More News

Navigator of the Seas completes revitalisation

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 February 2014 12 February 2014

Having completed a month-long drydock revitalisation, Royal Caribbean International’s Navigator of the Seas is primed to resume year-round service from Galveston, Texas, the company said in a statement.. "Part of an extensive fleetwide programme to enhance every Royal Caribbean ship, Navigator of the Seas will introduce new and enhanced dining options; debut a new FlowRider surf simulator; and offer a glimpse ahead toward the cruise line’s highly anticipated Quantum of the Seas, with new first-at-sea features," Royal Caribbean said..

Most anticipated of all the ship’s revitalisations is the new FlowRider surf simulator, the center of the action atop the deck 13 Sports Deck, as well as the debut of Royal Caribbean’s first Virtual Balconies in 81 interior staterooms displaying expansive views of the ocean and destinations. Virtual Balconies were first announced for Quantum of the Seas, which debuts October 2014, and holidaymakers can be among the first to experience the innovation on Navigator of the Seas – even before the Quantum class is launched. Holidaymakers also can choose new Panoramic Ocean View staterooms, featuring floor-to-ceiling glass walls facing outward to provide guests unobstructed views all the time.

Navigator of the Seas’ guests also can look forward to an expanded line-up of eight different dining options, led by the debut of an all-new modern Mexican specialty restaurant Sabor, featuring a menu of modern Mexican dishes, such as Oaxacan Ceviche of Red Snapper, Spicy Chicken Flautas, or Chicken and Roasted Corn Empanada, topped with Green mole and spicy peanut sauce – to name a few. Sabor diners also can delight in customised guacamole and salsas, made tableside right in front of their eyes, as well as an assortment of tacos, quesadillas and burritos, all made with the freshest ingredients. Sabor has a service charge of $25 per guest.

Guests can complement their experience with a curated menu of tequilas, mezcal, and Mexican beers, as well as delicious sangrias and tableside-mixed margaritas, for an additional charge. Sabor’s tequila flights also offer guests a chance to sample a trio of Plata, Reposado and Anejo tequila, or savour the nuances among three Reposado tequilas.

Navigator of the Seas’ guests will also be the first to enjoy the fully revamped and elevated Chops Grille: The New American Steakhouse, which marries contemporary flair to traditional steakhouse offerings. The first among Royal Caribbean’s fleet to offer the new menu, Chops Grille onNavigator of the Seas will feature brand new selections, such as the Veal Chop Parmesan, slow broiled with caramelised shallots and topped with parmesan herb butter, a Slow-braised Short Rib of Beef with Bordelaise sauce, and a Dry-aged Steak Burger served on a brioche bun and topped with melted gruyere and pancetta. Guests also can still enjoy Chops Grille classic cuts, such as the 8 Oz. Filet Mignon, served with Béarnaise butter, and a 10 Oz. Grilled Sirloin Steak, as well as a range of new and delicious signature appetisers, soups, salads, and sides – such as new, decadent Truffled French Fries and Gruyere Cheese Tater Tots – that will complete the experience in the cruise line’s hallmark specialty restaurant. Chops Grille steakhouse has a service charge of $35 per guest.

Chops Grille also features two new premium selections of the finest quality cuts of beef in the world, a 16 Oz. dry-aged NY Strip Steak and a 20 Oz. dry-aged Porterhouse Steak (an additional $18 and $19 respectively), each USDA prime beef, dry-aged for four weeks to achieve the pinnacle of flavour, tenderness and aroma. This dry-aged process can only be found at select steakhouses around the world, and now, in a cruise industry first, is offered onboard Royal Caribbean International’s Chops Grille.

Navigator of the Seas’ guests also can choose exciting sushi and Asian fusion dishes in the ship’s new Izumi Japanese Cuisine (a la carte menu), and delicious classic Italian favourites in Giovanni’s Table Italian trattoria ($15 for lunch and $20 for dinner per guest). Rounding outNavigator of the Seas’ culinary experiences is the grand, three-story main dining room, newly renamed Sapphire, the casual-dining Windjammer Café, and complimentary room service from 5 – 12 a.m. Navigator of the Seas’ specialty restaurants are available for advance online reservations for booked guests at RoyalCaribbean.com.

