Cruise Desk

Carnival Corp. Considers Alaska Cut Back

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 16:25:03 -0500

Carnival Corp. & plc chairman Micky Arison said yesterday that the company plans to cut back its presence in Alaska, where it operates two of the strongest brands, Holland America Line and Princess Cruises.

The state's $50 per cruise passenger tax imposed in 2006 is hurting Alaska cruise sales in a price-sensitive market, said Arison, speaking in a profit call with financial analysts.

Arison said, "It should now be very evident to everyone that the initiative that passed a couple of years ago is having a very significant impact on tourism to Alaska. The growth stopped immediately after the initiative passed. And today the tax is a significant price to pay in a very sensitive consumer environment."

He added that economic losses in the state, including jobs, probably will be greater than the revenue the passenger tax generates. A report in the Anchorage Daily News recently stated that revenues from the passenger tax are earmarked for expenditures the state incurs for servicing cruise operations and passengers, and the state is having trouble finding projects to spend the money on, John Binkley, president of the Alaska Cruise Association, told the newspaper. He called on the state to review the tax and make some adjustments.

Alluding to Royal Caribbean's recent announcement pulling one ship, the Serenade of the Seas, from Alaska next year, Arison said that Carnival Corp. intends to pull ships next year, and if the market doesn't stabilize, in 2011.

Carnival Corp., through its Holland America and Princess brands, has substantial infrastructure in Alaska, in hotels and ground transportation, that provide services to both lines' cruise/tour programs in the Great Land.

These programs, which combine a cruise with a tour, such as the train/hotel combination to Denali National Park, typically cost more than cruise vacations in other destinations, such as Europe, and thus the market is price-sensitive, Arison said.

Responding to one analyst's question about what the industry is doing to fight the Alaska cruise tax, Arison said that Carnival Corp. is first dealing politically with issue and if a political solution is not forthcoming, "I assume we will go ahead and litigate the issue." He said that the Alaska tax and regulations on wastewater discharges, which also add to cruise fares, are unconstitutional in his opinion.

Other than that, Arison said, Carnival Corp. will cut back its operations in Alaska, both in the number of cruise ships in the market, as well as its infrastructure and employees in Alaska.

He added that the cutbacks will also affect Vancouver and western Canada, since Vancouver is the homeport for a number of Alaska cruise ships, with passengers typically booking pre and post activities in Vancouver and British Columbia.

A number of cruise/tour itineraries include destinations in the Yukon as well.

In fact, Carnival Cruise Lines announced that the Carnival Spirit will sail to Alaska next year from Seattle, rather than between Vancouver and Whittier.
For additional information or to make reservations, go to www.bonvoyagecruises.com

Trio Of Royal Caribbean Ships To Sail From Four Northeast U.S. Ports In 2010 Five- to 13-night itineraries sail to Bermuda, the Caribbean, and Canada/New England

Wed, 25 Mar 2009 14:18:48 -0500

MIAMI, March 25, 2009 – From the pastel pink beaches of Bermuda, to the balmy breezes and crystalline waters of the Caribbean, to Canada and New England’s palate of multi-colored fall foliage, Royal Caribbean International’s 2010 sailings from the Northeast will offer a wide array of itineraries suited to virtually any vacationer. Explorer of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas will sail from Baltimore; Boston; Norfolk, Va.; and Cape Liberty in Bayonne, N.J. In total, the ships will offer 84 sailings – 16 more than last year – on 14 itineraries, calling at 22 ports on five- to nine-night cruises. Bookings for cruises opened today.

Unveiled to an audience of more than 400 travel professionals at a special Royal Caribbean agent appreciation event at the Port of Baltimore, Enchantment of the Seas’ debut in the Northeast will mark the cruise line’s first year-round deployment in the Maryland port. The 2,252-guest Enchantment of Seas will replace the 1,950-guest Grandeur of the Seas and increase Royal Caribbean’s capacity in the region by 302 berths, comprising an additional 36 balcony and 87 oceanview staterooms. The ship also will offer more family-friendly onboard amenities, including expanded youth programming spaces, and Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse, Chops Grille.

Enchantment of the Seas’ initial Baltimore deployment will include a five-night Bermuda and nine-night Eastern Caribbean roundtrip itinerary in the summer and autumn seasons. The ship will first sail the same itineraries in May and June from the Port of Norfolk, exclusively offering Bermuda cruises from the Virginian port. The winter and spring season itineraries will be announced at a later date.

