Oceania Cruises announces new Culinary Discovery Tours for Caribbean sailings

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 21 August 2014 21 August 2014

Today, Oceania Cruises announced another expansion to its popular Culinary Discovery Tours by unveiling new experiences for St. Lucia and Antigua that are set to debut during the upcoming Caribbean season aboard Riviera.   Already widely recognized as the cruise line for foodies, Culinary Discovery Tours provide Oceania Cruises guests with epicurean interests a unique opportunity to explore local food markets, vineyards, farms and restaurants with a knowledgeable chef from the Bon Appétit Culinary Center.

“Culinary traditions are often at the heart of many cultures and with our Culinary Discover Tours, we’re able to provide our guests with unique opportunities to share in those traditions firsthand,” explained Kathryn Kelly, Director of Culinary Enrichment for Oceania Cruises.  “With our new tours in St. Lucia and Antigua, guests spend time in the kitchen with local culinary experts learning about the spices, fruits, vegetables and cooking customs that have influenced Caribbean cuisine for centuries.  Our goal is for guests to leave the tour with new culinary skills, satisfied taste buds and a deeper appreciation for the vibrant culinary traditions found in the Caribbean”  

The new Culinary Discovery Tours will be offered during the “Holidays In The Tropics” sailing that departs Miami on Dec. 23 and on two “Island Paradise” voyages embarking in early 2015.  Highlights from the new Culinary Discovery Tours include:

St. Lucia - Spices Cooking Studio

After assembling at the Bon Appétit Culinary Center, guests begin the tour with a scenic drive through Rodney Bay Village to a magnificent private estate situated on the grounds of a former sugar cane plantation on the Atlantic side of the island. Guests explore an expansive herb garden at the estate before heading to inside the home for some hands-on cooking instruction.  Using fresh, local ingredients, guests will prepare a menu of authentic Saint Lucian cuisine while learning about the subtleties of flavor and historical influences from the chef.  Once the cooking process is complete, guests will enjoy their creations while taking in the natural vistas surrounding the property.  On the return drive to the pier, guests will stop at the bustling open-air Castries Market, where farmers have brought locally grown fruits, vegetables and spices to market for nearly 100 years.

Antigua – Market Visit & Cooking Demo

Guests will enjoy a short ride to the center of downtown St. John’s and walk the local market with their Bon Appétit Culinary Center chef, who will show them a wide variety of typical local fruits such as breadfruit, mangoes, sour sap and dasheen.  Afterwards, guests will make the short, but scenic, journey through the city of St. John’s to the charming Villas at Sunset Lane boutique hotel and cooking school owned by renowned Chef Jacquie, who will invite the guests into her kitchen to help prepare lunch. Chef Jacquie shops daily from local organic farmers and will share her secrets for shopping and eating seasonally. Following a hands-on cooking demonstration, guests will enjoy local, seasonal favorites for lunch while overlooking the beachfront property.  After lunch, guests can go for a stroll on the private beach or relax at the property and perhaps peruse a book from Jacquie’s extensive library. 

Royal Caribbean unveils Legend of the Seas' 2015 Singapore itineraries

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 21 August 2014 21 August 2014

Royal Caribbean International has unveiled the details of its new Singapore season for Legend of the Seas in 2015, which offers a series of scenic itineraries to a rich variety of destinations in Asia from June to November.  

The 2,074-guest Legend of the Seas which homeported in Singapore from 2008 to 2013, will return here on June 25, 2015, sailing a variety of three- to 10-night itineraries to attractive exotic destinations throughout Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Brunei, the Philippines, Hong Kong and Taiwan till November, as follows:

– A 3-night cruise during the June school holidays that will call at Penang and Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang)
– A 3-night cruise and 5-night cruise over the September school holidays that visit Penang, Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Bangkok (Laem Chabang) and Ko Samui
– Two 10-night cruises to Ko Samui, Bangkok (Laem Chabang) (overnight), Sihanoukville, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My)
– Three 10-night one-way cruises to Ko Samui, Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Sihanoukville, Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Nha Trang, Hue/Danang (Chan May) and Hong Kong
– Two 10-night one-way cruises from Hong Kong to Taipei (Keelung), Manila, Boracay, Puerto Princesa, Kota Kinabalu. Bandar Seri Begawan (Muara) and Singapore

