Two Princess Ship to be Remodeled
April 30, 2008 by Paula ·
It has been announced that two Princess Cruises ships are to be remodeled so that they can add a few of the popular amenities already onboard some of the newer cruise ships. The cruise ships due to undergo this remodeling are Star Princess and Caribbean Princess. The facilities to be added are the piazza-style street café, the adult’s only sanctuary, Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant as well as seven new suites.
The features are expected to be added to Star Princess in San Francisco during September. Caribbean Princess will then undergo her remodeling in January 2009.
“After Crown Princess and Emerald Princess debuted, we knew we had struck a chord with our passengers who loved the piazza-style atriums, new dining experiences and the peaceful environment of The Sanctuary,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “And so we’re delighted to bring these hallmark features to two of the other vessels.”
To make the remodeling possible some of the current facilities are to be relocated, these facilities include the sports court, casino, internet café and wedding chapel.
P&O Cruises Launch 2009 Preview Edition Brochure
April 23, 2008 by Paula ·
P&O Cruises have now published their 2009 Preview Edition brochure which features their 2009 cruise holidays. Their cruises cover 235 destinations in 82 different countries as well as a cruise around Britain, the first of its kind for P&O Cruises.
Ventura will depart from Southampton 19 times in her first full year of sailing. This cruise ship is the first purpose-built ship for the British market and will also do 10 fly-cruise holidays from Barbados in her first full year.
Artemis will offer an 11 night debut tour of the British Isles calling at the likes of Greenock, Dublin and Falmouth.
P&O Cruise’s managing director, Nigel Esdale, said: “Our 2009 programme is our biggest yet, offering a 30% increase in capacity for our brand with the first full year of Ventura. We have more ships, more UK departures and more breadth of appeal than any other cruise line.”
“For a brand that has brought the world to the door of British passengers for almost 170 years, it is perhaps long overdue and fitting for us to visit the British Isles.”
“Cruise holidays are becoming an increasingly popular choice for younger couples and families and we have two ships within the fleet dedicated to serving this market in terms of length of holiday, destination, on board entertainment, facilities and dining, and pricing.
“Shorter cruises on Ventura and Oceana are the perfect choice for people who are new to cruising and want to see if it’s for them without being away for two weeks. In 2009 we are offering 16 such itineraries of either two or seven nights – this is double the amount we offered in 2008.”
Ventura Named in Southampton
April 21, 2008 by Paula ·
P&O Cruise’s Ventura has officially been named by award-winning actress Dame Helen Mirren on April 16th. She was joined onboard by 1,500 guests including celebrity chef Marco Pierre White, Kate Ford and Hugh Bonneville.
Dame Helen Mirren was over the moon to be fronting the spectacular ceremony and said:
“It is the first time I have ever named a ship, let alone one of the size of P&O Cruises Ventura and am really looking forward to being Godmother.”
P&O Cruise’s managing director was just as pleased to have Dame Helen Mirren onboard as she was to be there. P&O cruises managing director, Nigel Esdale said:
“Dame Helen Mirren embodies glamour, vitality and Britishness, which are all values that will be a feature of Ventura. We are honoured that she has agreed to become Godmother. The arrival of Ventura is set to usher in a new era for the British cruise industry and will accelerate the rate of progress of an already fast growing market. We are delighted that Dame Helen is to be associated with her. At the same time, we are determined to get the bottle-smashing right, and are grateful for the military coordinated assistance of the Royal Marines.”
Ventura is due to cruise to the Mediterranean on Friday on her maiden cruise.
Royal Caribbean Welcomes Independence of the Seas
April 17, 2008 by Paula ·
Royal Caribbean has just welcomed its newest ship, Independence of the Seas to its fleet. A ceremony took place at Aker Yards in Turku, Finland ready for her to make her debut in Europe later in the next few days. Independence of the Seas will be the third cruise ship to join Royal Caribbean’s Freedom Class of ships and the largest cruise ship ever to be home-ported in Europe.
The official naming ceremony and celebrations are due to take place in Southampton on April 30th after the Godmother is announced on April 18th.
“We are delighted to welcome Independence of the Seas to our fleet and to introduce her to vacationers throughout the United Kingdom and Europe,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “Positioning one of our largest and newest ships in Southampton reaffirms Royal Caribbean’s strong commitment to the region and will provide the opportunity for more European guests to experience the distinctive and award-winning vacation our brand has become recognized for throughout the world.”