Explorer of the Seas will continue its year-round service from Cape Liberty in April 2010. The ship’s fourth consecutive year of service in the New York metropolitan area will feature a five-night Bermuda cruise and two alternating nine-night “Bermuda and Caribbean” and “Bermuda and Bahamas” itineraries.In addition, Explorer of the Seas’ season will kick off with a special 13-night Southern Caribbean sailing departing March 28.

Both Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas’ short Bermuda cruises will feature a two-day call at Kings Wharf, from where guests can explore the island’s pink beaches, quaint shops and night life at their leisure. Guests on Explorer of the Seas’ Bermuda and Bahamas itineraries will enjoy a day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island paradise in the Bahamas, while guests on Enchantment of the Seas’ Eastern Caribbean itinerary will call at Labadee, the cruise line’s private beach destination on the northern coast of Haiti.

Royal Caribbean also will return to Canada and New England in autumn 2010 with convenient sailings from Baltimore, Boston, and Cape Liberty, offering 14 itineraries ranging from seven to nine nights, including ports of call at Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine; and Canada’s Saint John, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Jewel of the Seas will sail seven-night roundtrip voyages from Boston, while Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas will each offer four nine-night cruises from Cape Liberty and Baltimore, respectively. Explorer of the Seas also will offer a special eight-night roundtrip itinerary on June 18, which will add extended port time in Halifax and Bar Harbor.

Guests will have a multitude of shore excursion options designed to provide guests one-of-kind experiences. They can test the trade winds on Labadee’s Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the longest flight line in the world over water, zipping over the bay at speeds of up to 50 miles an hour. In Bermuda, travelers can snorkel at night, viewing sea creatures rarely seen during the day. During a call in Bar Harbor, guests can embark on a bike tour that crisscrosses some of the most scenic areas of Acadia National Park.

Voyager-class Explorer of the Seas boasts innovative onboard amenities, such as a full-size basketball court, in-line skating track, ice-skating rink, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard that spans nearly the length of the ship, lined with shops, restaurants, bars and lounges. Jewel of the Seas features a 10-story glass Centrum, glass elevators facing the sea and the highest percentage of outside staterooms of any Royal Caribbean ship. Onboard every Royal Caribbean ship, guests enjoy award-winning Broadway-style musical revues from Royal Caribbean Productions, top-rated Adventure Ocean and teen programming, and Royal Caribbean’s renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service from every staff and crew member.

For additional information or to make reservations, go to www.bonvoyagecruises.com

Royal Caribbean and Universal Orlando Resort Partner To Offer Ultimate Land And Cruise Vacation

Tue, 17 Mar 2009 14:09:05 -0500

Guests Enjoy Savings with Way More Than a Cruise Package.

MIAMI, March 17, 2009  Two of the world’s most innovative vacation providers, Royal Caribbean International and Universal Orlando Resort, are joining forces to introduce the Way More Than a Cruise ultimate vacation package. With a wide variety of options, families will be able to experience the best of land and sea while enjoying unparalleled savings. Bookings for Way More Than a Cruise are open for travel starting March 31, 2009.

The land and sea vacation packages combine a three- or four-night stay at Universal Orlando Resort with a three- or four-night Bahamas cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Monarch of the Seas, or a seven-night Caribbean cruise aboard Freedom of the Seas. Way More Than a Cruise includes hotel and shipboard accommodations, multi-day passes to both Universal theme parks, Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure, complimentary admission to select live entertainment venues at Universal’s CityWalk and ground transfers between airport, hotel, theme parks and the ship at Port Canaveral.

“Royal Caribbean is delighted to partner with Universal Orlando Resort to create this special package for vacationers seeking a unique and truly memorable experience, said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. The Way More Than a Cruise package seamlessly combines the best of land and sea to deliver an exciting family vacation. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy these premier Orlando attractions along with two of Port Canaveral’s newest ships, Monarch of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas. Home to two world-class theme parks, a nighttime entertainment complex and three magnificently themed on-site hotels, Universal Orlando Resort is a one-of-a-kind family vacation destination that brings blockbusters to life. At Universal Studios, guests can jump into the action with award-winning attractions based on some of pop culture’s best-known movies and TV shows  attractions like The Simpsons Ride, Shrek 4-D and Revenge of the Mummy. Also coming soon to Universal Studios is Hollywood Rip Ride Rockit, the most individually unique and customizable coaster in the world. The coaster combines first-ever maneuvers with personalized features allowing riders to choose the soundtrack for their ride and purchase a one-of-a-kind video of their experience. Next door, Universal’s Islands of Adventure features the most cutting-edge rides and attractions on five uniquely themed islands Marvel Super Hero Island, Toon Lagoon, Jurassic Park, The Lost Continent and Seuss Landing.