Vacationers also can choose among two consecutive 14-night itineraries in September, a southbound sailing from Singapore to Perth (Fremantle), Australia that will call at Kuala Lumpur (Port Klang), Langkawi, Phuket, Bali (Benoa), Lombok, Broome and Geraldton, followed by a northbound return to Singapore with the same ports-of-call.  

With Mariner of the Seas also sailing from Singapore in the winter season of 2015/16, Legend of the Seas’ new season will mark the first time that the cruise line will offer year-round sailings from Singapore.  

Legend of the Seas’ new and classic offerings

Having undergone an extensive US$50 million revitalization in Singapore last year, Legend of the Seas now offers guests seven delicious dining options, including the cruise line’s signature Chops Grille steakhouse, Izumi Asian Cuisine, Park Café gourmet deli and the exclusive Chef’s Table, a multi-course dining and wine-pairing experience hosted by the executive chef and sommelier.  Most exciting has been the addition of the Centrum aerial-acrobatic extravaganza, making the ship’s central five-deck atrium an unexpectedly spectacular entertainment venue.  Every stateroom have also been renewed and new ship-wide technology enhancements such as the oversized LED movie screen poolside, digital signages, flat-panel televisions in staterooms and shipwide WiFi service, offer guests the most contemporary vacation experience.  Suite guests and Crown & Anchor Society members also respectively enjoy exclusive access to the new Concierge Club and Diamond Club lounges, while the youngest guests – age six- to 36-month old – can rest soundly in the ship’s new Royal Babies & Tots Nursery.  

All these are on top of her signature amenities such as the rock-climbing wall, mini-golf course, Centrum boutiques, Romeo and Juliet Main Dining Room, Anchors Aweigh Lounge and That’s Entertainment Theatre.

American Queen Steamboat Company launches new website

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 21 August 2014 21 August 2014

The American Queen Steamboat Company, owner and operator of the country’s grandest riverboat fleet, is pleased to announce the launch of its new website showcasing sailings through America’s heartland and the Pacific Northwest.  Highlighting the American Queen and American Empress experience online, the website was designed with digital advertising partner, Fuseideas.  The new webpage boasts a fresh look with more interactive components than ever before, allowing future guests and travel agents to seamlessly research and request their next river cruise.            

“Fuseideas was pleased to partner with American Queen Steamboat Company to design and construct a modern website using advanced Content Management tools and technology to not only assist staff in updating itineraries and general site content, but also ensuring it serves a valuable marketing tool to grow their business.” shares Fuseideas CEO Dennis Franczak.   

Of the many enhancements, users will most enjoy the improved search function with more query options and faster results.  Voyage content includes expanded information on themes and special events.  Vessel details are more comprehensive than ever, with new videos for the American Queen and American Empress highlighting the brand’s onboard hospitality and hop-on, hop-off shore excursions.  Enhanced stateroom descriptions combine deck plans, images and other useful information neatly one page.  Additionally, a list of special offers encourages users to take full advantage of value cruises and sign up for monthly newsletters.  The Travel Agent section of the website has received an upgrade as well, with increased access to marketing materials and sales support.

Carnival Pride to operate special 10- to 14-night Caribbean sailings, 5-night Bermuda cruises from Baltimore and San Juan in 2015-2016

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Written by Teijo Niemelä Teijo Niemelä

Category: More News More News

Published: 21 August 2014 21 August 2014

For the first time, Carnival Pride will operate a series of 10- to 14-day Caribbean cruises round-trip from Baltimore and one-way between Baltimore and San Juan featuring some of the region’s most breathtaking destinations, as well as new five-day Bermuda cruises and unique six- and eight-day Caribbean/Bahamas voyages, beginning in October 2015.   

