Royal Caribbean International to offer "Barbie premium experience"

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 12 September 2012 12 September 2012

Royal Caribbean International, in partnership with Mattel, is bringing the signature style of Barbie, the world's most popular doll, to the world's most innovative cruise line, the company said in a statement.

 

 

"The pop culture icon will hit the high seas for the very first time with the all-new Barbie™ Premium Experience, available exclusively on Royal Caribbean International ships. Making its stylish splash onboard starting in January 2013 on select ships and rolling out to the remainder of the cruise lines global fleet by March 2013."

"Barbie remains the most popular doll of all time and a powerhouse brand among girls of all ages," said Lisa Bauer, Senior Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "She is everywhere girls are today, so it only makes sense that we can now find her at sea exclusively on board Royal Caribbean International's fleet of world-class ships."

 

 

The partnership with Barbie will encompass a host of activities in the cruise line's award-winning Adventure Ocean youth programme as well as a Barbie™ Premium Experience. Barbie fans participating in the cruise line's award-winning Adventure Ocean youth programme can also be part of the complimentary version of the Barbie programme. The experience offers Barbie Movie Night, Barbie Story Time and other complimentary themed activities, plus Barbie movies on their stateroom televisions.

 

 

The Barbie™ Premium Experience is the ultimate indulgence for Barbie enthusiasts. Guests can enjoy staterooms decorated in the iconic doll's signature style as well as exclusive, themed activities throughout the duration of their cruise – from an invitation-only tea party and mermaid dance class to a fashion design workshop and Barbie Girls fashion show. Highlights of the Barbie™ Premium Experience include:

• A Barbie stateroom, adorned in the doll's signature style and featuring keepsakes such as a Barbie^® doll and fashions, blanket and pillowcase, tote bag, toothbrush and toiletries bag. From the moment they step into their staterooms, guests will be drawn into Barbie's distinct world of style
• Tiaras & Teacups party, an invitation-only affair, featuring a selection of pink pastries and pink lemonade served on dainty dishes all while having fun learning tips on table etiquette
• Mermaid dance class where guests can shimmy and shake while learning the latest dance moves from the hit movie Barbie™ in a Mermaid Tale 2
• Fashion Designer workshop where guests can channel their inner fashion designer with Barbie inspiration boards and sketch materials including the chance to sketch and create their very own Barbie doll fashions
• Fashion Show, dress up to walk a pink carpet to the admiration and applause of family and friends. Guests will also have the chance to perform their dance routine as well as display their Barbie fashion creation. It's the ultimate celebration of a truly memorable experience with Barbie and Royal Caribbean International

 

"Barbie is truly a lifestyle brand that is part of a girl's world from her bedroom to playroom, computer to closet," said Lori Pantel, Vice President Barbie Global Marketing. "We're excited to extend that brand experience to family cruise vacations with a fantastic partner – Royal Caribbean International."

 

P&O Cruises and Master Patissier Eric Lanlard team up on two 2013 cruises

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 12 September 2012 12 September 2012

Master Pâtissier and Cake Boy legend, Eric Lanlard, has teamed up with P&O Cruises on two Food and Wine theme cruises for 2013, to give passengers an insight into his intricate design and detail of cakes, patisserie and deserts, the company said in a statement. 

Lanlard, who has previously made cakes for Her Majesty the Queen Mother, David Beckham and Claudia Schiffer, amongst others, made a bespoke cake for P&O Cruises celebrations of 175 years of heritage, which was cut by HRH The Princess Royal on July 3.

 

Lanlard will give passengers an insight into some of his techniques and designs in baking, patisserie, chocolate and desserts, and will travel on two cruises in 2013:

· A 14 night Western Mediterranean on board Azura (A310N), departing April 27, joining Atul Kochhar and Olly Smith on board. Vantage Fares from £1,069pp

· A 28 night Caribbean no fly cruise on board Adonia (D318), departing November, joining Marco Pierre White on board. Vantage Fares from £2,439pp

Whilst on board, Lanlard will be participating in a theatre Q&A with the cruise director, a book signing and photo session, demonstrations in the theatre and a private masterclass for 10 people (a charge will apply - on board Azura only).

Lanlard said: “My passion is for making cake that tastes as good as it looks, taking my inspiration from the many parts of the world I have travelled to.  I have been on many cruises and love them, it’s a great way to travel and see different places in a short time. I am so excited to be working with the team at P&O Cruises, I love sharing my passion for my work, meeting new people and of course I love being on the ships, come and join me!”

Technical problem forces unscheduled Queen Victoria dry docking

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Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen

Category: More News More News

Published: 12 September 2012 12 September 2012

Cunard Line has been forced to cancel a cruise of the 2007 built Queen Victoria after the ship suffered mechanical failure earlier this week, the BBC reports. “Part of the ship's propulsion system failed on Monday, meaning it was forced to sail at speeds 10% lower than usual,” the report said.

Cunard said there was no danger to the passengers or crew on the Southampton-based liner, currently off Portugal. It said the next voyage would go ahead on Thursday but an Adriatic cruise in October has been cancelled while the ship is repaired at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven.

A Cunard spokeswoman told the BBC there had only been "minor port timing changes" to the ship's Mediterranean current cruise schedule following the failure. Passengers due to depart on the cancelled 16-night Adriatic voyage from Southampton have been offered refunds or transfers to other cruises. Cunard said the cancellation was "regrettable but unavoidable.” The ship will re-enter service on 17 October.

 

Chefs for Humanity receives $50,000 donation from Oceania Cruises

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 11 September 2012 11 September 2012

Chefs for Humanity, www.chefsforhumanity.com, a nonprofit founded by Celebrity Chef Cat Cora, today announced a $50,000 donation from Oceania Cruises, a upper-premium cruise line with four ships sailing to more than 330 destinations worldwide. Chefs for Humanity was founded by Cat Cora to galvanize culinary enthusiasts worldwide around a shared goal of reducing hunger and improving nutrition. "We are delighted that Cat Cora is now part of the Oceania Cruises family—her passion for fine cuisine captures the core of what we do every day," stated Kunal S. Kamlani, Oceania Cruises’ president. "We are immensely proud of Cat’s philanthropic endeavors outside the kitchen and the work she is doing to reduce hunger across the globe. It is an honor to make this commitment to Chefs for Humanity in celebration of her role as godmother to Riviera."

In May, Cat Cora christened Oceania Cruises’ newest ship Riviera, the second new ship launched by Oceania Cruises in under 18 months. Designed for epicureans, Riviera features 10 dining venues – six of which are gourmet restaurants – plus a Bon Appétit Culinary Center for hands-on learning and La Reserve by Wine Spectator, a professional facility for wine tastings and pairing dinners.

Chefs for Humanity was founded by Cat Cora in 2004 in response to the tsunami disaster in Indonesia. The nonprofit has provided relief and assistance following disasters in New Orleans and Haiti and has made recent mission trips to Ethiopia and Haiti.

"It is inspiring to have such generous support from Oceania Cruises," said Chefs for Humanity founder Cat Cora. "Smart philanthropy from organizations like Oceania can make an enormous difference in providing and implementing solutions to impact hunger and malnutrition. Chefs for Humanity is honored to be a partner with Oceania Cruises in this fight against hunger."