Universal Orlando Resort is thrilled to enter this partnership, bringing together two incredible experiences to create one memorable vacation, said Bill Davis, President and COO for Universal Orlando Resort. Our guests will not only enjoy some of the most entertaining theme-park attractions ever created, but also the world-class experiences and service Royal Caribbean is known for delivering.

For the cruise portion of the vacation, guests will sail roundtrip to the Bahamas aboard Monarch of the Seas and call at Nassau, Bahamas, and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island paradise in the Bahamas. Guests aboard Monarch of the Seas will exclusively enjoy a day at CocoCay, featuring a myriad of water sports options, an Aqua-Park for children, halcyon beaches and shaded hammocks, beachfront barbeque, and a straw market. Onboard, guests will enjoy spectacular Broadway-style musical revues from the award-winning Royal Caribbean Productions; exciting Vegas-style gaming in Casino Royale; and rejuvenating and invigorating rituals in the onboard Day Spa. Younger guests can hang out with their peers in the cruise line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean youth program, where teens have their own dedicated space. New features in the complimentary onboard youth program, such as extended hours in the Adventure Ocean and teen spaces and pre-cruise ordering of baby supplies, will help provide a stress-free experience for parents. Throughout their stay aboard every Royal Caribbean ship, all guests receive the cruise line’s signature friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service from staff and crew.

The ultimate way to experience Universal Orlando Resort is by staying at one of three themed, AAA Four Diamond Award-winning on-site hotels: Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Loews Royal Pacific Resort and Hard Rock Hotel. Best of all, on-site hotel guests enjoy a variety of special theme park privileges, including free Universal Express ride access. Just by showing their valid hotel room key card, on-site hotel guests can bypass the regular ride and attraction lines. The on-site hotels are connected to the resort by a scenic waterway. Complimentary water taxis provide quick and convenient access to Universal Studios Florida, Universal’s Islands of Adventure and CityWalk. Additional Orlando area hotels located within minutes of Universal Orlando are also available.

Beginning in May, vacationers also will be able to choose a 10- or 11-night extended Universal Orlando Resort and Royal Caribbean vacation by combining a three- or four-night stay at Universal with a seven-night Eastern or Western Caribbean cruise aboard the world-renowned Freedom of the Seas. On the Eastern Caribbean itinerary, guests will enjoy three days at sea and call at St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and CocoCay. On the Western Caribbean itinerary, guests will enjoy two days at sea and call at Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; Cozumel, Mexico; and Labadee, Royal Caribbean’s private beach paradise located on the north coast of Haiti.

At 160,000 gross registered tons (GRT) and a capacity of 3,634 guests, double occupancy, Freedom of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ship with sister-ships Liberty of the Seas and Independence of the Seas. Freedom features the cruise line’s exclusive onboard amenities such as the FlowRider surf simulator; the H20 Zone water park; Studio B ice-skating rink; a full-size boxing ring; cantilevered whirlpools suspended 112 ft. above the ocean; and the four-bedroom, four-bath Presidential Family Suite, which accommodates up to 14 guests. Guests also have a choice of eight onboard restaurants, including Royal Caribbean’s signature specialty restaurants Chops Grille steakhouse and Portofino Italian restaurant.

For more information or to book a Way More Than a Cruise ultimate vacation and enjoy up to 25 percent savings from the combined rates of the individual land and sea experiences, call your travel agent.

About Universal Orlando Resort Universal Orlando Resort has created some of the world’s most innovative theme park attractions based on pop culture’s most compelling films and stories. Guests experience two exciting theme parks  Universal Studios and Universal’s Islands of Adventure as well as Universal CityWalk, a 30-acre restaurant, shopping and nighttime entertainment complex; and three magnificently themed on-site hotels  the Loews Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and the Loews Royal Pacific Resort. Flagship experiences featured in the theme parks include The Simpsons Ride,Revenge of the Mummy The Ride, The Incredible Hulk Coaster and The Amazing Adventures of Spider-Man.

About Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand.

