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Rhapsody of the Seas completes revitalization

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 29 March 2012 29 March 2012

After a month-long $54 million dry dock, Royal Caribbean International's Rhapsody of the Seas has emerged from Singapore's Sembawang Shipyard (a subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine Ltd.) as a virtually new ship. The newly revitalized Rhapsody of the Seas will deliver guests a host of exciting new dining options, visually stunning entertainment and unique amenities after the ship's bow-to-stern transformation. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy all of Rhapsody of the Seas' new signature features as they sail in awe-inspiring Alaska this summer or vibrant Australia in the fall. To learn more about Rhapsody's transformation visit http://bit.ly/9m9ZTc.

"Rhapsody of the Seas' dry dock is part of Royal Caribbean's multi-ship enhancement and revitalization strategy to deliver the world's most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries and world-renowned Gold Anchored service to our guests, also known as the Royal Advantage," said Betsy O'Rourke, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. "With every inch of Rhapsody of the Seas renewed, five new dining restaurants added, the evolution of entertainment in our iconic Centrum, plus an array of new touches, guests will be wowed by what is virtually a new ship."

The all-encompassing revitalization introduces a range of guest amenities and premium experiences that are sure to wow even the most experienced cruiser. From the Royal Babies and Tots Nursery designed for the cruise line's youngest guests, 6 - 36 months old, a Diamond Lounge for Crown & Anchor Society loyalty members, a Concierge Lounge for suite guests and top-tier loyalty guests and completely refreshed staterooms, the onboard revitalization was comprehensive. Guests also will find that staying connected at sea will be easier with Wi-Fi availability throughout the ship and enjoy a host of technology enhancements that include, flat-panel televisions in all staterooms, an outdoor LED movie screen on the pool deck, as well as a digital way-finding system all of which debut on Royal Caribbean's latest and world's most innovative sister ships, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

For guests looking to tickle their taste buds, Rhapsody of the Seas features an array of new dining options with the addition of five of the fleet's most highly acclaimed dinning concepts, including Giovanni's Table, Izumi Asian Cuisine restaurant, Park Café deli-style restaurant, Chop's Grille steakhouse and the exclusive 14-guest Chef's Table. Concept overviews and pricing are as follows:

– Giovanni's Table: An Italian trattoria featuring Italian classics served family-style (open for lunch, $15, and dinner, $20)

– Izumi Asian Cuisine: Featuring mouthwatering flavors and a sushi bar with hot-rock cooking, the pan Asian cuisine restaurant is a no-hassle, authentic dining experience (open for lunch and dinner, $3.00 cover charge for lunch and $5.00 for dinner plus a la carte menu pricing)

– Park Café: An indoor/outdoor gourmet market featuring salads, sandwiches, soups and pastries (open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, complimentary)

– Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean's signature steakhouse offering premium cuts and quality meats (open for dinner, $30 per person)

– Chef's Table: An exclusive and private experience co-hosted by the executive Chef and Sommelier for a wine pairing dinner of five courses (open for dinner, $95 per person).

Guests looking for a jaw-dropping entertainment experience need to look no further than the reinvented Centrum, featuring enriching daytime activities, dazzling nighttime entertainment and a new high-flying entertainment experience where aerialists glide through the five-story atrium as guests enjoy a cocktail in the 60's inspired R Bar, a new bar concept first introduced onboard Splendour of the Seas. Guests also can take in the newly re-imagined Viking Crown Lounge, which features a stunning new design concept as well as a new menu featuring bite size goodies.

Rhapsody of the Seas will embark on a 15-night voyage from Singapore to Sydney, Australia. From there, she will sail across the Pacific via Hawaii to her Alaska season in May 2012. In Alaska, Rhapsody of the Seas will sail every Friday on seven-night, round-trip cruises from Seattle, calling at Juneau and Skagway, Alaska, and Victoria, B.C. Guests also will transit Alaska's Inside Passage, as well as venture up Tracy Arm Fjord to see Sawyer Glacier.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.

Royal Caribbean provides a world-class vacation experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming. The cruise line has a 40-year history of giving guests the Royal Advantage - the most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries to popular destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service.

Ventura to be fitted with 18 single cabins

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 March 2012 28 March 2012

P&O Cruises will fit 18 single cabins on board its 116,017 gross ton Ventura that was introduced in 2008, following the success of such accommodation on board its sister ship Azura that is one year younger, said Carol Marlow, Managing Director of the company that is part of Carnival Corp & plc group.