Guests also will enjoy some of the more popular concepts that were introduced aboard Royal Caribbean’s ground-breaking Oasis-class ships, such as new digital signage, bow-to-stern Wi-Fi service, new flat-panel televisions in every stateroom, an oversized LCD movie screen overlooking the main pool, a new Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty member guests, and the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery for the youngest guests ages six to 36 months. Additionally, the ship’s Champagne Bar has been re-conceptualised into Royal Caribbean’s signature, retro-chic R Bar.

Navigator of the Seas will sail seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries every Sunday from Galveston, visiting exciting warm-weather getaways in the Caribbean, including; Cozumel, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Falmouth, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman, the company said.

Britannia to capitalise on popularity of cooking

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 February 2014 12 February 2014

Britannia, the 143,000 gross ton newbuilding of P&O Cruises, will capitalise heavily on the popularity of cooking.

“We are incredibly honoured to have secured the services of the best chefs at sea. The addition of James Martin and Eric Lanlard on Britannia further enhances the already incomparable level of culinary excellence we are proud to offer across our fleet," said Christopher Edington, marketing director of the company, in a statement.

Britain’s favourite TV chef, James Martin will develop The Cookery Club, the first cookery school on board a British cruise ship. He joins award winning master patissier ‘Cake Boy’ Eric Lanlard, in his first venture at sea, a patisserie range in the Market Café at the heart of the ship’s spectacular atrium.

Established P&O Cruises favourites Marco Pierre White, Atul Kochhar and Olly Smith will lend their expertise to the varied culinary options on board ranging from speciality restaurants and wine bars through to gala dinners in the main dining rooms.

Passengers will be able to participate in hands on cookery tuition under the expert guidance of P&O Cruises famous five culinary giants. Guest chefs will also be on board in this state of the art cookery school which can hold classes of up to 24 people at a time. There will also be a chef’s table to allow passengers to experience world class cuisine in an intimate space.

As well as the new Cookery Club passengers taking a cruise on board Britannia will experience:
• Dedicated supervised children’s club for ages 2 – 17 with dedicated teens area
• Three tier feature atrium with Eric Lanlard patisserie, a charcuterie and gelataria as well as spectacular starburst sculpture

• 13 bars and 13 different places to eat
• Oasis Spa and open deck Retreat
• Sports arena
• Al fresco dining
• Four swimming pools including a Serenity “quiet zone” pool and bar
• Art collection in excess of £1million
• 1,837 cabins – all outsides have a balcony, this includes 64 suites and 27 single cabins
• Library
• Dedicated wedding venue
• 936 state of the art theatre with LED screen
• The Studio – multi- purpose “tv studio” for guest speakers, talks, demonstrations, cinema screenings, radio plays or game shows
• The Crystal room – dedicated to all types of dance
• The Limelight Club – entertainment and dining
Sindhu from Atul Kochhar and Olly Smith’s The Glass House

Norwegian Cruise Line relaunches Travel Partner Website with integrated interface in UK

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 February 2014 12 February 2014

Norwegian Cruise Line UK says it has re-launched its Travel Partner Website, combining trade resources and virtual university NCL U into one seamless interface.Building on the four pillars of the Partners First philosophy, the new interface will offer new features to travel partners, as well as favourite elements from the previous separate portals, the company said in a statement.

· Education – Partners will benefit from updates to the courses and electives on the award-winning online training programme, NCLU. Francis Riley’s blog, games and much more are also available.

· Communication – The latest fares, promotions and news are available at the touch of a button. Port, transfer and shore excursion information can also be accessed by partners.

· Easy to do business with – With one-click access to the Book Norwegian booking engine, marketing resources and customer FAQs, booking and selling Norwegian has never been so simple.