For additional information or to make reservations, go to www.bonvoyagecruises.com

Celebrity Cruises Captain's Club members are the first to book the newest vessel Celebrity Eclipse.

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:56:09 -0600

Bon Voyage Cruises, Inc. wants you to be the first to know that there will be an EXCLUSIVE BOOKING PERIOD FOR CAPTAIN'S CLUB MEMBERS ONLY March 3rd - March 9th, 2009

Our Captain's Club clients will be invited to be among the first to premiere our newest vessel, Celebrity Eclipse. The third of Celebrity's exciting Solstice class ships, Celebrity Eclipse sets sail in Europe in 2010. Exceptional Service at an affordable price - there is no better value than a Celebrity cruise.

During this exclusive booking period, our Captain's Club clients will have the chance to book the best staterooms before Celebrity Eclipse opens to the general public on march 10th. Don't miss this opportunity to book your Celebrity Cruise. Call Bon Voyage Cruises, Inc at 800-491-2469.

New Cruise Ships On The Horizon

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:56:27 -0600

Carnival Cruise Line

Carnival Splendor
Expected Inaugural: July, 2008
Status: Now acepting reservations
Size: GRT: 112,000
Capacity: 3006 (double occupancy)
Builder: Fincantieri - Italy
This is the fourth ship of a four-ship order from Fincantieri, two of which ended up going to the Carnival brand. While it is a Conquest-class vessel, it will have some unique features for the Carnival brand adding 2,000 gross tons to the volume. The most notable is a retractable dome over the mid-ship pool, the first for Carnival. It will also have the largest spa aboard any Carnival vessel (1,780 square feet) and the line's first thalasso therapy pool and the largest Camp Carnival facilities (5,500 square feet) above which there will be a new water play area.

Carnival Dream

Expected Inaugural: October, 2009
Size: GRT: 130,000
Capacity: 3,652 (double occupancy)
Builder: Fincantieri - Italy
This ship will be a completely new design for Carnival, although not the Pinnacle Project about which there has been so much talk. Carnival says that is firmly on the back burner, but still planned for some future date.
Carnival Magic
Expected Inaugural: June, 2011
Size: GRT: 130,000
Capacity: 3,652 (double occupancy) Builder: Fincantieri - Italy

This ship will be the second in a new class for Carnival, a twin to Carnival Dream.

Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity Eqinox

Expected Inaugural: Summer, 2009
Size: GRT: 118,000,000
Capacity: 2,850 lower berths
Builder: Meyer Werft - Germany
This is the second in the Solstice-class. It will be powered by a diesel-electric podded propulsion system.
Celebrity Eclipse
Expected Inaugural: June, 2010
Size: GRT: 118,000,000
Capacity: 2,850 lower berths
Builder: Meyer Werft - Germany
This is the third in the Solstice-class. It will be powered by a diesel-electric podded propulsion system.

Unamed

Expected Inaugural: Fall, 2011
Size: GRT: 118,000,000
Capacity: 2,850 lower berths
Builder: Meyer Werft - Germany
This is the fourth in the Solstice-class.
Costa Cruise Line
Costa Luminosa
Inaugural: Spring, 2009
Size: GRT: 92,700
Capacity: 2,260 lower berths - 1,544 in balcony cabins
Builder: Fincantieri - Marghera, Italy A duplicate will be delivered in the March, 2010.

Unnamed

Inaugural: Summer, 2009
Size: GRT: 112,000
Capacity: 3,004
Builder: Fincantieri
This ship will be a duplicate of Costa Concordia.

Unnamed
Inaugural: March, 2010
Size: GRT: 92,700
Capacity: 2,260 lower berths
Builder: Fincantieri
This is a sister to the vessel delivered in the spring of 2009.

Cunard

No new ships scheduled

Disney Cruise Line

Unnamed

Inaugural: 2011
Size: GRT: 124,000
Capacity: 2,500 double occupancy
Builder: Meyer Werft - Papenburg, Germany
A new class of vessel

Unnamed

Inaugural: 2012
Size: GRT: 124,000
Capacity: 2,500 double occupancy
Builder: Meyer Werft - Papenburg, Germany
Second in the new class

Holland America Line
No new ships planned

MSC Cruises

MSC Serenata

Estimated Inaugural: March, 2009
Size: GRT: 133,500
Capacity: 3,300 lower berths - 3,887 total Builder: Aker France - St. Nazaire, France This will be the second of the Fantasia class.

