ROYAL CARIBBEAN UNVEILS CENTRAL PARK
Elegant and lively, Central Park's central piazza will be the ship's "town square" which evolves from a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere during the day to a gathering space for alfresco dining and entertainment in the evening, where guests will enjoy concerts and street performances. The neighborhood is lined with balcony staterooms rising six decks high with views of the Park below and the sky above.
Surrounding this social space will be an array of restaurants, with choices ranging from fine dining to casual chic. Guests will have the option of an elegant dinner at the new 150 Central Park or a picnic lunch from the more casual Central Park Café, where they can sit outdoors and people-watch. Other dining choices will include: Giovanni's Table, an Italian restaurant; Vintages wine bar; and Royal Caribbean's signature Chops Grille steakhouse. Several bars will be scattered throughout the Park, including the Canopy Bar, located at one of two impressive glass-domed canopies, and the unique Rising Tide bar - the first moving bar at sea. Truly an engineering feat, Rising Tide will span three decks and allow cruisers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly ascend into Central Park and then descend back into the public spaces below. Central Park also will have stylish boutique shops, showcasing a selection of upscale merchandise. When she launches in late 2009, Project Genesis will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 GRT, carry 5,400 guests, and feature 2,700 staterooms. The ship will sail from her home port in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In 2010, she will be joined by a sister ship.
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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