|
Carnival Hosts '08 PokerPro Challenge
Carnival Cruise Lines is hosting its 2008 Carnival PokerPro
Challenge, a series of No Limit Texas Hold'em poker satellite
tournaments taking place on dozens of "Fun Ship" voyages.
The tournaments will take place on select cruises now through June
30, with winners of the preliminary tournaments facing off for a cash
prize of $45,000 in the "Grand Final Playoff" during the
Carnival Fantasy's Oct. 4 voyage.
First place winners of the preliminary tournaments will win $750,
plus entry to the "Grand Final Playoff" on the Carnival
Fantasy. Finalists booking their "Grand Final Playoff"
cruise will receive a $100 early booking bonus, redeemable on board,
if they book within one month of qualifying.
Entry fee and buy-in for up to 10 players is $150 each, and rake fees
are $15 per entry. Tournaments will be held on all cruises now
through June 30, 2008 (with limited exceptions, as noted) on:
Carnival Pride (excluding June 15); Carnival Spirit; Carnival
Conquest; Carnival Legend; Carnival Glory (excluding May 10);
Carnival Valor; Carnival Liberty; Carnival Fascination; Carnival
Victory; and Carnival Miracle (excluding April 23).
Oceania to Get Satellite TV Service
Oceania Cruises has signed an agreement with Wave Entertainment, a
wholly owned subsidiary of SeaMobile Enterprises, to provide a
state-of-the-art satellite television service.
The first ship to deploy the Wave television platform will be Oceania
Cruises' Insignia. The Nautica and Regatta are scheduled to receive
the service later.
The television and audio services provided to Oceania Cruises will
include linear cable, satellite and broadcast networks, audio
content, video-on-demand, special events and other video content
typically offered via multichannel platforms.
Crystal opens bookings for all ’09 cruises
Crystal Cruises said its complete itineraries and fares for 2009 are
now open for booking. Next year’s program includes
sailings of seven to 106 days. Among the highlights are a return to
the Amazon for the first time since 2006; two ships cruising in Asia
with overnights in ports including Hong Kong, Shanghai, Osaka, Kobe
and Bangkok; and in-port overnights on most Mediterranean sailings in
such cities as Barcelona, Sorrento, Venice, Istanbul and Monte Carlo.
Costa inaugurates Jakarta training school
Costa Cruises inaugurated a hotel training school in Jakarta,
Indonesia. The facility is run in collaboration with Meranti
Magsaysay Institute.
The school will prepare Costa personnel for the restaurant,
housekeeping, galley and bar areas. Approximately 1,300 new hires a
year are expected to attend, most from local hotel training schools.
As a result, the number of Indonesian personnel working on Costa
ships is likely to increase from 1,200 to 2,500 in 2008.
NCL’s Jade to stay in Europe year-round
NCL Corp. became the latest company to assign a ship, Norwegian Jade,
to year-round European deployment. The 2,400-passenger vessel will
sail a variety of itineraries, extending its inaugural season in
Europe that begins on March 30.
Norwegian Jade will stay in Europe until spring 2010, instead of the
previously announced seasonal deployment that was to end in November
this year.
As part of the year-round schedule, NCL is introducing three new
itineraries – a series of 12-day Eastern Mediterranean sailings
and nine-day Canary Islands and Morocco sailings, along with a 14-day
Eastern Mediterranean holiday cruise, all round-trip from Barcelona.
Oceania provides newbuild details
Six open-seating restaurants, a Culinary Arts Center and 96% veranda
accommodations are features of the 66,000gt Oceania Cruises newbuilds
at Fincantieri’s Sestri Ponente yard.
Interior design is by Yran & Storbraaten with Gunnar Aaserud, a
Y&S partner and executive architect, leading the design team.
Oceania said the ships, scheduled for delivery in fall 2010 and
summer 2011, will provide signature elements of the existing fleet
such as Martinis, the observation lounge/nightclub Horizons, The
Patio and a grand staircase that sweeps up both sides of the lobby.
