(PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 14, 2019) – Princess Cruises, the world’s largest international premium cruise line, is growing and today major milestones for three ships under construction at the same time were celebrated, at Fincantieri Shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. The three milestones included the introduction of the Sky Princess crew member who was nominated by her peers to serve as Madrina to celebrate the recent float out of the ship which will enter service in October 2019; the keel laying ceremony for Enchanted Princess launching June 2020 and the steel-cutting ceremony for the sixth and final Royal-Class ship, yet to be named, debuting 2022. With two additional ships on order for delivery in 2023 and 2025, Princess Cruises will increase its capacity by 32 percent over the next six years, adding to its current fleet of 17 ships. “The number of people enjoying cruise vacations has increased on average more than one million new cruisers every year over the last decade, an overall increase of more than 68 percent,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises and Carnival Australia group president. “As we continue to grow our fleet with five new ships arriving by 2025, we’re proud to not only celebrate these three major construction milestones in the same day but also to continue to innovate our product with cutting-edge technology and elevated guest experiences that will be offered on all of these ships.” Sky Princess is the first new ship to join the fleet activated with Princess MedallionClass™ Vacations enabled by the OceanMedallion, the vacation industry’s most advanced wearable technology delivering guests the enjoyment of hassle-free, personalized cruise vacations. Sky Princess will also feature MedallionNet, the best Wi-Fi at sea delivering land-like internet speeds for watching sports, movies or making video calls from a smart-phone. In an industry-first event, three significant ship building construction milestones occurred in the same day, including: (PRESS RELEASE)_NEW YORK — February 14, 2019 — Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson and Virgin Voyages President and CEO Tom McAlpin announced today that Virgin Voyages is officially open for business, with the company’s first ship the Scarlet Lady, now open for bookings for her inaugural season with voyages departing from April 1 through October 25, 2020 now on sale.
“I’ve dreamed of starting my own cruise line since I was in my 20’s, and now the launch is finally getting close,” said Richard Branson, Founder of Virgin Voyages. “We have taken the time to think about every detail and craft an experience that brings the Virgin brand to life and disrupts the travel industry.” Will offer a cheeky and cheerful approach to service, and an inclusive approach to sea travel that remove pesky add ons. Its Sailors will enjoy free food at the 20+ eateries onboard, free group fitness classes, no gratuities or service charges, free Wifi and free basic beverages like soda, teas, drip coffee as well as still and sparkling water. “At Virgin Voyages we are going beyond just great design, to defy and redefine luxury to be rebellious luxe,” said Tom McAlpin, president and CEO for Virgin Voyages. “This new luxury is about knowing you are taken care of, that you’re never being nickel and dimed, and what you want, even some of the things you didn’t know you wanted, are already taken care of for you.” In conjunction with opening bookings for sale, Virgin Voyages revealed that all voyages will feature The Beach Club, a Virgin Voyages experience in Bimini, Bahamas. There Sailors can enjoy an epic beach day and/or explore the island flavor and culture of Bimini and its turquoise blue waters. While on ship, Virgin Voyages Sailors will have the opportunity to choose from a festival-like lineup of all-new completely original Events & Gigs developed by some of the world’s most-talked about producers, directors and artists in the expansion of the company’s Creative Collective. Virgin Voyages’ entertainment Creative Collective includes Jenny Gersten, Randy Weiner, Sam Pinkleton, Ani Taj, PigPen Theatre Co, The 7 Fingers, Roslyn Hart and Alfredo Guenzani and the Spark Cooperative. THE BEACH CLUB AT BIMINI Cornerstone of every voyage will be The Beach Club at Bimini, where sailors can feel the sand in their toes in a stylish setting with white-sand and crystal clear waters and programming that will rival the best beach clubs in Ibiza and Saint-Tropez. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI – February 12, 2019 – The newly modernized Celebrity Millennium is officially ready to revolutionize modern travel. The ship’s dramatic transformation — part of the THE CELEBRITY REVOLUTION — is just the beginning of Celebrity Cruises’ biggest fleet-wide modernization ever, with more than $500 million in luxurious upgrades taking the brand’s fleet to the Edge. On the all-new Celebrity Millennium, discerning world travelers will enjoy enhancements that include:
