Cruise Holidays Irish Cruise Blog

P&O Cruises announce exotic itinerary for 2013

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

P&O Cruises is offering a new collection of exotic fly-cruise holidays on four ships in early 2013. 50 new holidays are on offer on Adonia, Arcadia, Aurora and Azura.

These exotic cruises are presented in a new Winter Holidays brochure, combined with cruises on the other three ships in the P&O Cruises fleet – Oceana, Oriana and Ventura – offering holidays throughout the winter to the Caribbean, Canary Islands and Mediterranean. All cruises in the Winter Holidays brochure can be booked from July 15, 2011.

 

The new exotic fly-cruise holidays combine iconic, far-flung destinations and start from just 13 nights in duration and £989 per person, based on Azura’s Mumbai to Singapore, calling in Colombo, Langkawi, Bangkok (from Laem Chabang) and Singapore.

Free on board spending money, which increases per person depending on the grade of cabin booked, and Early Booking savings are available for bookings made before November 30, 2011. In addition, an extra 10% discount is available for bookings made by August 31, 2011.

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said: “These exotic fly-cruise holidays are perfect for those who unfortunately can’t be away for more than a few weeks but want to explore a particular part of the world, on a cruise that is tailor made to combine some of the world’s most exciting destinations.

“No other kind of holiday offers the chance to visit destinations such as Singapore, Bali, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney in little more than two weeks without having to live out of a backpack or take several long flights. Passengers simply wake up in all these different destinations and the days in between are spent relaxing at sea. It is a leisurely way to explore the world and one that more and more people are enjoying each year.

“Time of year is a key factor when choosing a holiday and with more people taking a winter holiday it was a logical step for us to introduce this new brochure which contains all our winter programme between October to April 2012/13.”

 

New Design on NCL Cruises

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

The new cabin design on Norwegian Cruise Lines two new vessels has been revealed and named as Project Breakaway.

According to the Mirror newspaper the new cruise ships which are to be constructed at the Meyer-Werft shipyard in Germany, will each carry approximately 4,000 passengers and this week's announcement was about the 1,024 balcony cabins and 238 mini-suites.

"The overall design theme for Project Breakaway's staterooms is 'modern boutique hotel meets the sea.' We wanted an ambiance that is warm and inviting, and has a very contemporary feel with clean, modern lines.

"We also want to maximise the use of space within the staterooms, so our guests are as comfortable as possible and storage space is well planned throughout."

 


The cabins have been drawn up by London designers Priestmangood and working alongside Tillberg Design of Sweden, slot together with a wide section for the bed and a narrower area for the sitting space.

Each balcony stateroom onboard the new ships will have a king-size bed (which can be split into twins) with a leather headboard. There's a lighted recess above the bed to hold books, magazines, iPads and Kindles - which every passenger will no doubt travel with. A 26 inch television is mounted on the wall and tilts so it can be seen from the bed or sofa.

The bathrooms in the balcony cabins will have plenty of storage space and a decent-sized basin - neither of which was part of the design of the Epic cabins - and a "private shower" with a shaving bar.

The mini-suites will have oversized spa-like showers with a rain-shower head and multiple jets, along with a separate handheld shower head.

With these new cabin features, would it encourage you to take your cruise holiday with NCL Cruises?

Crystal Cruises Launches Private Adventure

Crystal Cruises is introducing a private shore excursion alternative for personal adventurers. 

Crystal’s new “Private Adventure Option” enables cruise holiday guests to take already-organized group excursions – in a more intimate fashion.

Beginning this August/September, parties of two, four or six can opt for a personal guide and private vehicle to tour Ephesus, Pompeii or the city of Barcelona, for example – on a shore-side itinerary already carefully crafted by Crystal’s Land Programs team and its worldwide tour operators.

Senior Vice President, Hotel Operations, Thomas Mazloum, was inspired to create the program by his own Crystal cruise vacation.  “While I heard how much guests appreciated the ‘creative content’ of our Crystal Adventures, some said they would love to take the same tour by themselves to make it even more personal,” says Mazloum.  “At Crystal, we are committed to giving our guests choices.  Being able to really personalize your experience is the hallmark of a perfect luxury vacation.”

For several years, Crystal has offered guests a “Crystal Private Adventure” program, which offers the opportunity to design customized land itineraries for individuals, their families and friends.  The new “Private Adventure Option” is similar, but follows established excursions in a private way.  If guests prefer to modify their “Private Adventure Option” or expand the group, the trip would then become a custom “Crystal Private Adventure.”

Launching August 14 and September 13 on Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, respectively, the “Private Adventure Option” can be pre-reserved at least one week prior to embarkation by emailing crystaladventures@crystalcruises.com.

Prices will be at least 25% more than group tour fares, but vary depending on excursion length, vehicle size, guide costs and sites visited.

Crystal’s passion for creating exclusive, eye-opening luxury shore-side experiences is a cornerstone of its Crystal Adventures program, helping earn the line top ratings for two decades.

Top Chefs create dishes for Holland America

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Holland America cruise line has asked its advising Culinary Council to provide signature dishes that showcase their specialties.