MSC Magnifica

Estimated Inaugural: 2nd Qtr., 2010
Size: GRT: 89,600
Capacity: 2,550 lower berths - 3,000 total Builder: Aker France - St. Nazaire, France This will be the fourth of the Musica class.

Norwegian Cruise Line

Unnamed

Estimated Inaugural: 4th Qtr, 2009
Size: GRT: 150,000
Capacity: 4,200 lower berths
Builder: Aker France
The first of two post-Panamax ships ordered, and NCL's largest.

Unnamed

Estimated Inaugural: 2nd Qtr, 2010
Size: GRT: 150,000
Capacity: 4,200 lower berths
Builder: Aker France
The second of two post-Panamax ships ordered, and NCL's largest.

Oceania Cruises

Marina

Inaugural: September, 2010
Size: GRT: 66,000
Capacity: 1,252
Builder: Fincantieri - Sestre Ponente, Italy This ship represents the first newbuild for the cruise line. Even though large by Oceania standards, this vessel is truly mid-size and will retain all of the warmth, popular design elements and signature amenities of the Regatta-class while offering a greater selection of staterooms and suites, six dining venues and many other new luxury features. Oceania holds an option for a second vessel.

Royal Caribbean International

Oasis of the Seas

Estimated Inaugural: Fall, 2009
Size: GRT: 220,000
Capacity: 5,400 lower berths, approx. 1,000 upper berths
Builder: Aker Finnyards - Finland The first of the Project Genesis vessels incorporates new hull lines, a new air conditioning strategy and a new water production system all for improved fuel efficiency. Royal Caribbean also has an option for one additional vessel.

Allure of the Seas

Estimated Inaugural: August, 2010
Size: GRT: 220,000
Capacity: 5,400 lower berths, approx. 1,000 upper berths
Builder: Aker Finnyards - Finland This will be a sister to first of the Project Genesis, about 43% larger than RCCL's Freedom-class.

The Yachts of Seabourn

Seabourn Odyssey

Estimated Inaugural: Spring, 2009
Size: GRT: 32,000
Capacity: 450 lower berths
Builder: T. Mariotti, Italy
Even though these two newbuilds are large by Seabourn standards (650 feet in length and a 84 foot beam), Seabourn says they will keep the same hotel-staff-to-guest ratio as the 10,000-ton ships.

Unnamed

Estimated Inaugural: Spring, 2010
Size: GRT: 32,000
Capacity: 450 lower berths
Builder: T. Mariotti, Italy
Even though these two newbuilds are large by Seabourn standards (650 feet in length and a 84 foot beam), Seabourn says they will keep the same hotel-staff-to-guest ratio as the 10,000-ton ships.

Silversea Cruises

Silver Spirit

Estimated Inaugural: 4th Qtr., 2010
Size: GRT: 36,000
Capacity: 540 lower berths
Builder: Fincantieri
This will be Silversea's largest ship to date. Silversea holds an option for a second vessel.

Royal Caribbean Expands Oasis Of The Seas Inaugural Season

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:56:30 -0600

Vacationers will now be able to experience the world's most highly-anticipated cruise ship even sooner. Royal Caribbean International today announced two additional sailings to Oasis of the Seas' inaugural season: a seven-night inaugural Eastern Caribbean itinerary, sailing on December 5, 2009; and a special four-night voyage - departing December 1, 2009 - to celebrate the launch of an all-new Labadee, Royal Caribbean's private beach paradise in Haiti.

On the December 5, 2009 inaugural voyage, guests will be among the first to enjoy Oasis of the Seas, with all of her venues and amenities, and premiers of the full array of breathtaking AquaTheater light and water shows, and new productions in the Opal Theater and Studio B ice-skating rink. The seven-night itinerary will call at St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Nassau in the Bahamas. Throughout, guests will enjoy the friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service from Oasis of the Seas' staff and crew, representing more than 70 nations around the world.

Guests booked on the original inaugural sail date of December 12, 2009 will be contacted by their travel agent or a Royal Caribbean representative, and given the opportunity to move their cruise vacation to the new inaugural sailing of December 5 before the sailing opens to the public for booking on January 12, 2009. During the re-accommodation period, which ends on January 11, 2009, the following special benefits will apply. Guests choosing to sail consecutively on both the December 1 and 5, 2009 voyages also will receive a $200 onboard credit per stateroom ($300 onboard credit per suite) for an extraordinary 11-night Oasis of the Seas cruise. Booked guests who wish to take either the December 1 or 5 sailing will be re-accommodated in the same stateroom and category. The cruise fare for the December 5 sailing will remain unchanged. Guests wishing to sail on the four-night voyage will receive a prorated fare.