Independence of the Seas will embark on her maiden voyage on May 2nd before spending the summer sailing through the Mediterranean calling at various ports including Barcelona, Malaga, Monte Carlo, Sardinia and Lisbon.
Paddington Joins Ocean Village
April 15, 2008 by Paula ·
Paddington Bear is set to set sail again when he joins Ocean Village in the Mediterranean this summer.
From May 2008, Paddington Bear will become a permanent addition onboard Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two. Paddington will join Bagpuss who joined Ocean Village last summer.
Gill Haynes, Head of Marketing Communications comments: “Though a renowned traveller, Paddington will join many of our first time cruisers this summer as he embarks on his debut Mediterranean season onboard Ocean Village and Ocean Village Two.”
“With this exciting new addition we can offer families memorable experiences with not just one, but two of the most popular and enduring children’s characters of all time. Mums and Dads have grown up with both Paddington and Bagpuss and children today still adore them. These cult icons will delight and entertain the young, and young at heart, and once again demonstrate our commitment to providing imaginative, high-quality and family-friendly holidays.”
Queen Mary 2 to Call at Liverpool
April 14, 2008 by Paula ·
Queen Mary 2 is to be calling at Liverpool as part of a special British Isles voyage marking her fifth anniversary of her introduction to service in January 2004.
QE2 has already visited Liverpool eight and will make one final call to the port on Friday 3rd October 2008 before leaving the Cunard fleet in November.
Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says:
“We are delighted to be announcing this historic call at Liverpool. Cunard Line was founded in the city in May 1839 and our Head Office remained there until 1967, so our ties with the city are deep. 2009 marks the 170th anniversary of our founding and Queen Mary 2’s fifth anniversary so we felt there was no better time for our flagship to call at our birthplace for the first time. If previous visits by our beloved QE2 are anything to go by then Queen Mary 2 can expect an emotional, warm and historic welcome – in true Liverpool fashion”.
Fred Olsen to Sail From Portsmouth
April 14, 2008 by Paula ·
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines are to base cruise ship Boudicca in the port of Portsmouth during the autumn of 2009. Plans to dock in Portsmouth coincide with Fred Olsen using a variety of regional ports for its worldwide cruise programme.
Matt Grimes, Director of Planning, Ports and Logistics for Fred. Olsen said: “We are delighted to be adding Portsmouth to the departure ports we can offer our customers. Its accessibility and geographical location make it extremely convenient for many southern based customers. With more ships, we can offer more choice in terms of cruise destinations as well as departure ports and we very much look forward to working with the Portsmouth Port.”
Martin Putman, Portsmouth Port manager said: “Developing our cruise offering is a key focus for Portsmouth Port, and we are looking forward to welcoming Fred Olsen in 2009. It is an exciting development for the Port and the city.”
Boudicca will cruise from Portsmouth on five occasions, initially to the Mediterranean and Atlantic, finishing up with a transatlantic crossing to the Caribbean reading to sail from Barbados in the winter season.
Queen Mary 2 to Call at Greenock
April 14, 2008 by Paula ·
Queen Mary 2, the flagship of Cunard Cruises will make an historic stop at Greenock on Monday 19th October 2009.
To mark the fifth anniversary of the introduction of Queen Mary 2 in January 2004 she is taking part in a special British Isles voyage including making a call at Greenock. QE2 has already visited Greenock seven times and will make one final call on Sunday 5th October before she leaves service in November.
Carol Marlow, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, says:
“We are delighted to be announcing this historic call at Greenock. Since it’s founding in May 1839 – the 170th anniversary of which we celebrate in 2009 – Cunard has owned over 220 ships. Of those 125 were built in Scotland, with the vast majority of those being built on the Clyde. They range from the tiny Unicorn, to the first superliner Lusitania, the palatial Aquitania and the famous Queens Queen Mary, Queen Elizabeth and QE2. We felt a visit by our flagship Queen Mary 2 to acknowledge our deep ties with the Clyde, Greenock and Glasgow was well overdue! If previous visits by our beloved QE2 are anything to go by then Queen Mary 2 can expect an emotional, warm and historic welcome”.
