Freestyle Cruising ship to undergo total refurbishment
Miami - Nov 4, 2008 - Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that Norwegian Spirit is undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment focused on enhancing the total guest experience. The 2,376 passenger Freestyle Cruising ship is receiving a total renovation to its public areas, staterooms and suites. These refurbishments are in addition to the enhancements already made as part of Freestyle 2.0, the company's fleet-wide initiative to further improve the guest experience across all guest touch points from food and beverage to staterooms.
"Norwegian Spirit's multi-million dollar renovation will enrich the overall guest experience by making significant enhancements to the ship overall," said Andy Stuart, NCL's executive vice president and chief product officer. "With the combination of our recent Freestyle 2.0 enhancements and all of the refurbishments being made, Norwegian Spirit will emerge refreshed and revitalized for her winter season sailing seven-day Exotic Western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans."
Norwegian Spirit's total refurbishment includes:
Following the completion of the refurbishment, Norwegian Spirit will re-enter service on November 23, 2008 and begin a series of 21 seven-day Exotic Western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans, her homeport for the winter season, with calls in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala; and Belize City, Belize.
Norwegian Spirit offers Freestyle Cruising with the flexibility of 11 restaurants, seven bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, two pools, extensive children's facilities, a sports deck, casino, spa, and a variety of spacious public rooms. The ship joined the NCL fleet in 2004 and underwent a previous dry dock in 2005.
For more information or to book a sailing on Norwegian Spirit, call your travel professional #1-800-738-8837.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is the innovator in cruise travel with a 42-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.
Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 12 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.
NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, for delivery in 2010.
High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on NCL call #1-800-738-8837.
Miami - (November 21, 2008 ) - During one of its preview cruises for travel partners, press and other dignitaries on its new Celebrity Solstice this week, Celebrity Cruises announced that sister ship Celebrity Eclipse - the third in the five-ship Solstice class series - will be based in Southampton, England, in summer 2010, offering cruises to the Mediterranean and Northern Europe. The ship also will also hold its launch celebrations in Southampton, where the trend-setting new vessel will be showcased extensively to UK and Ireland consumers and trade partners during a week-long event.
"Celebrity Cruises has enjoyed a strong relationship with the UK and Ireland market and experienced steadily increasing guest numbers in recent years," said Celebrity's President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "Investing in the future of that relationship with Celebrity Eclipse homeporting in Southampton is an exciting development for our business. In 2009, we have an enormous opportunity with our two newest ships - Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox - both based in Europe. Our presence will significantly increase in 2010, as Celebrity Eclipse leads the charge to further maximize the potential of the UK and Ireland market."
Among the ground-breaking features guests can anticipate onboard each 2,850-guest Solstice-class ship include:
The Lawn Club, a half-acre recreation area featuring real, growing grass.
A Hot Glass Show in partnership with The Corning Museum of Glass, offering live glassblowing demonstrations.
Ten widely varied restaurants, including the main "Grand Epernay" dining room, inspired by old Hollywood glamour, and several specialty venues whose unique ambience is expressly designed to complement the first-class cuisine.
A new category of accommodations, AquaClass, presenting a range of spa-inspired amenities, including dream-enhancing TV programming, a welcome kit with teeth whitening sample, exclusive access to the Mediterranean-influenced specialty restaurant, Blu, and complimentary access to the Persian Garden within the extensive AquaSpa facilities onboard.
Veranda-category staterooms whose design was inspired by five women selected for their unique travel and hospitality insights.
Veranda-category staterooms whose design was inspired by five women selected for their unique travel and hospitality insights.
A wide variety of boutiques and shops, such as the by-appointment-only "Boutique C," featuring the 86-facet Solstice Diamond, available only on Celebrity's Solstice-class ships.
