Celebrity Solstice delivered
CUNARD QUEENS RENDEZVOUS IN SOUTHAMPTON FOR FIRST AND LAST TIME
In yet another historic Cunard occasion, the Line's three Queens - Queen Mary 2, QE2 and Queen Victoria - met April 22nd in their homeport of Southampton for the first and last time. QE2 and Queen Victoria arrived after completing milestone World Cruises: the final such voyage for the iconic QE2, set to leave Cunard's service in November, and the first World Cruise for Queen Victoria. Queen Mary 2 arrived after concluding her first Transatlantic Crossing of the season and will transport the remaining World Cruisers from both QE2 and Queen Victoria back to New York, arriving April 28. Cruise Business Review UK correspondent Kari Reinikainen was witnessing the event from the Queen Victoria, while waiting for a departure of 10-night sailing.
BALMORAL – FRESH FROM THE DRYDOCK
After initial growing pains, the stretched and refurbished Balmoral, ex Norwegian Crown is successfully operating its inaugural season. After a transatlantic crossing, the ship sails four cruises from Miami to the Caribbean – the line's first-ever ex-Miami itineraries – before returning back to Europe. The ship was stretched at Blohm + Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany, which increased its gross tonnage to 43,000. More on the project can be found in the 1/2008 issue of Cruise Business Review. As well, a live report from onboard can be found from www.cruisecritic.com (http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=715823).
CARNIVAL MOVES IN TO NEW MIAMI TERMINALS
Carnival Cruise Lines recently began operating from Terminal D and Terminal E, the newest passenger facilities at the Port of Miami. Designed to provide panoramic views of Miami and Biscayne Bay, the stylish and modern terminals can accommodate approximately 4,000 guests through separate embarkation and debarkation facilities.
Dual entry lobbies on the ground floor lead to four security scanners, and twin escalators lead to the second level — a large hall with 50 check-in stations, a VIP lounge, two private group check-in areas and embarkation offices. After check-in, escalators convey guests to the third floor through an “experiential” photo area to the boarding corridor and loading bridge.
NEW FANTASY-CLASS POOL AREAS
In addition to the newly-designed midship pool area, a spectacular new Carnival WaterWorks aqua parks will be introduced on Verandah Deck aft on Fantasy-class ships and will feature a four-deck-high, 300-foot-long spiraling tube water slide, the biggest, longest and most elaborate in cruising. A separate 82-foot-long triple-lane waterslide will be featured, as well, while much of this deck area will be occupied by an expansive spray park that will offer multiple and varied water spray apparatus, creating cool and exhilarating fun for kids and adults, alike.
Both the mid-ship pool areas and Carnival WaterWorks parks will be accented by comfortable lounge chairs and teak decking. The first two ships to begin receiving these features, as well as Serenity adults-only deck areas, are Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration later this year, with implementation on the balance of the line’s Fantasy-class fleet expected to be completed by the end of 2009.
HERE COMES THE SOLSTICE
Celebrity Cruises has released first "official" picture of its Solstice-class newbuildings being built in Meyer Werft.
Meyer Werft delivers AIDAdiva >>read more
DISNEY ANNOUNCES AN ORDER OF TWO NEW SHIPS >>read more
A CUNARD RENDEZVOUS IN FORT LAUDERDALE
On January 10, 2007, two of the world's most famous ocean liners - Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth 2 - departed on simultaneous World Cruises from Ft. Lauderdale. Before sailing, hundreds of spectators turned out to view the iconic ships' ceremonial "Royal Rendezvous" just offshore. Queen Mary 2 embarked on her first-ever World Cruise - an 80-night circumnavigation of the globe - while Queen Elizabeth 2 began her "Silver Jubilee World Cruise" - an exotic 108-night voyage marking her 25th around the world cruise.
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