(898,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Business Review','&quot;Heavenly&quot; AIDAluna to be named 4 April 2009 in Palma de Mallorca','aidamakbig_728648089.jpg','2008-10-07 01:12:00','The sixth ship of the AIDA fleet will be named on 4 April 2009 in an event held against the backdrop of the harbour at Palma de Mallorca. &quot;The inside of the heavenly AIDAluna incorporates a large number of innovations and individual designs. The interior interprets maritime elements in a modern style: classic shades of blue contrast with warm teak and rich orange. Chrome ornaments remind us of the silvery shine of the moon on the sea. Highlights include the giant LED screen, a highly modern laser show system and the worlds largest floating wellness area in Indian style,&quot; the company said in a statement. <br /><br />Among the features on the 69,200 gross ton ship, the 4D Cinemare movie theatre on Deck 11 films become an unforgettable experience. &quot;Moving easy chairs, jets for water spray and air movement, as well as the ingenious sound system give the audience the impression of being right at the centre of the movie and being part of the action. The computer-animated films provide fantastic enjoyment for every taste and the entire family.&quot; <br /><br />&quot;The 2,300 square metre wellness area provides everything to care for your body and mind. The Body &amp; Soul Spa transports its visitors to the world of a gloriously colourful Indian temple. Enchanted by the romantic ambiance, seductive scents and stylish pleasures of the spa, the guest feels like an Indian maharajah. Sensuously rich colours, floral patterns and inlay in the four treatment booths, as well as Indian sculptures and fine fabric on the walls characterise the informally elegant design. A Spa Suite with its own sauna, large heated water-bed, special wellness bath and separate balcony invites couples to appreciate an individual wellness experience with a view of the ocean, while savouring sparkling champagne and canap&eacute;s,&quot; AIDA said. <br /><br />&quot;The view of the horizon can also be enjoyed by visitors to the sauna, which opens out onto the sea through large panoramic windows. Right next door is the Massage Suite, where guests are cared for by an Indian therapist with Ayurvedic herbal oil. The palm landscape of the Wellness Oasis designed as an Indian jungle is the centre point of the spa area. With its huge Jacuzzi, cosy rest islands and a tingling shower experience, the Oasis, decorated with elephant sculptures, provides for pure relaxation. Special highlight: the roof with the glass patio spanning the Oasis can be opened in fine weather.&quot;','2013-01-13 09:27:43',235,1,1,NULL,NULL,587,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(899,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','A very special “Happy Birthday” to you in ARUBA','Aruba_Coastline_1_113053533.jpg','2008-10-07 01:13:00','<p>The Aruba Cruise Tourism (ACT) is offering all cruise Birthday celebrating guests, a special and unique Aruba Birthday Gift, on their special day while in Aruba By Cruise. <br /><br />According to Ms. Kathleen Rojer &ndash;Executive Director &ldquo; Being the FIRST and ONLY destination to offer a unique Birthday Gift Surprise on the day that a Cruise Passenger disembarks in Aruba, is the authentic way to show that Aruba really cares.&rdquo; <br /><br />Living up to our slogan, &ldquo;Aruba, only the best&rdquo; creates the opportunity to offer the best experience to our valuable cruise clientele. <br /><br />This will initiate a birth-day celebration at port with great enthusiasm and expectations, while preparing to explore Aruba on a shore excursion or by strolling into town and be pampered by shopping the most fabulous stores, equipped with top of the line merchandise, varying from linens, crystals, jewelry, perfumes, shoes, clothing, bags, souvenirs, Gouda Cheese, or by visiting our cozy restaurants for a special Aruban or Dutch treat. </p><p><br />The birthday gift promotion is valid starting this high cruise season, beginning October of 2008&hellip; while supply last. <br /><br />The Birthday Gift promotion, only available in Aruba is valid only &ldquo;on the day&rdquo; of your visit to Aruba. A proof of birth is a must. <br />ACT PR Cruise Greeters at the Aruba Information Booth in the main cruise terminal offers the Birthday Gift Surprise. <br /><br />Happy birthday and make sure to plan your birthday on a cruise while docked in Oranjestad, Aruba. <br />Visit www.ArubaByCruise.com </p>','2013-01-13 09:35:18',267,1,1,NULL,NULL,588,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(900,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','Royal Caribbean to Sell Its Interest in Island Crusies to First Choice Holidays','ed_imageISLAND_STAR_354749a_246114604.jpg','2008-10-07 01:15:00','Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCL) announced today that it had agreed to sell its 50 percent interest in Island Cruises to First Choice Holidays Ltd., the other 50 percent owner in the joint venture and a subsidiary of British-based tour operator TUI Travel PLC (TUI). &nbsp;As part of the transaction, RCL and TUI agreed to an early termination of the charter of Island Star, one of two ships in the Island Cruises fleet. &nbsp;RCL is the owner of Island Star and had chartered it to Island Cruises. <br /><br />The deal is subject to regulatory approval in Ireland. &nbsp;RCL will also recognize a small gain on the sale of its interest in Island Cruises and the early termination of the Island Star charter. &nbsp; <br /><br />&ldquo;We thank TUI for their efforts and cooperation throughout the life of the joint venture. &nbsp;Island Cruises has been a rewarding investment for us, but over the past year our priorities have shifted,&quot; said Richard D. Fain, chairman and chief executive officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. &nbsp;&quot;We believe by focusing on developing and expanding the Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises brands in the U.K. we will be better able to serve our customers and create value for our shareholders. &nbsp;This belief has been strengthened by the success of the inaugural season of Independence of the Seas, which has served the U.K. market from Southampton, U.K., since it entered service in May 2008,&rdquo; Fain added. <br /><br />Upon its return in April 2009, RCL plans to redeploy the Island Star to Pullmantur Cruises, its Spanish brand. &nbsp;&quot;Redeploying the Island Star to our expanding Pullmantur fleet allows us to better serve the strategically important Spanish market,&rdquo; said Fain.&nbsp;&nbsp; ','2013-01-20 09:09:57',237,1,1,NULL,NULL,589,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(901,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jeremy Mullman, Advertising Age','Celebrity Cruises&#039; TV Campaign Delayed','celebrity_cruise_pool_735280493.jpg','2008-10-07 01:17:00','<p>CHICAGO (AdAge.com) -- Amid the stock market tumble and economic uncertainty over the proposed government bailout of the financial industry, Celebrity Cruises has postponed shooting of a suite of planned TV ads, according to two people familiar with the matter. <br /><br />Celebrity, the upscale imprint of the Royal Caribbean cruise line, is said to be pondering whether its messaging, which uses the &quot;Starring you&quot; tagline to focus on the pampering, indulgent treatment it offers guests, is right for the economically challenged times. <br /><br />It isn\'t known exactly what alternate tack the client is considering, but several executives speculated that a pitch emphasizing the value of a cruise relative to other getaways could be a consideration. <br /><br /><strong>Element 79 increasingly isolated</strong></p><p><br />The cutbacks are an unwelcome development at Celebrity\'s agency, Element 79, Chicago, which was left reeling by the loss of PepsiCo accounts Gatorade, Propel, Tropicana and Quaker earlier this year. <br /><br />There are no indications, however, that Element 79, part of Omnicom Group, is on shaky ground with Celebrity, which joined the agency\'s roster early last year after parting with Arnold Worldwide. Element 79 CEO Brian Williams referred calls for comment to the client. <br /><br />A Celebrity spokeswoman said that she had no knowledge of whether the shoot was postponed, but said the cruise line has no plans to cut back its current advertising. <br /><br />Parent Royal Caribbean early this year cut 400 jobs after its financials were negatively affected by soaring fuel costs, which have hurt the entire industry. Still, Nick Verrastro, editor of Travel Trade magazine, said the cruising business has proved to be surprisingly resilient in the wake of the economic downturn thus far. &quot;This business is not in free fall, and surprisingly so,&quot; he said. &quot;The agents we talk to haven\'t seen any real impact on their billings yet.&quot; </p>','2013-01-13 09:11:24',267,1,1,NULL,NULL,590,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Is Latest Move More Bad News for Element 79?',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(902,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','New Guest Experience and Business Development Department Created at Carnival Cruise Lines','1636562952_a90a7fdea7_789813433.jpg','2008-10-07 01:19:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines has created a new department focusing solely on developing innovative new on-board product opportunities and enhancing existing aspects of the &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; vacation experience. </p><p>Overseeing the new guest experience and business development effort will be Christine Arnholt, a 17-year Carnival veteran who has served as the company&rsquo;s vice president of marketing services for the past eight years.&nbsp; </p><p>In her new role, Arnholt will assume the title of vice president of guest experience and business development. She will report to Carnival&rsquo;s Executive Vice President of Marketing and Guest Experience Ruben Rodriguez.</p><p>&ldquo;The &lsquo;Fun Ship&rsquo; experience continues to evolve and this new department will be responsible for developing new and exciting on-board features and programming while building upon our proven strategies that will enable us to continue to deliver fun, memorable vacations for our guests,&rdquo; said Rodriguez.&nbsp; &ldquo;We are grateful that someone as talented and knowledgeable as Chris will be heading up this new team.&nbsp; Chris&rsquo; years of experience, keen insight into consumer trends and in-depth knowledge of our brand will be of tremendous value as we move forward with this important initiative,&rdquo; he added. </p><p>Arnholt will oversee a team of talented product development professionals, including Mike Hunssinger, a five-year veteran of Carnival&rsquo;s revenue management team, who will serve as director of guest experience and business development.&nbsp; </p><p>Another key member of the department is Senior Director Sara Rosenberg, whose extensive experience includes leading branding and product development opportunities at Burger King and The Miami Herald.&nbsp; For the past five years, Rosenberg was also the owner and president of Skirt Smart, a branding and innovation consulting group which focused on branding, product development and consumer research for companies within the restaurant and hospitality industries.</p><p>Additionally, Renata Ribeiro will be joining Carnival on Oct. 15, also as a senior director.&nbsp; Ribeiro has spent the past three years spearheading the strategic planning and commercial innovation efforts for Natura, Brazil&rsquo;s largest cosmetic company, and five years in the consumer goods and retail practice at The Boston Consulting Group.&nbsp;&nbsp; She has extensive experience in product development and consumer experience, for both consumer goods companies and retailers.</p><p>Until Carnival&rsquo;s current search for a new marketing chief is completed, Arnholt will continue in her current marketing responsibilities.</p><p>Carnival is the world&rsquo;s largest and most popular cruise line, with 22 &ldquo;Fun Ships&rdquo; operating voyages of three to 18 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America.&nbsp; The line currently has two 130,000-ton ships on order &ndash; Carnival Dream, set to debut Sept. 21, 2009, and Carnival Magic, scheduled to enter service in June 2011.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-20 06:40:35',310,1,1,NULL,NULL,591,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(903,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','Galveston’s Collaborative Efforts Facilitate Recovery','1211_464624410.jpg','2008-10-07 23:55:00','The Port of Galveston is easing back up to full strength, following substantial damage inflicted by Hurricane Ike on September 13, 2008.&nbsp; Recovery efforts have been speedy, in part due to quick action by the Port&rsquo;s Board of Trustees in giving Port Director Steven Cernak temporary emergency authority to spend up to $55 million on repairs. <br /><br />&ldquo;We were able to act quickly on numerous recovery and cleanup initiatives,&rdquo; said Cernak, &ldquo;&hellip; but I would be remiss if I didn&rsquo;t add that extensive additional capital investment will be needed to return the Port to its pre-hurricane capabilities.&rdquo;&nbsp; Based on initial assessments, damage to the Port of Galveston and the Galveston County Navigation District will reach into the hundreds of millions of dollars.<br /><br />Cernak said that the Port handled its first vessel nine days after the storm and has since handled five more.&nbsp; Vessels and cargoes of all types have been accommodated.&nbsp; The first vessel to arrive following Hurricane Ike was the MV Triton Highway, a K-Line ship that kept to its original schedule with the assistance of longtime Galveston shipping agency Biehl &amp; Co., demonstrating confidence in the Port&rsquo;s ability to quickly rebound.&nbsp; The Triton Highway delivered approximately 790 metric tons of rolling stock and non-containerized cargo to the Port&rsquo;s Pier 39-40 Terminal. That ship was followed on September 24th by an ECL chartered vessel, MV Medi Valencia, delivering a cargo of approximately 2,000 metric tons of windmill towers to the Port&rsquo;s Pier 32-34 Terminal for Port customer Mitsubishi Power Systems, who also demonstrated great confidence in and support for the Port by keeping the vessel on schedule.&nbsp; <p>K-Line and Mitsubishi Power Systems were handled by local Galveston stevedore Suderman Stevedores, Inc., who rapidly mobilized following the storm to get back to business.&nbsp; Another regularly scheduled vessel, a H&ouml;egh Autoliners roll-on roll-off vessel, the MV Alliance New York, arrived on September 26th, delivering approximately 2,500 metric tons of rolling stock and heavy machinery to the Pier 39-40 Terminal and a Wallenius Wilhelmsen Logistics vessel, MV Nordborg, arrived at the Port&rsquo;s Pier 10 Terminal on September 29th, handling approximately 2,250 metric tons of import and export roll-on roll-off and non-containerized cargoes, including 48 windmill blades. The Nordborg and the Alliance New York were handled by stevedore Ports America Texas.&nbsp; The MV Nordborg was followed by two more chartered vessels for Mitsubishi Power Systems, the MV Hyundai Treasure, which arrived on October 1st delivering approximately 2,200 metric tons of windmill towers to the Pier 32-34 Terminal, and a Chipolbrok vessel, MV&nbsp;Moniuzsko, which arrived on October 4th, delivering approximately 1,400 metric tons of Nacelles and other windmill power generator equipment to the Port&rsquo;s Pier 39-40 Terminal.&nbsp; All of the vessel calls were supported by the I.L.A.&rsquo;s ability to supply the necessary labor to work the vessels as they arrived.</p><p><br />The Port&rsquo;s ability to receive and process roll-on roll-off and project cargoes delivered in the aftermath of Hurricane Ike was greatly assisted by the cooperation of the Texas Department of Transportation, whose local personnel expedited the evaluation of the highway system leading from the Port of Galveston through the Houston Metropolitan Area, including the Galveston Causeway Bridge, and the issuance of permits for heavy and over-sized truck cargo over the roads.&nbsp; Permit loads were moving out of the Port for delivery to customers as early as the 26th of September.<br /><br />Del Monte Fresh Produce N.A., Inc., one of the Port of Galveston\'s long-established tenants, will be receiving its first weekly refrigerated vessel following Hurricane Ike, the MV Valencia Carrier,&nbsp;at its Pier 16-18 Terminal on Monday, October 6, just a little more than three weeks after the storm hit Galveston.&nbsp; Del Monte has worked tirelessly and diligently since Ike\'s arrival to assess damage, remove debris, clean up and repair its facility and get its Texas operations in&nbsp;Galveston back up and running, and to get all of the&nbsp;people connected with its terminal operations back to work in a short period of time.<br />Deputy Port Director Michael Mierzwa said, &ldquo;The 14-foot storm surge that washed over much of the city flooded most of the Port&rsquo;s ground level assets, infrastructure and cargo facilities, as well as the cruise terminals, leaving soggy sheetrock and floating debris in its wake.&rdquo;&nbsp; He added, &ldquo;Most facilities have re-opened, with some restrictions.&rdquo;&nbsp; Permanent electric power and water services are expected to be in place the week of October 6 at most Port facilities.&nbsp; <br /><br />The Port plans to have cruise ships return by the end of October, a little more than a month after Hurricane Ike struck.&nbsp; &ldquo;We are repairing passenger gangways, rolling doors, restrooms, electrical systems, Customs and Border Protection booths, air conditioning ducts, sewage lift station motors, luggage X-ray machines and similar items,&rdquo; said Mierzwa.&nbsp; &ldquo;The second level embarkation area and the wharf at Cruise Terminal 1 were undamaged by the storm, but up to two feet of silt collected around the berths, reducing the maximum draft.&nbsp; An expedited dredging project will start soon.&rdquo;&nbsp; Contractors overseeing Port and other Island infrastructure repair have brought the cruise ship Regal Empress&nbsp;to the Port of Galveston to serve as a hotel ship for workers involved in recovery and restoration efforts.<br /><br />Galveston Mayor Lyda Ann Thomas gave a sign of affirmation to the Port of Galveston&rsquo;s progress and their ongoing and collaborative efforts.&nbsp; &ldquo;The Port&rsquo;s quick response and generous resource sharing is an inspiration to recovery efforts throughout the City and community.&rdquo;&nbsp; She added, &ldquo;We will be happy to have cruise passengers back in a few weeks.&nbsp; Hotels and restaurants are re-opening, residents are returning, and our tourism infrastructure is already receiving guests.&rdquo;<br /><br />Vandy Anderson, a member of the governing board for the Galveston County Navigation District No. 1, echoed the Mayor&rsquo;s sentiments.&nbsp; He described considerable damage to the approaches to Pelican Island Causeway Bridge, which connects Galveston to Pelican Island - home to Texas&nbsp;&nbsp; A &amp; M University at Galveston, Port tenants Pelican Island Storage Terminals, Inc. and Gulf Copper Drydock &amp; Rig Repair and other private vessel repair and offshore industry construction and support service facilities.&nbsp; He said, &ldquo;The Port of Galveston was able to access their stockpile of crushed concrete, enabling reconstruction of the road base.&nbsp; The temporary repairs to the bridge allowed it to be back in use less than a week after the storm.&rdquo;</p>','2013-01-13 22:48:29',226,4,1,NULL,NULL,592,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(904,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','New Balcony Staterooms To Be Added On Three Carnival ‘Fun Ships’','aaaaa_468480669.jpg','2008-10-07 23:58:00','<p>Underscoring the tremendous popularity of its balcony staterooms, Carnival Cruise Lines will add balconies to a number of cabins on three ships during upcoming dry docks over the next few months.</p><p>Staterooms on the Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty that currently feature floor-to-ceiling windows will be retrofitted with private balconies, creating a total of 48 additional 230-square-foot verandah staterooms on these vessels.&nbsp; </p><p>Additionally, two new 750-square-foot &ldquo;deluxe penthouse suites&rdquo; &ndash; nearly double the size of the largest staterooms in the fleet &ndash; will be added to the Carnival Liberty.</p><p>&ldquo;Balcony staterooms continue to be in great demand &ndash; in fact, they&rsquo;re often the first cabin category to sell out,&rdquo; said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival&rsquo;s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. &ldquo;Therefore, we are pleased to incorporate additional balcony staterooms on Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty, which will offer guests their own private, relaxing venue for viewing magnificent ocean vistas and scenery,&rdquo; he added.</p><p>Like all &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; accommodations, the new balcony staterooms on the Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty will offer a host of in-cabin amenities, including the popular Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.&nbsp; </p><p>Carnival balcony accommodations also include soft terrycloth robes for guest use during their cruise, as well as satellite television, mini bars, hair dryers, ample closet space, and in-cabin amenity kits with a wide array of brand-name products.</p><p>The two new 750-square-foot &ldquo;deluxe penthouse suites&rdquo; on the Carnival Liberty will be largest in the &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; fleet by far and feature a new cabin configuration with a separate bedroom, expansive living area, and two full bathrooms, including one with a bathtub tub.</p><p>Located on the ship&rsquo;s forward section on Deck 9, the deluxe penthouse suites can accommodate up to five guests &ndash; rare in cruise industry staterooms &ndash; and include two twin beds that convert to a king, a sofa bed and two pull-down upper beds.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>The 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny began a new program of year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruises from Miami last week.&nbsp; </p><p>The 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph will continue its seven-day Caribbean schedule from Miami through next summer then sail on a series of Canada/New England voyages from New York before repositioning to New Orleans to launch year-round four-, five-, and seven-day Caribbean service in November 2009.&nbsp; </p><p>The 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty, which currently operates seven-day Caribbean cruises from Miami, will reposition to Europe next summer to operate 12-day voyages to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.&nbsp; The ship will resume its weeklong Caribbean program from Miami in December 2009. </p><p>The new balcony staterooms on these three vessels will be available for sale on October 3, 2008. </p><p>Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph and Carnival Liberty are part of the line&rsquo;s 22- vessel &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; fleet which operates three- to 18-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America.&nbsp; The line has two new ships scheduled to enter service between now and 2011</p>','2013-01-13 09:29:29',327,1,1,NULL,NULL,595,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(905,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Disney Cruise Line to move ship to Europe in 2010','0127AU_1700DR_20Medium_20Web_20view_745862663.jpg','2008-10-08 00:04:00','NEW YORK (AP) -- Disney Cruise Line, a unit of Walt Disney Co., said Monday that it will move one of its ships to Europe in 2010 and lengthen some of its Caribbean trips. <p>Some cruise companies have started to build up their European presence this year as Americans pull back on their vacation plans due to U.S. economic conditions. Some Europeans have been taking more cruises as they look to capitalize on the weak dollar. </p><p>For Americans still interested in taking cruises, Caribbean itineraries have been a popular choice, as they are among the cheaper options offered. </p><p>Disney Cruise Line will send the Disney Magic to Europe for five months in 2010, hitting locations such as Germany, Russia and Sweden. It will sail four 12-night cruises to Northern European capitals in June and July of that year, with rates starting at $3,649 per person. </p><p>The ship will also run 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises, which were first sailed last year. The trips will take place in April, May, August and September of 2010 for a starting rate of $2,529 per person. </p><p>Another vessel, the Disney Wonder, will add four- and five-night cruises to Nassau, Bahamas, Key West, Fla. and Disney\'s private island, Castaway Cay. The company said the longer cruises are geared toward families that want to take their children on a longer vacations during their summer break from school. Many cruise operators traditionally offer three-night Caribbean cruises. </p><p>The four-night trips start at $849 per person, while the five-night trips to Key West or two stops at Castaway Cay begin at $899 per person. </p><p>Individuals can start booking vacations for 2010 on Oct. 14. </p><p>Shares of Walt Disney fell $1.28, or 4.3 percent, to $28.26 as the broader markets sagged under concern that the credit crisis would have a global impact.</p>','2013-01-13 09:41:32',237,1,1,NULL,NULL,593,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Disney Cruise Line to move vessel to Europe in 2010, lengthen some Caribbean trips',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(906,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Celebrity Solstice sets sail for first time','lawnclub1_890652204.jpg','2008-10-07 15:06:00','<p>The world&rsquo;s most eagerly anticipated ship, Celebrity Solstice, departed Meyer Werft shipyard yesterday in Papenburgh, Germany. Celebrity Solstice is the largest ship ever to be built by the shipyard and in a milestone event marked as &lsquo;The Conveyance&rsquo;, the 2,850 guest ship made its way down the River Eems, with tens of thousands of cheering residents watching its progress.</p><p>&quot;This is a very momentous occasion for Celebrity Cruises,&quot; said the brand\'s President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. &quot;Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity brand is all about: extraordinary service, spectacular dining, and fabulous style and design. And as the first in a series of five Solstice-class ships, it&rsquo;s a vivid example of the growth and momentum of the Celebrity brand, and our commitment to meet our guests\' and travel agent partners&rsquo; demands for more vacation options with Celebrity.&quot;</p><p>&quot;There also is the intangible attribute which is consistent across the Celebrity fleet, and that\'s the extraordinary, anticipatory service our phenomenal staff offer our guests every day,&quot; said Hanrahan.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Celebrity Solstice will feature a wealth of fabulous amenities, including:</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>- The first Lawn Club at sea, a lush, half-acre recreation area with real grass</p><p>- Hot Glass show, demonstrating live glassblowing sessions</p><p>- Larger staterooms, with design inspirations offered by a panel of five women, hand-picked for their unique travel and hospitality insights.</p><p>- 10 restaurants, ranging from the dramatic, two-level &ldquo;Grand Epernay&rdquo; main dining room with a sweeping wine tower, to four exquisite specialty restaurants, to several stylish, casual venues</p><p>- A new category of staterooms, AquaClass, designed to offer a spa vacation experience at sea</p><p>- Celebrity Solstice will be berthed in Eemshaven, Netherlands, from 29 September to 24 October, with two separate sea trials set to occur in the period. The crew will also be arriving during this time and there will be trainng, provisioning and finishing work taking place. Set to depart from Eemshaven on 24 October on a transatlantic voyage, Celebrity Solstice will arrive in Fort Lauderdale early November.</p><p>- There will be a number of promotional cruises for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries. The formal naming ceremony will take place on the 14 November and the ship will begin its official maiden season 23 November, with a series of alternating 7 night Caribbean cruises.</p>','2013-01-12 23:27:41',297,1,1,NULL,NULL,596,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(907,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Disney Cruise Line announces new destinations','dcl1_tower_380500122.jpg','2008-10-08 00:11:00','<p>NEW YORK - If <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Zack and Cody</span>\'s new show &quot;The Suite Life on Deck&quot; inspires your family to book a cruise, <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Disney Cruise Line</span> is offering a number of new destinations to choose from in 2010, including <span class=\"yshortcuts\">St. Petersburg, Russia</span>, and Tunisia. </p><p>Booking for the cruises opens Oct. 14.</p><p>The St. Petersburg stop is on the Disney Magic\'s 12-night Northern European Capitals cruise, offered in June and July 2010. The ship will depart Dover, England, for Oslo, <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Copenhagen</span> and Stockholm among other ports. The cruise will overnight in <span class=\"yshortcuts\">St. Petersburg</span> with a <span class=\"yshortcuts\">shore excursion</span> option to <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Moscow</span> for the second day. Rates start at $3,649 per person.</p><p>In April, May, August and September, the Disney Magic returns to the Mediterranean with 10- and 11-night cruises to Italy, France and <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Spain</span>, plus three new <span class=\"yshortcuts\">ports of call</span> not offered when Disney last sailed the region: Tunis, the island nation of <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Malta</span>, and Corsica. Rates start at $2,529 per person.</p><p>Disney will also offer four <span class=\"yshortcuts\">repositioning cruises</span> including two 14-night trans-Atlantic voyages, a seven-night cruise from Barcelona to Dover, and an eight-night cruise from <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Dover</span> to Barcelona.</p><p>The Disney Wonder will shift in 2010 from three night trips to four- and five-night cruises to <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Nassau</span>, <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Key West</span> and Disney\'s private island, <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Castaway Cay</span>. Rates for the five-night trips departing <span class=\"yshortcuts\">Port Canaveral, Fla</span>., start at $899 a person.</p><p><span class=\"yshortcuts\">Dylan and Cole Sprouse</span>, better known to Disney TV fans as the stars of &quot;<span class=\"yshortcuts\">The Suite Life of Zack and Cody</span>,&quot; are spending a <span class=\"yshortcuts\">semester at sea</span> on their new show, which started airing this fall.</p><p>The twin actors hosted a premiere for the series on the Disney Wonder Aug. 28-31, surprising the 2,000 passengers onboard, who had not been told that their Caribbean cruise would include celebrities.</p>','2013-01-12 23:35:30',263,1,1,NULL,NULL,594,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(908,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Celebrity Cruises','Celebrity Cruises&#039; Celebrity Solstice Sets Sail for First Time Historic event attracts tens of thousands of area residents','solstice_1_963326007.jpg','2008-10-12 23:32:00','<p>Miami - The most widely heralded ship to enter the cruise market this year, Celebrity Solstice, departed Meyer Werft shipyard yesterday in Papenburg, Germany, as the largest ship ever built by the longtime shipbuilder. In a milestone event known as &quot;The Conveyance,&quot; the 2,850-guest Celebrity Solstice made its way down the River Eems, as tens of thousands of area residents lining the river banks cheered and photographed the historic event.</p><p>&quot;This is a very momentous occasion for Celebrity Cruises,&quot; said the brand\'s President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. &quot;Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity brand is all about: extraordinary service, spectacular dining, and fabulous style and design. And as the first in a series of five Solstice-class ships, it\'s a vivid example of the growth and momentum of the Celebrity brand, and our commitment to meet our guests\' and travel agent partners� demands for more vacation options with Celebrity.&quot;</p><p>Among the wealth of attributes guests will find only on Celebrity Solstice are:&nbsp; The industry\'s first Lawn Club, a lush, half-acre recreation area with real, growing grass. <br />- The industry\'s first Hot Glass Show, with live glassblowing demonstrations presented in association with The Corning Museum of Glass. <br />- Larger staterooms, with design inspirations offered by a panel of five women, hand-picked for their unique travel and hospitality insights. <br />- 10 varied restaurants, ranging from the dramatic, two-level �Grand Epernay� main dining room with a sweeping wine tower, to four exquisite specialty restaurants, to several stylish, casual venues. <br />- An entirely new category of accommodations, �AquaClass,� designed to offer a spa vacation experience at sea rivaling the best of those on land. <br />- A state-of-the-art theater and stage design, with three new leading-edge shows custom-designed for Celebrity with Poet Theatricals, in their first cruise line partnership. </p><p><br />&quot;There also is the intangible attribute which is consistent across the Celebrity fleet, and that\'s the extraordinary, anticipatory service our phenomenal staff offer our guests every day,&quot; said Hanrahan.</p><p>Celebrity Solstice will be berthed in Eemshaven, Netherlands, from September 29 to October 24, with two separate sea trials planned during that period, in addition to crew arrivals, training, provisioning and finishing work onboard. The ship will depart Eemshaven October 24 on a transatlantic voyage, with arrival in Fort Lauderdale planned for early November, followed by a series of promotional cruises for invited travel agents, press and other dignitaries. The ship will be named in formal ceremonies on November 14, and will begin its maiden season November 23, with a series of alternating 7-night Eastern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, calling on San Juan, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, and Tortola during this Fall and Winter. Celebrity Solstice presents a series of romantic 10- and 11-night Mediterranean cruises from Rome beginning in Spring 2009.</p><p>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 ten &quot;Top Cruise Ships in the World&quot; in the large-ship category, as voted by the readers of Cond� Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers\' poll), Celebrity\'s current fleet will be joined by Celebrity Solstice in 2008, Celebrity Equinox in 2009, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-13 12:20:11',315,1,1,NULL,NULL,597,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(909,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line’s ms Veendam to Sail South America in 2009-2010','395_03_858660861.jpg','2008-10-12 23:35:00','<p>Seattle, October 10, 2008 - With South America emerging as one of the top destinations for cruises, coupled with the demand for passengers who wish to experience this part of the world in a more intimate and premium fashion, Veendam is set to cruise South America for the fall 2009 and the winter and spring 2010 season. By the time that Veendam embarks on its sailings in South America, it will have undergone extensive renovations that include a new resort pool, innovative lanai staterooms, new entertainment and enrichment options, all new stateroom d&eacute;cor and more. The newly refurbished vessel will join ms Prinsendam which is also sailing South America and Antarctica in 2010.</p><p>The 10 sailings aboard the Veendam range from 16 to 20 days. In addition to port-intensive itineraries, guests will experience some of the most scenic cruising in the world as the Veendam navigates around the continent&rsquo;s fjords and glaciers. Additionally, she will spend more time in ports than most major cruise lines and is the only premium cruise line offering overnights in Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires on select cruises.</p><p>&ldquo;We have seen an increase in travelers who wish to take a South America cruise aboard a premium, mid-sized ship,&rsquo; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. &ldquo;With the newly renovated ms Veendam sailing South America in 2009 and 2010, and the ms Prinsendam, our 793-guest Elegant Explorer, we are perfectly poised to meet travelers&rdquo; discriminating demands as well as provide a premium, enriching and unforgettable experience to this remarkable continent.&rdquo;</p><p>For those who want to extend their vacation, Holland America Line offers several pre- and post-cruise land tours. Guests can opt to spend an extra night or two in Rio de Janeiro and Santiago de chile. Guests also can take overland tours ranging from two to five days to the famed ruins of Machu Picchu in Peru, Igua&ccedil;u Falls, located on the border of Brazil and Argentina, and Chile&rsquo;s wine country.</p><p>Opportunity to explore historic Machu Picchu<br />Veendam&rsquo;s first South America sailing departs San Diego, October 31, 2009, on a 19-day journey to Valparaiso, Chile, that takes guests to a variety of colorful ports in Mexico and Central America before making its way to Manta, Ecuador; Salaverry, Peru; and an overnight in Callao (Lima), Peru. While in Salaverry, guests may board a flight to take advantage of Holland America Line&rsquo;s optional, three-day, two-night shore excursion to one of the new seven wonders of the world: Machu Picchu.</p><p>Itinerary offers abundant scenic cruising<br />Departing Valparaiso November 19, 2009, and March 7, 2010, Veendam sails a 16-day South America Explorer cruise that is among the most scenic in South America. Ports of call include Ushuaia, Argentina, the town at the end of the world; Montevideo, Uruguay; Punta Arenas, Chile; and Puerto Montt, Chile. With an overnight in Buenos Aires, guests can take in a tango show or visit the legendary Igua&ccedil;u Falls. Veendam sails the reverse itinerary from Rio de Janeiro to Valparaiso on December 5, 2009, as well as February 19 and March 23, 2010.</p><p>Antarctica 20-day cruise Veendam departs December 21, 2009, on a special holiday cruise and again, January 10 and January 30, 2010 - at the height of the austral summer - for a 20-day Antarctica voyage. Cruises for December 21 and January 30, begin in Valparaiso and end in Rio de Janeiro. The January 10 cruise sails the reverse itinerary. These cruises offer the ultimate blend of exotic ports and scenic cruising with calls in Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, Chile, as well as Ushuaia, Argentina. Following the rounding of Cape Horn, a nautical milestone, the ship continues to Antarctica, where glaciers adorned with penguins welcome the ship. Antarctica&rsquo;s pristine beauty and diverse sea life are showcased as Veendam spends three days exploring this mysterious and remote continent. Veendam also pays calls in Stanley, Falkland Islands, Buenos Aires (the Paris of South America) and Montevideo, Uruguay.</p><p>17-day South America-to-Fort Lauderdale 2010 crossing, includes Panama Canal transit<br />On April 8, 2010, Veendam ends its seasonal cruises in South America, departing Valparaiso for a 17-day journey that sails the western coast of South America as well as a transit through the Panama Canal. Overnights in Callao, Peru, and Fuerte Amador, Panama, give guests more time ashore to discover the myriad cultural flavors of the countries. An optional overland tour to Machu Picchu is also offered on this sailing. During this cruise, the Veendamcalls at six ports throughout Chile, Peru, and Ecuador before transiting the 51-mile, man-made marvel, the Panama Canal. After calling at Holland America Line&rsquo;s award-winning private island, Half Moon Cay in the Bahamas, Veendam ends its cruise in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where guests can opt to spend an extra night or two in post-cruise land tours.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-13 00:04:43',269,1,1,NULL,NULL,598,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(910,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Marketwatch','Carnival Cruise Lines to scrap fuel charge but hike prices','dollarvalue_773854314.jpg','2008-10-12 23:36:00','SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Carnival Corp, which operates Carnival Cruise Lines and Cunard Line, will cancel fuel supplement for new bookings on 2010 departures effective Oct. 31 but at the same time, hike prices, the company said Friday. The company also established specific guidelines to reimburse consumers for 2008 and 2009 voyages. &quot;If fuel prices stabilize below $70 a barrel, we will be able to effectively eliminate a separate fuel supplement,&quot; said Bill Harber, director of marketing for Carnival.','2013-01-13 00:14:17',310,1,1,NULL,NULL,599,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(911,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Corporation &amp; PLC','Carnival Corporation &amp; Plc&#039;s North American Brands Eliminate Fuel Supplement For New 2010 Bookings and Establish Guidelines for Fuel Supplement Refunds','carnivalcorp_688189394.jpg','2008-10-12 23:38:00','<p>MIAMI, Oct. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Six brands of Carnival Corporation &amp; plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK) -- Carnival Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn -- have announced that effective October 31, 2008, the existing fuel supplement will be eliminated for all new bookings on 2010 departures. At that same time, a price increase on 2010 sailings will become effective. Additionally, the company has established specific guidelines under which the current fuel supplement may be reimbursed to consumers for 2008 and 2009 voyages.</p><p><br />For 2008 and 2009 departures, if the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) is $70 per barrel or less at the 2:30 p.m. close of business as reported by Reuters on each of the 25 consecutive trading days ending five trading days prior to the guest\'s cruise departure date, the fuel supplement will be refunded in the form of a shipboard credit. Guests who book a 2010 cruise prior to October 31, 2008, will be charged the current fuel supplement but will also be eligible for a refund of the fuel supplement in accordance with the same fuel price conditions that are being implemented for the 2008 and 2009 departures.</p><p>Bill Harber, director of marketing for Carnival Corporation &amp; plc, said the company was implementing these initiatives due to the recent trends in declining fuel prices in an effort to migrate away from charging a separate fuel supplement. &quot;If fuel prices stabilize below $70 a barrel, we will be able to effectively eliminate a separate fuel supplement.&quot; However, he cautioned that there is still a risk that fuel prices could move higher &quot;which would require us to maintain or reinstate a fuel supplement but the company is hopeful that the goal of eliminating the fuel supplement can be achieved.&quot; Harber added that &quot;these industry-leading initiatives demonstrate our commitment to our guests and travel agents to make our brands the most attractive cruise vacations available.&quot;</p><p>The fuel supplement for five of the six Carnival Corporation &amp; plc brands is currently $9 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $126 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third, fourth and fifth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage). Seabourn\'s fuel supplement is $15 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $210 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third and fourth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage).</p><p>Carnival Corporation &amp; plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&amp;O Cruises and P&amp;O Cruises Australia.</p><p>Together, these brands operate 88 ships totaling more than 167,000 lower berths with 18 new ships scheduled to be delivered between October 2008 and June 2012. Carnival Corporation &amp; plc also operates Holland America Tours and Princess Tours, the leading tour companies in Alaska and the Canadian Yukon. Traded on both the New York and London Stock Exchanges, Carnival Corporation &amp; plc is the only group in the world to be included in both the S&amp;P 500 and the FTSE 100 indices</p>','2013-01-12 23:59:17',211,1,1,NULL,NULL,600,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(912,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRNewswire','Holland America Line&#039;s Exclusive Pinnacle Grill Debuts New, Expanded Menu Across Fleet','pinnaclegrill_980941808.jpg','2008-10-12 23:48:00','<p>SEATTLE, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Pinnacle Grill, the exclusive, reservations-only dining venue on all Holland America Line ships, debuts a tantalizing new menu this fall. Created by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin and introduced with rave reviews on ms Eurodam earlier this summer, the expanded menu introduces new Pacific Northwest specialty entrees and adds creations ranging from lobster &quot;mac &amp; cheese&quot; to Colorado lamb chops.<br />&nbsp;<br />Delectable seafood dishes include broiled, troll-caught salmon, broiled or poached lobster tail, cedar-planked black cod with shrimp scampi and the Master Chef\'s interpretation of surf-and-turf: filet mignon and jumbo prawns on whipped potatoes with garlic rosemary beurre blanc.</p><p>Selected cuts of prime hand-selected beef continue to highlight the Pinnacle\'s menu in innovative preparations and presentation. Guests can select from five prime cuts of steak rubbed with special Holland America Culinary Collection seasoning, grilled and served with hand-crafted sauces such as Master Chef\'s green peppercorn classic hollandaise. They can also opt for the time-honored classic of Filet Steak Diane, a grilled veal chop marinated overnight in a savory blend of rosemary, garlic and pepper vinegar with scallions, or oven-baked chicken breast stuffed with spinach and garlic herb cheese.</p><p>&quot;Master Chef Sodamin has designed this new menu to offer our guests a wider range of dishes and flavors,&quot; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. &quot;The restaurant is such a popular spot that we want to keep it fresh with much variety and allow guests to dine several nights a cruise as many like to do. The menu continues to highlight Holland America\'s Pacific Northwest roots while adding innovative accents to heighten the Pinnacle Grill dining experience.&quot;</p><p>Intriguing appetizers include the Pinnacle Ocean Platter -- carpaccio of lightly smoked salmon, hot smoked salmon, sea scallops and wasabi cream -- and Dungeness crab cakes with spiral shaved cucumber and sweet chili-mustard sauce. French onion soup King Louis XV, lobster bisque, jumbo shrimp cocktail, vine-ripened beefsteak tomato salad, baby arugula salad and Caesar salad prepared tableside are also offered.</p><p>Dazzling desserts featuring Pacific Northwest ingredients include warm Grand Marnier Chocolate Volcano Cake, chocolate or vanilla velvet souffle, creamy homemade raspberry cheesecake and Not-so-Classic Baked Alaska. Chocolate and raisin bread pudding, creme brulee, fresh seasonal fruits and berries and a variety of ice creams, sorbets and international cheeses complete the dessert menu.</p><p>The Pinnacle Grill\'s wine list features an extensive selection of premium Pacific Northwest wines, French champagnes, port and dessert wines. It also offers Wine Flights, which let guests sample four selected wines during their meal. A Harvest White Sangria featuring Northwest apples, cherries, peaches and lemons in Sauvignon Blanc wine is another new addition.</p><p>The Pinnacle Grill is an elegantly appointed, alternative-dining venue on all Holland America Line ships. Featuring distinctive Bvlgari china, Frette linens and elegant Riedel stemware, the Pinnacle Grill is ideal for a romantic dinner for two or elegant dining for a group celebration. Guests need to make reservations and pay a modest surcharge of $20 per person for dinner and $15 for lunch.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-19 11:04:41',339,1,1,NULL,NULL,601,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(913,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','A Grand Opening','123_240920605.jpg','2008-10-12 23:50:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy and 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy will be the first cruise ships to call at the newly rebuilt Puerta Maya Cruise Center in Cozumel, Mexico, when it re-opens on Thursday, Oct. 16 &ndash; nearly three years to the day after being severely damaged by Hurricane Wilma. </p><p><br />Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Fantasy visit Cozumel as part of the vessels&rsquo; year-round four- and five-day Western Caribbean cruise programs.&nbsp; </p><p>Operated by Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; parent company, Carnival Corporation &amp; plc, Puerta Maya&rsquo;s expansive cruise center houses 42 different retail outlets offering apparel, fine jewelry, artwork and other merchandise from a number of recognizable retailers, as well as a wide variety of dining options.</p><p>There is also a newly constructed shore excursion pier, separate from the main pier, which allows for quick and convenient access to all water-bound excursions, as well as water-based transportation to and from the facility. </p><p>The calls by the Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Ecstasy will be the first of 550 cruise-ship visits at Puerta Maya over the next year.&nbsp; Collectively, these ships will bring an estimated 1.5 million visitors annually to Cozumel, who are expected to spend $126 million on the island each year.</p>','2013-01-12 23:29:32',340,1,1,NULL,NULL,602,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(914,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Grand Turk Cruise Center Re-Opens With Day-Long Visit By 101,000-Ton Carnival Destiny','123_764822536.jpg','2008-10-12 23:53:00','<p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">The Grand Turk Cruise Center &ndash; closed since the passing of Hurricane Ike last month &ndash; today welcomed its first cruise ship, the 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny.<span></span></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Carnival Destiny guests had an opportunity to swim in the facility&rsquo;s massive swimming pool, relax on an 800-foot-long private beach, and dine at the on-site Margaritaville restaurant and lounge.<span>&nbsp; </span>The facility&rsquo;s various shops were open, as well.<span>&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Numerous shore excursions were also available, including Gibbs Key tour, dune buggy rentals, swimming with horses, and fishing and snorkeling expeditions.<span>&nbsp; </span>The previously offered hop on/hop off bus tour is currently operating as a post-hurricane island tour.<span>&nbsp; </span>Guests are charged a nominal fee for the tour and provided with a pledge card should they wish to donate to the United Way&rsquo;s Grand Turk hurricane relief fund.</span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Shipboard employees are also participating in a beach clean-up initiative to assist in the island&rsquo;s recovery.</span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">The $60 million Grand Turk Cruise Center opened in 2006 and has become one of the cruise industry&rsquo;s most popular Caribbean cruise destinations.<span>&nbsp; </span>The 13-acre facility serves as a gateway to the pristine island of Grand Turk, which in addition to magnificent beaches, is world renowned for diving, snorkeling, fishing and other watersports.</span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Princess Cruises&rsquo; Crown Princess is the next cruise ship to call at the Grand Turk Cruise Center on Oct. 10.</span></span></p>','2013-01-23 00:01:38',244,1,1,NULL,NULL,603,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(915,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Star Princess undergoes a transformation','star_princess_184326537.jpg','2008-10-15 22:37:00','<p>Following a three-week dry-dock, Princess Cruises&rsquo; Star Princess set sail this weekend with a dramatically transformed new look. Several areas on board have received the new updates, including the alteration of the atrium into a vibrant street-style piazza and the addition of the adults-only retreat The Sanctuary on the top deck, plus the installation of a 300 square foot Movies Under the Stars poolside screen.</p><p>Princess Cruises guests have enthusiastically enjoyed these features on other Princess Ships and so have inspired the introduction to other ships within the fleet and Star Princess was the first to be revitalised with these popular amenities.</p><p>Star Princess&rsquo;s new piazza will feature an array of dining and entertainment opportunities, including specialty coffees, freshly baked goods, paninis, salads and tapas in the style of an International caf&eacute;. The Vines wine bar concept has been expanded with more than 30 varieties of wine available, a selection of artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop where guests can buy their favourite wines.</p><p>The Sanctuary is now available to adults on the top deck, where they can relax in a tranquil environment on plush lounge chairs whilst enjoying refreshing beverages and light snacks, with the choice of receiving a massage in on the two private cabanas.</p><p>Princess Cruises trademark Movies Under the Stars poolside screen is now in situ and will show a selection of films, concerts and special events daily. In the evenings the area will become an outdoor theatre with specially covered lounge chairs and warm blankets, where moviegoers and enjoy free popcorn, plus other snacks and beverages.</p><p>There were a number of other smaller changes that occurred during the three week dry dock, including a new Internet cage and library, enhancements to boutiques and the addition of flat screen LCD televisions in all staterooms, plus a variety of other cosmetic alterations.</p><p>The first of three ships to receive the updates, Star Princess will be followed by Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess which are due to receive them in January and April 2009 respectively. </p>','2013-01-12 23:59:59',200,1,1,NULL,NULL,604,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(916,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Celebrity Solstice launches Nov. 23 with real lawn','Celebrity_Solstice_Lawn_Club_921055911.jpg','2008-10-15 22:39:00','<p>FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. - The new Celebrity Solstice cruise ship with a half-acre lawn of real grass on the top deck is scheduled to launch Nov. 23 from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on a cruise to the Eastern Caribbean. </p><p><br />The seven-night itinerary includes port calls in San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Kitts. Rates start at $899 per person, double occupancy, and rooms were still available as of mid-October.</p><p>The Solstice will continue with Caribbean itineraries through spring 2009.</p><p>The ship will have the capacity to carry 2,850 people, including about 1,250 crew. Passengers have 1,426 staterooms to choose from and access to 13 guest decks.</p><p>The lawn isn\'t just for show. Guests will be able to play bocce and croquet, practice putting and picnic on the grass with wine and cheese.</p><p>The ship also has two theaters, a casino, a spa, shops, lounges, bars and clubs, five cafes and bistros and four specialty restaurants in addition to the main dining room. A &quot;Hot Glass Show&quot; will feature master glassblowers from the Corning Museum of Glass in upstate New York. For kids 3-12, there\'s a &quot;Fun Factory,&quot; while teenagers get their own space, the X Club.</p>','2013-01-12 23:27:41',215,1,1,NULL,NULL,605,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(917,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','Royal Caribbean Intl Expands Middle East Presence With 2010 Deployment in Dubai','dubai_376454857.jpg','2008-10-15 22:41:00','<p>DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Oct. 13 &mdash; Royal Caribbean Intl has announced its entry into Dubai in the United Arab Emirates with the deployment of Brilliance of the Seas in 2010. From January to April 2010, the cruise line will offer its signature style of cruising for active vacationers to an international mix of guests, on seven-night sailings from this increasingly popular destination.</p><p>&ldquo;Dubai is a dynamic and thriving city that shows great growth potential. Building on our reputation for introducing revolutionary cruise experiences, we are excited to provide a different cruise vacation than traditionally offered in this region,&rdquo; said Michael Bayley, senior vice president, international, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. &ldquo;Royal Caribbean continues to attract vacationers globally and we are thrilled to offer new and exciting choices for our guests, combining our distinct onboard amenities with compelling itineraries including the Arabian Gulf&rsquo;s most popular destinations.&rdquo;</p><p>During a visit to Dubai this week, Rama Rebbapragada, regional vice president, international sales and marketing, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. added, &ldquo;We continue to win devotees from throughout the Middle East and are pleased to have exceeded our 2008 sales target for the region, achieving significant growth over last year.&rdquo;</p><p>Brilliance of the Seas has a sleek profile and features vast expanses of open space, mirrored surfaces and glass paneling &mdash; nearly three acres of exterior glass. The open Centrum with ten-deck high windows and ocean-facing glass elevators offers guests breathtaking vistas of the passing landscape and sea. Among the ship&rsquo;s unique features is a pair of ultra-high-tech, self-leveling pool tables in the Bombay Billiards Club. For Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s typically active guests, recreational amenities include a rock-climbing wall, jogging track, basketball and volleyball court, golf simulator and nine-hole miniature golf course, and a large gym with treadmills facing the sea. Five dining venues allow guests to enjoy a variety of choices, from Chops Grille steakhouse to Portofino Italian restaurant, Minstrel main dining room, or the casual Windjammer Cafe and Seaview Cafe. Freshly-brewed coffee, cappuccino or pastries can be found in Latte-tudes coffee bar.</p>','2013-01-13 00:09:34',192,1,1,NULL,NULL,606,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(918,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Windstar Cruises','Windstar Unveils Two New Dining Experiences which are 180 Degrees from Ordinary','Untitled_563379661.jpg','2008-10-15 22:42:00','<p>Seattle, October 14, 2008 &mdash; Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world&rsquo;s most treasured destinations, has launched two new evening dining experiences for guests aboard Wind Surf.</p><p>Romance is under sail as guest enjoy water views, exquisite sunsets and stars while dining alfresco on five-star cuisine in Le March&eacute; or Candles. Le March&eacute; is a seafood bar on Wind Surf&rsquo;s Star Deck offering a delectable array of fish and shellfish. Candles is a poolside grill on Wind Surf&rsquo;s Main Deck offering fine steaks and skewers. </p><p>&ldquo;Wind Surf guests now have the option of dining in one of four diverse evening venues,&rdquo; said Diane Moore, President of Windstar Cruises. &ldquo;We look forward in continuing to evolve our guest experience by offering more choice and value.