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Norwegian Cruise Line reveals Harvest Caye, Belize experiences

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 19 March 2016 19 March 2016

Norwegian Cruise Line revealed this week details on its new premier Western Caribbean destination experience, Harvest Caye, Belize. Norwegian Cruise Line is developing Harvest Caye to feature an authentic Belizean environment that provides easy access to beautiful Southern Belize, coupled with luxurious amenities; a variety of eco-activities; the country’s only cruise ship pier for guest convenience and comfort; the opportunity for guests to easily depart to mainland Belize for the adventure excursion or cultural immersion of their choice; and much more.

This spectacular resort-style port of call, set to welcome guests in November 2016, will be the only port in Belize that features a cruise ship pier. Rather than having to spend time tendering to shore, guests will be able to walk off the ship and immediately step into paradise. Harvest Caye will offer guests the beauty and nature of Belize along with all that guests could desire from a tropical destination experience, and also serve as a gateway to the many eco and cultural adventures that lie in mainland Belize. Harvest Caye offers a large marina, where guests can depart for a wide variety of shore excursions to explore this rich destination, including spectacular Mayan ruins, river rafting, nature tours and more.

“Belize is one of the most ecologically and culturally rich gems in the Caribbean, and Harvest Caye will be the perfect destination for guests to experience all that the country has to offer in authentic, unique ways,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief operating officer for Norwegian Cruise Line. “There is so much to do on the island from the spectacular seven acre beach and watersports to interactive wildlife programs. Beyond Harvest Caye, we will strongly encourage our guests to explore Belize through the spectacular eco-adventure and cultural tours this incredible destination has to offer visitors.”

Harvest Caye’s seven acre pristine beach will be the heart of the destination, with white sand and crystal clear waters as the star. Guests who wish to enjoy the day in privacy can opt to rent one of the island’s 11 luxurious beach villas. These indulgent enclosed villas can accommodate up to 10 guests and are the ultimate beach escape, equipped with every comfort including air conditioning, dedicated lounge and dining areas, a private restroom, indoor and outdoor showers, hammocks, and exclusive dining and beverage options with dedicated concierge service so guests never have to leave the beach.

For those that prefer a resort-style experience, Harvest Caye will offer a tranquil, lushly landscaped pool area as the perfect retreat. The sprawling 15,000 square foot pool features a swim-up bar with stools and lounge tables right in the water, surrounded by elegant lounge chairs and umbrellas, along with 15 canopy pool cabanas. The plush pool cabanas, available for rent, feature upscale lounge furniture, privacy drapes and beverage service. A footbridge spans the center of the pool, with a soothing waterfall feature below.

Adventure will be in no short supply for guests who opt to spend their day on Harvest Caye, with the island featuring a 130 foot tall Flighthouse as the central area for a variety of aerial activities including zip lining, suspension bridges, free fall jumps, a tandem “superman” style zip line and stunning views of the verdant hills of the mainland. Harvest Caye’s zip line course will have more than 3,000 feet of zip line, allowing guests to soar through the air with a bird’s eye view of the island and the sea, with stops at three different platforms. To top off the adventure, the Flighthouse will include a challenging but fun ropes course located on a platform in the saltwater lagoon. For a lower adrenaline adventure, guests can also enjoy watersports such as kayaking, paddle boarding and canoeing in Harvest Caye’s shallow lagoon area.

In true Norwegian fashion, Harvest Caye will feature a myriad of dining and bar options, available à la carte. Guests will enjoy five dining and bar outlets that feature a variety of cuisines, including a two-story indoor/outdoor Landshark Bar & Grill. An expansion of Norwegian’s partnership with Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, the Landshark Bar & Grill is sure to be an island favorite, with a scenic upper deck and a swim-up pool bar for the ultimate way to enjoy a “boat drink”. Those who want to indulge in authentic Belizean cuisine will be able to enjoy casual street style dining in the shopping village. Additional dining options will include the Laughing Bird Bar & Grill serving the beach, the Manatee Marina Bar & Grill in the marina, the Horse-Eye Jack Bar & Grill servicing the island’s cabanas as well as food and drink delivery throughout the pool area.

No port-of-call would be complete without superior shopping options, and Harvest Caye will offer a shopping village, which will feature popular name-brand retailers as well as items from local Belizean craftsmen.