Also reprised are the Polo Grill for steaks, Toscana for Italian
gourmet dining and the Grand Dining Room for Continental cuisine.
Princess charts biggest Europe season in ’09
Princess Cruises plans its most extensive European deployment in 2009
as Ruby Princess and Tahitian Princess make their European debuts in
a season that features six ships, nine new itineraries and 11 new ports.
Ruby Princess, which enters service late this year, will offer
Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises in 2009, while the
670-passenger Tahitian Princess will provide new routes including a
series of 18-day mid-summer ‘Top of the World’ itineraries
between New York and London that feature Iceland and
Greenland. More Holy Land itineraries are also offered.
In total, Princess’ Europe program next year includes 90
departures of 36 different itineraries to 132 ports. Sailing choices
range from seven to 31 days in a season that runs from April 10 to
Nov. 30.
Miami plans new terminal for NCL’s F3
The Port of Miami has reached an agreement with NCL Corp. to build a
new terminal for the company’s 150,000gt F3 newbuilds.
The agreement awaits review and approval by the Miami-Dade Board of
County Commissioners in the next few weeks.
In addition, the port plans to carry out several upgrades and
renovations to NCL’s existing terminals, B and C, according to
Hydi Webb, the port’s business development manager.
NCL is building two F3 vessels at Aker Yards France. One is scheduled
for delivery in January 2010 and the other in summer 2010.
Cruiseman / Carnival roll out month-long promotion
Carnival Cruise Lines’ ‘Funtennial’ promotion promises
varied savings and give-aways throughout March, commemorating the
anniversary of the company’s inaugural voyage in March 1972.
The month-long event will feature a different booking incentive each
week, including free stateroom upgrades, shipboard credits and
special savings.
Additionally, each week in March, a drawing will be held awarding a
free cruise, along with a number of Fuji digital cameras, to
customers who book any Fun Ship voyage that week.
To book a Carnival Cruise CLICK
HERE This will enter you in the
drawing for a FREE Cruise!
The cruise give-away encompasses a four- or five-day Western
Caribbean voyage in an owner’s suite on Carnival Imagination
from Miami or Carnival Inspiration from Tampa. The two ships are the
first to undergo all phases of the line’s ‘Evolutions of
Fun’ initiative and now feature water parks, adults-only deck
retreats, resort-style main pool areas, and renovated staterooms and spas.
Fain: Royal Caribbean aims to grow in Asia
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. celebrated its presence in Asia and the
maiden season of Rhapsody of the Seas in Singapore with a dinner
event on Friday.
Richard Fain, chairman and ceo, told Seatrade Insider he admires the
Singapore government’s forward planning and commended its
proactive stance in preparing for tremendous cruise growth, including
a new cruise terminal that is in the works. Also present were Michael
Bayley, Royal Caribbean’s svp-international, and some 50
industry supporters of the company’s Asian efforts.
While Royal Caribbean may be a giant in North America, it is
‘just a baby’ in Asia, Fain said. He noted that Rhapsody of
the Seas, half-way into its Asian season, has been extremely well
received – both the itinerary and the vessel.
Celebrity orders a fifth Solstice ship
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. ordered a fifth Solstice-class newbuild
for Celebrity Cruises from Meyer Werft. Delivery is scheduled in
autumn 2012.
The order was described as a ‘pre-contract’ by the German
builder, which did not disclose a price for the 2,850-berth vessel.
The first four ships have been priced at approximately $225,000 to
$244,000 per berth, according to the euro-dollar exchange rate at the
time of contract.
Celebrity Solstice, the first vessel in the 122,000gt series, is set
for delivery late this year, followed by Celebrity Equinox in summer
2009, Celebrity Eclipse in summer 2010 and an unnamed sister in
autumn 2011.
Royal Caribbean plans fourth Freedom ship
Aker Yards and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd have reached an
understanding for a fourth 158,000gt Freedom-class ship. The vessel
would be delivered in the second half of 2011. The placement of the
order is subject to conditions including board approval and
finalization of terms.</ |