Carnival announces Mardi Gras' inaugural season itineraries

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 31 January 2019 31 January 2019

Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras is now open for sale of its inaugural schedule for 2020.

Mardi Gras will offer a diverse schedule with 6- to 15-night sailings visiting top destinations throughout Europe and the Caribbean beginning in summer 2020.

Guests can choose from more than 20 different stateroom categories and multiple levels of suites, more than on any other Carnival ship. A range of stateroom options provides guests the opportunity to further personalize their vacation experiences and includes special staterooms and suites such as Family Harbor, Havana Cabana and Cloud 9 Spa accommodations, as well as a wide selection of suites, balcony, oceanview and interior staterooms.

“For Mardi Gras, we’ve developed some truly exciting and diverse itineraries that will provide our guests with opportunities to experience and explore top destinations in Europe and the Caribbean,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “These itineraries will serve as the perfect complement to the unique shipboard experience that Mardi Gras will offer. We’ve begun releasing some of the new stateroom designs to our guests and travel agency partners as part of today’s announcement and plan to share additional details over the coming weeks.”

Inaugural season

Mardi Gras will offer an exciting inaugural schedule providing guests with myriad opportunities to experience and explore stunning and historic destinations. The schedule includes:

– A 9-night maiden voyage from Copenhagen to Southampton Aug. 31 – Sept. 9, 2020 calling at Kiel (Hamburg), Germany; Gothenburg, Sweden; Oslo, Norway; Rotterdam, The Netherlands; Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium; and Le Havre (Paris), France.
– A 14-night trans-Atlantic crossing from Southampton to New York Sept. 9-23, 2020, with stops at Las Palmas and Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain; and Funchal (Madeira) and Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal.
– A 6-night cruise round-trip from New York to Portland, Maine and Saint John, New Brunswick Sept. 24-30.
– A 15-night Carnival Journeys voyage departing New York Sept. 30, 2020 and arriving in Port Canaveral, Fla., on Oct. 15, 2020, calling at Amber Cove, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, Aruba, Curacao, and Grand Turk, positioning the vessel for year-round voyages to the Caribbean.

Year-round Caribbean departures from Port Canaveral

Following a special 8-night Caribbean cruise from Port Canaveral on Oct. 16, 2020, Mardi Gras will kick off its 7-night program from the Space Coast Oct. 24, 2020, offering two different three-port, 7-night itineraries, alternating weekly to the eastern and western Caribbean featuring some of the region’s most beautiful and popular ports.

– Eastern Caribbean cruises will visit San Juan, Amber Cove and Grand Turk.
– Western Caribbean sailings will stop in Cozumel, Costa Maya and Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan).

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection shares new look at suite design and amenities

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

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Published: 28 January 2019 28 January 2019

Owners Suite

The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection has revealed industry defining accommodations at sea through thoughtfully designed, forward-thinking suites, which perfectly blend timeless elegance and a warm, inviting atmosphere. Created to feel like a private yacht, the vessel will uniquely feature one designer, resulting in a unified flow of design which is refined, relaxed and unlike any other accommodations at sea.

“The distinct design of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection places us in a new space within the industry where the vessel is a destination in and of itself,” stated Douglas Prothero, CEO of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection. “The design of our inaugural yacht and exceptional suites has been a collaborative effort and one that I am particularly excited about as we were able to envision and build a yacht from the ground up that will deliver an unparalleled guest experience.”

The interior design of the inaugural yacht was imagined by Tillberg Design of Sweden in collaboration with The Ritz-Carlton. Each facet of luxury yachting was considered to promise a voyage which combines the lifestyle of the resorts of The Ritz-Carlton with the casual freedom of a yachting vacation. Boasting a residential feel, the suites’ design inspiration includes the sleek and contemporary look of The Ritz-Carlton Residences in Sunny Isles, Miami Beach and Los Angeles, and offers a spacious setting, innovative marine qualities and some of the most design- forward yacht interiors in the world.