Guests with an affinity for wildlife will marvel at Harvest Caye’s many opportunities for an up close encounter with this rich eco-destination’s local plants and animals. To learn about the native flora and fauna in this stunning destination, guests can participate in manatee observation tours at the lagoon to learn about the gentle giants; get up close and personal with endangered Scarlet Macaws and Toucans, Belize’s national bird, in the island’s Aviary; wonder at the striking beauty of insects at the Butterfly Garden; and learn more about and view Belize’s indigenous reptiles such as boa constrictors at the educational center. Harvest Caye’s conservation programs and education efforts were developed by award winning author and wildlife expert Tony Garel, the destination’s Chief Naturalist. He will lead many of the island’s educational tours and be available to chat with guests about the incredible array of wildlife in Belize. The island’s aviary will also house a breed and release program for Scarlet Macaws, in an effort to increase the population of the native birds. Harvest Caye features a cornucopia of native plants and trees that all play a part in the destination’s eco-system. To help further the island’s conservation efforts, more than 10,000 new mangroves have been planted throughout the island, serving to increase the natural estuary system that serves as a critical habitat for birds, young fish and other marine species.

Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy Harvest Caye beginning November 2016 on Norwegian’s Western Caribbean itineraries, and on Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings’ sister brands Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises, which will also offer calls at Harvest Caye on select Caribbean sailings.

Fred. Olsen reports strong rise in revenues and bookings for new programme

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2016 18 March 2016

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the UK based destinational cruise operator, said the revenues and number of bookings for its new cruise programme have significantly exceeded those of the new programme launched last year.

The company saw its most successful sales day on record earlier this week, on Tuesday 15 March 2016, with nearly 50% more revenue and 31% more guests booked on the first day of its new 2017-18 cruise programme going on sale than on the first ‘on sale’ day last year, the company said in a statement.

The programme extends to early 2018 for three of the company’s four vessels, but that of Boudicca only only covers the period up to mid-October next year. “You will have to await further information on Boudicca’s remaining 2017 itineraries in due course. Unfortunately, we are not able to share any details at the current time,” said Rachael Jackson, public relations manager at the Ipswich based company.

RCCL appoints Gavin Smith SVP International

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 18 March 2016 18 March 2016

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL), the world’s second largest cruise shipping group, said it had appointed Gavin Smith to the role of Senior Vice President International, effective immediately.

"Smith’s new role sees him responsible for all sales, marketing and commercial operations for the cruise brands Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Club Cruises in Southeast Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean and Australasia, and he will report to Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International," RCCL said in a statement.

Gavin Smith has opened RCCL’s first Australian office in December 2008 as Managing Director.

Dominic Paul, outgoing Senior Vice President, International has accepted a position as CEO of a UK- based business. He departs the company 1 May 2016.

Cunard announces new details on remastering of Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 17 March 2016 17 March 2016

Yesterday at Seatrade Cruise Global in Fort Lauderdale, Cunard announced new enhancements planned for Queen Mary 2's remastering, the most significant refit ever undertaken by Carnival UK, as well as surprise news on Queen Victoria, during a press event hosted by top executives from the company.

In addition to the reveals made on Queen Mary 2’s refit, Cunard announced it will be adding Britannia Club staterooms to Queen Victoria in her next dry-dock scheduled for June 2017, due in part to the stateroom categories exceedingly popular appeal on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth.

“The changes being made are a direct response to our discerning passengers increasing desire for space and style, and to meet their rising expectations of luxury,” stated David Noyes, Cunard CEO.

Queen Mary 2, which will be in dry dock from May 27 to June 21, will see several enhancements including 30 additional Britannia Club Staterooms, 15 new single staterooms, and an expansion of the ship’s dedicated kennel for cats and dogs. All staterooms will be remastered by the start of the ship’s 2017 World Cruise.

Shared for the first time at Cunard’s press event were renderings showcasing new designs for Queen Mary 2’s coveted and luxurious Queens Grill Duplex Apartment and Penthouse Suites, as well as videos on Queen Mary 2’s redesign and culinary program.

“Cunard was the innovator of the luxury suite category, and this remastering will further showcase the richness of ship’s stateroom design, intimate dining experiences and White Star Service,” commented Richard Meadows, President, Cunard North America.

In the newly debuted videos, Queen Mary 2’s interior decorators delve into what it took to stay true to Cunard’s heritage in “Inspired by the Originals,” and Cunard’s twin Executive Chefs, Nicholas and Mark Oldroyd, share the process of working together on developing new menus and further enhancing the ship’s fine dining in “The Oldroyd Twins.”

“We are all very excited about what Nicholas Oldroyd and his twin Mark, the Executive Chef onboard Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth, are doing to reinvigorate the menus across the fleet,” continued Richard Meadows. “They have gone to great lengths to source interesting and different ingredients, and we believe our guests will be extremely pleased.”