&rdquo;</p><p>In Le March&eacute;, La Fantasie is the first course and includes scallops ceviche, salmon tartar, tuna sashimi and shrimp cocktail. The second course is Le Bisque d&rsquo;Homard&mdash;a delicious lobster soup with condiments of fresh lobster bits, cream and armagnac. A fresh Greek salad is next on the menu. For the main course, guests may choose between Le Plateau de Fruits de Mer, a shareable tower featuring lobster tail, clams, mussels, shrimp and langoustines, or a warm Seafood Dish of lobster tail, clams, mussels, shrimp and langoustines. Guests finish with a final course of Les Fromages, a delicious selection of Reblochon, Boursin, Roquefort and Camembert cheeses, or Les Gourmandises, a selection of four desserts for lovers of sweets.</p><p>At Candles, guests start with insalate caprese, followed by a main course selection of tender rib eye, New York steaks, fresh Swordfish skewers or assorted vegetable skewers all grilled to perfection. The course is served with a choice of sauces: black peppercorn, creamy mushroom, Caf&eacute; de Paris butter or red wine sauce. At the end of the evening, guests savor delicious Tiramisu made of savoiardi dipped in coffee and mascarpone cream. </p><p>Each new venue accommodates approximately 30 guests per night and is subject to weather conditions. While there is no additional charge, reservations are recommended.</p><p>A leader in defining the small ship luxury cruise experience for more than 20 years, Windstar has won the allegiance of a new generation of contemporary travelers who appreciate the line&rsquo;s luxurious accommodations, alternative dining venues, diversity of shore excursions, complimentary water sports program and deluxe spa facilities. The completed multi-million dollar Degrees of Difference enhancements on all three ships focused on structural and technical operations along with upgrades to guest areas, remodeled bathrooms in staterooms and an expanded beauty salon and spa. Other enhancements include Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPod Nanos, wireless Internet, flat screen televisions, luxury linens and mattresses as well as L&rsquo;Occitane amenities.</p><p>Windstar&rsquo;s award-wining reputation for sophisticated, yet casual elegance has been recognized by some of the most notable names in the travel world. Windstar was recently awarded &ldquo;Favourite Small-Ship Cruise Line&rdquo; in the U.K.&rsquo;s Cond&eacute; Nast Traveller&rsquo;s 2008 Readers&rsquo; Travel Awards. Windstar received the highest score of any cruise line in the poll and was also only one of three cruise lines that made Cond&eacute; Nast Traveller&rsquo;s list of the &ldquo;Top 100 of the Best the Travel World has to Offer.&rdquo; Celebrated Living, American Airlines&rsquo; prestigious publication for first class passengers, named Windstar Cruises &ldquo;Best Small-Ship/Mid-Ship Cruise Line&rdquo; on their 2008 Platinum List for the second time in a row. Readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine awarded Windstar &ldquo;Most Romantic Cruise Line&rdquo; and &ldquo;Best Tall Ship&rdquo; in the 9th Annual Readers&rsquo; Choice Awards. Windstar has also earned top honors in Travel + Leisure&rsquo;s World&rsquo;s 2008 Best Awards and was lauded among &ldquo;The World&rsquo;s Best Small Ships&rdquo; by Cond&eacute; Nast Traveler readers in 2008. </p><p>About Windstar Cruises<br />Windstar Cruises operates three sailing yachts known for their pampering without pretense and their ability to visit the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world&rsquo;s most treasured destinations. Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at www.windstarcruises.com.</p><p>Windstar is a division of Ambassadors International Cruise Group, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ambassadors Cruise Group, LLC.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-12 23:34:10',202,1,1,NULL,NULL,607,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(919,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Fantasy Returns To Service From New Orleans Following Extensive ‘Evolutions of Fun’ Upgrades','123_544673339.jpg','2008-10-15 22:44:00','<p>The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy has resumed its popular four- and five-day cruise schedule from New Orleans following a 28-day dry dock that included the addition of an expansive new water park, exclusive adults-only area,&nbsp; redesigned main pool and a new &ldquo;Circle C&rdquo; facility for 12-to 14-year-olds.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>The ship&rsquo;s suites and dining venues were also renovated and new dining options such as a Mongolian wok and rotisserie were added. </p><p>The new features are part of the line&rsquo;s $250 million &ldquo;Evolutions of Fun&rdquo; refurbishment program for its eight Fantasy-class ships.</p><p>In conjunction with the Carnival Fantasy&rsquo;s resumption of service from New Orleans, the company has partnered with five New Orleans-based radio stations on a promotion called &ldquo;Give Fun Back,&rdquo; which kicks off Oct. 20 and is designed to reward deserving individuals with a &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; cruise vacation. Based on nominations submitted by listeners, five winners will be selected, with each receiving a complimentary cruise on the Carnival Fantasy for up to four guests. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Exciting New Top-Deck Enhancements </p><p>A signature element of Carnival Fantasy&rsquo;s new &ldquo;Evolutions of Fun&rdquo; upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive aqua park towering over Verandah Deck. Designed with all-ages appeal, the sprawling, open-air facility includes a 300-foot-long spiral water slide &ndash; the longest at sea &ndash; along with twin 82-foot-long racing slides and various water spray apparatus.&nbsp; </p><p>Located aft on Promenade Deck and offering magnificent ocean views is &ldquo;Serenity,&rdquo; an exclusive new adults-only retreat.&nbsp; Intended as an oasis for relaxation and comfort, &ldquo;Serenity&rdquo; offers plush chaise lounges and chairs, colorful oversized umbrellas, and two large whirlpools.&nbsp; Here, guests can sip a variety of icy cocktails and frozen drinks or enjoy a light meal or snack from the nearby Lido restaurant. </p><p>The third element of the &ldquo;Evolutions of Fun&rdquo; top deck upgrades is a totally redesigned &ldquo;resort-style&rdquo; pool located mid-ship on Lido Deck featuring thatched roofing and large faux palm trees. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, comfortable deck chairs and a colorful tiled &ldquo;beach&rdquo; encircling the pool&rsquo;s edge enhance the decidedly tropical ambiance.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>New Dining Upgrades, &lsquo;Circle C&rsquo; Center, Updated Suites </p><p>The ship&rsquo;s Celebration and Jubilee main dining rooms, as well as the causal poolside Windows on the Sea Bar &amp; Grill, have been renovated with striking new interiors, and updated carpeting, tile work and furniture.&nbsp; Windows on the Sea also features a new Mongolian wok where guests can select their choice of meat, vegetables, and noodles and have the dish prepared before their eyes. A rotisserie has been added, as well, with roasted chicken, beef, and lamb, along with a variety of side dishes and accompaniments. </p><p>A new &ldquo;Circle C&rdquo; facility catering to the 12- to 14-year-olds has also been incorporated into Atlantic Deck forward. The center features a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma-screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles. </p><p>Cosmetic enhancements were also made to other shipboard areas, including renovated guest corridors and public bathrooms, a brand new d&eacute;cor and technical enhancements to the Electricity dance club, a host of new artwork, and updated furniture and fixtures in many staterooms. </p><p>Additionally, all of the ship&rsquo;s 54 suites were remodeled with updated wall coverings, carpeting, tile work and lighting fixtures, as well as new bathrooms.&nbsp; A number of connecting staterooms were incorporated, as well. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Future Plans </p><p>The namesake vessel of the 70,000-ton Fantasy-class, Carnival Fantasy currently operates four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans.&nbsp; On this route, four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Cozumel and Progreso.&nbsp; </p><p>Carnival Fantasy will sail from New Orleans through Nov. 5, 2009, then reposition to Mobile, Ala., to operate a special six-day cruise departing Nov. 10 followed by the launch of year-round four- and five-day service from that port Nov. 16.&nbsp; Carnival Fantasy will be replaced in New Orleans by the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph in Nov. 2009. </p>','2013-01-13 00:04:47',203,1,1,NULL,NULL,608,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(920,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jose Pagliery and Adam H. Beasley, Miami Herald','No bomb in package floating next to cruise ship','c2k3_5194_port_everglades_897979443.jpg','2008-10-15 22:54:00','<p>Broward authorities said the package floating alongside a cruise ship Monday morning at Port Everglades was not an explosive device.</p><p>The initial discovery raised fears among thousands of cruise ship tourists aboard the Enchantment of the Seas, a Royal Caribbean cruise ship.</p><p>The all-clear message came across the Enchantment of the Sea\'s public address system about 10:30 a.m. </p><p>\'\'They did a pretty good job of keeping things under control,\'\' said passenger Dan Desharnais of Weston. ``They gave us fairly regular updates. [The Broward Sheriff\'s Office] was taking it real seriously.\'\'</p><p>The scare came at the end of the ship\'s four-day trip through the Caribbean, with stops in Cancun and Key West.</p><p>As the boat returned to Port Everglades Monday morning, authorities received a call about a one-foot-by-six-inch plastic package at 9:06 a.m. BSO deputies were sent to the seaport, which stretches across Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale.</p><p>According to port spokeswoman Ellen Kennedy, the package was found floating near the large ship, which had docked at Terminal 25 about 6 a.m. Passengers began to disembark around 8 a.m., but the process was halted when the package was found.</p><p>A bomb squad later deemed it safe. BSO officials said the package contained either rope or shrimp.</p><p>\'\'Someone said it looked like a taped-up box, like a present,\'\' Kennedy said.</p>','2013-01-12 23:29:36',246,2,1,NULL,NULL,609,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(921,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Ninety-Eight Balconies To Be Added To Carnival Sensation’s Staterooms During Scheduled Dry Dock in January 2009','061010_Sensation1_hmed_12p_hmedium_272605418.jpg','2008-10-15 23:01:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines will add balconies to 98 existing staterooms aboard the 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation during a 35-day scheduled dry dock taking place in January 2009.</p><p>Ocean view staterooms will be retrofitted with new balconies that will extend from the ship and measure approximately 230 square feet.&nbsp; Twenty-four of the new balcony staterooms will be located mid-ship on both the port and starboard sides and 12 will be located near the stern, while the other 62 will be located within the aft section of the ship, with several of these cabins featuring extended balconies.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>Additionally, a number of the Carnival Sensation&rsquo;s suites will be modified to feature larger, extended balconies to create a more spacious area from which to enjoy panoramic sea views.&nbsp; </p><p>The stateroom modifications are just one aspect of the ship&rsquo;s extensive multi-million-dollar renovation, all part of the line&rsquo;s wide-ranging &ldquo;Evolutions of Fun&rdquo; product enhancement initiative. Carnival Sensation&rsquo;s &ldquo;extreme makeover&rdquo; will also include a previously announced Carnival WaterWorks aqua park, Serenity adults-only area, and a redesigned tropical-themed main pool area. </p><p>Additionally, all staterooms will be completely refurbished, as well as virtually all dining, dancing and entertainment venues.&nbsp; Guest corridors will be renovated and a new &ldquo;Circle C&rdquo; facility catering to 12- to 14-year olds will be added, as well. </p><p>Carnival Sensation currently operates year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla.&nbsp; On this route, three-day cruises depart Thursdays and call at Nassau while four-day voyages depart Sundays and visit both Nassau and Freeport. </p><p>The 70,000-ton SuperLiner is part of the line&rsquo;s 22-vessel &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; fleet which operates three- to 18-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America.&nbsp; The line currently has two ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.</p><p>Carnival Sensation&rsquo;s new and extended balcony staterooms will be open for reservations October 24, 2008. </p>','2013-01-13 00:04:47',312,1,1,NULL,NULL,610,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(922,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','CBS News','SeaEscape Ship Goes For $3.6 Million At Auction','123_500834593.jpg','2008-10-19 22:35:00','Thursday morning the old SeaEscape casino ship M/V Island Adventure sold for $3.6 million at an auction conducted by the U.S. Marshalls at the Broward County Courthouse. The ship was put on the auction block after attempts to sell it or line up financing to satisfy creditors fell through. <br /><br />The ship\'s new owner is Glen Straub, who at one time owned the American Airlines Arena and the Palm Beach Polo Club. Straub reportedly plans to repair and refurbish the ship. His first plan is to pull anchor and move to Port Canaveral where the competition\'s not so fierce. &quot;Get away from Hard Rock right now, \'cuz those guys are too tough to compete against,&quot; Straub explained. &quot;Those are hard core gamblers out there, we\'re not.&quot;<br /><br />Then, if all goes according to plan, Straub hopes to turn the ship into a rental floating entertainment center. &quot;People are always going to get married, they\'re always going to be bar mitzvah-ed, there\'s always going to be multi entertainment needs, \'cuz people always want to go out on Friday and Saturday nights. And this ship\'s large enough to do that,&quot; Straub insisted.<br /><br />SeaEscape sailed for 21 years from Port Everglades, but sailings came to a halt on August 10th, supposedly due to the struggling economy, costs, and competition from South Florida casinos. Marshals seized the ship August 23; a warrant was issued after some crew members alleged they had not been paid their wages. <br /><br />A federal judge gave the ship\'s owner, Cruise Charter Ltd. of the Bahamas until September 26 to lease, sell or charter the ship in order to raise funds to pay existing claims, including unpaid wages. When they couldn\'t, the judge ordered the ship be sold at auction. <br /><br />SeaEscape\'s creditors claim the owners owe more than $2.3 million, including wages for around 145 crew members. <br /><br />SeaEscape\'s website still has a message saying &quot;SeaEscape has suspended sailing from Port Everglades and will be relocating to a new port in the next few weeks.&quot;','2013-01-12 23:59:25',419,1,1,NULL,NULL,611,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(923,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','John McLaughlin, Llyod&#039;s List','Fincantieri calls off launch after worker dies','123_346119976.jpg','2008-10-19 22:36:00','FINCANTIERI has cancelled a launch ceremony for the <em>Ruby Princess</em> at its Monfalcone yard after a worker died in an accident on board the vessel on Wednesday evening.&nbsp;<br /><br />Safety agencies were still investigating the death of 43-year old Fincantieri supervisor Mauro Sorgo this&nbsp;afternoon, but early indications suggested he died during a pre-announced black out test.&nbsp;<br /><br />He seems to have tried to squeeze through a heavy watertight door that closed upon him.&nbsp;<br /><br />Around 2,000 workers at Monfalcone went on an eight-hour strike today in protest at the fatality and to call for improved workplace security at the yard. There were two-hour strikes at other Fincantieri yards across Italy.&nbsp;<br /><br />The death is the second at Monfalcone this year, after a welder working on a steel plate was run down by a yard truck in April. Workplace safety has become a highly sensitive issue in Italy over the last two years given the depressingly high toll of death and serious injury every year.&nbsp;<br /><br />Fincantieri immediately called off the launch ceremony scheduled for this Saturday, which Renato Schifani, president of Italy&rsquo;s senate, was due to attend. The 116,000 gt Ruby Princess will now depart for Fort Lauderdale next Thursday for its christening before going into service in the Caribbean.&nbsp;<br /><br />In a statement, chief executive Giuseppe Bono expressed &ldquo;my own concern and the deep sympathy of the entire company for the loss or our worker. Unfortunately, I cannot restore him to his family, but I can promise that we will take care of them.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br /><br />Describing workplace safety as &ldquo;a priority&rdquo;, he also pledged stronger action &ldquo;to prevent such accidents happening. We will create a pool of experts together with the unions and governing bodies in order to push through a major workplace safety programme covering everything from investment to training to communication&rdquo; ','2013-01-20 11:24:10',278,1,1,NULL,NULL,612,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(924,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','Ladies’ Fitness Cruise to Sail for Bahamas Feb. 26','123_836324852.jpg','2008-10-19 22:41:00','<p>Femme FITall, a travel group offering fitness cruises for women, will host its second annual Ladies&rsquo; Fitness Cruise on the Carnival Fascination cruise from Jacksonville, Fla., to the Bahamas, Feb. 26 to March 2. The cruise visits Freeport and Nassau. Femme FITall has added Julie Groves to the lineup of instructors, bringing the total to four fitness instructors teaching a variety of classes on the four-night cruise. Groves is a lifelong athlete and yoga master. This year&rsquo;s cruise features fitness instructors from Edwards Health and Fitness Centers in Naperville and Woodridge, Ill. Joining Groves are Toni Gilroy (teaching yoga and pilates), Renee Nelson (kickboxing and Hip Hop) and Carol Teteak (strength training and cardio-boxing classes). Gilroy, Nelson and Teteak instructed classes on the first fitness cruise in 2008. Packages start at $879 for an inside cabin and $929 for an ocean-view cabin. These prices include the cruise, airfare from Chicago&rsquo;s O&rsquo;Hare International Airport to Jacksonville, airport transfers, all meals on the ship, fitness classes, taxes and fees, and a gift bag with a water bottle and logo T-shirt. Prices without airfare or including airfare from other cities are available upon request. For more information, call 630-420-7607 or visit <a href=\"http://www.femmefitall.com/\">www.femmefitall.com</a>.</p>','2013-01-12 23:29:40',272,1,1,NULL,NULL,613,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(925,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Tampa Bay Business Journal','Study: Florida is U.S. cruise capital','things_to_do_in_florida_118375562.jpg','2008-10-19 13:43:00','<p>Florida leads the nation not only in the number of passengers leaving on their cruises from the state\'s ports but also in the number of residents who take cruise vacations, according to a study commissioned for Cruise Lines International Association.</p><p>The study found that North American cruise industry contributed $6.06 billion in direct spending to Florida&rsquo;s economy in 2007, up 3.6 percent from the previous year. That spending generated 126,546 jobs and $5.2 billion in income.</p><p>Last year, nearly 5 million people boarded cruise ships from one of five Florida ports &mdash; Tampa, Miami, Port Everglades, Port Canaveral and Jacksonville. Floridians made up nearly 2.3 million, or 25 percent, of all U.S. resident passengers.</p><p>Among other key Florida findings:</p><p>&bull; Florida\'s tourism-related businesses &mdash; such as travel agencies, airlines, hotels, restaurants and those that provide ground transportation &mdash; were the main beneficiaries of the cruise industry\'s $6.06 billion in spending, receiving $2.4 billion.</p><p>&bull; An additional $835 million was spent with businesses in the following sectors: food processors, chemical manufacturers, advertising agencies, management and technical consulting companies, and manpower agencies.</p><p>&bull; Florida continues to have the nation&rsquo;s top three ports for passenger embarkations: Miami, Port Everglades and Port Canaveral.</p><p>&bull; Port embarkations in 2006: Miami had 1.89 million; Port Canaveral had 1.29 million; Port Everglades had 1.28 million; Tampa had 367,000 and Jacksonville had 130,000.</p><p>&bull; Florida benefits as the primary home to cruise line headquarters for the top three cruise companies, which own three-fourths of the North American industry cruise capacity: Carnival Corp. &amp; PLC, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and NCL Corp. Overall, these three companies employ more than 14,500 people representing 40 percent of the cruise industry employment in the United States.</p><p>Nationally, cruise line and passenger spending generated $38 billion in gross economic output, a 6.4 percent increase over 2006, and generated 354,700 American jobs paying $15.4 billion in wages and salaries.</p><p>Direct spending by cruise lines, their employees and passengers totaled $18.7 billion.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-13 00:04:47',184,1,1,NULL,NULL,614,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(926,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Eurodam to Sail North Europe Itineraries In July 2009','123_681519402.jpg','2008-10-19 22:46:00','<p>Seattle, WA, Oct 16 &mdash; For those with less time on their hands who still want to take a cruise holiday that abounds with popular ports of call, Holland America Line&rsquo;s newest ship, the Signature-class, ms Eurodam, will sail two 4-day and one 2-day itineraries between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Dover (London), England, in July 2009 that make the perfect midsummer getaway. Guests wanting to take a longer holiday can book the voyages in combination with extended cruises to form 12- and 14-day Collectors&rsquo; Voyages.</p><p>&ldquo;We understand that some travelers are looking for a quick and relaxing holiday, which is why we developed these shorter, exciting itineraries,&rdquo; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve put together some fascinating ports, so whether guests book a four-day cruise or a full 14-day Collectors&rsquo; Voyage, they&rsquo;re going to have an unforgettable, premium-cruise experience.&rdquo;</p><p>The first 4-day itinerary departs July 2, 2009, and sails from Copenhagen to Dover (London). Along the way, the line&rsquo;s 2,104-passenger ship will call at Oslo, Norway, with a late-night departure so guests can enjoy the local nightlife and have time to become fully immersed in Scandinavia&rsquo;s third-largest city. The ship also calls at Amsterdam, The Netherlands, a charming city rich in culture, history and ambiance.</p><p>The second 4-day cruise departs July 6 and sails round-trip Dover. The port-intensive itinerary visits an impressive three countries during its short journey. Eurodam first calls at Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium, a city overflowing with history and known for its chocolate, beer, waffles and diamonds. Next, the vessel calls at Cherbourg, France, where it stays until midnight allowing for plenty of extra time to explore the Normandy port. St. Peter Port, Guernsey, is the final call en route to Dover, and guests will be greeted by the islands&rsquo; charming 18th-century Georgian houses, pubs, caf&eacute;s and restaurants.</p><p>Eurodam sails a 2-day mini-holiday from Dover to Copenhagen, departing July 10, that is ideal for the traveler looking to experience Eurodam or simply enjoy a brief respite from the everyday demands of day-to-day life.</p><p>12 &amp; 14-day Collectors&rsquo; Voyages<br />A 14-day Copenhagen to Dover (London) Collector&rsquo;s Voyage sets sail June 22 with one repeated call at Copenhagen. In addition to scenic cruising through the pine-tree covered Stockholm Archipelago, ports of call include Warnem&uuml;nde (Berlin); Tallinn, Estonia; and an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia. From St. Petersburg, Eurodam continues its sailing making calls at Helsinki, Finland; Stockholm, Sweden; Kiel, Germany; Oslo and Amsterdam.</p><p>The 12-day Collectors&rsquo; Voyage combines the two-day Eurodam sampler cruise departing July 10, and continues on its Copenhagen round-trip journey to Warnem&uuml;nde (Berlin), Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg (overnight), Tallinn and Kiel.</p>','2013-01-13 00:04:49',191,1,1,NULL,NULL,615,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(927,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRNewswire','Holland America Line Goes Multi-Lingual','123_806134491.jpg','2008-10-19 22:48:00','<p>SEATTLE, Oct. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- While Holland America Line\'s Web site -- http://www.hollandamerica.com -- has always enjoyed a global audience, the 135-year-old company announced today the addition of a translation feature that allows visitors to select the language of their choice to the Web site\'s highest traffic areas. Now, visitors to http://www.hollandamerica.com can display destination information, fares, online e-brochures, news articles, special offers, Mariner Society information and more in German, Spanish and Dutch.<br />&nbsp;<br />&quot;As a global company, we recognize the value of offering our Web site in a variety of languages,&quot; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. &quot;It is our goal to make our Web site user experience as clear, convenient and as welcoming as possible.&quot;</p><p>Translation Access</p><p>Once on the Web site, visitors are able to switch between languages at any time simply by choosing a different language from the &quot;Select a Language&quot; drop-down menu in the upper right-hand corner of each applicable Web page. If a visitor does not choose a language, the site will automatically default to English.</p><p>For more information about Holland America Line, visit http://www.hollandamerica.com.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-20 09:10:37',219,1,1,NULL,NULL,616,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Language options for Web site in German, Spanish and Dutch',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(928,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Celebrity Cruises launch &quot;Shop Celebrity&quot;','123_940755158.jpg','2008-10-19 22:54:00','<p>Celebrity Cruises has launched a new on-line shopping portal, open for business 24 hours a day. &ldquo;Shop Celebrity&rdquo; allows consumers and travel agents to purchase a wide selection of items which can be delivered on board or at home. &ldquo;Shop Celebrity&rdquo; will also feature Celebrity Cruises new amenity program, &ldquo;Gifts by Celebrity&rdquo;.</p><p>&ldquo;Shop Celebrity&rdquo; will offer an extensive choice of Celebrity Cruises logo items, gifts and memorabilia, as well a culinary delicacies, spirits, wine and soda. The portal will also offer ordering opportunities from partner websites - LeapFrog&reg; School, timetospa&reg; and Celebrity Vineyards, which includes products by Riedel&reg; Crystal, the world renowned manufacturer of wine glasses who offer wine workshops on Celebrity Cruises ships.</p><p>&quot;Based on feedback from our guests and travel agent partners as well as the growing popularity of online shopping in today\'s marketplace, we wanted to create a virtual experience reflective of the bricks-and-mortar shopping experience that we offer on our ships,&quot; said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, Celebrity\'s vice president of hotel operations and onboard revenue. &quot;The complete Shop Celebrity program offers something for everyone, anytime, whether they want to surprise a friend or a client with an onboard gift, or whether they want stylish keepsakes for themselves or others.&quot;</p>','2013-01-12 23:34:19',226,1,1,NULL,NULL,617,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(929,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Rebuilt Puerta Maya Cruise Center In Cozumel Welcomes First Ships','123_801396757.jpg','2008-10-19 22:56:00','<p>The newly rebuilt pier at the Puerta Maya Cruise Center in Cozumel, Mexico &ndash; closed since being damaged by Hurricane Wilma in 2005 &ndash; welcomed its first ships today when the 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy and 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy docked at the facility this morning.</p><p>The $50 million cruise center, built and operated by Carnival Corporation &amp; plc, features a new two-berth pier designed to withstand a threshold category 5 hurricane. The pier can accommodate any vessel among Carnival Corporation &amp; plc&rsquo;s various brands.&nbsp;&nbsp; Puerta Maya Cruise Center also includes a variety of shopping and dining opportunities, as well as a transportation hub, and a new shore excursion pier. A pharmacy, convenience store and international phone center are also available. </p><p>Today&rsquo;s calls by the Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Ecstasy are the first of 550 cruise ship visits scheduled for Puerta Maya over the next year.&nbsp; </p><p>Additionally, vessels from Carnival Corporation &amp; plc brands will continue to utilize the other two piers in Cozumel. Collectively, these ships will bring an estimated 1.5 million visitors annually to Cozumel, who are expected to spend $126 million on the island each year. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-13 00:04:49',427,1,1,NULL,NULL,618,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(930,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Marco opens two new restaurants on P&amp;O Cruises ships','marco_149753321.jpg','2008-10-26 20:45:00','<p>Marco Pierre White, star of Hell&rsquo;s Kitchen, has opened two new restaurants at sea on board P&amp;O Cruises super-liners Aurora and Oceana.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>P&amp;O Cruises ship Oceana had its Caf&eacute; Jardin restaurant upgraded during a recent refit and served the first Marco Pierre White dishes early October on a two-night cruise. Aurora&rsquo;s Caf&eacute; Bordeaux open its doors to guests this weekend to sample the new menus.</p><p>Both menus will serve classic Mediterranean dishes which have been given the Marco treatments especially for guests on board.</p><p><br />Marco Pierre White said: &quot;I enjoyed working with P&amp;O Cruises so much creating the White Room and Frankie\'s Bar &amp; Grill for Ventura, that I leapt at the chance when invited to expand the Marco Pierre White experience to Aurora and Oceana.</p><p>&quot;The two new restaurants on Aurora and Oceana will offer passengers completely different dining experiences and both will encompass the best possible ingredients cooked in my unique way.&quot;</p><p>P&amp;O Cruises managing director Nigel Esdale said: &quot;Marco Pierre White is a great talent and his menus add a unique twist to our passengers\' dining experience.&quot;</p>','2013-01-20 17:42:45',187,1,1,NULL,NULL,619,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(931,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Fincantieri','“CARNIVAL DREAM”, THE BIGGEST CRUISE SHIP EVER BUILT BY FINCANTIERI, LAUNCHED IN MONFALCONE TODAY','123_908600245.jpg','2008-10-26 20:46:00','<p>&ldquo;Carnival Dream&rdquo;, the biggest passenger ship ever built by Fincantieri and in Italy, was launched in Monfalcone today: it will be flagship of Carnival Cruise Line&rsquo;s fleet, a brand of Carnival Group, the main operator in the global cruise ship sector. Delivery is scheduled for Fall 2009. </p><p><br />The launching was preceded by the traditional well wishing &ldquo;coin ceremony&rdquo;, according to which a silver Dollar is welded in a dedicated box on the upper deck of the ship, following an ancient maritime tradition. Patrizia Bottaro, a Fincantieri employee, was chosen as the ship&rsquo;s godmother.</p><p><br />With its 130,000 gross tonnage, 306 mt of length and 2,559 cabins, the ship will be able to accommodate up to 4,631 passengers, assisted by 1,369 crew members. </p><p><br />The project for &ldquo;Carnival Dream&rdquo; is an evolution of the &ldquo;Conquest&rdquo; class design and shows several modifications with respect to the original layout. The &ldquo;Conquest&rdquo; series includes 6 ships built at Monfalcone, Marghera and Sestri Ponente. Significant alterations have been made in the public areas&rsquo; layout, in particular on deck 5, that will feature a promenade running around the entire perimeter of the ship. Moreover, numerous restaurants and public areas will overlook the sea. </p><p><br />&ldquo;Carnival Dream&rdquo; will undergo outfitting operations in the next months following to a very high standard of comfort and will offer a wide range of entertainment, such as theatres, shops, Spa&rsquo;s and Jacuzzi whirlpools. The ship will also feature two new &ldquo;Water Parks&rdquo; located on the open decks, one for adults and one for children, with an innovative 4-slide system. </p><p><br />Fincantieri is the world leader in the construction of cruise ships with a current market share of approximately 40%. With &ldquo;Carnival Dream&rdquo; the &ldquo;Fincantieri fleet&rdquo; will amount to 62 passenger ships, of which 47 have been delivered since 1990, and 15 on order or under construction at the various shipyards of the Group</p>','2013-01-12 23:59:33',421,2,1,NULL,NULL,626,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(932,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Ruby Princess to serve &#039;Pub Lunches&#039; and fresh waffles','crownprincess_384_445239a_415515290.jpg','2008-10-26 21:01:00','<p>Princess Cruises tradition of evolving their on board experience for guests continues with the launch of Ruby Princess on the 8 November 2008. Ruby Princess will feature a host of new amenities with a number of special features, including new dining options such as pub lunches and exclusive breakfasts for suite guests. There will also be unique enrichment programs from astronomy to mixology, two new stage shows, plus extended wireless Internet and cell phone connectivity.</p><p>The 3,072 passenger Ruby Princess will feature many of the familiar favourites that guests enjoyed aboard her sister ships Crown Princess and Emerald Princess, but in addition there will be an array of special touches and innovations to be found throughout the service, dining and entertainment areas.</p><p>&quot;The new features aboard Ruby Princess are a perfect example of our commitment to provide passengers with the widest array of intriguing options to customize their cruise vacation,&quot; said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president.</p><p>Many of the features on Princess Cruises&rsquo; newest addition are also set to be added to ships across the fleet following Ruby Princess&rsquo; debut. Some highlights of the new features to be introduced on Ruby Princess:</p><p>Wheelhouse Bar Pub Lunch - On sea days, Ruby Princess\' Wheelhouse Bar will be transformed into an authentic English-style pub, serving a selection of traditional fare. A menu of British favorites, including bangers &amp; mash, fish &amp; chips, ploughman\'s lunch and cottage pie, will complement a selection of traditional pub brews such as Stella Artois, Bass Ale or Guinness.</p><p>Sabatini&rsquo;s Breakfast for Suite Passengers - Suite passengers aboard Ruby Princess will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive breakfast in Sabatini\'s. Beginning with a &quot;Good Morning Mimosa,&quot; the menu features a variety of breakfast favorites, plus specialty items such as brioche French toast with apple &amp; cinnamon compote, yogurt and super granola parfait with raspberry swirl, soft-poached egg over potato &amp; vegetables with hollandaise sauce, and freshly made Belgian waffles.</p><p>A Few Fine Touches - A number of new service touches will be introduced to delight passengers. In the Horizon Court buffet, new waffle stations will offer fresh cooked-to-order waffles at breakfast and throughout lunchtime, and the buffet will also begin serving complimentary lemonade as a beverage choice. In the evening, passengers will find a selection of canap&eacute;s in several of the ship\'s public lounges. Passengers arriving back from shore will be greeted with chilled face cloths, and by the pool, &quot;misting stewards&quot; will offer a quick refreshing spritz with Evian to cool off.</p>','2013-01-21 08:54:44',184,2,1,NULL,NULL,620,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(933,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','Oasis of the Seas unveils final neighbourhood','123_447756949.jpg','2008-10-26 12:03:00','<p>MIAMI, Oct 22 &ndash; The final neighborhood to be added into the deck plans of Royal Caribbean International&rsquo;s Oasis of the Seas 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 was announced last night during an online unveiling. 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&rsquo;s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship due to launch in November 2009.</p><p>&ldquo;Oasis of the Seas will offer more of everything for every member of the family, including more for our younger guests,&rdquo; said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. &ldquo;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.&rdquo;</p><p>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&rsquo;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.</p><p>The Adventure Ocean youth program aboard Oasis of the Seas will feature the cruise line&rsquo;s award-winning 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&rsquo;s younger guests.</p><p>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&rsquo;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.</p><p>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.</p><p>In addition, Oasis of the Seas will introduce exciting new common play areas, including the Kid&rsquo;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&rsquo;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.</p><p>The teen-only spaces will be located one deck above the Adventure Ocean areas and adjacent to the ship&rsquo;s Sports Deck, where kids can test their skills on one of the ship&rsquo;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&rsquo;s Teen Advisory Board&mdash;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 &ldquo;mock-tail&rdquo; 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&rsquo;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.</p><p>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&rsquo; 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&rsquo;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.</p><p>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&rsquo;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 &amp; 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.</p><p>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&rsquo;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.</p>','2013-01-21 16:58:27',215,1,1,NULL,NULL,628,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(934,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','USA Today','Financial meltdown hitting cruise ship bookings hard','floorpic_834512222.jpg','2008-10-26 21:04:00','<p>ABOARD THE NORWEGIAN PEARL -- The head of North America\'s largest chain of cruise-focused travel agencies says the financial turmoil of the past few weeks has resulted in a sharp slowdown in cruise bookings. </p><p>&quot;The last month has been very challenging for everybody,&quot; says Peter Thomson, chief operating officer of Minneapolis-based Cruise Holidays. &quot;On a year-over-year basis we\'re down in the double digits.&quot;</p><p>Thomson tells USA TODAY the company\'s 116 cruise-selling stores in the United States and Canada began experiencing a slowdown as far back as May, but the situation worsened significantly in the past month. </p><p>&quot;In the last few weeks cancellations are up by a third,&quot; he says. </p><p>Thomson spoke with USA TODAY this week during the company\'s annual convention, which is being held aboard the Norwegian Pearl as it sails in the Caribbean. He says he remains optimistic that the downturn is a temporary one, but it\'s severe enough that the company may end up with a down year after several years of rapid growth. </p><p>Last year, Cruise Holidays cruise consultants sold $200 million worth of trips. </p><p>&quot;The biggest concern is if this continues for a couple months,&quot; says Thomson. &quot;This is a pretty important buying season, and (if the downturn continues) it might be tough to hit that $200 million (level) based on the past few weeks.&quot;&nbsp; </p><p>Thomson notes the industry has seen other sharp dropoffs before and bounced back fast. &quot;The North American public is always very resilient. We saw it after 9/11 when (bookings) stopped for a while and then came back strong.&quot;</p><p>Thomson suspects uncertainty surrounding the soon-to-end election has played a role in the slowdown in bookings, and he expects business to improve after election day.</p><p>Another thing that could get bookings jumping again is discounts. Thomson notes cruise lines have been dropping prices -- in some cases significantly -- in recent weeks to get business flowing again. </p><p>&quot;It\'s a great time to be looking for a cruise,&quot; he says. </p>','2013-01-18 06:02:30',269,1,1,NULL,NULL,621,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(935,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line Enhances Platinum Cancellation Protection Plan','2622595456_916e591601_983983286.jpg','2008-10-26 21:07:00','<p>Seattle, WA, Oct 23 &ndash; Holland America Line guests now have the option of purchasing an enhanced version of its Cancellation Protection Plan (CPP), which covers the cost of a cruise fare in the event of cancellation by the guest. While the former plan required an approved covered medical reason to cancel within 24 hours of departure, the new CPP Platinum will feature a 90% refund upon cancellation for any reason up to departure, as well as increased baggage protection and relaxed rules related to recovering expenses for a trip delay. The new plan is effective for cruises departing Sept 1, 2009, and beyond.</p><p>Extension of Cancellation Period: Eliminating a previous one-day notice clause, the updated CPP Platinum offers a &ldquo;cancel-for-any-reason&rdquo; refund at 90% of the of the eligible amounts paid (excluding the protection plan cost) up to the point of departure. The extension of time allows for any circumstance that might prevent travel within 24 hours prior to departure, regardless of the reason. Standard CPP reimburses 80% of eligible amounts paid for cancellations for any reason up to 24 hours prior to departure. For most sailings, Holland America Line&rsquo;s standard cancellation policy allows guests to cancel in writing without penalty up to 76 days prior to the departure date.</p><p>Trip Delay Benefits: Compensation up to US$500 per person for accommodation and travel expense is provided with the enhanced CPP Platinum for any length of trip delay. Previous per diem limits and minimum trip delay length restrictions have been eliminated.</p><p>Baggage Protection Increased:In addition to the reimbursement of US$600 for baggage delays, liability for baggage loss or damage has increased from US$600 to a total of US$1600 under the CPP Platinum Plan.</p>','2013-01-12 23:59:39',172,1,1,NULL,NULL,623,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(936,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Celebrity Cruises','Celebrity Cruises “Takes the Keys” to Celebrity Solstice','celebrity_solstice_234107835.jpg','2008-10-26 21:13:00','<p>Miami - (October 24, 2008 ) - The most widely heralded cruise ship to enter the market this year, Celebrity Cruises&rsquo; Celebrity Solstice, was delivered today at a ceremony in Emshaven, Netherlands, marking the formal transfer of the ship &ndash; the first in a class of five &ndash; from shipbuilder Meyer Werft to Celebrity Cruises. The ship will begin its transatlantic voyage October 25, with arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., anticipated November 3.</p><p>&ldquo;With its innovative, half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing grass; the Hot Glass Show offered through our alliance with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 widely varied restaurants, including four in the specialty category; stylish, spacious staterooms whose design was influenced by a panel of five women with unique travel and hospitality insights; and, of course, the intangible attribute found on every Celebrity ship &ndash; extraordinary service &ndash; Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity brand is all about,&rdquo; said Celebrity&rsquo;s President &amp; CEO Dan Hanrahan.</p><p>&ldquo;We are indebted to the countless, highly dedicated individuals who have brought this spectacular ship to this point, and who have shared our passion for innovation, and our dedication to excellence,&rdquo; said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Celebrity Cruises&rsquo; parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.</p><p>Soon after its arrival in Fort Lauderdale on November 3, Celebrity Solstice will serve as the perfect platform for Celebrity Cruises&rsquo; 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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-13 00:04:50',215,1,1,NULL,NULL,624,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(937,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruises Launches New Marketing Campaign','123_782527853.jpg','2008-10-26 21:14:00','<p>With the idea that nearly half of all Americans don&rsquo;t use their vacation days, Carnival Cruise line is reaching out to their customer base with a brand new marketing campaign. According to Michael Braun of marketing firm Icedmedia, more than 438 million vacation days a year go unused.</p><p>Hoping to get the message out to customers that Carnival Cruise line offers great value and fun, The cruise line will sponsor two special evens in Dallas and Philadelphia. </p><p>The first event is Sunday, October 26th at 12 noon at Pegasus Park in downtown Dallas, where they will unveil the World&rsquo;s Largest Beach Ball (35 feet tall or approx 3 stories). In addition to tossing around the humongous beach ball with Carnival&rsquo;s own Senior Cruise Director John Heald and breaking a Guinness World Record&reg;, there will be music, ice cream , and free Carnival Cruise giveaways. This will be a great opportunity for both veteran and potential cruisers to partake in the Carnival brand of fun and learn more about the Carnival Cruise experience. This event also marks the launch of Carnival&rsquo;s new marketing slogan: All for Fun, Fun for All!</p><p>The following Sunday in Philadelphia, we will be breaking the world&rsquo;s largest<br />pinata at 11am on 20th and Market St.</p>','2013-01-13 22:36:50',287,1,1,NULL,NULL,622,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(938,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Princess Cruises','Princess to Debut Array of New Features and Special Touches Aboard Ruby Princess','princess_cruise_177434579.jpg','2008-10-26 21:16:00','<p>SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (October 20, 2008) -- When Ruby Princess launches on November 8, the ship will introduce a host of new shipboard services and special features, underscoring Princess\' tradition of continually evolving the onboard experience for its passengers. Among the new options is a pub lunch, an exclusive breakfast for suite passengers, unique enrichment programs from astronomy to mixology, two new stage shows, plus expanded wireless Internet and cell phone connectivity. </p><p>The 3,070-passenger vessel will feature the familiar favorites that have become passenger pleasers aboard its sister ships Crown Princess and Emerald Princess but, in addition, other special touches and innovations will be found throughout the service, dining and entertainment areas.</p><p>&quot;The new features aboard Ruby Princess are a perfect example of our commitment to provide passengers with the widest array of intriguing options to customize their cruise vacation,&quot; said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Many of the ship\'s enhancements are slated to become staples across the Princess fleet following their debut on Princess\' newest ship. Among the new features being introduced on Ruby Princess:</p><p>Wheelhouse Bar Pub Lunch -- On sea days, Ruby Princess\' Wheelhouse Bar will be transformed into an authentic English-style pub, serving a selection of traditional fare. A menu of British favorites, including bangers &amp; mash, fish &amp; chips, ploughman\'s lunch and cottage pie, will complement a selection of traditional pub brews such as Stella Artois, Bass Ale or Guinness. Pub lunch meal service is free of charge and will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.</p><p>Sabatini\'s Breakfast for Suite Passengers -- Suite passengers aboard Ruby Princess will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive breakfast in Sabatini\'s. Beginning with a &quot;Good Morning Mimosa,&quot; the menu features a variety of breakfast favorites, plus specialty items such as brioche French toast with apple &amp; cinnamon compote, yogurt and super granola parfait with raspberry swirl, soft-poached egg over potato &amp; vegetables with hollandaise sauce, and freshly made Belgian waffles. Suite passengers can enjoy this new amenity, along with the restaurant\'s dramatic top-of-ship views, from approximately 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Artisan Cheeses at Vines -- In addition to serving more than 30 wines by the glass and seafood appetizers that have made Vines a passenger favorite, the atrium-area bar on Ruby Princess will now feature a selection of domestic and imported artisan cheeses. Twelve varieties -- including unique choices such as boschetto al tartufo bianchetto, reblochon, and cambozola -- will be featured each day for a nominal fee. Vines will also host a series of lively events where passengers can meet members of the ship\'s staff, and will continue to offer wine flights and parings.</p><p>New Enrichment Programs -- A number of new ScholarShip@Sea enrichment programs debut aboard Ruby Princess to expand passengers\' horizons, whether they aspire to host the perfect party or increase their maritime knowledge. The Art of Entertaining offers passengers the opportunity to learn party-planning tips from lifestyle expert Susie Coelho via a multimedia presentation hosted by the cruise director. Navigation@Sea focuses on the history of navigation as well as the complexities of plotting the route of a modern cruise ship, with a presentation by the ship\'s navigator. Mixology@Sea lets passengers channel their inner bartender with a hands-on course taught by the ship\'s bar manager. For star gazers, the new Astronomy@Sea program provides passengers with the opportunity to explore the night sky through a telescope on the top deck, with the expert guidance of a ship\'s bridge officer. Developed in conjunction with Dr. Thomai Serdari, Professor of Art History and Director of Research Collections for New York University, Art History@Sea: Botticelli to Warhol, The Evolution of Art makes 500 years of art come to life with a special hour-long presentation.</p><p>Two New Production Shows -- Ruby Princess audiences will be able to enjoy two new Princess-produced shows in the ship\'s theater. &quot;Broadway Ballroom&quot; presents the music of the &lsquo;Great White Way\' with a ballroom flair, pairing the songs of hit musicals with dance numbers ranging from foxtrot to rumba. The show also features the talents of a costume designer and choreographer from the TV hit &quot;Dancing with the Stars.&quot; Meanwhile, &quot;Once Upon a Dream&quot; uses unique multidimensional cinematic projection to follow a dreamscape unlike anything seen at sea. The audience will accompany a young woman\'s journey as she dreams of everything from a tea party in an English garden to singing camels in the desert, and even a trip through a waterfall and brief nightmare before waking to a new day.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The Audience Gets in the Act -- A variety of new audience-participation events will also debut on the ship, giving passengers a number of ways to seek their 15 minutes of fame. Karaoke fans can go a bit farther with Love Boat Legends, where they are actually transformed into a famous artist of the past. So You Wanna Be A Rock Star? moves beyond pre-recorded Karaoke tunes to give audience members the opportunity to rock out with a live band on stage. Oceans of Talent puts passenger talent center stage -- whether they play a musical instrument or want to try out their comedic timing. The Wake Up Show takes Princess\' popular morning show with the cruise director to a new level with an irreverent talk show format, live band, special guests and an opportunity for passengers to join the &quot;studio&quot; audience, as the show is taped in the evening before its broadcast the next morning. </p><p>A Few Fine Touches -- A number of new service touches will be introduced to delight passengers. In the Horizon Court buffet, new waffle stations will offer fresh cooked-to-order waffles at breakfast and throughout lunchtime, and the buffet will also begin serving complimentary lemonade as a beverage choice. In the evening, passengers will find a selection of canap�s in several of the ship\'s public lounges. Passengers arriving back from shore will be greeted with chilled face cloths, and by the pool, &quot;misting stewards&quot; will offer a quick refreshing spritz with Evian to cool off. </p><p>Kid Stuff -- Young passengers can enjoy a new Wizards Academy, an exclusive presentation from the award-winning California Science Center. This enriching new program lets children explore the connection between science and magic in a fun and participative environment. Kids will also enjoy activities and projects from popular arts and crafts company Klutz, or participate in Yoga for Kids, a healthy and fun course designed specifically for children. </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Wireless Internet and Cell Phones -- Expanding on Princess\' Internet and phone connectivity, Ruby Princess will offer laptop users additional wireless hotspots around the vessel, including staterooms. The ship will also be equipped so that passengers can use their personal cellular phones, if they have international roaming plans, while onboard. </p><p>Ultimate Ship Tour -- A new exclusive opportunity to experience an array of &quot;back of house&quot; areas that are key to a ship\'s daily operations, the Ultimate Ship Tour will give passengers the unique opportunity to explore beyond the public areas with visits to the ship\'s engine control room, medical center, print shop, laundry, photo lab, funnel, bridge and other spaces. In addition to getting a rare insider\'s view of many areas typically seen only by the ship\'s crew, participants will receive a variety of themed mementos at many of the stops along the route.</p><p>Ruby Princess also includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing array of performing street entertainers, Princess\' signature adults-only oasis called The Sanctuary, Sabatini\'s Italian restaurant, Crown Grill seafood and steak house, &quot;Movies Under the Stars&quot; giant outdoor movie screen, and Hearts and Minds wedding chapel. The ship will feature an inaugural season of Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, followed by a program of Mediterranean voyages in summer 2009.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-13 00:14:24',303,1,1,NULL,NULL,627,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Pub Lunch, Sabatini&#039;s Suite Breakfast, and Unique Enrichment Programs Among New Offerings Introduced',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(939,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines Returns To Galveston November 1','123_707490421.jpg','2008-10-26 21:18:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines, the Port of Galveston&rsquo;s only year-round cruise operator, announced today that it will resume service from the Texas port on November 1, 2008 following a temporary cease in cruise operations due to Hurricane Ike last month.</p><p>The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will resume year-round four- and five-day cruises from Galveston with a five-day voyage departing on Saturday, Nov. 1.&nbsp; The 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest will begin year-round seven-day service from Galveston Sunday, Nov. 2.</p><p>Up until that time, the ships will continue to operate round-trip from the Port of Houston&rsquo;s Bayport Cruise Terminal where they were shifted temporarily following Hurricane Ike.&nbsp; The Carnival Ecstasy cruises on October 23 and October 27; and the Carnival Conquest cruise on October 26 will operate round-trip from Houston. </p><p>&ldquo;We are extremely pleased to be resuming service from the Port of Galveston and extend our congratulations and appreciation to the port and the Galveston community as a whole for enabling us to return so quickly,&rdquo; said Gerry Cahill, Carnival&rsquo;s president and CEO.&nbsp; </p><p>&ldquo;We would also like to express our gratitude to the Port of Houston for their tremendous efforts in accommodating our ships and being such exceptional partners.&nbsp; Their support enabled these ships to remain Texas based while Galveston worked through its recovery process,&rdquo; Cahill noted. </p><p>Carnival launched the first year-round cruise program from Galveston in 2000 and has expanded its presence dramatically over the past eight years.&nbsp; With the return of its two year-round ships, Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Conquest, the line expects to carry an estimated 350,000 guests annually from Galveston. </p><p>According to Steve Cernak, director of the Port of Galveston, &ldquo;We took a hit however&nbsp; we rapidly&nbsp; rebounded. We had our first cargo ship&nbsp; in nine days after the storm. Now, six weeks after Hurricane Ike, we are fully operational. The Port, as well as all of Galveston Island, is excited to welcome home both Carnival Ecstasy and Carnival Conquest.</p><p>&nbsp;Carnival Ecstasy&rsquo;s four- and five-day cruise schedule encompasses four-day voyages departing Thursdays to Cozumel, Mexico, and five-day cruises departing Mondays and Saturdays to Cozumel and Progreso, Mexico. Carnival Conquest&rsquo;s seven-day&nbsp;&nbsp; western&nbsp; Caribbean cruise&nbsp; program&nbsp; includes&nbsp; week-long&nbsp; voyages&nbsp; departing&nbsp; every Sunday to&nbsp; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Cozumel; and George Town, Grand Cayman as well as a new 2009 itinerary option that visits Key West, Freeport and Nassau.</p>','2013-01-13 00:00:00',283,1,1,NULL,NULL,625,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(940,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','SeaDream to Introduce New Magazine for Guests','seadream1007_733644490.jpg','2008-11-02 21:46:00','<p>SeaDream Yacht Club is introducing a glossy, full-color magazine called BLU. The inaugural issue premieres November 2008. Published by PPI Group of Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, BLU is a bi-annual publication for SeaDream Club Members (SeaDream&rsquo;s past guest organization) and onboard guests. Adrienne d&rsquo;Annunzio, manager of the SeaDream Club, will oversee the magazine. &ldquo;SeaDream guests have made luxury travel a way of life,&rdquo; she said. &ldquo;From cruising to dining to beauty to sport and entertainment, BLU will be the personification of stylish travel -- a source of information for the astute, upscale traveler.