· Reward & Recognition – Incentives, competitions, industry offers and more can be found by travel partners looking to boost their earning potential.

To celebrate the launch of the new website and the christening of Norwegian’s newest ship, Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian has introduced a brand new elective module within NCLU. This elective will teach partners all there is to know about the Breakaway-class ships – Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway. And the first 30 agents to complete the Elective will win a Norwegian Cruise Line “Whatever The Weather” goody bag.

NCLU gives Norwegian’s key travel partners the opportunity to earn points as they learn. For every completed course, partners will benefit from 25,000 points and those who complete electives will earn 10,000 points. As points add up, partners will progress through NCLU levels, being automatically entered into the prize draw which will take place in December. The higher the level, the more rewarding the cruise experience and this year there are four categories to be won:

50,000 points = Freestyle Specialist
Prize: a 3-night European mini-cruise for two people sharing an Inside Stateroom.
100,000 points = Freestyle Professional
Prize: a 3-night European mini-cruise for two people sharing a Balcony Stateroom.
150,000 points = Freestyle Master
Prize: a 7-night cruise in the destination of your choice for two people sharing a Balcony Stateroom.
250,000 points = Certified Norwegian Cruise Line Expert
Prize: a 7-night cruise in the destination of your choice for two people sharing a Balcony Stateroom, PLUS $150 FREE on-board spending money.

Nick Wilkinson, Director Business Development Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “We are delighted to announce the launch of our enhanced Travel Partner Website and NCLU.

“After listening to our key travel partners and their needs, developing one simple interface was the next step to increasing usability and ensuring that we help travel partners to sell cruise, impacting their bottom line and personal goals.”

To access the new Travel Partner Website, register or use your existing NCLU profile at www.agents-uk.ncl.eu.

Celebrity Cruises to launch Suite Class with own lounge, restaurant

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 February 2014 12 February 2014

Celebrity Cruises, the premium market unit in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd (RCCL) group, says it will launch Suite Class experience with its own facilities and benefits.

"Discerning guests who desire the very best in modern luxury holidays will soon be able to indulge in Celebrity Cruises' new 'Suite Class' experience. This will be fully introduced on Celebrity's state-of-the-art ships during April 2015. With exclusive new benefits including a suites-only restaurant, VIP lounge, complimentary premium drinks and more, the newly launched Suite Class is designed to create the ultimate luxurious experience. Guests will enjoy incredible service from the moment they arrive with their personal butler taking care of every detail. This is the only way to travel," the company said in a statement.

From the one-of-a-kind Reflection Suite, with its jaw-dropping ocean views and unique cantilevered shower, to the stylish Sky Suites, Celebrity's exceptional Suite Class experience is designed to set the standard in modern luxury holidays around the world.

Private dining - A dedicated private restaurant reserved exclusively for all Suite Class guests will be available morning, noon and night. Each meal will feature unique menus that offer sumptuous dishes not available anywhere else onboard. Guests can truly immerse themselves in the local culture with specially crafted menus inspired by the local destination, and enjoy the world's best ingredients. Memorable and inspiring dishes will be served, from locally caught seafood, to the freshest pasta. The Suite Class chef can provide a tailor-made experience to suite guests and prepare a dish to their liking, and the Cellar Master - Celebrity’s head sommelier - will select from more than 450 wines to provide the perfect pairing.

Premium 'all in' benefits - Premium drinks, dining across all specialty restaurants, unlimited internet access and a private bar with water, soft drinks and beers will all be complimentary for guests staying in Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites.

VIP lounge - A private VIP lounge, Michael's Club, will be available to guests staying in Celebrity, Signature, Royal, Penthouse and Reflection suites. A dedicated Concierge service and unique food and beverage experiences by Celebrity's James Beard-featured chef will be provided to guests.

"Our guests are accustomed to exceptional quality and service, and for those wishing to further indulge in the very best while onboard we have launched 'Suite Class', specially designed to appeal to the most discerning holidaymaker,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “We know that suite guests value privacy, personalised service, exclusive access and flexibility, and providing them with their own unique benefits, such as a dedicated restaurant with a dining experience like no other, is just another way that we are significantly elevating the guest's holiday with us."

