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Pictured:
That's the Oasis, on the right, while still in the shipyard.
The ship behind the Oasis is her sister the Allure! The Allure is
scheduled to debut in Dec. 2010. |
Boarding Oasis
On December 12, Oasis of the Seas embarked with more than 5,000
guests for the first time. Cruise Week's newly named Florida
correspondent Art Sbarsky observed the procedure at Pier 18 in Ft. Lauderdale.
Over a multi-hour period this past Saturday, the Oasis boarding
process was smooth and speedy. At all time periods, the time spent
getting from the offloading point, via car, taxi, or bus, up to the
ship's gangway was less than fifteen minutes.
From the ten airport-type security screeners and ninety check-in
stations to the four escalators going up the waiting lounge to the
two thousand seats in that lounge, there was no back-up.
Though the staterooms onboard were not going to be ready for use
until 1 p.m., the process started at 11 a.m. for Diamond and
Platinum level past guests first. Then it was on to all other guests
who were waiting. Within twenty minutes, everyone who was waiting had
boarded, and subsequent guests were able to walk right on once they
got their paperwork done.
Between the electronic signage, which was all over the place, and
dozens of staff guiding people, it was a very efficient process.
-- Cruise Week --
Royal Caribbean secures Allure financing
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. said it received commitments for
unsecured financing of up to $1.13bn, or 80% of the contract price
for Allure of the Seas.
The facility will be 95% guaranteed by Finland’s export credit
agency, Finnvera, and amortizes over 12 years.
BNP Paribas, Citi, Nordea Bank and SEB have each committed to provide
25% of the financing and each has a seven-year put option. Royal
Caribbean said it has an option of a floating or fixed rate of interest.
For Oasis of the Seas, the loan amount was up to $1.05bn with BNP,
Nordea and SEB contributing 20% of the financing and Finnish Export
Credit supplying the balance; Citi was not a participant.
Royal Caribbean had announced Oasis financing on April 15, or just
over five months prior to delivery. The Allure agreement comes 11
months prior to delivery.
Costa Spends 55 Million Refurbishing The Holiday
Costa Crociere is spending 66 million euros on ship upgrades,
including 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 55 million euros, 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.
Celebrity Cruises Names Fourth Solstice-Class Ship Celebrity Silhouette
The word “silhouette” conjures up images of light and
shadow, and sleek profiles in the world of design and fashion, so
it’s fitting that Celebrity Cruises has named the fourth ship in
its stylish Solstice Class fleet Celebrity Silhouette. And what
better date to announce it than on winter solstice?
Like its widely acclaimed sister ships – Celebrity Solstice,
which was named “Best Premium Ship” and “Best Rookie
Ship” in Travel Weekly’s annual awards gala just last week;
Celebrity Equinox, which set sail in July 2009; and Celebrity
Eclipse, which will enter service in April 2010 – the
122,000-ton Celebrity Silhouette will offer the series of
brand-defining, industry-first attributes that guests, travel agents
and press have praised about Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity
Equinox, including a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass, a
glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of
Glass, unrivaled dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and
design, and widely varied entertainment. Like its sisters, the
2,850-guest Celebrity Silhouette will have larger staterooms –
90 percent outside, and 85 percent with verandas – and spacious
bathrooms, as well as several categories of accommodations, including
Celebrity’s ConciergeClass and spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms.
Rotterdam Latest Ship to Receive New Signature of Excellence Enhancements
When ms Rotterdam sailed from Fort Lauderdale Wednesday, December 16,
guests enjoyed many new Signature of Excellence enhancements and
amenities just completed in a 28-day drydock in Freeport,
Bahamas. Rotterdam received the trendy Mix lounge, innovative
Retreat Pool, classy Showroom at Sea and the addition of the
industry’s only Lanai staterooms. Every stateroom now
features a fresh new cabin and bathroom design as well.
“Rotterdam looks spectacular,” said Richard D. Meadows,
CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest
programs. “The enhancements are going to impress our
guests and engage them in exciting, new ways. This continued
investment reaffirms our commitment to our fleet of mid-sized ships
and our ongoing leadership in the premium category by continually
raising the bar in terms of products and services.”
Signature of Excellence upgrades began with new fixtures and soft
goods in staterooms and bathrooms. New Lanai accommodations
were added along with several additional staterooms on the aft
portion of each ship. Additional highlights feature a resort
pool called The Retreat, the Showroom at Sea, Canaletto Italian
restaurant and the new Mix lounge midship.
Last Time's Question:
What is the name of the new
cruise center at Roatan?
The
Answer is :
Mahogany Bay Cruise Center
Here
are our two winners:
Jill Ward --
Maiden, NC
Margie
Anderson -- Bronx, NY
This
weeks Cruiseman Contest Question:
What will be the new name for
the old Carnival Holiday?
We will select
two winners. Each winner will receive a certificate good for A Free
Two-Night Bahamas Cruise -for two adults. (cruise
sails from Ft. Lauderdale) You just pay the port taxes of
approx. $59pp. CLICK
HERE for details.
Incomplete
entries will be
tossed out!
You must
follow the instructions below.
HINT:
"Postal Address" is not your email address!!!
THE
INSTRUCTIONS
1.
Don't change the subject line.
2.
Type your answer in the message
area, not
the subject line.
3.
Do not copy and paste from the newsletter.
4.
Include your name
& postal address
(in case you win!).
5. DO
NOT hit your reply button,
or your entry will go to the wrong
address!
6.
One entry per household, please.
OKAY,
To enter The Contest: CLICK
HERE TO ENTER
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