&rdquo; Each issue of BLU will feature articles on travel, cuisine, health and beauty, accessories, art, interiors, sport, entertainment and, of course, the elegant mega-yacht cruisers SeaDream I and II.</p><p>BLU will focus on outstanding photography and innovative, informative articles on the products, services and experiences that SeaDream guests hold in high regard. The November issue will feature a variety of topics including a candid interview with Cyndi Lauper, an article about the whirling dervishes of Turkey and an informative look at truffle hunting in Croatia. SeaDream Yacht Club will continue to produce its club newsletter called the SeaDreamer, which will be mailed together with BLU magazine, to club members worldwide.</p>','2013-01-13 19:14:38',188,2,1,NULL,NULL,629,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(941,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Daily News','Royal Caribbean: &quot;significant deterioration&quot; in cruise ship bookings','Cruise_wideweb__430x285_0_982987538.jpg','2008-11-02 21:48:00','Industry giant <strong>Royal Caribbean</strong> says the economic turmoil of recent weeks is spooking customers and causing a major slowdown in bookings. <em>&quot;While the company\'s order book remains solid, there has been a significant deterioration recently in new bookings due to economic and financial turmoil,&quot;</em> the company says today in a statement accompanying its third quarter earnings release. <br /><br />The parent company of Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises reported record third quarter earnings of $411.9 million, or $1.92 per share, compared to $395.0 million, or $1.84 per share in 2007. But the heady profits are the result of bookings that came in long before financial markets began their roller coaster ride downward. <br /><br /><em>&quot;While we are pleased with our third quarter results, the operating environment has changed dramatically in recent weeks,&quot;</em> says <strong>Richard Fain</strong>, Royal Caribbean chairman and CEO, in the statement.<br /><br />The statement noted that the company\'s brands had begun offering more discounts to fill ships. <em>&quot;As we have seen during other challenging periods, our customers are delaying their (purchase decisions) further out,&quot; says Brian Rice, Royal Caribbean\'s chief financial officer. &quot;It is too early to respond to this atmosphere in a systematic way, but we have attracted short term volume in the traditionally weak fourth quarter using discounts.&quot;</em><br /><br />Royal Caribbean<strong> </strong>says it is responding to the downturn with plans to cut $125 million in costs over the next year. The company says it will target general and administrative expenses and try to avoid cuts that would impact the passenger experience.<br /><br />One bright spot for the company: Fuel costs. With oil prices plunging, Royal Caribbean expects to spend just $686 million this year on fuel -$86 million less than it was projecting just a few months ago. The company now projects it will spend $635 million in fuel for 2009- $255 million less than it was projecting in July.','2013-01-23 03:34:32',322,1,1,NULL,NULL,630,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(942,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Houston Chronicle','State nixes Ike housing on cruise ship','regalfunnel_465036821.jpg','2008-11-02 21:50:00','<p>GALVESTON _ State officials on Friday withdrew a request for federal money to charter a cruise ship for use as emergency housing in Orange County for Hurricane Ike storm victims.</p><p>Officials withdrew the request to the Federal Emergency Management Agency after discovering that silt deposits made it impossible for the cruise ship Regal Empress to enter Port Orange, said Michael Gerber, executive director of the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs.</p><p>State and Orange County officials on Monday asked FEMA to pay for using the 1,100-bed cruise ship, owned by Royal Empress Cruise Lines, for emergency housing.</p><p>The ship, which was anchored in the Gulf of Mexico awaiting a FEMA decision after being forced to leave Galveston Harbor on Thursday to make room for other vessels, will head to its home port, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.</p>','2013-01-12 23:34:30',168,1,1,NULL,NULL,631,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(943,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Kristen A. Lee, AP Business Writer','Carnival shares plunge after dividend suspension','saupload_ccl_thumb1_841334736.jpg','2008-11-02 21:52:00','<p>NEW YORK (AP) -- Shares of Carnival Corp. plunged on Friday after the cruise operator suspended its dividend to preserve cash and help fund new ships next year without tapping the credit markets.</p><p>Carnival shares plunged $3.31, or 11.5 percent, to close at $25.40. Earlier in the session, the stock touched $21.92, its lowest point since 2003. During the past 52 weeks, the stock has traded between $23.53 and $48.25.<br />&nbsp;<br />The suspension will go into effect after the company\'s December payout of 40 cents per share. Carnival plans to maintain the suspension throughout 2009, but said it will reevaluate its policy throughout the year.</p><p>In a conference call with investors, Carnival executives said the company\'s capital expenditures in 2009 are expected to total $3.4 billion as the company takes delivery of 5 new ships. The move is expected to lead to annual savings of about $1.3 billion.</p><p>&quot;While the equity will get beaten down as yield investors exit, we believe long-term this was a prudent move by a forward looking management team in order to protect against a material downturn in business conditions,&quot; said Stifel Nicolaus &amp; Co. analyst Steven Wieczynski in a note to investors. The analyst, who maintained a &quot;Buy&quot; rating on the stock, said Carnival\'s cash flow and liquidity remain strong.</p><p>Carnival also warned investors on Friday that bookings slowed further during the financial market turmoil of the past six weeks. Upon reporting third-quarter results on Tuesday, rival Royal Caribbean Cruises also warned investors that its new bookings deteriorated during September, blaming the economic crisis.</p><p>For 2009, Carnival predicted that net revenue yields, a key profitability gauge, will decline between 1 percent and 5 percent.</p><p>In a note to investors, Analyst Robert LaFleur of Susquehanna Financial Group said the slowdown is likely a reflection of consumer &quot;panic&quot; related to the financial market meltdown.</p><p>&quot;While yields will clearly take a hit next year, we expect booking patterns to settle down in the next few months, and that some of the future bookings that have not been made the past six weeks or so will eventually materialize,&quot; LaFleur wrote. &quot;That said, we expect 2009 will be tough -- not as bad as post-9/11 -- but very difficult.&quot;</p><p>Despite the gloomy outlook, Carnival boosted its 2008 earnings guidance, mostly due to falling oil prices.</p><p>Carnival now expects full-year profit of $2.81 to $2.83 per share, up from its prior guidance range of $2.79 to $2.81 per share. Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expect earnings of $2.82 per share.</p><p>Carnival forecast 2009 profit between $2.50 and $3 per share, compared with analysts\' consensus forecast of $2.78 per share.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-23 14:48:58',266,4,1,NULL,NULL,632,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Carnival shares plunge after cruise operator suspends dividend, warns of bookings slowdown ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(944,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','P&amp;O Cruises','Construction begins for Britain’s newest cruise ship','Cruises_19_486451847.jpg','2008-11-02 21:54:00','<p>A ceremony marking the keel-laying for the newest superliner for P&amp;O Cruises will be held today at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Trieste, Italy. One of the two largest ships ever built for P&amp;O Cruises and for the British cruise market, the new ship will be named Azura.</p><p>P&amp;O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: &ldquo;Evoking images of the ocean and capturing the thrill of cruise travel, the name Azura is very fitting for this most sophisticated of superliners. It is also appropriate for a ship that will be a haven of serenity and the embodiment of the choice and service excellence for which P&amp;O Cruises is renowned.&rdquo;</p><p>The keel-laying involved the placement in the dry dock of one section of the ship&rsquo;s hull. This section is made up of six pre-manufactured blocks, weighs 650 tons and is ready-fitted with piping and other internal structure.</p><p>The ceremony follows an intensive period of design and development. Fifty sections and several additional interconnecting steel blocks will be used in the construction of Azura and the ship will take to the water for the first time at her float out in summer 2009, before her delivery to P&amp;O Cruises in spring 2010.</p><p>Azura&rsquo;s 3,100 passengers will enjoy fifteen public decks, 11 restaurants, five boutiques, four pools, two lounges and over 900 private balconies.</p><p>Azura will depart on her maiden voyage in late spring 2010, details of which will be announced early next year. Further details of Azura&rsquo;s build, partnerships and interior design will be announced in November 2008.</p>','2013-01-13 00:04:50',185,1,1,NULL,NULL,633,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(945,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jason','NCL To Eliminate Fuel Supplement','dollarvalue_397926407.jpg','2008-11-02 21:56:00','<p>Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced today that the company&rsquo;s current fuel supplement will no longer apply to bookings made on or after November 10, 2008 for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010.</p><p>For guests booked prior to November 10, 2008 for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010, the company has established the following guidelines for the refund of fuel supplements paid:</p><p>* The criteria for refund will be determined on a quarterly basis. Should the closing price on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) of West Texas Intermediate fuel be below $65 per barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the calendar quarter (dates specified below), the company will refund fuel supplements paid in the form of an on-board credit.</p><p>For guests booked on sailings that depart in 2009 (on or after January 1, 2009 and that depart on or before December 31, 2009), regardless of booking date, the company has established the following guidelines for the refund of fuel supplements paid:</p><p>* The criteria for refund will be determined on a quarterly basis. Should the closing price on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) of West Texas Intermediate fuel be below $65 per barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the calendar quarter (dates specified below), the company will refund fuel supplements paid in the form of an on-board credit.</p><p>The dates on which the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel will be measured and the quarters during which refunds could apply are:</p><p><br />Fuel Price Determination Date Quarter of Possible Fuel Supplement Refunds</p><p>December 18, 2008 First Quarter 2009<br />March 18, 2009 Second Quarter 2009<br />June 17, 2009 Third Quarter 2009<br />September 17, 2009 Fourth Quarter 2009<br />December 18, 2009 First Quarter 2010<br />March 18, 2010 Second Quarter 2010<br />June 17, 2010 Third Quarter 2010<br />September 17, 2010 Fourth Quarter 2010<br />December 17, 2010 First Quarter 2011</p><p>Determination of what quarter a sailing is in will be based solely on the sailing date. The entire cruise will be considered to be part of the quarter that the sailing date originates in.</p><p>These new fuel supplement policies apply to guests booked through all NCL offices around the world.</p><p>The company is implementing these changes in response to the recent decrease in global fuel prices. NCL will continue to closely monitor global fuel prices to assess whether a reinstatement of the fuel supplement will be necessary.</p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p>','2013-01-24 15:30:20',343,1,1,NULL,NULL,634,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(946,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Celebrity Cruises','Celebrity Cruises &quot;Takes the Keys&quot; to Celebrity Solstice','2774684533_7481f2f0f4_430559649.jpg','2008-11-02 21:58:00','<p>Miami - (October 24, 2008 ) - The most widely heralded cruise ship to enter the market this year, Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Solstice, was delivered today at a ceremony in Emshaven, Netherlands, marking the formal transfer of the ship � the first in a class of five � from shipbuilder Meyer Werft to Celebrity Cruises. The ship will begin its transatlantic voyage October 25, with arrival in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., anticipated November 3.</p><p>&quot;With its innovative, half-acre Lawn Club with real, growing grass; the Hot Glass Show offered through our alliance with The Corning Museum of Glass; 10 widely varied restaurants, including four in the specialty category; stylish, spacious staterooms whose design was influenced by a panel of five women with unique travel and hospitality insights; and, of course, the intangible attribute found on every Celebrity ship � extraordinary service � Celebrity Solstice is the perfect manifestation of what the Celebrity brand is all about,&quot; said Celebrity\'s President &amp; CEO Dan Hanrahan.</p><p>&quot;We are indebted to the countless, highly dedicated individuals who have brought this spectacular ship to this point, and who have shared our passion for innovation, and our dedication to excellence,&quot; said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO of Celebrity Cruises\' parent company, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.</p><p>Soon after its arrival in Fort Lauderdale on November 3, 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.</p>','2013-01-12 23:34:37',300,1,1,NULL,NULL,638,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(947,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Princess Cruises','Wedding Bells to Ring During Naming Festivities for Ruby Princess','wedding_cruiseship_181564091.jpg','2008-11-02 22:04:00','<p>Princess Cruises Celebrates Ultimate Romantic Milestone as Part of Ship Launch </p><p><br />&quot;Love Boat&quot; Captain Gavin MacLeod and &quot;Bachelorette&quot; Couple Trista and Ryan Sutter Serve as Attendants for California Pair </p><p>SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (October 28, 2008) - What better way for &quot;the most romantic cruise line&quot; to celebrate the launch of its new Ruby Princess than by incorporating an actual wedding in the naming ceremony? In a first, a California couple will be married during the ship\'s christening festivities on November 6. Ruby Princess godparents, romantic television celebrities Trista and Ryan Sutter, will serve as attendants and former Love Boat captain, Gavin MacLeod, will give away the bride. </p><p>The couple, Danielle Vurpillat and Kip Hickman from Dunsmuir, Calif., were invited to share their nuptials with guests onboard after entering the Princess Cruises and USA TODAY &quot;Romance on the Ruby&quot; contest. In their submission they shared that it would be their dream to create their own romantic milestone by getting married onboard the new Ruby Princess - and in true Love Boat fashion, Princess is making their dream come true. In addition to the celebrity attendants, a member of the line\'s Department of Romance, Phil Roberts, a minister, will perform the ceremony.</p><p>Princess Cruises has long been associated with romance on the high seas, dating back to its days as the setting for the now-iconic TV show. Cementing that connection, Princess was just named the &quot;Best Cruise Line for Romance&quot; and &quot;Best Cruise Line for Weddings&quot; in the 2008 Cruise Critic Editors\' Picks Awards. The Ruby Princess naming ceremony continues the line\'s tradition of romance as Trista and Ryan, who met and married on the television hit The Bachelorette, will christen the ship.</p><p>&quot;A ship\'s naming is an exciting event in itself, so including an actual wedding in the ceremony will certainly make this a one-of-a-kind celebration,&quot; said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. &quot;We aim to make this a fantastic romantic milestone for Danielle and Kip as they begin their life together as husband and wife.&quot;</p><p>The wedding will take place during the ship\'s naming ceremony on Thursday, November 6 at 5:00 p.m. while Ruby Princess is berthed in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The couple will then enjoy the festivities during the subsequent two-night inaugural preview cruise for VIPs.</p><p>&quot;Since we met and married on national television five years ago, we feel very well suited to be Danielle and Kip\'s attendants as they wed in front of more than 2,500 people onboard Ruby Princess,&quot; said Trista Sutter. &quot;We can coach them on making sure this milestone is special and intimate for them, even though it will be viewed by many thousands of people.&quot;</p><p>The wedding and entire Ruby Princess naming ceremony will be available for viewing on line at <a href=\"http://www.princess.com/\">www.princess.com</a> beginning November 7. </p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p>During Ruby Princess\' inaugural season she will make seven-day weekly sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Western Caribbean. Calls include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico and Princess Cays in the Bahamas. Next spring the ship will move to Europe for 12-day sailings in the Mediterranean and Greek Islands.</p>','2013-01-13 20:56:19',158,1,1,NULL,NULL,635,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(948,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','Costa Cruises celebrates its 60th birthday with three Grand Anniversary Cruises','costamediterranea_625405901.jpg','2008-11-02 22:08:00','To end its 60th birthday (1948-2008) celebrations with a bang, Costa Cruises has arranged three Great Anniversary Cruises with an aura of exclusivity.&nbsp; On October 26 and November 3 and 11, the Italian Company&rsquo;s most loyal customers will be boarding the Costa Mediterranea in Savona for an 8-day itinerary with stopovers in Malaga, Cadiz, Lisbon, Gibraltar, Alicante and Barcelona. The first cruise was actually&nbsp; &ldquo;sold out&rdquo; with more than 2,300 Guests onboard. <br /><br />As the name suggests, they are theme cruises specially devised to celebrate the six decades of Costa&rsquo;s history The ship will herself be personalized with special interior decoration, so as to involve the Guests right away in a festive convivial ambience.&nbsp; <br /><br />Guest Starring on the first two cruises are the &ldquo;legendary New Trolls&rdquo;, a Genoese group that is part of the history of Italian pop music; they will be performing at a gala concert in the superb three-tier Teatro Osiris.&nbsp; On the November 11 departure, the star attraction will be the acclaimed international singer Al Bano, who will join in the celebrations for Costa by treating the audience to&nbsp; his greatest and most popular hits.<br /><br />The history of the Company has been traced on the ship in a one-off exhibition of photographs depicting the fleet members and life on board from 1948 until the present day.&nbsp; And that&rsquo;s not all!&nbsp; The Guests can also take part in an Auction of copies of decorative objects from Costa&rsquo;s fleet, brochures, menus, old printed programs of the day&rsquo;s activities on board and fragments from the hull of the &ldquo;legendary&rdquo; Eugenio C, the flagship of the fleet from the &rsquo;60s to the &rsquo;80s. During the first cruise the auction was a great success: a fragment from the Eugenio C was sold for 1,600 euro. A market has been also arranged trading Costa souvenirs, memorabilia and collector&rsquo;s items. <br /><br />Among the activities planned for these commemorative Cruises are some deck games from yesteryear such as shuffleboard&nbsp; as well as an entertaining Quiz on the history of the Company.&nbsp; Key events include the gala dinners, with some traditional delicacies from the past added to the menu, plus dancing, shows every evening, live music and games all celebrating&nbsp; Costa Cruises&rsquo; historic diamond anniversary.&nbsp; Brand new shoreside excursions have also been specially arranged in Spain and Portugal exclusively for the anniversary cruises, giving participants a whole new perspective on these countries.<br /><br />The celebratory cruises ends in style with a farewell cocktail party during which there will be projection of archive footage and the chance for the Guests to drink a toast with the Masters, Ma&icirc;tres d&rsquo; and cruise directors that have sailed on the best known and most popular ships in the Costa fleet.','2013-01-12 23:59:55',284,1,1,NULL,NULL,637,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(949,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Liberty to Operate Year-Round Seven-Day Cruises From Miami Beginning April 2009; Introduction of Year-Round Cruises From Baltimore on Carnival Pride Moved Up to Spring','liberty021_396662035.jpg','2008-11-02 22:10:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that its Miami-based Carnival Liberty, which was originally scheduled to reposition to Europe in May 2009, will instead remain in Miami to operate year-round Caribbean cruises. </p><p>The Carnival Liberty will continue to offer its existing schedule of seven-day Caribbean cruises through next spring and then introduce a new seven-day program from Miami beginning in April 2009.&nbsp; </p><p>In turn, the Carnival Pride, currently based in Long Beach, Calif., and originally scheduled to shift to Miami for a five-month Caribbean deployment from April through August, will instead launch its Baltimore-based program on April 27, 2009.&nbsp; </p><p>Prior to its Baltimore deployment, Carnival Pride will operate its previously scheduled Panama Canal cruise from Long Beach, Calif., to Miami March 22&ndash;April 5, 2009, as well as a six-day cruise departing April 5 and two seven-day Caribbean cruises departing April 11 and 18, 2009, all operating from Miami.&nbsp; </p><p>&ldquo;Based on current market conditions, continued economic uncertainty and high air costs to Europe, we are shifting our focus to an even greater extent toward our core, close-to-home cruise options which are clearly the preference of the vast majority of the mainstream vacation market right now,&rdquo; said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. &ldquo;We are excited that this change in deployment will also enable us to bring the Carnival Pride to Baltimore four months earlier than originally planned to start up that city&rsquo;s first year-round cruise program, which is proving to be extremely popular based on advanced bookings so far,&rdquo; he added. </p><p>Cahill noted that Carnival will still offer several European cruises next year when the 3,646-passenger Carnival Dream &ndash; the line&rsquo;s newest and largest ship &ndash; debuts with a series of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) in September and October 2009. Carnival Dream will also operate a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York in late October 2009. </p><p>Cahill said that the company will be offering assistance in finding vacation alternatives to Carnival Liberty guests who were scheduled to sail in Europe, including European cruises on Carnival&rsquo;s sister companies that have a strong presence in the region such as Holland America and Princess.</p><p>&nbsp;&ldquo;We understand that our guests who were scheduled to sail in Europe are going to be disappointed by this development and we sincerely apologize to them for this disruption to their vacation plans. Europe remains a desirable vacation choice for many and we will endeavor to help our guests find alternative plans to sail within the region,&rdquo; he said.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Existing Bookings - Carnival Liberty and Carnival Pride</strong></p><p>Guests booked on the Carnival Liberty Europe cruises will be provided special onboard credit offers toward other 2009 Carnival cruises, including the Carnival Dream European departures. In addition, Carnival will assist guests with the cost of changes/cancellations for non-refundable air transportation. </p><p>Guests who were booked on the Carnival Pride&rsquo;s Caribbean cruises from April 25, 2009 to August 29, 2009 from Miami will be automatically shifted to the same accommodations on the Carnival Liberty.&nbsp; The Carnival Liberty will also operate the same itineraries as previously scheduled on the Carnival Pride.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Carnival Liberty&rsquo;s New Seven-Day Caribbean Cruises From Miami</strong></p><p>Carnival Liberty will continue its current program of seven-day Caribbean cruises from Miami through April 18, 2009 then assume a new schedule of weeklong cruises to the Western and Exotic Eastern Caribbean beginning Saturday, April 25, 2009, through November 28, 2009.&nbsp; The new Exotic Eastern Caribbean cruise route will feature Half Moon Cay, a private Bahamian island; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.; San Juan, Puerto Rico; and Grand Turk, Turks &amp; Caicos Islands.&nbsp; The western route will visit Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico</p><p><br /><strong>Carnival Pride&rsquo;s New Spring/Summer Departures From Baltimore</strong> </p><p>Carnival Pride will launch Baltimore&rsquo;s first year-round cruise program beginning on April 27, 2009, four months ahead of the original schedule.&nbsp; From April 27, 2009 to September 6, 2009, the ship will operate a series of six-, seven- and eight-day cruises.&nbsp; These cruises will visit a wide variety of ports including Nassau, Freeport, Half Moon Cay (a private Bahamian island), Port Canaveral (Orlando) and Grand Turk in the Turks &amp; Caicos.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-12 23:29:59',385,1,1,NULL,NULL,636,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(951,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Breaks Record for World’s Largest Piñata','123_838584860.jpg','2008-11-10 23:55:00','<span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Carnival Cruise Lines broke a Guinness Record for the world&rsquo;s largest pi&ntilde;ata during a Pi&ntilde;ata Block Party event in Philadelphia on Sunday, Nov. 2.<span>&nbsp; </span>According to an onsite Guinness adjudicator, the giant mock donkey measured 60 feet, 4 inches long; 23 feet, 10.5 inches wide and 61 feet, 10.25 inches tall.<span>&nbsp; </span>The event also featured a variety of entertainment and activities, along with free food and giveaway items, including five seven-day Caribbean cruises from Baltimore on the Carnival Pride.<span>&nbsp; </span>The event was designed to kick-off the cruise line&rsquo;s new branding campaign as well as serve as the basis for an upcoming TV commercial.<span>&nbsp; </span>The actual breaking open of the pi&ntilde;ata was postponed due to safety concerns based on an unexpectedly large number of attendees.</font></span>','2013-01-13 13:15:00',197,3,1,NULL,NULL,639,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(952,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Line International Association','CONSUMERS SHOW STRONG INTEREST DURING NATIONAL CRUISE VACATION MONTH','212019741_6f1fd1f25f_238834608.jpg','2008-11-11 00:01:00','<p id=\"dateline\">Fort Lauderdale&nbsp;November 03, 2008&nbsp;&mdash;</p><div><p>Despite worries about the economy, American consumers continue to show strong interest in cruises, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). This is reflected in the results of World&rsquo;s Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) event on October 16, and online, or Virtual WLCN, promotions during the month of October. As the focal points of National Cruise Vacation Month, participating CLIA travel agencies state that these two promotions are expected to generate over $41 million in cruise vacation sales and will result in $5.3 million in travel agent commissions.</p></div><div><p>According to a CLIA survey of participating agents, over 57,000 consumers, a 28 percent increase over 2007, attended physical WLCN cruise events held by 1,101 agencies this year, also a record. The events held in&nbsp;travel agency offices, hotel ballrooms, restaurants, comedy clubs and other venues, are expected to generate a total of 16,951 bookings for an estimated $20.3 million in sales yielding more than $2.6 million in travel agency commissions. Over 95 percent of agents who planned to participate did so, a 22 percent increase in participating agencies over 2007.</p></div><div><p>All of Liberty Travel&rsquo;s more than 200 storefront locations conducted a WLCN event in conjunction with their CruiseFest promotion. &ldquo;We had a great World&rsquo;s Largest Cruise Night with over $3 million in cruise sales in one day, and quite a variety of cruises booked,&rdquo; said Makis Xenatos, vice president of cruise and tour operator marketing for LibGo Travel, the umbrella company of Liberty Travel.</p></div><div><p>CLIA introduced the Virtual WLCN option in 2007, expanding it into a month-long opportunity for agents this year. Over 3,000 agencies participated in 2008, sending email invitations to nearly 500,000 consumers inviting them to visit a customized Web site with cruise line videos, agency contact information and special offers. It is estimated that consumers viewed over 64,000 cruise line videos. Agents surveyed project $21 million in sales as a result of their four weeks of Virtual WLCN participation. Combined, CLIA&rsquo;s 2008 online and traditional WLCN events are projected to generate 43,000 bookings and $41.4 million in sales, resulting in nearly $5.4 million in travel agency commissions.</p></div><div><p>&ldquo;Given the global financial events of October this year, we are encouraged by consumer interest in CLIA&rsquo;s World&rsquo;s Largest Cruise Night and our Virtual WLCN; despite their worries they are shopping,&rdquo; said Terry L. Dale, CLIA&rsquo;s president and CEO. &ldquo;It is no secret that the selling environment in October was tougher than many of us have seen for a very long time as a result of the global economic environment and the apparent purchase decision gridlock caused by the pending US election. Nevertheless, WLCN bookings this year exceeded 2007 levels; that&rsquo;s encouraging.&rdquo;</p></div><div><p>&ldquo;We are very proud of the CLIA member travel agencies who continue to be proactive and promote their business and cruising in light of these challenges and the proof of that effort is evident,&rdquo; added Bob Sharak, CLIA&rsquo;s EVP marketing &amp; distribution. &ldquo;More now than ever, is the cruise value proposition a great selling tool &ndash; and through the efforts of our WLCN participating CLIA agencies, nearly five and a half million dollars in commission is their reward. We&rsquo;re also grateful that our cruise line members continue to provide our agencies with special offers, support and promotions specifically for WLCN.&quot;</p></div><div><p>Mike King of Travel Leaders in Fredericksburg, VA, hosted a WLCN event called &ldquo;World&rsquo;s Largest Cruise Expo&rdquo; at the Fredericksburg Expo Center, with representatives from 15 cruise lines. The event attracted 500 attendees. &ldquo;As a result of Cruise Expo, over 10 percent of the people attending are booked to sail, and several more are still deciding on their dream cruise,&rdquo; King said.</p></div><div><p>In 2007, WLCN drew 45,000 consumers to 900-plus travel agency events that generated an estimated 34,654 bookings, $43.3 million in cruise sales and $5.8 million in travel agency commissions. In its first year in 2005, CLIA&rsquo;s WLCN promotion attracted 25,000 consumers to 400-plus agency events, generating an estimated 7,273 bookings, $9 million in cruise sales and $1.2 million in travel agency commissions.</p></div><div>For more information about CLIA, WLCN, or the cruise vacations offered by CLIA member lines, visit www.cruising.org.</div>','2013-01-12 23:30:03',223,1,1,NULL,NULL,640,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Proactive Agents and Agencies Capitalize on World&#039;s Largest Cruise Night and Generate an Expected $41 million in Sales, $5.3 million in Commissions',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(953,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Ocean Village to be phased out','ocean_village_573267718.jpg','2008-11-11 00:03:00','<p>Carnival UK has announced that it will be phasing out the Ocean Village brand starting in autumn 2009 as part of a reorganisation of its company portfolio. Both Ocean Village ships are set to be transferred to the P&amp;O Cruises Australia brand, the first in time for Christmas 2009 and the final ship a year later.</p><p>Commenting on the move, David Dingle, CEO of Carnival UK and Chair of the Carnival Australia Management Committee, said:</p><p>&ldquo;In reviewing the most effective deployment of our ships, we have recognised the major growth potential in the Australian market and the profit opportunity which awaits. Clearly it is disappointing to wind down our Ocean Village operation which has been superbly created and delivered by an excellent management team, but we must recognise the need to maximise profit performance from our assets. Ocean Village has done much to change the face of British cruising, and all our UK brands have benefited from this. The arrival of new ships for P&amp;O Cruises and Cunard in 2010 and the continuing development of Princess Cruises in Britain will ensure that Carnival UK continues its growth despite the redeployment of the Ocean Village vessels.&rdquo;</p><p>Following the changes Ocean Village will operate a single ship in the Caribbean in winter 2009-10 and the previously published programme will be updated and pre-made bookings amended. </p><p><br />Carnival UK cruise brands include P&amp;O Cruises, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Ocean Village and The Yachts of Seabourn.</p>','2013-01-24 18:09:58',220,2,1,NULL,NULL,641,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(954,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Keel laying ceremony for P&amp;O Cruises newest ship Azura','123_119327640.jpg','2008-11-11 00:04:00','<p>P&amp;O Cruises latest superliner currently under construction at the Monfalcone shipyard of Fincantieri near Treste, Italy, is to be named Azura and along with her sister ship Ventura will be the largest ships ever built for the British cruise market.</p><p>A keel laying ceremony took place today however it was much a lower key ceremony than planned in respect of the tragic death of a worker on the Ruby Princess that happened last week.</p><p>Keel laying involves placing one segment of the ship&rsquo;s hull in the dry dock. This section is made up of six pre-manufactured blocks which weigh up to 650 tons and is ready-fitted with piping and other interior composition. The keel laying follows from a concentrated period of design and development. Fifty sections and several supplementary interconnecting steel blocks will be used in the construction of Azura.</p><p>P&amp;O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, commented: &quot;Evoking images of the ocean and capturing the thrill of cruise travel, the name Azura is very fitting for this most sophisticated of superliners. It is also appropriate for a ship that will be a haven of serenity and the embodiment the choice and service excellence for which P&amp;O Cruises is renowned.&quot;</p><p>Azura is set to float out in summer 2009 before her delivery to P and O Cruises in spring 2010. Set to begin her maiden voyage in late spring 2010, Azura will feature 15 public decks; have 11 restaurants, five boutiques, four pools, two lounges and over 900 staterooms with private balconies. </p>','2013-01-20 13:51:45',338,2,1,NULL,NULL,642,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(955,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','QE2&#039;s final farewell to Southampton','fireworks_181793598.jpg','2008-11-11 00:05:00','<p>Cunard Cruises have announced plans for QE2&rsquo;s final departure from her home port of Southampton on Tuesday 11 November 2008, when she leaves for her new life in Dubai. After an incredible 39 years of service, 806 transatlantic crossings, 25 world cruises, 5.9 million nautical miles travelled and assisting her country during the Falklands Campaign, QE2 will leave her service with Cunard Cruises to become a first class hotel and entertainment centre.</p><p>One of the most momentous moments of 11 November will be a farewell visit from His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh. This will be His Royal Highness&rsquo;s seventh visit and during his visit a two minute silence will take place at 1100 hours prior to meeting crew members who went to the Falklands with QE2.</p><p>After a tour of the ship, His Royal Highness will present a painting of QE2, which was unveiled by Her Majesty The Queen during her farewell visit to the ship on 2 June 2008, to the Mayor of Southampton, who will accept it on behalf of the city.</p><p>It is expected that people from all over the country will travel to Southampton to make their farewells to QE2. Other highlights include a million poppies to be dropped from a Tiger Moth to commemorate Remembrance Day and QE2&rsquo;s role in the Falklands and a flypast of a Harrier which will hover and bow to QE2 approximately 500 feet off her stern.</p><p>At 1915 hours QE2 will leave her berth and remain for a period at Mayflower Park, where a pre-recorded message from her Captain, Ian McNaught, will be broadcast on a screen in the Park. Immediately afterwards there will be an amazing firework display and then QE2 will proceed downriver with her whistle blasting, down Southampton Water for the start of her journey to Dubai.</p><p><br />Cunard Cruises flagship Queen Mary 2 remains the largest and grandest ocean liner at sea and accompanied by Queen Victoria have revived the &lsquo;Golden Age of Ocean Travel&rsquo;. Cunard Cruises will not have to wait long for a new &lsquo;Elizabeth&rsquo; as Queen Elizabeth will enter service in autumn 2010.</p>','2013-01-18 07:10:23',190,1,1,NULL,NULL,643,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(959,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Signature of Excellence Reaches $525 Million Fact Sheet/Timeline','prom4_146251198.jpg','2008-11-11 00:08:00','<p>New Enhancements</p><ul><li>Creation of a <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">resort</span></font>-styled aft pool concept called The <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">Retreat</span></font>. </li><li>Mix, a new bar concept with three separate bars&ndash;Martinis, Champagne and Spirits &amp; Ales&ndash;as well as a piano. </li><li>Showroom at Sea&ndash;a glamorous nightclub. </li><li>Merabella luxury goods boutique added. </li><li>Ocean Bar refurbished. </li><li>Stateroom upgrades including carpets, soft goods, bathroom enhancements and more. </li><li>Aft end of ship lengthened to accommodate the addition of 32 verandah staterooms, and a varying number of inside staterooms. </li><li>Addition of bar and Slice pizzeria to aft of Lido Deck 11. </li><li>Addition of canopy and windscreens to create additional covered seating for Lido Restaurant. </li><li>Creation of Lanai category staterooms on Deck 6 with dedicated teak lounge chairs. </li><li>Addition of verandahs to 12 staterooms on Deck 9 forward (already exist on <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">Rotterdam</span></font>). </li><li>Creation of 15 new Spa Staterooms (23 on Rotterdam). </li></ul><p>Dry Dock Timeline &amp; Sailing Schedule</p><ul><li>Veendam: March 29-April 27, 2009 </li><li>First Cruise: 20-day <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">Panama </span><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">Canal</span></font> from Tampa to Vancouver, April 27, 2009 </li></ul><ul><li>Rotterdam: Nov. 18-Dec. 16, 2009 </li><li>First Cruise: 19-day Panama Canal <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">holiday</span></font> sailing roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, December 16, 2009 </li></ul><ul><li>Ryndam: Jan. 16-Feb. 13, 2010 </li><li>First Cruise: TBD </li></ul><ul><li>Statendam: March 26-April 23, 2010 </li><li>First Cruise: TBD </li></ul><ul><li>Maasdam: Early 2011 </li><li>First Cruise: TBD </li></ul>','2013-01-20 09:10:15',249,1,1,NULL,NULL,645,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(957,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Princess Cruises christen newest ship Ruby Princess','tristaryanruby_890650989.jpg','2008-11-11 00:06:00','<p>Princess Cruises newest ship, Ruby Princess, was named with an incredible &lsquo;ruby red&rsquo; themed ceremony on Thursday in Fort Lauderdale. America&rsquo;s reigning reality couple, Trista and Ryan Sutter of the hit US series &lsquo;The Bacherlorette&rsquo; did the honors, breaking the bottle of champagne to mark the ship&rsquo;s launch and celebrating their own fifth wedding anniversary.</p><p>The ceremony had a romantic theme and the new godparents of Ruby Princess were surrounded by hundreds of guests wearing ruby red-tie formal attire and a ruby-haired singer serenaded the crowd. The official naming was followed by the ultimate romantic celebration &ndash; a wedding in the midst of the festivities. The Californian couple joined in matrimony not only had Trista and Ryan as wedding attendants, but the Love Boat captain himself, Gavin MacLeod, gave away the bride.</p><p>In the evening, Princess Cruises hosted a &lsquo;Ruby Red Tie&rsquo; gala and set sail on a two night cruise for VIP guests, who will all have the opportunity of renewing their wedding vows whilst the ship is at sea. Ruby Princess is set to return to Port Everglades for her inaugural seven night sailing to the Western Caribbean.</p>','2013-01-20 09:10:27',313,1,1,NULL,NULL,648,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(958,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','Norwegian Spirit to Receive Multi-Million Dollar Renovation','62809363_ODHrfKCP_369847595.jpg','2008-11-11 00:06:00','<h3 class=\"title\">Norwegian Spirit to Receive Multi-Million Dollar Renovation</h3><p><img src=\"http://www.cruising2paradise.com/imgs/cruiseline/norwegian_cruise_line/logo.gif\" border=\"0\" alt=\"norwegian_cruise_line.jpg\" width=\"138\" height=\"77\" /></p><p><br />Freestyle Cruising ship to undergo total refurbishment </p><p>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. </p><p><img src=\"http://www.ncl.com/csimages/40/821/Spirit.Owners%20Suite.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"norwegian_cruise_line.jpg\" width=\"184\" height=\"133\" /></p><p>&quot;Norwegian Spirit\'s multi-million dollar renovation will enrich the overall guest experience by making significant enhancements to the ship overall,&quot; said Andy Stuart, NCL\'s executive vice president and chief product officer. &quot;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.&quot; </p><p>Norwegian Spirit\'s total refurbishment includes: </p><p>11 new staterooms are being added, eight of which are balconies; <br />one diesel engine is being replaced; <br />the Stardust Theater, with a capacity of approximately 700, is receiving all new seating and chairs; <br />seating throughout the ship is being reupholstered; <br />more than 21,000 sq meters of carpet is being replaced in public areas, stairwells, suites and staterooms; <br />new wallpaper is being installed in suites, corridors and public areas; <br />new curtains are being added to all suites; <br />tile in 300 bathrooms throughout the ship is being replaced; <br />all open decks including the main pool, kid\'s pool and four hot tubs are undergoing refurbishment; <br />the Roman Spa &amp; Fitness Center is being upgraded with new doors, panels and seats; <br />more than 60 windows are being replaced; <br />the onboard phone system is being upgraded to a state of the art wireless system. </p><p><img src=\"http://www.ncl.com/csimages/950/190/Spirit.Maharinis%20Lounge.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"norwegian_cruise_line.jpg\" width=\"184\" height=\"133\" /></p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>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. </p><p>NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, for delivery in 2010. </p>','2013-01-11 11:52:27',333,1,1,NULL,NULL,646,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(960,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Celebrity Cruises','Celebrity Cruises&#039; Celebrity Solstice Makes Stateside Debut November 3','lawnclub1_666633891.jpg','2008-11-11 00:12:00','<p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><img src=\"http://media.celebritycruises.com/celebrity/content/images/plan_cruise/port_cities/florida_ft_lauderdale_hero.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"celebrity_cruises.jpg\" width=\"151\" height=\"115\" /></p><p>Celebrity Solstice upon arrival will be fully &quot;dressed&quot; 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.</p><p>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. </p><p>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.</p><p>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 &quot;Top Cruise Ships in the World&quot; in the large-ship category, as voted by the readers of Cond� 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.</p>','2013-01-13 21:10:21',223,1,1,NULL,NULL,649,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(961,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Dream Floated Out In Italy','123_242002905.jpg','2008-11-11 00:17:00','<p>The 130,000-ton Carnival Dream achieved a significant construction milestone when it was &ldquo;floated out&rdquo; from its outfitting quay at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy.&nbsp; The 3,646-passenger SuperLiner &ndash; the largest &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; ever constructed &ndash; is set to debut in September 2009.</p><p>The initial stages of a cruise ship&rsquo;s construction take place in a dry dock facility.&nbsp; Once exterior outfitting is completed, the dry dock is filled with water and the ship is &ldquo;floated out&rdquo; and moved to a wet dock facility where construction continues.</p><p>Carnival Dream will usher in an exciting new era in cruising, offering a host of innovative facilities and features. These will include a new concept in dining and entertainment called the Piazza; the most elaborate children&rsquo;s facilities at sea, including expansive play areas and a huge Carnival WaterWorks aqua park; &ldquo;scenic whirlpools&rdquo; that extend out over the ship&rsquo;s beam; and a variety of new stateroom categories that should hold particular appeal to families.&nbsp; </p><p>Other features include an expansive 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa &ndash; Carnival&rsquo;s largest and most elaborate health and wellness center to date &ndash; along with expansive open deck areas that will house a tropical, resort-style main pool with a Seaside Theatre LED screen, a Serenity adults-only retreat, and numerous other features.</p><p>Carnival Dream is scheduled to enter service Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Rome (Civitavecchia) followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Civitavecchia to New York Oct. 27 &ndash; Nov. 12, 2009.&nbsp; The ship will then operate two eight-day voyages from New York before repositioning to Port Canaveral, Fla., to launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service Dec. 5, 2009.</p>','2013-01-10 06:40:14',307,1,1,NULL,NULL,647,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(962,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Orlando Sentinel','3-D movies soon onboard Disney Cruise Lines','42806815_319112129.jpg','2008-11-18 01:02:00','Disney Cruise Line is preparing to unveil overhauled theaters on both of its cruise ships that the company says will make its vessels the first to feature 3-D onboard movies.<br /><br />The company plans to premiere the new technology first on the Nov. 20 sailing of the Disney Wonder out of Port Canaveral with a screening of the upcoming animated movie Bolt. By early 2009, Disney says, it plans to supplement the 3-D movies with new in-theater effects, including lasers, fog, streamers and stage lighting.<br /><br />Jim Urri, Disney Cruise Line\'s vice president of entertainment, said workers spent nearly nine months conceptualizing and installing the technology on the company\'s two ocean liners -- even as the ships continued on their regularly scheduled sailings.<br /><br />&quot;We couldn\'t take the ships out of service. We actually did it in-cruise,&quot; Urri said.','2013-01-10 06:40:14',155,1,1,NULL,NULL,650,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,'The Disney Wonder cruise ship at Port Canaveral, before sailing on Thursday, Dec. 27, 2007. (RICARDO RAMIREZ BUXEDA, ORLANDO SENTINEL / December 27, 2007)',NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(963,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Preston Rudie and Eric Bungay, 10 Connects.com','Grass is greener on new cruise ship','solstice_1_713619596.jpg','2008-11-18 01:04:00','<p>Fort Lauderdale, Florida -- It is being called the worst travel slump since the September 11<sup>th</sup> terrorist attacks, yet Celebrity Cruises is banking on its new $750 million Celebrity Solstice to draw people back to the cruising industry.</p><p>The 122,000 ton Solstice was christened this past week in Fort Lauderdale and features 10 different restaurants with room for more than 2,800 passengers.</p><p>&quot;I love the ship. I can\'t say anything else. I love the ship and want to come back&quot; Carolyn Spencer Brown, the editor in chief for Cruise Critic told 10 Connects.</p><p>Solstice features more than $6 million in artwork, includes a spa, casino, 18 different shops and boutiques, a theater for Broadway style shows and 85 percent of the staterooms have their own balcony.</p><p>One of the most popular attractions on board Solstice is The Lawn Club; a half acre of real grass that is carefully manicured and features areas for such activities as putting and croquette. The Lawn Club is also an area where passengers can simply walk around with their shoes off to feel the breeze in their hair and the grass between their toes. Eventually the area will also be used to host weddings and picnics.</p><p>The Hot Glass Show is another popular attraction on Celebrity Solstice. Run with the help of the Corning Museum of Glass, the Hot Glass Show educates passengers on the art of glassblowing.</p><p>Over the next six months the Solstice will cruise out of Fort Lauderdale before moving across the Atlantic for trips in Europe. </p><p>For more information on the Celebrity Solstice simply click here.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>Preston Rudie, Reporter 10 Connects ','2013-01-10 06:29:25',278,1,1,NULL,NULL,651,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(964,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Windstar Cruises','Windstar Adds Cell Phone Service on Wind Star and Wind Spirit','42_19069179_203639436.jpg','2008-11-18 01:05:00','<p>Seattle, November 13, 2008 &mdash; Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore the hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world&rsquo;s most treasured destinations, is offering cell phone service at sea on Wind Star and Wind Spirit. Wind Surf already offers this service. </p><p>Wind Star will have the service available on the Nov. 29, 2008, 14-day Panama Canal cruise from Barbados to Puerto Caldera. The network will be installed on Wind Spirit during an upcoming dry dock and be ready on the April 18, 2009, 7-day cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona. </p><p>&ldquo;We are pleased to provide this service to our guests,&rdquo; said Diane Moore, President of Windstar Cruises. &ldquo;It allows them the convenience of staying in touch with family, friends and business associates while enjoying their cruise.&rdquo;</p><p>Windstar has contracted with On-Waves Ehf for a roaming network which supports GSM and CDMA technology on board the ships. Guests will be able to make and receive calls while at sea using their own mobile phone. Text messaging, GPRS and EDGE data service is also available. Guests will need to check that their phone is enabled for International roaming with their cellular carrier, and that their carrier is one of the 200 carriers that have roaming agreements with On-Waves Ehf. Charges will be determined by the guest&rsquo;s cellular service carrier and will appear on their regular monthly cell phone bill. </p><p>In order to maintain Windstar&rsquo;s atmosphere of casual elegance, guests will be advised of cell phone courtesy guidelines. Cell phone service is intended primarily for guest use in the privacy of their stateroom. Talking on cell phones will not be permitted in public areas such as dining areas or lounges, and guests will be asked to set their phone&rsquo;s ringer to vibrate when in public areas.</p><p>A leader in defining the small ship luxury cruise experience for more than 20 years, Windstar has won the allegiance of a new generation of contemporary travelers who appreciate the line&rsquo;s luxurious accommodations, alternative dining venues, diversity of shore excursions, complimentary water sports program and deluxe spa facilities. The completed multi-million dollar Degrees of Difference enhancements on all three ships focused on structural and technical operations along with upgrades to guest areas, remodeled bathrooms in staterooms and an expanded beauty salon and spa. Other enhancements include Bose SoundDock speakers for Apple iPod Nanos, wireless Internet, flat screen televisions, luxury linens and mattresses as well as L&rsquo;Occitane amenities.</p><p>Windstar&rsquo;s award-winning reputation for sophisticated, yet casual elegance has been recognized by some of the most notable names in the travel world. Windstar was recently awarded &ldquo;Favourite Small-Ship Cruise Line&rdquo; in the U.K.&rsquo;s Cond&eacute; Nast Traveller&rsquo;s 2008 Readers&rsquo; Travel Awards. Windstar received the highest score of any cruise line in the poll and was also only one of three cruise lines that made Cond&eacute; Nast Traveller&rsquo;s list of the &ldquo;Top 100 of the Best the Travel World has to Offer.&rdquo; Celebrated Living, American Airlines&rsquo; prestigious publication for first class passengers, named Windstar Cruises &ldquo;Best Small-Ship/Mid-Ship Cruise Line&rdquo; on their 2008 Platinum List for the second time in a row. Readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine awarded Windstar &ldquo;Most Romantic Cruise Line&rdquo; and &ldquo;Best Tall Ship&rdquo; in the 10th Annual Readers&rsquo; Choice Awards. Windstar has also earned top honors in Travel + Leisure&rsquo;s World&rsquo;s 2008 Best Awards and was lauded among &ldquo;The World&rsquo;s Best Small Ships&rdquo; by Cond&eacute; Nast Traveler.</p><p>About On-Waves Ehf<br />On-Waves is a pioneer and leader in the field of maritime mobile phone services. On-Waves is owned by SIMINN, Iceland&rsquo;s national telephony provider, formerly known as Iceland Telecom and headquartered in Reykjavik, Iceland. With over 1,200 employees and over 500 international roaming agreements, SIMINN has been providing roaming services to the maritime market since early 2003. SIMINN has secured extensions of its terrestrial roaming agreements into the maritime domain, fully compliant with GSM Association and CDMA Development Group standards and regulations on maritime roaming. On-Waves carefully tailors its services to the specific needs of each segment of the maritime community in close collaboration with clients and technology partners. On Waves currently provides service to over 50 vessels, both cruise ships and large ferries, operating in Europe, North and South American and the Asia-Pacific. On Waves also provides mobile phone service to commercial merchant marine vessels. </p>','2013-01-13 18:21:18',161,1,1,NULL,NULL,652,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(965,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Wins Big In Porthole Cruise Magazine’s Annual ‘Readers Choice Awards,’ Taking Home Honors In Nine Categories','fun_ship_freddy_268849511.jpg','2008-11-18 01:07:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines led the way once again in Porthole Cruise Magazine&rsquo;s &ldquo;Reader Choice Awards,&rdquo; winning in nine different categories, including two new categories &ndash; Best Web Site and Best Mexican Itineraries.</p><p>Porthole Cruise Magazine&rsquo;s &ldquo;Readers Choice Awards&rdquo; are determined by thousands of the publication&rsquo;s readers who vote on their favorite cruise line in a wide variety of categories. Since the awards were established in 1999, Carnival has taken home an unprecedented 101 &ldquo;Readers Choice Awards&rdquo; &ndash; the most of any cruise line. </p><p>Carnival&rsquo;s 2008 &ldquo;Readers Choice Awards&rdquo; include:</p><ul><li>Best Megaship (Carnival Freedom)</li><li>Best Children&rsquo;s Programs</li><li>Best Value-for-the-Money</li><li>Best Short-Duration Cruise</li><li>Best Shore Excursions</li><li>Best Web Site</li><li>Best Main Dining Room Cuisine</li><li>Best Entertainment</li><li>Best Mexican Itineraries</li></ul><p>&ldquo;Carnival is truly honored by the consistent recognition over the past nine years by the readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine,&rdquo; said Lynn Torrent, Carnival&rsquo;s senior vice president of sales and guest services. &ldquo;Winning so many awards &ndash; in so many different categories &ndash; is a wonderful validation of our efforts to provide guests with fun and memorable vacations at affordable prices.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;Carnival Cruise Lines continues to shine in categories that run the gamut,&rdquo; said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of Porthole Cruise Magazine. &ldquo;Whether on board or on shore, Carnival is a leader in the cruise industry, and our readers clearly recognize that. I congratulate them on all of their much-deserved wins.&rdquo; </p><p>Established in 1993, Porthole Cruise Magazine is a consumer publication offering readers a variety of information about cruising including ship reviews, news, details on popular ports of call and travel tips.</p><p>Carnival is the world&rsquo;s largest and most popular cruise line, with 22 &ldquo;Fun Ships&rdquo; operating voyages of three to 18 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda, Europe and South America. The line currently has two 130,000-ton ships on order &mdash; Carnival Dream, set to debut Sept. 21, 2009, and Carnival Magic, scheduled to enter service in June 2011.</p>','2013-01-10 06:40:15',230,2,1,NULL,NULL,653,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(966,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line Wins Eight Porthole Readers’ Choice Awards','2622595456_916e591601_324651882.jpg','2008-11-18 01:10:00','<p>Seattle, WA, November 12, 2008 - Holland America Line has won eight Readers&rsquo; Choice Awards from Porthole Cruise Magazine for 2008, including Most Eco-Friendly Cruise Line, Best Private Island for Half Moon Cay, the line&rsquo;s exclusive Bahamian port call, and Best Alaska Itineraries.