PRESS RELEASE_MIAMI, FL – February 20, 2018 – Taking the onboard experience to an entirely new level, Celebrity Cruises is pleased to announce the addition of Hollywood Hot Glass onboard their award winning ships, which expands on the brand’s previous hot glass programming with a brand new hands-on element. Hollywood Hot Glass will host a live glassblowing demonstration on The Lawn Club at the beginning of participating sailings. Following the live demo, guests will be able to register for their own Hot Glass Class, available throughout their itinerary, where they’ll work with a Hot Glass Instructor to create their very own piece of art. “We’re always working to identify new and exciting opportunities for our guests on board, and we really feel that our new partnership with Hollywood Hot Glass is the perfect evolution of our past hot glass offering,” said Brian Abel, Vice President, Hotel Operations, Celebrity Cruises. "It is a true honor to partner with Celebrity Cruises. We are extremely grateful to have the opportunity to share our passion for glass through our Hot Glass Class program aboard three of the beautiful Celebrity ships. To witness the pure joy the hands on glass-making experience brings everyone is by far the most rewarding aspect of our program today," said Brenna Baker Brown, Founder of Hollywood Hot Glass. In each class, guests will have the opportunity to choose from eight unique pieces – including a vase, starfish, and a heart, starting at $40 per piece – and choose from a variety of colors. The gorgeous finished product requires a 12-hour cool down period, after which guests are welcome to take their piece home with them. The new experience will be featured on three ships in the Celebrity fleet and will launch on Celebrity Equinox beginning February 17, 2018, while Celebrity Eclipse will begin offering the program on April 1, 2018, and Celebrity Solstice on June 15, 2018. To learn more, visit www.celebritycruises.com/things-to-do-onboard/activities. PRESS RELEASE_Deerfield Beach, Fla. – February 20, 2018 – Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (BPCL), the only Line with a two-night cruise departing year-round from the Port of Palm Beach, announced today that Grand Classica, its new ship joining Grand Celebration, will begin sailing on April 13, 2018. Reservations for Grand Classica open today with a special Buy-One, Get-One Free booking offer.
Beginning with the first sailing, Bahamas Paradise will be the only cruise line to offer daily departures to Grand Bahama Island from the Port of Palm Beach becoming the largest provider of tourism to the Island. The two ships expect to carry approximately 500,000 passengers annually to Freeport, Bahamas. In opening reservations, BPCL also revealed details of the beautiful new ship, including dining, entertainment, bars and lounges and other amenities. “At 52,900 gross-tons, Grand Classica complements Grand Celebration nicely. There are several additional public spaces – so we are excited to add some new offerings, as well as bring all the popular outlets that we have on Grand Celebration for consistency with our guests,” said Oneil Khosa, chief executive officer of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line. “Having two ships sailing daily to Grand Bahama Island will also give our guests the flexibility and convenience to take advantage of a two-night getaway any day of the week. Our daily departures also add a number of options to our unique Cruise & Resort Stay offering, with guests able to add any number of nights at a Grand Bahama Island hotel.” The Classica underwent a major refurbishment in 2014. In October 2017, a comprehensive dry dock took place to improve systems and infrastructure, complemented with refurbishments and improvements executed by BPCL, to make her ready for the US market. Grand Classica Details With a total of 10 lively, passenger decks and a guest capacity of 1,680, Grand Classica features 658 staterooms and a full complement of dining, entertainment and recreational activities for all ages. When guests board the ship, they will be greeted in the Central Atrium with its large, glass sculpture and guest service and shore excursion desks. The ship’s decks have been named to reflect the vibrant islands of the Bahamas; for example, deck 5 is the Bimini deck and deck 8 is the Abacos deck. All the ship’s activities and entertainment take place on decks 8 through 14 where guests will find a wide range of dining options, as well as live entertainment, large casino, spa, pools and more. Grand Classica will have a total of eight dining options offering different cuisines and new concepts: PRESS RELEASE_MIAMI (February 19, 2018) – Carnival Fascination resumed its year-round schedule of seven-day southern Caribbean departures from San Juan this past Sunday, following an extensive multi-million-dollar dry dock that added a variety of popular food and beverage concepts. On its San Juan-based program, Carnival Fascination departs every Sunday on week-long voyages visiting five tropical destinations: St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and St. Maarten, each of which is home to world-class beaches, centuries-old historical sites, unique and exciting shoreside experiences and array of shopping and dining opportunities. “We’re delighted that the Carnival Fascination has returned to year-round sailing from San Juan better than ever with a wide range of great new dining, beverage and retail options for our guests to