Silversea Cruises' Silver Cloud to Undergo Refit at Italy's Fincantieri Shipyard

Silversea Cruises Silver Cloud

Starting this November, ultra-luxury Silver Cloud will welcome guests to a stylishly renovated shipboard environment brimming with a host of new enhancements.

 

A major stem-to-stern refurbishment will take place this month, with most of the work being completed during a three-week dry dock at Fincantieri's shipyard in Palermo, Italy. Overseeing the design and construction elements of the project is renowned Italian architect Giacomo Mortola.

 

The goal is to completely renovate Silver Cloud's interior decoration, including the suites, public spaces and dining venues, in order to introduce a fresh and contemporary classic atmosphere. Silversea is making a significant financial investment in this refurbishment to ensure its guests experience a renewed sense of luxury and comfort when sailing aboard Silver Cloud.

 

Highlights of Silver Cloud's makeover will include:

 

Refreshed Public Spaces: As soon as guests step aboard Silver Cloud, they will notice a totally renewed lobby displaying a color palette of warm earth tones that will be carried throughout most areas of the ship with the installation of stylish new carpets, wall treatments and artwork in the corridors, staircases and public spaces. Providing contrast to the main color scheme of the ship will be The Bar, which will be decorated in cooler shades of teal mixed with neutral tones of brown and beige. All new furniture, carpet, curtains and reconditioned wood flooring will give the Panorama Lounge a refreshed contemporary look, while The Spa and Beauty Salon will also get a makeover.

 

Dining Enhancements:

-- Le Champagne, the only Relais & Châteaux restaurant at sea, will be completely transformed with an upgraded entrance design, the addition of gleaming, backlit wine displays, a redesigned seating layout, and new wood flooring, fabrics and window treatments.

 

--La Terrazza's updated interior will include a remodeled buffet area and handsome new banquettes along the walls, offering greater seating flexibility, including more tables for two.

 

--The Restaurant will be refreshed with chairs dressed in bright new fabrics, new window treatments and reconditioned hardwood flooring.

 

--The Grill, with its unique interactive dining concept, will now be featured aboard Silver Cloud as the existing Pool Bar and Grill area is expanded with additional seating, a large overhead awning, and the removal of the central stair unit, which will be replaced with a curving corner staircase. At this new outdoor restaurant, guests will enjoy an innovative dining experience that lets them cook prime meats and fresh seafood on heated volcanic rocks at their table.

 

Sophisticated New Decor for Suites: The sofas and chairs will be updated with new fabrics. All carpets, headboards, curtains and outside veranda furniture will be replaced. Each suite will have a new mattress custom-made exclusively for Silversea. The mattress will feature an individual spring system with a soft and firm side that can be reversed to suit each guest's preference. The new beds will be outfitted with plush new Pratesi sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers. All bathrooms will be enhanced with new flooring, marble appointments and either a new bath-and-shower combination or a new walk-in, glass-enclosed rainforest shower with sitting area, offering a soothing, spa-like experience. (This will replace the existing bath-and-shower combination in nearly 90% of the Veranda and Vista Suites). The Owner's and Grand Suites will be outfitted with a modern wet room bath configuration featuring a new rainforest shower that will be separate from the bathtub.

 

Upgraded Outdoor Spaces: The jogging track will feature all-new synthetic turf and the pool area will be outfitted with new deck furniture.

In addition to enjoying a fresh reconditioning and polishing of teak decks and woodwork, the ship will undergo thorough maintenance on mechanical and propulsion systems.

=======================================================

 Check Out Our Other Sites

NYCruiseInfo.com Website   
NortheastCruiseGuide.com    

Blog on Cruises From New York, Boston, Baltimore, Norfolk & the Northeast
Free Cruise Newsletter 

.

After Years of Silence the America World City Project is Back in the Press.

America World City Project

After years of silcence and thought to be dead, the America World City project resurfaced in The Marine Reporter and Engineering News Magazine. The full page ad, is meant as a call to action for readers to reach out to congress and politicians to urge for the funding of the project.