</p><p>Holland America Line also won in the following categories:</p><p>Best Canada/New England Itineraries <br />Best South America Itineraries <br />Best Overall Facilities for Physically Challenged Passengers <br />Best Medical Facilities <br />Best Computer Facilities <br />&ldquo;Holland America Line is honored to receive these awards from the informed readers of Porthole Cruise Magazine,&rdquo; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. &ldquo;We are especially proud of being named the most eco-friendly cruise line. Holland America Line leads the cruise industry in our commitment to protecting the environment with cutting-edge programs and partnerships with governments and regulatory agencies to test new technologies.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;Porthole Cruise Magazine continues to be one of the most highly respected travel publications geared to the cruise and destination traveler,&rdquo; said Bill Panoff, publisher and editor-in-chief of the magazine. &ldquo;Our readers appreciate the quality and cruise experience that premium line Holland America Line consistently delivers.&rdquo;</p><p>Top Awards for Environment and Private Island<br />Holland America Line won the Most Eco-Friendly Cruise Line award for a commitment to responsible environmental practices through a comprehensive, fleet-wide program and innovations. The program emphasizes waste reduction and recycling, use of cleaner-burning propulsion technology and cutting-edge technologies such as shore power and an emissions reducing test project on ms Zaandam. Holland America Line&rsquo;s ships currently meet or exceed all provisions of the international regulations governing the environmental management of marine operations.</p><p>In 2008, Half Moon Cay received its eighth Best Private Island acknowledgement from Porthole readers. Here guests can enjoy the extensive activities and facilities offered in the 50-acre resort portion of 2,400-acre Little San Salvador Island in the Bahamas. The island&rsquo;s offerings provide a full beachside water park for children, private beach cabanas, exclusive over-water bungalow and an array of shore excursions that include horseback riding by land and sea, personal watercraft adventures and an opportunity to swim with stingrays.</p><p>Itineraries and Public Facilities Shine, Too<br />Known for its longer, port-intensive cruise itineraries, Holland America Line picked up three awards for best itineraries in Alaska, Canada/New England, and South America. In Alaska, the line operates three major cruising itineraries - Glacier Bay Inside Passage Cruises, Glacier Discovery, and Alaskan Explorer Cruise - that showcase the highlights of Alaska with distinctive options to suit the various wishes of Alaskan-bound travelers.</p><p>The line&rsquo;s Canada/New England cruises from May through Oct. showcase the area&rsquo;s historic seaports, international cities, and natural sights such as Saguenay Fjord and Acadia National Park. The line&rsquo;s new Signature class ship, ms Eurodam, introduced New York to Quebec itineraries in fall 2008. South America itineraries feature extensive exploration from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, to Valparaiso, Chile, with some heading as far south as Antarctica.</p><p>According to Meadows, the nod for Best Computer Facilities comes from the line&rsquo;s decision to install the Explorations Caf&eacute;, sponsored by the New York Times, on its ships. The coffeehouse environment combines a library, music lounge and Internet center with an espresso bar.</p><p>Completing the awards, Holland America Line received recognition for its accessibility and medical facilities. Holland America Line ships accommodate guests with a variety of special needs including those requiring wheelchairs, scooters or service animals; those who have sight or hearing impairments; and those using oxygen.</p><p>And each Holland America Line ship has a medical center carrying much of the standard equipment found in North American hospital emergency departments. While not a full-service hospital, the onboard medical center accommodates most emergencies and routine medical procedures and is staffed by 2-4 registered nurses, a crew physician and the ship&rsquo;s doctor - all certified in advanced cardiac life support.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-10 06:40:15',155,2,1,NULL,NULL,654,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(967,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line Wins Responsible Tourism Award from Virgin Holidays','Virgin_Holidays_Sails_into_Cruise_Market_large_791143593.jpg','2008-11-18 01:11:00','<p>Seattle, WA, November 12, 2008 - Holland America Line received a first place award today at the Responsible Tourism Awards ceremony sponsored by Virgin Holidays. The ceremony held at World Travel Market in London recognizes tourism companies for operating a successful business while respecting destinations and communities.</p><p>Holland America Line won the first place award for Best Cruise or Ferry Operator.</p><p>&ldquo;Holland America Line has successfully tackled the environmental impacts of its business,&rdquo; said Justin Francis, director of The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2008. &ldquo;They have reduced dockside emissions by 20%, developed and implemented an &lsquo;Avoiding Whale Strikes&rsquo; training programme, increased recycling by 50% and introduced new scrubber technology.&rdquo;</p><p>Awards were presented at a special luncheon held November 12 in conjunction with World Travel Market in London.</p><p>&ldquo;We are grateful to be recognized by Virgin Holidays for our ongoing efforts to operate in a socially and environmentally friendly manner,&rdquo; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. &ldquo;We are continually reviewing, monitoring and improving our operations, and we remain committed to minimizing our environmental footprint.&rdquo;</p><p>Shore Power<br />Holland America Line partnered with the Port of Seattle, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Seattle City Light and the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency to install shore power facilities at the Port of Seattle&rsquo;s cruise Terminal 30. To date Holland America Line has outfitted three Vista-class ships - ms Oosterdam, ms Noordam, ms Westerdam - and the flagship ms Amsterdam. Shore power enables ships to turn off their diesel engines and connect to the local electric grid which uses clean hydro-electric power.</p><p>Avoiding Whale Strikes<br />To assist in the recovery and ensure the safety of all whale species, Holland America Line, in cooperation with NOAA&rsquo;s Fisheries Service and the National Parks Service, developed and launched &ldquo;Avoiding Whale Strikes,&rdquo; a comprehensive and interactive computer-based training program. All HAL deck officers have taken the course.</p><p>Sea Water Scrubber<br />An in-depth feasibility study is underway in cooperation with local regulatory agencies, the United States Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada, and Holland America Line to develop and test a sea water scrubber for possible use on ships. If successful, such scrubbers will reduce sulfur dioxide and particulate matter emissions. The scrubber is currently aboard the ms Zaandam and testing is ongoing.</p><p>Tourism companies are nominated by travelers. This year over 1,900 tourism companies were nominated across 13 categories. Finalists completed a detailed questionnaire and winners were picked by a panel of judges.</p><p>About The Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards<br />Founded by Justin Francis, Managing Director of responsibletravel.com in 2004, The Responsible Tourism Awards, sponsored by Virgin Holidays are the most competitive of their kind in the world and are a collaboration between online travel directory responsibletravel.com; UK media partners Telegraph Travel, Geographical Magazine &amp; BBC World News and World Travel Market who host the presentation event. The central tenet of the Awards is that all types of tourism - from niche to mainstream - can and should be operated in a way that respects and benefits destinations and local people.</p>','2013-01-12 17:53:16',174,1,1,NULL,NULL,655,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(968,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Crystal Cruises','Crystal Cruises Revises Policy On Fuel Surcharges','080311_cruise2_vmed_6p_widec_777227217.jpg','2008-11-18 01:12:00','LO<font color=\"#0054a6\"><u>S <span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; border-bottom: #0054a6 1px solid; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative; background-color: transparent\">ANGELES</span></u></font><span style=\"position: relative\"><strong><u><font color=\"#1359ae\"> </font></u></strong><div id=\"preLoadLayer1\" style=\"display: none; z-index: 4000; left: -18px; position: absolute; top: -22px\"><strong><u><font color=\"#1359ae\"><img src=\"http://kona.kontera.com/javascript/lib/imgs/grey_loader.gif\" border=\"0\" width=\"22\" height=\"22\" /></font></u></strong></div></span>, November 14, 2008 - Recent drops in crude <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">oil </span><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">prices</span></font> have led Crystal Cruises to revise its 2009 fuel surcharge policy. If crude oil is below $65 a barrel on a specific quarterly date, the line will reimburse its fuel surcharge to guests sailing in the following quarter. <p>&nbsp;</p><p>Given the volatility of oil prices, Crystal Cruises will continue to apply a $12 per guest per day fuel surcharge for Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity voyages departing in 2009. However, adjustments will be determined quarterly based on the closing price of light sweet crude oil on the New York Mercantile Exchange, as reported in the Wall Street Journal. If this closing price is below $65 per barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter, then Crystal will automatically refund the charged supplement, in the form of a Shipboard <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">Credit</span></font>, for cruises departing within that quarter.</p><p>&ldquo;We certainly hope that <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">crude </span><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">oil </span><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">prices</span></font> stabilize at a lower rate and that we can pass on this reduced price to all guests on all cruises,&rdquo; said Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises.</p><p>The specific dates on which the price will be measured and the quarters during which <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">refunds</span></font> may be applied are listed below.</p><p>Fuel Price Determination Date Quarter of Possible Fuel Supplement Refunds</p><p>December 18, 2008 First Quarter 2009<br />March 18, 2009 Second Quarter 2009<br />June 17, 2009 Third Quarter 2009<br />September 17, 2009 Fourth Quarter 2009</p><p>Presently, Crystal Cruises has no fuel surcharges assessed for 2010 sailings&hellip;</p>','2013-01-23 13:02:57',188,1,1,NULL,NULL,656,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(969,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','A Look At The Carnival Liberty’s Two New 750-Square-Foot Suites','123_122629342.jpg','2008-11-18 01:13:00','<p><font size=\"2\">Underscoring the increasing popularity of balcony and suite accommodations, Carnival recently completed the construction of two expansive new 750-square-foot suites aboard the Carnival Liberty.<span>&nbsp;</span></font><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp; </span></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp;</span>The newly completed suites &mdash; the largest in the &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; fleet &mdash; feature a new cabin configuration with a separate bedroom, expansive living area and two bathrooms.</font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Located in the ship&rsquo;s forward section on Deck 9, the deluxe penthouse suites can accommodate up to five guests &ndash; rare in cruise industry staterooms &ndash; and include two twin beds that convert to a king, a sofa bed and two pull-down upper beds.&nbsp;<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span></span></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">The Carnival Liberty currently offers seven-day Caribbean cruises departing from Miami and in April 2009 will introduce new week-long Western and Exotic Eastern Caribbean itineraries. </font></span></span></p>','2013-01-10 06:40:16',178,2,1,NULL,NULL,657,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(970,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Splendor Arrives At Fort Lauderdale Friday, Nov. 14','files_277564273.jpg','2008-11-18 01:15:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor &ndash; the line&rsquo;s newest and largest &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; &ndash; made its U.S. debut Friday, Nov. 14, 2008, when it arrived at Port Everglades this morning following a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Europe.&nbsp; </p><p>Carnival Splendor will kick off its Fort Lauderdale&ndash;based program with a series of three one-time voyages &mdash; a two-day cruise to Nassau Nov. 15-17, a four-day Bahamas/Turks &amp; Caicos cruise Nov. 17-21 and an eight-day eastern Caribbean voyage Nov. 21-29.</p><p>Then, beginning Nov. 29, the ship will embark on a series of 10 seven-day eastern Caribbean voyages featuring four highly popular ports of call, including Casa de Campo/La Romana, Dominican Republic; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; San Juan, Puerto Rico, and Nassau, The Bahamas.</p><p>&ldquo;Carnival Splendor features an exceptional number of innovative, guest-driven amenities that represent the continuing evolution of the &lsquo;Fun Ship&rsquo; vacation experience,&rdquo; said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re delighted to bring this spectacular new ship to Port Everglades, a valued business partner that provides a convenient, close-to-home departure point for our guests.&rdquo; </p><p>Cahill noted that, including Fort Lauderdale, Carnival sails from 14 U.S. homeports &ndash; the most in cruising.</p><p>&nbsp;&ldquo;We are delighted that Carnival selected Port Everglades for the U.S. debut of the Carnival Splendor,&rdquo; said Port Everglades Director Phillip C. Allen.&nbsp; &ldquo;We estimate that this new ship will bring 80,000 cruise passengers to Broward County and will generate approximately $34 million in our community.&rdquo;</p><p>As the largest &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; ever constructed, Carnival Splendor offers a host of on-board facilities and features, highlighted by a 21,000-square-foot &ldquo;Cloud 9 Spa&rdquo; &mdash; the largest in the fleet.&nbsp; The expansive two-level health club includes a thalassotherapy pool, a thermal suite and 17 private treatment rooms.&nbsp; Surrounding the facility are 68 exclusive staterooms and suites &ndash; a first for the line. </p><p>Dining options include two two-level formal dining rooms, a 1,400-seat poolside eatery with a 24-hour pizzeria and an elegant reservations-only supper club. </p><p>Further bolstering Carnival&rsquo;s distinction as the family cruise leader carrying 600,000 children annually, Carnival Splendor offers a wide range of kid-friendly amenities, including a 5,500-square-foot play area &ndash; the largest in the fleet &mdash; part of the top-rated &ldquo;Camp Carnival&rdquo; program.&nbsp; Older kids can enjoy &ldquo;Circle C&rdquo; for 12- to 14-year-olds and &ldquo;Club O2,&rdquo; for ages 15-17, with programming and facilities for each age group.</p><p>Carnival Splendor also houses 1,503 staterooms, including hundreds of balcony cabins and several levels of suites. All Carnival Splendor accommodations feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high-quality linens and pillows.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>Carnival Splendor originally debuted in Europe in July, and following its Fort Lauderdale&ndash;based program, will operate a series of 14- to 18-day South America cruises &ndash; a first for Carnival.&nbsp; The ship will then launch year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., beginning in March 2009. </p><p>For additional information and reservations on Carnival Splendor or any other vessel in the &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; fleet, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.</p>','2013-01-10 16:58:48',276,3,1,NULL,NULL,658,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(971,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRWEB','Kiqstart Music and Think Floyd USA Launch First Annual &quot;Great Gig in the Sea&quot;','ggits_493328497.jpg','2008-11-18 23:00:00','<p>New York, NY (PRWEB) November 17, 2008, 2008 &ndash; Kiqstart Music, an entertainment company based in New York, NY and Think Floyd USA, the number one touring production of Pink Floyd in the country, announced plans to host the first Pink Floyd themed cruise aboard a Carnival Cruise Ship to the Bahamas. Dubbed &quot;Great Gig in the Sea&quot;, the cruise will allow Pink Floyd music fans to combine sun and sea with an amazing concert experience.<br />&nbsp;<br />The one-of a kind voyage will feature the music of Think Floyd USA: The American Pink Floyd Show, and will celebrate material from Pink Floyd\'s earliest days through the present. Think Floyd USA will take listeners on a musical and visual flight through the Pink Floyd galaxy performing all of Pink Floyd\'s classic hits from legendary albums such as Dark Side of the Moon, Wish You Were Here, Animals and the all time classic, The Wall.<br />&nbsp;<br />Think Floyd USA: The American Pink Floyd Show goes beyond the typical tribute act with an unparalleled performance and light show.&nbsp; They have performed before Roger Waters at Milwaukee\'s Summerfest and have received personal acclaim from David Gilmour himself. The band has been performing to packed houses at numerous arenas, theaters, festivals and casinos around the country, and will be the first tribute band to headline a stage at Milwaukee\'s famed Summerfest this summer.<br />&nbsp;<br />&quot;This cruise provides a one-of-a-kind opportunity for Pink Floyd fans to come together and enjoy the exceptional music and memories of one of the most celebrated performing acts of all time, combined with a truly outstanding vacation experience,&quot; said Justin Seidenberg, co-owner of Kiqstart Music.<br />&nbsp;<br />Cruisers should also be prepared to hear special shows each night, such as Dark Side of the Moon performed in its entirety. Dark Side has held the record for the longest duration of any album on the Billboard 200 and has sold over 40 Million copies worldwide. Other unique events will feature &quot;special guests&quot;, Pink Floyd trivia, parties and games.<br />&nbsp;<br />&quot;We are excited to be a part of this unique concert experience. Floyd fans are so passionate about the band and love to get together to celebrate the music...its going to be a blast,&quot; said Mitch Blumfield, vocalist in Think Floyd USA.</p><p>Tickets for Great Gig in the Sea are onsale now at GreatGigintheSea.com.&nbsp; Space is very limited and pricing depends upon availability. </p><p>For additional information on the cruise, visit GreatGigintheSea.com or contact Kiqstart Music at 718-302-9800.</p><p><a href=\"http://greatgiginthesea.com/\">http://greatgiginthesea.com</a></p>','2013-01-12 17:51:39',277,1,1,NULL,NULL,659,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Pink Floyd Themed Cruise Will Feature Think Floyd USA; Set to Sail to the Bahamas in May 2009',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(972,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Dubai Owners reveal QE2 plans','QE2_125273935.jpg','2008-11-26 00:01:00','<p>Cunard Cruises most famous ship, QE2, made her final departure from Southampton last week. QE2&rsquo;s new owners have released plans for the ships future when she reaches Dubai, where she will be transformed into an ultra luxury floating hotel. QE2 was one of the world&rsquo;s most famous ships and following her maiden voyage in 1969 and has been Cunard Cruises flagship ever since.</p><p>Following QE2&rsquo;s retirement she was purchased by Dubai World, the company who own Nakheel Hotels. Their vision is to transform the ship into a \'luxurious residential, entertainment, marina and hotel development\'. They even have plans to host west-end and Broadway productions from the entertainment complex.</p><p>QE2&rsquo;s new home will be a specially constructed precinct located in the region of Palm Jumeirah. Her much anticipated arrival on November 26 will undoubtedly be met with much excitement.</p>','2013-01-10 06:42:54',288,2,1,NULL,NULL,660,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(973,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Celebrity Cruises unveil Celebrity Solstice Godmother','sostice_991871424.jpg','2008-11-26 00:02:00','<p>Celebrity Cruises have announced who the Godmother of Celebrity Solstice will be and unusually she is not a star of stage and screen. In fact, she is star of the oceans. Professor Sharon L. Smith, the first ocean scientist ever to serve as Godmother of a cruise ship, will join Celebrity Cruises executives to name the company&rsquo;s newest and most luxurious addition to the fleet, in formal ceremonies at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.</p><p><br />&quot;We are genuinely privileged to have such a remarkable woman serve as Godmother of this remarkable ship,&quot; said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises and Chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. &quot;Sharon Smith is exceptional in ways well beyond her academic achievements.&quot;</p><p><br />A magna cum laude graduate of Colorado College, Smith earned a Ph.D. in Zoology from Duke University, holds two additional honorary doctorate degrees, and a master&rsquo;s degree from the University of Auckland, where she also was a Fulbright fellow. Smith has traveled the world working as a biological oceanographer in research expeditions ranging from the Polar Regions to the Arabian Sea.</p><p><br />Smith&rsquo;s career includes 15 years at the prestigious Brookhaven National Laboratory on Long Island, New York, where she studied coastal ocean environments and the impact of nuclear energy projects. In 1993 she joined the faculty of the University of Miami\'s Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science as a Professor of Marine Biology and Fisheries. Most recently she was named Dean of the Undergraduate Program in Marine Science, and also co-directs the university\'s Oceans and Human Health Center.</p><p><br />Not only does Smith have incredible professional achievements behind her but she has also overcome cancer twice, in 1993 and again in 1996.</p><p><br />&quot;Women should not feel secure just because there is no family history of the disease,&quot; said Smith. &quot;You have to be your own best advocate and insist on what\'s right for you, because you have to live with the possibility of the disease forever.&quot;</p><p><br />Celebrity Solstice is set to embark on its inaugural season on the 23 November, with a series of seven-night Eastern Caribbean cruises. Celebrity Cruises beautiful new ship will make a selection of 10 and 11 night romantic Mediterranean cruises from Rome in spring 2009.</p>','2013-01-10 16:12:50',153,3,1,NULL,NULL,661,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(974,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Crystal Cruises &quot;Mind, Body &amp; Spririt&quot; cruise in Asia','ASIA_WATER_TEMPLE_761694273.png','2008-11-26 00:03:00','<p>Asia is well known as a region of the world that is steeped in spirituality and ancient wellness practises and paying homage to this, Crystal Cruises have announced a &ldquo;Mind, Body &amp; Spirit&rdquo; focus on their March 27 Asia cruise. The Experience of Discovery sailing will include guest experts for yoga, Pilates, stress management and general physical and mental health classes. </p><p><br />Crystal Cruises 15 day cruise will depart from Hong Kong with ports of call in Japan and China as well as a three-night post-cruise land program in Beijing. There will be noted wellness and health magazine writers, yoga and Pilates specialists, and hiking and adventure author Rick Deutsh providing insights on board Crystal Symphony, whilst inspirational Crystal Adventures ashore will take guests to sacred monasteries, monuments and temples. </p><p><br />Crystal Cruises guests will also have the opportunity to visit Crystal Symphony&rsquo;s Feng Shui-inspired Spa &amp; Fitness Center and take advantage of the 360 degree Promenade deck ideal for walking or jogging, plus the newly introduced Tour de Spin indoor cycling classes are great for those wanting to try something new, plus there are acupuncture treatments and Kinesis equipment to try. </p><p><br />There will be a host of culinary options on offer from Crystal Cruises throughout the cruise, with fresh fruit and fish, creative and healthy salads, low-calorie and low-carb meals and trans fat-free dining experiences and even the cocktail menus will include only the freshest fruit purees and juices. </p><p><br />&quot;Asia is a natural setting for a wellness-related theme, since the connection between mind, body and spirit is so integral to the history and culture,&quot; says John Stoll, director land programs. &quot;Additionally, the onboard programming offers guests the chance to learn about physical health and general wellness from top experts.&quot; </p><p><br />Crystal Symphony&rsquo;s &ldquo;Far East Focus&rdquo; cruises calls at Hiroshima, Japan; Dailan, China; as well as overnight stays in Kobe, Japan; Shanghai and Hong Kong, China. The March 27 itinerary is one of several 2009 cruises Crystal Cruises is offering to China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India. Crystal Cruises is also offering a Mind, Body &amp; Spirit Experience of Discovery with its May 7 Panama Canal cruise. </p>','2013-01-10 06:29:26',164,2,1,NULL,NULL,662,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(975,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','USA Today','World&#039;s &#039;most luxurious&#039; cruise ship cabin will cost $18 million','123_137577960.jpg','2008-11-26 00:04:00','<p>Not everyone is cutting back as the economy tumbles. Or, at least, that\'s the hope at Residential Cruise Line -- the latest entrant into the rarefied world of super-luxe floating condominiums.&nbsp; </p><p>The Phoenix-based company finally opened sales this week for what\'s billed as the most luxurious residential cruise ship ever -- a 76,000-ton vessel that will have 210 units priced from $2.8 million to $18 million. </p><p>The line also will hold an inaugural, invitation-only sales event on Dec. 15 at Dubai\'s Burj Al Arab hotel.</p><p>In the works since 2005 and scheduled to debut in 2011, Magellan will offer an elaborate mix of amenities including a tennis court, putting green, four fine dining restaurant, an observatory, all-weather heliport, spa, Broadway-style theatre and two pools. Among its most unusual features: A retractable marina on the back of the ship that will have room for lounge chairs. </p><p>Residential says the ship will cost $1.2 billion to build. </p><p>As on other residential ships, passengers will own their cabins outright and can hop on-and-off as they like. Residential also is selling time-shares on the vessels. </p><p>The least expensive residences on the ship are two 624-square-foot cabins that come with a single bedroom and bathroom and cost $2.82 million. But prices quickly jump to more than $4 million for the smallest two-bedroom condominiums (1,130 square feet). </p><p>The ship\'s most luxurious digs, two $18 million Portofino penthouses, come with four bedrooms, five bathrooms and measure in at more than 4,300 square feet.</p>','2013-01-10 06:30:05',205,2,1,NULL,NULL,663,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(976,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','South Florida Business Journal','Royal Caribbean discontinues stock dividend','123_583642663.jpg','2008-11-26 00:06:00','<div id=\"storycontent\"><p>Following in the footsteps of <a href=\"http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/gen/Carnival_Corp_A89A4C5BB3D04EDF87C988A15D17EF1B.html\"><strong><font color=\"#000000\">Carnival Corp.</font></strong></a>, <a href=\"http://southflorida.bizjournals.com/southflorida/gen/Royal_Caribbean%20Cruises%20Ltd_FA3F4B9A65DA40DB88C11D01288B0D97.html\"><strong><font color=\"#000000\">Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.</font></strong></a> said it will discontinue its common stock dividend.</p><p>&quot;We recognize our dividend is important to many of our shareholders,&quot; Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain said. &quot;However, the best way to reward all of our shareholders is to continue to position the company for future earnings growth and enhance our liquidity during this period of heightened economic and financial market volatility.&quot;</p><p>The Miami-based cruise company (NYSE: RCL) said in a news release that it has been taking aggressive steps in the past few months to improve profitability and liquidity, which are estimated to save about $125 million a year.</p><p>Discontinuing the dividend &ldquo;is a natural corollary to these ongoing efforts,&rdquo; the company noted.</p><p>Earlier this month, Carnival announced it was suspending its dividend during 2009.</p><p>Royal Caribbean shares closed Tuesday at $9.50. The 52-week high was $43.96 on Dec. 11. The 52-week low was $9.41 on Tuesday.</p></div>','2013-01-10 06:42:55',162,2,1,NULL,NULL,664,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(977,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Celebrity Cruises','Southampton to be Home Port for Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse in 2010','123_305737923.jpg','2008-11-26 00:09:00','<p>MIAMI &ndash; Nov 22 &ndash; During one of its preview cruises for travel partners, press and other dignitaries on its new Celebrity Solstice this week, <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">Celebrity </span><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">Cruises</span></font> announced that sister ship Celebrity Eclipse &ndash; the third in the five-ship Solstice class series &ndash; will be based in <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">Southampton</span></font>, 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.</p><p>&ldquo;Celebrity Cruises has enjoyed a strong relationship with the UK and Ireland market and experienced steadily increasing guest numbers in recent years,&rdquo; said Celebrity&rsquo;s President &amp; CEO Dan Hanrahan. &ldquo;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 &ndash; Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox &ndash; 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.&rdquo;</p><p>Among the ground-breaking features guests can anticipate onboard each 2,850-guest Solstice-class ship include:</p><ul><li>The Lawn Club, a half-acre recreation area featuring real, growing grass. </li><li>A Hot Glass Show in partnership with The Corning Museum of Glass, offering live glassblowing demonstrations. </li><li>Ten widely varied restaurants, including the main &ldquo;Grand Epernay&rdquo; dining room, inspired by old Hollywood glamour, and several specialty venues whose unique ambience is expressly designed to complement the first-class cuisine. </li><li>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. </li><li>Veranda-category staterooms whose design was inspired by five women selected for their <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">unique </span><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">travel</span></font> and hospitality insights. </li><li>Like its sister ships, more than 90 percent of the accommodations onboard Celebrity Eclipse will be outside staterooms, and 85 percent will have a veranda. </li><li>A wide variety of boutiques and shops, such as the by-appointment-only &ldquo;Boutique C,&rdquo; featuring the 86-facet Solstice Diamond, available only on Celebrity&rsquo;s Solstice-class ships. </li></ul><p>Bookings for Celebrity Eclipse will open in March 2009. Itineraries for the new ship are expected to offer traditional Mediterranean favorite <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">destinations</span></font>, popular northern European cities, and shorter cruise options. Celebrity&rsquo;s fleet &ndash; including the new Celebrity Solstice &ndash; 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 <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">travel </span><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">agent</span></font>, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com</p>','2013-01-13 12:21:26',196,1,1,NULL,NULL,665,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(978,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Crystal Cruises','Crystal Mixes It Up With Cocktails, Classes &amp; Competitions On 2009 Wine &amp; Food Cruises','123_328458636.jpg','2008-11-26 00:11:00','<p>LOS ANGELES, November 24, 2008 - Luxury specialist Crystal Cruises is expanding its 2009 <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">Wine</span></font> &amp; Food Experiences of Discovery to include cocktail and mixology curriculum in addition to its wine and food focus. More than two dozen of the world&rsquo;s most intriguing and topical names on the culinary, wine and cocktail scenes will offer insights and instruction. The co-proprietor of the renowned Grgich Hills Estate, famed Hawaiian restaurateur Sam Choy, Master Sommelier Robert Bath and Tim Hollingsworth of The French Laundry are among the impressive lineup scheduled on board to share their tasty talents, plus added expertise from Crystal&rsquo;s own creative <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">chefs</span></font>, sommeliers and bartenders. The 2009 sailings mark the 13th annual series of the line&rsquo;s popular Wine &amp; Food cruises.</p><p>&ldquo;One of the hallmarks of a Crystal vacation is the extraordinary onboard culinary experience,&rdquo; said Toni Neumeister, Crystal&rsquo;s vice president, food and <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">beverage</span></font> operations. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re excited to pair our chefs - the cruise industry&rsquo;s best - with the highest caliber of experts, to offer guests an unparalleled wine and food vacation.&rdquo;</p><p>Highlights of the Wine &amp; Food cruises include:</p><ul><li>Brand-new mixology/cocktail demonstrations, including &ldquo;Making Great Cocktails at Home&rdquo; and an &ldquo;Iron Bar Competition;&rdquo; </li><li>Brand-new pastry classes; </li><li>Wine tastings, <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">cooking </span><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">demonstrations</span></font> and Iron Chef-style <font color=\"#0054a6\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: static\"><span class=\"kLink\" style=\"font-weight: 400; color: #0054a6! important; font-family: \'Trebuchet MS\', Arial, \'Lucida Sans Unicode\', Tahoma, sans-serif; position: relative\">cooking</span></font> competitions with guest wine lecturers, wine and cookbook authors; </li><li>Specially designed dinner menus featuring guest chefs&rsquo; signature dishes, and </li><li>Crystal Adventures ashore focusing on destinations&rsquo; wine and culinary specialties. </li></ul><p>The line&rsquo;s newly introduced cheese sommeliers will also offer insight to more than 50 varieties from around the world and give pairing suggestions.</p><p>In 2008, all Crystal wine sommeliers were certified through the Court of Master Sommeliers. Intimate Vintage Room experiences are available on all cruises for approximately $210 per person. In 2009, two ultra-exclusive Ultimate Vintage Room experiences are planned; whereby some of the world&rsquo;s rarest wine selections are paired with a multi-course meal for upwards of $1,000 per person.</p><p>The wine and food focus Experiences of Discovery voyages will be available on itineraries through the Panama Canal, Asia, Northern and Western Europe and the Caribbean aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity.</p>','2013-01-10 06:29:00',162,2,1,NULL,NULL,666,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(979,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Celebrity Cruises','Back by Popular Demand: Celebrity Cruises Returns to Bermuda In 2010','123_569939947.jpg','2008-11-26 00:12:00','<p>Miami - (November 24, 2008 ) - During preview cruises this month on its new Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Cruises revealed plans to resume cruises to Bermuda in 2010.</p><p>&ldquo;Celebrity has a long and positive history with the beautiful island of Bermuda, and we&rsquo;re thrilled to respond to demand that we return, from our longtime guests and travel agent partners alike,&rdquo; said Celebrity&rsquo;s President &amp; CEO Dan Hanrahan.</p><p>On April 17, 2010, Celebrity Summit will reposition from San Juan to Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey, to present a series of 7-night roundtrip Bermuda itineraries. The ship will dock at King&rsquo;s Wharf, also known as the Royal Naval Dockyard.</p><p>&ldquo;Travelers and travel agents have spoken, and they say they want Bermuda and Celebrity reunited,&rdquo; said Bermuda Premier Dr. Ewart F. Brown, also Minister of Tourism and Transport. &ldquo;I am pleased to say that we have delivered. Guests on the Bermuda-bound Celebrity Summit are in for a spectacular vacation experience both on land and at sea come April 2010.&rdquo;</p><p>In July 2010, Celebrity Summit&rsquo;s new Bermuda sailings will alternate with 7-night Canada/New England cruises. Full deployment details for both destinations will be announced when bookings open in 2009. Celebrity Cruises&rsquo; most recent season in Bermuda ended in October 2006, with the line&rsquo;s former Celebrity Zenith.</p><p>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 &ldquo;Top Cruise Ships in the World&rdquo; in the large-ship category, as voted by the readers of Cond&eacute; Nast Traveler (February 2008 readers&rsquo; poll), Celebrity&rsquo;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.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-12 18:48:42',217,1,1,NULL,NULL,667,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(980,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines to Increase Capacity on 2010 New York Departures','123_963701669.jpg','2008-11-26 00:15:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines will increase capacity on its seasonal cruise program from New York in 2010 with the 2,978-passenger Carnival Glory scheduled to operate a variety of four and five-day Atlantic Canada voyages from June to September, followed by a series of five week-long fall foliage cruises.</p><p>It marks the first time that Carnival has deployed one of its largest ships on the highly popular program.&nbsp; The 110,000-ton Carnival Glory features a wide variety of exceptional facilities, amenities and stateroom accommodation categories.&nbsp; Additionally, departing from New York makes these cruises extremely convenient and attractive for the huge population base within driving distance of Manhattan, as well as for those in the larger eastern U.S. region who can take a short-haul flight to one of the area&rsquo;s three major airports. </p><p>Four-day cruises departing Thursdays feature a call at Saint John, New Brunswick and scenic cruising in the Bay of Fundy, while five-day cruises departing on Mondays and Saturdays include stops at Saint John and Halifax, Nova Scotia.&nbsp; The program commences with a four-day voyage departing June 6, 2010 (a one-time Sunday departure).&nbsp; </p><p>Week-long fall foliage itineraries beginning Saturday, Sept. 11, 2010, feature four different ports of call, including Boston, Mass., Portland, Maine, Saint John and Halifax, offering a variety of opportunities to view stunning fall colors and explore these charming coastal cities.</p><p>The $500 million Carnival Glory features 22 lounges and bars, four swimming pools, a 214-foot-long water slide, a 14,500-square-foot health club, an Internet caf&eacute;, jogging track and extensive duty free shopping options.&nbsp; A comprehensive golf program offering instruction both aboard ship and during golf excursions is also featured.</p><p>In addition to a 1,400-seat poolside eatery with a 24-hour pizzeria, the ship includes twin two-level formal restaurants and a reservations-only supper club offering U.S.D.A. prime dry-aged beef and other gourmet cuisine.</p><p>Sixty percent of Carnival Glory&rsquo;s 1,489 spacious staterooms offer either an ocean view or private balcony.&nbsp; All staterooms feature the &ldquo;Carnival Comfort Bed&rdquo; sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality pillows and linens.</p><p>Carnival Glory also offers expansive facilities and complimentary activities for children and teens, with its &ldquo;Camp Carnival,&rdquo; &ldquo;Circle C&rdquo; and &ldquo;Club O2&rdquo; programs catering to different age groups.</p>','2013-01-10 06:42:55',234,2,1,NULL,NULL,668,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(981,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Splendor’s Inaugural Call at Fort Lauderdale','123_730662278.jpg','2008-11-26 00:16:00','<p><font size=\"2\">To celebrate the Carnival Splendor&rsquo;s inaugural call at Fort Lauderdale, a reception was held aboard the 3,006-passenger vessel attended by officials from both the cruise line and Port Everglades.</font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Here, Port Everglades Deputy Director Glenn Wiltshire (left) presents Carnival Splendor Captain Claudio Cupisti with a commemorative key to Broward County, Fla., to mark the occasion.&nbsp;<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor &ndash; the largest ship in the Carnival Cruise Lines fleet &ndash; will operate a schedule of seven-day voyages from Fort Lauderdale through January 31, 2009. <span>&nbsp;</span>The ship will then sail on a series of 14- to 18-day South America voyages followed by the launch of year-round seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., beginning in March 2009.</font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Carnival Splendor offers a host of innovations, including a 21,000-square-foot &ldquo;Cloud 9 Spa&rdquo; and a 5,500-square-foot children&rsquo;s play area &ndash; the largest facilities of their kind in the fleet &ndash; along with a water spray park and a sliding sky dome over the main pool area that houses a massive LED screen displaying movies, concerts and other programming. </font></span></span></p>','2013-01-19 19:00:04',303,1,1,NULL,NULL,669,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(982,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival ‘Gives Fun Back’ in New Orleans','123_553043754.jpg','2008-11-26 00:17:00','<p><font size=\"3\">As part of Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; &ldquo;Give Fun Back&rdquo; radio promotion &ndash; which awarded deserving New Orleans residents with free &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; cruises &ndash; </font><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\">Larenzo Carter, a detective for the New Orleans Police Department, was the guest of honor aboard the Carnival Fantasy, which operates four- and five-day cruises from New Orleans. </span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Carter, whose VIP treatment included a multi-course lunch and a personal tour of the ship, is pictured here in Carnival Fantasy&rsquo;s seven-deck-high atrium with Hotel Director Mark Hoffman. </span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Carnival partnered with five New Orleans radio stations on the &ldquo;Give Fun Back&rdquo; promotion in which listeners could submit nominations for those individuals who deserve a Carnival vacation.<span>&nbsp; </span></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span></span></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Carter, a resident of Kenner, La., was one of five winners selected to receive a free cruise. </span></span></p>','2013-01-10 06:28:46',156,2,1,NULL,NULL,670,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(983,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Royal Caribbean International ‘Floats Out’ Oasis of the Seas','123_237047145.jpg','2008-11-26 00:18:00','<p>MIAMI, Nov. 21 &mdash; In just over one year, Royal Caribbean Intl&rsquo;s Oasis of the Seas will make her long awaited debut. The ship, under construction at STX Europe in Turku, Finland, reached an important maritime milestone today when she was &ldquo;floated out&rdquo;&ndash;moved from dry dock to wet dock&ndash;to begin the final stages of interior work. At official ceremonies held at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. executives turned the valve releasing 87 million gallons of water into the wet dock area.</p><p>&ldquo;This is a historic day for our company. After more than three years of intense planning and collaboration and with 65 percent of the ship already complete, it&rsquo;s exciting to see Oasis entering its final stages,&rdquo; said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. &ldquo;Oasis of the Seas truly represents the innovative spirit that our company is known for and to see that come to fruition is wonderful.&rdquo;</p><p>The line chose this important milestone to announce that Oasis of the Seas will enter service under the command of Captain William S. Wright and Captain Tor Olsen. Wright, a 15-year veteran of Royal Caribbean Intl, was also the start up Captain for Freedom of the Seas, currently the largest ship in the world with sister-ships Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, and 40 percent smaller than Oasis of the Seas. Wright also is one of the few American captains in international cruising and currently serves as the senior vice president of Marine Operations for the cruise line. Born in Norway, Captain Tor Olsen has been on the high seas since the age of 16. He joined Royal Caribbean International in 1987 working on Song of America and has served as Captain on five Royal Caribbean ships from the Voyager-class to the Vision-class.</p><p>When Oasis launches in Dec 2009, she will feature the unique neighborhood concept that will provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood in seven distinct areas of the ship. This unique concept, which also creates a vast array of accommodation choices for guests never before found at sea, is the result of a quantum leap forward in revolutionary cruise ship design. An architectural marvel at sea, Oasis of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. She will be the first ship to tout the cruise line&rsquo;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, FL.</p>','2013-01-20 12:12:26',283,1,1,NULL,NULL,671,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,'The world&#039;s biggest cruise ship, the €830 million Oasis of the Seas, during a float-out ceremony in Finland yesterday. Photograph: Simon Brooke-Webb/PA',NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(984,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','Mexico’s Puerto Costa Maya Reopens After Rebuilding','123_569231405.jpg','2008-11-26 00:21:00','<p>Mexico&rsquo;s Puerto Costa Maya, located on the Caribbean coast about four hours south of Cancun, reopened with a festive celebration last week. The port spent $16 million to rebuild and improve the facility, which was closed in August 2007 after sustaining serious damage from Hurricane Dean. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a great pleasure to receive ships after 15 months,&rdquo; said Teofilo Hamui, president of Puerto Costa Maya. &ldquo;The port is functioning at 100 percent.&rdquo; The ceremony was held in one of the restaurants onsite, overlooking two Holland America Lines ships docked at the port on Nov. 21. Several cruise line executives were on hand, as were the governor of Quintana Roo and other local dignitaries. Prior to Hurricane Dean, Costa Maya was the second-busiest port in Mexico, attracting about 400 ships a year. Forty calls are scheduled for 2008 and about 200 for 2009.</p><p><br />Hamui said it was a monumental effort to rebuild the port in 15 months because business came to a standstill -- ships cannot anchor and tender passengers in because the seas are too rough. The port hired 400 workers and 80 divers who often worked six days a week. During the work, the pier was extended by 100 feet to accommodate the next generation of megaships, such as Royal Caribbean International&rsquo;s 220,000-ton Oasis of the Seas. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re talking to Royal Caribbean to see if Oasis might come here, but nothing is defined yet,&rdquo; Hamui said.</p><p><br />The newest attraction at Puerto Costa Maya is BioMaya Bacalar, a zipline excursion between iron towers ranging from 656 feet to 2,559 feet. A Hard Rock Caf&eacute; is under construction outside the port facility and is expected to open in winter 2009. Hamui said the dolphin experience will be reintroduced in winter 2009 at the port&rsquo;s private beach. Costa Maya was the Western Caribbean&rsquo;s first port designed exclusively for the cruise industry.</p><p>Resembling an ancient Mayan city, Costa Maya can accommodate three ships at once. Costa Maya has three pavilions, more than 70 artisan and luxury shopping areas, a beach club, saltwater pools, restaurants and bars. For more information, visit <a href=\"http://www.costamaya-mexico.com/\">www.costamaya-mexico.com</a>. </p>','2013-01-10 06:40:16',394,2,1,NULL,NULL,672,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(985,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','Royal Caribbean Revises Disembarkation Process','123_685839527.jpg','2008-11-26 00:25:00','Caribbean International introduced new procedures fleetwide to further ease the departure process on all ships. The company also added programming for guests who are staying onboard for multiple sailings. &ldquo;We listened to our guests&rsquo; feedback regarding the opportunity to transform the departure experience and responded with the launch of a refreshed process fleetwide,&rdquo; said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president-hotel operations at Royal Caribbean. &ldquo;Early testing aboard Freedom of the Seas has yielded very positive guest feedback, with the enhanced communications cited as one of the most helpful tools for our guests on departure day. We also continue to see an increase in guests sailing with us for multiple cruises and our focus on special <p>communications and programming for these guests will also greatly enhance their overall cruise experience.&rdquo;<br />On departure day, guests will have extended access to their staterooms, as well as continued in-stateroom TV entertainment. Guests also will receive an &ldquo;As You Depart&rdquo; notice, which communicates the new enhancements and the location of departure lounges offering refreshments and light entertainment. Among the departure lounges will be a dedicated Family Zone, which will include refreshments, toys and games geared toward younger cruisers. Guests in suites will be treated to an exclusive continental breakfast hosted by guest services or the concierge. Additionally, there will be a minimal amount of ship-wide public announcements all morning to maintain a relaxing atmosphere, with nearly all departure updates limited to the departure lounges and through the in-stateroom TV programming. Guests may also elect to carry their own luggage as part of the Express Departure option. Express Departure allows guests to disembark the ship first and as soon as the gangway is opened and cleared by local authorities.</p><p><br />Guests sailing on multiple consecutive cruises will receive a special Compass, a variation of the daily Cruise Compass program schedule. The special Compass will offer an overview that includes the following sailing&rsquo;s itinerary highlights -- such as entertainment and dining events throughout the guests&rsquo; stay -- as well as special events exclusively for guests on consecutive cruises. Consecutive cruises guests will receive special attention, activities and dining options, including personalized services, a letter from the hotel director, calls from Guest Services, and assistance to ensure main dining room seating requests are made in advance of the following cruise.</p>','2013-01-16 10:06:05',288,1,1,NULL,NULL,673,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(986,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Port Canaveral, Florida','Canaveral Awards $5 Million Berth Upgrades for New Disney Ships','123_726292437.jpg','2008-11-26 00:28:00','<p>PORT CANAVERAL, FL&mdash; November 21, 2008 &ndash; With the first of two new Disney ships to arrive at its Canaveral homeport in 2011, the Port Authority Board this month awarded a $4.7 million contract to Misener Marine Construction, Inc., of Tampa, Florida, for work needed to accommodate the larger, 4,000-plus passenger vessels at the world&rsquo;s second busiest cruise port. </p><p>Construction to improve the marine side at the Disney Terminal (Cruise Terminal 8) includes building a new deep water seawall, additional mooring, dolphins, and dredging. The total project cost, including engineering testing, is $5.1 million. </p><p>&quot;The contract creates jobs now at a challenging time for the construction industry in Central Florida,&quot; says Stan Payne, CEO of Port Canaveral. &quot;And with the increase in the size and number of ships, it means additional jobs later for businesses such as hotels, restaurants, gas stations, florists, retail stores, ground transportation companies and others that benefit from the cruise industry.&quot; </p><p>During its November Board meeting, Port Commissioners also approved advertising for proposals for the design and construction of a new 1,000 space parking garage for Disney Cruise Line passengers. Construction is expected to begin in May 2009 with a completion date of April 2010. </p><p>In addition to the berth improvements and new parking garage, Charles M. Rowland Drive will be re-aligned as part of preparation for the arrival of the two new Disney ships. The second ship arrives in 2012. </p><p>To find out how to do business with Port Canaveral, go to <a href=\"http://www.portcanaveral.org/general/doingbusiness.php\">www.portcanaveral.org/general/doingbusiness.php</a>. </p>','2013-01-20 09:11:32',215,1,1,NULL,NULL,674,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'New Parking Garage Also Gets Green Light to Proceed ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(987,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRNewswire','Royal Caribbean International &#039;Floats Out&#039; Oasis of the Seas','123_657127210.jpg','2008-11-26 00:32:00','<p>MIAMI, Nov. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In just over one year, Royal Caribbean International\'s Oasis of the Seas will make her long awaited debut. The ship, under construction at STX Europe in Turku, Finland, reached an important maritime milestone today when she was &quot;floated out&quot; -- moved from dry dock to wet dock -- to begin the final stages of interior work.</p><p>At official ceremonies held at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. executives, Richard Fain, chairman and CEO and Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president, Maritime were joined by Martin Landtman, president, STX Finland Cruise Oy, and Toivo Ilvonen, project director, Oasis-class, to turn the valve releasing 87 million gallons of water into the wet dock area.</p><p>&quot;This is a historic day for our company. After more than three years of intense planning and collaboration and with 65 percent of the ship already complete, it\'s exciting to see Oasis entering its final stages,&quot; said Richard D. Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. &quot;Oasis of the Seas truly represents the innovative spirit that our company is known for and to see that come to fruition is wonderful.&quot;</p><p>The line chose this important milestone to announce that Oasis of the Seas will enter service under the command of Captain William S. Wright and Captain Tor Olsen. Wright, a 15-year veteran of Royal Caribbean International, was also the start up Captain for Freedom of the Seas, currently the largest ship in the world with sister-ships Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas, and 40 percent smaller than Oasis of the Seas. Wright also is one of the few American captains in international cruising and currently serves as the senior vice president of Marine Operations for the cruise line.</p><p>Born in Norway, Captain Tor Olsen has been on the high seas since the age of 16. He joined Royal Caribbean International in 1987 working on Song of America and has served as Captain on five Royal Caribbean ships from the Voyager-class to the Vision-class.</p><p>When Oasis launches in December 2009, she will feature the unique neighborhood concept that will provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood in seven distinct areas of the ship. This unique concept, which also creates a vast array of accommodation choices for guests never before found at sea, is the result of a quantum leap forward in revolutionary cruise ship design.</p><p>An architectural marvel at sea, Oasis of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. She 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 <a href=\"http://www.oasisoftheseas.com/\">www.oasisoftheseas.com</a> .</p>','2013-01-12 20:54:58',318,1,1,NULL,NULL,675,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(988,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','CNN','Luxury cruise ship outruns pirates','art_nautica_cruise_prestige_784881732.jpg','2008-12-01 23:12:00','<p>A 30,000-ton luxury cruise ship outran pirates off the coast of Yemen this weekend, the ship\'s owner said Monday.</p><p>&nbsp;The Nautica was in an area patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces when two small skiffs appeared to try to intercept it, Oceania spokesman Tim Rubacky said. </p><p>The ship took evasive maneuvers and accelerated to its full speed of 23 knots or 27 mph. One of the smaller craft closed to within 300 yards and fired eight rifle shots at the cruise ship, he said, but the ship was able to pull away. </p><p>It was the first report of a pirate attack on a passenger ship of its size this year, said Cyrus Mody of the International Maritime Bureau, which runs a piracy reporting center. </p><p>&quot;There have been a couple of passenger yachts hijacked, but they were much smaller,&quot; he said. It is &quot;quite common&quot; for pirates to target ships the size of the Nautica and even larger, he said, but they tend to be cargo ships, not passenger vessels.&nbsp; Map of pirate activity in the area &raquo;</p><p>The Nautica escaped without damage or injury to its 684 passengers and 400 crew, and arrived safely on schedule in Salalah, Oman early on Monday morning, Rubacky said. </p><p>He emphasized that the ship was not off the coast of Somalia, which has become a base for pirates, but off the coast of Yemen. </p><p>The International Maritime Bureau has issued piracy warnings for both areas. The Nautica was in a Maritime Safety Protection Area which is patrolled by international anti-piracy task forces, Rubacky underlined. </p><p>&quot;But, saying that, it is still a large area. Vessels do not automatically get guaranteed safe passage even if they use it.&quot; </p><p>The Nautica left Rome November 18 on a 32-day cruise to Singapore. It was the first time one of the company\'s cruise ships had encountered possible pirates, Rubacky added. </p><p>He said the company did not plan to change routes to avoid the area, which has seen increasingly audacious piracy in recent months. &quot;We\'re not considering re-routing as the Gulf of Aden is the most viable gateway from the Med to Asia,&quot; he said. </p><p>On Sunday, an official from the Kenya Seafarers Association said pirates have reached a deal with the owners of a Ukrainian ship loaded with arms that was seized more than two months ago.</p><p>&quot;A deal has been reached to free the MV Faina. Talks on how to deliver the ransom money are ongoing,&quot; Andrew Mwangura of the association told CNN.</p><p>It is not clear how long those talks will take, but the ship could be freed as soon as an agreement has been reached.