“Our guests and travel agent partners have been seeking more varied options from the Northeast – particularly longer length voyages – and we’re delighted to expand our schedules from Baltimore and San Juan to provide these attractive ‘Fun Ship’ cruise offerings from these ports,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival’s president and CEO. “These new voyages not only provide vacationers with an abundance of five- to 14-day cruise choices but also feature a wide range of spectacular island destinations throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas and Bermuda,” he added.

One-of-a-Kind 10- to 14-Day Caribbean Cruises

Carnival Pride will operate a series of 10-, 11- and 14-day cruises either round-trip from Baltimore or one-way between Baltimore and San Juan in 2015 and 2016.   The voyages include an 11-day exotic southern Caribbean cruise from Baltimore to San Juan departing Jan. 17, 2016, with stops at Grand Turk, Aruba, Curacao, Bonaire, and St. Croix; a 10-day exotic eastern Caribbean cruise from San Juan to Baltimore departing Jan. 28, 2016, calling at St. Thomas, Antigua, Dominica, St. Lucia; St. Kitts and St. Maarten; and a 14-day eastern Caribbean cruise round-trip from Baltimore March 13, 2016, featuring eight different island destinations: Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, Dominica, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua and St. Maarten.

During these voyages, guests can relax on some of the world’s most beautiful beaches, enjoy a host of shopping, dining and sightseeing opportunities, experience unique Caribbean cultures and visit centuries-old landmarks and attractions.

New Five-Day Bermuda Cruises, Six- and Eight-Day Sailings

Carnival Pride will also offer two five-day Bermuda cruises in 2015-16 – one departing Oct. 26, 2015, and another April 10, 2016.  These cruises spend two full days at Heritage Wharf, where guests can marvel at the island’s legendary pink sand beaches, enjoy a variety of watersports and visit historic sites such as the Royal Naval Dockyard and Gibb’s Hill Lighthouse, the oldest cast iron lighthouse in the Western Hemisphere.  

Additionally, three six-day Bahamas cruises operating round-trip from Baltimore and featuring visits to Freeport and Nassau will be offered.  These value-packed cruises, which depart Nov. 30 and Dec. 20, 2015, and Feb. 14, 2016, provide consumers with a new short duration cruise option from Baltimore at an incredible value.            

Carnival Pride will also offer a new series of eight-day exotic eastern Caribbean voyages departing from Baltimore and featuring Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Nassau, each offering gorgeous beaches and excellent watersports.  Departure dates for these voyages include Oct. 18 and 31, and Dec. 26, 2015, and Feb. 20, and April 15 and 23, 2016.

A special six-day East Coast U.S. and Bahamas cruise from Baltimore featuring the line’s first-ever scheduled in-transit call to Charleston, S.C., as well as Port Canaveral, Fla., Nassau, and Freeport, will be offered Nov. 22, 2015.

Exciting Fun Ship 2.0 Innovations

This fall, Carnival Pride will undergo a multi-million-dollar makeover that will add a variety of dining, bar and entertainment innovations that are part of the line’s Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancement initiative.  New features will include Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in tandem with Food Network star Guy Fieri, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, BlueIguana Cantina serving authentic Mexican fare, EA SPORTS Bar with a 16-monitor video wall and 24/7 sports ticker, and two poolside watering holes – RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar.

Sure to be a hit with guests of all ages will be WaterWorks featuring Green Thunder, the fastest and steepest slide at sea, as well as the line’s signature Twister slide and a water spray park. Also added will be Bonsai Sushi serving authentic Asian specialties, RedFrog Pub serving Carnival’s own private label draft beer, ThirstyFrog Red, Library Bar with self-service wine dispensers, and Cherry On Top, offering bulk candy, apparel and other items. New entertainment options such as Hasbro, The Game Show with larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic games, and Playlist Productions where talented performers interact with spectacular staging and special effects, will be added, as well.