Cunard, which found inspiration not only in Queen Mary, but also in its guests, announced that in conjuncture with the remastering of all of its staterooms and suites, it will also introduce tea and coffee makers in each cabin.

“Guest feedback was especially important as we explored the redesign of the staterooms,” said Angus Struthers, Vice President of Marketing. “We believe the new designs on board provide a more distinctive Cunard character and will elevate the guest experience.”

“During our 175-year history, Cunard earned a reputation for being the arbiter of style and taste. The remastering of Queen Mary 2 continues this tradition by the thoughtful contemporizing of the product, while maintaining the refined design aesthetics and service standards that are deeply based in British style and refinement,” continued David Noyes, Cunard CEO. “The combination of our keen attention to detail, and incorporating inspirations from our past will continue to propel the powerful Cunard story, which we think will strongly resonate with today’s discerning travelers.”

Carnival Magic to feature new Guy Fieri-designed open-air barbecue eatery offering traditional smokehouse favorites

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 16 March 2016 16 March 2016

Chef and restaurateur Guy Fieri, whose Guy’s Burger Joints on Carnival Cruise Line ships have earned a reputation as the best burgers at sea, has expanded his seagoing culinary offerings with a new authentic smokehouse and barbecue venue aboard Carnival Magic.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse is a casual open-air eatery located on Carnival Magic’s Lanai on Promenade Deck featuring a wide variety of BBQ favorites smoked right on board over hickory and cherry wood using Guy’s signature recipes, rubs and spices. A member of the American Royal National Barbecue Hall of Fame, Fieri is cooking up real-deal smokehouse favorites like bone-in, dry-rubbed, slow-smoked and pulled Championship Pork Butt, dry-rubbed and grilled Blue Ribbon Chicken, smoked Andouille sausage and Sliced Smoked Round of Beef cooked “low and slow” and thinly sliced. A rarity on cruise ships, Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse features a traditional wood smoker which was installed on board as part of a recent dry dock.

Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse also features Fieri’s own unique take on traditional side dishes with deliciously creative offerings like Mac Daddy Mac n Cheese, Old Skool Potato Salad, Scratch-Made Slaw, Collard Greens with Smoked Turkey, and Molasses Baked Beans with Bacon and Burnt Ends. All items at Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse will be available free of charge.

Diners can spice up their dishes with Fieri’s signature BBQ sauces, including Award-Winning Brown Sugar (sweet and sticky), Kansas City (smoky and sweet), and Sriracha BBQ (spicy and tangy) and Carolina #6 (tangy with sweet heat). A hot sauce bar, as well as a wide range of ice-cold beers and sodas, will be available, as well.

Commented Fieri, “Everyone knows that it takes the finest meats cooked ‘low and slow’ to create truly righteous mouth-watering barbecue. My new ‘Pig & Anchor’ eatery on Carnival Magic is gonna be off the hook! Be sure to grab lots of napkins -- it’s gonna get messy!”

“Guy has been a wonderful partner and we can’t wait for our guests to enjoy all the incredible offerings at his Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse which we’re sure will be a huge hit with Carnival Magic guests,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.

Open sea days from noon to 2:30 p.m., Guy’s Pig & Anchor Bar-B-Que Smokehouse is part of Carnival Magic’s extensive multi-million-dollar renovation that spanned three weeks and added a variety of exciting new dining and bar concepts, including, of course, a Guy’s Burger Joint, a free-of-charge poolside venue serving hand-crafted burgers and fries with recipes created by the Food Network star. Including Carnival Magic, Guy’s Burger Joints are available on 11 Carnival ships and serve more than 1,000 burgers per ship per day. Guy’s Burger Joint will also be featured aboard the new Carnival Vista when it debuts in May.

Other newly added spaces on Carnival Magic include two poolside bars – the RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar – along with the BlueIguana Cantina serving authentic Mexican tacos and burritos, Pizzeria del Capitano offering hand-tossed artisanal pies, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, and a “candy and more store” called Cherry on Top.

Carnival Magic will continue its seven-day schedule from Galveston through April 10, 2016 then reposition to Port Canaveral to launch year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises April 23, 2016. Prior to launching its new seven-day schedule from Port Canaveral, Carnival Magic will operate a special three-day cruise to Nassau April 20-23, 2016.

Carnival Magic will offer two distinctly different week-long itineraries from the Space Coast – a western Caribbean route featuring Cozumel, Belize, Mahogany Bay (Isla Roatan) and Costa Maya; and an eastern Caribbean option calling at St. Thomas, San Juan, Grand Turk and Nassau or Amber Cove.