</p><p>The ship, which is laden with Soviet-era tanks, tank artillery shells, grenade launchers and small arms, was seized on September 25.</p><p>It was heading for Kenya, whose government had bought the weapons from Ukraine, Ukrainian Defense Minister Yuri Yekhanurov said, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.</p><p><br />The pirates originally asked for a $35 million ransom, but lowered their demand to $20 million, he said.</p><p>The Faina is owned and operated by Kaalbye Shipping Ukraine, and its crew includes citizens of Ukraine, Russia and Latvia, the Navy said. </p>','2013-01-21 22:19:02',792,1,1,NULL,NULL,684,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,3,0,0,NULL,'File image of the Nautica in Sydney Harbor',NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(989,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Rolls Out New Interactive ‘Funville’ Web Experience Featuring ‘Towel Animal Theatre,’ On-Line Videos and More','58094497oagfsv_ph_804246505.jpg','2008-12-01 23:13:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines has launched the new &ldquo;Funville&rdquo; Web experience at <a href=\"http://www.carnival.com/funville\">www.carnival.com/funville</a> which is designed to evoke the line&rsquo;s unique brand of &ldquo;fun,&rdquo; with images and video from recent Guinness World Record achievements for the world&rsquo;s largest beach ball and pi&ntilde;ata, on-line games and a series of videos featuring the line&rsquo;s signature towel animals.</p><p>&ldquo;Towel Animal Theatre&rdquo; serves as the centerpiece to the interactive Web destination and features nine different vignettes depicting towel animals engaged in amusing conversations with each other while the stateroom&rsquo;s occupants are away. In the whimsical videos, towel animals such as swans and monkeys interact using offbeat, light-hearted dialogue that conveys the spirit of fun on a Carnival cruise. &ldquo;Towel Animal Theatre&rdquo; has become quite popular with several million views on various on-line channels and social networking sites. The <a href=\"http://www.carnival.com/funville\">www.carnival.com/funville</a> site also includes instructions for visitors to make their own towel animals at home.&nbsp; </p><p>Also featured within the site are photos and video footage from Carnival&rsquo;s &ldquo;Fun Crowd&rdquo; events during which the line broke records for the world&rsquo;s largest beach ball &ndash; a massive sphere dropped from a building in downtown Dallas &ndash; and the world&rsquo;s largest pi&ntilde;ata, which was filled with eight tons of candy in Philadelphia. Footage from the events is being used to create two television commercials that will soon begin airing nationally.</p><p>In addition, there is an online game tied to the beach ball theme, as well as a &ldquo;hollerback&rdquo; function that enables users to submit suggestions for Carnival&rsquo;s next fun event.&nbsp; Over the next several weeks, &ldquo;Funville&rdquo; will evolve to include additional &ldquo;Fun Crowd&rdquo; event videos, Carnival&rsquo;s new TV spots, additional on-line games and other unscripted surprises for visitors to the site.&nbsp; Links to various features of a Carnival cruise vacation, including on-board activities, dining and youth programs, also are included. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-22 23:32:42',216,1,1,NULL,NULL,676,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(990,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Regent Seven Seas launch new audio headphone system','voyager_186975493.jpg','2008-12-01 23:20:00','<p>Regent Seven Seas have introduced a new headphone system which will help guests hear tour guides when on shore excursions. The system will be particularly useful at tourism sites where lecturers and guides can easily be heard, including at historic and religious landmarks where loud conversation is forbidden.</p><p>Created in Italy, the system will be launched aboard all Regent Seven Seas ships. It uses a small microphone through which the user can speak directly to guests wearing individual, lightweight headsets. The headsets are individually packed and disposable, so each guest will receive a new, sanitary set with each tour.</p><p>The system has been well received when it debuted in June on cruises to the Baltic and Europe aboard Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Navigator, as well as on the September Grand Asia Pacific cruise aboard Seven Seas Mariner.</p>','2013-01-10 06:28:50',205,2,1,NULL,NULL,677,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(991,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Bermuda to build pier for large cruise ships','bermuda_111394984.gif','2008-12-01 23:21:00','HAMILTON, Bermuda (AP) -- Bermuda plans to build a second cruise ship pier in the island\'s western region to accommodate large ships. <p>The government says it hopes the multimillion dollar project will transform an old naval town into a new tourism hub. </p><p>The government said this week that it has signed an agreement with a local developer. Dockyard was chosen because it already has a deep-water pier that can accommodate ships longer than 710 feet (216 meters). </p><p>Bermuda has two smaller piers that have lost popularity as cruise ship companies build larger vessels. The government had warned that expanding those piers would damage the environment. </p><p>About 226,000 cruise ship passengers arrived through August this year, a nearly 18 percent drop from 2007.</p>','2013-01-10 06:28:48',228,1,1,NULL,NULL,678,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Bermuda to build pier for large cruise ships, boost tourism',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(992,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','USA Today','St. Croix to the cruise ship world: We&#039;re back!','dscf0175_605083607.jpg','2008-12-01 23:22:00','<p>The comeback of St. Croix as a cruise destination officially begins today with the arrival of the 684-passenger Oceania Regatta. </p><p>The upscale vessel is one of 17 ships scheduled to visit the sun-drenched island south of St. Thomas over the next year as it bounces back from six years of Cruise World purgatory. </p><p>Cruise lines once visited St. Croix regularly but pulled out in 2002 due to worries about rising crime and lack of interest among customers.</p><p>Among the nine major lines giving the island another try over the next year are Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, Disney Cruise Line and Holland America. Royal Caribbean alone plans more than 20 calls by the Adventure of the Seas, Serenade of the Seas and Jewel of the Seas.&nbsp; </p><p>A chastened St. Croix, part of the U.S. Virgin Islands, is pulling out all the stops to prove it\'s worthy of continued visits. Passengers today will be welcomed by dancers and steel pan music as well as greeters from the island\'s tourism department offering recommendations on the day\'s activities, souvenirs and Cruzan rum samples. Welcoming festivities also will include performances by four local bands. </p>','2013-01-10 06:29:28',254,1,1,NULL,NULL,679,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(993,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Michael Coleman, Cape Coral Daily Breeze','Regent adds steakhouse; Seabourn Sojourn to debut','123_291922516.jpg','2008-12-01 23:27:00','<p>Two of cruise travel\'s ultra-luxurious brands - Regent and Seabourn - will soon be unveiling a next generation eatery and vessel.</p><p>In the case of Regent, a new, contemporary steak and seafood venue - Prime 7 - will be added to both Seven Seas Voyager in December and Seven Seas Mariner (January) during refurbishment efforts to both of its all-suite ships.</p><p>Seabourn, meanwhile, has announced the name of its next generation vessel. Seabourn Sojourn will make her debut in June 2010.</p><p>Regent Steakhouse</p><p>A glamorous, contemporary interpretation of a classic American steakhouse, Regent\'s fee-free Prime 7 will feature a fresh, distinctive dcor and an innovative menu of the finest prime-aged steak and chops along with fresh seafood and poultry specialties. It\'s part of the line\'s $40 million refurbishment plan.</p><p>The restaurant will feature an array of avant-garde appetizers such as a trio of steak tartares and foie gras sliders with rhubarb chutney along with traditional favorites that include oysters Rockefeller and jumbo lump crab cake. Look also for a wide selection of soups, salads, vegetable dishes and deserts.</p><p>No fewer than eight USDA Prime, dry-aged steaks will be offered on the menu, including a 32-ounce Porterhouse that is carved tableside, an 18-ounce &quot;Cote de Boeuf&quot; bone-in rib steak, a 12-ounce New York strip, slow-roasted prime rib, 6- and 10-ounce filet mignons and the signature surf and turf - a 6-ounce filet mignon accompanied by a Canadian cold water lobster tail or Alaskan king crab legs. Non-beef specialties include New Zealand double cut lamb chops, double cut Kurobuta Berkshire pork chops, center cut milk-fed veal chop, an oven-roasted organic half chicken, Alaskan king crab legs, Maine lobster with drawn butter and grilled branzino with lemon and capers.</p><p>Each meal is accompanied by complimentary pairings of California white and red wines, and there is an extensive list of American wines available for purchase by the glass.</p><p>Sojourn Debut</p><p>Seabourn\'s new ultra-luxury yacht will be unveiled in London in June 2010, before sailing on its 14-day maiden voyage.</p><p>Like its sister Seabourn Odyssey, debuting in June 2009, Sojourn will feature 225 onboard suites, 90 percent of which have private verandas. Each suite features separate living areas and bedrooms, writing desks with personalized stationery, iPod and MP3 connections and spacious granite bathrooms with separate bath and shower and twin sinks.</p><p>The two-deck, state of the art Spa at Seabourn features Spa Villas which can be reserved for hours of indulgence and relaxation. The new vessels will offer four dining venues, including a spacious open-seating restaurant. Six bars and lounges will serve a full range of beverages including fine wines and spirits with Seabourn\'s compliments.</p><p>Fares and detailed itineraries will be announced in February 2009.</p><p>Sojourn is the second of three 450-guest vessels being added to The Yachts of Seabourn\'s fleet of intimate, yacht-like cruisers.</p><p>The line, like Regent, has won numerous awards and consistent acclaim for highly personalized service, all-suite accommodations and superb cuisine.</p><p>On the web: rssc.com, seabourn.com.</p><p>Cruise Guide travel columnist Michael Coleman </p>','2013-01-12 18:47:16',206,1,1,NULL,NULL,680,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(994,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Gene Sloan, USA Today','Cruise lines begin canceling port calls in Mumbai','mumbai_gwofindia_880227030.jpg','2008-12-01 23:29:00','<p>The widely-reported terrorist attacks in Mumbai this week already have prompted one cruise line, Royal Caribbean, to cancel an upcoming call in the city, and more lines are expected to follow.&nbsp; </p><p>Royal Caribbean\'s 2,076-passenger Legend of the Seas was scheduled to arrive in the Indian commercial capital Sunday for a two-day visit but now will go elsewhere. The ship is on a 27-night cruise from Rome to Singapore. </p><p>The terrorist attacks, which appeared aimed at Westerners including tourists, also could affect several other ships scheduled to call in Mumbai in the next few weeks including the Seabourn Spirit and Azamara Quest, though other lines have yet to announce cancellations. </p><p>Located on the West coast of India, Mumbai (formerly known as Bombay), is a popular stopover for cruise ships heading from Europe to Asia and vice versa. Billed as the world\'s fifth most populous metropolitan area, it\'s home to India\'s financial and entertainment centers.</p><p>The terrorist attacks centered in part on well-known Mumbai hotels often visited by Western tourists.</p>','2013-01-10 06:30:37',167,1,1,NULL,NULL,681,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(995,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Gene Sloan, USA Today Cruise Log','Norwegian Cruise Line unveils new-and-improved Norwegian Spirit','123_448596297.jpg','2008-12-01 23:32:00','<p>The big news at Norwegian Cruise Line the past few years has been the rollout of half a dozen shiny new vessels. Indeed, the company likes to boast it has the youngest fleet in the business. </p><p>Still, NCL isn\'t forgetting its older ships. Just this week, the company unveiled a massive, multi-million dollar overhaul of the Norwegian Spirit, the 10-year-old vessel that it inherited in 2004 from Asian parent-company Star Cruises. </p><p>The extensive makeover of the 2,376-passenger Spirit, which sails out of New Orleans, brought everything from new carpets in and out of cabins to a new diesel engine.</p><p>But perhaps the most noticeable changes came on the pool decks, which were completely refurbished (see photo at right, taken Tuesday), and in the ship\'s 700-person Stardust Theater, which got all new seats (see photo below). </p><p>The line also managed to pack 11 new cabins onto the ship, eight of which come with balconies. </p><p>The makeover also brough reupholstered chairs throughout the vessel, new tile in 300 bathrooms and new wallpaper in many areas. The onboard phone system also was upgraded to a wireless system. </p><p>The vessel, which re-entered service on Sunday, sails Western Caribbean cruises with calls in Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Santo Tomas De Castilla, Guatemala; and Belize City, Belize.</p>','2013-01-17 16:47:29',271,1,1,NULL,NULL,682,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(996,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Pacific Shipper','Los Angeles plans second cruise terminal','PortSkyView_939291208.gif','2008-12-01 23:33:00','<p>The Port of Los Angeles is planning a second cruise terminal as part of its proposed San Pedro Waterfront Project. </p><p>Other elements of the 400-acre infrastructure and public access improvement project are new downtown-adjacent harbors, entitlements for up to 375,000 square feet of future commercial and conference center development in the Ports O&rsquo;Call area, and expanded Pacific Electric Red Car line service to Cabrillo Beach and other points along the waterfront. The project is expected to take between five and seven years to complete.</p><p>The new cruise complex would be located at Kaiser Point in the Outer Harbor, the longtime site of a supertanker terminal. It would consist of two two-story terminals totaling up to 200,000 square feet. The Outer Harbor Cruise Terminals would incorporate environmental building principals designed to attain LEED-Gold status. Ships would be required to use cleaner fuels and plug in to shore-side electric power to substantially reduce smokestack emissions while the ships are at berth. Security measures would also be implemented as approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.</p><p>The Outer Harbor Cruise Terminals would accommodate larger cruise vessels as they are introduced into service by the cruise industry over the next two decades and also serve the anticipated continued growth in demand for cruises. The existing Inner Harbor berths would serve smaller cruise ships.</p><p>Based on economic modeling, the port says the expanded cruise operations and increased commercial development it proposes for the San Pedro waterfront would spawn a variety of economic benefits, including:</p><p>&bull; 1,083 new jobs.</p><p>&bull; $37.9 million in new wages.</p><p>&bull; $30.8 million in additional passenger spending.</p><p>The San Pedro waterfront plan is in the public comment phase until Dec. 8. Details are available on the port&rsquo;s Web site, <a href=\"http://www.portoflosangeles.org/\">www.portoflosangeles.org</a>.</p>','2013-01-10 06:29:29',284,1,1,NULL,NULL,683,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(997,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','P&amp;O Cruises','P&amp;O Cruises beats the credit crunch','dollarvalue_165411607.jpg','2008-12-07 22:31:00','&nbsp;<br />P&amp;O Cruises is bucking the trend and has seen an influx of bookings in the last week, proving that even in the current economic climate, people are realising that pound for pound a P&amp;O Cruises holiday provides maximum value for money for experience.<br /><br />Cruising has traditionally been seen as the preserve of the well heeled but the increase in the size and number of ships in the fleet has meant that the price of cruise holidays has actually fallen over recent years. A seven night cruise on board Ventura in April 2009 starts from &pound;538 per person, including all main meals, entertainment, facilities and child care.*<br /><br />Going into the December and January peak booking period, P&amp;O Cruises is making holidays even more affordable by offering up to &pound;120 on board credit per stateroom, on bookings made before 31 January 2009. In addition, up to &pound;100 per person discount is being offered on Ventura 2009 sailings. <br /><br />P&amp;O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: &ldquo;The current economic climate is understandably making people nervous about committing to holidays but we aim to reassure people that luxury need not break the bank and a holiday with us is a very sensible, as well as inspiring, choice.<br /><br />&ldquo;A cruise offers a holiday experience like no other, enabling passengers to effortlessly visit up to eight different places in fortnight. And for the same experience, if you add up all the hotels, meals, the cost of child care, entertainment, flights and transfers, a land-based holiday can easily cost more than a P&amp;O Cruises holiday. <br /><br />&ldquo;This is especially true with the savings we are offering, meaning holidays can be booked for as little as &pound;76 per person per night.&rdquo; <br /><br />Phil Nuttall, director of The Cruise Village travel agency added: &ldquo;Lots of our customers are looking to save money this year and we are happy to recommend a P&amp;O Cruises holiday because it&rsquo;s such good value, and with Southampton departures to the Med, Fjords and beyond it&rsquo;s so easy to get away: it&rsquo;s the sensible choice for 2009.&rdquo;<br /><br />Esdale continued: &ldquo;We are encouraging early bookings for 2009 and those who do will have the best range of choice &ndash; of cabin, of ship and of itinerary. This is especially true for families. We have free or heavily discounted child places on a number of cruises throughout the year, and families looking to book their holiday now will get the best deals on family cabins. <br /><br />&ldquo;Our new advertising campaign explains what it is that makes every day of a P&amp;O Cruises holiday so different. Not only do passengers awake to a new destination almost every day but they travel in style and enjoy service that simply cannot be found elsewhere.&rdquo;<br /><br />The new TV campaign featuring seven different films, one for every day of the week, breaks on Boxing Day and can also be seen on www.pocruises.co.uk.','2013-01-23 02:45:39',298,1,1,NULL,NULL,685,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(998,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','NCL Extends Norwegian Sky&#039;s Deployment in Miami Through April 2010','123_103406955.jpg','2008-12-07 22:34:00','<p>Building on the successful launch of Norwegian Sky in the three and four-day market, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today announced it has extended the Freestyle Cruising ship\'s deployment from Miami, sailing three and four-day Bahamas cruises, through April 16, 2010.</p><p>Norwegian Sky sailings from April 20, 2009 through April 16, 2010 go on sale today. To celebrate the ship\'s continued deployment, NCL is offering a special promotional offer of $199 per person (double occupancy) and $49 per person for third and fourth guests in the same stateroom with up to a four category upgrade for reservations made today through December 31, 2008.</p><p>&quot;The return of Norwegian Sky to the short cruise market has proved to be very successful for us,&quot; said Kevin Sheehan, NCL\'s president and CEO. &quot;Norwegian Sky is attracting many first time cruisers and experienced cruisers alike who sample Freestyle Cruising and love it. She is the highest quality ship and best value for money in the market, providing guests with a quick and relaxing getaway without schedules or set dining times.&quot;</p><p>The 2,002-passenger Norwegian Sky sails four-day Bahamas cruises on Mondays with full-day stops in Grand Bahama Island, Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, NCL\'s private island in the Bahamas. On Fridays, the ship sails a weekend getaway three-day Bahamas itinerary, departing Miami at 5 p.m. with all-day stops in Nassau and Great Stirrup Cay, returning to Miami at 7 a.m. on Monday mornings. </p><p>Norwegian Sky has more than 240 balcony staterooms, a choice of six different restaurants, 10 bars and lounges, multiple entertainment venues, two pools, extensive children\'s and teen facilities, a sports deck and a variety of spacious public rooms. Norwegian Sky also features NCL\'s Freestyle 2.0 enhancements which include a major investment in the total dining experience such as all new menus and Lobster Galore; upgraded stateroom experiences including the Bliss Bed by NCL; new wide ranging on-board activities for all guests; and additional recognition, service and amenities for balcony and suite guests.</p><p>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 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.</p><p>NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, for delivery in 2010.</p>','2013-01-10 06:32:18',337,1,1,NULL,NULL,686,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(999,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Scott Powers, Orlando Sentinel','Disney Cruise Line drops fuel surcharges','42806815_333057117.jpg','2008-12-07 22:36:00','Following this autumn\'s plummet in oil and fuel costs, Disney Cruise Line announced this today that it is dropping its fuel surcharge for all new cruises booked starting today. <p>For cruises that have already been booked, the company is willing to offer a rebate in the form of an onboard credit, depending on market circumstances. </p><p>Face with what had been $120 per barrel fuel costs, Disney first started charging fuel surcharges in April. The surcharges&nbsp; of $8 per day were levied on the first two passengers in a stateroom, up to a maximum of $112 per person per vacation. In addition, any additional passengers in each cabin were charged $3 per day, up to a maximum of $42 per person per vacation.</p><p>Carnival Corp. and Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. also tacked on fuel charges. Carnival announced in October that it would eliminate fuel surcharges for 2010 sailings.</p><p>Today Disney was willing to offer the onboard credits for previously-booked cruises, under circumstances that were spelled out like this:</p><p>If the closing price on the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange) of West Texas Intermediate fuel is below $70 a barrel two weeks prior to the beginning of the calendar quarter (dates specified below), the company will refund fuel surcharges paid in the form of an onboard credit. </p><p>The quarter that the cruise falls in will be based solely on the sailing date.&nbsp; The entire cruise will be considered to be part of the quarter that the sailing date originates in. </p><p>Fuel Price Determination Date&nbsp; &nbsp;Quarter of Possible Fuel Surcharge Refund&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;<br />December 18, 2008&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; First Quarter 2009&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; <br />March 18, 2009&nbsp; Second Quarter 2009&nbsp; &nbsp; <br />June 17, 2009&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; Third Quarter 2009&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; <br />September 17, 2009&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Fourth Quarter 2009&nbsp; &nbsp; <br />December 18, 2009&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp; First Quarter 2010&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; <br />March 18, 2010&nbsp; Second Quarter 2010&nbsp; &nbsp; <br />June 17, 2010&nbsp; &nbsp;Third Quarter 2010&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; <br />September 17, 2010&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Fourth Quarter 2010&nbsp; &nbsp; </p><p>The elimination of the fuel surcharge for new bookings applies to sail dates through the end of 2010.&nbsp; The company will continue to closely monitor fuel prices.&nbsp; Reinstatement of a fuel surcharge may be necessary in the future.</p>','2013-01-10 06:29:29',215,1,1,NULL,NULL,688,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1000,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Charlotte Business Journal','BofA inks deal with Carnival','logo_bankofamerica_157527246.gif','2008-12-07 22:37:00','<p>Global cruise company Carnival Corp. has hired Bank of America Corp. to operate its North American corporate credit-card program.</p><p>Carnival, whose portfolio includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and Seabourn Cruise Line, will have a program that covers air-ticket purchases, travel and entertainment expenses and general procurement.</p><p>Financial terms of the deal weren&rsquo;t disclosed.</p><p>Under the agreement, Miami-based Carnival (NYSE:CCL) will have access to BofA&rsquo;s Works application. The Web-based platform automates and streamlines corporate credit-card payment authorization and reconciliation.</p><p>&ldquo;Works was a major selling point for us because it allows us to consolidate a variety of information into one user-friendly platform,&rdquo; says Paul Zacharski, senior vice president of finance for Carnival Cruise Lines. &ldquo;The single platform translates into significant cost savings and improved efficiency.&rdquo;</p>','2013-01-04 20:41:51',255,2,1,NULL,NULL,692,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1001,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Carnival sues Rolls over Queen Mary 2 propulsion','Pods_vots_915740314.jpg','2008-12-07 22:40:00','<p>MIAMI (AP) -- Carnival Corp. is suing Rolls-Royce over a propulsion system for the Queen Mary 2 ship that the Miami-based cruise line claims is defective.</p><p>Carnival is seeking $100 million in damages in a lawsuit filed earlier this week in federal court. The suit contends that the British company deliberately deceived Carnival about problems with the Rolls-Royce Mermaid propulsion system. Carnival says the system has not worked properly since the Queen Mary 2 went into service in 2004.</p><p>Rolls-Royce officials did not immediately respond to an e-mail Wednesday seeking comment.</p><p>Rolls-Royce also has been sued over the Mermaid system by Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines and Regent Seven Seas Cruises.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-23 11:10:30',343,1,1,NULL,NULL,693,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Carnival sues Rolls-Royce claiming faulty propulsion system for Queen Mary 2 cruise ship',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1002,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRNewswire','Holland America Line and Barclays Debut New Rewards Visa Card','123_616352755.jpg','2008-12-07 22:43:00','<p>New customized rewards program offers ability to earn free cruises, discounts and onboard amenities through everyday purchases</p><p>Holland America Line, a division of Carnival Corporation and plc, and Barclaycard US, the credit card business of Barclays PLC in the United States, today announced the debut of the Holland America Line Rewards(TM) Visa&reg; card. The card, Holland America Line\'s first such offering, will allow cardmembers to earn free cruises, onboard credits, special onboard amenities and discounted airfare for card usage.</p><p>For every $1 spent on Holland America Line purchases, cardmembers earn two Holland America Points. For all other purchases, cardmembers will earn one Holland America Point. Cardmembers will earn 5,000 points upon first use and can accrue an additional 5,000 points for balance transfers completed within the first 30 days of account opening. Points can be redeemed for various Holland America Line cruise packages and onboard services and amenities including spa treatments, shore excursions, special occasion packages, cooking classes and cruise discounts or free cruises. Other benefits include Visa Signature and Platinum card benefits, no annual fee and a 0% introductory APR on balance transfers for six months.</p><p>&quot;We continually search for new programs that give our loyal guests another reason to come back to vacation with us,&quot; said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. &quot;The new Holland America Line Rewards Visa lets guests use their points for the reward choices they most want from our company. We\'re pleased to select Barclaycard to jointly create the rewards program.&quot;</p><p>&quot;Consumers today have a wide selection of payment options,&quot; said Lloyd M. Wirshba, Chief Executive Officer, Barclaycard US. &quot;Therefore, in creating the ideal rewards card for Holland America Line guests, it was critical to create a card product to further enhance the tremendous customer loyalty enjoyed by the Holland America Line brand. We believe we have built the optimal product to provide these customers a path towards future Holland America Line cruise packages.&quot;</p><p>For further information and to apply for the Holland America Line Rewards Visa card, please visit <a href=\"http://www.hollandamericavisa.com/\">http://www.hollandamericavisa.com/</a>.</p>','2013-01-24 09:45:53',236,1,1,NULL,NULL,694,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1003,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Removes Fuel Supplement','Self_Sealing_Fuel_Nozzle_941014545.jpg','2008-12-07 22:45:00','<p>Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced the suspension of its fuel supplement for Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, anywhere in the world.</p><p>The decision reflects the recently sustained lower price of fuel.<br />Effective Monday, December 8, guests making new bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, will not be charged the fuel supplement.<br />Guests already booked on sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, will receive a refund of any fuel supplement paid, as follows:</p><p>Guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are now paid in full, will have the supplement automatically refunded to them in the form of an onboard credit during their sailing.</p><p>Guests with existing bookings for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2009, and who are not yet paid in full, will have the supplement automatically removed from their outstanding balance.</p><p>The company reserves the right to reinstate fuel supplement charges if the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel exceeded $65 per barrel, on the quarterly milestone dates mentioned in the company�s October 24, 2008, press release.</p><p>The company announced on October 24, 2008, that no fuel supplement would be charged for new bookings made on or after November 10, 2008, for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010, unless there is an upturn in fuel prices. Today�s announcement does not affect those previous terms.</p><p>Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur, Azamara Cruises and CDF Croisieres de France. The company has a combined total of 38 ships in service and six under construction. It also offers unique land-tour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-04 20:51:29',224,2,1,NULL,NULL,689,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1004,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Holland America introduces &quot;The Retreat&quot;','123_126058264.jpg','2008-12-07 22:50:00','<p>Holland America Line&rsquo;s next phase of their Signature of Excellence program will include the addition of a new resort-style pool area on the aft of the Lido deck. Holland America Line&rsquo;s ms Statendam, ms Rotterdam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam and ms Veendam will be dry-docked for nearly a month and the pool area, to be called The Retreat, will be one of the highlights catering to the preferences of today&rsquo;s upscale travellers.</p><p>The Retreat will feature a shallow area with forty-four lounge chairs allowing guests to relax and dip their fingers and toes in the water. The pool will be divided into three main sections separated by low, curving walls. The middle section is 16 inches deep with built-in benches in the water so guests can dangle their legs. The two side sections feature lounge chairs in eight inches of water and there are waterfalls and spouts all enhancing the decor, as well as a hot tub for total relaxation.</p><p><br />&ldquo;The Retreat is a totally new approach for us to this area of the ship,&rdquo; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re creating an area where guests can relax outside in a sophisticated environment, and we&rsquo;re adding other fun and convenient features such as a whirlpool, a band and DJ stand and even a pizzeria.&rdquo;</p><p><br />Holland America Line has also introduced an upscale pizzeria called Slice and there will be tables and comfortable, padded chairs under a sunscreen for dining al fresco. There will even be a stage for low music and an LED screen and sound system for playing movies.</p><p><br />The first of the dry-dock periods begins with the Veendam in spring 2009 and ends with the Maasdam in early 2011. Improvements will also include a new bar concept called Mix featuring different areas - Martinis, Champagne and Spirits &amp; Ales. Staterooms will receive a makeover and there will be 38 lanai staterooms added which give direct access to the Lower Promenade Deck. New spa staterooms near the Greenhouse Spa and Salon will offer special in-room spa amenities.</p><p><br />Holland America Line has invested a total of &pound;525 million to their Signature of Excellence program, ensuring their position as the premium cruise line.</p>','2013-01-10 16:43:42',241,2,1,NULL,NULL,695,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1005,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines to Suspend Fuel Supplement Effective Dec. 17','california_carnival_cruise_san_diego_489375133.jpg','2008-12-07 22:51:00','<p>As fuel prices continue to decline, six brands from Carnival Corporation &amp; plc, including Carnival Cruise Lines, have announced that they will suspend fuel supplements effective for all voyages departing on or after December 17, 2008.&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>In addition to Carnival, the fuel supplement suspension applies to Costa Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn.</p><p>A refund of the fuel supplement will be made in the form of a shipboard credit for all bookings within the final payment period for departures on or after December 17, 2008.&nbsp; All bookings outside of the final payment period for departures on or after December 17, 2008 will be adjusted to remove the fuel supplement and guests will be provided with a revised final payment amount.</p><p>The company cautioned that the fuel supplement could be re-instated if oil prices increase significantly.&nbsp; </p><p>The company reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day should the price of light sweet crude oil according to the NYMEX (New York Mercantile Exchange Index) increase above $70 per barrel.&nbsp; </p><p>The fuel supplement for five of the six Carnival Corporation &amp; plc brands is currently $9 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $126 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third, fourth and fifth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage).&nbsp; Seabourn&rsquo;s fuel supplement is $15 per person per day for the first and second guest (not to exceed $210 per person per voyage) and $4 per person per day for third and fourth guests (not to exceed $56 per person per voyage).&nbsp; </p><p>Carnival Corporation &amp; plc is the largest cruise vacation group in the world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe and Australia operating 88 ships in service 17 new ships scheduled to debut between March 2009 and June 2012.</p>','2013-01-10 17:13:04',309,1,1,NULL,NULL,690,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1006,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','ELENA BECATOROS, Associated Press Writer','Threat of piracy could push up cruise insurance','pirates_630576501.jpg','2008-12-07 22:55:00','<p>ATHENS, Greece -- It\'s an insurer\'s nightmare: Heavily armed pirates, emboldened by their success in capturing cargo vessels, hijack a cruise ship with hundreds of well-heeled passengers and ask for massive ransoms.</p><p>It hasn\'t happened yet, but the failed attack this week on the luxury American cruise liner MS Nautica has shown the threat is real - raising questions about what impact piracy may have on cruise ship insurance costs.</p><p>&quot;I don\'t know where the rates are going to go, but they\'re not going to go down,&quot; Rich DeSimone, president of Travelers Ocean Marine insurance, said by telephone from New York. </p><p>&quot;One of the greatest impacts on insurance rates is increased exposure. And if you have increased exposure to something like piracy, it\'s going to result in higher costs.&quot;</p><p>But he and other brokers said it was unlikely that passengers\' costs for buying cruises would be greatly affected as companies would be reluctant to pass on the increases.</p><p>And travel insurance companies indicated they would not boost rates for tourists taking cruises.</p><p>&quot;We are still offering travel insurance to customers who are on cruises and there will be no effect on premiums as a result of the attempted act of piracy recently reported,&quot; said Sally Leeman, a spokeswoman for the British insurance company Norwich Union.</p><p>Ian Crowder, spokesman for AA travel insurance, said he expected cruise companies would avoid pirate-infested waters.</p><p>&quot;Given that the shipping company is not playing Russian roulette with its passengers ... then we don\'t expect the premiums to increase,&quot; Crowder said.</p><p>He said that while travel insurance would not cover ransom payments, his company\'s policies would cover costs such as medical expenses and repatriation were someone to be injured or suffer a heart attack when taken hostage.</p><p>Both AA and Sainsbury\'s Travel Insurance noted that their policies would not cover people traveling to areas where Britain\'s Foreign and Commonwealth Office had advised travelers not to go. The FCO advises against all travel to Somalia itself, and advises &quot;mariners to maintain a high level of vigilance and to exercise extreme caution when anywhere near Somali waters.&quot;</p><p>On the ship industry front, brokers, underwriters and shipowners indicated that while the costs for insuring vessels against piracy were likely to increase, it was impossible to tell at this stage by how much.</p><p>&quot;It is a developing subject,&quot; said David Glass of the Greek shipping publication Naftiliaki. &quot;It is something the insurance industry is now grappling with.&quot;</p><p>Although cruise ships have been the target of terrorism in the past, such as the 1985 hijacking of the Achille Lauro, there haven\'t been incidents of hundreds of passengers being held purely for ransom.</p><p>&quot;Because there\'s no case law, everyone is feeling their way,&quot; said one marine insurance broker with a firm of Lloyds brokers.</p><p>&quot;It\'s up in the air. Nobody knows who will respond to what. It is a dangerous situation,&quot; said the broker, who asked not to be named because the situation was still unclear.</p><p>Neil Smith, senior manager for underwriting for Lloyd\'s Market Association, said that while insurance costs would likely change, &quot;it\'s impossible for us to put a figure on it because each individual underwriter will make a decision as they\'re approached.&quot;</p><p>Overall, cruise ships are probably in a better position than merchant vessels in facing pirates: they are faster than cargo ships, and their tall hulls make it harder for bandits to throw hooks over the side and board. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-22 22:03:12',222,1,1,NULL,NULL,691,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1007,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','NCL Teams with Lego Club on Winter Wonderland','123_928277450.jpg','2008-12-07 22:58:00','<p>Norwegian Cruise Line and the Lego Club have again teamed up to challenge children to use their imagination as part of the Lego Winter Holiday Building Challenge. Kids, ages 6 to 18, can construct a holiday-inspired scene, object or character made with Lego bricks. Three winners will be awarded their choice of a three- to seven-night NCL Caribbean cruise for four. </p><p>After building their Lego winter wonderland, kids are invited to enter the contest by submitting a photo of their creation along with a 50-word essay describing their masterpiece. Entries will be judged on creativity, originality and the essay. A panel of judges including representatives from Lego Systems Inc. and NCL will select the winners. One winner will be selected from each of three age groups: 6 to 9, 10 to 14 and 15 and older. Official entry details can be found at <a href=\"http://www.ncl.com/Lego\">www.ncl.com/Lego</a>. </p><p>NCL guests can also visit any NCL ship&rsquo;s Kid&rsquo;s Crew for additional details. All Lego Winter Holiday Building Challenge entries must be submitted by Jan. 9. This is the second year that NCL and Lego Club have sponsored a building contest. Last year&rsquo;s contest challenged kids to build a Lego cruise ship. Photos of the winning creations can be found at <a href=\"http://www.ncl.com/Lego\">www.ncl.com/Lego</a>.</p>','2013-01-22 23:27:04',820,1,1,NULL,NULL,696,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,2,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1008,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Business Review','Princess Cruises&#039; newbuilding talks with Mitsubishi end without contract - paper','hmsdiamond_780898992.jpg','2008-12-07 23:00:00','<p>Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has reportedly postponed plans to re-enter into cruiseship construction as early as 2012 after Princess Cruises are said to have scrapped talks on newbuildings. The Lloyds List cited Nikkei Daily, which reported that the yard was believed to have been in the final stages of negotiations with Carnival Corp &amp; PLC for two large 1,000-passenger-plus vessels priced in the region of JPY 100bn ($845m) each. </p><p>Mitsubishi pulled out of the cruise business in 2002 after a fire broke out during the construction of the 115,000 gross ton Diamond Princess that was delivered in 2004. It signalled it was back in the cruise business last year, due to a sharp rise in demand mainly in the US and Europe, Lloyds List said.</p><p>The first ship was to have been delivered in the spring of 2013 and the other a year later.The order had been expected to be finalised by year-end at the earliest. Mitsubishi was worried that the rising yen would hit profitability on cruiseship building, the report said. </p><p>The two ships were reportedly planned to exceed the 115,000 gross ton size of the Diamon Princess and Sapphire Princess that Mitsubishi built for Princess earloer in the millennium.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-04 20:29:24',370,2,1,NULL,NULL,687,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1009,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','New Carnival Splendor Earns Perfect 100 Score on Recent USPH Inspection','123_201877728.jpg','2008-12-16 00:41:00','<p><font size=\"2\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; new 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor received a perfect 100 score during its most recent inspection by the U.S. Public Health (USPH) Service in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Dec. 6.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></font></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>In addition, four other Carnival ships earned scores of 99 during their respective USPH inspections over the past few weeks. </font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Carnival Splendor, the line&rsquo;s newest ship, arrived in the U.S. Nov. 22 and received perfect marks on all 42 items that comprise the U.S.P.H.&rsquo;s comprehensive Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) checklist.</font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The unannounced inspections, which are conducted twice a year and required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling at a U.S. port, evaluate vessels in a variety of areas, including adherence to proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures, and overall galley cleanliness.<span>&nbsp; </span>Ships&rsquo; potable water supplies used in spas and pools are evaluated, as well. </font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Carnival Splendor will operate seven-day Caribbean cruises from Fort Lauderdale through Jan. 31, 2009, then embark on a series of 14- to 18-day South America voyages before repositioning to Long Beach, Calif., to launch year-round week-long Mexican Riviera voyages March 29, 2009. <span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></span></span></p>','2013-01-04 20:29:02',363,2,1,NULL,NULL,702,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1010,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Freedom Arrives in Fort Lauderdale','123_977052535.jpg','2008-12-16 00:43:00','<p><font size=\"2\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Port Everglades&rsquo; Director of Business Development Carlos Buqueras (right) presents Carnival Freedom Captain Orazio D&rsquo;Aita with a plaque during a shipboard reception commemorating the inaugural call of the 2,974-passenger SuperLiner to Fort Lauderdale, Fla.</font></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>The event celebrated the start-up of the ship&rsquo;s new year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean cruise schedule from Fort Lauderdale. </font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>On this program, six-day cruises depart Sundays and visit Key West, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios, while eight-day voyages departing Saturdays alternate to the eastern and western Caribbean. Eight-day eastern Caribbean voyages call at San Juan, St. Thomas/St. John, Antigua, Tortola/Virgin Gorda, and Nassau, while the western route includes Cozumel, Limon (Costa Rica), and Colon (Panama).</font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span>Carnival Freedom entered service in March 2007 and offers a variety of on-board amenities and features, including 22 lounges and bars, four swimming pools, four restaurants, expansive spa and children&rsquo;s facilities, and a 270-square-foot LED screen poolside on Lido deck displaying movies, concerts, sports and other programming. </font></span></span></p>','2013-01-11 18:01:10',387,2,1,NULL,NULL,704,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1011,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRNewswire','Holland America Line Unveils Vacation Stimulus Plan to Rally Cruise Bookings','123_153656329.jpg','2008-12-16 00:44:00','<p>SEATTLE, Dec. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- Looking at novel ways to encourage a commitment to cruising during the coming year, Holland America Line unveiled its Vacation Stimulus Plan. &quot;There\'s never been a better time to get more, pay less and sail away from it all,&quot; says Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. &quot;And the return on investment is guaranteed.&quot;</p><p>To boost cruise sales, the four-point plan encompasses (1) unprecedented low fares, (2) deposits reduced by 50% on cruises and cruisetours departing on or after May 1, 2009, (3) a 25% savings on standard Cancellation Protection Plan on cruises and cruisetours departing on or after May 1, 2009, and (4) suspended fuel supplements for cruises departing on or after Dec. 17, 2008.</p><p>&quot;Our message is to buy low and live high. With great fares, reduced deposits and a lower fee to protect the cost of a vacation, there really has never been a better time to cruise with Holland America Line,&quot; added Meadows. &quot;Vacationers are increasingly looking for best values, and Holland America Line\'s Vacation Stimulus Plan provides a number of extra features and benefits.&quot;</p><p>Vacation Stimulus Plan Elements</p><p>Unprecedented Low Fares: Tremendous values are available on most itineraries worldwide, including the current View and Verandah Cruise sale Promotion that offers outside and verandah staterooms at terrific values. Guests can enjoy an upgrade from an inside stateroom to an outside stateroom for as little as $50 or upgrade from an outside stateroom to verandah accommodations from just $100.</p><p>Lead fares for the View and Verandah promotion start at $499 for 7-day Alaska cruises, $549 for 7-day Caribbean sailing, and $999 for 12-day Europe and Panama Canal voyages. There are savings to exotic destinations, too, like $999 for 16-day South America cruises, $899 for 14-day Australia/New Zealand cruises, and $1,299 for 16-day Southeast Asia sailings. On select sailings, third and fourths in staterooms are as little as $99 per person. Taxes are additional on all per person cruise fares.</p><p>Reduced Deposit: For a limited time, Holland America Line has reduced the deposit requirements by 50% on all cruises and Alaska cruisetours departing on or after May 1, 2009. For example a $350 per-person deposit required on most seven-day cruises is reduced to $175. Reduced deposits apply to group bookings as well.</p><p>Cancellation Protection Savings: The Vacation Stimulus Plan also offers a 25% savings on the popular standard Cancellation Protection Plan when purchased with a new booking for departures on or after May 1, 2009. Cancellation Protection Plan covers a portion of the cost of a cruise fare in the event of cancellation by the guest for any reason.</p><p>Fuel Supplement Suspended: In addition, Holland America Line has suspended the $9 per guest per day fuel supplement for departures on or after Dec. 17, 2008.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-04 21:02:21',293,2,1,NULL,NULL,699,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Reduced Fares and Deposits Add Value to a Vacation ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1012,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','P&amp;O Cruises Arcadia refit - new boutique cinema and 34 extra staterooms','arcadia_345679550.jpg','2008-12-16 00:46:00','<p>P&amp;O Cruises child-free ship Arcadia is currently receiving a multi-million pound refurbishment at the Lloydwerft shipyard in Bremerhaven, Germany. Having arrived in the yard on the 26 November, Arcadia will return to Southampton on 20 December 2008 with a number of new features, including 34 new staterooms.</p><p>P&amp;O Cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: &ldquo;This is Arcadia&rsquo;s first major refurbishment since she joined the fleet in April 2005 and we are taking the opportunity to enhance and improve the features of this already very successful child free ship. The work that we are undertaking will add to Arcadia&rsquo;s contemporary charm and she will emerge with even more facilities to surprise and delight her passengers.&rdquo;</p><p>The new area of staterooms with private balconies will be added to the aft end of the ship, resulting in the creation of an enlarged deck area around Aquarius Pool. This is already a very popular area of the ship with guests who will be able to further enjoy this improved area with the introduction of a larger, more stylish bar.</p><p>The existing Cyb@Study will be replaced with a new 30-seat boutique cinema, a dedicated space for films on board. Wireless internet access will continue to be offered on board Arcadia.</p><p>There will be other enhancements throughout P&amp;O Cruises Arcadia, including new carpets, soft furnishings and upholstery added in areas including the Spinnaker Bar, Neptune Pool and passenger cabins. New teak furniture will enhance open deck space and a sprung wooden floor in the gym will improve delivery of exercise classes.</p><p>The refit comes in Arcadia&rsquo;s fourth year of service with P&amp;O Cruises, just a few weeks before she departs for her maiden 101 night Grand Voyage. The first lucky guests to experience her new look will be leaving on a 16 night Mediterranean cruise from Southampton on the 20 December 2008.</p>','2013-01-04 20:28:50',437,2,1,NULL,NULL,700,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1013,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Crystal Cruises announce exciting new 2010 itineraries','symphony_583515428.jpg','2008-12-16 00:47:00','<p>To celebrate their 15 years of awards as the world&rsquo;s number one cruise line, Crystal Cruises has designed an inspiring collection of 2010 cruise itineraries spanning 174 ports in 70 countries on 62 voyages across the globe. There will be exciting new calls in Iran, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia as well as the Sea of Cortez and Hawaii.</p><p>Crystal Cruises 2010 cruise collection will feature cruises celebrating the rugged charm of Australia and New Zealand, the intriguing history of the Middle East, safari-rich Africa, the mysteries of North America and the cosmopolitan centres of Europe. Crystal Cruises ships, the award-winning Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity, will be putting an emphasis on port intensive, destination lead itineraries with a range of overnight stays in port available.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><br />New in 2010:</p><p>108-day &quot;Exploration of Ancient Empires&quot; World Cruise, including maiden calls in Manama, Bahrain; Bandar Abbas, Iran; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Fujairah, UAE; Khasab, Oman; and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.</p><p>Maiden calls in Topolobampo, Mexico; Holyhead, Wales; Portland, England; Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Sevastopol, Ukraine; and Almeria, Spain.</p><p>Seven-day British Isles cruise.</p><p>10-day Mexico cruise, featuring the Sea of Cortez.</p><p>Fall New England/Canada cruises with overnights in New York.</p><p>10-day fall Mediterranean itineraries.</p><p>Nine-day Canary Islands cruise.</p><p>Holiday cruise to Hawaii, round-trip from Los Angeles.</p><p>Panama Canal cruise from New York to Los Angeles, including Philadelphia and Charleston.</p><p>Cruise series in Australia/New Zealand and Mexican Riviera.</p><p>Combination of European ports in Western Europe, Black Sea, Middle East, British Isles, Baltic, North Cape and Canary Islands.</p><p>Expanded choices of Mediterranean cruises and North European cruises, which can be combined to create extended voyages without repeating ports.</p>','2013-01-04 20:51:32',271,2,1,NULL,NULL,701,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1014,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','MSC Fantasia received by MSC Cruises','msc_fantasia_141679837.jpg','2008-12-16 00:49:00','<p>&lsquo;The most beautiful ship in the world&rsquo; was today handed over to MSC Cruises at a ceremony at STX France shipyard in St Nazaire, France. The ceremony saw the lowering of the French flag and the flag of STX France and the raising of the MSC Cruises flag, along with the flags of Italy and Panama.</p><p>MSC Cruises four year old godmother, Asia Aponte granddaughter of MSC Cruises owner Gianluigi Aponte, was there at the ceremony. MSC Cruises&rsquo; CEO Pierfrancesco Vago, and Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of the shipyard, were also present.</p><p>At the ceremony, Mr Vago said: &ldquo;I am particularly proud to launch this new ship, which is a revolution in the cruising world, due to the technologically advanced systems on board. Not only does MSC Fantasia stand out for her technical innovations, but also for her environmentally-friendly systems and structure.</p><p>&ldquo;This ship will capture the imagination of every single guest who comes onboard, as she is a destination in herself and so beautifully designed. She features the stunning MSC Yacht Club, which introduces a new concept in luxury sailing, and our signature MSC Aurea Spa, for the ultimate in well-being.</p><p>&ldquo;With so much choice of activities and entertainment on board this visually stunning ship, I am sure you will agree MSC Fantasia truly is the most beautiful ship in the world,&rdquo; Mr Vago added.</p><p>MSC Fantasia will be the largest ship in the MSC Cruises fleet, with a total capacity of 3,959 passengers. The ship will also launch the lines new MSC Yacht Club, a new class of cruising, with a luxury area with 24 hour butler service and concierge service. This is the sixth ship STX France has built for MSC Cruises and will be followed by her sister ship MSC Splendida in July 2009. There will be a further three ships - MSC Magnifica, MSC Meraviglia and MSC Favolosa &ndash; by 2012, giving MSC Cruises the fastest-growing and most modern fleet in the world.</p><p>MSC Fantasia will now sail to Italy via Lisbon, Gibraltar, Alicante, Barcelona and Marseilles, to reach Naples, where her christening will take place on December 18. Following her inaugural cruise, MSC Fantasia will be home ported in Genoa sailing the Mediterranean year round.</p>','2013-01-04 20:29:01',376,2,1,NULL,NULL,703,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1015,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Regent Seven Seas add new dining venue','regentsevenseasvoyager_perr_731737080.jpg','2008-12-16 00:49:00','<p>Regent Seven Seas will be introducing a new dining venue on Seven Seas Mariner and Seven Seas Voyager. The new restaurant to be called Prime 7 will be added as part of Regent Seven Seas $40 million fleet-wide refurbishment programme taking place throughout December 2008 and January 2009.</p><p>&ldquo;We are very excited about our new restaurant concept,&rdquo; said Mark Conroy, President of RSSC. &ldquo;Based on feedback from our loyal past customers, Prime 7 will prove to be an extremely popular venue aboard both ships as it provides cuisine with universal appeal in a beautiful, intimate setting to create a very special luxury dining experience for our guests,&rdquo; he added.</p><p>Prime 7 will be a glamorous yet contemporary version of the classic steakhouse, with a unique d&eacute;cor and innovative menu with only the finest prime-aged steak and chops, as well as fresh seafood and poultry specialties. Sure to rival the most upmarket of restaurants ashore, Prime 7 will feature a rich colour palette of green and golden hues specially chosen to create an ambiance of luxury and intimacy. Guests will be able to relax on supple leather chairs, with polished granite and burnished woods accented by custom Prime 7 china, gleaming silver and dazzling crystal.</p><p>All of Regent Seven Seas alternative dining venues on board their all-suite ships are available to guests at no additional supplementary charges; the same will apply with Prime 7. Guests wishing to dine at any of the alternative dining venues are urged to book ahead.</p>','2013-01-04 20:28:51',283,2,1,NULL,NULL,698,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1016,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRNewswire','World Famous Glenn Miller Orchestra Signed for Crystal&#039;s 2009 Transatlantic Cruise','glennmiller_363776577.jpg','2008-12-16 00:51:00','<p>LOS ANGELES, Dec. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Considered the most popular and sought after Big Band in the world today, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is set to get Crystal guests In the Mood for concerts and ballroom swing dancing on a 10-day Transatlantic Big Band cruise from Miami to Lisbon on May 23. With its unique jazz sound, the Glenn Miller Orchestra is regarded as one of the greatest dance bands of all time.