Archive for June, 2010
Flexicruise with P & O – the new way to Cruise!
Monday, June 7th, 2010 - 12:47 pm by
If you can be flexible with your departure date and stateroom location you will get a great discount on your holiday. You pay a set, reduced amount for your preferred stateroom type on a 15 night Caribbean fly-cruise and we’ll allocate you a cruise subsequent to booking but in good time for your departure. You can benefit from substantial savings off the brochure fare with Flexicruise – from £150 to £1000 in this case.
There are two groups of cruises to choose from, you simply need to decide whether you would like to cruise before or after Christmas. The first group of pre-Christmas holidays consists of five Caribbean cruises, each with a Friday or Saturday departure date and the second, nine Caribbean holidays, also with Friday and Saturday departure dates. With Flexicruise you may be allocated any of the holidays within the group you’ve chosen, but there’s really no mystery – your cruise will be one of the two itineraries featured and there is one guaranteed price per stateroom type (Inside, Outside, Balcony or Superior Deluxe) . Booking is easy – just like usual you will be asked for your personal details and need to state your stateroom and dining preferences.
What’s the catch?
There really isn’t one. You’re assured of a 15 night Caribbean fly-cruise on either Azura or Ventura upon which you will enjoy exactly the same enviable standards of P&O Cruises service for a lower price than would usually be available at this time. In addition, you’ll be notified at least 70 days before departure of your allocated departure date, so you’ll still have plenty of time to prepare, pack and look forward to your holiday. The only condition is that you are able to accept any date offered within your chosen group of holidays and are able to pay a 20% deposit at the time of booking
(see full terms and conditions on the back page).
Your holiday itinerary
Route 1: UK • Barbados • Bonaire • Aruba • Ocho Rios • Grand Turk •
St. Maarten • Antigua • Dominica • St. Lucia • Barbados • UK
Route 2: UK • Barbados • Curacao • Aruba • Catalina Island • Tortola •
St. Maarten • St. Kitts • St. Lucia • Grenada • Barbados • UK
For full details and terms and conditions please check out www.cruiseoffers.com/brochures and click on Flexicruise – P & O.
Disney Cruise Line Adds Final Building Block To New Cruise Ship Disney Dream
Monday, June 7th, 2010 - 12:05 pm by
The final building block for the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, the Disney Dream, was placed yesterday at the Meyer Werft shipyard signalling completion of a major milestone in the ship’s overall construction. On January 26, 2011, the Disney Dream will set sail from Port Canaveral, Fla. on her maiden voyage and take family cruising to all-new heights, embracing the spirit of innovation, magical family entertainment and immersive experiences that have made Disney Cruise Line the preeminent choice for families since 1998.
The final block placed was a 260-ton portion of the ship’s bow, complete with the signature Disney Cruise Line golden filigree. With all 80 building blocks for the Disney Dream now in place, the focus shifts to outfitting the interiors spaces that include the whimsical, Disney-infused children’s spaces, dynamically chic adult nightclubs, spectacular restaurants and elaborate theatres.
Disney Cruise Line President Karl Holz and Captain Mickey Mouse were at the Meyer Werft shipyard to commemorate this important milestone.
“With the steel construction process complete, we’re now looking forward to exciting new milestones such as the installation of AquaDuck, the first water coaster at sea,” said Holz. “Each day, the ship gets closer to its Maiden Voyage, and it is clear that the Disney Dream is destined to be one of the most spectacular ships afloat.”
The Disney Dream will expand the one-of-a-kind family experience guests enjoy while on a Disney Cruise Line vacation. Some of the highlights:
- The ship will feature a first-of-its-kind water coaster that will send guests racing above and around the upper decks of the ship.
- Animator’s Palate restaurant will magically transform into an undersea wonderland with live, impromptu interactions with Crush, the animated sea turtle from Disney•Pixar’s “Finding Nemo.”
- Elaborately themed children’s spaces will immerse children in their favourite Disney stories and feature some of today’s most innovative technology.
- A night time entertainment district just for adults will be filled with sophisticated, trendy, fanciful and fun-filled venues.
- Inside staterooms will have a “special” view thanks to a cruise industry first virtual porthole concept.
The Disney Dream will sail alternating three and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer 2011, the ship will sail four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a cruise vacation onboard the Disney Dream, guests can visit www.disneycruise.com
Twiggy names Seabourn Sojourn
Monday, June 7th, 2010 - 11:59 am by
British icon and Londoner Twiggy, who is Godmother to The Yachts of Seabourn’s newest yacht, Seabourn Sojourn, works the latest nautical look on the yacht’s bridge in preparation for the official naming. The naming takes place on the pool deck at 18:00 on board Seabourn Sojourn. The ship is moored mid-river at Greenwich for two days of inaugural celebrations before departing on her Maiden voyage on 6th June 2010.
Construction starts on new Oceania ship!!
Monday, June 7th, 2010 - 11:31 am by
Construction has started on a new 1,258-passenger cruise ship for luxury line Oceania Cruises.
