 25 percent and meet a rising demand for the brand's distinctive All Inclusive-style cruise holidays. "The transfer of Monarch of the Seas will reinforce Pullmantur in our Latin American growth strategy, and help us become one of the most widely recognized brands," said Pullmantur's President and CEO, Gonzalo Chico Barbier.
Monarch of the Seas was built at Chantiers de L'Atlantique (now STX France) in St. Nazaire, France and sailed its maiden voyage on November 17, 1991. The ship is part of the Sovereign class of cruise ships, which were the world's largest and most innovative of their time. Pullmantur is the leading Spanish Tour Operator and Cruise Company, founded in 1971, and famous for introducing the 'All Inclusive' concept to cruising. Pullmantur is leader of the cruise market in Spain and Portugal, currently operating a modern fleet of four vessels, with a daily passenger capacity of 9,000, cruising worldwide, and calling on approximately 100 destinations.
The company offers a unique door-to-door flight service, operated by its in-house air travel division with a fleet of four Boeing 747-400. Pullmantur Air provides charter flights to the European Cruise Port Embarkations and long-haul flights between Spain and the Caribbean Sea for the company's tour-operation division. Spain based Pullmantur, operates through satellite offices in Brasil, Mexico, Portugal and France.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand currently with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.
Royal Caribbean provides a world-class vacation experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming. The cruise line has a 40-year history of giving guests the Royal Advantage – the most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries to popular destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. Royal Caribbean has been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for nine consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards.
Royal Caribbean International and Pullmantur are part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSX: RCL), a global cruise vacation company that also operates Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, CDF Croisieres de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture with TUI AG. The company owns a combined total of 40 ships and has one under construction and two under agreement.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
"We are very proud of Monarch of the Seas for delivering great service and outstanding destinations to vacationers since her maiden voyage," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO of Royal Caribbean International. "She will go on creating wonderful travel memories through her final sailings for our brand through next March and then continue doing the same for Pullmantur's guests."
With the incorporation of Monarch of the Seas, Pullmantur will increase its total guest capacity by nearly 25 percent and meet a rising demand for the brand's distinctive All Inclusive-style cruise holidays. "The transfer of Monarch of the Seas will reinforce Pullmantur in our Latin American growth strategy, and help us become one of the most widely recognized brands," said Pullmantur's President and CEO, Gonzalo Chico Barbier.
Monarch of the Seas was built at Chantiers de L'Atlantique (now STX France) in St. Nazaire, France and sailed its maiden voyage on November 17, 1991. The ship is part of the Sovereign class of cruise ships, which were the world's largest and most innovative of their time. Pullmantur is the leading Spanish Tour Operator and Cruise Company, founded in 1971, and famous for introducing the 'All Inclusive' concept to cruising. Pullmantur is leader of the cruise market in Spain and Portugal, currently operating a modern fleet of four vessels, with a daily passenger capacity of 9,000, cruising worldwide, and calling on approximately 100 destinations.
The company offers a unique door-to-door flight service, operated by its in-house air travel division with a fleet of four Boeing 747-400. Pullmantur Air provides charter flights to the European Cruise Port Embarkations and long-haul flights between Spain and the Caribbean Sea for the company's tour-operation division. Spain based Pullmantur, operates through satellite offices in Brasil, Mexico, Portugal and France.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand currently with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.
Royal Caribbean provides a world-class vacation experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming. The cruise line has a 40-year history of giving guests the Royal Advantage – the most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries to popular destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. Royal Caribbean has been voted "Best Cruise Line Overall" for nine consecutive years in the Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards.
Royal Caribbean International and Pullmantur are part of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE/OSX: RCL), a global cruise vacation company that also operates Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, CDF Croisieres de France, as well as TUI Cruises through a 50 percent joint venture with TUI AG. The company owns a combined total of 40 ships and has one under construction and two under agreement.
Looking for the latest FABCruise offers on a wide range of cruise holidays let FABTHINGS2do help you.
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