</p><p>Music and dance enthusiasts will enjoy daily live performances and evening dancing, as well musically themed lectures, swing dance lessons, trivia contests, and classic Big Band-themed films. Extra Ambassador Hosts will ensure that all guests have dance partners.</p><p>Led by famous jazz trombonist Larry O\'Brien, the 19-piece Big Band will dazzle onboard audiences with their extensive repertoire of hits made famous in the 30s and 40s, including Moonlight Serenade, Tuxedo Junction and In the Mood.</p><p>&quot;We are honored to have the Glenn Miller Orchestra as part of our 2009 music roster as classic Big Band music is riding a trend of renewed interest and popularity that spans several generations,&quot; says Bret Bullock, Crystal\'s vice president, entertainment. &quot;On this Crystal Serenity ocean crossing, guests can take dance lessons, participate in stimulating discussions and dance the night away without skipping a beat.&quot;</p><p>Besides a full music program, Crystal is planning an array of topical lectures and classes, as well as impressive fitness program and luxurious spa offerings.</p><p>The 10-day cruise departs from Miami and visits Hamilton, Bermuda and Ponta Delgada, Portugal before arriving in Lisbon. West Coast guests can extend their Crystal experience - and add convenience by preceding their Transatlantic cruise with a Panama Canal cruise from Los Angeles. Guests can also extend with a Mediterranean cruise, which continues on a rich itinerary to Venice.</p><p>Value Collection cruise fares begin at $3,540 per person, double occupancy. As Crystal celebrates a record 15th year voted &quot;Best Large-Ship Cruise Line&quot; by the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, guests can enjoy bonus savings up to $1,500 per couple, depending on accommodations selected. Other special savings include a Crystal Family Memories package and an additional 5% savings for combining two or more voyages.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-07 09:49:38',221,1,1,NULL,NULL,697,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1017,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines Rolls Out New Network TV Advertising Campaign','123_832183253.jpg','2008-12-22 00:07:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; new network TV advertising campaign kicks off December 25 with two :30 spots designed to evoke the kind of spontaneous and spirited fun that underlies the Carnival vacation experience. The two spots were shot during local events held recently in Dallas and Philadelphia attended by several thousand people. During the events, Carnival set Guinness World Records for the world&rsquo;s largest inflatable beach ball and the world&rsquo;s largest pi&ntilde;ata.</p><p>The new commercials are part of the line&rsquo;s new &ldquo;Fun For All. All For Fun.&rdquo; branding campaign intended to capture the truly unique essence of the Carnival vacation experience. The campaign was created by Boston-based advertising agency Arnold Worldwide.&nbsp; To develop the campaign&rsquo;s creative concept, Arnold conducted an intensive study involving thousands of consumers, many of whom are Carnival customers, along with a number of health and lifestyle experts, to gain insight into the importance of fun in people&rsquo;s lives.&nbsp; </p><p>&ldquo;Fun is more important today than ever,&rdquo; said Ruben Rodriguez, executive vice president of marketing and guest experience for Carnival Cruise Lines.&nbsp; &ldquo;These new spots capture a sense of genuine, spontaneous fun which is the same kind of experience that makes a Carnival cruise such a memorable vacation.&rdquo; </p><p>&ldquo;There is a difference between telling consumers you&rsquo;re fun and actually being fun,&rdquo; added Pete Favat, Arnold&rsquo;s chief creative officer. &ldquo;These commercials truly capture the essence of fun and you can&rsquo;t help but have a good time watching them. We hope that this will create even more passion for the Carnival Cruise Lines brand among consumers.&rdquo;</p><p>In the &ldquo;Beach Balls&rdquo; spot, members of the Carnival Fun Team inflate three gigantic beach balls, each measuring a world record-breaking 35 feet in diameter.&nbsp; They then roll the balls off the tops of buildings in downtown Dallas as thousands of people below come together to help bounce the enormous balls up and down the city streets. </p><p>In the &ldquo;Pi&ntilde;ata&rdquo; spot, the Carnival Fun Team assembles the world&rsquo;s largest pi&ntilde;ata in Philadelphia.&nbsp; Members of the community wake up in the morning to discover the gigantic, colorful donkey measuring over six stories tall, standing near a busy street corner.&nbsp; Thousands of people begin gathering to help break open the pi&ntilde;ata, and celebrate in the 8,000 pounds of candy that showers down from the massive burro. </p><p>Noam Murro directed the TV spots. Murro is well known for his award-winning commercials for Volkswagen, Hummer and Nike. Most recently, he directed the movie &ldquo;Smart People.&rdquo; </p><p>The new commercials are scheduled to air nationally on ABC, CBS and NBC as well in select local markets on FOX, on primetime programming including Grey&rsquo;s Anatomy, Ugly Betty and Private Practice. They will also be running on several cable networks as well as in movie theaters nationwide and in various online channels.</p><p>Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world, with 22 &ldquo;Fun Ships&rdquo; operating voyages ranging from three to 18 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Europe, Bermuda and South America.&nbsp; The line currently has two new ships scheduled for delivery between now and 2011.</p>','2013-01-14 14:37:15',399,1,2,NULL,NULL,709,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1018,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Named ‘Best Domestic Cruise Line’ in Travel Weekly’s Annual Readers Choice Awards','123_638768566.jpg','2008-12-22 00:09:00','<p><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines was named &ldquo;Best Domestic Cruise Line&rdquo; at Travel Weekly&rsquo;s annual Readers Choice awards, receiving more votes than any other cruise line in this category.<span></span></font></font> </p><p><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Carnival was recognized for its wide-ranging cruise offerings aboard its 22-vessel fleet which operates three- to eight-day voyages to the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, and New England from 18 North American departure points. That number will expand to 19 when line launches Baltimore&rsquo;s first year-round cruise program aboard the Carnival Pride in April 2009. </span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: 11pt\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">The line&rsquo;s newest and largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream, launches year-round service from Port Canaveral, Fla., in December 2009 following a series of 12-day European voyages.</span></span></p>','2013-01-10 06:29:04',334,1,1,NULL,NULL,705,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1019,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Happy Birthday Cunard Queen Victoria!','queen_vic_248967046.jpg','2008-12-22 00:10:00','<p>Cunard Cruises Queen Victoria is to celebrate her first birthday on December 11 2008, following her amazing world debut last year. She first embarked on her maiden voyage in December 2007, a day after being named by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall with HRH The Prince of Wales in attendance.</p><p>Since that momentous occasion, Queen Victoria has sailed 111,828 miles, made 222 port calls and carried 54,827 guests, many of whom enjoyed the experience so much that they have cruised several more times with the ship already. Cunard Queen Victoria will spend her first birthday in her home port of Southampton before heading off to the Caribbean for Christmas.</p><p>Quickly establishing herself in the Cunard fleet, Queen Victoria continues the line&rsquo;s traditions that were set in motion nearly 170 years ago. Queen Victoria has become one of the most celebrated ships to be introduced in maiden years and 2008 has seen her complete her maiden World Cruise as well as ten voyages to the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Caribbean roundtrip from Southampton, 9 Mediterranean &lsquo;fly-voyages&rsquo; from a choice of ports and two &lsquo;Ibero-Med&rsquo; voyages &ndash; voyages which included Cunard&rsquo;s return to the Baltic and &lsquo;fly-voyages&rsquo;.</p><p>In 2009 Cunard Queen Victoria will offer her second World Cruise and then be based in her home port of Southampton with sailings to the Mediterranean, the Baltic and an inaugural 24-night voyage to Canada and New England.</p><p>Queen Victoria is all about style, not size although she is the second largest Cunarder after the line&rsquo;s flagship Queen Mary 2. The ships interiors draw on a rich history of previous Cunard ocean liners, with double and triple height spaces, a design feature of grand liners of the past. Public spaces are elegant yet understand British charm, with many contemporary touches and some exciting innovations. The first being the traditional West End-style private viewing boxes at sea in the Royal Court Theatre.</p><p>Other &lsquo;firsts&rsquo; include, the first Cunardia exhibit display at sea, housing Cunard artefacts and memorabilia and the first two-storey library at sea featuring an elegant spiral staircase. The ship also features the line\'s celebrated sumptuous Grills accommodation and dining, further enhanced on Queen Victoria with exclusive deck terraces and an al fresco dining option.</p>','2013-01-10 14:36:46',293,1,1,NULL,NULL,706,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1020,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','Crystal Cruises remove fuel surcharge for 2009','crystal_289718692.jpg','2008-12-22 00:11:00','<p>Crystal Cruises are removing fuel surcharges for cruises in 2009 as a result of the continuing drop in oil prices. New bookings will not be charged a fuel surcharge and for bookings under deposit, Crystal Cruises will adjust each booking within the next two weeks, eliminating the fuel charge. For those guests that have already paid in full, they will receive a shipboard credit in the amount of the accessed fuel surcharge. This revised policy will apply to all cruises departing after January 1 2009.</p><p>&quot;The decreased price of crude oil is significant enough to warrant the elimination of the fuel surcharge at the present time,&quot; said Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises. &quot;We will continue to monitor fuel costs. Fortunately, the price trend is currently positive for us and for the consumer.&quot;</p>','2013-01-04 20:29:24',256,2,1,NULL,NULL,707,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1021,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Industry News','Holland America MS Zuiderdam to use shore power in Vancouver in 2009','IMG_0793_576038087.jpg','2008-12-22 00:12:00','<p>The ms Zuiderdam will become the fifth ship in Holland America Line&rsquo;s fleet to use shore power when it homeports in Vancouver, British Columbia, for its 2009 Alaska cruise season. &nbsp;Purchasing shore power &mdash; or local electricity &mdash; reduces fuel consumption and emissions and the Zuiderdam will join the ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Noordam and ms Amsterdam, which have employed shore power in Seattle for Alaska cruise seasons since 2006.<br />&nbsp;<br />The Zuiderdam will use shore power, also called cold ironing, when in Vancouver during a series of seven-day Alaska cruises between May 9 and Sept. 26, 2009. &nbsp;As at the Port of Seattle, the Port of Vancouver will provide &ldquo;plug-in&rdquo; capability for the Zuiderdam, which then will use local electricity instead of diesel fuel, for power while docked between cruises. <br />&nbsp;<br />&ldquo;Holland America Line is very pleased to be able to use shore power in Vancouver next summer,&rdquo; said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. &ldquo;As a company, we are dedicated to reducing air emissions as part of our commitment to responsible environmental practices. &ldquo;<br />&nbsp;<br />Meadows noted that other ports, such as San Diego, Los Angeles and Civitavecchia, Italy (gateway to Rome), are also working towards implementing a shore power system in the future. &nbsp;As they come on line, Holland America Line will engineer additional ships with the capability to use and purchase this power.&nbsp; Holland America&rsquo;s newest ship, the Signature-class ms Eurodam, is partly outfitted for shore power and can have the final plug-in additions made quickly. <br />After docking under their own power, Holland America ships are hooked up to shore power within 20-30 minutes. Power generation is transferred back to the ship shortly before departure. <br />&nbsp;<br />The Zuiderdam sails 20, seven-day roundtrip cruises from Vancouver to Alaska, departing Saturdays between May 9 and Sept. 19; on Sept. 26 the ship departs Vancouver for an 18-day cruise down the Pacific coast and through the Panama Canal to Fort Lauderdale.<br />&nbsp;<br />The total cost to retrofit a Holland America ship with a shore power connection system is nearly $1.4 million. In addition, local ports must establish hook-ups and install a transformer dockside.&nbsp; <br />&nbsp;<br />Westerdam and Oosterdam were the first to be retrofitted to use shore power at the Port of Seattle in 2006. In 2007 Noordam was retrofitted and joined Oosterdam. In 2008 Oosterdam, Westerdam and Amsterdam all used shore power in Seattle. In 2009 Westerdam and Amsterdam will use Seattle shore power while Zuiderdam &ldquo;plugs in&rdquo; at Vancouver.</p>','2013-01-12 20:06:32',705,1,2,NULL,NULL,708,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1022,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Crystal Cruises','Crystal Returns To Alaska for the First Time in Three Years','Alaska_460x220_895895038.jpg','2009-01-11 22:11:00','<p>Crystal Cruises returns to Alaska for the first time since 2005 with a single early season itinerary departing Yokohama April 16. The 22-day voyage also marks the first time Crystal Serenity has ever visited the Great Land, with calls at Dutch Harbor, Kodiak, Seward and Ketchikan. Crystal Adventures will highlight the region\'s magnificent scenery and wildlife - taking guests zip lining through the Tongass National Forest, flightseeing above the Misty Fjords and yachting off Kodiak to view the region\'s wildlife. </p><p>&quot;Crystal has designed more than a dozen new Crystal Adventures that showcase Alaska\'s greatest assets - its breathtaking landscape and indigenous wildlife,&quot; said John Stoll, director, land programs. </p><p>New Alaska Crystal Adventures include:</p><p>� Ketchikan - Zip lining along a series of cables suspended between the tall spruce, hemlock and cedar tress bordering Tongass National Forest. <br />� Ketchikan - Flying above the spectacular Misty Fjords, spotting bears, timber wolves, seals, sea lions and whales en route. <br />� Kodiak - Exploring Abercrombie State Park with an expert naturalist pointing out the sounds of songbirds, eagles, puffins and gulls. <br />� Kodiak - Observing horned and tufted puffins, harbor seals, otter, sea lion and a variety of birds from a private yacht. <br />� Seward - Discovering preservation efforts of Alaska\'s one-of-kind ecosystem at one of the region\'s top research centers. <br />� Seward - Cruising across Resurrection Bay into the heart of Kenai Fjords National Park. </p><p>Guests will also be treated to generously expanded programming, which is totally unique to the World Cruise and its segments, including celebrity guest lecturers Richard Dreyfuss and Ed McMahon, as well as Crystal\'s exclusive Interactive Literary Review and language and music classes offered by Berlitz and Yamaha, respectively. </p><p>The 22-day itinerary departs from Tokyo en route to Los Angeles, calling at Otaru, Japan; Petropavolovsk, Russia; Vancouver and Victoria, British Columbia; and San Francisco. The full 106-day &quot;Pacific Circle Celebration&quot; World Cruise departs Los Angeles on January 21 and is available in seven individual voyages ranging from 12 to 22 days. Cruise fares start at $11,160 per person, double occupancy.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-22 17:59:02',187,1,2,NULL,NULL,710,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1023,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line Increases 2010 Bermuda Cruises to 24','Holland_America_Line_566765869.jpg','2009-01-11 22:13:00','<p>Holland America Line announced it will more than double its previously announced Bermuda cruises in 2010 from 11 to 24 beginning on April 25, 2010. Sailing roundtrip from New York aboard ms Veendam, the cruises will visit both Hamilton and St. George�s, Bermuda�s cultural and shopping hubs. </p><p>�This is a wonderful development for Holland America Line and Bermuda,� said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. �We are thrilled to homeport a ship in New York City to sail to Bermuda and our extended season to the islands will be very exciting to our guests.� </p><p>When the 1,350-guest ms Veendam sails in April on the first of 24 seven-day roundtrips to the island, it will mark Holland America Line�s return to New York City as a home port and to Bermuda as a destination. Additionally, guests of Holland America Line will have an opportunity to fully experience Bermuda�s British charm and its unique island culture by day and by night with multi-day stays in Hamilton and St. George�s. The itinerary calls for approximately two and half days in each port. The season lasts until October 10, 2010.</p><p><img src=\"http://www.hollandamerica.com/images/cruise-destinations/ports/img_port_NYC.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"holland_america_line.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" /></p><p>�Veendam is ideal for this itinerary,� Meadows noted. �She is a premium mid-size ship, the perfect size to navigate the narrow entrances to the harbors in Hamilton and St. George�s. Veendam�s guests are able to step off the ship right in the center of each town. Ships larger than Veendam must tie up at the Dockyard facility a considerable distance from both towns.� </p><p>Bermuda offers many activities for the entire family, from historic discoveries, active pursuits such as horseback riding and kayaking and wonderful beaches with swimming and snorkeling. The island is also known for world-renowned golf courses.</p><p>Holland America Line worked closely with the Bermudian government to form the partnership that takes Holland America Line back to the island that it first visited more than 70 years ago. In 1926, Veendam II, with a guest capacity of approximately 500, left New York on the company�s first Caribbean cruise. During the summers of 1930 and 1931, Veendam II sailed on five-day roundtrip cruises between New York and Bermuda. </p><p>Founded in 1609, the town of St. George�s in the northeast area of Bermuda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second oldest settlement in North America. Only Jamestown in the United States is older. Narrow, twisting streets and pastel-painted houses create a European feel. The oldest Anglican Church in North America is in St. George�s and many other historic buildings, most made of stone, have been preserved. More than a dozen forts dating to the 17th century are scattered in the hills surrounding the town. </p><p><img src=\"http://www.hollandamerica.com/images/cruise-destinations/ports/img_port_BDA.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"holland_america_line.jpg\" width=\"200\" height=\"133\" /></p><p>Hamilton, the major commercial hub and seat of government, is in the geographic center of the island and is close to south shore beaches. Veendam will dock at the town�s front door just steps from Front Street and its colorful array of shops and restaurants. Hamilton is home to a massive 19th-century, neo-Gothic cathedral and the Georgian-style Sessions House dating to 1815.</p>','2013-01-04 20:29:26',288,2,2,NULL,NULL,712,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Roundtrip New York Sailings Begin in April Now ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1024,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','Norwegian Pearl Recognized By Travel Channel As One Of The &quot;Great Cruises&quot;','Norwegian_Pearl_2_12_06__3__505744293.jpg','2009-01-11 22:15:00','Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) sets sail in the Travel Channel\'s one-hour special entitled Great Cruises: Norwegian Pearl, hosted by Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1998. The show, filmed in high-definition during a seven-day Alaska cruise aboard Norwegian Pearl, will premiere during the network\'s Alaska-themed night on Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 10 p.m. EST. <p>&quot;With the first bowling alley at sea, a world-class spa, numerous specialty restaurants and a host of other amenities, Norwegian Pearl has so much to offer cruisers, especially in Alaska where guests can enjoy the glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife all from the comfort and convenience of the ship,&quot; said Kevin Sheehan, NCL\'s president and CEO. &quot;We are pleased that the Travel Channel has recognized Norwegian Pearl as a great cruise ship and has chosen to feature the ship and its awe-inspiring Alaska itinerary in this special.&quot;</p><p><img src=\"http://www.ncl.com/csimages/987/213/Alaska_Intro_Bear_139x104.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"norwegian_cruise_line.jpg\" width=\"139\" height=\"104\" /></p><p>The show allows viewers to vacation alongside Lee through Alaska\'s Inside Passage with breathtaking stops in Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan, Alaska. While on board, she explores the ship\'s amenities including bowling in Bliss Ultra Lounge; dining in several of the ship\'s specialty restaurants including dinner at Cagney\'s Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, a jazz lunch at Le Bistro, and tapas and cocktails at Mambos; dancing the night away in Spinnaker Lounge at NCL\'s White Hot Party; rock climbing; plunging into one of the steaming whirlpools while sailing through Glacier Bay; taking in a show at the Stardust Theater and relaxing in the spa with a hot stone massage after a day ashore.</p><p>While off the ship on NCL\'s shore excursions, Lee journeys into Juneau to take in the impressive sight of Mendenhall Glacier and sets off on a wildlife quest where she sees orca and humpback whales, seals, salmon and eagles. In Skagway, she indulges in Alaskan king crab at the Skagway Fish Company and sets off shopping in the quaint town. Then, Lee embarks on a Bering Sea crab fishermen\'s tour in Ketchikan onboard the Aleutian Ballad, one of the fishing boats featured on Discovery Channel\'s hit show &quot;Deadliest Catch.&quot;</p><p>Throughout the hour-long show cruise and travel experts provide their expertise including Gene Sloan, USA Today\'s cruise editor; Philip Levine, cruise industry expert and entrepreneur; Michael Andre Adams, travel writer; Jennifer Doncsecz, president of VIP Vacations, Inc.; and Jon Ashton, celebrity chef, amongst others.</p><p>In 2009, Norwegian Pearl sails seven-day Alaska cruises through Glacier Bay round-trip from Seattle; Norwegian Star sails seven-day Alaska cruises through Sawyer Glacier round-trip from Seattle and Norwegian Sun sails seven-day Alaska cruises through Sawyer Glacier round-trip from Vancouver. NCL\'s seven-day Alaska cruises are priced from $599 per person. Guests can extend their cruise with an unforgettable visit to Alaska\'s Denali National Park with a pre- or post-cruise land package.</p><p><img src=\"http://www.ncl.com/csimages/260/122/Alaska_183x133_glacierBay.jpg\" border=\"0\" alt=\"norwegian_cruise_line.jpg\" width=\"183\" height=\"133\" /></p><p><br />Great Cruises: Norwegian Pearl is scheduled to air again on Travel Channel Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 10 a.m. EST; Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 2 p.m. EST; Friday, January 16, 2009 at 10 a.m. EST; and Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 10 p.m. EST.</p><p>Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.</p><p>NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising project known as F3, for delivery in 2010.</p>','2013-01-19 22:49:13',625,1,2,NULL,NULL,714,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1025,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Cruise operators are well-positioned, analyst says','PROM_20DECK_207_675617180.jpg','2009-01-11 22:17:00','<p>NEW YORK (AP) -- Cruise operators are positioned to weather the economic storm despite lagging consumer spending, said an analyst on Friday, who named Carnival Corp. as its top bet in the leisure sector.</p><p>&quot;We believe (Carnival) and (Royal Caribbean) are currently attractive even during soft economic times as each company has shown it can effectively navigate through soft economic periods,&quot; said Stifel Nicolaus &amp; Co. analyst Steven Wieczynski in a note to investors.</p><p>Like all travel-related companies, cruise operators are suffering from a sharp decline in consumer spending that has resulted in fewer advance bookings and an increase in cancellations.</p><p>Wieczynski expects consumer spending to remain lower in 2009, but predicted that consumers will continue to set aside money for vacation travel. He said cruises, which are offering low prices to lure guests, will be attractive to cash-strapped vacationers.</p><p>&quot;While economic uncertainty should persist, we believe demand should remain relatively stable as consumers search for high-value vacation alternatives,&quot; Wieczynski said.</p><p>Wieczynski said sharp year-over-year declines in fuel costs and the companies\' cost cutting measures should help to offset revenue weakness.</p><p>&quot;While 2009 should present multiple challenges for the cruise operators, we believe the industry has properly positioned itself to weather this storm and emerge stronger once the overall economic environment improves,&quot; Wieczynski said.</p><p>Wieczynski named Carnival, the world\'s largest cruise line with 85 total ships, as his top pick within the cruise sector. The Miami-based company also operates hotels, motor coaches for sightseeing, domed rail cars, and day boats in Alaska and on the Yukon River.</p><p>The analyst expects Carnival to have enough liquidity next year to pay down debt and fund new ships. He noted that the company has also suspended its dividend in 2009, which he said &quot;adds dry powder against having to tap capital markets.&quot;</p><p>Carnival shares fell 55 cents, or 2.3 percent, to $23.58 in afternoon trading. The stock has traded between $14.85 and $45.22 during the past 52 weeks.</p><p>Royal Caribbean shares slipped 6 cents to $12.29.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-19 21:07:55',237,1,2,NULL,NULL,715,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Cruise operators are positioned to weather the economic storm, analyst says',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1026,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Silversea Cruises','Silversea Cruises announce inaugural sailing details for Silver Spirit','welcome_730301244.jpg','2009-01-11 22:18:00','<p>Silversea Cruises have released details of the inaugural season planned for their newest ship, Silver Spirit. The ultra luxury ship will debut in lavish style with a Grand Inaugural Voyage on 21 January 2010. This extraordinary 91-day journey is being dubbed &ldquo;The Spirit of South America&rdquo; and will see Silver Spirit sailing from Fort Lauderdale to Los Angeles with a twist back to New York.</p><p>The fascinating itinerary will feature a visit to Rio de Janeiro in time for the carnival, a journey around the end of the earth at Cape Horn, a crossing of the Panama Canal and an unforgettable Statue of Liberty event in New York Harbor. Silversea will begin accepting reservations on January 12.</p><p>&quot;As the New Year begins and the construction of our new ship moves forward steadily, I am delighted to reveal some of the highlights of her much anticipated inaugural season,&quot; declared Silversea Cruises President and CEO Amerigo Perasso. &quot;Silver Spirit, when launched in a year from now, almost to the day, added Mr. Perasso, &quot;will embody the hallmarks of Silversea\'s understated elegance and distinct luxury with yet more superlatives in terms of her spacious suites, expansive wellness facilities and epicurean venues.&quot;</p><p>The &ldquo;Spirit of South America&rdquo; sailing will visit more than 45 ports in over 20 different countries and island destinations across two continents. Guests sailing on this inaugural cruise will also be invited to attend the naming ceremony, a gala dinner event on the eve of departure with accommodation aboard ship, exclusive shore-side events in select ports of call, such as a VIP evening at the Rio Carnival, not to mention special commemorative gifts and a $2,000 spending credit per suite to enjoy the voyage to the full.</p><p>The Silver Spirit is set to be the grandest ship in the Silversea Cruises fleet and will indulge 540 guests with the largest suites of all their ships. 95% will feature a private balcony and the ship will have one of the highest space-to-guest rations at sea today. The onboard d&eacute;cor will lend a sophisticated 1930s Art Deco ambience to the public spaces, highlights of which include an indoor/outdoor spa measuring no less than 8,300 square feet (770 square meters), three whirlpools (two adjacent to outdoor pool, one in spa area), enriching performances in The Show Lounge and a choice of six dining venues including Seishin, a Japanese restaurant, and the innovative Stars Supper Club, featuring live music, dancing and nightclub-style entertainment.</p>','2013-01-10 06:30:52',317,1,2,NULL,NULL,716,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1027,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Jetline Cruise News','More sailings announced for Oasis of the Seas inaugural season','oasis_796949645.jpg','2009-01-11 22:19:00','<p>Royal Caribbean Cruises have announced that they plan to extend Oasis of the Seas inaugural season. The hugely anticipated new ship is set to launch next year and will be the world&rsquo;s largest cruise ship and able to carry 5,400 guests. The additional two sailings will include a 7 night eastern Caribbean itinerary departing on the 5 December.</p><p>Oasis of the Seas inaugural season will also feature a special four night voyage to celebrate the launch of Royal Caribbean Cruises new &lsquo;beach paradise&rsquo; in Haiti. Oasis of the Seas will make a maiden port of call at Labadee on December 3 2009, heralding the opening of new facilities and debut of a spectacular array of activities and excursion options at the private beach destination. </p><p>Oasis of the Seas will dock at Labadee&rsquo;s new pier (currently under construction), which leads guests through a grand entry to the welcome plaza. Water taxis and five different walking paths, trails and avenues will take guests from the welcome plaza to many areas throughout the peninsula, including the new Dragon&rsquo;s Plaza, Labadee Town Square, and Columbus Family Beach, all currently under development. Sea-based excursions, including a new exhilarating fast boat tour, also will depart from the welcome plaza.</p><p>Spanning 16 decks, Oasis of the Seas boasts more than 2,700 staterooms and brand new innovations such as the Loft Suites. The ship will be divided into several distinct areas, offering guests the widest choice of on board experiences possible.</p>','2013-01-04 20:51:32',349,2,2,NULL,NULL,717,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1028,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Dream Showcased With New Image Gallery, Entertaining Blog by Senior Cruise Director John Heald','pooldeck_979560979.jpg','2009-01-11 22:20:00','<p>Carnival has unveiled a new series of never-before-seen renderings of the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream &ndash; the largest &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; ever constructed set to debut Sept. 21, 2009 &ndash; along with an entertaining and informative new blog by Senior Cruise Director John Heald who recently toured the ship during its construction at Italy&rsquo;s Fincantieri shipyard. </p><p>The new image gallery and blog are available at <a href=\"http://www.carnival.com/dream\">www.carnival.com/dream</a>. </p><p>Included among the site&rsquo;s new digital renderings are stunning images of the Carnival Dream&rsquo;s Carnival WaterWorks aqua park featuring the longest water slides at sea; a breathtaking nine-deck-high atrium that will provide convenient access to the ship&rsquo;s numerous bars, lounges and nightspots; and Ocean Plaza, a new indoor/outdoor entertainment area offering magnificent ocean vistas.&nbsp; Examples of the ship&rsquo;s striking d&eacute;cor, including renderings of the dance club, casino, piano bar, and dining venues, are also included. </p><p>The site also includes a link to an engaging new blog by Heald, who takes readers on an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the spectacular new &ldquo;Fun Ship,&rdquo; displaying his trademark humor while conveying Carnival Dream&rsquo;s unique characteristics.</p><p>In addition to detailed overviews of the Carnival WaterWorks aqua park and Ocean Plaza, Heald&rsquo;s first-person account includes a look at the ship&rsquo;s 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa &ndash; the largest in the &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; fleet &ndash; along with brand new area called The Lanai, a wrap-around promenade that encircles the ship.&nbsp; </p><p>Heald pays particular attention to Carnival Dream&rsquo;s wide-ranging accommodation categories, which include new &ldquo;cove balcony&rdquo; staterooms located closer to the water line and deluxe ocean view staterooms that will feature five berths and two bathrooms and should have particular appeal to families.</p><p>The blog also includes several videos of Heald as he tours the various areas of the ship and interacts with shipyard workers. </p><p>&ldquo;As my chauffer-driven Fiat 500 brought me closer to this spectacular new vessel, I experienced the feeling that I know you will feel when you see her for the first time. The Carnival Dream is going to be biblically, stratospherically, crushingly brilliant. It is a ship that will set the tone for others to try and follow and is without doubt a ship that will be talked about for a long time to come.&nbsp; Stop by my blog and find out why,&rdquo; said Heald. </p><p>&nbsp;Carnival Dream is slated to debut in Europe Sept. 21 with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises from Rome (Civitavecchia) through Oct. 27, 2009.<br />The ship will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 - Nov. 12, 2009.&nbsp; From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, 2009. Then following a nine-day cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla. the ship will launch year-round seven-day Caribbean service from that port Dec. 12. </p>','2013-01-04 20:29:04',387,2,2,NULL,NULL,711,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1029,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Travel Pulse','Royal Caribbean Selected as Norway&#039;s Best Line','rccl_814963527.jpg','2009-01-11 22:24:00','Royal Caribbean International has been selected as the best cruise line in Norway, for the 14th consecutive year, by the Norwegian travel industry in its annual Grand Travel Awards. The award was presented Jan. 5 in Oslo. Award recipients, in 17 categories, were evaluated on a six-point scale and selected by a jury of 300 professionals in the Norwegian travel industry. Fagbladet Travel News, a Norwegian travel trade magazine, presents the Grand Travel Awards. &ldquo;Each year, this competition seems to get harder and harder,&rdquo; said Roar Meidal, general manager for Royal Caribbean International in Norway. &ldquo;It is so rewarding to be recognized in this manner by our travel industry colleagues. We truly appreciate this honor and the growing interest the Norwegian public has shown in cruising.&rdquo;','2013-01-04 20:28:51',225,2,2,NULL,NULL,713,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1030,4,3,'vivvo@localhost','Sailin Sue','It&#039;s Sailin&#039; Sue reviewing her most recent Norwegian Cruise','225i_top_10_list_1__982454120.jpg','2009-01-31 23:27:00','<p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">Hi&nbsp; Sailin&rsquo; Sue&nbsp;here to share my cruising experiences with you.&nbsp; Kick back, get a tall drink, and put your feet up. Think smooth sailing. <span>&nbsp;</span>I can feel that 2009 is going to be a banner year for cruising. </font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">We&rsquo;re here because we have one thing in common. We love cruising. So why not leverage our experiences, and answer each others questions. It can be a win -win situation for all. <span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></font></font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">There&rsquo;s nothing that gets my adrenaline pumping more than being out to sea. As we all know after you&rsquo;ve taken a cruise any other vacation pales in comparison. <span>&nbsp;</span>I&rsquo;ve been on hundreds of cruises and I&rsquo;ve experienced the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. <span>&nbsp;</span>But overall cruising is a fun, relaxing, and economic vacation. All you need is the right mindset and you can survive even the roughest weather and the crappiest of cruising experiences. </font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">The bottom line is that cruising is fun. Whatever your personal preferences&nbsp;there is something for everyone. Where else can you find so many choices? You literally have your pick of choosing a small vessel or a megaliner larger than a small town, either way&nbsp;the experience is unbeatable. You can choose a cruise based on a favorite itinerary or activities you prefer. You can spend a little or a lot of money. But even those cruises that don&rsquo;t come up to your expectations have something to recommend them.</font></p><p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\"></font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">Let&rsquo;s say it&rsquo;s a toss up between the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Alaska, or even the Nile, I can answer most of your questions. If I don&rsquo;t know the answer I know someone who does. I&rsquo;ve also had the unique privilege of sailing as both a passenger and as crew. I can confidently speak to the behind the scenes challenges.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">How did Sailin&rsquo; Sue came about? <span>&nbsp;</span>One day I was chatting with my buddy, Jason and he told me about Cruise Crazies. I said ... &ldquo;What if I wrote some articles, and he said&hellip;. &lsquo;You&rsquo;re in,&rsquo; so here I am. </font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">I&rsquo;m not a total novice at this writing business. Believe it or not I have writing credentials but in a totally different genre. If you&rsquo;d like to be added to my newsletter shoot me an e mail at </font><a href=\"mailto:susiesails@yahoo.com\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\" color=\"#0000ff\">susiesails@yahoo.com</font></a><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\"> and I can make it happen. You&rsquo;ll have to agree to keep my identity a secret though because I&rsquo;ll be sharing secrets only an insider would know. </font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">This is the year dreams come true. <span>&nbsp;</span>I want to take a French canal barge cruise. It&rsquo;s been something I&rsquo;ve wanted to do ever since cruising the South of France. I love those charming little villages where people still carry loaves of bread and bottles of wine under their arms. <span>&nbsp;</span>I&rsquo;ve also wanted to visit Scandinavia and Russia. Cross your fingers because if everything goes according to plan, you&rsquo;ll be the first to read about my adventures.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">For now I&rsquo;m going to ramble on about my December cruise on Norwegian Cruise Lines. I&rsquo;ve broken my review down into easily digestible segments. Feel free to ignore the information that&rsquo;s not of interest to you and focus on what sets you on fire.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\"><u style=\"text-underline: words\">The Norwegian Sky (</u>Miami/Freeport/Nassau/Stirrup Cay/Miami<u style=\"text-underline: words\">)</u></font></font><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font><u style=\"text-underline: words\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Condition/Cleanliness/layout of Ship:</font></font></u><u style=\"text-underline: words\"><span style=\"text-decoration: none\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font></span></u> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">Given this ship does 3/4 day cruises, and carries over 2000 people, it&rsquo;s in great shape and showing very little wear and tear. The Sky was formerly The Pride of Aloha and once cruised the Hawaiian Islands, which would explain why the motif is still all things Hawaiian. Luckily the tropical d&eacute;cor is appropriate for the Bahamas. </font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">On boarding, the sewer smell was a bit disconcerting, but either the eau de plumbing grew on me or disappeared. <span>&nbsp;</span>Since this was the week before Christmas I&rsquo;d also anticipated more festive decorations. There were plenty of fake Christmas trees and a few artfully placed holiday wreaths but nothing that shouted special. </font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Cabins are small but comfortably appointed and look like bedrooms. Closet space is very limited, and the size of the shower leaves no opportunity for weight gain. <span>&nbsp;</span></font></font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">The layout of the ship is such you don&rsquo;t ever sense there are over 2000 people on board. The private dining rooms, though at times difficult to find are in secluded spots. The gym is small but functional and has the essential equipment but no extras.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span></font></font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font><u style=\"text-underline: words\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Personnel</font></font></u><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">Check in at Embarkation was efficient and friendly which was a nice surprise. Since I arrived an hour before the ship&rsquo;s departure there were no lines. <span>&nbsp;</span>I did have to leap off the escalator to get my key as the staff was already packing it in. It was left to me to tell the passengers behind me if they wanted to pick up their cabin key at embarkation they should not get on the escalator.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">My initial impression on boarding was of a warm and friendly crew. The complimentary champagne served was a very nice touch. <span>&nbsp;</span>Throughout the cruise the cabin service personnel always greeted you with a smile and a friendly hello. The entertainment (assistant cruise director and dancers) were always actively involved. They got passengers up and participating. I have never seen a more engaged group in all my cruising. Opportunities lay with the photographers, Guest Relations personnel, and casual dining staff, warm and friendly they were not.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font><u style=\"text-underline: words\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Activities/Entertainment</font></font></u><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">This was a pre-holiday cruise and it would not have hurt to have the entertainers or even the crew carol. There were the standard shows at night, the usual bingo, art auction, and trivia type games. <span>&nbsp;</span>What this cruise lacked was a holiday theme. Few of these activities stood out with the exception of a pub crawl that was supervised by one of the crew. It included 5 bars and one drink at each bar and was a great way to meet people. The two for one Martini happy hour was also a hit and attracted a more mature up market crowd and a gregarious one at that. The White party on the open air deck was fun. The cruise would have benefitted from more deck parties and sadly missing was a formal night.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">Also, if health and fitness is part of your regime, you might find the fitness center somewhat disappointing. Instructor led activities such as Spinning and Kickboxing come with a price and required you preregister.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font><u style=\"text-underline: words\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Food/Dining Experience</font></font></u><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">I dread sitting at a table with total strangers, not because I don&rsquo;t have a whole lot to say, but because eating for me is a relaxing, enjoyable experience. I&rsquo;m a foodie and meals are to be savored and enjoyed. I am also a late diner and I tend to eat somewhere around the 9.00 p.m. mark.<span>&nbsp; </span>Norwegian&rsquo;s freestyle atmosphere allows you to eat when you want too and what you want too. For a nominal surcharge you can dine in a specialty restaurant every night. <span>&nbsp;</span>Of the three restaurants (there are actually 11 restaurants on board) El Bistro, the French restaurant was by far my favorite. Both service and food met my expectations. Cagney&rsquo;s, the steak house, though by far the most popular had the slowest service. You might want to have a snack to hold you off before arriving. The Italian restaurant was the least impressive in terms of food quality.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">Breakfasts took place on the upper deck. The buffet had an array of choices and in fact has won an award for the best buffet on the high seas. The crew made sure to replenish items when they got low. I fell into the habit of having breakfast at Longboard&rsquo;s. You&rsquo;d never guess that a sports bar would make and served omelets and waffles. <span>&nbsp;</span>Even better it was never crowded. The view (because we were usually in port) was unbeatable.</font></p><p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\"></font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\"><span>&nbsp;</span>A couple of detractors from the overall service experience were the slow bussing of tables on the upper deck, and the trays from room service that sat for long periods in the hallway.</font></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp; </font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Lunch time is an opportunity on the Sky. It&rsquo;s pretty much the same thing every day. If you&rsquo;re not a fan of burgers, hotdogs, chicken, and Chinese rice/noodles, it would probably be best to fill up on breakfast. <span>&nbsp;</span></font></font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">Making up for the disappointing lunch are the make to order sundaes and the chocolate fondues that were special treats in the afternoons. <span>&nbsp;</span><span>&nbsp;</span></font></font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\"><u style=\"text-underline: words\">Overall Impression</u>:</font></font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">NCL is a nice cruising experience for people who hate schedules and are looking to relax. There are many pluses to freestyle cruising. <span>&nbsp;</span>You&rsquo;re spared tedious announcements to participate in bingo, art auction, or any other activity that doesn&rsquo;t float your boat, and the entertainment staff works hard to keep you involved.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">Service in key areas such as the Guest Relations desk, photographers, and servers on the upper deck, lacked. But overall this was a good value for the money.</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"3\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\">I&rsquo;ll be back next month with more! Meanwhile send me your questions and comments at susiesails@yahoo.com<span>&nbsp; </span><span>&nbsp;</span></font></font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">Keep Cruising,</font></p><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">&nbsp;</font> <p style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font face=\"Times New Roman\" size=\"3\">Sailin&rsquo; Sue</font></p>','2013-01-23 11:34:35',325,1,2,NULL,NULL,718,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Sailing on the Norwegian Sky  ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1031,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','Norwegian Cruise Line Introduces Online Check-In','eP1010461_854338192.jpg','2009-02-06 17:46:00','<p>Miami - Jan 19, 2009 &mdash; As part of its continuing commitment to Partnership 2.0, a company-wide initiative to strengthen its relationship with travel partners, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched online check-in via its new &ldquo;My NCL&rdquo; portal. This online gateway enables both travel partners and guests to update and track pre-cruise activity through a quick three step process.</p><p>&ldquo;By checking in online with My NCL,&rsquo;&rdquo; guests will speed up the boarding process allowing them to start enjoying their Freestyle Cruising vacation sooner,&rdquo; said Vivian Ewart, vice president of passenger services. &ldquo;Travel partners will find My NCL&rsquo; especially helpful in ensuring a seamless process from the moment a guest books to the minute they begin enjoying their vacation.&rdquo;</p><p>Booked guests can log onto www.ncl.com, from reservation inception up until 24-hours prior to departure, and click on the online check-in icon to begin the process. Guests will be asked to enter their name, ship, sailing date and reservation number in order to create a username and password. Once a profile is created, all guest preferences including reservation details, important required pre-cruise information including the guest check-in form, shore excursion reservations, and printable cruise ticket are stored on their &ldquo;My NCL&rdquo; account. The guest check-in form on &ldquo;My NCL&rdquo; is intuitive based on the guest&rsquo;s nationality and itinerary and will automatically alert the guest of the appropriate documentation needed to sail.</p><p>Travel partners can access the &ldquo;My NCL&rdquo; portal through NCL&rsquo;s travel partner web site, www.bookncl.com, to check the status of their client&rsquo;s pre-cruise activity and to assist in the process.</p><p>Guests can also log into their &ldquo;My NCL&rdquo; account at any time to update their profile and cruise vacation preferences, as well as check on their Latitudes (past guest program) status.</p><p>Since Partnership 2.0&rsquo;s inception, the company has implemented more than 75 new programs and services for travel partners including earlier processing of group commissions, a seven-day a week resolution desk, simplified and consistent pricing quotes, improved credit card policies, electronic payment processing, enhanced confirmations; the availability of a premium air desk and a flight assistance hotline, NCL University, the first-of-its-kind online travel partner networking and education community, as well as Groups 2.0, an enhanced group booking program.</p><p>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.</p><p>Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.</p><p>NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising ship known as F3, for delivery in 2010.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-18 05:32:25',139,1,2,NULL,NULL,719,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'\r\n',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1032,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Circle ‘C’ Center, Seaside Theatre, New Balconies Added to Carnival Conquest During Extensive Renovation','123_995932171.jpg','2009-02-06 17:50:00','<p>The 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest resumed service this week from Galveston, Texas, following an extensive, multi-million-dollar renovation that included the addition of a new Circle &ldquo;C&rdquo; club for 12- to 14-year-olds and a massive LED screen on Lido Deck. Eighteen balconies were also added to existing ocean view staterooms.</p><p>The Camp Carnival and Club O2 facilities for children and teens, respectively, were also updated.</p><p>The 110,000-ton Carnival Conquest operates year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises departing Galveston every Sunday.&nbsp; In addition to seven-day western Caribbean cruises to Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel, the ship begins a new weeklong eastern Caribbean option Feb. 15, with calls at Key West, Freeport and Nassau.&nbsp; The Feb. 15 departure will be the first of 11 eastern Caribbean cruises this year. </p><p>Expansive Kid-Friendly Facilities </p><p>Carnival Conquest&rsquo;s extensive renovation included the addition of a Circle &ldquo;C&rdquo; facility on Atlantic Deck 8, part of the line&rsquo;s fleetwide program aimed at 12- to 14-year olds.&nbsp; The center includes a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles.</p><p>In addition to the new Circle &ldquo;C&rdquo; center, the 4,200-square-foot Camp Carnival play area was remodeled with updated gaming stations, while the 1,800-square-foot Club O2 teen center now features new plasma TVs.&nbsp; Various cosmetic enhancements were made to both rooms, as well.</p><p>Carnival&rsquo;s Seaside Theatre </p><p>Carnival Conquest is also the latest &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; to feature the line&rsquo;s popular &ldquo;Carnival Seaside Theatre,&rdquo; a massive 270-square-foot LED screen on Lido Deck displaying movies, concerts, sporting events, and other programming, including a &ldquo;Morning Show&rdquo; hosted by the ship&rsquo;s cruise director.&nbsp; Utilizing the same technology featured in large stadiums and New York&rsquo;s Times Square, the state-of-the-art entertainment system includes a 70,000-watt sound system, providing concert quality sound, even outdoors. </p><p>New Balconies, Other Enhancements </p><p>Eighteen staterooms on the Carnival Conquest that previously featured floor-to-ceiling windows have been retrofitted with private balconies, creating expansive 230-square-foot verandah staterooms.&nbsp; Including these accommodations, Carnival Conquest now has 573 total balcony staterooms &ndash; ideal for scenic Caribbean cruising.</p><p>Additionally, dozens of individual pieces of exercise equipment were replaced in the ship&rsquo;s 14,500-square-foot Spa Carnival facility. Carnival Conquest is also the latest &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; to offer bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access, enabling guests to use their laptop computers from any location on the ship, including their staterooms.</p>','2013-01-04 21:02:21',165,2,2,NULL,NULL,720,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1033,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','John Mayer &amp; Friends Get On Board for One Splendid Evening','123_964215528.jpg','2009-02-06 17:51:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines and Mayercraft Carrier 2 present &ldquo;One Splendid Evening,&rdquo; a special concert event to benefit the VH1 Save The Music Foundation.&nbsp; The one night only event will take place the evening of March 26, 2009.&nbsp; Proceeds will help restore instrumental music education in America&rsquo;s public schools and raise awareness about the importance of music as part of a child&rsquo;s complete education.&nbsp; </p><p>One Splendid Evening will be held on board the new Carnival Splendor, Carnival&rsquo;s largest and most innovative ship, while the vessel is docked at the Port of San Pedro in Los Angeles.&nbsp; The evening will include performances by Grammy Award winner John Mayer, Jordin Sparks, Gavin Rossdale, Sara Bareilles, O.A.R., Guster, Erin McCarley and DJ Logic.&nbsp; Guests will enjoy dinner, an open bar and additional live entertainment throughout the ship.&nbsp; The next day, the ship sets sail on a special four-day music cruise &ndash; the &ldquo;Mayercraft Carrier 2:&nbsp; Even Crafter&rdquo; voyage.&nbsp; </p><p>&ldquo;We are very excited that Carnival Cruise Lines and Mayercraft have chosen to support music education in our schools at a time when many programs are at risk of being cut,&rdquo; said Paul Cothran, Executive Director, VH1 Save The Music Foundation.&nbsp; &ldquo;We are grateful to the performing artists for donating both their time and talent to our cause.&rdquo;</p><p>One Splendid Evening will give guests an opportunity to explore the $640 million Carnival Splendor, the largest &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; ever based year-round in Southern California.&nbsp; The ship can accommodate more than 3,000 passengers and features a luxurious 21,000-square-foot spa, four swimming pools, a 270-square-foot outdoor movie screen and 22 bars and lounges.&nbsp; </p><p>&ldquo;Teaming up with the VH1 Save The Music Foundation and John Mayer and friends to raise money for music education programs in schools is a fantastic way to kick off the Carnival Splendor&rsquo;s new West Coast cruises and introduce people to our one-of-a-kind vacation environment,&rdquo; said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival&rsquo;s EVP of marketing and guest experience.</p><p>Atlanta-based Sixthman will produce both the dockside One Splendid Evening and the fully chartered Mayercraft Carrier 2: Even Craftier.&nbsp; The second annual music cruise, hosted by John Mayer, will sail March 27-31, 2009 from Los Angeles to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. While onboard, music fans will enjoy concert performances by John Mayer, O.A.R., Guster and over a dozen other bands for a music festival at sea.&nbsp;&nbsp; For more information, visit <a href=\"http://www.mayercraftcarrier.com/\">www.mayercraftcarrier.com</a>.</p><p>Tickets for One Splendid Evening will go on sale February 11, 2009.&nbsp; For more information about One Splendid Evening or to buy tickets, visit <a href=\"http://www.onesplendidevening.com/\">www.onesplendidevening.com</a>.</p>','2013-01-18 05:09:30',168,1,2,NULL,NULL,721,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1034,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Grand Turk Cruise Center Expects Record 500,000 Passengers in 2009','123_483535240.jpg','2009-02-06 17:53:00','<p>With 229 cruise ship calls scheduled for 2009, including nearly 89 from Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; vessels, the Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC) is on track for hosting a record 500,000 passengers in the coming year.&nbsp; The unprecedented half-million passenger mark is a 25 percent increase over 2008, during which the GTCC was closed for 30 days following Hurricane Ike.&nbsp; </p><p>A key reason for Grand Turk&rsquo;s continued popularity is the wide array of organized excursion opportunities for visitors, from horseback riding and kayaking to world-class diving, snorkeling and fishing.&nbsp; </p><p>For those guests who want to explore the island on their own, the new Grand Turk Grace Bay Car Rentals recently opened at the Grand Turk Cruise Center.&nbsp; With this new service, guests visiting Grand Turk will be able to discover the island&rsquo;s numerous historical sites, gorgeous white-sand beaches, quaint Bermudian-influenced architecture and friendly locals at their own pace.</p><p>Currently, five Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; &ldquo;Fun Ships&rdquo; call at Grand Turk &ndash; Carnival Destiny on five-day cruises from Miami; Carnival Liberty on seven-day voyages from Miami; and Carnival Miracle on eight-day cruises from New York.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>Carnival Pride will also feature Grand Turk as part of its new seven-day schedule from Baltimore beginning April 27 &ndash; the first year-round program from that port.