enjoy,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line who noted that prior to the dry dock the ship was chartered by FEMA to house relief workers in St. Croix. The new spaces include: · Guy’s Burger Joint: a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries enjoyed amidst a décor that celebrates the chef’s California roots and love of car culture. · RedFrog Rum Bar: a poolside watering hole offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival’s own private label draught brew, ThirstyFrog Red. · BlueIguana Cantina: a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, as well as an elaborate toppings and salsa bar. · BlueIguana Tequila Bar: a fun and festive outdoor bar offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers, perfect for chillin’ by the pool. · Cherry on Top: The “sweetest spot on board,” Cherry on Top is the gateway to the joys of simple indulgences with bins of bulk candy, fun-and-fanciful gifts, just-because novelties, colorful custom apparel and more. · Alchemy Bar: a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” that’s the go-to spot for guests seeking a unique experience with mixologists who “prescribe” concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients or guests’ own custom-created cocktails. · Bonsai Sushi Express: the success of the full-service Bonsai Sushi restaurants has spawned this casual, convenient yet equally tasty offshoot featuring a mouth-watering array of sushi, sashimi, rolls and more. These complement Carnival Fascination’s popular onboard features like a luxurious 12,000-square-foot health and wellness center, a Serenity adults-only retreat, and an array of entertainment choices including the Punchliner Comedy Club, Playlist Productions shows, and Hasbro, The Game Show, with larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic games. The ship’s family-friendly options include the Seuss at Sea program, an exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises, along with fun, supervised activities for kids in three age groups – Camp Ocean (2-11), Circle “C” (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17) and a WaterWorks aqua park featuring a 300-foot-long Twister slide. If you're looking to cruise, now's the time to book. We've negotiated exclusive member deals that can save you up to 40%.
From a quick Bahamas getaway to an around-the-world trip in 120 days, our special cruise collection offers something for everyone. BAHAMAS: Save 40% on a short getaway from West Palm Beach vs. other itineraries ... $129 2 nights; departs select March-April dates CARIBBEAN: Sail on the world's largest cruise ship for $200 off with $75 onboard credit... $768 7 nights; departs April 21 ALASKA: Stay in an oceanview cabin, plus get $100 in onboard credit ... $899 7 nights; departs May 26-27; June 3, 10, 17, 25; July 29; Aug. 5, 12, 19 MISSISSIPPI RIVER: Explore America's waterways in a suite and get $1000 off ... $1999 7-night cruise + 1 hotel night; departs June 3, 24; July 1,8 DANUBE RIVER: Enjoy an upgraded balcony cabin with a 5-star Budapest stay ... $1499 7 nights on ship + 2 nights on land; departs March 31; July 21; Aug. 4; Oct. 18, 27 BRITISH ISLES: Get 20% off the cruise with London stay, plus $700+ in perks ... $1599 12 nights at sea + 2 nights on land; select spring and summer sailings MEDITERRANEAN: Save up to $2200 on all-inclusive trips with business class flights ... $5999 7 nights; select summer sailings MEKONG RIVER: Visit Vietnam and Cambodia in luxury for $1000 off ... $2669 7 nights; departs Aug. 30; Dec. 13, 20 AROUND THE WORLD: Sail from London with stops in the Caribbean, South America, Asia, Europe, Africa and Australia for $108 a day ... $12,909 120 days; departs Jan. 5, 2019 GET THE DETAILS PRESS RELEASE_Seattle, Wash., Feb. 15, 2018 — This September Holland America Line will begin an innovative approach to cruising for travelers who are looking for thoughtful and immersive ways to see the world. Offered on the 1,258-guest Maasdam, new EXC In-Depth Voyages explore some of the most fascinating corners of the globe on itineraries from 12 to 34 days, using world-renowned experts, local scholars and customized Zodiac tours to immerse guests in the experience. With EXC In-Depth Voyages, each journey offers guests a variety of themes and choices to tailor their exploration: photography; science and nature; arts and culture; food, wine and spirits; history and perspective; and active exploration. Guests are free to focus on one area of interest or combine their passions through onboard enrichment and captivating shore activities. Guests can choose to do as much or as little as they like. “We created EXC In-Depth Voyages to further enhance our guests immersion experience in a more personalized way in the exotic destinations featured on this series of specially designed itineraries,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “The addition of Zodiac tours will allow guests to be modern-day explorers, and Maasdam will visit many ports that we have never been to or haven’t visited in years; EXC In-Depth Voyages are truly unique.” PRESS RELEASE_VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 15, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Luxury cruise line Cunard will see its flagship, Queen Mary 2, set sail for New York Fashion Week this September, joined by undergraduates from the University of Westminster who are set to become the first in the world to showcase their collection on the official London Fashion Week schedule.
