Sally Eng & Stu Morris

New Disney Ships: Disney Dream & Disney Fantasy

Published Sunday, March 15th 2009

Walt Disney Imagineers and the shipbuilders have been working full steam ahead since the fleet expansion was first announced in 2007. The new ships will more than double the passenger capacity for Disney Cruise Line and create even more family cruise options.

The Disney Dream is scheduled to launch in 2011, with the Disney Fantasy following soon after in 2012.

They are 122,000-ton ships, each with room for 4,000 guests (Disney's current ships are each 83,000-ton/2,400 guests).

The ships will each have 1,250 staterooms, an increase of 40% from 877. They will be two decks taller, and will follow the same design traditions as before - gold scrollwork at the bow, the existing Disney Cruise Line color scheme, and "classic" ship style. The artist's renderings of the new ships look remarkably similar to the existing ships, with the addition of two additional stateroom and lots more verandahs staterooms.

Repositioning Cruises:

Published Sunday, March 15th 2009

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.

Wedding Cruisesâ€¦â€¦.Marriage Renewalsâ€¦â€¦

Published Sunday, March 15th 2009

A cruise ship is a fun and exciting location for your memorable
wedding ceremony & marriage renewals.

Five years ago, there were practically no weddings performed on cruise ships; now there are thousands. According to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), cruise weddings have grown at a phenomenal rate the last few years.

This growth rate is not surprising. Wedding cruise packages are available through almost every major cruise line. What better way to say your vows; have your wedding and then sail off on your honeymoon! No travel time wasted. This is such a wonderful way to celebrate the big day and enjoy a vacation with your closest friends and family.

Putting together a cruise wedding can actually be a fairly simple process. With packages available in over 100 beautiful ports of call, you can choose a destination perfect for you and your guests.

Most packages vary from cruise line to cruise line. They have their own wedding planners who are very familiar with the special needs of a wedding cruise. Packages may include priority check-in for the bridal couple and their sailing guests, Wedding Coordinator, ceremony, officiant, recorded music, bridal bouquet, boutonniere with a matching bloom, keepsake marriage certificate, wedding cake, champagne, photography and one 8" x 10" wedding photograph. These amenities are flexible to the needs of the wedding couple, but just about everything relevant to a wedding can be included in wedding cruise package.

After the ceremony there is no cleanup for the wedding party. Everyone can all simply enjoy the company of one another and continue cruising. For adventurous couples and guests, a number of cruise ship activities can also booked as a group. Booking as a group can be a good way to get a discounted price on the activities.

Exclusive wedding service can be provided Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess Cruises, Norwegian Cruise Line, Windstar and HollandAmerica (Europe), as well as select ports for Carnival Cruise Line.

Cunard Ocean Liner Queen Mary 2

Published Thursday, March 19th 2009

Queen Mary 2 is definitely a “huge” ship of 150,000 tons with passenger capacity of 2,620. There are over 200 activities available onboard.

There are many enrichment programs onboard: Book Club, Academy at Sea conducted by leading professors in topics from opera to oceanography. There are numerous workshops which include literature, food, wine, interior design. There are art & dance workshops, discussion groups and computer center. There are master classes by performers and directors from the renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, plus readings, one-act plays, celebrity appearances.

Queen Mary 2 offers sports facilities like golf simulators, putting green, paddle tennis, shuffleboards, basketball, darts. They have Canyon Ranch SpaClub, pool with retractable dome, shops, lounges, casino, karaoke, high tea, a virtual space ride in the planetarium, a bookstore, largest library at sea, movie theatre, live jazz, Maritime Quest Exhibit (a museum-quality audio tour that takes you back to the golden era of ocean cruising), art gallery.

The Queen Mary 2 is more formal than others. Jeans and shorts are frowned upon, even around the pool area. Khakis, capri, and pantsuits are worn during the day; black ties and tails in the evening. There are children on board, but a lot less than some of the other cruise lines.

Their cabins are categorized by inside, oceanview & balcony and these passengers all dine at the magnificent Britannia Restaurant.

The suites are Queen & Princess suites, which offers concierge/butler services. These passengers dine at the Queen or Princess Grill.

James Taylor on Queen Mary 2

Published Friday, March 20th 2009

James Taylor Tickets

For those James Taylor fans, listen up…..the Grammy^® Award-winning singer-songwriter James Taylor and his band will perform during Queen Mary 2's June 19 eastbound Transatlantic Crossing. Sailing from New York to Southampton, England, Taylor will headline two Cunard Command Performances in the ship's RoyalCourtTheatre during the six-day journey. (Space is still available to book this very special voyage!)

Cunard is honoured to welcome James Taylor aboard their flagship Queen Mary 2 and into a lineage of luminaries who have sailed with Cunard during their 170-year history. "Our guests will most certainly enjoy this intimate concert experience with an American music icon." said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. In addition to the performances, passengers will have the opportunity to join a live Q&A interview with Queen Mary 2's Entertainment Director, where Mr. Taylor will talk about his award-winning career and the Summer European Tour he will begin after his arrival in England

Over the course of his celebrated career, Taylor has earned 40 gold, platinum and multi-platinum awards and five Grammy^® Awards for works ranging from Sweet Baby James in 1970 to Covers, his most recent album featuring his own interpretation of tunes from the 50s, 60s and 70s, for which he was nominated for two 2009 Grammy Awards. In 2000, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Most recently, Taylor was one of a select few music artists who performed for President Barack Obama's inauguration.

"I've always wanted to take an ocean liner back to Europe. It's such a civilized way to go, and the Queen Mary 2 is the last word in first class travel. It was a dream to use the passage to transport and rehearse our summer tour: band, crew and family; kit and caboodle. I'm looking forward to the pair of concerts at the end of the trip and, hallelujah, no jet lag," Taylor said.

Cunard's lists of past famed entertainers include Elizabeth Taylor, Rita Hayworth, Cary Grant and Clark Gable. Among the musical notables were Rod Stewart, Shirley Bassey, Harry Connick, Jr. and Lenny Kravitz. In addition, actors Uma Thurman, Angela Bassett, John Cleese, Richard Dreyfuss and Terence Howard have sailed aboard the grand liner.

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