Queen Mary 2 guests to be first to board the QE2 Hotel in Dubai

 VALENCIA, Calif., Apr. 17, 2018 -- Dubai will welcome the most famous ocean liners in the world when the arrival of Queen Mary 2 coincides with the opening of the Queen Elizabeth 2 hotel.

Guests travelling on QM2 will have the opportunity to join VIPs and local media at the opening of the QE2 on 18th April. Future guests will also have the chance to visit when QM2 returns to Dubai in January and April 2019 as part of her World Voyage.

QE2 was launched by Her Majesty the Queen in 1967 and was the Cunard flagship liner (a role she relinquished to Queen Mary 2 in May 2004), undertaking 25 world cruises, crossing the Atlantic more than 800 times and carrying more than 2.5 million passengers. QE2 is owned by PCFC Hotels - part of the Dubai government’s Ports, Customs and Free Zones Corporation and will reside permanently at Mina Rashid, Dubai.

Celebrity Cruises adds service-centered partnership with Forbes Travel Guide

 MIAMI, FL – April 5, 2018 – With service like no other, Celebrity Cruises is raising the bar even further in a first-of-its-kind travel partnership with Forbes Travel Guide. A global authority on luxury service, Celebrity entered the partnership to tap into Forbes Travel Guide’s 60 years of expertise as the modern luxury brand continues to refine its already heralded award-winning guest experience.

Celebrity is the first cruise line to secure a fleet wide partnership with Forbes Travel Guide, and hold itself to the highest luxury service standards in the world, further proving the brands commitment to world-class service.

“Celebrity Cruises has been recognized for its industry-leading hospitality that offers guests personalized, genuine and knowledgeable service unlike any other,” said Brian Abel, Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Celebrity Cruises.

“But we’re not resting on our laurels; we’re always looking for ways to continue to improve upon our service, and that’s what we hope to gain from this industry-first partnership with Forbes Travel Guide.”

Carnival Cruise Line adds 20 cruises to Cuba from Tampa aboard the Paradise in2019

Follows Recently Announced Series of 17 Cuba Voyages Aboard Carnival Sensation from Miami in 2019-20

MIAMI (April 6, 2018) – Carnival Cruise Line has announced it has added another 20 voyages to Cuba aboard Carnival Paradise from Tampa in 2019, complementing the 11 cruises to the island taking place aboard the vessel through next year.

The new voyages aboard Carnival Paradise are in addition to the 17 recently announced Cuba cruises aboard Carnival Sensation departing from Miami in 2019, indicating that more and more travelers view cruising as a great way to experience the destination.

“Our Cuba cruises have been met with phenomenal guest response since we began sailing to the island last year and we’re thrilled to add yet another 20 voyages to this fascinating and sought-after destination,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

The newly added five-day voyages on Carnival Paradise will depart Tampa on Saturdays and feature a day-long or a full day and overnight call in the Cuban capital of Havana, along with stops at tropical destinations Key West and Cozumel.

            Carnival Paradise’s new Cuba cruise schedule includes:

Queen Latifah named godmother of Carnival Cruise Line's newest ship, Carnival Horizon

(News Release)

Grammy-Award Winning Artist to Preside Over Ship’s Official Naming Ceremony in New York

Featuring ‘Lip Sync Battle: Horizon’ and Honoring St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

 

MIAMI (March 1, 2018) – Queen Latifah – Grammy award-winning musical artist, acclaimed television and film actress, label president, author and entrepreneur – has been named the godmother to Carnival Cruise Line’s newest ship, Carnival Horizon. 

Latifah will participate in the ship’s official naming ceremony as well as a special “Lip Sync Battle: Horizon” showcase that is part of the line’s authentic shipboard reproduction of the hit Paramount Network series.  The event will be held during an invitation-only overnight gala onboard Carnival Horizon in New York City on May 23, 2018.

Currently starring in the FOX series “STAR,” Latifah is an incredible talent earning an Oscar nomination, a Golden Globe nomination and a SAG Award nomination for her portrayal as Mama Morton in Chicago.

She also received an Emmy nomination, a Golden Globe win and a SAG Award win for performances in both “Life Support” and “Bessie,” an HBO biopic on the legendary jazz artist Bessie Smith as well as accolades for her performance as the title character in NBC’s The Wiz Live! 

