Royal Caribbean's Tracking System for Children

Keep track of your children on the Oasis of the Seas!  No, not by following them around. The muster station wristbands that all young children on cruise ships must wear will be enhanced with an electronic device that will allow their parents to track them in real time as they wander the ship; an industry first.


Guests can also rent Royal Connect phones for $17.50 which can be used to track their children, call and text other passengers who have Royal Connect phones and call cabins.

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Perfect 100 on Carnival Dream’s Health Inspection

Carnival Dream, the newest and largest ship of the Carnival fleet earned a perfect 100 score on its first full U.S. Public Health inspection conducted in Port Canaveral, Fla.  The Carnival Splendor also earned a 100 score on its USPH inspection two weeks earlier.

In order to earn a 100, cruise ships must receive perfect marks on all 42 items that comprise the USPH’s Vessel Sanitation Program checklist. These inspections are unannounced and are conducted twice a year.  The checklist includes proper food handling, preparation and storage procedures, proper filtration of water supplies used in spas and pools and overall galley cleanliness. This is required for any cruise ship with an international itinerary calling at a U.S. port.

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Norwegian Cruise Line to sail year-round out of New Orleans

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that the Norwegian Spirit would begin sailing year-round out of New Orleans.  Norwegian Spirit will operate weekly seven-day Western Caribbean voyages every Sunday from April 2011 through April 2012.

The itinerary will take the ship to Costa Maya and Cozumel (Mexico); Roatán, Bay Islands (Honduras); and Belize City (Belize).

Three months earlier, it was announced that Carnival Triumph was coming to New Orleans.  This is the first time since Hurricane Katrina in 2005 that a vessel of its size has sailed out of the city.

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Princess Cruises to allow non-cruisers aboard ships on departure day

                     

Princess Cruises will be starting a new program in March which will allow non-cruisers to board ships on departure day.  This gives them the opportunity of coming onboard to wish their friends and family a "bon voyage."  This was a common practice which stopped more than twenty years ago as security procedures tightened.

Princess says visitors who sign up for the new program will get a four-course dining room lunch with wine on the ship, a tour of the vessel and a souvenir photo. They and their passenger friends/family will have access to priority embarkation.  A charge of $39 for the four-hour experience can be applied to a future Princess cruise.

The program will debut in March in the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, and later to New York, San Francisco and Seattle. Princess says passengers will be notified about the program through the pre-cruise emails they receive from the line as their cruise date approaches.  In-port visits can be booked through a travel agent or by calling Princess beginning 120 days before a cruise and up to six days before the sailing date.

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Good things to know about the Oasis of the Seas……

Besides all the exciting & adventurous activities offered on the Oasis of the Seas, here are some special points of interest to know:

  • WOW phones can be rented onboard and..

       -  Used to call other WOW phones, or guest rooms

       -  Used to text message between devices

       -  Retrieve onboard real-time & can locate another member within the traveling party

       - Track your children onboard

       -  View ship activities & events

  • Guests can pre-book online Flowrider lessons for up to 8 people in a group

  • Guests can pre-reserve tickets online for Ice Show, Opal Theatre, AquaTheatre & Comedy Show

  • Adventure Ocean Theatre is the first ever children’s theatre at sea. Children can learn about theatrical productions, take art in talent shows or sign up for hip hop dance classes.

  • Guests will not have to bring life jackets from their cabins before reporting for muster drills.  There will be life jackets there.

  • Digital signage with real-time updates will be communicated easily & clearly for:

       -  Muster drills

       -  Entertainment schedule

       -  Departure information

  • The pier at Ft Lauderdale, built to accommodate this large ship, has 4,000 sq ft of skylight

      -  TVs with security & check-in info are provided

      -  Monitors provide, 15 min easy-in

 

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Norwegian Epic Solo Traveler

 

                    Rendering of studio cabin on new NCL Norwegian Epic cruise ship.

Norwegian Epic, launching this July, 2010 introduces “Studios” which are staterooms designed and priced for single occupancy, starting from $799 on the ship’s seven-day alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean. The Studios are a private key-card access complex on two decks consisting of 128 staterooms and the Studio Lounge. 

Each Studio is approximately 100 sq ft with a full-size bed and separate areas for the bathroom, sink and shower.  In addition, Studios passengers have private access to the exclusive Studio Lounge where they can meet up with fellow cruisers and plan their day or relax with a drink in the evening.  Since many of the Studio staterooms are connecting, there is also an opportunity for friends to travel together while giving each their own private space.

Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer said,  “Historically, the cruise industry has not embraced the large number of people who enjoy traveling solo. We are breaking the mold of traditional cruising once again by offering a stateroom designed and priced specifically for solo travelers, making cruising a more attractive travel option.  We invite all solo travelers – whether they are first-time cruisers or cruising veterans to sail on our incredible new Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic.”