Undergraduates from the University of Westminster’s Fashion Design BA Honours course will debut their Autumn Winter 2018/19 designs at London Fashion Week on Friday, Feb. 16, 2018 before showing the collections on board Queen Mary 2 from September 2-9, 2018 (M833). The University of Westminster is known for producing some of the most talented and creative fashion professionals in the business. Notable alumni include the designer Vivienne Westwood; Michael Herz, Artistic Director at Diane von Fürstenberg; Stuart Vevers Creative Director at Coach; as well as Christopher Bailey, Burberry’s chief creative officer and president. “Cunard’s Transatlantic Fashion Week crossing has become a must-attend event which receives rave reviews from our guests,” said Josh Leibowitz, senior vice president, Cunard North America. “We are excited to bring our guests unique events that are only available on Cunard.” Cunard’s Third Annual Transatlantic Fashion Week will play host to an impressive array of leading authorities during the annual fashion voyage. Ensuring guests are taken on a transatlantic journey through fashion history, Virginia Bates, fashion historian and friend to some of fashion’s best known names will be presenting her vintage collection in the most spectacular setting. Virginia Bates is best known for London’s ‘Virginia’, an emporium of vintage clothing and accessories that became a mecca for designers including John Galliano and Ralph Lauren looking for inspiration. She will present a collection to guests, taking them back to an era of glamour and sophistication in a way that only she knows best. Joining Virginia on board Queen Mary 2 to New York will be Richard Young, world renowned photographer to the stars. During Transatlantic Fashion Week Richard will be giving a presentation of his life and the famous people he has photographed, a photography exhibition in the Clarendon Art Gallery, a Q&A and more. Completing the line-up is Fashion historian, Colin McDowell, Editor of InStyle magazine Hal Rubenstein, International Fashion Consultant Gail Sackloff and Jeremy Langmead, Brand and Content Director of MPORTER.com. Further information on Cunard’s Transatlantic Fashion Week can be found here: www.cunard.com/m833. PRESS RELEASE_Seattle, Wash., Feb. 14, 2018 — The long-time partnership between Holland America Line and FOOD & WINE has delivered immersive culinary experiences for more than a dozen years. The collaboration is expanding with a collection of exciting culinary-themed EXC Tours (shore excursions), that explore food, wine and culture in some of the world's hottest gastronomic locales. “Holland America Line continues to develop deeply immersive experiences in the ports we visit, and through our partnership with FOOD & WINE we’ve been able to craft exceptional new excursions that show the culinary side of these destinations in some very special ways,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “We want to do more than simply take our guests to a local restaurant. We want them to cook with the restaurant chefs, visit hidden hotspots only the locals know about, and combine food and culture with fun and unique experiences.” Twenty-three new shore excursions are now available for booking on select 2018 cruises to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. FOOD & WINE EXC Tours on Mediterranean cruises are offered in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Kerkira, Nisos Kerkira (Corfu), and Thira (Santorini), Greece; Livorno (Florence), Naples and Venice, Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Kotor, Montenegro; and Cádiz (Seville), Barcelona and Málaga (Granada), Spain. Guests on Northern Europe cruises will find FOOD & WINE EXC Tours in Copenhagen, Denmark; Tallinn, Estonia; Helsinki, Finland; Kiel (Hamburg), Germany; Reykjavik, Iceland; Bergen, Norway; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Stockholm, Sweden. Guests have the opportunity to take hands-on cooking classes, go on culinary walking tours, visit wineries, sample street food, explore local hideaways and more. Noteworthy FOOD & WINE EXC Tours include “La Boqueria Market Cooking Experience” in Barcelona that includes a hands-on culinary workshop led by chef Txema Aroca; “Ino & the Uffizi Gallery” in Livorno, combining the finest art with the best local street food; Copenhagen’s “Smorrebrod: The Art of Sandwich Making,” where participants learn everything including how to bake bread and create authentic toppings; “Nordic Food Walk” in Stockholm that is a delicious gastronomic journey through the old Haymarket — now the Hötorgshallen Food Market; and a hands-on cooking class in the kitchen of the renowned Selene restaurant in Santorini. Over the next year, FOOD & WINE EXC Tours will be available in an expanding array of destinations, including additional European ports, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Mexico, South America and