The additional cabins will be built midships on deck 6 and after this has been done, the company has three ships with single accommodation. The 69,153 gross ton Oriana was fitted with two inside single cabins in addition to two berth cabins as part of modifications last autumn.

P&O Cruises to highlight music, food and wine 2013

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 March 2012 28 March 2012

P&O Cruises, the UK based contemporary market brand in Carnival Corp & plc group, will focus on music, food and wine next year and it will promote these themes by partnerships, said Carol Marlow, Managing Director of the Southampton based company.

The line’s 2013 programme of 200 new cruises calling at 215 ports in 84 countries will feature seven Strictly Come Dancing cruises, with a team from the popular TV show on board and a P&O Cruises Strictly Dance Competition.

On the music front, there will be five Classic FM Music Festival at Sea cruises hosted by presenters from Classic FM, the UK based commercial radio station that features classical music.

Moving on to food and wine, Marlow noted that two cruises will feature celebrity chefs Marco Pierre White and Atul Kocchar plus wine expert Olly Smith –all of whom have specialty restaurants on board P&O Cruises’ ships. In addition White will offer cooking demonstrations on six cruises and Kocchar will sail on three other cruises, with cookery demonstrations, hosted dinners and masterclasses on the menu.

Cunard Line to switch marketing focus to destinations

Details: Written by Kari Reinikainen Kari Reinikainen; Category: More News More News; Published: 28 March 2012 28 March 2012

Cunard Line, the UK based premium market brand in Carnival Corp & plc group, will switch the focus of its marketing from ships to destinations, Managing Director and President Peter Shanks said.

With a three ship fleet, the company now has the hardware that it needs. “We will transform itineraries to introduce more innovative ones,” Shanks said at a presentation in London on Tuesday. The company will operate a total of 13 two night mini cruises in 2013 from Southampton to Hamburg on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth, with return flights included in the fare and hotel stays an optional extra as a move to attract first timers to the brand, he pointed out.

Another Cunard official said that the Telegraph Cruise Show that was held in London last weekend had produced lots of bookings from people that were new to the Cunard brand, in addition ones that had cruised with the line before.

The language in the main brochure will be tuned to make it easier to digest by people that have not cruised with Cunard or with any other line, Shank pointed out.

The company will offer 18 Trans-Atlantic voyages next year, including four back to back round trips. “Hundreds of British passengers book such a voyage, they sail seven days to New York, want to spend a day there doing shopping and then sail back without having to use airports,” Shanks continued. There will also be two eight night Trans-Atlantic voyages next year compared to just one in 2012, which was by Queen Victoria earlier this month.

P&O Cruises launches new loyalty scheme

Details: Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä; Category: More News More News; Published: 27 March 2012 27 March 2012

The countdown is on until April 1, when P&O Cruises will launch its new loyalty scheme, the Peninsular Club, which will replace current scheme, The Portunus Club.

The new club, which will launch first on board Ventura on April 1, has six distinct tiers; Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Baltic and Ligurian, and significant new benefits.

Once launched on Ventura, the Peninsular Club will then be rolled out over the remainder of the fleet, launching on board Oceana on April 4, Adonia on April 9, Oriana on April 10, Aurora on April 12, Azura on April 15 and finally on board Arcadia on April 27.

Points from the previous loyalty scheme, which had three "tiers" ruby, sapphire and gold, will be automatically transferred to the new P&O Cruises Peninsular Club.

The new club and tier names endorse the brand's heritage and its worldwide footprint. In 1837 the Peninsular Steam Navigation Company won the mail contract from the British Admiralty and this is the time from which P&O Cruises can trace its roots. The tier names come from oceans and seas of the world - all sailed countless times by P&O Cruises ships. These are arranged in order of size with the smallest being Ligurian. This club tier is reserved exclusively for P&O Cruises most loyal and frequent cruisers.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow said: "We are excited that the time has come to launch the new look loyalty club. The Peninsular Club has been shaped with our passengers in mind and we trust that the benefits they will reap will see them continuing to cruise with P&O Cruises time and time again."

The wide range of benefits of the new club vary by tier, and include an on board discount ranging from 5 -10%, a complementary pressing service and discounted laundry, as well as early embarkation, an exclusive travel insurance offer, early booking offers and early cabin access.

In the new scheme, the Baltic and Ligurian tiers will be exclusive to the most loyal passengers who have a total points value of more than 2500. Entry to these tiers is not only reliant on points but also on a requirement for the passenger to have spent over 80 nights on board any P&O Cruises ship within the three years prior to the start of their cruise.