Although the project has been discussed under a number of different solutions, the main concept remains the same - create a large, state of the art cruise ship, which from the exterior resembles more of a hotel than cruise ship. The project was first started 20+ years ago by Norwegian Cruise Line's founder Knut Kloster. At the time, the ship was to be constructed in Europe, flagged in the US and employ US citizens.

Later versions of the project included having the ship built in the US in pieces and to have the peices assembled in a US gulf port shipyard. Unfortunately the entire project, over the years, has been based on the United States MARAD funding the project. The MARAD has gone through budget cuts over the years and no longer has the funding to support the project, plus the bankruptcy and loan default by  American Classic Voyages in early 2000 left a bad taste in their mouth.

The most current 1 page ad  was triggered by a MARAD ruling on May 9th, 2012 in which MARAD announced a new policy prohibiting the fuinancing of overnight passenger ships in the United  States.

It is a very interesting and intriguing project - to learn more visit www.americanflagship.com

=======================================================

 Check Out Our Other Sites

NYCruiseInfo.com Website   
NortheastCruiseGuide.com    

Blog on Cruises From New York, Boston, Baltimore, Norfolk & the Northeast
Free Cruise Newsletter 

.

. 

Rhapsody of the Seas Enters Sembawang Shipyard For $54M Refit

On March 2nd, Royal Caribbean International’s Rhapsody of the Seas today entered Sembawang Shipyard (a subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine Ltd.) in Singapore to begin a month-long, $54 million drydock where she will undergo a major revitalization and emerge with an array of new amenities. The ship revitalization is the largest of its kind ever to take place in Singapore and will employ more than 800 local workers from the region.

Part of the cruise lines Vision Class of ships, Rhapsody of the Seas will receive a host of new dining and entertainment venues as well as an assortment of technological upgrades. The ship also will receive a bow-to-stern refresh of all furniture, carpet and upholstery, including renovated staterooms. The revitalizations are part of the Royal Advantage – the cruise line’s commitment to offer vacationers the world’s most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries to popular destinations, and world-renowned, friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service.

“Rhapsody of the Seas’ drydock is part of Royal Caribbean’s commitment to continue to deliver the Royal Advantage to our guests,” said Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “With our $300 million investment through 2014, no ship in our fleet will go untouched and our guests will have an unrivaled vacation experience no matter which destination in the world they visit or on what ship they sail on.”

Similar to sister-ship Splendour of the Seas, which underwent its revitalization in November 2011, Rhapsody will receive new dining venues, including Chops Grille, Izumi Asian Cuisine, Chef’s Table experience and Park Café. Additional offerings include a Diamond lounge for Crown and Anchor loyalty guests, a Concierge Lounge for suite guests and top tier loyalty guests, a transformed Viking Crown Lounge and the popular Royal Babies and Tots Nursery.

New offerings for guests include ship-wide Wi-Fi, a digital way finding system, electronic mustering, an outdoor movie screen, as well as iPad’s in every stateroom featuring content about the ship’s amenities and activities, ensuring a seamless cruise experience for guests. The ship’s Centrum, with its sweeping views and central location, will transform into a new chic and sophisticated venue featuring enriching daytime activities, dazzling nightly entertainment and jaw-dropping aerial spectacles. The ship’s Champagne Bar, located in the Centrum, also will reemerge as the R Bar, featuring a sophisticated 1960s vibe, complete with iconic furnishing and signature cocktails mixed by a savvy and personable mixologist.

When the enhancements are completed on March 28, Rhapsody of the Seas will sail a 15-night voyage from Singapore to Sydney, Australia. From there, she will sail across the Pacific with a combination of cruises from Australia and Hawaii, before beginning her Alaska season in May 2012.

In Alaska, Rhapsody of the Seas will offer seven-night open-jawed itineraries from both Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seattle, Washington. She will join Radiance of the Seas, which was revitalized in May 2011, offering guests in Alaska an unparalleled cruise vacation experience.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.