more. PRESS RELEASE_VALENCIA, Calif., Feb. 14, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- For the second time, Cunard flagship Queen Mary 2 will be featured on Vacation Creation with Tommy Davidson and Andrea Feczko, which airs on Saturday, February 17 on ABC stations in select markets around the country. Tommy Davidson, known for his role in “In Living Color,” hosts alongside travel expert and YouTube sensation Andrea Feczko. The season 2 episode highlights Queen Mary 2’s annual Transatlantic Fashion Week Crossing, which includes a glamorous array of fashion shows, exhibitions, and lectures. “We are thrilled to share the inspiring fashion week story on national TV,” said Josh Leibowitz, senior vice president, Cunard North America. “This Vacation Creation is perfectly suited for Cunard, and the episode brings to life the experience of a Transatlantic Crossing.” About Vacation Creation with Tommy Davidson and Andrea Feczko Vacation Creation with Tommy Davidson and Andrea Feczko is one of Carnival Corporation's original TV series. With cruise vacations growing twenty percent faster than land-based vacations and with more people than ever taking cruise vacations year over year, the show’s inaugural season’s strong ratings are a testament to Americans' interest in cruising.Vacation Creation takes audiences on an inspirational journey as they follow the voyages of families who have been chosen to experience a custom-tailored cruise vacation of a lifetime. Families that are facing hardship, in need of hope, or are seeking much-needed time together are able to travel to incredible destinations and create lasting memories. The Episode: “Atlantic Crossing in Style” The episode, “Atlantic Crossing in Style,” follows recent design graduate Helena Bajaj-Larsen and her family on their Transatlantic journey. Born and raised by an Indian painter and a Norwegian linguistics Professor, Bajaj-Larsen’s designs are inspired by her heritage and she uses fabrics sourced from Khadi shops around India and are hand-painted using acid and pigment dyes. In celebration of her matriculation from Parsons School of Design, and to thank her parents for their unwavering support, Helena and her family embark on the annual Transatlantic Fashion Week Crossing aboard Queen Mary 2. Onboard, Helena is inspired by the ship’s architecture and design and has the opportunity to present her fashion line in a glamorous runway show at sea. Helena receives invaluable career advice from fashion icons such as Joe Zee and Rob Younkers during this celebration of style at sea. The episode will air February 17, 2018. To find scheduled air times, please check local listings. Here's a preview: Make this special treat for your special Valentine -- Carnival's Melting Chocolate Cake. Yum! PRESS RELEASE_PUERTO AYORA, ECUADOR – February 14, 2018 – Celebrity Cruises is growing a greener tomorrow for one of the most spectacular places on the planet, teaming up with Galapagos National Park to plant more than 30,000 trees on Santa Cruz Island, in Los Gemelos, and helping to conserve this pristine archipelago that’s home to flora and fauna found nowhere else in the world. With the goal of inspiring guests and collaborators to dive-in to conservation efforts within the region, the public private partnership (PPP) signed in 2014 was made possible over the last three years with the support of 14,300 guests, crew and community at large, far exceeding goals by 150 percent. The efforts reinforce Celebrity’s commitment to the region and the shared passion of guests who sail onboard. Among the seeds sown out of the collaborative project are Scalesias, Cat’s Claw, Galapagos Miconia, and Thin-leafed Darwin’s shrub. Reforestation preserves the natural ecosystem in Galapagos and regenerates areas that have been affected by humans and by introduced species. The most planted tree remains the Scalesia trees, as their forests are home to many species of endemic bird, found only in the Galapagos. “We want to help ensure future generations have the same incredible Galapagos experience with our industry-leading stewardship and conservation efforts” said Bernardo Carrillo, Managing Director, Celebrity Cruises. “Our valued guests and employees cherish the unique opportunity to be involved with important programs such as tree planting, which gives them direct contact with nature in this pristine UNESCO World Heritage Site. We are dedicated to opening up the world and that includes our commitment to supporting programs dedicated to environmental conservation.” As a result of the efforts with the Galapagos National Park and collaborative projects like that between the park and Celebrity, ecosystems are being restored and invasive species eliminated. All activities are coordinated by the Galapagos National Park, an institution that provides all its technical and logistical support. |
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