&nbsp; Grand Turk will also be featured on the Carnival Glory&rsquo;s new seven-day program from Miami beginning December 3. </p>','2013-01-20 09:07:00',147,1,2,NULL,NULL,722,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1035,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines Rolls Out New On-Line Spa Pre-Purchase System','123_120531273.jpg','2009-02-06 17:55:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines, the world&rsquo;s largest cruise operator, has introduced a new on-line pre-purchase system for guests interested in booking spa treatments prior to their &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; cruise.&nbsp; </p><p>With the advanced reservations system, available on all 22 &ldquo;Fun Ships,&rdquo; guests who have a fully deposited cruise can log onto Carnival&rsquo;s web site (carnival.com) and designate a specific spa treatment and appointment time and submit payment information.&nbsp; </p><p>The site lists more than 30 different treatments which are available for purchase, everything from acupuncture services, soothing massages and Elemis advanced facials to invigorating detoxification wraps and slimming treatments, pricing and details of which can be viewed on the site.&nbsp; A full menu of nail, tooth whitening, and men&rsquo;s services is also available for pre-purchase. </p><p>To access the new on-line spa treatment pre-purchase system, guests must be registered on carnival.com and have a fully deposited cruise booking.&nbsp; After accessing their reservation through the &ldquo;My Reservation&rdquo; link, guests are prompted with the &ldquo;Plan Activities&rdquo; option and &ldquo;Spa Appointments&rdquo; link where they can search for spa services available on their particular voyage by treatment type, date, and preferred time.</p><p>To purchase a spa treatment, guests simply select the treatment of their choice and enter credit card payment information via a secure encrypted reservations portal.&nbsp; Guests are provided with a printable spa treatment order confirmation with details on the specific treatment and appointment time included. </p><p>On-line spa treatment reservations can be made prior to seven days before the cruise departure date. Guests are also welcome to visit the ships&rsquo; spa once on board to purchase spa treatments and obtain additional information.&nbsp; </p><p>Operated in conjunction with Steiner Transocean Limited, Carnival Cruise Lines offers some of the most elaborate spas at sea, ranging in size from 12,000 to 21,000 square feet. The new Carnival Dream, set to debut Sept. 21, 2009, will set a new standard for the line&rsquo;s health and wellness centers, with a two-level 23,750-square-foot &ldquo;Cloud 9 Spa&rdquo; &ndash; the largest in the fleet. </p><p>In addition to a variety of treatments and salon services, Carnival&rsquo;s fleetwide spa facilities offer expansive gymnasiums with sophisticated exercise equipment and aerobics rooms which serve as the venue for a host of organized exercise classes. Wellness counseling such as nutrition and fitness classes is also available. </p>','2013-01-04 20:28:52',161,1,2,NULL,NULL,723,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1036,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines Launches New Brand Advertising Campaign Featuring Stand-Up Comedian','carnival_thumb_379937684.jpg','2009-02-06 17:56:00','<p>Carnival Cruise Lines kicks off the second phase of its new brand advertising program with its &ldquo;Fun Director&rdquo; television campaign which begins airing in select local markets today and nationally on Feb. 2.</p><p>The &ldquo;Fun Director&rdquo; ads were shot aboard the line&rsquo;s newest ship, the Carnival Splendor, and feature improvisational comedian Matt Fisher who humorously extols various highlights of the Carnival vacation experience. Some spots include amusing interactions with actual shipboard employees such as the &ldquo;Horn&rdquo; spot which features Fisher with the ship&rsquo;s captain on the vessel&rsquo;s bridge &lsquo;testing out&rsquo; various equipment.&nbsp; In the &ldquo;Stateroom Steward&rdquo; spot, Fisher introduces viewers to the renowned towel animal-making skills of Carnival&rsquo;s stateroom stewards, referring to the featured steward, Modesto, as a &ldquo;terrycloth Michelangelo.&rdquo;</p><p>&ldquo;The &lsquo;Fun Director&rsquo; campaign uses humor to convey the unique experiences and exceptionally fun nature of a Carnival cruise vacation through a spokesperson we believe viewers will connect with and thoroughly enjoy,&rdquo; said Jim Berra, chief marketing officer for Carnival Cruise Lines.&nbsp; &ldquo;The first phase of our new brand advertising work featured our world record-breaking beach ball and pi&ntilde;ata events in Dallas and Philadelphia.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </p><p>Those spots were designed to run for a limited time and serve as attention-getters to get people thinking and talking about the Carnival brand,&rdquo; Berra explained.&nbsp; &ldquo;Now we are moving to the next phase of the campaign, which brings the images and message back on board the ships while continuing to focus on spirited and spontaneous fun.&rdquo;</p><p>The campaign was created by Boston-based Arnold Worldwide and directed by Rick Lemoine of Biscuit Filmworks, who specializes in comedy dialogue and has done a number of award-winning spots for VW, ESPN and Budweiser.</p><p>&ldquo;We created &lsquo;Fun Director&rsquo; to allow Carnival to roll up its collective sleeves and invite people on board to show them how amazing the Carnival cruise experience truly is,&rdquo; said Pete Favat, chief creative officer for Arnold Boston.</p><p>The new spots begin airing today in select local markets including New York, Los Angeles and Dallas, on national cable Feb. 2 including Food Network, The Learning Channel and the Travel Channel, and on major U.S. network primetime programming beginning Feb. 9 on shows including CBS&rsquo;s &ldquo;Two and a Half Men&rdquo; and &ldquo;CSI,&rdquo; and ABC&rsquo;s &ldquo;Desperate Housewives&rdquo; and &ldquo;Brothers and Sisters.&rdquo;</p><p>The &ldquo;Fun Director&rdquo; spots are part of a new overall branding campaign for Carnival under the tagline &ldquo;Fun For All.&nbsp; All For Fun.&rdquo; </p><p>&ldquo;The new brand positioning is designed to capture the uniquely social, participatory and spirited nature of a Carnival cruise vacation which creates an environment where people have the freedom to be themselves and have fun,&rdquo; said Berra.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-16 21:00:56',188,1,2,NULL,NULL,724,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1037,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Caribbean Princess Emerges From Drydock with Line&#039;s Signature Features','caribbean_princess_638654356.jpg','2009-02-06 17:58:00','<p>SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (February 2, 2009) - Caribbean Princess has just emerged from an extensive three-week drydock to add many of Princess Cruises\' signature features that have proven so popular on its newest ships. The vessel now offers passengers the engaging street-caf� atmosphere of the piazza-style atrium with its International Caf� and Vines, the wine, seafood and cheese bar; the adults-only Sanctuary, seven new suites, and a more centrally located casino. Work is also nearly complete on a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant.</p><p>These amenities became passenger favorites when they debuted aboard Crown Princess, Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess over the last three years, and are being added to a number of ships, including Golden Princess in May. The company has already introduced many of these features on Star Princess and Grand Princess.</p><p>&quot;We want to give passengers who sail aboard any of our large ships the opportunity to enjoy the innovative amenities that have become hallmarks of the Princess cruise experience,&quot; said Jan Swartz, executive vice president of Princess Cruises.</p><p>Caribbean Princess\' new atrium now features the specialty coffees, fresh baked cookies and pastries, paninis and tapas of the International Caf�. Also new is the Vines wine bar offering a selection of more than 30 wines by the glass, plus a selection of seafood, artisan meats and cheeses, and a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle.</p><p>Adult passengers looking to get away from it all will be able to relax in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess\' signature retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. Visitors to this exclusive space can enjoy refreshing beverages and light snacks, or receive a massage in one of two private cabanas.</p><p>Caribbean Princess will soon debut a brand new Crown Grill restaurant featuring an open kitchen where passengers can enjoy watching as chefs prepare chops, steaks and seafood, including live lobsters.</p><p>As part of the renovation, the 3,080-passenger ship -- which debuted in 2004 -- also received seven new suites with ocean-view picture windows, and a relocated casino on deck 7, bringing it into the ship\'s central entertainment area. Other changes include a new location for the sports court, a new Limelight boutique, new shore excursions and Captain\'s Circle desks, new Internet caf� and library, and the addition of flat-screen televisions in all staterooms.</p><p>The dramatic makeover took place at the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas, where more than 1,500 workers and contractors worked around the clock to complete the impressive project.</p>','2013-01-21 18:43:02',208,1,2,NULL,NULL,725,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Piazza-Style Atrium, Adults Only Sanctuary and Crown Grill Restaurant Added During Three-Week Transformation',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1038,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line Allocated More Glacier Bay Cruise Ship Visits Than Any Other Company','Glacier_Bay_1__140761003.jpg','2009-02-06 18:01:00','<p>Seattle, January 28, 2009 - Holland America Line�s fleet of eight premium cruise ships sailing in Alaska offer more trips into Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve than any other major cruise line. The National Park Service has allocated the company 65 use days each year during prime summer season for a 10-year period beginning in 2010.</p><p>�Holland America Line has a long history of sailing in Glacier Bay, and we look forward to welcoming their ships each year,� says Glacier Bay National Park superintendent, Cherry Payne. �They have created a comprehensive educational program focusing on the park and have supported the Park Service�s goal to reduce the environmental impacts to Glacier Bay.�</p><p>The National Park Service regulates the number of cruise ships entering the bay from June through August and allows no more than two per day in order to protect the fragile marine environment. Glacier Bay is a 65-mile long fjord with spectacular tidewater glaciers. </p><p>Glacier Bay is often singled out by our guests as a �must see� on their trip to Alaska,� said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. �We are honored to show this magnificent place to our guests, and we remain committed to conserving it for future generations.�</p><p>Glacier Bay is visited on four different itineraries including roundtrip Seattle, roundtrip Vancouver and Vancouver to Seward (gateway to Anchorage) and reverse. A visit to Glacier Bay includes a full day of sightseeing in the park with the opportunity to view multiple tidewater glaciers.</p><p>The National Park Service focused on applicants� commitment to meeting certain requirements such as minimizing air and water pollution and on board enrichment to educate guests about the area. Holland America Line exceeded requirements with its environmental management systems program and has a full enrichment program in place for guests.</p><p>Holland America Line\'s Environmental Management System is certified to conform to the ISO 14001 standard, and particular to operating in Glacier Bay, the company has committed to zero discharge and reduced air emissions.</p><p>In Glacier Bay, a National Park Service ranger boards the ship for the day for narration and presentations. A Tlingit cultural interpreter from Hoonah will board ships in Glacier Bay to provide a native perspective on the area and its history. During the weeklong cruise, Alaska Travel Guides are on board and give presentations such as �Feathers, Fins and Fur: Alaska Wildlife� and �Alaskan Gold Rush Dreams.�</p><p>The National Park Service Junior Ranger program offered through the line�s youth program, Club HAL, engages kids ages 6 to 12 in shipboard activities. A Junior Ranger Activity Book encourages interaction with the park ranger and group activities are planned to learn about the park�s history, wildlife and unique ecosystem. Upon completion of a set number of activities, the child is awarded a special Junior Ranger badge. Club HAL also offers other activities separate from the Junior Ranger program such as a �Match the Mammal� game, Monty the Moose video, Measure the Whale, Dream Catchers craft and others.</p><p>Holland America Line has been leading tours in Alaska for more than 60 years and has eight premium ships offering a total of 156 cruises and 29 CruiseTours ranging from 10 to 20 days in length. For more information about booking, contact #1-800-738-8837.</p><p>About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]<br />Holland America Line\'s fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.</p><p>Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food &amp; Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Caf� powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner\'s Dream Beds.</p><p>Worlds Leading Cruise Lines<br />The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World\'s Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World\'s Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world\'s most desirable destinations.</p>','2013-01-22 18:22:43',149,1,2,NULL,NULL,726,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'National Park Service awards premium cruise line a new concession contract with an allocation of 65 use days during prime summer season � more than any other cruise line ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1039,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line Named Best Cruise Value by World Ocean &amp; Cruise Liner Society for 17th Year in Row','2622595456_916e591601_665691178.jpg','2009-02-06 18:03:00','<p>Seattle, January 27, 2009 � World Ocean &amp; Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS) members named Holland America Line as the Best Overall Cruise Value for the 17th year in a row for its premium cruise experience.</p><p>It\'s a tremendous achievement to be recognized by the members of the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society once again,� said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. �The recognition of the society members year after year speaks to the continued relevance of Holland America Line to today�s travelers and commitment to investing in our product through programs such as Signature of Excellence and expanding our fleet and itineraries.</p><p>WOCLS is a 29-year-old organization comprised of thousands of experienced cruisers who average taking two cruises a year. The society reviews all cruise lines annually and noted in its monthly publication, Ocean and Cruise News, that �Holland America Line passengers continue to mention the excellent value that the line provides, they easily win again within this category. Further adding to the sense of value is the consistency of the product across its entire fleet of ships.</p><p><br />Thomas Cassidy, editor of Ocean and Cruise News, wrote, �Some of the elements that combine to make Holland America Line the best overall cruise value include its effort to continually improve such as its fleet wide Signature of Excellence upgrades, the impeccable appearance of its ships, its friendly well-trained Indonesian and Filipino crew, the extra effort to properly train and supervise its staff, the more extensive choice of dinner menus in its restaurant, alternative restaurant and Lido, and all the little extras such as canvas tote bags, hot hors d�oeuvres at cocktail time, chilled beer glasses, a no-charge ice cream bar and later lunch hours when in port.</p><p>Holland America Line also received top marks in the High-Deluxe, 5-Star, Large Ships category during the annual Best Cruise Value awards by the World Ocean and Cruise Liner Society.</p><p>About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)] <br />Holland America Line�s fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food &amp; Wine magazine � a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes � Explorations Caf� powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner�s Dream Beds. For more information, call #1-800-738-8837.</p><p>Worlds Leading Cruise Lines<br />The highest-rated premium cruise line in the world, Holland America Line is a member of the exclusive World\'s Leading Cruise Lines alliance, which also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn Cruise Line and Costa Cruises. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, these lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. The World\'s Leading Cruise Lines offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world\'s most desirable destinations.</p>','2013-01-10 14:49:56',188,1,2,NULL,NULL,727,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1040,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Regent Seven Seas','Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces Successful Completion of Major Refurbishment Project','07_RSSCShipsBermuda08_lrg_438597685.jpg','2009-02-06 18:04:00','<p>Fort Lauderdale - January 16, 2009 - Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) today announced that the first phase of the company�s most ambitious refurbishment program ever is now complete. The line�s 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony luxury vessels, Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, completed their respective dry-docks just in time to debut on their 2009 World Cruises.</p><p>The refurbishment program, which cost approximately $40 million&nbsp;- the largest investment on existing tonnage ever by RSSC � was overseen by the line�s Vessel Operations team working in conjunction with renowned marine architectural firm of Yran and Storbraaten of Oslo, Norway. The resulting feel aboard each ship is fresh, elegant and luxurious, while retaining the warmth and charm for which RSSC is acclaimed.</p><p>Radiating a new sense of warmth and sophistication, the ships public spaces are resplendent with elegant new furnishings, carpeting and accents. From the bold jewel tones of Signatures, to the elegant Chablis and Merlot palettes of Compass Rose, or the soothing colors of sand and sea in the Observation Lounge, every area exudes a new sense of style and elegance.</p><p>�Both ships have never looked better, they are nothing short of stunning,� said Mark Conroy, president of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. �Seven Seas Voyager and Mariner each set the benchmark for ultra-luxury cruising when they were introduced. They are now setting new standards and are now undoubtedly the most beautiful vessels in the industry,� he added.</p><p>Highlights of the refurbishment on both ships include:<br />� The creation of Prime 7, a fresh, contemporary interpretation of a traditional grill restaurant<br />� The re-design of lounges and public rooms to create more spacious areas for relaxation<br />� The creation of new lounge and dining areas around the Pool Grill<br />� New carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, light fixtures, and drapes in most public areas and guest suite accommodations<br />� More casual dining options with the installation of a pizza oven and ice cream bar<br />� The creation of an extended coffee and snack bar area on Seven Seas Voyager, similar to the popular Coffee Connection on Seven Seas Mariner</p><p>Reaction to the new look and feel of the ships has been universally positive from guests and travel agents alike. Members of RSSC�s newly-formed Regent Seven Seas Council, comprised of the line�s top-producing travel agents, visited Seven Seas Voyager in Los Angeles on Monday.</p><p>�I have always sold RSSC to my clients with confidence,� said Greg Nacco of Cruise Specialists, a Council member. �But now, with the recent refurbishment and the Free Shore Excursions, I am even more passionate about the product. We�ve had a number of clients already return from their cruises raving about the changes,� he added.</p><p>The second phase of the refurbishment program, a similar makeover for the third ship in the RSSC fleet, Seven Seas Navigator, is scheduled to take place in April 2010.</p><p>About Regent Seven Seas Cruises � Regent Seven Seas, a Prestige Cruise Holdings company, operates a fleet of medium-sized luxury cruise ships that visit over 300 ports on all seven continents, including Antarctica. RSSC is consistently rated among the world�s top three cruise lines by readers of luxury travel magazines. Travel professionals worldwide voted RSSC the �World�s Best Luxury Cruise Line� for the fifth consecutive year as part of the 2008 Travel Weekly Awards and readers of Cond� Nast Traveler magazine voted RSSC �World�s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line� in 2007. For further information, contact Regent Seven Seas Cruises, 1000 Corporate Drive, Suite 500, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33334. For brochures, call toll-free (866) 284-4079; for reservation information call toll-free (800) 285-1835; or visit <a href=\"http://www.rssc.com/\">www.RSSC.com</a>.</p><p>About Prestige Cruise Holdings � Prestige Cruise Holdings (PCH) is a subsidiary of Apollo Management L.P. and the parent corporation of Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Oceania Cruises. Formed in 2007 to manage select assets in Apollo Management�s cruise investment portfolio, PCH is led by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Del Rio, the founder of Oceania Cruises. PCH is the market leader in the Upper Premium and Luxury segments of the cruise industry with more than 4,450 berths between the Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises brands, a number the company expects will grow to more than 6,700 berths by 2011.</p>','2013-01-08 14:24:14',174,1,2,NULL,NULL,728,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1041,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','Norwegian Cruise Line Introduces Online Check-In','pride_20of_20america_20smokestack_20logo_346029565.jpg','2009-02-06 18:06:00','<p>Miami - Jan 19, 2009 - As part of its continuing commitment to Partnership 2.0, a company-wide initiative to strengthen its relationship with travel partners, Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has launched online check-in via its new &quot;My NCL&quot; portal. This online gateway enables both travel partners and guests to update and track pre-cruise activity through a quick three step process.</p><p>&quot;By checking in online with My NCL, guests will speed up the boarding process allowing them to start enjoying their Freestyle Cruising vacation sooner,&quot; said Vivian Ewart, vice president of passenger services. &quot;Travel partners will find My NCL\' especially helpful in ensuring a seamless process from the moment a guest books to the minute they begin enjoying their vacation.&quot;</p><p>Booked guests can log onto www.ncl.com, from reservation inception up until 24-hours prior to departure, and click on the online check-in icon to begin the process. Guests will be asked to enter their name, ship, sailing date and reservation number in order to create a username and password. Once a profile is created, all guest preferences including reservation details, important required pre-cruise information including the guest check-in form, shore excursion reservations, and printable cruise ticket are stored on their &quot;My NCL&quot; account. The guest check-in form on &quot;My NCL&quot; is intuitive based on the guest\'s nationality and itinerary and will automatically alert the guest of the appropriate documentation needed to sail.</p><p>Travel partners can access the &quot;My NCL&quot; portal through NCL\'s travel partner web site, www.bookncl.com, to check the status of their client\'s pre-cruise activity and to assist in the process.</p><p>Guests can also log into their &quot;My NCL&quot; account at any time to update their profile and cruise vacation preferences, as well as check on their Latitudes (past guest program) status.</p><p>Since Partnership 2.0\'s inception, the company has implemented more than 75 new programs and services for travel partners including earlier processing of group commissions, a seven-day a week resolution desk, simplified and consistent pricing quotes, improved credit card policies, electronic payment processing, enhanced confirmations; the availability of a premium air desk and a flight assistance hotline, NCL University, the first-of-its-kind online travel partner networking and education community, as well as Groups 2.0, an enhanced group booking program.</p><p>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.</p><p>Today, NCL has the youngest fleet in the industry with 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.</p><p>NCL is presently building a new third generation Freestyle Cruising ship known as F3, for delivery in 2010.</p>','2013-01-20 07:33:17',642,2,2,NULL,NULL,729,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'&quot;My NCL&quot; portal streamlines pre-cruise check-in process for travel partners and cruisers ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1042,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','Microsoft Digital Workshop Rolls Across Holland America Line Ships','techspert_690833860.jpg','2009-02-06 18:07:00','<p>Seattle, WA, January 12, 2008&nbsp;- Holland America Line announced today the roll-out schedule for its popular Microsoft Digital Workshops. The successful program begun last April has already been implemented on five of the ships, ms Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Eurodam and ms Noordam. Installation on 12 of the 14 ships will be completed by May 27, 2009. While ms Prinsendam and ms Rotterdam are not currently scheduled for implementation due to itinerary lengths, Holland America Line aims to ultimately apply the program to the entire fleet.</p><p>The Microsoft Digital Workshops have become among the most popular activities for all ages on our ships,� says Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. �The relationship with Microsoft has been fantastic and we are looking forward to having this well-received program across most of the fleet.�</p><p>We are thrilled that passengers of Holland America Line are finding value in the Microsoft Digital Workshops,� said Chip Wood, group manager, Consumer Segment Marketing, Microsoft Corp. �Providing guests with a comfortable environment where they can learn how to create, edit and share digital memories is a fun and unique way for Windows to enhance the cruise experience.�</p><p>The complimentary onboard workshops led by Microsoft-trained �techsperts� showcase state of the art technology, enabling all levels of camera and computer users to take better photos, make movies, edit and create scrapbooks and share digital memories. Guests learn how to share all their digital memories through email, blogging and social networking allowing friends and family to participate in their cruise experience even before they return home. </p><p>The program has its own dedicated space on each ship. Guests can choose to attend all or just some of the multiple workshops which are held daily. In addition, one-on-one coaching, called �Techspert Time,� is available for more than 20 hours each week.</p><p>The various workshops offer photo tips and introduce resources and Microsoft maintained technology available on the cruise. Guests can learn to download, crop and color-correct digital images as well as how to create panoramic pictures, photo cards and scrapbooks with Windows Live Photo Gallery. There are also sessions on how to produce and publish videos onto a DVD using Windows Movie Maker and how to create personal webpages or blogs with Windows Live Services and Windows Live Writer. </p><p>Microsoft Digital Workshops will begin with the cruise dates and ships listed below: </p><p>ms Zaandam, Jan 21, 2009 in Hawaii<br />ms Maasdam, Jan 30, 2009 in Caribbean<br />ms Zuiderdam, Feb 17, 2009 in Caribbean<br />ms Ryndam, Mar 5, 2009 in Mexico<br />ms Veendam, April 27, 2009 in Panama Canal<br />ms Statendam, May 10, 2009 in Alaska<br />ms Volendam, May 27, 2009 in Alaska</p>','2013-01-24 15:52:07',296,1,2,NULL,NULL,730,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1043,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Talk','Grand Turk Cruise Center Expects Record 500,000 Passengers in 2009','NewPortsGrandTurkCruiseCenter_hmedium_852945307.jpg','2009-02-06 18:09:00','<p>With 229 cruise ship calls scheduled for 2009, including nearly 89 from Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; vessels, the Grand Turk Cruise Center (GTCC) is on track for hosting a record 500,000 passengers in the coming year. The unprecedented half-million passenger mark is a 25 percent increase over 2008, during which the GTCC was closed for 30 days following Hurricane Ike. </p><p>A key reason for Grand Turk&rsquo;s continued popularity is the wide array of organized excursion opportunities for visitors, from horseback riding and kayaking to world-class diving, snorkeling and fishing. </p><p>For those guests who want to explore the island on their own, the new Grand Turk Grace Bay Car Rentals recently opened at the Grand Turk Cruise Center. With this new service, guests visiting Grand Turk will be able to discover the island&rsquo;s numerous historical sites, gorgeous white-sand beaches, quaint Bermudian-influenced architecture and friendly locals at their own pace.</p><p>Currently, five Carnival Cruise Lines&rsquo; &ldquo;Fun Ships&rdquo; call at Grand Turk &ndash; Carnival Destiny on five-day cruises from Miami; Carnival Liberty on seven-day voyages from Miami; and Carnival Miracle on eight-day cruises from New York. </p><p>Carnival Pride will also feature Grand Turk as part of its new seven-day schedule from Baltimore beginning April 27 &ndash; the first year-round program from that port. Grand Turk will also be featured on the Carnival Glory&rsquo;s new seven-day program from Miami beginning December 3. </p>','2013-01-24 18:14:51',368,1,2,NULL,NULL,731,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,1,4,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1044,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','NCL Names F3 Norwegian Epic; Announces Inaugural Season Itineraries','h2o_evening_2_926557525.jpg','2009-02-06 18:11:00','<p>Miami - Jan 27, 2009 &mdash; Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today announced that it has selected the name for its new F3 ship: Norwegian Epic. Just as the name implies, the ship will be the largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date.</p><p>The 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic is scheduled to sail year-round to the Caribbean from Miami, beginning in summer 2010. Following a series of inaugural events in Europe and the U.S., the ship will homeport in Miami and will sail year-round to the Caribbean offering alternating seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages through April 2011. These cruises are scheduled to go on sale to the public later this spring. NCL will open Norwegian Epic&rsquo;s sailings for group block bookings exclusively for travel partners in mid-March 2009.</p><p>&ldquo;The F3 experience will take our already successful Freestyle Cruising to the next level, affording our guests the ultimate freedom and flexibility. Norwegian Epic, denoting a ship that is very impressive on a grand scale, is the most fitting name,&rdquo; said Kevin Sheehan, NCL&rsquo;s president and CEO. &ldquo;The combination of the ship&rsquo;s exciting new features, along with the tropical allure of these Caribbean destinations, will provide an extraordinary cruise vacation for our guests.&rdquo;</p><p>The ship&rsquo;s Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roat&aacute;n, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. Norwegian Epic&rsquo;s Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.</p><p>Norwegian Epic represents the next generation of Freestyle Cruising &ndash; a ship that incorporates a wide range of new features and amenities, including curved New Wave staterooms and unique nightlife options. To date, the company has revealed five unique nightlife venues that rival the experiences of Las Vegas, Ibiza, the Riviera and South Beach. The five venues include the industry&rsquo;s first true Ice Bar; POSH Beach Club, a first of its kind beach club at sea that offers an exclusive, adults-only setting at the top of the ship; Halo, the &Uuml;ber Bar, a private bar and lounge in the ship-within-a-ship villa complex; Bliss Ultra Lounge, NCL&rsquo;s all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with four-lane bowling alley; and Spice H20, an adults-only aft pool deck experience.</p><p>In addition, the ship will feature the New Wave standard, New Wave balcony and New Wave deluxe staterooms that represent a giant leap forward in cruise ship accommodations with a completely fresh take on bathroom design, contemporary curved architecture and open living space. The New Wave stateroom&rsquo;s most distinctive design element is its curved walls and lines creating a modern and chic experience. NCL has maximized the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink. The staterooms feature a sophisticated earth-tone palette accented with a splash of color and rich, dark wood. Concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings set a relaxing vibe.</p>','2013-01-11 00:18:58',495,1,2,NULL,NULL,732,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1045,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Crystal Cruises','Crystal Unveils Industry’s Most Exclusive Tennis Package','123_544458908.jpg','2009-02-06 18:12:00','<p>LOS ANGELES, January 26, 2009 - In an industry first, Crystal Cruises is introducing an unparalleled six-night, tennis-themed, post-cruise land program - with VIP access to the Wimbledon Championships semifinals and finals. The program is available following Crystal Symphony&rsquo;s June 19 cruise from London to Stockholm, which features tennis-themed Experiences of Discovery programming. In addition to Wimbledon Centre Court tickets, participating guests have access to Fairway Village, the luxury Wimbledon hospitality area near Centre Court, private car service and accommodations at London&rsquo;s posh Savoy hotel.</p><p>In yet another industry first, onboard tennis programming will include an excursion to the Tennis Hall of Fame in Bastad, Sweden, where guests will have the chance to pour over photos and memorabilia of some of the greatest players in the world and tour the Hall of Fame&rsquo;s stadium.</p><p>&ldquo;This Wimbledon program exemplifies our commitment to creating one-of-a-kind experiences that are completely exclusive to Crystal and not available anywhere else,&rdquo; said John Stoll, director, land programs. &ldquo;Crystal&rsquo;s goal is to ensure that all its guests enjoy vacations that are tailor-made to their needs and desires, culminating in vacation experiences that are truly unique.&rdquo;</p><p>Wimbledon package features include:</p><p>VIP access to Fairway village - The Wimbledon hospitality area for complimentary champagne, four-course lunch and traditional afternoon tea; <br />Centre Court seats - For women&rsquo;s singles semifinal and final, and men&rsquo;s singles and semifinal and final; <br />Six-night stay at The Savoy - One of London&rsquo;s most iconic luxury hotels, with private car service to and from Wimbledon, and <br />European Business Class air - from Stockholm to London-Heathrow. <br />The tennis focus is one of six newly introduced Experiences of Discovery designed to enrich more than two dozen Crystal cruises.</p><p>Departing London, the Baltic voyage calls in Oslo, Norway; Helsinki, Finland; Copenhagen, Denmark; Stockholm and Visby, Sweden, and includes a two-night stay in St. Petersburg. Cruise fares for the two 11-day London-Stockholm itinerary start at $4,995 per person, double. Premium economy and business class air upgrades, the Save Now, Save Later, Europe savings and Crystal Family Memories Programs also apply. Fares for the post-cruise overland package are $25,299 per person, double occupancy.</p>','2013-01-24 17:33:09',240,1,2,NULL,NULL,733,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1046,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Costa Cruises','New Costa Ships to Feature First-Ever “PlayStation Worlds” At Sea Including PlayStation®3 in Cabins','playstation_3_697629733.jpg','2009-02-06 18:15:00','<p>MIAMI, Jan 16 &ndash; Costa Cruises and Sony Computer Entertainment Italia have announced a partnership to bring Sony&rsquo;s popular PlayStation to sea. Under the agreement, PLAYSTATION&reg;3 and PlayStation&reg;2 will be featured in certain public areas and cabins aboard Europe&rsquo;s Number One Cruise Line. Ships will feature a &ldquo;PlayStation World,&rdquo; an area dedicated exclusively to PS3. There will also be PlayStations available in the cabins, on the big screens overlooking the lido decks as well as in the children&rsquo;s and teens&rsquo; clubs. In addition, the million-plus guests who sail with Costa each year will be able to try out the latest PlayStation video games as well as purchase the PlayStation products and releases on board.</p><p>The fun starts in May 2009 aboard the Costa Luminosa, which will sail Northern European routes her first season) and the Costa Pacifica in June 2009, which will sail Western Mediterranean routes her first season. The program will be gradually extended to the other 12 ships of the Costa fleet. In addition to the PS3 and PS2 consoles available on board the Costa fleet, four PS3 touch screen cabinets will be set up in the Savona Palacrociere, the cruise terminal managed directly by Costa Cruises in Savona, Italy.</p><p>&ldquo;The PlayStation has been preempting the demands of our clientele for over 13 years now. With PS2 and PS3 we have brought innovation and entertainment into people&rsquo;s homes,&rdquo; said Sony Computer Entertainment Italia Marketing Director Andrea Cuneo. &ldquo;Now, thanks to Costa Cruises, we&rsquo;re going to take the dynamism and cutting-edge technology of our brand around the seas of the world.&rdquo; </p><p>&ldquo;Costa Cruises was the first company in Italy and across Europe to turn the cruise into a fun, accessible holiday and continues to build increasingly innovative ships at the cutting edge, offering amenities, entertainment activities and services designed to satisfy the demands of a modern international customer base,&rdquo; said Costa Cruises Vice President Corporate Marketing &amp; Communication Fabrizia Greppi. &ldquo;After the Grand Prix driving simulator, the golf simulator and the 4D cinema, this partnership will bring our guests another exciting innovation and another world exclusive feature &ndash; the PlayStation, a veritable cult object for all video gamers.&rdquo; </p><p>&ldquo;PlayStation World,&rdquo; available on the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica, is a first for the global cruise industry, and will be completely dedicated to latest generation PS3-exclusive video gaming, PlayStation 3 being Sony&rsquo;s multimedia entertainment system. </p><p>Guests on the Costa Luminosa will be able to enjoy PlayStation 3 from the comfort of their own cabins, thanks to the &ldquo;PlayStation on demand&rdquo; service, which will enable PS3 availability for the entire cruise. </p><p>Onboard the entire fleet, young guests will enjoy the PlayStation 2 in the children&rsquo;s Squok Club and in the Teen Club. These areas will be outfitted with the ultimate in interactive entertainment in the form of &ldquo;Social Games&rdquo; like Buzz! &trade;, the crazy general knowledge quiz, and SingStar&reg;, the competitive music videogame, which unite friends and family around the console for fun and challenging games. </p><p>The fun is set to continue after dark as well, with &ldquo;PlayStation Nights&rdquo; on the giant 18 m&sup2; screens installed on the lido decks of four of Costa&rsquo;s fleet members (Costa Concordia, Costa Serena, Costa Luminosa, Costa Pacifica); these facilities can be used all year round in any weather thanks to a retractable glass roof. Guests here will also be able to enjoy SingStar&reg; and Buzz!&trade;.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-21 18:37:53',187,1,2,NULL,NULL,734,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1047,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Disney Cruise Line','Disney Cruise Line Ranked As No. 1 Cruise Experience','42806815_547192539.jpg','2009-02-06 18:16:00','<p>CELEBRATION, Fla. (January 21, 2009) &ndash; Disney Cruise Line was recently named the top large cruise ship experience by the readers of Cond&eacute; Nast Traveler magazine in the 9th annual &ldquo;Reader&rsquo;s Cruise Poll.&rdquo;</p><p>The Cruise Poll recognizes the best cruise ships as voted on by Cond&eacute; Nast Traveler readers. Winners were determined by a survey of more than 11,000 participants who rated 400 ships. Participants were asked to rate ships based on specific criteria including: staterooms, activities, service, design and layout, dining, itineraries and shore excursions.</p><p>&ldquo;We are pleased to receive this honor from the readers of such an esteemed travel publication,&rdquo; said Tom McAlpin, President of Disney Cruise Line. &ldquo;Winning the No. 1 spot is a testament to the beauty of our ships and the dedication our cast and crew members have in creating an unparalleled vacation for every member of the family.&rdquo;</p><p>This year, Disney Cruise Line ranked No. 1 in the &ldquo;Large Ship&rdquo; category with its ship, the Disney Wonder, which sails three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas. The Disney Magic was also ranked in the top five cruise experiences overall. The Disney Magic primarily sails seven-night cruises to the eastern and western Caribbean and, beginning in the spring of 2010, will embark on a season of limited itineraries exploring Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.</p><p>In addition to the accolades in the Large Ship category, the Cond&eacute; Nast Traveler &ldquo;Cruise Spa Reader&rsquo;s Poll&rdquo; ranked the spas aboard Disney Cruise Line in the top 5 best spas at sea.</p><p>Disney Cruise Line has received more than 50 distinguished awards and honors since first setting sail in 1998. These awards have included all aspects of the operation from dining and entertainment to youth activities and spa facilities.</p><p>Known for bringing family travel to the cruise industry, Disney Cruise Line continues to raise the bar on the cruise experience, with specifically designed areas and activities for each member of the family allowing for both quality time together and wonderful individual experiences. The focus is to allow families to reconnect, adults to recharge their batteries and kids to immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create.</p>','2013-01-20 09:20:36',337,1,2,NULL,NULL,735,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1048,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Analyst: Cruise trends are weak, but not dropping','dollarvalue_949072363.jpg','2009-02-06 18:17:00','<p>NEW YORK (AP) -- A survey of December cruise trends showed that bookings and pricing trends remained weak but did not seem to be getting significantly worse, a Susquehanna Financial Group analyst said on Wednesday.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />Robert LaFleur maintained &quot;Positive&quot; ratings on both companies. The survey of travel agents was conducted by SFG Research.</p><p>&quot;Clearly, the economic and financial crisis that gained critical mass this past fall has consumers more wary of big ticket commitments like cruises, and the lines have had to respond to this by price incentives,&quot; the analyst said.</p><p>LaFleur noted the economic downturn is prompting cruise companies to rethink some long-standing practices. He cited Royal Caribbean\'s statement during its fourth-quarter conference call that the company would no longer follow its current strategy of slashing prices to whatever level necessary to fill every cabin.</p><p>&quot;(Royal) would rather sail with some empty cabins than drop prices below economically sensible levels,&quot; LaFleur said.</p><p>On the positive side, LaFleur said lower fuel prices will benefit the companies and early reports are indicating that bookings picked up last month as &quot;wave season&quot; began. The three-month period of January through March is known as &quot;wave season,&quot; when cruise bookings usually surge.</p><p>&quot;At this point, even a non-disastrous wave season could be seen as a positive catalyst,&quot; LaFleur said.</p><p>He noted that both Miami-based companies have been slashing costs to cope with weaker revenue, particularly Royal Caribbean.</p><p>&quot;(Royal) is also trading under a heavy cloud of insolvency risk,&quot; LaFleur said. &quot;While it clearly has the more stressed balance sheet, the combination of financing guarantees, current liquidity, and still-meaningful operating cash flows should get them through.&quot;</p><p>In afternoon trading, Carnival Corp. shares fell 40 cents, or 2.1 percent, to $18.49, while shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. gained 6 cents to $6.80.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-11 00:54:28',351,1,2,NULL,NULL,736,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Analyst says survey shows that cruise trends are weak, but not getting much worse ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1049,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Associated Press','Carnival CEO Arison got $4.8 million in 2008 pay','610x_266619695.jpg','2009-02-06 18:21:00','<p>NEW YORK (AP) -- Carnival Corp. Chairman and Chief Executive Micky Arison received compensation valued at $4.8 million in fiscal 2007, a 34 percent decrease from the previous year, according to a regulatory filing Friday.<br />&nbsp;&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />The Miami-based cruise operator awarded Arison $880,000 in base salary, up from $850,000 the prior year. But he received no non-equity incentive plan compensation, compared with $2.9 million in such compensation in 2007.</p><p>Arison also received in 2008 restricted stock awards valued at $3.5 million on the day they were granted.</p><p>Additionally, Arison received $404,329 in all other compensation, which included the personal use of company aircraft, health insurance costs, tax planning and security services.</p><p>The AP\'s total pay calculations include executives\' salary, bonus, incentives, perks, above-market returns on deferred compensation and the estimated value of stock options and awards granted during the year. The calculations don\'t include changes in the present value of pension benefits, and they sometimes differ from the totals companies list in the summary compensation table of proxy statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.</p><p>Carnival, the world\'s largest cruise operator, reported in December that its profit dipped 3 percent to $2.33 billion, or $2.90 per share, in 2008 from $2.41 billion, or $2.95 per share, in the prior year.</p><p>Full-year revenue jumped 12 percent to $14.65 billion from $13.03.</p><p>The company\'s stock has fallen 58 percent in the past 52 weeks. On Friday, shares of Carnival fell 41 cents, or 2.2 percent, to close at $18.19.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-24 14:42:58',413,2,2,NULL,NULL,737,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Carnival CEO Micky Arison received compensation valued at $4.8 million in 2008, less than 2007 ',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1050,7,1,'vivvo@localhost','Silversea Cruises','Silversea Cruises record number of voyages in 2010','silversea_849037941.jpg','2009-02-06 18:23:00','<p>Silversea Cruises, the ultra-luxury cruise line, has released its worldwide schedule for 2010 and there are to be a record number of voyages visiting more than 355 ports in 95 countries and island destinations. In total there will be over 175 itineraries to choose from sailing on Silversea Cruises all-suite ships Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and the new Silver Spirit.</p><p>&quot;Our fleet expansion presents many opportunities for innovative deployment,&quot; said David Morris, Silversea Cruises\' executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. &quot;With the addition of a fifth all-suite ship in 2010, our schedule will offer an exceptionally broad range of travel choices, including Silver Spirit\'s exciting 91-day Grand Inaugural Voyage, and the first-ever, year-round deployment of Silver Cloud in the Mediterranean.&quot;</p><p>Reservations open on the 12 January, at which point the complete day-by-day itineraries for all ships will be announced. Silversea Cruises will be presenting a diverse collection of sailings from Australia\'s vast Outback and China\'s Great Wall to the fairy tale castles of Edinburgh and the gilded palaces of St. Petersburg. Among the highlights are Silver Shadow\'s return visits to scenic Alaska plus nine new Silversea destinations: Le Verdon, France; Rimini, Italy; Ile Rousse, Corsica; Cardiff, Wales; Sendai, Japan; Chan May, Vietnam; Lakshadweep, India; Buzios, Brazil; and Seydisfjordur, Iceland.</p><p>On January 21, the newest addition to Silversea Cruises fleet, the beautiful Silver Spirit, will embark from Fort Lauderdale on a fascinating Grand Inaugural Voyage that concludes in New York City. On this magnificent 91-day &quot;Spirit of South America&quot; odyssey, guests will visit more than 45 ports in over 20 different countries and island destinations across two continents. Highlights include a visit to Rio de Janeiro in time for the carnival, a journey around the end of the earth at Cape Horn, an in-depth exploration of the Mexican Riviera, and a crossing of the Panama Canal.</p>','2012-12-22 12:29:19',836,1,2,NULL,NULL,738,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1051,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Extensive Multi-Million-Dollar Refurbishment Adds a Host of New Features to Carnival Sensation','123_889407639.jpg','2009-02-20 20:23:00','<p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">The 2,052-passenger Carnival Sensation has undergone a multi-million-dollar renovation and emerged with a host of new facilities and features, including a sprawling water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat, and redesigned tropical themed main pool. <span></span>Ninety-eight balconies were also incorporated onto existing ocean view staterooms and a new Circle C facility for 12- to 14-year olds was added, as well. </font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"2\"></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">The extensive renovation, which took place during a 35-day dry dock, is part of Carnival&rsquo;s &ldquo;Evolutions of Fun&rdquo; refurbishment program for the line&rsquo;s eight Fantasy-class vessels. <span>&nbsp;</span>Carnival Sensation is the fourth &ldquo;Fun Ship&rdquo; to receive the upgrades, joining the Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, and Carnival Fantasy which have already been renovated.<span>&nbsp; </span>The four remaining Fantasy-class ships will be refurbished over the next few years.</font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"2\"></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Carnival Sensation resumed its year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruise program from Port Canaveral, Fla., last week. <span>&nbsp;</span>On this route, three-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Nassau while four-day voyages depart Sundays and call at Freeport and Nassau.</font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><strong><font size=\"2\">Exciting Open Deck Upgrades</font></strong></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">A highlight of the &ldquo;Evolutions of Fun&rdquo; upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, a sprawling aqua park that is designed to appeal to guests of all ages. Towering over Verandah Deck, the expansive open-air facility includes a 300-foot-long water slide &ndash; the longest at sea &ndash; along with twin 82-foot-long racing slides and various water spray apparatus. Another signature element of &ldquo;Evolutions of Fun&rdquo; is the redesigned main pool area.<span>&nbsp; </span>Located mid-ship on Lido Deck, the area has a distinctive resort-style ambiance, with colorful, oversized umbrellas, thatched roofing, vibrant tile work and other tropical-themed design elements. </font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><strong><font size=\"2\">Serenity Adults-Only Retreat</font></strong></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Also new on the Carnival Sensation is Serenity, an exclusive adults-only retreat located aft on Promenade Deck.<span>&nbsp; </span>Designed as an ocean-going oasis for comfort and relaxation, Serenity offers plush chaise lounges and chairs, and two large whirlpools.<span>&nbsp; </span>Shade is provided by oversized umbrellas, along with an area covered by thatched roofing.<span>&nbsp; </span>Within Serenity, guests can enjoy a wide range of icy cocktails and frozen drinks or partake in various dining options at the nearby, casual Seaview restaurant.</font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><strong>Ninety-Eight New Balcony Staterooms</strong> </font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Ninety-eight existing ocean view staterooms on the Carnival Sensation have been retrofitted with balconies, creating expansive new cabins measuring approximately 230 square feet.<span>&nbsp; </span>Twenty-four of the new balcony cabins are located mid-ship, 12 are located near the stern, and the other 62 are located aft, with several of these accommodations featuring extended balconies.<span>&nbsp; </span>Additionally, a number of the Carnival Sensation&rsquo;s suites have been modified to feature larger, extended balconies to create a more spacious environment for guests. </font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"><strong>New Circle C Facility, Other Enhancements</strong> </font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Carnival Sensation&rsquo;s refurbishment also included the creation of a new Circle C facility on Atlantic Deck 8.<span>&nbsp; </span>Catering to the 12- to 14-old age group, Circle C includes a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma screen televisions displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox and gaming pods with the latest games and consoles. All of the Carnival Sensation&rsquo;s 1,026 staterooms have been completely remodeled with new wall coverings, tile work, carpeting and light fixtures.<span>&nbsp; </span>Additionally, virtually all dining, dancing and entertainment venues, as well as all guest corridors, have been renovated with a host of cosmetic enhancements.</font></span></span></p>','2013-01-08 08:48:21',490,1,2,NULL,NULL,739,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,2,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1052,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line Offers Sommelier Wine Package and Sommelier Dinner','CIGRGL19545_476670582.jpg','2009-02-20 20:27:00','<p>Seattle, WA, February 17, 2009 � Two sommelier wine options enhance Signature Services onboard Holland America Line. Hosted fleetwide in the Pinnacle Grill on sailings of 10 days or longer, the Sommelier Dinner event combines at least four glasses of wine with a six-course menu for expertly paired wine and cuisine. For extensive wine sampling throughout all cruises, the Sommelier Wine Package features multiple wine tastings, events and selections.</p><p>Sommelier Dinner<br />Offered once per sailing, a culinary team of six, including the executive chef and cellar master, collaborate to produce the Sommelier Dinner. The cellar master, or �sommelier,� introduces combinations at course intervals, revealing the background and basis for each blend. </p><p>Prior to the premium dinner event, guests meet for champagne or Kir Royal in the Explorer�s Lounge or Pinnacle Grill Wine Bar. Menu items feature an amuse-bouche or hors d�oeuvre, cold appetizer, soup, warm appetizer or sorbet, main course, dessert and coffee with �petit fours� or cakes. Sample menu pairings include smoked salmon with a glass of Napa Valley Caymus Conundrum or assorted cheeses paired with Inniskillen Icewine from the Niagara Peninsula. The Sommelier Dinner is $75 per person.</p><p>Sommelier Wine Package<br />A wine tasting experience is available throughout the length of a cruise with the Sommelier Package. Two wine tasting events, a Pinnacle Grill dinner, five vintage bottles, a Holland America Line commemorative bottle and wine gift are included for onboard enjoyment. </p><p>Revealing a variety of international samples, a wine tasting is conducted by the cellar master or sommelier. Among the most knowledgeable in the cruise industry, Holland America Line sommeliers undergo extensive training for certification. Guided by sommelier expertise, a second premium wine sampling event is also hosted along with an evening of fine dining in the Pinnacle Grill.</p><p>From a varied special selection of wine, five bottles are presented based on the wine navigators� preference. A Holland America Line Commemorative Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay is delivered to each guest stateroom along with a wine-related gift. The Sommelier Package is available from $251 per person or $308 per couple.</p><p>About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]<br />Holland America Line\'s fleet of 14 ships offers nearly 500 cruises to 320 ports in more than 100 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 108-day itineraries visit all seven continents, and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal. A 15th ship, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, is scheduled to join the fleet in 2010.</p><p>Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food &amp; Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes - Explorations Caf� powered by The New York Times, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner\'s Dream Beds.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-11 20:03:28',379,1,2,NULL,NULL,740,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1053,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Crystal Cruises','Best Ships in the World Are Crystal Ships, Vote Conde Nast Traveler Readers','Crystal_20Symphony_20Penthouse_20Suite_full_106456921.jpg','2009-02-20 20:28:00','<p>LOS ANGELES, February 2, 2009 - The ships of Crystal Cruises have once again earned top honors from the readers of Conde Nast Traveler, who named the ultra-luxury vessels the best medium-sized ships in the world. Of nearly 100 ships, Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony were ranked #1 and #2, respectively, in the magazine\'s ninth annual &quot;Best Cruise Ships in the World&quot; issue. </p><p>Although the medium-sized category includes ships carrying between 500-1,500 passengers, Crystal Serenity\'s overall score of 93.3 ranked higher than any other ship in all groups. Crystal Symphony ranked second in the medium-sized group, with an overall score of 92.9. </p><p>Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, respectively, earned some of their highest ever scores for Crew/Service (96.6 and 95.7), Activities/Facilities (93.9 and 93.1), Cabins (89.1 and 89.7) and Design/Layout (96.2 and 94.4). Crystal Serenity\'s scores for its Activities/Facilities and Design/Layout also topped those of every other ship rated for this poll. Having recently undergone a multi-million dollar drydock, she now boasts additional plush Penthouses and a newly renovated Crystal Cove bar and Plaza lobby, and a completely rebuilt casino. </p><p>Travelers also appreciated Crystal\'s dining and increasing focus on intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experiences ashore. Crystal\'s Food/Dining scores (95.0 for both ships), and its shore excursions (87.7 and 86.9) rated higher than most ships in the survey. Not one to rest on its laurels, the luxury line has rolled out more than 750 Crystal Adventures for its 2009 Northern Europe and Mediterranean seasons, roughly 150 of which are brand new.