Disney’s Fantasy to live up to its name
By Michael Coleman Disney Fantasy, the new Disney Cruise Line ship set to debut next spring, will bring to life many of the innovative features guests have been enjoying aboard the recently launched Disney Dream including AquaDuck – the world’s first shipboard water coaster. New design elements and guest experiences, however,...
Carnival Magic makes her debut in Europe
By Jackie Roseboom Living up to her name, the christening of the brand new Carnival Magic was indeed magical. The ceremony took place onboard while in port in Venice, Italy. Carnival’s CEO appeared out of nowhere on stage in a helicopter to start the festivities. The sailing away party, with breathtaking views of Venice was...
Media darling, Grand Princess, transformed
By Michael Coleman A Princess cruise ship, formerly the largest cruise ship in the world, has a new distinction. Following the most extensive drydock in Princess Cruises history, Grand Princess has emerged from a 24-day, transformational drydock. The vessel even became a media star as the line posted daily video updates on the work in...
Silversea renames expedition ship
By Michael Coleman Silversea Cruises is renaming its globetrotting expedition ship. The ultra-luxury cruise operator is changing the name of its Prince Albert II expedition vessel to Silver Explorer. The change will occur later this month while the vessel is in dry dock at the Lisnave shipyard in Setubal, Portugal, undergoing routine...
Enjoy culinary arts classes with celebrity chefs on Holland America
By Jackie Roseboom Michelle Bernstein, award-winning chef, restaurateur and culinary author, is scheduled to participate in the guest-enrichment program on the June 3, Mediterranean Romance Voyage aboard Holland America’s newest ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam. Bernstein sails on the 12-day voyage departing from Venice,...
Cruise lines celebrating the royal wedding at sea
By Jackie Roseboom Many businesses are celebrating the Royal Wedding by offering their guests a viewing party and special offerings, and the cruise industry is no exception. From small viewing areas to lavish parties, it will all be available at sea. Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean is celebrating the upcoming British royal...
Disney Cruise Line unveils far-reaching 2012 itineraries
By Michael Coleman Disney’s pixie dust is spreading. Disney Cruise Line has unveiled new itineraries and will set sail from three new ports in 2012 — New York, Seattle and Galveston — making the Disney family cruise vacation experience more accessible to potential passengers than ever before. In Florida, sister-ships Disney Fantasy...
Gauguin offers 20-night South Pacific hotel/cruise package
By Michael Coleman The intimate 332-guest Paul Gauguin, fresh from a $25 million makeover, is offering a 20-night hotel/cruise package January 23, 2012 featuring nine distinctive islands in five South Pacific archipelagos. The line’s “South Pacific Discovery’’ cruise will call on Australia, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga, Cook and...
Enter Carnival’s contest for a cause and win a trip on their newest ship
By Jackie Roseboom Kids and kids at heart can put their artistic skills to good use and build a ship for a good cause. Carnival Cruise Lines is launching a “Build a Ship” contest that invites anyone 13 years or older to build a model of a Carnival ship out of everyday items and submit …...
Princess honors MacLeod, preps for Royal Wedding
By Michael Coleman Princess Cruises honored television’s most beloved captain, Gavin MacLeod, with a special 80th birthday party aboard Golden Princess this week in Los Angeles. Crew members, along with his friends and family, sang “Happy Birthday” and presented him with a massive cake — a 5-foot-long, 3D replica of the original...