And all this is just the beginning. “This is such an exciting moment for us as we finally get to share the new Celebrity Millennium with the world,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. “She has been transformed from top to bottom. I want to share my deepest gratitude with the teams who have worked so hard to make this happen, and I can’t wait for our guests to experience this revolution in travel for themselves.” Celebrity Millennium’s bow-to-stern transformation began on January 2, 2019, at the Sembawang Shipyard in Singapore. There, it spent a total of 35 days in the skilled hands of thousands of engineers, architects, artisans, designers, contractors, shipyard employees, and the newbuild and Celebrity teams.. (PRESS RELEASE)_Los Angeles (February 7, 2019) – Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) today announced it took delivery of Viking Jupiter®, the company’s sixth ocean ship. The delivery ceremony took place this morning when the ship was presented at Fincantieri’s shipyard in Ancona, Italy. On February 16, Viking Jupiter will be the first in Viking’s fleet to sail the Journey to Antiquities itinerary, a new itinerary sailing between Athens and Rome offering guests the chance to experience the Mediterranean during the quiet season. During its maiden season, Viking Jupiter will sail itineraries throughout the Mediterranean and then Scandinavia. The ship will officially be named in Oslo, Norway on June 6 by her ceremonial godmother, Sissel Kyrkjebø, the acclaimed Norwegian soprano. “It is always a proud moment when we are able to welcome a new ship to our fleet,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Viking Jupiter is our sixth ocean vessel in just four years– a clear sign of the positive response to our approach to ocean cruising. We are different because we focus on the destination, and that resonates with our guests. We are pleased that with continued growth we have the opportunity to introduce even more travelers to the Viking way of exploration.” Viking Jupiter Viking’s ocean ships have a gross tonnage of 47,800 tons, with 465 staterooms that can host 930 guests. Viking Jupiter is part of Viking’s award-winning ocean fleet of sister ships, which also includes Viking Star®, Viking Sea®, Viking Sky®, Viking Sun®, and Viking Orion®. Ten additional ships are also planned for delivery starting in 2021, which could bring Viking’s ocean fleet to 16 ships by 2027. The Viking Difference Designed for discerning travelers with interests in history, art, music and cuisine, Chairman Torstein Hagen often says Viking offers guests “the thinking person’s cruise” as an alternative to mainstream cruises. Ships are small to get guests closer to their destination, with more time in port and more overnights. On board, guests find serene Scandinavian spaces, where every room is both beautiful and functional, quiet and filled with light. With the most al fresco dining opportunities at sea, featuring regional cuisine and always-available American classics, Viking’s guests can truly dine in their destination. A focus on cultural enrichment brings immersive experiences on shore and on board. And only The Viking Way® of exploration provides guests with itineraries that feature Local Life, Working World and Privileged Access experiences. In addition, Viking offers a compelling value compared to other cruise lines. Every cruise fare includes an outside stateroom, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, all onboard meals, and all port charges and government taxes. Guests also enjoy many complimentary amenities as part of their fare, including: beer and wine with lunch and dinner service; alternative restaurant dining; free Wi-Fi; self-service laundry; access to the Thermal Suite in the LivNordic Spa; and 24-hour room service. Booking Details From now through February 28, 2019, Viking is offering U.S. residents special cruise fares on select 2019, 2020 and 2021 ocean itineraries, as well as on select 2019 and 2020 river cruises, with additional discounts on air.
(PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (Feb. 7, 2019) – Love is in the air, indeed! Taking advantage of an “only in Vegas moment,” Carnival Cruise Line’s #ChooseFun AirShip hosted its first-ever wedding for Amanda Robertson, 32, and Jason Gerken, 37, from Las Vegas who tied the knot aside the colorful, 128-foot-long blimp. With close family and friends in attendance, Las Vegas’ own Henry Sneed of Lucky Little Wedding Chapel officiated the memorable ceremony with an appearance by “Elvis Presley” who sang “Can’t Help Falling in Love” as Amanda, her father and son walked down the aisle and “Viva Las Vegas” after the two shared their first kiss as a married couple. After all, it couldn’t be a true Las Vegas wedding without “the King.” And since there’s no better way to “Choose Fun” than actually sailing on a Carnival cruise, the couple and their family were invited to spend their honeymoon on Carnival Panorama when she debuts from Long Beach, Calif., this December. Amanda, a bartender originally from Allen Park, Mich., and Jason, stay-at-home dad and karaoke host at Karate Karaoke, live with their three children in Las Vegas. The two met at a karaoke night two years ago, and it was love at first sight. “We always dreamed of having a memorable wedding, but this day was far beyond what we could have imagined. Getting a free cruise for our entire family on what will be the new Carnival Panorama and having our loved ones by our sides have made this one of the best days of our lives,” said Amanda. After completing its wildly successful month-long tour of California to celebrate the arrival of the new Carnival Panorama to Long Beach, Calif. in December, Carnival Cruise Line’s #ChooseFun AirShip is touring Las Vegas through Saturday. On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the AirShip will arrive in Phoenix for a five-day flyover of the city’s hottest areas and venues through Sunday, Feb. 17. In conjunction with the AirShip’s extended West Coast tour, Carnival is hosting a sweepstakes where consumers have a chance to win a free cruise as well as additional prizes each week when they enter at carnival.com/choosefun. And there’s never an end date to raising money for a great cause – continuing the charity component of the AirShip’s month-long flyover, for anyone who takes a picture of the AirShip and posts it on social media with the hashtag #ChooseFun, Carnival will make a $2 donation to its longtime charity partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® up to a maximum donation of $20,000. (ROYAL CARIBBEAN NEWS)_HiRo, Royal Caribbean’s newest aqua show, features more high-flying feats, unexpected stunts and extraordinary acrobatics than ever before. Brought to life by the world’s best extreme-sport athletes, HiRo pushes the limits of a theatrical production with cutting-edge technology and choreography. With 3D flying technology used by aerialists as they literally soar above the crowd, plus acrobats and professional divers no two shows are the same, making it worth seeing twice. For more about HiRo and the all the shows
on Symphony of the Seas, go to our coverage HERE. (PRESS RELEASE)_Deerfield Beach, FL. February 5, 2019 – Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line (BPCL) is transporting guest’s taste buds to paradise with the debut of six new Chinese, Indian and Vegan menus, available for groups upon request onboard both Grand Celebration and Grand Classica. Two new Chinese menus celebrate the arrival of Chinese New Year on February 5, while two new vegan menus and two new Indian menus offer healthy, unique and globally-inspired options. Groups will love choosing from a vast selection of new dishes that are just distinct as they are delicious, available in addition to Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s existing lineup of premier dining options at the likes of The Rock Grill, Admiral’s Steak & Seafood and The Bull Gourmet Burgers. “We are excited to add to our existing lineup of premier culinary offerings with the launch of our exciting, new globally-inspired and vegan menus,” shares CEO of Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line Oneil Khosa. “Delicious, fresh and innovative cuisine is an element of the Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line experience that truly sets us apart, and these new menus are sure to wow guests.” Guests can choose from a variety of sweet and spicy dishes available on two new Chinese menus such as Hunan Style Crispy Whole Red Snapper, Crispy Tangerine Beef and Sichuan Eggplant. Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line is also catering to the 300 percent increase in the number of people who identified themselves as vegans in the U.S. from 2017 to 2018 (according to a Foodable Labs study) by offering a medley of plant-based offerings with appetizers like Crispy Hearts of Palm Cakes, Caramelized Parsnip & Coconut Soup and Confit of Fennel and Orange Quinoa Salad. Guests can also indulge in healthy yet hearty entrees like Zucchini Lasagna, Thai Green Curry and Green Lentil, Potato and Mushroom Burgers. When it comes to aromatic and flavorful food, Indian cuisine is unparalleled. Those craving those bold and authentic flavors can enjoy dishes from Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s two new Indian menus like Paneer Tikki Masala, Tandoori Chicken and Pan seared Prawns with Chilli Kokum Curry. Guests can also savor special Indian desserts like Kheer (Indian rice & raisin pudding) and Warm Gajar Halwa (carrot-cardamom pudding). Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line’s new menus will be available for groups on a requested basis, as well as for guests when requested in advance, either when making their reservations or at the front desk once onboard the ship. From fast casual to elevated fine dining, guests can choose from over nine dining options onboard each ship including interactive lava rock dining at The Rock Grill, succulent steaks and seafood at Admiral’s Steak & Seafood, mouthwatering barbecue at the Ocean Breeze Bar and delectable Italian favorites at A Slice Above, to name a few. For more information on Bahamas Paradise Cruise Line and its dining options, please visit www.bahamasparadisecruise.com. (PRESS RELEASE)_MIAMI (February 5, 2019) – The Carnival Cruise Line Hub App is already the most popular consumer app in the cruise industry, and with enhancements announced today, it’s sure to only grow in popularity with the launch of pre-cruise purchasing functionality and online check-in for its North American-based ships. The app’s popular “Pizza Anywhere” on board function is now available on 11 ships with a fleetwide rollout expected to be completed later this year.