Suite guests will also continue to enjoy a large number of benefits including:

The Celebrity 'Suite Class' welcome - Guests will receive priority check-in and embarkation

Legendary butler service - From unpacking guests' luggage to booking the best destination experiences on land, the Suite Class butler will be on hand 24 hours a day to ensure seamless, dedicated and personalised service.

The Suite Class experience will also include a daily high-end afternoon tea service served in the guest's spacious and beautifully designed suite.

Luxurious stateroom amenities and benefits – As well as enjoying spacious suites with balconies that showcase sweeping ocean views, guests can indulge in a variety of luxury amenities including deluxe Bulgari bathroom amenities, plush robes, premium bedding and an indulgent pillow menu. A host of other extras will also be provided during the guest's stay including reserved theatre seating for all Suite Class guests.

Costa unveils Costa Diadema inaugural itineraries

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 11 February 2014 11 February 2014

Costa Crociere, the Italian unit of Carnival Corp & plc group, has revealed the inaugural cruises for the 132,500 gross ton Costa Diadema, the fleet’s future flagship which will be delivered by Fincantieri on 30 October 2014.

"The first cruise departing on 1 November will be the vernissage cruise, with three new culturally rich and architecturally beautiful cities included in the itinerary: Trieste, Dubrovnik and Genoa," the company said in a statement.

The cruise will depart from Trieste with a one and a half day stopover, while the final port of destination is Genoa, the city where Costa Cruises has its headquarters. The ship will also make daily calls from 3 November at Dubrovnik, Corfu, Malta and Naples before terminating in Genoa on 7 November.

On 8 November, Costa Diadema will depart for three seven-day inaugural cruises in the western Mediterranean Sea with longer stopovers at Marseille, Barcelona and Savona. The cruises will offer the chance to visit both Florence and Naples, two of Italy’s most popular cities, in a single cruise. The itinerary includes calls at Genoa (only for the first cruise), Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Naples, La Spezia and Savona. During these first weeks of service, Costa Diadema will visit five Italian ports: Trieste, Naples, Genoa, La Spezia and Savona.

From 29 November and for the rest of the 2014/15 winter season, the new flagship will leave from Savona on seven-day cruises in the western Mediterranean Sea, calling every week at Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Naples and La Spezia.

Costa Cruises has invested a total of around €550 million in the construction of Costa Diadema at Finantieri shipyards in Marghera. The project is employing a total of approximately 1,000 shipyard workers plus another 2,500 employees of allied industries. The benefits in terms of employment extend beyond the yard, especially regarding the fitting-out of the interiors of the cruise ship, with the involvement of around 400 contracted suppliers, most of which are Italian firms.

Costa Diadema that will have 1,862 guest cabins will offer comfort combined with top quality food, wine and entertainment. The new flagship’s interiors will be even cosier, more spacious and more modern in terms of facilities and the layout of public areas. Costa Diadema will offer large, split-level rooms directly overlooking the sea and conveniently interconnected, thus evoking the atmosphere of a buzzing seaside resort.

Among the many innovations on board are new food and wine tasting treats in the shape of the Vinoteca (wine house), Birreria (beer house), Japanese Teppanyaki, Pizzeria and Gelateria. There will also be new forms of fun and entertainment on board with the Country Rock Club, the place to go to hear legendary 'Classic Rock' music, and the Star Laser room featuring different styles of interactive laser games including the Laser Maze, for guests to have fun with their friends.

Shopaholics will love the Portobello Market Piazza, the heart of a 1,100m2 area consisting of designer stores and retail outlets, while the purpose-built Samsara Spa located on the upper decks will offer guests the chance to enjoy the regenerating experience of a wellness cruise. For those wanting to enjoy the sun, sea and spectacular ocean vistas, the open-air promenade with cabanas is ideal and extends over 500m, the company said.