PRESS RELEASE_MIAMI, FL - May 7, 2018 – Norwegian Cruise Line debuted the highly-anticipated Norwegian Bliss, the sixteenth ship of the young and modern fleet, in New York City on Thursday, May 3. Amidst a sea of excitement and celebration, her arrival into the U.S. marks the beginning of a month-long inaugural celebration with her next stops in Miami, Los Angeles and lastly Seattle, where she will officially be christened on May 30.
Norwegian Bliss kicked off her two-day inaugural preview in New York City with brand partners, key media and industry representatives on Friday, May 4. Among the guests were Norwegian Bliss’ Godfather, Elvis Duran and the cast from the Z100 morning show who broadcasted live from the ship enlightening guests on all the experiences the ship has to offer. Throughout the day, guests were able to explore the ship, sample the cruise line’s newest culinary innovations, and experience all the amenities, including the longest go-kart race track at sea, the newly designed water slides, and an open-air laser tag arena. Additionally, Elvis Duran brought on indie-pop band, AJR, to give a special performance on board Norwegian Bliss. Later in the day, president and chief executive officer, Andy Stuart, presented Elvis Duran with a six-foot long model of Norwegian Bliss. On the evening of May 4, following the Norwegian Cruise Line original musical theater show - ¡HAVANA! - Grammy-award winning singer, Albita, performed an exclusive show for guests in the Bliss Theater. One deck below, guests were kicking up their boots and enjoying country tunes by Camille Rae and her band at Q, the new Texas Smokehouse Barbecue restaurant on Norwegian Bliss. Frankie Valli and Bob Gaudio, two of the original members of The Four Seasons, which the Tony award-winning musical Jersey Boys is based on, made a special appearance at an intimate cocktail reception in the expansive Horizon Lounge in The Haven, home to the most luxurious, well-appointed and spacious accommodations, complete with a private lounge, courtyard and observation area. Following the event, they enjoyed the Norwegian Bliss premier of Jersey Boys in Bliss Theater. “Norwegian has been committed to providing our guests with the finest entertainment at sea and we have elevated this commitment by introducing Jersey Boys and ¡HAVANA! on board Norwegian Bliss,” said Andy Stuart, president and chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line. “It has been such an honor to have icons in the music and theater world partner with and join us on this inaugural tour.” Norwegian Bliss departed the Big Apple yesterday morning and is cruising down to Miami for her next stop on her inaugural U.S. tour. During her preview cruise out of PortMiami, May 8 to 10, special guests will include the hull artist, Wyland, Godfather, Elvis Duran and members of The Morning Show, and celebrity car guru and host of Discovery Channel’s The Auto Firm, Alex Vega, who outfitted two of the Norwegian Bliss go-carts for the largest race track at sea. Following her stop in Miami she will cruise to Los Angeles, California, and be the largest cruise ship to cross through the Panama Canal. Preview events will take place from May 25 to 27, before making her voyage to Seattle, Washington arriving on May 30 for her official christening ceremony and then embarking on a three-day exhibition cruise. Beginning June 2, Norwegian Bliss will cruise seven-day voyages to Alaska from Seattle with featured calls in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, British Columbia. She will then cruise select voyages to the Mexican Riviera from Los Angeles and for her fall/winter season, she will sail to the Eastern Caribbean from Miami. In 2019, she will return to New York City and sail seven-day voyages to the Bahamas and Florida, the Southern and Western Caribbean. Carnival Cruise Line recently partnered with Guitars Over Guns (GOGO) to host a day-long musical workshop for at- risk teens at the cruise line’s rehearsal studios in Davie, Fla., near its Miami headquarters.
Based in South Florida, Guitars Over Guns is a non-profit organization that delivers high-impact arts-based mentoring programs to empower at-risk youth. During the workshop, which was conducted by members of Carnival’s entertainment team, GOGO ambassadors got a first-hand look at musical, technical and backstage career opportunities with interactive seminars, jam sessions and presentations designed to inspire the aspiring young artists. The day culminated with a musical showcase featuring the Guitars Over Guns youth ambassadors. In addition to donating their time and talent, Carnival’s entertainment team donated all the equipment used during the day-long function, including five baby grand pianos, drum sets, Nord keyboards, amps and more. All Photos: Carnival PRESS RELEASE_May 1, 2018 — The recent sailing of the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise brought an outpouring of goodwill, fundraising support, and free music to San Juan, Puerto Rico, the B.V.I. of Tortola and Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos. The Blues Cruise (LRBC) embarked on its 30th full ship charter from February 4-11, 2018 with over 25 music groups onboard to entertain Blues music enthusiasts in all venues of the ship for the duration of the 7-day Caribbean cruise. Despite the severe hurricane devastation of September 2017, LRBC CEO Roger Naber elected not to abandon the original itinerary agreed upon in 2016. Rather, he brought the sold out charter cruise on the Ms Koningsdam with 2,534 passengers and 1,003 Holland America Line crew to the islands in need of hurricane relief and tourism dollars. While the ms Koningsdam was in port, LRBC worked in conjunction with local tourism departments to produce free shoreside music events featuring popular blues bands, inviting locals and cruise ship guests to attend. Upon arrival to the British Virgin Island of Tortola, the LRBC was met by island co-organizers, the Tortola Rotary Club, local port agency Romasco Group and Worldwide Cruise Associates who came together to organize an unforgettable event. LRBC provided the music featuring the Legendary Ils Sont Partis Zydeco Band and the Deanna Bogart Band performing in the Pier Park. In preparation for the event, LRBC cruise guest Jon Gale of White Rock, British Columbia began fundraising with his local Rotary Club and his efforts amounted to a donation of $18,500 with an additional $5,000 contributed by LRBC cruisers onsite during the 3 hour music event. To date, there has been a total of $40,000 raised through efforts of the Rotary Clubs and the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise music fans to rebuild the school and community center in Tortola’s Cane Garden Bay. Fundraising efforts continue with the Rotary Club through a grant matching program sponsored by the Canadian Government for the popular tourist island that sustained severe damage over 90% of the island as a result of the 2017 hurricanes. The highlight of the cruise was LRBC’s large-scale land event held while the ms Koningsdam was docked in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. The Puerto Rico Department of Tourism assisted in securing the ideal location in Old San Juan for the event while LRBC provided featured artists such as 2018 Grammy Award winner Taj Mahal, Tab Benoit and Commander Cody along with the San Juan salsa jazz band Jerry Medina. The production of this event supported local businesses and service providers which included Caribbean Audio for a mobile stage, sound, lighting and musical equipment, as well as services needed for the expected attendance of over one thousand music fans. The goodwill has continued after the conclusion of the cruise with Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise donating directly to further support Caribbean hurricane relief causes. LRBC donated $9,638 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Puerto Rico, a non-profit organization providing meals to citizens who were the hardest hit by the hurricanes, some still without power after six months. In addition, The Holland America Foundation received $10,000 from LRBC in an effort to raise funds for those affected by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Naber states, “Whenever possible, the LRBC likes to share in music and cultural exchanges with the local people and places we visit. Our cruisers share a mutual love of music as well as an appreciation for the uniqueness of each destination.” To learn more about the LRBC, visit bluescruise.com and facebook.com/legendarybluescruise/ PRESS RELEASE_Los Angeles (May 1, 2018) – Viking® (www.vikingcruises.com) today announced its most comprehensive itinerary to date with the new Ultimate World Cruise, which will span 245 days, six continents, 59 countries and 113 ports, with 22 port overnights and a full circumnavigation of the globe – making it the longest-ever continuous world cruise itinerary. Departing from London on August 31, 2019 on Viking Sun®, this grand eight-month journey will mark Viking’s third voyage around the globe and will nearly double the length of the company’s previous World Cruise itineraries. Within the 245-day Ultimate World Cruise itinerary, Viking will also offer guests an option to sail one of two shorter segments during the cruise. Guest can choose between Viking World Treasures, a 127-day sailing from London to Los Angeles that visits 33 countries and 61 ports, or Viking World Wonders, a 119-day journey from Los Angeles to London that visits 29 countries and 55 ports. As with all Viking itineraries, guests receive a complimentary shore excursion in each port and free unlimited Wi-Fi; World Cruise guests also receive Business Class airfare and all gratuities and service fees, along with an extensive list of added-value included features in their cruise fare. “For more than 20 years we have been offering guests the most culturally immersive journeys available in the industry and we are pleased to announce the most extensive itinerary in our history,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “Our World Cruises offer guests the rare opportunity to unpack once and explore dozens of the best destinations on earth – at a value that is unprecedented in the travel industry.” Ultimate World Cruise Highlights Viking’s Ultimate World Cruise visits dozens of legendary cities, charming ports and idyllic islands in one epic journey. Included excursions in every port allow guests to immerse themselves in the world’s cultures, and The Viking Way of exploration offers additional, optional excursions that provide unmatched insight into Local Life, Working World and offer Privileged Access visits to cultural institutions. Overnight stays in 22 cities allow guests to delve deeper into destinations; and Viking’s Culture Curriculum® offers additional enrichment on board with regional entertainment and lectures, as well as learning opportunities as part of the Viking Resident program. Full details on the Ultimate World Cruise can be found on Viking’s website here; highlights include: Run by robots, Royal Caribbean’s Bionic Bar, powered by Makr Shakr, is a marvel of modern technology. Guests can watch in awe as their drinks are made to order with precision and flair. See for yourself!
Read more about it on North Palm Beach Life in our Harmony of the Seas review. VALENCIA, Calif., May 1, 2018 – Luxury cruise line Cunard has announced it will have exclusive celebrations on board Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth on May 19, 2018 in honor of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s nuptials. Those who are not able to cross the pond to attend the wedding festivities will be offered special viewing parties and royal celebrations around the world on Cunard’s fleet of “Three Queens.” The Royal Celebration on May 19 will include:
Passengers on all three ships will have the opportunity to toast the happy couple from all over the world. Guests on flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 will be sailing on one of her signature transatlantic voyages, headed towards the UK, as they celebrate the royal wedding. Those on Queen Elizabeth will be in St. Petersburg, Russia, and Queen Victoria passengers will be in Portree, Scotland. Cunard is no stranger to the royal family, in fact Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, attended her first Cunard event in 1938 when she was only 12 years old. Since then The Queen has launched and named four Cunard ships. Her Majesty is the only person who has been present at the launch of all three ships named Queen Elizabeth - the first in 1938, QE2 in 1967 and Queen Elizabeth in 2010. “We are excited to celebrate the royal wedding with our guests on board all three Cunard ships,” said Josh Leibowitz, senior vice president, Cunard North America. “We are thrilled to honor this special moment in time, and to commemorate Cunard’s longstanding special relationship with the Royal Family,” he added. On Cunard’s iconic Queen Mary 2, which offers regularly-scheduled Transatlantic Crossings from New York to Southampton, England from May through December, pre- and post-voyage tours visit London with stops at Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey, among other regal venues. |
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