"The UK and Ireland remain one of the fastest growing cruise markets in the world," said Robin Shaw, vice president and managing director of Celebrity Cruises' UK and Ireland operations. "Having the newest Celebrity ship based out of Southampton in 2010, and dedicated to the UK and Ireland, offers a fresh and contemporary alternative to traditional players. Celebrity Eclipse will set new standards in the large ship luxury market and clearly show the ongoing and industry leading commitment of Celebrity Cruises to the UK and Ireland travel industry."
Bookings for Celebrity Eclipse will open in March 2009. Itineraries for the new ship are expected to offer traditional Mediterranean favorite destinations, popular northern European cities, and shorter cruise options.
Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for four of the top 10 "Top Cruise Ships in the World" in the large-ship category, as voted by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers' poll), Celebrity's fleet - including the new Celebrity Solstice - will be joined by Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012. For more information call #1-800-738-8837.
After showcasing its new Celebrity Solstice to more than 8,000 members of the travel agency community, press and other dignitaries on a series of two-night preview cruises, Celebrity Cruises today eagerly welcomes guests embarking on the ship?s maiden voyage.
?This is yet another significant milestone in the rapid growth and evolution of the Celebrity brand, as Celebrity Solstice - our first in a series of five spectacular Solstice-class ships - officially enters service,? said Celebrity?s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. ?We hope our guests on this sailing are
as elated with the extraordinary service, design, dining and entertainment as preliminary trade and press response would indicate.?
Among the many accolades the ship has already received:
?The "wow" factor: Some have it; others don't. And I'm not talking about fashionable celebrities here. Well, yes I am. Celebrity Cruises, that is. As a veteran of more than 50 cruises, I'm not easily dazzled. But one spin around the decks of the 122,000-ton, 2,850-passenger Celebrity Solstice had
me saying ?wow.?? ? Harry Shattuck, Houston Chronicle
?My own view -- and one widely held by other cruise writers and travel agents on board: The hype is justified. Solstice is, simply, one of the most comfortably stylish ships on the seas. It's a premium ship -- that's to say, it aims at upscale ambiance, dining and service, but without the super-high price of true luxury cruising. And it hits the mark.? ? Jane Wooldridge, Miami Herald
?Celebrity Solstice breaks the mold in every conceivable way.? ? Ralph Grizzle, Avidcruiser.com
?First impressions of the ship? In a word, ?wow!? The design of the ship is exquisite, with space after space that makes you gasp with surprise and amazement.? ? Gene Sloan, USA Today
"The chatter is unbelievable. I can't remember a time when a group of executives in retail companies sat around and talked about a ship like this." ? Mike Drever, president and CEO of Expedia CruiseShipCenters, quoted by Johanna Jainchill in Travel Weekly
?Travel agents at Travel Trade's 25th Annual Leisure Travel Conference were among the first agents to inspect the Solstice, and the new ship got rave reviews. One agent told Travel Trade that he has been in the business for 40 years, and the Solstice is ?the best hardware that I have seen.?? ? Travel Trade
?Mainly, agents gushed about the style, space and imaginative details of the line?s first post-Panamax ship. ?The ship is fabulous,? enthused Bob Newman of The Cruise Brothers, pointing to ?all the open spaces ... It feels open and bright.? ?Everywhere you look there?s something that charms the eye,? said Jo Kling of Landry & Kling Cruise Event Services.? ? Anne Kalosh, Seatrade Insider
Celebrity Solstice presents 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale until April 2009, with visits to San Juan, St. Maarten, Tortola, Haiti, and St. Kitts, depending on the itinerary. Celebrity Solstice sets sail on a transatlantic voyage from Fort Lauderdale April 19, 2009, ending in Rome, where the ship will offer a series of roundtrip 10- and 11-night Eastern
Mediterranean sailings.
Celebrity Solstice will be one of five Celebrity ships presenting enchanting Mediterranean and Northern Europe cruise vacations in 2009.
Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for four of the top 10 "Top Cruise Ships in the World" in the large-ship category, as voted by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers? poll), Celebrity?s fleet ? including the new Celebrity Solstice ? will be joined by Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012. For more information call #1-800-738-8837.