“At Carnival, we want to help our guests Choose Fun from the moment they book their cruise. The new features on the Hub App bring their vacation planning to the palm of their hand in ways that consumers have come to expect from great technology,” said Ron Dillehay, vice president of booked guest e-commerce and guest experience for Carnival Cruise Line. New Pre-Cruise Functionality With the Hub App’s new pre-cruise capabilities, guests can now manage their booking, complete their online check-in, and conveniently purchase a wide variety of items and experiences before departure, including shore excursions, spa treatments, specialty dining reservations, Wi-Fi packages and Fun Shop orders for stateroom delivery. Expanded ‘Pizza Anywhere’ Feature First available on Carnival Horizon and Carnival Vista, the Hub App’s popular “Pizza Anywhere” feature has been added to nine other ships, including Carnival Victory, Carnival Magic, Carnival Breeze, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Dream, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Glory, Carnival Ecstasy, and Carnival Liberty. With the “Pizza Anywhere” function, guests can satisfy their cravings at any time with the touch of a button. To place an order, guests simply click on the ship’s map to mark their location, take a selfie to identify themselves and select their desired pizza and toppings. Five hand-tossed pizzas are available: margherita, funghi, prosciutto, pepperoni and quattro formaggi. Pizzas are cooked to order and delivered hot to the guest’s location on board. Cost is $5 per pizza and automatically charged to guests’ Sail & Sign shipboard accounts. With pizza delivery well in hand, Carnival is now working towards a pilot to expand “Pizza Anywhere” deliveries with the addition of beverages. Launched in 2015, Carnival’s Hub App has become the leading app in the cruise industry with a 4.6+ rating in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store and more than 5.1 million total downloads. Hub App is designed to serve as a one-stop-shop for making the Carnival vacation experience seamless and convenient from beginning to end, allowing guests to track daily happenings on board, view food, beverage and entertainment offerings, chat with family and friends, follow the ship’s route in real time, and access their Sail & Sign account. (PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 4, 2019) – From February 5-7, 2019, Princess Cruises is offering the “All Aboard to Europe! Sale” providing discounted fares to guests who want to spend this summer on a Europe cruise and cruisetour. Passengers who book within the 72 hour window will receive free gratuities – a savings of up to $170. A third and fourth guest can book from $99 per guest when booked in the same stateroom.
72 Hour Sale details, including additional benefits, can be found below: Free Gratuities – a savings of up to $15.50 per day per guest. On our popular 11-day Scandinavia & Russia itinerary that’s a savings of up to $170. Third and Fourth Guest Sail from $99 Up to $900 per Stateroom to Spend Onboard – to use toward onboard purchases such as shore excursions, the Lotus Spa or at the boutiques. Guests (up to four per stateroom) booking an interior or oceanview stateroom will receive up to $600 per stateroom to spend during their cruise vacation. Those booking a balcony, mini-suite or suite will be given up to $900 per stateroom. The amount is based on cruise length. Specialty Dining – up to four guests will also receive free specialty dining on one night of their cruise. Memorable meals can be savored at Sabatini’s, Crown Grill or Share by Curtis Stone. From Scandinavia to the Mediterranean, sample savings include: Scandinavia and Russia: 11 days: $1,999 interior; $2,399 balcony Mediterranean: 7 days: $999 interior; $1,699 balcony British Isles: 12 days: $2,049 interior; $3,149 balcony The 2019 season features five ships sailing to 130 destinations from the corners of the Mediterranean to the northernmost tip of Europe. Guests can choose from 85 unique itineraries on 211 cruise departures, visiting 37 countries, featuring 30 ports with longer time ashore, including five ports with overnight stays. Princess MedallionClass can be experienced on both Regal Princess for the 2019 Scandinavia and Russia season, and Sky Princess when she debuts in the Mediterranean in October 2019. Princess Cruise’s “All Aboard to Europe! Sale” will be held for 72 hours only from February 5, 2019 (12:00 am PST) – February 7, 2019 (11:59 pm PST). This offer is available to residents of the 50 United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, Bermuda, and the District of Columbia who are 21 years of age or older. Term and conditions apply. For more “All Aboard to Europe! Sale” details, please visit: https://www.princess.com/cruise-deals-promotions. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company's website at princess.com (PRESS RELEASE)_SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (Feb 4, 2019) – Princess Cruises guests aboard Diamond Princess will now enjoy a refreshed onboard atmosphere following an extensive 14-day, multimillion dollar dry dock in Singapore, continuing Princess Cruises “Come Back New Promise” commitment focused on investing more than $450 million across the global fleet.