Royal Caribbean provides a world-class vacation experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming. The cruise line has a 40-year history of giving guests the Royal Advantage – the most innovative cruise ships, exciting itineraries to popular destinations, and world-renowned friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. Royal Caribbean has been voted “Best Cruise Line Overall” for eight consecutive years in Travel Weekly Readers’ Choice Awards.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Princess Cruises Offers Denali Package Discounts on Interior Cabins.

With Princess Cruises’ new Denali on Sale promotion, passengers can take advantage of the lowest Alaska cruisetour fares of the season. The sale, which runs from March 5-15, features special rates on land and sea vacations to the state’s most popular inland attraction – Denali National Park with its magnificent Mt. McKinley.

Denali Explorer cruisetours begin at just $799 per person for a 10-day vacation, including a seven-day Alaska cruise with a land tour into the Alaska wilderness to see the majesty of Denali, and North America’s tallest peak. Travelers will enjoy accommodations at Princess’ own wilderness lodges and exclusive rail car service.

“We continually receive accolades for our Alaska experience, and this sale makes it more affordable than ever to take advantage of the fantastic vacations we provide in the Great Land,” said Jan Swartz, executive vice president of Princess Cruises.

Examples of Denali on Sale fares include:

10-night Fairbanks to Vancouver Denali Explorer cruisetour: $799 interior (was $1,248)

11-night Anchorage to Vancouver Denali Explorer cruisetour: $1,049 interior (was $1,948)

12-night Vancouver to Fairbanks Denali Explorer cruisetour: $1,199 interior (was $1,698)

All fares are per person based on double occupancy.

Denali on Sale runs from 12:01am on March 5 through 11:59pm PST on March 15, 2012. Sale prices are available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

NY Times Travel; Show in Full Swing

The ninth annual New York Times Travel Show will be held March 2 – 4 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. The Travel Show will feature nearly 500 exhibitors representing over 150 countries focusing on travel destinations, packages and special offers, as well as tour operators, cruise lines and live entertainment for the whole family.

American Express has once again signed on to be the presenting sponsor of The New York Times Travel Show through 2014. As a founding sponsor, American Express has participated in the Travel Show since its inception. The Travel Show will take place in the main hall located on the south side of the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

The New York Times Travel Show is the largest consumer and trade travel event of its kind in the U.S. featuring different regions of the world including Africa, Asia, Australia/South Pacific, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, Latin America, Mexico and the United States.

Open to the public March 3 and 4, the show features discounts and entertainment for families, singles, couples and seniors, including:

Exclusive Travel Discounts: The New York Times Travel Show offers vacation discounts and travel packages from nearly 500 sponsors and exhibitors. Visitors can take advantage of these on-site-only offers on the Travel Show floor.

International Dance and Live Music Performances: Enjoy entertainment and special live performances from around the world including Danza Fiesta, presented by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company; an interactive African drumming demo with Drum Cafe, brought to you by South African Tourism; a traditional dragon and drum dance presented by Pacific Delight Tours; ancient Gnawa rhythms and dance presented by the Moroccan National Tourist Office; Sri Lankan traditional – modern fusion dance by “Channa-Upuli;” and Ballet Arte Folklorico Panama dance troupe, presented by Panama Tourism Authority.

Travel Seminars with the Experts: Travel experts, including Samantha Brown, Julia Dimon, Arthur and Pauline Frommer and Patricia Schultz, in addition to journalists from The New York Times Travel section and T Magazine’s Travel issue, will take questions and offer tips in on-site seminars. Culinary Travel seminars will feature culinary travel and cooking school experts including Judith Klinger, Aroma Cucina culinary programs; Sara Monick, Hotel Crillon le Brave “Cooking in Provence” courses; Renée Restivo, SoulofSicily.com; Adam Richman, host of Travel Channel’s “Man v. Food Nation;” and Anna Maria Sorrentino, ShopWineAndDine.com.

Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival at the Travel Show: Come to the Travel Show to see representatives of the national, star-studded destination event that showcases the talents of the world’s most renowned wine and spirits producers, chefs and culinary personalities. In celebration of the annual culinary event, benefiting Florida International University’s School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, guests at the Travel Show will be treated to one-of-a-kind culinary demonstrations presented by the Food Network South Beach Wine & Food Festival. Special guests, including David Burke, chef and restaurateur; Joey Campanaro, chef and owner, the little owl; Daniel Holzman, co-owner and executive chef, The Meatball Shop; Seamus Mullen, chef and author of “Hero Food;” Bill Telepan, chef and owner, Telepan; and Jonathan Waxman, chef and owner, Barbuto, will bring a taste of the Festival north for the weekend.

International Food and Wine Tastings: Host Doug Duda, A&E International Network’s “The Well-Seasoned Traveler,” will present tips and tastings for the culinary traveler. Chefs, writers, sommeliers, wine makers and culinary tour guides will take the audience on a delicious journey with demonstrations and samples of this year’s most exciting food and wine adventures. The weekend’s highlights include an international cooking demonstration and discussions with David Burke, chef and author of “David Burke’s New American Classics;” Melissa Clark, food columnist for The New York Times and author of “Cook This Now: 120 Easy and Delectable Dishes You Can't Wait to Make;” Kathy Gunst, author of “Notes from a Maine Kitchen: Seasonally Inspired Recipes;” Daniel Holzman, chef and author of “The Meatball Shop Cookbook;” Pati Jinich, host of the PBS series “Pati’s Mexican Table,” and Julian Medina, chef and owner, Toloache, in demonstrations presented by Mexico Tourism Board; Rufino Rengifo, corporate executive chef, Celebrity Cruises; Francine Segan, author of “Dolci: Italy’s Sweets” and “Opera Lover’s Cookbook;” Kate Shaffer, author of “Desserted: Recipes and Tales from an Island Chocolatier;” and Jonathan Waxman, chef and owner, Barbuto. Other tasting events include a Maine seafood sampling with salmon fishery Cooke Aquaculture presented by Maine Tourism; a taste of Saborea, Puerto Rico Hotel and Tourism Association’s annual culinary extravaganza, with support from Rums of Puerto Rico and Serralles; and secrets from the wine trails of South Africa, sponsored by South African Tourism.

See Live Animals from SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment: SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment operates 10 parks across the United States, including SeaWorld and Busch Gardens, that use the power of entertainment to educate and inspire guests through up-close animal encounters, educational attractions and innovative entertainment. A global leader in animal care and conservation, SeaWorld Parks has helped rescue over 20,000 animals in need – ill, injured, orphaned and abandoned – for more than four decades. Join our animal educators as they share conservation information and introduce animal ambassadors, including a spoonbill, tegu, bearded dragon, echidna, sloth and marmoset.

Family Fun Pavilion: The New York Times Travel Show is a terrific place to have fun while planning your next family getaway. On-site activities for the family include a 24-foot rock-climbing wall sponsored by Ecuador Tourism, and even a 5,000 gallon, heated dive pool where families can learn to SCUBA right at the Travel Show.

Win a Caribbean hotel stay at the CHTA Education Foundation Silent Charity Auction: Attendees can bid on stays at participating hotels. All proceeds benefit Caribbean hospitality students in need of financial assistance.

Book Signings with Leading Travel and Cookbook Authors: Once again, there will be an on-site bookstore where attendees can purchase many of the latest travel guides, meet authors, ask for travel advice or get an autographed book.

The New York Times Travel Show Mobile Guide: The mobile guide delivers discounts and offers from exhibitors to attendees directly over their mobile devices. Attendees can opt in to receive special announcements and discounts from exhibitors on the show floor via SMS text message.

The 2012 Travel Show will begin with a trade day for industry professionals on March 2, offering targeted conferences. The exhibit hall will also be open for exclusive viewing by travel trade professionals, followed by an industry reception on the exhibit floor.

“American Express is thrilled to once again be the presenting sponsor of The New York Times Travel Show,” says Ellen Bettridge, vice president, American Express U.S. Retail Travel Network. “We know that consumers love travel, and we are always happy to play a role in bringing this passion to life for them.”