“A yacht evokes the feeling of freedom and the ability to go where you want in the world at your own pace. The inaugural yacht of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is designed to reflect this emotion by making guests feel as though they are onboard their own private yacht,” said Fredrik Johansson, Owner and Executive Project Director of Tillberg Design of Sweden. “In addition to a casually elegant atmosphere in the suites, dining venues and open areas to relax, there will be plenty of little escapes and private corners of the yacht, really giving guests the ability to define their experience.”

Complementing the unprecedented itineraries and signature experiences of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection, the design of the yacht’s 149 suites is an integral aspect of what sets the vessel apart. In addition to offering a high percentage of large suites, the yacht will also feature several innovative loft suites, a unique two-story accommodation that is ideal for in-suite entertaining. All suites will feature a private terrace, floor to ceiling windows and great ceiling heights, resulting in some of the most airy and expansive guestrooms in the luxury cruise category. Through a soundproof, blind wall, select suites also have the option to be combined into larger, open-concept spaces allowing for more flexibility when selecting accommodations. All suites feature the luxurious amenities that visitors would find at a Ritz-Carlton on land, including a king bed, double vanity bathroom, luxury linens and more. Perfectly marrying form and function, the light-filled accommodations will connect guests to the seas and harbors they are sailing.

The specially designed yacht will measure 190-meters and can accommodate up to 298 passengers. The onboard experience will reflect the sublime comfort and legendary guest service for which the iconic Ritz-Carlton brand is recognized. The yachts will also have one of the highest crew to guest ratios in luxury cruising, with almost one crew member for every guest. Each suite has access to a Personal Concierge, guests’ single onboard touch point there to ensure a flawless, seamless journey from beginning to end. In addition to unparalleled accommodations, guests of The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection will enjoy an all-inclusive luxury experience including onboard activities and entertainment, beverages, multiple dining venues, onboard gratuities, WiFi and watersports from the yacht’s marina. Signature experiences available for an additional fee include a culinary experience at the yacht’s specialty restaurant designed by three Michelin-starred Chef Sven Elverfeld of The Ritz-Carlton, Wolfsburg, spa treatments at the signature Ritz-Carlton Spa, and immersive excursions offered through The Shore Collection. Voyage prices vary based upon the itinerary and season.

Carnival Cruise Line reveals six distinctive, themed zones on new Mardi Gras

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 25 January 2019 25 January 2019

Carnival Cruise Line today revealed the first look at design details for the highly anticipated Mardi Gras, the line's most innovative ship set to debut in 2020 and the first cruise ship in North America powered by LNG. Mardi Gras will offer an extensive array of popular Carnival guest favorites along with new exciting experiences highlighted by six themed zones. Throughout the ship's 20 decks and in each of these distinctive areas, guests will find fun, memorable ways to create their own personalized vacation with dining, libation, entertainment, recreation, and relaxation options.

The accommodations on Mardi Gras will include more than 20 different stateroom categories and multiple levels of spacious and luxurious suites. Mardi Gras will also include the most expansive open decks on any Carnival ship, and a spectacular atrium [pictured] that will serve as the hub of the ship as well as a stunning focal point where guests will be welcomed on board.

"When our guests Choose Fun and book a vacation on Mardi Gras, they are going to find many firsts and exciting experiences, all enhanced by the fun atmosphere our great Carnival crew deliver on every cruise," said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. "We've specifically designed Mardi Gras to invite everyone to create their own personalized fun vacation experience with options to suit every age, mood or taste."

Six distinctive zones

The six zones of Mardi Gras' design will invite guests to stroll throughout the ship to enjoy new only-on-Mardi Gras features along with signature elements that have made Carnival America's Cruise Line, all enjoyed amidst a festive, social and community-driven atmosphere with opportunities for guests to relax, recharge and reconnect with family and friends. The six areas will be themed around Grand Central, French Quarter, La Piazza, Summer Landing, Lido and The Ultimate Playground and highlights include:

– Grand Central (Decks 6-8, mid-ship): Creating a sense of wonder the moment guests step on board, the transformative Grand Central takes the traditional atrium concept to new heights, combining a day-to-night entertainment complex with spectacular three-deck-high floor-to-ceiling windows and a bar overlooking the starboard side of the ship that will be the perfect venue for socializing and people watching amid sweeping ocean vistas. Steps away are Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki which are being expanded from designs on existing ships to reflect their popularity with guests. There's also the first-ever dedicated Punchliner Comedy Club where guests can enjoy nightly shows, and the always popular Piano Bar 88 for sing-a-longs that bring guests together in an intimate feel-good setting.
– French Quarter (Deck 6, aft): In a nod to the New Orleans' culture that combines lively entertainment with an unparalleled food scene, French Quarter will be lined with new bars, music and eateries that perfectly capture the festive spirit of the Big Easy. And since the spirit of New Orleans is so closely tied to the jazz scene, this neighborhood is linked via a two-deck-high promenade leading to a traditional New Orleans jazz club with live entertainment and refreshing hand-crafted libations. More details on these new dining and entertainment choices and the introduction of a new Carnival celebrity partnership will be revealed this spring.
– La Piazza (Deck 8, mid-ship): At La Piazza, guests are transported to Italy where they celebrate the rich heritage of Carnival's senior officers with authentic cuisine from the casual family-style Cucina del Capitano and 24/7 Pizzeria del Capitano to a new Mediterranean-themed seafood restaurant. There's also a bar where guests can savor cappuccino by day or classic Italian cocktails at night, while roaming musicians keep everyone entertained.
– Summer Landing (Deck 8, aft): Designed as the ultimate chill spot, Summer Landing will be home to an expanded Guy's Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse with smoked-on-board barbecue favorites created by longtime Carnival partner Guy Fieri, along with the line's exclusive ParchedPig craft beers brewed right on board. For outdoor summer-inspired fun, there will be a pool and whirlpools, a new bar, the lunch counter for the Smokehouse Brewhouse along with ample lounging spaces and hang outs, making this the ideal spot to enjoy all the fun that a Carnival vacation experience delivers.
– Lido (Deck 16-17, aft): Carnival is already known for its varied casual poolside restaurants and Mardi Gras' expanded Lido will take this to a whole new level with existing Carnival favorites like Guy's Burger Joint, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery, along with some new concepts to be announced at a later date that are sure to inspire foodie fans.
– The Ultimate Playground (Decks 18-20, aft): The aptly named Ultimate Playground will span Decks 18-20 and offer guests amazing sea vistas as they soak up the sun and the fun in this spacious family-friendly play area highlighted by the largest and most elaborate Carnival WaterWorks aqua park in the fleet, along with an expanded SportSquare. The Ultimate Playground is also where guests will find the much-anticipated BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first rollercoaster at sea announced in December 2018, where riders race along an 800-foot-long track achieving speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour.

Mardi Gras will also incorporate all of the line's most popular signature features from its nearly completed $2 billion fleet enhancement program that has brought a consistent level of experiences to the more than five million passengers who annually sail on Carnival, such as Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, and the Serenity adult-only retreat, among others – many of which will offer an exciting twist, along with a variety of new innovations exclusive to this vessel.

Additional information on Mardi Gras, along with specifics on each of the six themed areas will be revealed in ways that are sure to amp up the fun factor in the coming months.

Reservations for Mardi Gras' itineraries will be announced and open for sale on Jan. 30, 2019. Carnival Cruise Line fans who want to be the first to book on Mardi Gras can get a head start by clicking here where they can register up until Jan. 27, 2019 to get a "first to know" alert and special promotional offer when reservations open.

A year before required by law, Ponant has converted to 100% LS MGO

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 24 January 2019 24 January 2019

Ponant, the world leader in luxury expeditions, has eliminated the use of Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) and replaced it with LS MGO, Low Sulphur Marine Gas Oil across its entire fleet – nearly one year before required by law.

LS MGO is a hydrocarbon fuel obtained from the refining of crude oil and containing fewer pollutants, notably Sulphur and fine particulate matter. In 2020, the law will require the use of fuels with a maximum sulphur content of 0.5%.

Ponant has not only implemented this law requiring the use of less polluting fuels a year before it the regulation is enforced, but also exceeded the requirements by using a fuel with a maximum sulphur content of 0.1%.

This ambitious approach has been applied to the entire fleet on all routes and destinations since January 1, 2019 underlining Ponant’s commitment to the environment for the past 30 years.