On the December 1 four-night itinerary, guests will make a call at Labadee and enjoy two days at sea. Oasis of the Seas maiden port of call at Labadee on December 3, 2009 also will herald the opening of new facilities and debut of a spectacular array of activities and excursion options at the private beach destination. Oasis of the Seas will dock at Labadee'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'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.

At the north end of the peninsula, Dragon's Plaza will be the heart of Labadee and feature the Dragon's Breath Café and Pub, a welcome center, and central tram station, which will ferry guests to other areas of the peninsula. Guests booked on the extremely popular Dragon's Breath Flight Line, the world's longest zip-line over water, also will begin their excursion here.

At the base of the peninsula, Labadee Town Square will offer guests cultural experiences, shopping, dining and entertainment, featuring the Haitian Cultural Museum, Café Labadee and Bar, and the Straw and Artisan Market. From the Town Square, guests will board the new Alpine Coaster, a thrilling new roller coaster experience on Labadee. With convenient transportation from the pier via water taxis, the new Columbus Family Beach will appeal to adults and children of all ages, where guests can enjoy lunch and refreshments at the Columbus Café and Bar. Guests also can rent one of many private family cabanas, which dot Columbus Family Beach.

Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas (debuting in 2010) will claim the title of the world's largest and most revolutionary cruise ship. Architectural marvels at sea, Oasis of the Seas and Allure 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. They will feature the cruise line's new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will offer guests of every age the widest array of onboard vacation experiences that cater to their personal styles, preferences or moods. New categories of onboard accommodations made possible by the ship's cutting-edge design include bi-level, urban-style Loft Suites; two bedroom/two bathroom AquaTheater Suites; and Central Park- and Boardwalk-facing exterior staterooms with balconies. Both will be homeported at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

For additional information and reservations call Bon Voyage Cruises, Inc. at 800-491-2469 or visit www.bonvoyagecruises.com and click on Royal Caribbean

Carnival Dream

Wed, 25 Feb 2009 16:56:34 -0600

130,000-ton Carnival Dream: The Ultimate Family Vacation 02/02/2009 MIAMI (February 2, 2009) – With more than 19,000 total square feet of space catering to children, ’tweens and teens – from expansive indoor and outdoor play areas to a sprawling aqua park housing the cruise industry’s longest water slide – the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream is designed as the ideal family vacation.

In addition to modern facilities and the most dedicated space to families in the “Fun Ship” fleet, Carnival Dream’s kid-friendly amenities will include supervised programs for three age groups – Camp Carnival (ages 2-11), Circle “C” (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17) – offering a full schedule of morning-til-night activities organized by highly trained staff.

Slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009, Carnival Dream will further bolster Carnival’s distinction as the family cruise leader, carrying an estimated 625,000 children aboard its 22-vessel “Fun Ship” fleet – roughly half of the total number of kids carried by the entire North American cruise industry.

“Families today are looking for a vacation that provides children of all ages with a wide variety of fun-filled activities, all at outstanding value. We’ve taken everything we’ve learned over the years and incorporated it into the design of Carnival Dream whose unmatched combination of spacious facilities, unique outdoor features and enthusiastic staff makes it the ultimate family vacation,” said Roberta Jacoby, Carnival’s senior vice president of hotel operations.

Expansive ‘Camp Carnival’ Play Area The focal point of Carnival Dream’s children’s activities will be an expansive play area encompassing 5,000 square feet of space and offering magnificent ocean views. Located on Deck 11, Camp Carnival will be divided into three distinct sections, each catering to a different age group.

The first area, designed for children ages 2-5, features an arts and crafts center and a variety of age-appropriate toys and games; the second, aimed at six- to nine-year-olds, offers video game consoles such as PlayStation2 and Wii linked to the latest plasma TV screens; and the third, catering to kids 9-11, includes a karaoke machine, air hockey and foosball tables and PlayStation2 and Wii video game consoles. A reception desk will provide parents with a convenient and inviting venue to check their kids in and out of the program.