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More about Disney Dream….

Disney Dream, the 3rd ship to join the fleet is due to come out in 2011. In addition to the water coaster called AquaDuck, which was announced back in Nov 2009, Goofy’s Sports Deck will feature Goofy and his son, Max. The sports deck leads guests through nine themed holes of wacky fun. Each hole offers special golf instructions with a goofy twist. To make it even more challenging and fun, some of the golf clubs are crooked and bent.

There are also two digital sports simulators which will provide a variety of virtual game experiences such as soccer, tennis, basketball, golf and more. With the simulators, guests can kick, swing and throw, in some high-action sports without the hassle of chasing the ball. The sports deck will also have table tennis and foosball tables, surrounded by a walking track.

Nemo’s Reef is water-play area featuring water jets, a small water slide filled with Disney friends like Nemo, Dory & Marlin within a glass enclosure.  There will be a Mickey Mouse shaped pool for small children and a family pool called the Donald Pool.

The ship will have an adults-only decktop pool area with a swim-up bar. The pool will be fresh water, as all pools on the Dream will be.  The adult only area is called Quiet Cove.

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Nickelodeon at Sea

Norwegian Cruise Line has teamed up with Nickelodeon at Sea.  SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer and other characters will be sailing on the Norwegian Epic & Norwegian Jewel.  

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Oasis of the Seas

The Oasis of the Seas is quite an amazing ship.  This will be the biggest cruise ship ever, at 220,000 tons, accommodating 5400 guests.

There are 7 “neighborhoods” on the ship. 

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New Disney Water Coaster

It is a water coaster which boasts a thrilling 4-deck drop, and because of the clear acrylic tube, it offers breathtaking views of the ocean and ship below. 

 

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Norwegian Epic

Have you heard about the Norwegian Epic yet?  It’s NCL’s newest ship that will debut in May 2010.

        

 
It is 150,000-ton, 4,200-passenger, the largest and most innovative ship ever built by Norwegian Cruise Line.
 
Get ready to be soaked…..

Included are some fabulous activities for the kids and the “kids young at heart”. There will be a sprawling Aqua Park consisting of three waterslides, including one that utilizes an inner tube; a twisty slide, and one just for kids that actually goes right through the rock-climbing wall. The most unusual is "Epic Plunge," the slide that uses inner tubes -- passengers will zip down a 200-ft. channel into a bowl where centrifugal forces will spin them for a bit before they splash down.

There will be two pools with lighting effects produced at night, five whirlpools and a kids' splash pool with water spouting sculptures
 

Sports & other fun-filled activities…..

Epic's rock climbing wall is 33 feet high, 64 feet wide. There will also be a rappelling wall, the first at sea. This is a wall where you work your way down a cliff by rappelling off of it.

There’s a multi-use sports deck which includes a full size basketball court, volleyball, soccer, dodge ball, batting cage, bungee trampoline, rope adventure course and a 24-foot tall enclosed climbing cage called the spider web. Norwegian Epic will also feature the first squash court at sea, located in the fitness center.

The Norwegian Epic will feature six bowling lanes split between two venues.

The kids' area includes a space-themed play area, air hockey table, pinball, foosball, a video jukebox, flat-screen TV's, dance floor, multiple Wii and PlayStation areas, computer games, movie time, private karaoke. These are all age-related activities.

Let’s not forget the arcade!

Dining Options…….

Taste. NCL says "traditional and contemporary cuisine" will be served in this atrium eatery decorated with velvet curtains, white walls and brick accents.

The Manhattan Room. This will be an two-story Art Deco supper club with a dance floor and live evening music.

Cafe Jardin & The Great Outdoors. Wonderful traditional cruise ship buffet

Cagney's Steakhouse & Churrascaria. Cagney's is NCL's signature steakhouse, This time, an Argentinean churrasco will be added - skewered meats presented by tableside passadors. (Surcharge required)

La Cucina. An olive tree and hanging lanterns; a Tuscan-style Italian eatery. (Surcharge required)

Le Bistro. NCL's French bistro, Le Bistro, will feature contemporary and traditional paintings and sculptures. (Surcharge required)

Shanghai's. will serve a mix of Chinese dishes in a noodle bar setting -- noodles, wok fried dishes and dim sum will be prepared in an open kitchen. (Surcharge required)

Wasabi. Located outside the Teppanyaki restaurant, Wasabi is an expansive sushi and sake bar. (Surcharge required)
 
Teppanyaki. This will be NCL's largest Teppanyaki yet, and the largest at sea, seating 115 guests. Up to 24 chefs will cook nightly. (Surcharge required)
 
O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill. This 24-hour sports bar, will have three lanes of bowling, dart boards, pool tables, foosball and arcade games.