The vessel Riviera, to enter service in April 2012, is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa in Italy.
Riviera is a sister ship to Marina, which is to be launched in February 2011.
The completion of the new ship will see the size of the Oceania fleet rise from three to five ships by 2012.
Riviera will include ten dining venues – six of which are open-seating, gourmet restaurants.
Facilities will include a Canyon Ranch Spa and gym, swimming pool and hot tubs.
Owner’s Suites will be furnished exclusively in Ralph Lauren Home.
The start of work on the new vessel was marked by a tradition keel laying ceremony at the shipyard conducted by Frank Del Rio, the line’s founder and chairman and CEO of its parent company, Prestige Cruise Holdings, and Oceania Cruises president Bob Binder.
Shrek to appear on Royal Caribbean Ships!!
Monday, June 7th, 2010 - 11:30 am by
Royal Caribbean International has forged a strategic alliance with DreamWorks Animation to screen 3D films on board its newest ships.
Some of the studio’s most popular movies, including Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon, will be featured together with new releases.
DreamWorks characters such as Shrek, the Penguins of Madagascar, Po of Kung Fu Panda and Hiccup of How to Train Your Dragon will be on board for special events and character meals.
The cast of characters will first take the stage in the AquaTheater on Allure of the Seas, which enters service in December from Fort Lauderdale in Florida, performing a one-off aquatic show of acrobatics and high-diving stunts.
The ice-skating venue on 5,400-passenger Allure of the Seas will also feature How to Train Your Dragon characters in an ice show.
DreamWorks Animation-themed activities will then be incorporated onto Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas.
The cruise line’s president and CEO Adam Goldstein said: “Royal Caribbean and DreamWorks Animation share many of the same philosophies when it comes to high-quality family entertainment, so there is quite a lot of synergy going into this strategic alliance.”
Last Day ………..
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 - 12:15 pm by
This will be my last blog post but keep an eye on the blog as once back to work I will be uploading some videos of the cruise.
Had breakfast in bed this morning due to the lateness of our retiral. As long as you have the card out before 3am you can order breakfast in bed and its free.
Just before our breakfast arrived we received a phone call checking we were awake before one of the staff arrived with our breakfast laid out on a tray . The standard was excellent.
This morning there was so much going on we did not know what to do. Friends of ours took their children ice skating which is free but you have to turn up early in order to be allocated a 45 minute slot on the ice. Skates and helmets are provided.
After this I am almost ashamed to admit we all went to play bingo in the Alhambra theatre. The cost for 4 games on 3 cards is $22 per person or $32 per person for 6 cards. Jackpot was $2000 however no one won so this has been carried over till this afternoon with a jackpot of $3500 so Diane if I win this see you next week as I am staying on a bit longer………..
I hope you have all enjoyed the blogand if you have any comments or need any information about the ship or prices of things onboard please e-mail me from Monday 7th June onwards at julie.mcintyre@cruiseoffers.com.
Live blog over and out.
Egg timer running out!!!
Tuesday, June 1st, 2010 - 12:05 pm by
I can’t believe we only have a few hours left on this wonderful ship and this will be my last blog live from Independence of the Seas. Time is now 1 pm and this is the first chance I have had to fill you in on the activities of last night.
Never managed an afternoon nap yesterday as too busy watching people fall off the flowrider and climb the climbing wall. You cannot pre book either of these you just have to turn up and hope that there is space for you.
After getting ready for dinner I had a wander down the Royal Promenade and bought a couple of gifts fora friend and also some Clinique face cream for myself. Costs me about £40 at home only $35 onboard.
The show for second sitting tonight was pre dinner at 7pm as opposed to afte dner at 11pm. If you sail on this wonderful ship please go and see the Beatlemania show. The four guys from Liverpool were fantastic and even if you do not like the beatles I defy you not to be up dancing in the aisles.
After he show there was just enough time for a pre dinner drink before heading to dinner at 8.30pm. My only disappointment is that the ship has definately been rejigged for the British market and the food certainly reflected this with Roast Beef, Lamb and Hot Pots on the menus most nights. Although nothing wrong with this as I cruise a lot I like to try different things which were just not available.
Another good tip is to buy a wine package which come in three prices. We opted for the middle one which was $165 for 5 bottles from the Platinum List. If you do not drink the bottle that night the waiter will save it for the following night.
After dinner we headed up to the Royal Promenade for Rock Britannia. It was absolutely packed with people stood everywhere. Best place to be is in front of vintages wine bar. The atmosphere was electric and it was like being at a concert. Almost 1500 people were singing songs like Roll out the barrel before going on to sing Bohemian Rhapsody.
Later at 11.15pm we managed to get a seat in the Dog & Badger pub on the Royal Promenade where I enjoyed the best nights entertainment ever. There was an Irish American singing folk songs with an acoustic guitar called Ian Miller – do not miss out. He has the most amazing voice and encourages people to join in with things like Irish Rover, American Pie etc. Bruce and I enjoyed it so much we did not get to bed till 2am!!!!