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Disney Wonder plans refurbishment spotlighting pool areas
The Disney Wonder will go into drydock in October for a multi-million
dollar refurbishment, Disney Cruise Line said, with a focus on its
pool areas. It will return to service on Oct. 15.
Additions are planned for the Mickey Pool, the Goofy Pool, and the
adult-only Quiet Cove pool, Disney said. Modifications also will be
made to the onboard conference rooms, the Vista Spa and Salon and the
youth activity areas.
Some renovations will be made with toddlers in mind, Disney said,
such as an extension to the Mickey Pool on Deck 9 designed
specifically for children not yet toilet trained and still in swim
diapers. Designed to be reminiscent of Mickey's sorcerer hat, the
385-square-foot toddler water-play pool will feature star- and
moon-shaped interactive fountains and splash zones.
For older children, the Oceaneer Lab for kids ages 8 to 12, will be
equipped with a new computer simulator to enable children to see what
it's like to steer the Disney Wonder in and out of various ports of
call, Disney said. The simulator is built into a replica of the
ship's bridge, with giant video screens that provide a panoramic view
of the ports that are similar to the view from the actual ship's bridge.
The Oceaneer Club for kids ages 3 to 7 will expand on its Neverland
theme and revamp the Captain's Closet dress-up area, creating more
space for hands-on, interactive activities for the children, along
with additional PlayStation and computer stations for individual
play, the cruise line said.
The Disney Wonder will also get a jumbo, 336-quare-foot LED screen
affixed to the forward funnel on Deck 9 for viewing outdoor movies
and major TV and sporting events at the Goofy Pool (family pool area).
According to Disney, the Quiet Cove adults-only pool will undergo a
makeover to make it more upscale, with the addition waterfalls to its
two hot tubs and a teak deck and lounge chairs lining the pool area.
The Quiet Cove area will be designed to feel like an outdoor
extension of the Vista Spa, Disney said.
The refurbishment will be done at the Norshipco ship yard in Norfolk, Va.
NCL to promote 'Freestyle Cruising' to masses with print, TV ads
NCL Corp. has unveiled a $100 million brand identity campaign that it
said intends to convey its "Freestyle Cruising" concept to
consumers and the trade via a national television, print, online and
street advertising campaign, a new Web site and all new promotional materials.
“We’re not targeting any age, demographic, or income
level,” said Scott Rogers, NCL’s senior vice president of
marketing and sales at a launching event for the press in New York.
“We’re looking for a person who is a
nonconformist.” The campaign, which features a new logo
for NCL, will go public on Oct. 2. The logo shows NCL’s new
mascot, a small white fish, swimming against a school of small blue fish
Carnival will pass $50 Alaska tax on to consumers
Carnival Corp. brands will pass the $50 head tax approved by Alaska
voters on to their customers as a surcharge if, as expected, the
state Legislature certifies last month’s election results.
Carnival chairman and ceo Micky Arison said operating companies are
advising customers they will receive the charge if the election is
certified. So far, there has been no impact on business but Arison
said it is too early to tell what will happen when the additional $50
per person is actually billed.
2007 itineraries were finalized prior to the vote so it was too late
to change deployment, the Carnival chief told analysts during
today’s earnings call. He predicted the head tax and the other
new regulations approved by Alaskans will impact the long-term growth
of cruising in the state.
Carnival adds ‘Water Wars’ attraction
Through an exclusive agreement with Minnesota-based ‘Water
Wars,’ Carnival Cruise Lines will feature the water
balloon-themed attraction currently found in amusement parks in 22 countries.
The ‘Jr. Dyno Water Wars’ units consist of two ‘battle
stations’ in which competitors propel water balloons via catapults.
Currently available on Carnival’s Imagination and Fascination,
the units will be installed fleetwide by Summer 2007 and located on
the ships’ open decks adjacent to the main pool area.
Carnival said it expects the attraction to be particularly popular
among the 525,000 children who sail with the line each year.
Sale of Oceania under discussion, sources say
In what could be a companion deal to its acquisition of Pullmantur
SA, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is believed to be preparing an offer
for Oceania Cruises.
Well-placed sources told The Cruiseman that Royal Caribbean is
working on a bid of approximately $700m for Oceania, although
financial experts not connected to the two lines said the figure
sounded high.
A Royal Caribbean spokeswoman had no comment.
Oceania spokesman Tim Rubacky would neither confirm nor deny the
report. However, he added: ‘When a company is as successful as
we are, it’s logical there would be an intense amount of
speculation when we’re about to enter a period of growth, and
we’re flattered by all the attention.’
HAL plans record 8-ship Alaska season
Holland America Line announced its biggest ever Alaska deployment for
2007, with 156 departures on eight ships, including three suite-rich
Vista-class vessels.
The deployment is the first announced by a major line since Alaska
voters passed a $50 head tax last month.
The Vista-class Oosterdam, Zuiderdam and, new to the state, Noordam
each offer 162 suites in seven categories, plus 461 (479 on the
Noordam) deluxe outside verandah staterooms.
Seabourn adds al fresco dinner option
Seabourn Cruise Line vessels are offering a new casual al fresco
dinner option a couple nights per cruise, weather permitting, at the
ship-top Sky Bar.
The fare is simple: steaks, seafood and other grilled specialties
suited to the on-deck ambience.
The Sky Grill can accommodate about 40 of each ship’s 208 guests
per night, by reservation, at no extra charge.
Costa promotes Thanksgiving cruise
Costa Cruise Lines N.A. is promoting a ‘kids sail free’
Thanksgiving sailing on the U.S. market. The seven-night Western
Caribbean voyage on Costa Magica departs Fort Lauderdale Nov. 19.
Early-booking fares start at $499 per person, double occupancy.
Children can sail free in a cabin with customers who take advantage
of early-booking fares. Government fees are extra. Costa said
additional savings are available to past passengers of the
World’s Leading Cruise Lines.
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