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More on Queen Victoria
Cunard Line released the first details of its next liner, the Queen
Victoria, scheduled to enter service in December 2007. Bookings
opened for sailings to preregistered passengers last week; past
Cunard passengers can book starting Feb. 26 and the general public on
April 3. The 90,000-ton, 2,000-passenger liner will cost parent firm
Carnival Corp. about $525 million. Carol Marlow, Cunard's
president and managing director, said new features include a
three-story theater with private viewing boxes; a two story,
6,000-book library; a three-tiered lobby with a sweeping staircase;
and a conservatory called the Winter Garden. Passengers in the top
category, the Princess Grill and Queens Grill, will have their own
deck with an exclusive restaurant, bar and lounge area and a terrace
for sunbathing. Other details that add to what Marlow called the
ship's "British feel" are the traditional London pub, a
Queens Room for dancing or afternoon tea and a shopping arcade
inspired by malls in London.
Queen Victoria will be named in her homeport of Southampton on Dec.
10, 2007. While details of the ceremony and who will name the ship
have not been released, Cunard Line said the event will befit the
introduction of 'a new British queen of the seas.'
Carnival: Katrina duties to end, refurbs next for vessels
Carnival Cruise Line’s ships currently housing Hurricane Katrina
refugees will leave New Orleans March 1, marking the end of
Carnival’s six-month contract with Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Carnival chartered the ships back in September to FEMA for $192
million, plus $44 million in reimbursement for lost revenues.
FEMA said Feb. 24 that these ships “completed their vital
mission” and that the agency requested bids from other
commercial shipping companies to provide emergency housing from March
1 and beyond. Carnival said the ships -- the Sensation, the
Holiday and the Ecstasy -- will be refurbished and will reenter
service by late March or early April.
New Orleans dignitaries welcome Minerva II
Mayor Ray Nagin, port president and CEO Gary LaGrange and other
dignitaries were on hand to welcome Swan Hellenic’s Minerva II
to New Orleans on Wednesday. The officials also hosted a news
conference and reception on board. Minerva II was the third cruise
ship to call on the city since Hurricane Katrina and arrived during
the 150th anniversary celebration of Mardi Gras.
NBC’s ‘Today’ announces Freedom godmother
Katherine Louise Calder, foster mother to more than 400 children,
will serve as godmother for Freedom of the Seas. Her selection
was announced during the ‘Today’ show’s coverage of
the Winter Olympics in Torino.
Calder, of Portland, Ore., received the most votes in the ‘Today
Sets Sail’ national godmother search. More than 171,000 viewers
selected one of three finalists profiled on an earlier airing of
NBC’s ‘Today,’ a widely watched morning news show.
Royal Caribbean International sought an extraordinary
‘everyday’ person to serve as godmother for the world’s
largest cruise ship. Over the last 27 years, Calder has provided
foster care for hundreds of special-needs children and served as an
adoption advocate.
Royal Caribbean awarded Calder and her co-finalists with $25,000
donations to their respective charities. Calder’s naming of
Freedom of the Seas will be broadcast live May 12 on
‘Today,’ and she and a guest will receive a free cruise for
life on any Royal Caribbean ship once a year.
HAL rolls out customized group excursions
Holland America Line unveiled a customized group shore excursion
program as a way for travel agents to tailor, price and sell
excursions to their groups.
The tours are customized to the group’s preferences and include
language-specific guides (available in nearly every port) and private
transportation, with optional features such as lunch or a show.
Shipboard shore excursion staff will assist HAL-booked groups with
matters like emergencies or delayed arrivals back to the ship. The
program also provides priority dispatch for the tour.
Costa rolls out Samsara, the largest spa afloat
Samsara Spa, debuting on the new Costa Concordia this summer,
is not only the largest spa ever built on a cruise ship but it also
marks the first time spa provider Steiner Leisure has worked in
conjunction with a line to create the entire concept from scratch,
including special treatments.
The split-level purpose-built astern facility on decks 10 and 11,
extending 2,100sq mtr and located some 70mtr above the sea, is
designed as a wellness and relaxation centre. The treatments will be
based on the principles of Ayurveda, an ancient Indian science of
holistic healing and well being.
Viking River Cruises debuts vessel on Yangtze River series
WOODLAND HILLS, Calif. -- In its third year in China, Viking River
Cruises is swapping ships on its Yangtze River cruise tour series,
adding a third ship while pulling out its earliest entry.
Joining its twin sister ship, the Viking Century Sky, is the
306-passenger Viking Century Sun, which is replacing the
186-passenger Viking Century Star. According to Viking, the Star is
being returned to the shipbuilder.
Like its sister, the Sun is 415 feet long and 56 feet wide. Each
cabin has its own balcony, phone line, air conditioning and private
bathroom with shower.
Holland America's Noordam struts its stuff in New York
With more than 1,000 spectators on hand here to partake in the
festivities, Holland America Line officially inaugurated its newest
ship, the Noordam, Feb. 22.
The ceremony included Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin,
the ship’s godmother, christening the vessel with the
traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the ship’s bow.
The Noordam, an 81,769-ton ship with a 1,918-person capacity, is set
to leave on its maiden roundtrip voyage to the Caribbean Feb. 22. The
vessel was built by Italy’s Fincantieri yard, the 12th
collaboration between Holland America and the shipyard.
Noordam means north and is the fourth and final ship in HAL’s
Vista class of vessels named for points on a compass.
For the schedule and pricing for the new Noordam CLICK
HERE |
