The Duchess of Cornwall meets her double on Cunard Line’s Queen Victoria

                            Her Royal Highness’ Visit Marks the Ship’s Fifth Anniversary

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall unveils a specially commissioned portrait of her by Royal artist
Richard Stone during fifth anniversary celebrations aboard Cunard Line's Queen Victoria.

 13 December 2012 – Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall came face-to-face with her own image today in Southampton, England, when she unveiled a specially-commissioned portrait of herself on board Queen Victoria, the Cunard liner named by The Duchess in December 2007.  Her Royal Highness made a special return visit to take part in celebrations marking the ship’s fifth anniversary.

“We are delighted that Her Royal Highness joined us for such a special day in the life of the ship and her crew,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line.  “Queen Victoria is very much The Duchess’ ship, and we are honoured that she continues to have such an active interest in the ship and her crew.”

Norwegian announces 2014/2015 Caribbean, Bahamas and Florida itineraries from five homeports

Line also unveils Canada & New England, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera and Transatlantic/Repositioning cruises

 

MIAMI – December 18, 2012 – For the ultimate in sun and fun, Norwegian Cruise Line today announced its deployment for the fall and winter 2014/2015 season with eight contemporary ships sailing to the Caribbean and Bahamas & Florida from five homeports: Miami, New York, Tampa, Houston and New Orleans. 

Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Pearl will set sail from Miami.  Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Gem will continue to depart from New York.  Norwegian Sun debuts in Tampa while Norwegian Dawn will be introduced to New Orleans. As previously announced, Norwegian Jewel will set sail from Houston.

The line will also increase its seven-day Mexican Riviera sailings from Los Angeles and a series of Panama Canal voyages between Los Angeles and Miami.  All of these cruises go on sale December 18, 2012 and can be booked in conjunction with the line’s “The Upgrade Wave” sales event.

Princess Cruises reveals Royal Princess youth and teen centers

Young Cruisers Can Enjoy Expanded Space and More Features

Royal Princess youth centers will include new outdoor lounge and play spaces.

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (December 18, 2012) – Even the youngest passengers will enjoy the many special features aboard Princess Cruises’ new Royal Princess when the ship debuts in June. Today the line revealed the amenities just for kids and teens that will wow younger cruisers aboard the new ship.

Royal Princess will offer expanded space for youth centers that adds a new level to the onboard experience for young passengers. All age groups will find more space with dedicated outdoor areas, including a new teen lounge. Toddlers can also join the fun with a special fun area just for kids under 3.

Celebrity Cruises celebrates naming of Celebrity Reflection

Four company employee-Godmothers join senior executives in formal ceremony

MIAMI – December 3, 2012 – Modern luxury brand Celebrity Cruises has formally named the fifth in its five-ship Solstice Class fleet, Celebrity Reflection.

Presiding over the ceremony December 1 were the ship’s four Godmothers – all employees of the company whose lives have been touched by breast cancer: Celebrity Reflection AquaSpa Manager Jovanka Goronjic; Solstice Class Hot Glass Show Artist Megan Mathie; shoreside Community Relations Manager Helen O'Connell; and shoreside Special Events Manager Rosey Rodriguez.

Each took the stage with Chairman & CEO Richard D. Fain, Celebrity's President & CEO Michael Bayley, and Celebrity Reflection Captain Nicholas Pagonis, together with three of the Godmothers of Celebrity Reflection's sister ships, in a naming ceremony tradition unique to Celebrity.

Disney Cruise Line unveils itineraries and ports for 2014

Homecoming for Disney Magic Gives Guests More Opportunities to Visit Disney’s Private Island Castaway Cay

CELEBRATION, Fla. (Dec. 4, 2012) – The white sand beaches and azure waters of Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island, take center stage in the early half of 2014 voyages for Disney Cruise Line.  With all four Disney ships sailing from Florida ports, not only will guests have more options to visit Castaway Cay, but they may combine their cruise with a visit to Walt Disney World Resort and experience the expanded Fantasyland at Magic Kingdom.

In the early part of 2014, the Disney Magic will return to Port Canaveral, Fla., joining the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, while the Disney Wonder will homeport in Miami. During this time, guests will have more opportunities than ever to enjoy a Disney cruise that visits Disney’s private island in the Bahamas reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests, Castaway Cay.

More vacationers worldwide can enjoy the DreamWorks experience on Royal Caribbean

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL EXPANDS PARTNERSHIP WITH DREAMWORKS ANIMATION

MIAMI, Dec. 04, 2012 – Vacationers of all ages will have more choices to join in the high-seas hijinks of Pandas, Ogres, Lions, Dragons and other beloved characters with a knack for adventure and comedy.

Royal Caribbean International and DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (NASDAQ: DWA)  today announced the extension of their groundbreaking alliance, as well as the expansion of The DreamWorks Experience to a sixth-ship, Mariner of the Seas, when she arrives in the Far East in May 2013.