Guests can explore the world without leaving their table on the transformative new Celebrity Edge

(News Release)

 

Five years of planning. Thousands of hours in the kitchen. Hundreds of unique new recipes. Countless new ways to experience the flavors of the world.

MIAMI, FL – March 1, 2018 – From an exhilarating, sky-high dinner cantilevered 16 decks above the ocean, to an immersive fusion of technology, animation and dining, like nothing guests have ever experienced at sea, and everything in between, the latest culinary hot spots will be found miles at sea on Celebrity Cruises’ transformative new ship, Celebrity Edge.

With 29 world-class, palate-pleasing venues – including four main dining restaurants, two exclusive Suite and AquaClass restaurants, seven brand new specialty restaurants, five complimentary dining venues, and 11 bars and lounges – guests are invited to embark on a cross-continental culinary journey with more restaurant and bar options than ever before.

Disney Cruise Line adds new destinations for families to see the world in summer 2019

(News Release)

New cruise from Rome and seven new ports in Europe, plus Alaska and Caribbean sailings, take center stage

CELEBRATION, Fla. (Mar. 1, 2018) – In summer 2019, Disney Cruise Line will sail on new itineraries and to seven new ports in Europe, including a first-ever round-trip cruise from Rome and first-time visits to destinations in Sweden, France, Spain, Denmark and Northern Ireland.

Disney Cruise Line takes guests on a grand tour of Europe with visits to the Mediterranean in early summer and northern Europe in late summer. Plus, adventures continue with sailings to Alaska, the Caribbean and the Bahamas, including new cruise lengths aboard the Disney Fantasy.

Bookings open to the public on March 8, 2018. More details on 2019 itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2019 page of disneycruise.com.

Don't miss the boats: New cruise ships sailing the high -- and calm -- seas in 2018

   Out to Sea for Feb. 24/18

 

   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox

    Sun Media newspapers/websites (Postmedia Network)

   That new cruise ship smell will be permeating the oceans as almost every major line rolls out a new build this year.

   Along with the newbies will be the largest at sea, sister ships to existing builds and new innovations and attractions.

   This includes racing a go-cart on the top deck, huge waterparks and a two-level family suite with slide to the living room from the bedroom.

   Here’s a guide to sailing the seven seas and five oceans onboard some of the latest and the greatest.

   Don’t miss the boats

   - Royal Caribbean’s Symphony of the Seas: Join 5,200 of your friends on the biggest cruise ship ever built.

Symphony of the Seas has a two-level Ultimate Family Suite with slide.

   The ship, with the innovative two-level Ultimate Family Suite and slide, LEGO wall, air-hockey and pool tables, 3-D movie theatre room, climbing wall, whirlpool and wrap-around balcony, sails March 31 from Barcelona.

   Along with new dining options such as El Loco Fresh Mexican, Hooked Seafood and Playmakers Sports Bar & Arcade, live theatre includes Hairspray and Flight.

   After sailing the Mediterranean, it repositions to Miami in November for seven-day eastern and western Caribbean itineraries.

   - Carnival Horizon: Sailing her maiden voyage April 2 from Barcelona, this ship carries 3,950 passengers and is similar to sister-ship Carnival Vista.

Enjoying a fun day at sea on a Carnival ship in the Caribbean. (Barbara Fox photo)

Norwegian Cruise Line celebrates first construction milestone for newest ship

(News Release)

Named Norwegian Encore, the new vessel will sail the Caribbean from Miami seasonally beginning fall 2019

  

PAPENBURG, Germany – January 31, 2018 –Today Norwegian Cruise Line marked the start of construction for its newest ship. Named Norwegian Encore, Norwegian’s latest addition to its young, modern fleet will sail the Caribbean from Miami seasonally beginning fall 2019.

            “Norwegian Encore will be the ultimate Breakaway Plus Class vessel and we are thrilled to celebrate the start of construction for this incredible new ship,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “Over 50 years ago the Norwegian brand began creating unforgettable vacation moments with the first inter-island cruise in the Caribbean from Miami.We continue building on our legacy of innovation with this state-of-the-art vessel perfect for exploring the natural beauty of some of the most remarkable islands in the world.” 

Carnival Miracle kicks off year-round, seven-day schedule from Tampa, doubling capacity at Port Tampa Bay

(News Release)

 

Six- to 14-Day Cruises to the Panama Canal, Western Caribbean and Central America Also Added to Line's Tampa-Based Options 

MIAMI -- Jan. 29, 2018 -- Carnival Cruise Line's 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle kicked off a year-round program of seven-day cruises from Tampa this weekend, doubling the line's capacity at the port and further bolstering its position as the leader in Caribbean cruising.