Freestyle Cruising ship to undergo total refurbishment
Miami - Nov 4, 2008 - Norwegian Cruise Line today announced that Norwegian Spirit is undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment focused on enhancing the total guest experience. The 2,376 passenger Freestyle Cruising ship is receiving a total renovation to its public areas, staterooms and suites. These refurbishments are in addition to the enhancements already made as part of Freestyle 2.0, the company's fleet-wide initiative to further improve the guest experience across all guest touch points from food and beverage to staterooms.
"Norwegian Spirit's multi-million dollar renovation will enrich the overall guest experience by making significant enhancements to the ship overall," said Andy Stuart, NCL's executive vice president and chief product officer. "With the combination of our recent Freestyle 2.0 enhancements and all of the refurbishments being made, Norwegian Spirit will emerge refreshed and revitalized for her winter season sailing seven-day Exotic Western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans."
Norwegian Spirit's total refurbishment includes:
11 new staterooms are being added, eight of which are balconies;
one diesel engine is being replaced;
the Stardust Theater, with a capacity of approximately 700, is receiving all new seating and chairs;
seating throughout the ship is being reupholstered;
more than 21,000 sq meters of carpet is being replaced in public areas, stairwells, suites and staterooms;
new wallpaper is being installed in suites, corridors and public areas;
new curtains are being added to all suites;
tile in 300 bathrooms throughout the ship is being replaced;
all open decks including the main pool, kid's pool and four hot tubs are undergoing refurbishment;
the Roman Spa & Fitness Center is being upgraded with new doors, panels and seats;
more than 60 windows are being replaced;
the onboard phone system is being upgraded to a state of the art wireless system.
Following the completion of the refurbishment, Norwegian Spirit will re-enter service on November 23, 2008 and begin a series of 21 seven-day Exotic Western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans, her homeport for the winter season, with calls in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala; and Belize City, Belize.
Norwegian Spirit offers Freestyle Cruising with the flexibility of 11 restaurants, seven bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, two pools, extensive children's facilities, a sports deck, casino, spa, and a variety of spacious public rooms. The ship joined the NCL fleet in 2004 and underwent a previous dry dock in 2005.
For more information or to book a sailing on Norwegian Spirit, call your travel professional, go to www.ncl.com or contact NCL at 866-234-0292.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is the innovator in cruise travel with a 42-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.
Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 12 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.
NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, for delivery in 2010.
High resolution, downloadable images are available at www.ncl.com/pressroom. For further information on NCL call #1-800-738-8837.
Romance-Filled Events Celebrate Ship's Debut
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (November 4, 2008) -- A spray of ruby-colored water from two escorting fireboats welcomed Ruby Princess, the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, into Fort Lauderdale today. The ship arrived to begin several days of launch festivities with a distinctly romantic theme, the highlight of which will be its November 6 naming by America's reigning reality couple, Trista and Ryan Sutter of The Bachelorette in honor of their fifth wedding anniversary. In an industry first, a couple will also be married during the naming ceremony, with Love Boat captain Gavin MacLeod giving away the bride, and Trista and Ryan serving as wedding attendants.
The romantic events continue as Princess hosts a "Ruby Red Tie" gala to celebrate the naming of its new ship, followed by a two-night preview cruise for hundreds of VIP guests. During the sailing, the ship will host an array of "ruby" and romance-themed activities, including a massive renewal of vows for all couples on November 7. Ruby Princess returns to Port Everglades on November 8 for its inaugural seven-day sailing to the Western Caribbean.
The Ruby Princess naming ceremony and wedding will be available for viewing on line at www.princess.com beginning November 7.
The 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing line-up of street performers. Passengers will also enjoy Princess' other array of dining venues including the signature Sabatini's Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill steak house, plus a relaxing oasis just for adults called The Sanctuary. The new ship will also offer the many other innovations that define the Princess experience, including the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, Personal Choice Dining featuring traditional or Anytime seating, multiple entertainment venues, a relaxing Asian-style Lotus Spa with fitness center, an extensive children and teen's center, and a wedding chapel. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent by calling #1-800-738-8837.