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&quot;The most discerning, value-conscious luxury consumers purchase luxury products based on real quality, and the consistency of the experience,&quot; says Crystal Cruises\' President Gregg L. Michel. &quot;This is a tremendous validation of unique and unparalleled experience travelers find onboard Crystal ships.&quot; </p><p>Conde Nast Traveler asked its subscribers to rate 418 ships on a 100-point scale. A total of 90 eligible ships are reviewed in the February 2009 issue. </p><p>Crystal ships have long been celebrated for outstanding performance in all of these areas. A steadfast commitment to the Six-Star Crystal Basics - the line\'s credo for ensuring that all guests\' needs are fulfilled - has made Crystal the category winner in Conde Nast Traveler\'s Readers\' Choice poll more than any other resort, hotel or cruise line in history.</p><p>Attesting to the consistent quality of its onboard experience, the luxury line was voted &quot;World\'s Best&quot; in Travel + Leisure\'s most recent readers\' survey. Crystal Cruises is the only cruise line, resort or hotel to have won the prestigious award each year since the awards\' inception. </p><p>From seven-, 11- and 12- day vacations in Europe to epic 100+-day World Cruises, space, quality, service and choices are the cornerstone of the Crystal experience. </p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-04 20:29:08',362,1,2,NULL,NULL,741,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1054,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Costa Cruises','Costa Cruises Introduces “Buon Appetito” Culinary Contest','magica_buffet_big_860584299.jpg','2009-02-20 20:29:00','<p>MIAMI, Feb 18: From a delicious pasta dish with flavors reminiscent of a visit to a Roman trattoria, to fresh seafood that brings to mind a leisurely lunch in Portofino, dining onboard a Costa cruise transports the taste of Italy to sea wherever guests travel. To celebrate Costa&rsquo;s grand tradition of Italian cuisine, along with the high praise bestowed on it from numerous past guests, Europe&rsquo;s Number One Cruise Line is unrolling a new &ldquo;Buon Appetito&rdquo; culinary contest for past guests to submit their favorite Costa dining experience. </p><p>Between Feb 17 and April 17, 2009, guests who have sailed with Costa may enter the &ldquo;Buon Appetito&rdquo; culinary contest by visiting <a href=\"http://www.costacruises.com/\">www.costacruises.com</a> and submitting an entry detailing their favorite Costa dining experience or dish in 300 words or less. One winner will be selected by a Costa panel based on creativity and style. The winning entry will win a cruise aboard the new Costa Pacifica, complete with a complimentary dinner for two in the ship&rsquo;s specialty restaurant, the Club Blue Moon. The restaurant features menus prepared by award-winning Italian chef Ettore Bocchia, heralded for his Michelin-starred cuisine at the Grand Villa Serbelloni in Bellagio, Italy. </p><p>&ldquo;With so many of our guests telling us how much they enjoy the Italian cuisine aboard our ships, we decided to celebrate their enthusiasm with this special &ldquo;Buon Appetito&rdquo; culinary contest,&rdquo; said Maurice Zarmati, president and ceo of Costa Cruise Lines&mdash;North America. &ldquo;While we offer other types of dishes onboard as well, it&rsquo;s the special brand of magic in our Italian dishes that really moves guests to rave about our cuisine.&rdquo; </p><p>With more than 50 different recipes created each day using 3,500 ingredients, it&rsquo;s no wonder guests love &ldquo;dining Italian style&rdquo; aboard Costa&rsquo;s fleet of 12 ships &ndash; soon to be 14 when the Costa Luminosa and Costa Pacifica come into service in May and June respectively. From homemade pastas and sauces to freshly made pizzas and other specialty dishes, Costa brings its Italian heritage for &ldquo;mangia bene&rdquo; to its guests around the world. </p><p>Entries for the &ldquo;Buon Appetito&rdquo; culinary contest must be submitted via <a href=\"http://www.costacruises.com/\">www.costacruises.com</a> by April 17, 2009. A winner will be selected on or around May 17, 2009 and be notified via mail. The prize is cruise only and the winner is responsible for air, non-commissionable fees and government taxes. Certain restrictions apply. For complete information regarding reservations or more information, guests may contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or visit <a href=\"http://www.costacruises.com/\">www.costacruises.com</a>.</p>','2013-01-24 16:21:07',298,1,2,NULL,NULL,742,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1055,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Seabourn Cruise Line','Seabourn Adds ‘Personal Valet’ Luggage Service to Online Menu','123_768573914.jpg','2009-02-20 20:30:00','<p>MIAMI, Feb 19: The Yachts of Seabourn has added its highly popular Personal Valet luggage shipping service to the menu of options that can be arranged by booked guests in advance on the company&rsquo;s website at www.seabourn.com. The Personal Valet service, which is operated in collaboration with DHL Worldwide, allows guests to ship personal luggage between their homes and their suites aboard the Seabourn yachts in various ports around the world. It has been operating for three years and has won a loyal following of Seabourn cruise aficionados who use the service regularly and swear by it. Now booked guests can order the service, along with optional shore excursions, spa appointments, pre- and post-cruise hotel extensions and full-escorted Seabourn Journeys land programs, conveniently on the website at any time, day or night. </p><p>&ldquo;Seabourn&rsquo;s Personal Valet service was created for the convenience of our guests,&rdquo; noted Pamela Conover, Seabourn&rsquo;s president and CEO. &ldquo;They tell us they love not having to worry about extra bags as they fly to and from their cruises,&rdquo; she continued, &ldquo;Now we&rsquo;ve added an extra layer of convenience by making it available on line.&rdquo; </p><p>To order the luggage service, guests simply log on to the &ldquo;Already Booked&rdquo; section of the Seabourn website and select Personal Valet from the menu of options. Once they fill in the pick-up and delivery cities, and the weight-range of the luggage, a handy estimator will produce an estimate of the cost. If they choose, they can submit an order to receive a kit containing everything they need to complete the process, including luggage tags and a waybill. Then they can call DHL to arrange a pickup at their convenience. The bags are shipped to Seabourn&rsquo;s local agent in the city where guests will embark, and the luggage is delivered to the ship&rsquo;s personnel on the day the guests will arrive. In most cases, the bags are already in their suites when the guests come on board. Homeward shipments are arranged on board. </p><p>Seabourn operates three 208-guest, all-suite cruising vessels: Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend, on worldwide itineraries. In June, 2009 a 450-guest yacht, Seabourn Odyssey, will join the fleet. Two additional 450-guest yachts, Seabourn Sojourn, and a third yet to be named, will be added in June, 2010 and June, 2011 respectively. For more information or to make a reservation, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-04 20:51:39',207,1,2,NULL,NULL,743,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1056,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas Arrives in Los Angeles','img1379448a0dfdb2bc96_810971204.jpg','2009-02-20 20:33:00','<p>MIAMI, Feb 19: The largest ship ever to offer cruise vacations from the West Coast arrived into Los Angeles today. At 1,020 feet long and 142,000 gross registered tons, Royal Caribbean International&rsquo;s Mariner of the Seas will sail year-round from the Port of Los Angeles offering a seven-night Mexican Riviera itinerary with ports of call at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan, Mexico. Mariner of the Seas is one of the cruise line&rsquo;s Voyager class of ships, which revolutionized the cruise industry by introducing innovative amenities such the iconic rock-wall, an ice-skating rink, a full size basketball and sports court, an inline skating track and Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s signature Royal Promenade, a boulevard of shops, restaurants, bars and lounges that runs nearly the length of the ship. </p><p>&ldquo;We are excited to be introducing one of the industry&rsquo;s most innovative ships to the West Coast giving more vacationers the opportunity to conveniently experience the Royal Caribbean difference,&rdquo; said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. &ldquo;From the very beginning, we have been guided by the principles of &lsquo;Why Not&rsquo; - why not ice-skate across the equator or why not rock climb 200 miles out at sea? With Mariner&rsquo;s arrival in Los Angeles, we invite West Coast travelers to the Nation of Why Not and ask them &lsquo;why not go out and see, do and be more than they had ever thought possible on a vacation&rsquo;.&rdquo; </p><p>Mariner of the Seas offers guests the chance to relax in the adults-only Solarium, swim in the two swimming pools or six whirlpools, or sunbathe in the main pool area, which served as the canvas for pop art sensation Romero Britto. Britto transformed the 25,000 square-foot pool deck into an outdoor art exhibit replete with whimsical figures and playful patterns. This one-of-a-kind pool deck also features a side gallery chronicling this project from initial inspiration to final construction. Offering an experience that caters to active travelers or multigenerational family vacations, Mariner of the Seas also features a nine-hole miniature golf course, interactive golf simulator, the full-service Mariner Day Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center. </p><p>In the evening, guests can enjoy one of the 16 bars and themed lounges and seven restaurants, including a 1950s-style Johnny Rockets Diner and Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s signature specialty restaurants; Chops Grille steakhouse and Portofino Italian restaurant. Guests also can enjoy a myriad of entertainment options from top-rated Broadway-style productions in the Savoy Theatre to world class gaming in the Casino Royale. Throughout, all guests will experience the line&rsquo;s hallmark Gold Anchor Service, which helps make each guest vacation a unique and unforgettable experience with friendly and engaging service from the staff and crew. </p><p>For younger guests, Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program offers scheduled activities throughout the day that enriches and entertains kids. Teens have their own dedicated onboard areas such as Fuel, the teen disco; The Living Room, a place where they can relax and hang out with their friends; and The Back Deck, an outdoor lounge. </p><p>Mariner of the Seas will sail a 7-night Mexican Riviera itinerary, round-trip from Los Angeles with ports of call at Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit <a href=\"http://www.royalcaribbean.com/\">www.royalcaribbean.com</a> or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-20 08:59:07',452,1,2,NULL,NULL,744,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1057,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Royal Caribbean International','Royal Caribbean Announces Enhanced Program For Suite Guests','LibertyOwnersSuite_460824232.jpg','2009-02-20 20:34:00','<p>The new suite program is designed to focus on distinctive and personalized servicing and touch every aspect of the guests&rsquo; experience from arrival through departure. Suite guests will enjoy a myriad of special privileges and upgraded amenities for their cruise, along with Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s world-renowned friendly, engaging and attentive Gold Anchor Service from every member of its staff and crew. The new suite program will be implemented fleetwide in March 2009.</p><p>&ldquo;The new suite program allows Royal Caribbean to provide our guests with a premium vacation that is personalized and seamless,&rdquo; said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. &ldquo;With more than 2,000 suites across the fleet, Royal Caribbean is one of the largest suite operators in the hospitality industry. Our extensive range of suites combined with the new suite amenities and offerings and Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s Gold Anchor Service creates a compelling cruise experience for our guests that desire a more exclusive vacation.&rdquo;</p><p>On arrival at the pier, guests booked in the Presidential Family Suite, Royal Suite, Royal Family Suite, Owner&rsquo;s Suite, and Grand Suite have access to dedicated security (where available) and check-in lines to help ease them swiftly through the embarkation process and directly to their suite accommodations. Additionally, guests booked in the Royal Suite and Presidential Family Suite are personally welcomed by a senior officer at the cruise terminal and escorted to their suite.</p><p>Upon check-in, all guests booked in Grand Suites or higher category accommodations receive distinctive gold SeaPass cards, which enable ship crew and staff to provide them with the personalized service and offerings available to suite guests throughout their cruise. On arrival in their suites, guests are welcomed with complimentary water and a fruit plate. Complimentary slippers, luxury spa bathrobes, and Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s exclusive range of Vitality bathroom amenities &ndash; specially created for the cruise line &ndash; set the tone for a relaxing and rejuvenating cruise vacation. In the evenings, guests can satisfy their sweet tooth with Ghirardelli chocolates at turndown, and ensure a perfect night&rsquo;s rest with Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s plush duvet and bedding, including a special menu to select their pillow of individual preference. </p><p>On the first formal evening of the cruise, these guests are treated to a pre-dinner cheese presentation, and on the second formal or final evening of the cruise, a &lsquo;petits fours&rsquo; plate during turndown service. Guests also enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service and coffee and tea service throughout their cruise, and the exclusive privilege of ordering from the main dining room&rsquo;s full breakfast, lunch or dinner menus to dine in the privacy of their suite. For guests wanting to stay in, a popular board game from toy brand, Mattel&rsquo;s game menu could be ordered for delivery to the suite for hours of fun game time. A dedicated suite attendant will deliver Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s Gold Anchor Service throughout the cruise and help to fulfill any special requests, such as pressing service &ndash; complimentary on formal evenings.</p><p>Guests booked in the Grand Suite and higher category staterooms have special privileges and access on their Royal Caribbean cruise, including an invitation to an exclusive private cocktail reception hosted by the Captain of the ship. Reserved VIP seating in the main theater for entertainment shows, and priority bookings for appointments in the salon and spa, and for tendering and shore excursion tickets, are some of the benefits provided to suite guests. On Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, suite guests have reserved VIP seating poolside as well as at the spectacular ice shows in the Studio B venue. Guests dining in the Windjammer during breakfast and lunch also enjoy reserved private seating in the adjacent specialty restaurants. Aboard Radiance-, Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, these suite guests will receive a personal key to the Concierge Club. Hosted by the ship&rsquo;s concierge, the Concierge Club offers suite guests a relaxed atmosphere, business services such as faxes and photocopies, an extensive library of DVDs and CDs, and complimentary continental breakfast and pre-dinner cocktail receptions daily. The concierge is on-hand to see to the needs of the suite guests and assist with any special requests, such as securing reservations in specialty restaurants; pre-ordering wine for dinner; booking Explorations! shore excursions; scheduling spa and salon appointments; and arranging a private event. </p><p>At the conclusion of their cruise, these suite guests enjoy priority departure from the ship and complimentary valet luggage service, where their bags are automatically transferred to the airport, freeing them to enjoy an excursion or other pursuits at the port city. </p><p>Not to be forgotten, guests occupying Junior Suite category staterooms and distinguished by their silver SeaPass cards enjoy many onboard benefits to make their cruise memorable. Junior suites offer complimentary Vitality bathroom amenities, coffee and tea service ensuite, terrycloth bathrobes for use onboard, and Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s plush duvet and bedding. Throughout, a dedicated suite attendant will cater to guests&rsquo; special requests and deliver Royal Caribbean&rsquo;s renowned Gold Anchor Service.</p><p>As part of the new suites program, Royal Caribbean also is upgrading furnishings in all suite category staterooms. The installation of new plush sofa-beds, casually elegant deckchairs and tables, and state-of-the-art entertainment systems with flat-panel televisions and CD/DVD will be completed by 2010. </p><p>All Royal Caribbean suites include a balcony for a total living area up to 2,025 square feet. The Royal Suite features a digital baby grand player piano, a bar, and panoramic sea views through a glass panel wall that spans the length of the suite. On Asia, Alaska, South America and Europe itineraries, suite guests can enjoy a closer look at the unfolding shoreline with complimentary binoculars to use onboard. Introduced aboard the cruise line&rsquo;s celebrated Freedom-class ships, the Presidential Family Suite is a four bedroom, four bathroom suite accommodating up to 14 guests. Other suite category staterooms include the Royal Family Suite, Owner&rsquo;s Suite, Grand Suite, and Junior Suite.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-24 06:51:17',2637,2,2,NULL,NULL,745,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,2,1,5,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1058,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Norwegian Cruise Line','NCL Named Cruise Line Of The Year By The Islands Of The Bahamas','pride_20of_20america_20smokestack_20logo_484046574.jpg','2009-02-20 20:36:00','<p>Miami - Feb 18, 2009 &mdash; Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) was recognized as &ldquo;Cruise Line of the Year&rdquo; by The Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation during the 13th Annual Cacique Awards held in Nassau, Bahamas on January 30, 2009. The Cacique Awards recognize the roles played by those individuals and organizations whose performance or products have consistently made a positive impact on the quality and the growth of tourism in The Bahamas.</p><p>&ldquo;Norwegian Cruise Line and The Bahamas have enjoyed a long-standing partnership,&rdquo; said Mr. Ellison &ldquo;Tommy&rdquo; Thompson, Deputy Director General of Tourism for the Ministry of Tourism and Aviation. &ldquo;We are pleased that they are committed to helping grow tourism in The Bahamas by bringing their Freestyle Cruising ships to our islands.&rdquo;</p><p>Norwegian Cruise Line was the first cruise line to sail to The Bahamas beginning in 1966. Currently, the company has five ships visiting The Bahamas: Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Pearl, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Majesty.</p><p>&ldquo;It&rsquo;s an honor to receive this award from the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Aviation,&rdquo; said Colin Murphy, NCL&rsquo;s vice president of special projects, who accepted the award on behalf of the company. &ldquo;The Bahamas offers a wealth of beauty and enjoyment for our guests.&rdquo;</p><p>The Cacique Awards recognize the roles played by individuals and organizations whose performance or products have consistently made a positive impact on the quality and growth of tourism in the Bahamas. Since 1995 they have been presented in eight public categories: Transportation; Human Resources Development; Sports, Leisure &amp; Events; Creative Arts; Handicraft; Sustainable Tourism; the Minister&rsquo;s Award presented to an individual who has exemplified Bahamian hospitality through genuine friendliness and concern toward visitors; the Lifetime Achievement Award for an individual who has made consistently outstanding contributions to the growth of tourism for 20 or more years; and a special award for an individual or organization that has developed an innovative tourist attraction.</p>','2013-01-24 18:47:34',314,1,2,NULL,NULL,746,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1059,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRNewswire','Holland America Line&#039;s Culinary Arts Center Program to Host More Than 60 Experts in 2009','LOS_dinner_prep2_990079149.jpg','2009-02-20 20:38:00','<p>SEATTLE, Feb. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Imagine sailing with a well-known executive chef from a famous restaurant or an inspiring culinary television personality. Holland America Line\'s Culinary Arts Center program makes these dreams a reality by inviting chefs from kitchens and restaurants all around the country and making them part of the guest enrichment program. While on board, the guest chefs and experts offer culinary demonstrations, tastings and hands-on cooking classes to guests, in addition to participating in question and answer sessions.&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />In partnership with &quot;Food and Wine&quot; magazine, Holland America Line has scheduled approximately 60 celebrated chefs and wine experts to sail in 2009. On cruises that do not have a guest chef on board, classes and demonstrations in the show kitchen are scheduled with Holland America\'s own expert chefs.</p><p>&quot;The Culinary Arts Center is a guest favorite, and the variety of talent we get on board is always impressive,&quot; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. &quot;Our guests look forward to seeing how we\'re going to \'wow\' them with our enhanced enrichment program, and this culinary program is one of the many highlights of our premium cruise experience.&quot;</p><p>The line partners with &quot;Food &amp; Wine&quot; magazine to provide guests on select cruises the opportunity to experience demonstrations and seminars conducted by a wide range of culinary experts.</p><p>This season Holland America Line will welcome well-known personalities such as Captain Keith Colburn from Discovery Channel\'s &quot;Deadliest Catch&quot; sailing on ms Westerdam June 7 -- 14 in Alaska; George Duran of &quot;Ham on the Street&quot; on the Food Network sailing aboard ms Amsterdam Aug. 29 -- Sept. 5 in Alaska; &quot;Top Chef&quot; contestant Richard Blaise sailing on ms Maasdam Oct. 23 -- Nov. 6 in the Caribbean; and Christina Pirello of &quot;Christina Cooks&quot; on PBS sailing aboard ms Zuiderdam Aug. 8 -- 15 in Alaska. In addition to world-famous chefs, the Culinary Arts Program includes cookbook authors as well as chocolatiers and tablescape experts.</p><p>A selection of participating chefs and experts in the continuing 2009 season include:</p><p><br />Oliver Reschreiter, executive chef at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort in Palm Desert, Calif., sailing on ms Ryndam June 19 -- 26, Alaska. <br />Lee Hilson, executive chef at the Royal Palms Resort in Phoenix, Ariz., sailing on ms Oosterdam June 24 -- July 6, Mediterranean.<br />Randy Lewis, executive chef of La Provence in Lacombe, La., sailing on ms Noordam June 28 -- July 8, Mediterranean.<br />Bruce Weinstein and Mark Scarbrough, authors of the &quot;Ultimate&quot; cookbook series sailing on ms Prinsendam July 3 -- 17, British Isles.<br />Stewart Woodman, executive chef at Heidi\'s in Minneapolis, Minn., sailing on ms Maasdam July 18 -- 25, Canada/New England.<br />Scott Tycer, executive chef at Gravitas in Houston, Texas, sailing on ms Rotterdam Aug. 11 -- 23, Baltic.<br />Olga Krasnoff, designer of tabletop landscapes, sailing on ms Eurodam Aug. 27 --Sept. 6, Canada/New England.<br />David McMillan, corporate executive chef of Consilient Restaurants sailing on ms Prinsendam Sept. 6 -- 20, Western Europe.<br />Ryan Hardy, executive chef of Little Nell in Aspen, Colo., sailing on ms Rotterdam Oct. 3 -- 17, Mediterranean.<br />Jacques Torres, master pastry chef and chocolatier, sailing on ms Oosterdam Oct. 17 -- Nov. 2, Transatlantic.<br />Maria Hines, executive chef of Tilth in Seattle, Wash., sailing on ms Zuiderdam Oct. 24 -- Nov. 3, Panama Canal.<br />The program began in 2005 when the line installed state-of-the-art Culinary Arts Centers aboard each of its premium ships. A first-class &quot;show kitchen at sea,&quot; the Culinary Arts Centers resemble the elaborate show kitchens used by celebrity chefs on television cooking programs. Each facility features a theater-style venue, with two large plasma video screens and a large cooking display counter where guests can learn from the masters.</p><p>Holland America Line also offers a youth Culinary Arts Center activity program to teach kids and teens how to cook. The program incorporates dishes from breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in complimentary 45-minute-long classes. Kids under eight years old learn to make theme cookies, fruit roll-ups, ice cream sandwiches, salad people art and scones. Kids eight and over make soft pretzels, granola bars, pita chips and hummus, and saltwater taffy. Teens also can attend adult culinary demonstrations.</p><p>In addition to partnering with &quot;Food &amp; Wine&quot; to secure top experts, Holland America Line showcases its own culinary stars on more than 500 annual cruises with demonstrations, tastings and hands-on cooking classes given by the ships\' executive chefs and culinary staff. The line\'s cookbook, &quot;A Taste of Excellence&quot; written by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin, offers guests preparation techniques for some of Holland America\'s most delectable dishes and lavish libations as part of the Culinary Arts Center experience. Sodamin\'s second Holland America Line cookbook, &quot;A Taste of Elegance,&quot; is due out in March, 2009.</p><p>Holland America Line ships are the perfect setting to showcase award-winning guest experts. In addition to the enrichment experience provided by the culinary stars on board, passengers can dine in a variety of venues, including everything from a quick bite poolside to a formal five-course affair. Every ship features an elegant main dining room, a sophisticated Pinnacle Grill where guests can sample Sterling Silver beef and fresh seafood, the casual indoor-outdoor Lido Restaurant, and the Terrace Grill on deck for lunchtime fare.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-04 20:41:55',329,1,2,NULL,NULL,747,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,1,3,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1060,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','PRNewswire','Holland America Adds More Sydney, Australia, Round-Trip Voyages in 2010','australia_sydney_opera_house_593747918.jpg','2009-02-20 20:41:00','<p>SEATTLE, Feb. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line will add to its schedule of round-trip Sydney, Australia, sailings in 2010. The line has created three exciting 14-day cruises aboard ms Volendam geared to exploring the vast region that encompasses Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.<br />&nbsp;<br />&nbsp;<br />Two cruises, departing Jan. 20 and Feb. 28, are set to spend more time discovering the multifaceted terrain of New Zealand than any other premium cruise, while a third, departing Jan. 6, highlights the South Pacific\'s exotic beauty.</p><p>&quot;Our 14-day, roundtrip Sydney cruises are the perfect answer for a relaxing holiday escape,&quot; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, for Holland America Line. &quot;Travelers will pay calls to some of the most intriguing and exciting ports throughout New Zealand, including Christchurch, Wellington, Napier, Tauranga and Auckland and the most breathtaking islands in the South Pacific. At the same time, guests can indulge in our five-star, award-winning service -- all at an incredible value.&quot;</p><p>Guests on board Volendam for the Jan. 6, 14-day Pacific Treasures cruise will kick-start the year sailing through the breathtaking vistas of the South Pacific. As the ship departs Sydney it makes a beeline for Noumea, New Caledonia, and the heart of French Polynesia. Here, guests will leisurely explore the region\'s culture with additional calls at Mouli and Ile des Pins, New Caledonia; Port Vila and Luganville, Vanuatu, and Lautoka and Levuka, Fiji, before returning to Sydney.</p><p>The 14-day New Zealand Discovery cruise, departing Jan. 20 and Feb. 28, provides Kiwis-at-heart with a unique opportunity to explore the diverse landscapes throughout the country. Both the north and south islands of New Zealand, each with incredibly vibrant and lush scenery, will be explored with six different port calls and extensive scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site.</p><p>Additionally, Holland America Line is one of the few premium cruise lines calling at Picton, the gateway to the South Island and the hub of Marlborough Sounds\' thriving wine country.</p><p>Between the two New Zealand Discovery cruises, departing Feb. 3, Volendam will also sail a 14-day Sydney-to-Auckland itinerary.</p><p>Fares begin at just $1,599 per person, double occupancy, for the 14-day Pacific Treasures cruise and the 14-day New Zealand Discovery cruise. A 34-day Australia Circumnavigation cruise, departing March 14, will spend two days sailing the coastline of the Great Barrier Reef during daylight hours. Fares for this 34-day voyage begin at $4,599. Additionally, fares for the line\'s 26- day Australia and South Pacific cruise from Sydney to Vancouver, British Columbia, departing April 17, begin at $2,699. Volendam will sail both the 34- day Australia Circumnavigation and 26-day Australia and South Pacific itineraries.</p><p>The Holland America premium cruise experience</p><p>At the heart of every Holland America cruise is a warm and award-winning style of service that is never in the way and never out of reach. Sophisticated and savory menus enhance every culinary experience, with options to suit every taste. Culinary staff and guest chefs will lead cooking classes and demonstrations in the onboard Culinary Arts Center presented by Food &amp; Wine magazine, and, as part of the Explorations Speaker Series, special guest lecturers will sail on each of the Grand Voyages to offer unique and enriching perspectives on regional art, history and culture. The Explorations Cafe -- powered by the New York Times -- enables guests to stay connected to loved ones.</p><p>When in port, guests can choose from a multitude of diverse shore excursions including Overland Adventures, off-the-beaten-track explorations, Signature Collection private-car touring and exclusive Medallion Collection excursions.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-23 14:44:00',384,1,2,NULL,NULL,748,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1061,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Holland America Line','Holland America Line to Circumnavigate Australia in 2010','australia_kangaroo_805446393.jpg','2009-02-20 20:43:00','<p>SEATTLE, Feb. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- In 2010, Holland America Line will feature new itineraries throughout the Southern Hemisphere aboard the 1,432-guest, ms Volendam, including--for the first time--a circumnavigation of the continent departing in Sydney, Australia. The 34-day sailing will spend two days cruising the Great Barrier Reef during daylight hours and visit 18 ports of call. Holland America is the only premium cruise line to offer daylight scenic cruising along the Reef\'s magnificent coastline. A new series of 14-day, Sydney, Australia, roundtrip cruises throughout the region offer explorations focused on the cultures and the raw magnificence of Australia\'s and New Zealand\'s diverse landscapes. And, in the spring, Volendam will sail to the South Pacific for a leisurely 26-day cruise, visiting some of the world\'s most captivating islands from Sydney, Australia, to Vancouver, British Columbia.</p><p>&quot;We recognize that for many travelers a trip to Australia and New Zealand is a cruise-vacation must,&quot; said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. &quot;And Holland America Line offers more itineraries and more time cruising throughout Australia and New Zealand than any other premium cruise line.&quot;</p><p>14-day, Sydney round-trip sailings highlight Down Under and the South Pacific in 2010</p><p>For the first time, Holland America Line has created a series of round-trip Sydney, Australia, 14-day cruises for travelers. Two cruises, departing Jan. 20 and Feb. 28, are set to spend more time discovering the multifaceted terrain of New Zealand than any other premium cruise line. A third cruise, departing Jan. 6, highlights the South Pacific\'s exotic beauty. Fares for all 14-day, Sydney roundtrip cruises begin at just $1,599 per person, double occupancy.</p><p>On the Jan. 20 and Feb. 28 sailings, the North and South islands of New Zealand, each with incredibly vibrant and lush scenery, will be explored with six different port calls. Both itineraries feature extensive scenic cruising opportunities in Fiordland National Park -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- as well as Queen Charlotte Sound. Additionally, Holland America Line is one of the few premium cruise lines calling at Picton, the gateway to the South Island and the hub of Marlborough Sounds\' thriving wine country. Picton, a lively and picturesque resort town, will most assuredly delight the wine aficionados.</p><p>Guests joining Volendam for the Jan. 6, 14-day Pacific Treasures cruise will kick-start the year sailing through the breathtaking vistas of the South Pacific. As the ship departs Sydney it makes a beeline for Noumea, New Caledonia, known for its blend of French and Melanesian culture and often referred to &quot;as the place where the French Riviera meets the South Pacific.&quot; Here, guests will leisurely explore the region\'s culture with additional calls at Mouli and Ile des Pins, New Caledonia; Port Vila and Luganville, Vanuatu, and Lautoka and Levuka, Fiji, before returning to Sydney.</p><p>Australia circumnavigation features a two-day Great Barrier Reef experience </p><p>Departing March 14, Volendam will celebrate a first for the line when the ship sails a 34-day voyage circumnavigating Australia. This new itinerary, developed out of the growing popularity of the region, will feature an unforgettable two-day Great Barrier Reef daylight scenic cruise experience through Torres Strait and The Far North Region before anchoring for an overnight at Sherrard Island. Fares start from $4,599.</p><p>Guests also will enjoy overnight calls at Hobart, Perth and Sydney, Australia, where they can spend time sampling the local cuisine or explore the versatile culture and nightlife of the cities. Other ports of call on the 34-day voyage include Melbourne, Adelaide, Albany, Exmouth, Darwin, Cairns, Whitsunday Island and Brisbane, Australia. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to take in an optional, fully escorted shore excursion of Komodo National Park (Indonesia) in search of one of the fewer than 300 Komodo dragons which make their habitat there amidst squawking cockatoos, flowerpeckers and noisy friarbirds.</p><p>Collectors\' Voyages sail to the Great Barrier Reef and includes port-intensive visits in Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific</p><p>For travelers who enjoy time aboard ship as well as the unique experiences that Down Under offers, Holland America Line provides the opportunity to explore Australia, New Zealand and the Fijian islands with four Collectors\' Voyages: a 28-day, Pacific Treasures and New Zealand, roundtrip Sydney, Australia, departs Jan. 6, 2010, with fares beginning at $3,599; a 48-day, New Zealand and Australia Circumnavigation, roundtrip Sydney, Australia, departs Feb. 28, 2010, with fares starting from $5,599; a 74-day, New Zealand, Australia and South Pacific cruise from Sydney, Australia, to Vancouver, B.C., departs Feb 28, 2010, with fares from $7,999; and a 60-day, Australia Circumnavigation and South Pacific sailing, from Sydney, Australia, to Vancouver, B.C., departs March 14, 2010, with fares from $6,599.</p><p>Traverse the Pacific and Enjoy the Polynesian lifestyle</p><p>Volendam takes guests from Sydney to Vancouver, British Columbia, on a memorable 26-day cruise to the islands of the South Pacific and through some of the most pristine waters in the world. Guests board the ship April 17 and enjoy an overnight in Sydney where they will have ample time to visit the iconic opera house or perhaps catch a glimpse of a koala or kangaroo at the Sydney Zoo before departing April 18. This unforgettable odyssey includes Noumea and Ile des Pins, New Caledonia; Port Vila, Vanuatu; the Fijian islands of Lautoka, Viti Levu, and Levuka. From Fiji, Volendam will cross the equator and International Date Line, continuing to Apia, the capital of the Independent State of Samoa. After a full day in Apia, where guests have the option of swimming in the placid, warm waters at the Beach of Saleapaga, shopping with the locals, taking part in a kava ceremony or visiting the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum, the ship will spend five relaxing days at sea before paying calls at Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu, Oahu; Lahaina, Maui and Hilo, Hawaii. Hawaii\'s exotic beauty and deep history can be enjoyed at each port, from Kona\'s world-famous Hawaii Volcanoes National Park -- a UNESCO World Heritage Site -- to the USS Arizona Memorial in Honolulu. Guests wishing to soak up the sun or take in the natural surroundings can spend the day at a black-sand beach in Kona or a lush fern grotto in Nawiliwili.</p><p>Before reaching Vancouver, travelers will have relaxing days at sea filled with enriching activities such as cooking demonstrations at the Culinary Arts Center, pampering at the Greenhouse Spa or simply sipping a coffee while reading the news at the Explorations Cafe. Fares for this 26-day South Pacific cruise start at $2,699.</p><p>Those looking to make the most out of their time in Australia and New Zealand, pre- or post-cruise land tours are offered to further explore sites such as Ayers Rock or Alice Springs.</p><p>&nbsp;</p>','2013-01-05 13:03:10',359,1,2,NULL,NULL,749,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,'Plus itineraries include a new series of 14-day Sydney, Australia, roundtrip sailings -- and 34-day Australia circumnavigation voyage that includes two days&#039; daylight scenic cruising in the Great Barrier Reef',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1062,4,3,'vivvo@localhost','Sailin Sue','It&#039;s Sailin&#039; Sue again Still Cruising','cruiseluggage_341384697.jpg','2009-03-30 17:59:00','<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Packing for a cruise can be a stressful experience. Am I bringing too much or too little? What if I forget something? Most people worry that if they leave something behind they aren&rsquo;t going to be able to make do. Not true. We struggle on with bulging suitcases and end up wearing less than half of what we brought in the first place. Those of us who travel a lot know that we can buy most anything we need in the onboard shops or at the various ports of call, and so packing light becomes a priority.</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">In today&rsquo;s world with airlines charging for luggage and overweight, we should be far more selective about what we pack. There is an advantage to boarding a cruise with just carry on bags. Most lines will let you carry bags off and on the vessel. That&rsquo;s a plus in many ways. You don&rsquo;t have to stay in the cabin waiting for luggage to arrive when you could be out having fun. No long waits at luggage carousels either especially when there is a tight flight to catch. <span>&nbsp;</span>Overall it just pays to pack smart.</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Whether you&rsquo;re taking a nine day cruise or a four day jaunt pack exactly what you need. To determine your needs ask yourself the following questions.</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Am I cruising for rest and relaxation, or do I plan on being a social butterfly attending every activity?</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">What activities are important to me?</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">What clothing weighs more than the actual suitcase itself?</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">What are my favorite colors and do they work with each other?</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Am I planning on dining formally? Do I intend to attend the formal night if there is one?&rdquo;</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">After you&rsquo;ve answered those questions pick three colors in your closet that are complementary. <span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span>My personal favorites are red, white and black. Red adds color, white is always cool, and black of course is elegant.<span>&nbsp; </span>You of course choose based on your coloring and personal preferences. Perhaps it is tan, chocolate or white.<span>&nbsp; </span>It really is up to you.</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">If you&rsquo;re cruising the tropics I recommend two pairs of shorts and a pair of linen draw string pants. I choose two neutral colors- black and white preferably, (red you would remember.) <span>&nbsp;</span>I pop a pair of black slacks in my bag. They are a necessity and go with everything and you can dress them up or down. A sweater, shawl or jacket in one of the colors works well. Men stay away from a red or white jacket because you&rsquo;ll surely be mistaken for a concierge or butler.&nbsp;<span>&nbsp;</span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\"><span></span></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\"><span></span>Ladies pack one dress (keep it simple).<span>&nbsp; </span>I recommend white or black. If you are full figured go with black; less memorable and of course slimming. Pack one pair of jeans and a long sleeve shirt or Tee. Then add three short sleeve T-shirts or camisoles in complementary colors.</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Is a picture slowly beginning to emerge? These items are all interchangeable and can be dressed up and down. With the right accessories a so-so outfit can be brought to the next level. <span>&nbsp;</span>Ladies pack scarves (in the same color scheme,) jewelry, belts, etc. Regardless of gender you need a cap/hat. Men don&rsquo;t forget a tie and belt. Add a swimsuit, sneakers, flip flops or sandals (again stick to the color scheme,) and a&nbsp;pair of dress shoes. Don&rsquo;t forget underwear, cosmetics, and medications, and if there is room, ladies add a skirt, men another pair of slacks. <span>&nbsp;</span>An easily folded poncho or raincoat is a must.</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Now let&rsquo;s talk about putting these outfits together. The shorts, T-shirts or camisoles could be used for day wear. They can be worn with sneakers or flip flops. On rainy or cooler days bring out the jeans, long sleeve shirt or Tee and trade the flops for sneakers. Ladies during the day the wrap can be used as a sarong over a bathing suit. And at dinner those dress slacks and jeans come in handy and so does the skirt. <span>&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></span></span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">On formal nights, ladies bring that dress out. If you&rsquo;re not in dress up mood then out come those nice slacks, match them with a camisole and add the wrap. Jazz the outfit up with jewelry, put on your dress shoes and grab your purse. <span>&nbsp;</span>Men step into those nice slacks, don that long sleeve shirt, jacket and tie. Presto you are set for formal night.</span><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">If you&rsquo;re a fitness fanatic the shorts, camisoles, T- shirts and sneakers serve double duty.</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Costume party in the works?<span>&nbsp; </span>The possibilities are endless. You can be a &ldquo;tacky tourist&rdquo; in your shorts, T-shirt, and socks with sandals. Ladies that wrap can become a sarong or a diaper and that shirt and wrap could turn you into a gypsy.<span>&nbsp; </span>Men your tie can go around your head ala hippie style. Roll up those Tee-shirt sleeves, step into your jeans, and Bruce Springsteen move over. One of the most creative costumes I&rsquo;ve seen was a couple going as Adam and Eve. Both wore swimsuits covered in leaves they&rsquo;d gotten from a tree while in port. Eve carried an Apple. They were a hit! Now use your creativity and see what emerges.</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Just packing the basics gives you at least twenty combinations to work with. So why lug around heavy suitcases when you can cruise sensibly, and be the first on and off the ship?</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"></span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small;\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Feel free to contact me with questions at </span><a href=\"mailto:Susiesails@yahoo.com\"><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Susiesails@yahoo.com</span></a><span style=\"font-family: verdana,geneva;\">. I\'ll be happy to add you to my newsletter list but the deal is you have to keep my identity a secret.</span></span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Now pack a positive attitude and head off for your cruise. A wonderful adventure awaits you!</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\"></span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Keep Cruising,</span></p>\r\n<p><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">&nbsp;</span></p>\r\n<p class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin: 0in 0in 0pt\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: verdana,geneva;\">Sailin&rsquo; Sue</span></p>','2013-01-22 18:41:16',368,1,2,NULL,NULL,754,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'Dressed up &amp; Places to Go!',NULL,NULL,'2009-08-30 15:27:54',0),(1063,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Cruise Lines Introduces New “Your Choice Dining” Program','2699915994_2d719453e2_548020828.jpg','2009-04-01 16:23:00','<p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Carnival Cruise Lines has launched &ldquo;Your Choice Dining&rdquo; which provides a selection of three different dinner seating options for guests aboard the line&rsquo;s 22-ship fleet. In addition to Early or Late assigned seating, the cruise line is rolling out &ldquo;Your Time&rdquo; open seating to accommodate individual guest preferences. Also, under the new Your Choice Dining program, dining assignments will be confirmed at the time of booking.</font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span><font size=\"2\"></font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"2\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><span>Your </span></span></span><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\">Time open seating, currently available on five ships, will be implemented one vessel at a time over the next several months as modifications in dining room table configurations are completed on each ship.</span></span></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"2\"></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">An additional eight ships are scheduled to be converted by the end of year and the balance of the fleet by summer 2010.<span>&nbsp; </span>Confirmed dining assignments are now being offered fleetwide.</font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"2\"></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">At the time of booking, guests will be asked to choose from among Early dining at 6pm, Late dining at 8:15 pm or Your Time dining which allows guests to dine at any time between 5:45pm and 9:30pm (if applicable depending on ship and sailing date). Dining assignments will be accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis according to when guests made their reservation. </font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"2\"></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">If the preferred dining choice is not available, guests may confirm an alternate choice and be placed on a waitlist for their first preference.<span>&nbsp; </span>Waitlists will be cleared prior to sailing and guests will be notified via email of their confirmed seating assignment.</font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"2\"></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">As Your Time dining is implemented on each ship, guests already booked will be contacted via email or through their travel agent and provided the opportunity to switch to Your Time dining or retain their original choice. <span>&nbsp;</span></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"2\"></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Your Time guests are able to request any table size or waiter and are typically seated immediately when arriving at the dining room.<span>&nbsp; </span>However, if a modest wait time is required, guests are given a pager so they are free to relax elsewhere on the ship until their table is ready.</font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><font size=\"2\"></font></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small\"><span style=\"font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Additional options available under Your Choice Dining include extensive poolside eateries offering a wide variety of cuisine choices in a casual environment and, on a number of ships, elegant, reservations-only restaurants serving fine quality dry-aged U.S.D.A. prime steaks and other dishes in an intimate, upscale atmosphere.<span>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </span><span>&nbsp;</span></font></span></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">Below is a timetable for the introduction of Your Time open seating throughout the Carnival fleet:</font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\"></font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">*&nbsp; Already implemented:<span>&nbsp; </span>Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Miracle </font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">*&nbsp; End of April: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Pride</font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">*&nbsp; Mid-June:<span>&nbsp; </span>Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Spirit</font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">*&nbsp; Late September:<span>&nbsp; </span>Carnival Dream</font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">*&nbsp; Mid-October:<span>&nbsp; </span>Carnival Ecstasy</font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">*&nbsp; Mid-December: Carnival Glory</font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">*&nbsp; February 2010: Carnival Fascination</font></span></p><p style=\"margin: 0px\" class=\"MsoNormal\"><span style=\"font-size: small; font-family: Times New Roman\"><font size=\"2\">*&nbsp; By summer 2010: Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Destiny,&nbsp;Carnival Triumph, Carnival Valor, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Freedom and Carnival Victory</font></span></p>','2013-01-24 15:47:20',968,1,2,NULL,NULL,757,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,3,1,4,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1064,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Carnival Cruise Lines','Carnival Ecstasy to Undergo Extensive Multi-Million-Dollar Renovation This Fall','TRB2393_393865518.jpg','2009-04-02 01:26:00','<p align=\"justify\">The 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy will undergo an extensive, multi-million-dollar refurbishment this fall that will include the addition of an expansive new water park, an exclusive adults-only retreat, a Circle &ldquo;C&rdquo; facility for 12- to 14-year olds, and a redesigned resort-style main pool area. Additionally, 98 balconies will be added to existing ocean view staterooms.<span></span></p><p align=\"justify\">The refurbishment, which will take place during a 28-day dry dock from September 19 to October 17, 2009, continues a series of major upgrades to the line&rsquo;s eight Fantasy-class vessels.</p><p align=\"justify\">Carnival Ecstasy will be the second ship to have additional balconies added following the success of a similar implementation on the Carnival Sensation earlier this year.</p><p align=\"justify\">Carnival Ecstasy operates year-round four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from the Port of Galveston. On this route, four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Cozumel and Progreso.</p><p align=\"justify\"><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Exciting Open Deck Features </span></strong></p><p align=\"justify\">A signature element of the Fantasy-class upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, a fun-filled aqua park located on Verandah Deck. Designed with an all-ages appeal, WaterWorks encompasses a 300-foot-long twisting, turning water slide &ndash; the longest and most elaborate at sea &ndash; along with dual-lane 82-foot-long racing slides, and a wide variety of water spray toys.</p><p>In addition, Carnival Ecstasy&rsquo;s main pool on Lido Deck &ndash; which includes a swimming pool and two large whirlpools - will be totally transformed to feature a distinct resort-style ambiance. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, thatched roofing and colorful tile work will create a decidedly tropical feel.</p><div><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\">Exclusive Adults-Only Retreat</span>&nbsp;</strong></div><div></div><strong>Another new feature on the Carnival Ecstasy will be Serenity, the line&rsquo;s popular adults-only retreat located aft on Promenade Deck. With design elements that include teak decking, large umbrellas and thatched roofing, Serenity provides an ocean-going oasis for relaxation and comfort. Guests can enjoy icy cocktails and frozen drinks while relaxing in plush chaise lounges and chairs. Food service is available in the casual Panorama Bar &amp; Grill located nearby.<span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"></span><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"> <p align=\"justify\"><strong>Ninety-Eight More Balconies</strong></p><p>Private balconies will be added to 98 existing ocean view staterooms on the Carnival Ecstasy to create spacious new 230-square-foot accommodations. Sixty-two of the staterooms will be located aft &ndash; with several of these featuring extended balconies &ndash; while 24 others will be located mid-ship and 12 near the stern. Several of the Carnival Ecstasy&rsquo;s suites will be modified to feature larger, extended balconies.</p></span><p align=\"justify\">&nbsp;</p><div></div><div></div><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"></span></strong><strong><span style=\"text-decoration: underline\"><p align=\"justify\">Other Enhancements</p></span></strong><p align=\"justify\">Also included in the Carnival Ecstasy&rsquo;s refurbishment will be the addition of a new Circle &ldquo;C&rdquo; center aimed at the 12- to 14-year-old set. Located on Atlantic Deck 8, the facility will include plasma screen televisions displaying movies and music videos, a high-tech sound and lighting system, gaming consoles and a touch-screen jukebox.</p><p align=\"justify\">Additionally, all of the ship&rsquo;s 1,026 staterooms will be upgraded with new plasma screen TVs as well as updated wall coverings, tile work, carpeting and light fixtures.</p><p align=\"justify\">Extensive cosmetic enhancements will be made to virtually all public rooms and areas, with new upholstery, furniture, and wall coverings incorporated into the Blue Sapphire main show lounge, Neon Bar piano bar, Stripes dance club, the poolside Panorama Bar &amp; Grill and Wind Song and Wind Star main dining rooms. In addition to refurbished elevators and elevator lobbies as well as new lighting and carpeting in the atrium, Carnival Ecstasy&rsquo;s Internet caf&eacute; will be relocated to Empress Deck and new workstations will be included. Public restrooms and guest corridors will be renovated, as well.</p></strong>','2013-01-24 11:58:04',420,1,2,NULL,NULL,750,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,1,0,0,NULL,NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),(1065,4,1,'vivvo@localhost','Cruise Line International Association','FLORIDA CRUISE PORTS REPORT STRONG GAINS IN JANUARY','123_596803049.jpg','2009-04-02 01:27:00','<p class=\"bodycopy\">In an indication that consumer demand for cruising remains strong despite a struggling economy, a recent poll conducted by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) shows that Florida\'s cruise ports have experienced gains in January 2009 over the same period in 2008. Four out of the five major ports in the state, which annually represent over 50 percent of all cruise embarkations, reported 6.9 percent to 44 percent increases in numbers of cruise passengers processed in January 2009 compared to January 2008. Two of the ports reported single day records. </p><p>\'This would be good news in any year but considering the current economic climate, the fact that the North American cruising is experiencing positive growth is certainly encouraging,\' said Terry Dale, CLIA\'s president and CEO. \'This indicates that consumers are responding positively to the excellent value that the cruise lines are offering.\' </p><p>Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, which processes the largest number of cruise passengers, handled just over 500,000 cruise passengers in January, for a 17.6 percent increase, and a single day record - January 3, 2009 - of 49,234 passenger moves involving 11 cruise ships.* Miami processed 421,629 cruise passengers in 2009, for a 6.9 percent increase; Tampa handled 84,546 passengers for an 17.8 percent increase; and Jacksonville made the largest jump, 44.5 percent, and processed 32,397 guests. Jacksonville also had a one-day record - January 1, 2009 - of 2,504 embarking passengers due to the sailing of the Carnival Fascination. </p><p>Due to 2009 cruise line redeployments, Port Canaveral remained consistent with its 2008 numbers, with an indication of gains though the rest of the year based on welcoming two ships for their maiden visits, including Royal Caribbean International\'s 3,634-passenger Freedom of the Seas, and the 3,646 Carnival Dream. Port Everglades will welcome five newcomers to the port in 2009: Oasis of the Seas (5,400 passengers), Celebrity Equinox (2,850 passengers), MSC Poesia (2,550 passengers), Seabourn Odyssey (450 passengers) and Seabourn Spirit (208 passengers). All but Seabourn Spirit, MSC Poesia and Freedom of the Seas are brand new vessels joining the CLIA fleet in 2009. </p><p>* Totals represent embarkations, disembarkations and, in some cases, in-transit passengers </p>','2013-01-23 11:58:39',311,1,2,NULL,NULL,756,'1','1','1',NULL,NULL,0,0,0,'North America&#039;s Winter Cruise Capital Proves Consumers are Responding to Cruising&#039;s Outstanding Value',NULL,NULL,'0000-00-00 00:00:00',0),