“We are delighted to continue our relationship with American Express as our presenting sponsor for this year and the years to come,” said Yasmin Namini, senior vice president, marketing and circulation, and general manager, reader applications, The New York Times Media Group. “The Travel Show is a unique opportunity for consumers to meet experts in the travel trade and enjoy fantastic travel deals and packages.”

Supporting sponsors of the 2012 Travel Show are Celebrity Cruises, Embratur (Brazilian Tourist Office), Puerto Rico Tourism Company and Visit Florida. Ecuador Tourism, South African Tourism and the Turkish Culture and Tourist Office are the contributing sponsors. Agent@Home, Travel Agent Academy, TravelPulse and VacationAgent are the industry sponsors. 1010 WINS, ABC 7, GoNOMAD, MVP/NY, nationally syndicated radio talk show host and travel expert Stephanie Abrams and Travel Tribe are media sponsors. Industry partners for the Travel Show are Adventure Travel Trade Association, Africa Travel Association, American Society of Travel Agents, Association for the Promotion of Tourism to Africa, Caribbean Hotel & Tourism Association Education Foundation, Caribbean Tourism Organization, Cruise Lines International Association, International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association, MailPound, National Association of Career Travel Agents, Pacific Asia Travel Association, Specialty Travel Agents Association, Tripology and United States Tour Operators Association.

Admission to the show is $15. Children under 18 are admitted free. Public show hours are Saturday, March 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday, March 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For advance ticket purchase and a list of exhibitors, please visit www.NYTimes.com/TravelShow. Tickets can also be purchased by calling 1-877-779-3210.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Cunard's Queens to Rendezvous to Celebrate Queen's Jubilee

Cunard Line will celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee with a unique Cunard Royal Rendezvous on 5 June 2012, the final day of the Jubilee celebrations. Her Majesty has long been associated with Cunard, being the only person to have attended the naming of all three Cunard Elizabeths, beginning in 1938.

This will be the first time that the three ships of the Cunard fleet – the three largest Cunarders ever built – will have been seen arriving and departing together in formation at their home port of Southampton.

“Cunard is delighted to celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in a way that will give everyone, especially our guests, a truly remarkable day that they will feel proud to talk about for years to come,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “We are thrilled to take part in such an historic occasion, marking the sixty glorious years of Her Majesty’s reign in a fitting, memorable and spectacular way,” Shanks continued.

Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 will approach the port soon after first light on Tuesday 5 June, sailing in single file up the Solent River, with a flotilla of small boats expected to welcome them in.

As Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria tie up at their berths, Queen Mary 2 will follow on, passing each ship in turn, with crew lining the foredeck of all three vessels, and the ships’ whistles sounding in salute of Her Majesty’s Jubilee.

Events will be happening throughout the day, to create both an outstanding guest experience and a fitting commemoration of Her Majesty’s reign. The celebrations will culminate in an evening spectacular where all three ships will be brought within close proximity of each other, and a fusillade of fireworks and special effects will light up the evening sky beyond them.

Queen Mary 2 will then lead Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria in single file down the Solent as all three ships set out on their celebratory Jubilee voyages.

Further details of the day’s events will be released in due course.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Luxury Operator Azamara Club Cruises Offers Airfare Discounts and Upgrades on Select Cruises.

Recently recognized as having the best itineraries by Conde Nast Traveler, Azamara Club Cruises is inviting up-market travelers to immerse themselves in the sights, sounds and tastes of Europe in 2012 with airfare credits of up to $2,000 per stateroom. Along with additional savings on cruise fares and shore excursions, plus included gratuities, guests will enjoy Azamara’s authentic hospitality on an immersive European adventure aboard the cruise lines two intimate ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest.

