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Island Star is now the MV Pacific Dream

The Island Star is now the MV Pacific Dream after having a refit in 2009 and is cruising for Pullmantur Cruises with cruises from Lisbon, Madeira and the Caribbean.

Island Star was originally built as Horizon for Celebrity Cruises before being transferred to Island Cruises in 2005 and changing her name to the Island Star. When Island cruises was broken up Thomson Cruises took the Island Escape and the Island Cruises name, while Royal Caribbean took the Island Star. Subsequently the Island Star has been renamed the MV Pacific Dream and ha been given to Pullmantur Cruises.

Planet Cruise do not sell MV Pacific Dream or indeed any Pullmantur Cruises as they feel that both Thomson Cruises and Ocean Village Cruises offer better value cruises and are more suited to English audiences.


Island Cruises Sold

Royal Caribbean have stated that Island Cruises has been Sold; Royal Caribbean have announced that the joint venture originally with First Choice and subsequently TUI is to be ended.

The break up will see Island Escape move to Thomson Cruises while Island Star, the better of the two Island Cruises ships and already owned by Royal Caribbean moving to Pullmantur.

Will this be the last cruise line to be sold or will we wake up to more news such as today’s “Island Cruises Sold” is anyone’s guess, however there is a concern in the industry that there are now too many ships vying for too few passengers and with more new builds coming this may not be the last action among the worlds leading cruise lines to sell off a product.


New Flights From Glasgow

Island Cruises have announced the introduction of a new flight out of Glasgow. The start of this new flight will begin on 11th October 2008 ready for the half term.

The flight will meet the Island Star ready for a 7 night cruise around the Mediterranean. The cost of this cruise includes the return flights and transfers, tipping, entertainment and full board accommodation.

Destinations that will be visited on this cruise include Barcelona, Marseille, Valencia and Florence.

For the full press release see The Cruise News.


New Mediterranean Fly Cruises

Island Cruises are now offering new fly cruises direct from Doncaster Sheffield Airport for the summer of 2009.

It will be a 7 night fly/cruise around the Mediterranean onboard Island Star. The fly cruise includes return flights, full board accommodation, entertainment and tipping.

The first fly/cruise will depart Doncaster Sheffield Airport on 2nd May 2009.

For the full press release see The Cruise News.


Island Cruises Wedding Programme

Island Cruises have launched a new weddings programme on their Caribbean Cruises, onboard Island Star so that guests can get married on the island of Barbados.

There is a choice of three wedding packages, which all include:

• Wedding planning and ceremony
• An onboard wedding venue (or land-based Barbados venue at an added cost)
• Marriage licence, marriage certificate and registrar fees
• Bridal bouquet and buttonhole
• Champagne for both the bride and groom
• A wedding cake
• A special photograph taken with the captain

The Island Cruises wedding team will help you to design the perfect wedding including inviting your friends and family with you. Special group discount are available when more than 12 passengers are booked.

Your wedding will be made complete with the perfect honeymoon of a 15 night Caribbean cruise.

For the full press release see The Cruise News.


Island Cruises Unique Excursions

Island Cruises are to trial a unique new shore excursion which will enable guests to get the most out of their Med Cruises ports of call.

The new shore excursion will be named ‘The Live The City Experience’ and gives guests the opportunity to do a bit of sightseeing as well as benefit from the entertainment before finishing up with a quiz finale to win some top prizes.

Ben Green, Product Development Manager at Island Cruises said:

‘I am very excited about this new initiative, and am sure this trial will be a success.  I believe our guests will really enjoy the mix of sightseeing, discovery, and entertainment offered by the Live The City experience.’

The experience is to be trialed from July.