Like all “Fun Ships,” Carnival Dream will offer a wide variety of activities specifically geared toward children, including the WaterColors art program; ExerSeas, emphasizing physical fitness, SeaNotes, with fun music-oriented games and activities; and EduCruise, designed to educate kids on the ship’s diverse European and Caribbean itineraries. Children can also create their own custom-designed Carnival T-shirts, as well as build their own Carnival Cuddly or “Fun Ship” Freddy plush toy. A number of multi-generational activities – including pizza-making sessions, family water play and trivia contests – will also be offered.

Camp Carnival will also serve as the site for Carnival’s babysitting services, which are available from 10 p.m. to 3 a.m. nightly and cost $6 per hour for the first child and $4 per hour for each additional child in the same family.

Older Kids Enjoy ‘Circle C,’ ‘Club O2’ Sure to be a big hit with older kids are the modern, high-tech Circle “C” and Club O2 facilities, catering to 12- to 14-year olds and 15- to 17-year olds, respectively.

Located on Deck 4, the 1,075-square-foot Circle “C” center gives ’tweens a place to call their own, with a dance floor, DJ, a video jukebox and Internet workstations, providing the perfect place to just kick back and relax. Adjacent to Circle “C” is Club O2, a 2,740-square-foot teen club where older kids can make new friends, and dance to the latest hits cranked out by a high-energy disc jockey. Designed as the ultimate “chill” space, this expansive room also includes a soda bar, music-listening stations and a state-of-the-art sound and lighting system. Both the Circle “C” and Club O2 programs have a dedicated director who oversees a host of fun activities, including late-night movies, video game contests and pool parties.

Located next to the teen club is The Warehouse, an expansive game room featuring the latest video and arcade games. Teens can also enjoy Carnival’s popular Y-Spa youth spa program offering a variety of soothing treatments.

Expansive Outdoor Activities As the largest “Fun Ship” ever constructed, Carnival has made maximum use of the Carnival Dream’s massive open decks, creating a variety of fun and inviting features, including Carnival WaterWorks, the largest and most elaborate water park at sea.

In addition to a 303-foot-long, four-deck-high corkscrew water slide – the longest in cruising – there will be another 104-foot-long spiral water slide that leads into a giant funnel, providing riders with an exhilarating and memorable conclusion to their journey. WaterWorks also includes twin double-lane 80-foot-long racing slides and various water spray apparatus with squirting fountains, splash zones, “dump buckets” and more.

Carnival Dream’s other open-deck activities include the line’s first 18-hole miniature golf course, as well as basketball and volleyball courts with stadium-style seating.

Family-Friendly Staterooms, Kid-Friendly Dining Carnival Dream’s family friendly features even extend to the ship’s accommodations, which include spacious deluxe ocean view staterooms with a unique configuration featuring two bathrooms. In addition to twin beds that convert to a king and ample closet space, the extra-roomy cabins will include one full bathroom and a second bathroom with a junior tub, shower and sink. In addition to dozens of inter-connecting staterooms, many of the Carnival Dream’s accommodations can hold up to five guests – a rarity in new ship construction and also ideal for families.

With dining such an important part of any cruise, Carnival Dream will also offer the widest variety of kid-friendly culinary choices at sea. In addition to a grille serving hamburgers and hot dogs, The Gathering casual poolside restaurant offers 24-hour pizza and ice cream while extensive children’s menus, with a daily junior special promising something new each day, are available in the main dining rooms. And with Carnival’s “dining under the stars” program, kids can also enjoy a meal with the youth staff in the Lido restaurant allowing parents to have a night to themselves.

Carnival Dream will also offer the line’s Fountain Fun Card program which, for a one-time fee, offers unlimited soft drinks throughout the voyage. And greeting guests each night as they return to their staterooms are Carnival’s wildly popular “towel animals” – in the shape of a swan, monkey, pig or dozens of other creatures – custom-designed by the line’s talented stateroom stewards.

Exciting Inaugural Schedule Carnival Dream is slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome, followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 - Nov. 12, 2009.

From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, 2009, then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special one-time nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3, 2009. Carnival Dream will then launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, 2009, offering weeklong voyages to the eastern and western Caribbean. With Port Canaveral’s close proximity to Orlando, home to numerous theme parks and attractions, these cruises are expected to hold particular appeal to families.

Reservations

Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Dream’s various European and Caribbean departures.

For additional information and reservations call Bon Voyage Cruises, Inc. at 800-491-2469 or visit www.bonvoyagecruises.com and click on Carnival.