“This is the year for up-market travelers to rediscover Europe aboard a destination-immersive Azamara voyage,” said Edie Bornstein, vice president of Sales and Marketing for Azamara Club Cruises. “Many of Azamara’s Europe voyages coincide with the continent’s most popular cultural celebrations, such as the Monaco Grand Prix and various European Jazz Festivals, and offer more overnight and late-night stays in port so guest can join in the festivities. Not only do we present extraordinary value to guests, but pay commission to our valued travel agent partners for many things, such as hotel, shore excursions and cruise tour bookings for their clients.”

Azamara Club Cruises recognizes the great value travel agents add to guests’ overall experience and offers agents in the fifty states and Canada up to 15 percent commission on cruise bookings and cruise tours, 10 percent commission on hotel stays, and ground transfers, as well as five percent on CruiseCare insurance when purchased through the cruise line. New for 2012, travel agents also can earn an additional commission of $25 per booking when purchasing air transportation for their clients through ChoiceAir, Azamara’s proprietary air booking system

For new individual bookings made with deposit through March 31, 2012, aboard Azamara Europe voyages in 2012, travelers can enjoy $500 ChoiceAir credit per guest, up to two guests, when booking an Oceanview-, Veranda-, or Club Ocean Suite- category stateroom; and $1,000 per guest, up to two guests, in a Club Continent and Club World Owner Suites. Furthermore, travelers receive double ChoiceAir credits on Azamara Quest’s April 4 voyage from Nice, France.

Year-round, travelers can take advantage of up to 50 percent savings off brochure rates and delve into the destinations that larger ships cannot reach with half off Land Discoveries (shore excursions) purchased online. More information about Azamara’s 2012 booking bonus can be found at http://www.AzamaraClubCruises.com/promotions/2012-pricing-program.

Guests aboard Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest also enjoy more inclusive amenities, such as included gratuities for housekeeping, dining and bar staff; complimentary bottled water, sodas, specialty coffee, and teas, as well as complimentary red and white boutique wines to accompany lunch and dinner; complimentary self-service laundry; English Butler service for suite guests; and shuttle bus to city centers in ports, where available.

ChoiceAir is Azamara’s proprietary air-booking system, offering guests access to highly competitive airfares, more flight options and full control and visibility of their air arrangements. Guests enjoy exceptional, dedicated service that includes day-of-travel support to help them get to their voyage, even if they encounter flight delays or cancellations requiring a last-minute change or diversion to the next port of call. ChoiceAir is available through a travel agent, directly from Azamara Club Cruises, and online at www.AzamaraClubCruises.com/ChoiceAir.

Azamara Club Cruises is a destination-immersive cruise line for up-market travelers who want to not only see the places and cultures they visit, but to live them. Azamara’s two intimate, 694-guest ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, with a combination of 347 suites and staterooms, offer a European-boutique hotel ambience with extraordinary service, fine cuisine and wines from around the world, and wellness and vitality programs, all while sailing to a host of destinations larger ships cannot reach.

Azamara Club Cruises sails European destinations, including the Baltic and Scandinavia, British Isles, Western Europe, French and Italian Rivieras, Greek Isles, Croatia, Holy Land and Black Sea, as well as Asia, South America and lesser-traveled islands of the West Indies, with more overnight and late-night stays in every region. Travelers also can choose even more immersive experiences with Azamara cruisetours in eight of the world’s most exciting destinations, including Rome, Athens, Buenos Aires, Cairo, Istanbul, Jordan and Israel, India, and China.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Costa Cruises Costa Concordia Hits Rock

Friday night we were all taken by surprise by the Costa Concordia disaster. The Costa Concordia was steaming between Civitavecchia on her way to Savona when she reported hit an uncharted rock. At approximately 9:45 PM local time, passengers reported that the ship hit something and heard a loud noise. Almost immediately the ship began to list. The crew initially told passengers there were electrical issues and no reason for alarm. After the collision, the captain reportedly tried to beach the ship to prevent her from sinking further and allow for the evacuation of the ship closer to shore. Costa Concordia ran aground off Isola del Giglio, Italy. At approximately 10:30 PM, passengers started boarding lifeboats and the evacuation of over 4,000 people on board began.

