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Royal Princess christening ceremony will stream live online

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 13 June 2013 13 June 2013

When Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge christens Royal Princess today on June 13, the nearly 2,000 invited guests in Southampton will not be the only ones to enjoy the festivities. Viewers around the world can also watch the celebrations as Princess Cruises will be streaming the ceremony live online at princess.com/royalprincessnaming so everyone can share in the spectacular event, which will formally welcome the new ship into the company’s fleet.

The live streaming will begin at 11:15 am local time in Southampton, which will be 6:15 am EDT/3:15 am PDT in the U.S., and 8:15 pm AEST in Australia. Viewers can also choose to play back a recording of the ceremony soon after the event for viewing at their leisure. Social conversation on Twitter will also be featured with a direct feed on the naming page, and viewers can join in as they watch by using the #RoyalPrincess hashtag.

In addition to the official breaking of the bottle of champagne against the ship by The Duchess, viewers will also be able to follow all the quay-side festivities – including performances by British pop singer and songwriter Natasha Bedingfield singing her hit, “Unwritten,” British actress and “the first lady of London’s West End” Kerry Ellis, and internationally renowned percussive orchestra Mass Ensemble. The Band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines Portsmouth and The Pipe Band of 1st Battalion Irish Guards will open the event with the pomp and ceremony of British ship-naming traditions.

“We know this ship has generated a great deal of interest around the world, and that many people are interested in seeing the amazing ceremony and the christening by The Duchess,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “So, no matter where you are, you can watch the festivities live online – or can choose to play it back later.”

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship. Among the special features found on board is a dramatic multi-story atrium serving as the social hub of the ship, offering a host of dining and entertainment options; an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on water; the new Princess Live! television studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.

More information about the ship is available at www.princess.com/royalprincess.

MSC Cruises launches pre-bookable specialty restaurants packages

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 June 2013 12 June 2013

MSC Cruises, the Geneva based cruise shipping company, says it will launch a set of pre-bookable specialty restaurant dining packages.

“Whether sailing in the Mediterranean sea or Northern Europe, MSC Fantasia, MSC Splendida and MSC Divina travellers can now book their “Tex Mex fiesta” or “Steak House experience” in advance, while those waiting to embark on MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, MSC Poesia and MSC Magnifica can reserve an “Oriental festival” in the Shanghai Restaurant, Oriental Plaza or the Kaito Sushi Bar, and get ready to enjoy sushi, sashimi and other Asian fusion delicacies,” the company said in a statement.

Guests on board MSC Divina and MSC Preziosa can savour offers of panoramic restaurant Galaxy, such as the Saturn, Venus or Galaxy Mediterranean fusion evening menus or the “Luxury brunch”, complete with bubbles, oysters, Serrano ham and foie gras, as well as playful delicacies for children such as dinosaur-shaped chicken croquettes, tomato ladybugs, marzipan piglets and more.

On MSC Preziosa, packages are available for the Eataly restaurant and Ristorante Italia, the first two Eataly restaurants at sea. The original Eataly Restaurant menu served at lunch and dinner includes excellent pasta, vegetable, seafood and meat, cold cuts and cheese, while the high-quality ‘table d’hôte’ menu of Ristorante Italia has been specially conceived by Eataly chefs, with dishes made from Slow Food Presidia products.

These packages can be pre-booked both online or through travel agencies.

Crystal announces major upgrade for Serenity

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 12 June 2013 12 June 2013

Crystal Cruises is preparing for a $17-million redesign of the Crystal Serenity this November. The line is planning sweeping makeovers of the ship’s Crystal Penthouses (the line’s coveted top accommodations) and Lido Deck, including the popular indoor/outdoor Trident Grill, Tastes restaurant, and Crystal Serenity’s Lido café. Building upon the success of Crystal Symphony’s “living wall,” Crystal is expanding its green concept to the Lido area. Maintenance, cleaning, mechanical updates, and environmental upgrades will also be implemented throughout the ship’s interior and exterior spaces during the two week dry dock at the Navantia Shipyard in Cádiz, Spain.

Come November, Crystal will have spent $52 million on Crystal Serenity’s Extreme Makeover in the past two years and almost $120 million on the Extreme Makeover of its fleet in recent years.

“Our redesigns aren’t merely new fabrics and soft goods. It is indeed extreme when you take out pools, tear down walls and completely re-invent spaces to create new chic, contemporary, and exceptionally welcoming and comfortable public areas and accommodations,” says Crystal President Gregg Michel. “While we are honored we have won respected design awards for our remodels, we are even more gratified by the response from our guests – international travelers who have an eye for style and appreciate fine design in their lifestyle and when they vacation.”