Miami - (October 31, 2008 ) - South Florida residents and visitors interested in seeing the cruise industry's most eagerly awaited ship of the year will have their chance Monday, November 3, when Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Solstice sails into Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
The ship is expected to arrive at the Port Everglades sea buoy at approximately 6 a.m., and will be dockside by approximately 7 a.m. Ideal viewing platforms include Fort Lauderdale Beach and surroundings, while residents with waterfront condominiums can enjoy a bird's-eye view.
Celebrity Solstice upon arrival will be fully "dressed" with vibrant flags flying above its industry-first half-acre Lawn Club, Hot Glass Show, and one of the highest percentages of verandas in the business, not to mention the wealth of attributes found inside the sleek, 122,000-ton ship.
Soon after its arrival, Celebrity Solstice will serve as the perfect platform for Celebrity Cruises' first Global Sales Meeting, followed by a series of exclusive, two-night preview cruises for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries.
Celebrity Solstice will be named in formal ceremonies on November 14, and will embark on its inaugural season November 23, on a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale. In spring 2009, the stunning new ship will introduce a series of romantic 10- and 11-night Mediterranean sailings roundtrip from Rome.
Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America. Noted for four of the top 10 "Top Cruise Ships in the World" in the large-ship category, as voted by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers' poll), Celebrity's fleet - including the new Celebrity Solstice - will be joined by Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012. For more information, call your travel agent at #1-800-738-8837.
Royal Caribbean International Partners with American Express Travel to Introduce Youth Zone
Miami - October 22, 2008 - The final neighborhood to be added into the deck plans of Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas was announced last night during an online unveiling sponsored by American Express Travel. The Youth Zone, a haven for children and teens, joins the ranks of six other previously-announced, diverse neighborhoods that will be aboard the world's largest and most revolutionary cruise ship due to launch in November 2009. Oasis of the Seas features a unique concept that will provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood in seven neighborhoods, including Central Park, Boardwalk with the AquaTheater, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and the Youth Zone.
"We thank American Express Travel, for partnering with us to unveil the last neighborhood of Oasis of the Seas," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Oasis of the Seas will offer more of everything for every member of the family, including more for our younger guests. The Youth Zone aboard Oasis of the Seas will continue to build on our award-winning Adventure Ocean youth and teen programs, and expand to include dedicated space and programming for our guests as young as six months."
The latest neighborhood unveiling introduced a wealth of kid- and teen-friendly adventures that lie within the Youth Zone - covering a total expansive area of more than 28,700 sq. ft. (2,669 sq. meters) -including, Kids Avenue, a central boulevard connecting children with dedicated Adventure Ocean spaces and various themed play areas; the cruise line's first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months or older); and state-of-the-art teen areas. A video preview of these areas, including interviews with Royal Caribbean executives, is now available online at www.OasisoftheSeas.com.
"American Express Travel is thrilled with the opportunity to help reveal Royal Caribbean's final neighborhood aboard Oasis of the Seas," said Lynne Biggar, senior vice president and general manager, American Express Travel. "As a huge proponent of family travel, we are especially delighted to be a partner in the unveiling of the Youth Zone. In recent years, we've seen family travel increase and evolve, particularly in the area of multi-generational travel. This has prompted us to provide dedicated family travel specialists, as well as offer family vacation options that come with great value and memorable experiences for all. As such, Oasis of the Seas is a welcomed and wonderful addition to our cruise offerings."
The Adventure Ocean youth program aboard Oasis of the Seas will feature the cruise line's awardwinning curriculum currently offered to young guests fleetwide, but with an exciting new and enhanced approach, including impressive spaces created and equipped specifically for designated activities allowing for a more robust program. All Royal Caribbean Adventure Ocean and teen programs are led by exceptional, energetic and college-educated counselors, whose goal is to create memorable experiences for the cruise line's younger guests.
Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated advancements is the addition of the Royal Babies and Tots nursery, a first for Royal Caribbean. This colorful space will serve as a fully-staffed nursery where children can be left in the care of Royal Caribbean's trained professionals, as well as host various playgroups created by Fisher-Price and Crayola for babies and tots.
Open daily, the nursery will offer parents childcare drop-off options in the daytime and evening, carefully maintaining an optimum staff to child ratio. Free-time play also will be offered daily, creating an interactive environment where parents and children can bond while playing with a variety of Fisher Price developmental toys in specially-designed programs offered exclusively for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean. The Crayola Beginnings line of toddler art tools will be featured in unique developmentally appropriate art activities designed for parents and children to enjoy precious creative moments together.
Within the Youth Zone, Kids Avenue will serve as the main promenade for young cruisers to access the various Adventure Ocean areas. Crayola Arts and crafts activities, scavenger hunts, talent shows and other scheduled and guided age-specific activities will be offered to three Adventure Ocean program age groups, each with its own space: Aquanauts, ages 3 to 5; Explorers, ages 6 to 8; and Voyagers, ages 9 to 11.
In addition, Oasis of the Seas will introduce exciting new common play areas, including the Kid's Arcade for video games; the Workshop, where families can learn scrapbooking skills or create personalized jewelry; Imagination Studio where children can explore the world of color and imagination through Adventure Art by Crayola; a fully-equipped lab for Adventure Science Lab, where Einsteins-in-the-making can expand their knowledge; Play, a circular area where children can rollick and participate in a variety of sports and games; and Adventure Ocean Theater, the first-ever children's theater at sea - complete with a stage and curtains, audience seating and state-of-the-art production equipment - where children of all ages can learn about theatrical productions, take part in talent shows, or sign up for hip hop dance classes.
The teen-only spaces will be located one deck above the Adventure Ocean areas and adjacent to the ship's Sports Deck, where kids can test their skills on one of the ship's two FlowRider surf simulators; the miniature golf-course, Oasis Dunes; or the Sports Court for volleyball and basketball games. The physical separation of the teen-only spaces from younger Adventure Ocean guests will be one of the many striking enhancements implemented as a recommendation of Royal Caribbean's Teen Advisory Board - a group of teens recruited last year to identify what youths between the ages of 12- and 17-years would want to see aboard future Royal Caribbean ships.
Longtime favorite Royal Caribbean teen-only spaces, Fuel disco and The Living Room, will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, only larger and more state-of-the-art. The Living Room will be the ultimate go-to hangout for teens to kick back and socialize at the "mock-tail" bar, which serves non-alcoholic sodas and juice concoctions; learn to spin and mix music in Scratch DJ 101 classes, a part of Royal Caribbean's Scratch DJ Academy; or surf the Internet and keep in touch with friends via the bank of computer stations dedicated to the space. Teens also will be able to kick it up a notch at Fuel, a disco which will feature a hip environment, where they can hang out with friends, and a dance floor, where they can show off their moves. A spacious outdoor deck adjacent to these venues will give teens more opportunities to make new friends while on their cruise vacation.
In addition to the areas within the Youth Zone and teen-only spots aboard Oasis of the Seas, special attractions for children of all ages also will be located throughout the ship' other neighborhoods. Along the Boardwalk, kids and teens will be able to shop at retail stores tailored to their interests, and infants and toddlers can ride the Carousel with their parents or enjoy the climbing and play space modeled after a 50's style gas station next to the popular Johnny Rockets restaurant. The lively Challengers Arcade also will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, and will be decked out with the latest video games sure to entertain kids and teens. In the Vitality Spa and Fitness Zone, teens and tweens can enjoy a menu of spa options specially tailored for them in a dedicated space at the Vitality at Sea Spa.