The DreamWorks Experience was first launched aboard Allure of the Seas in November 2010, with beloved character Princess Fiona of the “Shrek” franchise inaugurating the ship as godmother, and continues to impress guests and receive accolades.

Princess Cruises will set sail from Port of Houston cruise terminal

Historic First Cruise to Salute U.S. Veterans

Princess Cruises will launch new service from the Port of Houston beginning in 2013 when it starts sailing from the state-of-the-art Bayport Cruise Terminal.

Princess Cruises and the Port of Houston Authority confirmed an agreement Nov. 15 for the line to make passenger cruise calls during the 2013-2014 cruise season at the port’s cruise facility.

The new service is scheduled to begin in November of 2013. A total of 26 departures are planned for the season.

Norwegian kicks off holiday season with display at Radio City Music Hall in New York

NEW YORK – Norwegian Cruise Line has kicked off the holiday season with a Norwegian Breakaway interactive exhibit in the Grand Lounge of New York’s historic Radio City Music Hall, featuring a 1:100 scale model of the 4,000 passenger ship.

Guests attending the show have the opportunity to tour the exhibit to view the model and learn all about the ship’s unique attributes, entertainment, dining, destinations and more.

Norwegian also launched its “Spectacular Sweeps,” giving Radio City Christmas Spectacular attendees a chance to win a cruise, for a family of four, onboard Norwegian Breakaway, the largest ship to homeport year-round from New York City beginning May 2013.

Designated the “Official Cruise Line” of the Rockettes, Radio City Music Hall and the “Official Partner” of the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, Norwegian Cruise Line takes center stage during every Radio City Christmas Spectacular performance.

Princess Cruises offers new Asia cruise opportunities

Diamond Princess to Sail from Singapore on Special Itineraries in Fall 2013

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (November 27, 2012) – Princess Cruises has just announced two special new Asia cruise opportunities, offering unique itineraries that explore some of the most alluring ports in the region. 
 
Departing in October and November 2013 aboard Diamond Princess, these 10- and 11-day Asia cruises sail roundtrip from Singapore, taking in some of the best of Southeast Asia’s ports of call, including Bangkok, Bali, Nha Trang and Phuket, as well as two ports not usually visited on Diamond Princess itineraries – Penang, Malaysia and Sihanoukville, Cambodia.

InnerSea Discoveries offers “Alaska Unleashed” un-cruise adventures

 Promises High Action, Bold Adventures Via Expedition Boat

Guests receive a $100 shipboard credit when booked by January 11, 2013

Seattle, WA – Bushwhacking in Alaskan backcountry, a glacier trek and extended kayaking in ice-filled fjords and wilderness bays are on the menu for outdoor enthusiasts eager to discover Southeast Alaska’s remote beauty on an adventure cruise with InnerSea Discoveries.

On three Alaska Unleashed departures in summer 2013, the Wilderness Adventurer guest capacity is slashed from 60 to 36 guests for an amped up week of high adventure. Guests booked by January 11, 2013 receive a $100 shipboard credit per person.  

Norwegian Breakaway brings taste of New York to sea

MIAMI – Norwegian Cruise Line has announced two more New York-inspired food and beverage offerings onboard Norwegian Breakaway, the line’s newest ship: Sabrett Hot Dogs and Brooklyn Lager beer.

Further enhancing the ship’s ties to New York City, its year-round homeport, these newly-announced offerings provide guests with a taste of the Big Apple at sea.
 
Located on the Waterfront, pool deck and forward deck, three Sabrett hot dog carts will sport the brand’s iconic yellow and blue umbrellas and offer up the same all-beef frankfurters that New Yorkers have voted the #1 hot dog for more than 50 years, renowned for the famous snap! of their natural casing.

Cunard Line celebrates Queen Victoria’s 5th anniversary with special five-day sale to Dec. 10

Offer includes savings of up to $555 per person
and up to $500 in on-board credit on select voyages

4 December 2012 – In celebration of the fifth anniversary of Cunard's Queen Victoria next week, the Line is launching the five-day Queen Victoria 5th Anniversary Sale starting Thursday, 6 December 2012.

The Queen Victoria 5^th Anniversary Sale will offer a Reduced Deposit, Savings of Up to $555 per Person, a Complimentary Bottle of Wine per Couple, On Board Credit of up to $500 per Stateroom, and Complimentary Balcony Upgrades on 45 select voyages, including:

• St. Petersburg & Baltic Explorer, 1 June 2013 – 14 days aboard Queen Victoria; Balcony fares from $3,799
• Geysers & Glaciers, 15 June 2013 – 15 days aboard Queen Victoria; Balcony fares from $3,999
• Around the British Isles, 31 July 2013 – 10 days aboard Queen Elizabeth; Balcony fares from $2,999
• Greek Isles & Mediterranean Treasures, 10 September 2013 – 12 days aboard Queen Elizabeth; Balcony fares from $3,144
• Black Sea & Turkish Splendours, 30 September 2013 – 24 days aboard Queen Victoria; Balcony fares from $6,599