Lido Deck

London’s Adfecto design firm was inspired by Santa Barbara’s casual, yet cultured, “American Riviera” vibe for the transformation of the ship’s spacious Lido deck. Natural stones, wrought iron, and an array of blues set the resort-like tone for space’s major reconfiguration that will remove its indoor pool and Tastes kitchen, move the ice cream bar to the Trident Grill, and add more sofa seating, an open kitchen, and a cocktail bar. In addition, four “living walls” and additional greenery surrounding the Trident lounge area will bring the outdoors in.

As with Crystal Symphony, Crystal Serenity’s Lido café will be redesigned with modern food islands replacing long buffet counters, more tables for two, and a fresh baked goods kitchen. A new, cherry wood dance floor will also be installed in the Palm Court, the ship’s largest gathering place for drinks and dancing.

Crystal Penthouses

Toronto’s II BY IV, the firm that won major design awards for its previous remodel of Crystal Serenity’s staterooms, is redefining the ship’s four top suites with clean lines, classic simplicity, and refined elegance in a dramatic ultra-contemporary remodel. Interiors of the butler-serviced, 1,345 square-feet residences will be gutted and spaces completely reconfigured.

The dining area will move closer to the floor-to-ceiling windows and the private outdoor deck, while the former dining room will now hold a den/library/media room with a queen-sized sleeper sofa and closet. With a new shower added to the guest powder room, the space can function as a second bedroom, ideal for families and couples traveling together. The Penthouse also features a spacious living room and butler’s pantry with private entrance.

The master bedroom will be made over with luxurious bedding, curtains, two entrances, and a new seating area. The master bath will feature marble, mosaics, a walk-in glass shower, and two waterproof Aquavision TV’s, one embedded in the mirror, and one by the large window-side Jacuzzi tub.

In keeping with modern tech living, the CP’s will feature three flat screen TV’s, including a 3-D TV, plus a surround sound audio system, iPod docking stations, and increased wall outlets.

The best of the rest

With more than 700 different jobs scheduled to be completed during the 13 days, the 500+ contractor crew and several hundred Crystal crew will also be working round-the-clock to thoroughly deep clean the ship, repaint exteriors, refurbish the “port pod,” add energy-saving LED lighting in public areas and crew offices, and more.

Crystal Serenity’s first voyage after completing dry dock will be a 12-day November 27 Lisbon-Barcelona cruise through the Canary Islands, followed by Transatlantic crossing to the Americas, a Christmas/New Year’s voyage in the Caribbean, and the annual World Cruise – an 89-day ultimate luxury adventure from LA to London, starting January 18.

Crystal’s passion for taking care of guests in an inviting environment of extraordinary space, quality and choices has earned the company more “World’s Best” awards than any other cruise line, resort, or hotel in history.

Another itinerary change in Shanghai for Star Cruises

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2013 10 June 2013

In the latest of a series of delays, cancellations and itinerary changes concerning SuperStar Gemini, Star Cruises(on 9 June) advised its guests that, owing to the closure of Shanghai ports on Friday evening (7 June) caused by an earlier incident involving several container vessels, its original 5D4N itinerary, scheduled to depart on 8 June, would be revised to a 4D3N cruise, departing a day later for Jeju, with the call to Busan cancelled.The ship that was meant to have arrived at Shanghai on 8 June was delayed to 9 June, Alan Lam reports.

In view of these changes, the line had to offer options of partial or full refunds to many of its guests.

Star Cruises’ 2013 inaugural Shanghai homeporting for its SuperStar Gemini has been by no means a trouble-free exercise.

Only two weeks earlier, on 24 May, the line was forced to delay the ship’s embarkation and departure time because of the port closure on account of dense fog.

On 30 April, the ship could not berth at Shanghai Port International Cruise Terminal as scheduled owing to another foggy condition, forcing the line to revise its departure time.

All these followed the cancellation of a 4D3N cruise on 22 April because the ship had to undergo an emergency safety inspection and repair to untangle a fishing net from its propellers, which triggered a series of subsequent itinerary changes withunwelcoming financial consequences for the company.

Hebridean sponsors Mull music festival

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 10 June 2013 10 June 2013

Guests joining Hebridean Island Cruises’ music themed cruise, A Classical Cruise of the Hebrides, will be able to enjoy two exclusive performances from artists at the celebrated Mendelssohn on Mull festival, whilst on board the ship, the luxury boutique cruise line that focuses on Scotland in its itineraries said in a statement.

The line is one of the sponsors for the annual classical music event, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this year.

“Young violin soloist, Colin Scobie, will performing Mendelssohn’s Hebridean Overture for passengers inside Fingal’s Cave, which provided the original inspiration for the piece. Guests will also be able to enjoy a special concert by a string quartet from the festival after the ship has called at Duart Castle,” Hebridean said.

A Classical Cruise of the Hebrides starts from £5,090 per person (based on two people sharing an outside cabin). Cruise departs from Oban and calls at Jura and Port Ellen, Staffa and Ulva, Tobermory, Muck and Ardnamurchan, Fort William and Craignure, before calling back into Oban. Price is based on a 2 July 2013 UK departure.