Enhanced offerings onboard Diamond Princess include: Entertainment Upgrades – guests watching a movie, sporting event or concert on the outdoor Movies Under the Stars screen now enjoy updated 7.1 surround sound digital audio and pool deck LED lighting enhancements for a more vibrant colorful entertainment experience. Casino – guests who enjoy gaming excitement will be surrounded by new carpet, light fixtures and new flat-screen TVs. Lotus Spa & Fitness Center – a space where guests can relax and invigorate, salon and treatment rooms have been upgraded and the latest in Precor fitness equipment is now available. “Asia, and particularly Japan, is on many of our guests’ bucket list, and cruising is one of the best ways to explore this hospitable island nation,” said Jan Swartz, President of Princess Cruises. “This is the seventh season Princess Cruises has offered home port voyages from Japan, and we are thrilled to provide guests with our enriched onboard features that bring Japanese culture and beauty to life while sailing this region.” Further general refurbishments were also completed aboard Diamond Princess, including upgraded digital audio system for the Princess Theatre, Explorers Lounge and Club Fusion, as well as new furnishings in the Horizon Court. In recent months, Diamond Princess also received product enhancements: The Princess Luxury Bed – available in every stateroom aboard Diamond Princess, the Princess Luxury Bed was developed by Princess Cruises in collaboration with board-certified sleep expert, Dr. Michael Breus. The bed offers the ultimate night of sleep at sea combining the science of sleep with the pinnacle of design and recently received the highest ranking for “Best Cruise Ship Beds” by Cruise Critic. New Wine List – offering more wine-making regions, varietals and blends than ever before, a total of 142 wines from around the world were curated in partnership with Doug Frost, one of only four people in the world to hold both a Master of Wine and Master Sommelier title. In addition to the new wine menu, six new beverage menus will be rolled out at The Sanctuary, Pool Deck, Wheelhouse, Crooners, and Explorer’s Lounge throughout 2019 onboard Diamond Princess. Following the dry dock in Singapore, Diamond Princess will embark on a 12-night sailing to Phu My, Nha Trang, Hong Kong, Taipei, Osaka and Shimizu (Mount Fuji) before returning to Yokohama for her 2019 Japan cruise season featuring 60 departures on 40 unique itineraries, visiting 41 destinations in seven countries. Diamond Princess guests will enjoy the itineraries that take them to ports around Japan and Asian destinations visiting sites famous for beautiful spring flowers, summer festivals, as well as fall foliage. Built in Japan, Diamond Princess features the Izumi Bath, the largest open-air Japanese bath at sea – an 8,800 sq. ft bath and garden complex, offering indoor and outdoor Japanese bathing experiences including steam rooms, saunas and hot tubs with spectacular ocean vistas. Guests can experience the full color and culture of the region onboard with Diamond’s distinctly Japanese offerings such as Kai Sushi, an authentic sushi bar, and traditional music and entertainment, all while enjoying the warm, welcoming service that is synonymous with Princess. More details about Diamond Princess, including itinerary information, can be found at https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/di-diamond-princess/. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting the company's website at princess.com |
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