Carnival Miracle will offer the only year-round longer-length cruise program from Port Tampa Bay, offering an unbeatable mix of destinations that appeal to a broad range of consumers, including families seeking an attractive and affordable vacation option. 

Carnival Miracle joins Carnival Paradise which operates year-round four- to eight-day voyages from Tampa to the Caribbean and Cuba.  Together, Carnival Miracle and Carnival Paradise will carry an estimated 280,000 passengers annually from Tampa – the most of any cruise operator.

"Carnival Cruise Line has been sailing from Tampa for nearly 25 years and we're thrilled to add a second year-round ship to provide our guests with an even greater variety of fantastic cruise vacation choices from this convenient homeport," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Cunard partners with the New Yorker to present “Cartoonists at Sea”

N E W S    
 

Leading Cartoonists from The New Yorker will join Queen Mary 2 in 2018

VALENCIA, Calif., January 31, 2018 – Luxury cruise line Cunard and venerable magazine The New Yorker have partnered to offer guests an exciting opportunity to explore the world of cartoons while aboard the flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2.

During select 2018 Transatlantic Crossings from June to November, celebrated cartoonists of the acclaimed magazine will host exclusive drawing sessions, workshops, hands-on demonstrations and caption contests for passengers. The New Yorker, known for its single-panel cartoons, has offered a signature mix of news, culture, and the arts since its founding in 1925.

“We are excited to partner with the creative cartoonist team at the New Yorker to entertain our guests on board Cunard’s Queen Mary 2,” said Josh Leibowitz, senior vice president, Cunard North America. “Our goal at Cunard is to offer extraordinary experiences to our guests, and we look forward to welcoming The New Yorker team onto these four Queen Mary 2 voyages.”

Norwegian Cruise Line announces fall/winter 2019/20 itineraries with new ships in North American homeports

Guests can enjoy cruising from their favorite homeports on some of the newest ships at sea, with itinerary highlights including Norwegian Bliss sailing to the Bahamas from New York; Norwegian Getaway cruising to the Western Caribbean from New Orleans; Norwegian Breakaway sailing to the Caribbean from Port Canaveral; and the youngest ship to be based in San Juan with Norwegian Epic cruising to the Southern Caribbean 

MIAMI – Amidst the current winter chill gripping much of the nation, Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed selections from the fleet’s fall/winter 2019/20 deployment, which will feature a plethora of warm weather escapes to tropical paradises in the Caribbean, Bahamas & Florida and South America, as well as fall foliage sailings in Canada & New England. Most of the brand’s largest and newest vessels will each call a new city home in 2019.

Norwegian’s unique and varied new itineraries, all of which feature the line’s signature cruising experience that allows guests the freedom and flexibility to design their ideal vacation.

 

            “We are delighted to unveil this curated rich mix of our guests’ favorite itineraries with new deployment to exotic destinations that will bring new ships and new experiences to almost all of our homeports,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “Whether a guest has sailed with us many times in the past or they are a first-time cruiser, there is something new for everyone to experience in 2019 and 2020 aboard a Norwegian cruise.”

 

At sea during the holidays is a great time to cruise

   Out to Sea for Dec. 23/17

 

   (c) By Jim and Barb Fox

   Dreaming of a white (sand beach) Christmas?

   Cruise ships go all out to celebrate the holidays whether at this time of year or other party occasions including Valentine’s, St. Patrick’s, Thanksgiving and Halloween.

   It’s a special time onboard and visiting foreign ports during Christmas and New Year.

A white (sand) Christmas at Half Moon Cay, Bahamas on a Holland America Line cruise. (Jim Fox photo)

   This is a time for family gatherings, away from the hustle and bustle of celebrations at home.

   Enabling guests to enjoy these special days “has made the holidays one of the most popular and festive times to take a seagoing vacation,” Princess Cruises says.

   Many people book a year in advance to secure the cruise and cabin/suite they want but if you hurry, there might still be something available last minute over New Year’s.

   It’s a white Christmas on board as Princess makes “snow” in the atrium while cabins have virtual Yule logs.

  Santa, with a beachy Hawaiian flair, gives the shaka sign (“hang loose”) at Honolulu City Hall.  (Barbara Fox photo)