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Norwegian Bliss to feature two observation lounges

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 January 2017 12 January 2017

Norwegian Bliss, the latest newbuilding of Norwegian Cruise Line, will differ from the other members of the class by the fact that it will feature an observation lounge for all passengers and another one for Haven passengers.

The ship will feature a180 degree Observation Lounge, located at the front of the ship on deck 15. Spanning 20,000 square feet, the sprawling Observation Lounge will be a breathtaking experience, offering floor-to-ceiling windows that will be the perfect spot from which to take in the stunning sunset views of the beautiful islands of the Caribbean during her winter season or the awe-inspiring glaciers and vistas of Alaska in the summer.

The lounge, designed with rich woods and a silver and gray color palate, will offer an abundance of plush, modern seating including couches and chaise loungers to take in the view, along with a 360 degree polished aluminum and quartz-topped ceiling

Guests staying in The Haven on Norwegian Bliss will take in luxury, style and stunning views with their very own exclusive two-story Haven Observation Lounge, a brand new feature for The Haven, which will feature expansive 180 degree views from two decks, the same as the ship’s officers’ experience from the Bridge, and beverage service.

Meyer Werft lays keel of World Dream

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 January 2017 12 January 2017

Executives from Genting Hong Kong and Meyer Werft shipyard celebrated the keel laying of World Dream, the second new ship for Asian premium cruise line, Dream Cruises, during a special event held in Papenburg, Germany on Tuesday, January 10. A significant milestone in a vessel’s timeline, this traditional ceremony mark’s the formal recognition of the start of a new ship's construction, the two companies said in a joint statement.

“After the successful debut of Genting Dream last November and the wonderful reception the ship has experienced from our guests, we are excited to start the construction process on World Dream,” said Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Genting Hong Kong. “World Dream will push the bar even higher for the cruise industry through her quality construction and customized design, best in class service and diverse range of entertainment, dining, leisure and recreation options – all complemented by Dream Cruises’ Asian at Heart, International in Spirit hospitality.”

During the official ceremony, block number 3, one of 92 blocks that will eventually complete the 151,000 tonnage ship, was lifted into the building dock to officially start the block assembly for World Dream. In keeping with tradition, Thatcher Brown, President of Dream Cruises, laid the customary "lucky coins" under the keel block of the new vessel as a symbol of good fortune and to bless the ship.

When World Dream joins her sister ship Genting Dream this November 2017, Dream Cruises will have the newest fleet, 100% dedicated to the Asia cruise market. “Genting Hong Kong is proud to build on its commitment to the Asian cruise and tourism industry. We are equally pleased to offer our valued travel partners and guests more destination choices and vacation experiences,” said Thatcher Brown.

Carnival Cruise Line will reposition three ships 2018

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 January 2017 12 January 2017

Carnival Cruise Line will reposition three of its newest and largest ships to new homeports in 2018, expanding upon the exciting variety of cruise options available from Galveston, Texas, Port Canaveral, Fla., and Miami. In September 2018 Carnival Vista will move to Galveston; Carnival Breeze will reposition to Port Canaveral; and Carnival Magic will shift to Miami.

Carnival Vista to Offer Two Week-Long Caribbean Itineraries from Galveston

Beginning Sept. 23, 2018, the newest ship in Carnival’s fleet, the 133,500 gross ton Carnival Vista, will begin sailing from Galveston and offer two different seven-day western Caribbean itineraries departing every Sunday and visiting the region’s most popular destinations. The first itinerary includes calls at Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel, while the other features visits to Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan), Belize, and Cozumel.

Carnival Breeze to Offer Seven-Day Cruises Year-Round from Port Canaveral

Carnival Breeze will kick off its new Port Canaveral-based program with a one-time six-day cruise to Nassau; Amber Cove (Dominican Republic); and Grand Turk on Sept. 30, 2018, followed by the start of year-round alternating eastern and western Caribbean cruises beginning Oct. 6, 2018. Those voyages will depart every Saturday with eastern Caribbean itineraries calling at Amber Cove, St. Thomas, San Juan, and Grand Turk. Western Caribbean voyages will feature Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay and Costa Maya, part of Carnival’s exclusive Cozumel Plus itineraries offering extended stays in Cozumel and a variety of unique and interesting shore excursions on the island and on the Mexican mainland.

Longer Length Carnival Journeys Cruises on Carnival Breeze

For guests who desire a longer length experience, Carnival Breeze will operate two Carnival Journeys cruises. On Sept. 16, 2018, as the ship repositions from Galveston to Port Canaveral, it will operate a 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise calling at Grand Cayman, Aruba, Curaçao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica and St. Maarten.

Another 14-day Carnival Journeys cruise operating round-trip from Port Canaveral Saturday, Nov. 3-17, 2018, includes stops at eight Caribbean destinations including St. Thomas, Antigua, St. Lucia, Grenada, Barbados, St. Maarten, Tortola, and San Juan.

Carnival Magic to Offer Seven-Day Caribbean Cruises from Miami

Carnival Magic will launch a year-round schedule of seven-day alternating eastern and western Caribbean cruises departing Sundays from PortMiami beginning Sept. 30, 2018. Eastern Caribbean cruises will call at Amber Cove, St. Thomas, San Juan and Grand Turk. Western Caribbean sailings will feature Grand Cayman, Mahogany Bay, Belize and Cozumel. Carnival Magic will also offer a special seven-day Cozumel Plus holiday cruise departing Miami Dec. 23, 2018, and calling at Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay and Grand Cayman.

Norwegian Bliss to operate seven night cruises from Miami winter 2018-19

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 January 2017 11 January 2017

Norwegian Cruise Line, the contemporary market unit in Norwegian Cruise Line Holding, Ltd group (NCLH), said that Norwegian Bliss, the brand's 16th ship, would set sail for Miami for the winter of 2018 after inaugural summer season in Alaska. Beginning on 17 November 2018, Norwegian Bliss will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises each Saturday from PortMiami, featuring calls in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; Tortola, British Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas, the company said in a statement.

Fred. Olsen says almost half of 2017 inventory sold, reports record single day sales

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 January 2017 11 January 2017

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational cruise operator, said it is enjoying a bumper start to the New Year, reporting impressive sales volumes and generating more than £1 million of cruise revenue in a single day, on Monday 9 January 2017.

Almost half of all its 2017 cruise places have been sold, which is up by over 5%, compared to the same period in 2016.

Neil Herbert, Head of Sales for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said in a statement: “We are delighted to be celebrating another £1-million-sales day, for the second year in a row, as part of our ‘Turn of Year’ sales campaign. The first time that we achieved this – aside from on our new cruise season launch – was last year, on Tuesday 19 January 2016, so this phenomenal figure has been reached even earlier this year.”