The ship eventually took on more and more water until she eventually capsized, resting on her side. By morning a 160 foot gash was visible in the hull of the ship.

There are 3 people who perished and 41 still unaccounted for.

The Costa Concordia was delivered to Costa on June 30, 2006 by Fincantieri's Sestri Ponente yard in Genoa at a cost of $570 Million dollars. Costa Concordia is 952 ft long, 116 ft 6 in wide and has a draught 26 ft 11 in. She is capable of a speed of 19.6 knots

The cruise started from Civitavecchia had scheduled calls at Savona, Marseille, Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, Cagliari and Palermo.

Onboard there were about 1.000 Italian passengers, 500 Germans, about 160 French and about 1.000 crew members.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog

Princess Cruises Sapphire Princess Enter's Drydock For Transformation

Sapphire Princess arrives today (1/9/2012) at the Victoria Shipyards drydock in British Columbia to begin a dramatic, four-week transformation. The drydock continues a multi-year fleet renovation process that has brought Princess Cruises’ signature features to most of its ships.

When the ship re-enters service again on February 4, passengers will be able to enjoy a brand-new Piazza atrium with the International Café and Vines wine bar, plus the new Alfredo’s Pizzeria. On the top decks, passengers will enjoy poolside movies on the new giant Movies Under the Stars screen, and an opportunity to relax in the ship’s “pocket of tranquility,” the adults-only Sanctuary.

“It’s been an incredible process over the past few years to retrofit these popular features onto our earlier-introduced ships, but we know our passengers appreciate that they can now find their favorite amenities on virtually any vessel in our fleet,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

Throughout the drydock, Princess will be featuring a daily photo highlight of the transformation on its social media outlets, including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and Google+.

The many changes to Sapphire Princess include:

New Piazza Atrium – The ship’s atrium space will be redesigned to include this signature Princess feature – a European-inspired social hub of the ship combining always-changing quick bites and light meals, beverages, entertainment, shopping and guest services. The Piazza will feature the International Café for pastries, fresh panini sandwiches, salads, fresh-baked cookies and a variety of coffee drinks. Passengers will also enjoy a new Vines wine bar offering a selection of more than 30 wines by the glass, plus a selection of tapas and sushi, and a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle.

Alfredo’s Pizzeria – Introduced last year aboard Grand Princess, Alfredo’s will expand to its second location on Sapphire Princess. The sit-down pizzeria serves up an enticing menu of freshly prepared, hand-stretched, individual-size pizzas. Named for the line’s master executive chef, Alfredo Marzi, the pizzeria will feature an open kitchen where passengers can watch chefs create their custom-made pies.

Movies Under the Stars – Sapphire Princess will be the final ship to introduce Movies Under the Stars on board. The giant poolside movie screen will showcase feature films, concerts, awards shows and sports events, and passengers can enjoy their viewing on padded loungers under warm, fleece blankets. Complimentary popcorn and other treats enhance the al fresco entertainment experience.

The Sanctuary – Sapphire Princess is also the final ship to receive The Sanctuary, a tranquil retreat exclusively for adults. Added prior to drydock, the new Sanctuary space has already received an enthusiastic welcome from passengers enjoying the enhanced comforts of this peaceful oasis, as Serenity Stewards attend to their every need, offering refreshing beverages, light snacks, pre-loaded MP3 players, and the cooling mist of an Evian atomizer.

Also part of the renovation are several relocated and upgraded venues, including the Art Gallery, Internet Café and Library, and the Photo-Video Gallery. New carpet and upholstery will be installed throughout the ship, and staterooms will feature new flat-screen televisions.

The newly renovated Sapphire Princess will debut on February 4 in Los Angeles when the ship will depart on a 14-day Hawaiian Islands cruise.

-------------------------------------------------------------------

Additional Links:

Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Main Page
Cruises From New York and New Jersey - Cruise News

Cruises From Boston
Cruises From Baltimore
Cruises From Norfolk

Sign Up for Free Cruise Newsletter

Nick's Cruise Corner Blog