The Epic Club and Courtyard Grill. Reserved exclusively for Norwegian Epic's suite and villa guests. The Epic Club will feature a large wine display, glass sculptures and pearl drapes. The Courtyard Grill is a casual, outdoor area which serves suite and villa guests breakfast and lunch.

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Meetings at Sea

There is no better value than a Meeting at Sea….whether it’s corporate meetings, incentive meetings or seminars at sea.

 

 

 

Cruise lines have come to recognize the necessity to accommodate the needs of group meetings on cruise ships. Newer ships have been designed with expanded, easily accessible, dedicated meeting space. Whether your group consists of 25 or 500 participants, there are ample options on board to facilitate your group's meeting requirements. From conference rooms to boardrooms, from large lounges and theaters for awards presentations to small lounges and rooms for breakouts and cocktail parties on deck, the new cruise ships are designed for meetings at sea.  As an added advantage, you will have a captive audience……They will attend!

Are you looking for reasons why?

 

·        Meeting and Breakout Space
·        Staging
·        Audio Visual Equipment
·        Deluxe accommodations and every amenity of a deluxe hotel.
·        Confirmed dining room seating if desired
·        24-hour complimentary room service - extended menu
·        Higher staff-to-guest ratio
·        All-inclusive; all costs are upfront
·        Far less expensive than a comparable land-based program
·        No menus to plan - all food is included
·        Can be upgraded by the traveler
·        3, 4, 5, 6, 7, or more night cruises allow more possibilities
·        Airport Meet, Greet & Transfers
·        Baggage Handling
                -    Something for everyone
·        Great mix of meeting and leisure time activities to accommodate your guests
·        Captive Audience - participants can't be off-site
·        Multiple destinations while unpacking only once
·        Shore excursions, full casinos, Island golf, live entertainment, spa facilities, duty free shopping....
·        Great spouse programs, themed events, and team building opportunities 
 
What's In It For The Meeting Planner? A More Successful Program with Far Less Work!

Organizing a group meeting at sea is extremely easy in the cruise environment.  Due to their all-inclusive nature, cruises offer one stop shopping. There are no menus to plan, no airfare to arrange, no transfers to coordinate, no special activities to plan, no entertainment to locate; it's all included.  Each ship has an on-board coordinator with whom we schedule meetings, audiovisual equipment and special events in advance of the sailing.  Dining room schedules and seating can be pre-selected.

A cruise is the easiest, most cost effective meeting or incentive program to prepare


Gourmet Dining

Cruises offer multiple destinations, rather than one, relaxation for sunbathers, and good weather most of the time due to their ability to move and avoid storms. Cruises offer, guest lecturers, and lessons in gambling, wine tasting, painting, and photography. Seminars at sea in various fields and themed sailings are also available. Cruises can offer access to parts of the world which would otherwise be inaccessible other than by water. With a staff/guest ratio of one staff for every two guests, the service is unparalleled.

Multiple Itineraries with Multiple Destinations

Best of all, there are so many itineraries to choose from….. Eastern, Western, and Southern Caribbean, the Bahamas, and Bermuda. There’s Alaska the Mediterranean, the Greek Isle, the Baltic's, the Rhine, the Danube, and the Scandinavian Fiords.  Winter months offer the coast of South or Central America and the Panama Canal. Let’s not forget Hawaii, Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and Asia.

What makes Meetings at Sea the planner’s dream? 
The answer: The combination of a private, complimentary meeting space and the desire for something different, with the ease of planning and taking budget considerations.

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Repositioning Cruises:

Good deals can be found with repositioning cruises. Although some ships spend 365 days a year sailing the same itinerary, or in the same region, many relocate a few times a year. For example, depending on the season, they may move from Canada/New England to the Caribbean, or Alaska to Hawaii

Instead of sailing the ships empty, the cruise lines will usually sell these one-way routes at a discount. These voyages, known as repositioning cruises will often feature themes on subjects ranging from theater to wine, or are enhanced with enrichment options such as guest lecturers.

These “special” itineraries occur at the beginning or end of a regional cruise season. They will consist of voyages from the Caribbean, Florida, and U.S. East Coast to Europe (or vice versa) with stops in the Canary Islands or Azores along the way. On the West Coast, you'll find repositioning sailings between Alaska and the Southern California homeports, as well as Panama Canal voyages between California and Florida.

To find a repositioning cruise….. Look at regions that have very specific seasons year after year. For example, ships that spend summertime in Alaska have no choice but to relocate in September or October. This gives you an opportunity to find unique itineraries along the California coast, to Hawaii or through the Panama Canal.

In the springtime, look for trans-Atlantic cruises as ships reposition from the East Coast (like New York or Ft. Lauderdale) to Northern Europe for Mediterranean sailings. Other repositioning itineraries will journey to Asia, the Middle East and Africa. Since South America and Asia are becoming more popular cruise destinations, you might also find repositioning cruises from the USA across the Caribbean to South America or across the Indian or Pacific Oceans.

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