A diverse selection of activities for families and guests of all ages will be found in all of the neighborhoods throughout Oasis of the Seas. Family-friendly innovations range from the industry's first amphitheater, the AquaTheater, featuring theatrical diving performances and spectacular water and light shows; the first zip line at sea stretching 82 feet in length and suspended nine decks above the exciting Boardwalk area; and in the Pool & Sports Zone, the H2O Zone aquapark with its toddler pool and the first beach pool at sea, featuring a true-to-form sloped entry and colorful beach chairs and umbrellas to give guests the ultimate beach experience.
When she launches in November 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line's new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.oasisoftheseas.com.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska and Canada, Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Europe, and South America.
Participants in the second ?John Heald Bloggers Cruise? ? taking place aboard the newly refurbished Carnival Fantasy from New Orleans in February 2009 ? will not only enjoy five fun-filled days sailing with the popular senior cruise director, but they can also make a difference in the lives of local residents.
The ?Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day? will take place in New Orleans on Friday, Feb. 6, 2009, the day prior to the departure of the second annual cruise ? a five-day voyage to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico, operating Feb. 7-12, 2009.
Partnering with the city?s Beacon of Hope Resource Center, ?Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day? participants will clear debris and plant trees, helping to spruce up a neighborhood in New Orleans that sustained significant damage from Hurricane Katrina.
Carnival is also partnering with Maison St. Charles Hotel & Suites to provide one- and two-night pre-cruise land stays at special rates for ?Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day? participants.
?I invite everyone to join me in helping the people of New Orleans and we look forward to working with the Beacon of Hope Resource Center in helping to beautify this magnificent city,? Heald said. ?Once on board, we?ll enjoy Carnival Fantasy?s ?Evolutions of Fun? upgrades, as well as special events and shows just for my blogging friends. It?s going to be a brilliant cruise and I can?t wait to see you there,? he added.
Added Heather Huth, director of volunteers for the Beacon of Hope Resource Center, ?Our goal is to create an environment that encourages our residents to return home. Although we are proud of how far we?ve come, there is still a long way to go. We are always in need of volunteer service and truly appreciate Carnival?s role in New Orleans? continued recovery efforts.?
Following the hands-on charity activity, ?Bloggers Cruise Community Service Day? participants will be the guests of honor at a cocktail reception hosted by Heald which will serve as a kick-off event for the voyage.
During the five-day cruise on Carnival Fantasy, Heald will host a number of exclusive events, including a Welcome Aboard reception, trivia contests, question-and-answer sessions and even an exclusive ?Tea Time with John? session.
Special photo opportunities with Heald will be available as well. A variety of special giveaways and logo items also will be provided to all ?Bloggers Cruise? participants, and Heald will, of course, be submitting posts to his blog throughout the voyage.
Carnival Fantasy was selected as the venue for the second ?Bloggers Cruise? as it is the latest ?Fun Ship? to undergo all phases of the line?s ?Evolutions of Fun? refurbishment program, which has resulted in a total transformation of the 2,056-passenger SuperLiner.
The upgrades include a ?Carnival WaterWorks? aqua park with a 300-foot-long water slide, dual-lane 82-foot-long racing slides and various water spray apparatus, along with ?Serenity,? an adults-only retreat located aft and featuring comfortable chaise lounges and chairs and two oversized whirlpools.
The mid-ship pool was renovated and now offers a distinctly tropical ambiance, with thatched roofing, colorful umbrellas and other design elements. These renovations complement the first phase of the program, which included extensive refurbishments to a variety of public areas, as well as all staterooms and suites.
Reservations are currently being accepted for the Bloggers Cruise aboard the Carnival Fantasy Feb. 7-12, 2009, as well as the pre-cruise land stay at the Maison St. Charles Hotel & Suites. Participants must request fare code CPBL/FPBL when booking the cruise to be included in the 2009 Bloggers Cruise events.
For additional information and reservations, contact your travel agent at #1-800-738-8837.