Marcus Samuelsson (Red Rooster in Harlem), who won Bravo TV's Top Chef Masters last year and has appeared as a judge on both Top Chef and Food Network's Chopped, came up with a dish of grilled salmon with miso, garlic, sesame and cilantro, served in a spiced tomato broth with kale. He also created a dessert of rich chocolate cake accented with bourbon- and blueberry-infused whipped cream.

David Burke (New York's David Burke Townhouse), who competed against Samuelsson on Top Chef Masters, developed roasted chicken with sausage cornbread stuffing served alongside roasted vegetables with bacon, green beans and apple cider-chicken gravy. Burke also created a spice-crusted prime rib.

The line's Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has his name on a seared Cajun tuna steak with plum tomato confit and horseradish potatoes. He also contributed a veal chop with creamy Porcini sauce served with baby vegetables and homemade spaetzle.

Cruise holiday passengers can also sample new signature dishes from Jacques Torres, one of the world's top chocolatiers, and a Food TV regular; Dutch Chef Jonnie Boer (De Librijie in Zwolle); and 10-time James Beard award winner Charlie Trotter (Charlie Trotter's Chicago).

"When we came together on the Culinary Council, it was our vision to bring unique dishes to our guests that would expose their palates to new and exotic flavors," Sodamin said. "All of the chefs developed outstanding dishes that our guests are going to be talking about long after their cruise is over."

The chefs are also consulting on Holland America's Culinary Arts Center enrichment program, where passengers can pickup cooking tips.

Zumba Classes rolled out on Princess Cruises

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Zumba Fitness, the super fast dance-fitness programme that blends international music and contagious choreography, is now going to be available on the entire Princess Cruises fleet.

Since December, cruise holiday passengers on many Princess ships have been joining in the fun with free classes taught by licensed Zumba instructors. The classes quickly became among the most popular activities on board, and now additional staff members will complete the official training to become licensed Zumba instructors as the program expands fleetwide.

"The energetic atmosphere and popularity of Zumba classes inspired us to send our staff members for official training to become licensed Zumba instructors, so that we could offer this fun new fitness option to our passengers," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "As a result, our onboard Zumba classes are always packed, and consistently receive positive feedback from passengers who are happy to have the opportunity to try something they've been hearing about, or to continue with the program they have at home."

Zumba classes were first introduced in December 2010 and are currently offered aboard Caribbean Princess, Dawn Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Golden Princess, Island Princess, Ruby Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess and Star Princess. The program is expected to be available fleetwide before the end of the year.

Voyager of the Seas to be based in Shanghai in 2012

 
Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Royal Caribbean will be basing Voyager of the Seas in China next year.

The 3,114 passenger ship will be based in Shanghai from June 2012 to operate itineraries ranging between 4 -10 nights.

The line hopes to attract an abundance of new Chinese cruise holiday passengers as well as regular cruise guests from around the world.

“There are clear opportunities in the China market, a key area for Royal Caribbean International’s global development,” says Adam Goldstein, CEO & president.

At 138,000-tons Voyager of the Seas will dwarf other cruise ships operating in the region.

Would you like to cruise around China?

Princess welcomes Guide Dogs for the Blind

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Princess Cruises recently hosted a group of 25 new graduates from Guide Dogs for the Blind and their owners for the day in San Francisco, to familiarise them with how the line can accommodate visually impaired travellers and their canine companions.

The group enjoyed a lunch and a tour aboard Sea Princess which included opportunities to test out many of the special features offered for the visually impaired. For the dogs, the ships provide special life jackets, bowls of water in the dining room, and relieving boxes with favored cedar chips. Passengers also have specially translated menus and can enjoy reserved seating in the Princess Theatre with room for their dogs. During a cruise, passengers and crew are also invited to meet the dogs during a designated play time.

"These dogs are canine heroes," said Brian Rademacher, Princess Cruises district sales manager. "It's truly a labour of love for us to work with this wonderful organisation."

 

Carnival Kids Club Now Open till 3am

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Carnival Cruises is extending its late night kids programme across the fleet until 3am!

‘Camp Carnival Night Owls’ is offering parents a little ‘me’ time with children up to the age of 11 able to play video games, get involved in arts/crafts and sports and watch late-night movies until the early hours of the morning.

Owl Jams – a night of ‘high energy fun’ that runs from 10pm to midnight and is aimed at two to 11 year olds and costs $13 per child.

Fun ‘Til One – this action packed night caters to six to eight year old and takes place from 10pm to 1am and costs $20 per child.

Fun at Sea is aimed at kids from nine to 11 and offers activities throughout the ship and runs from 10pm to 3am. Participants are escorted to their staterooms after the party and the cost is $33 per child.

The Night Owl parties are held at least once per sailing under the direction of Carnival's youth staff. Carnival also offers late-night babysitting services from 10 pm to 3 am for $6.75 per child per hour.

Would you let your kids stay up that late on your family cruise holiday?

LEGO Love Boat on display in Chicago

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

Check this out – a “LEGO Love Boat” created by 36-year-old Australian Ryan McNaught, one of only 12 certified LEGO builders in the world!

The LEGO Love Boat, will be on display this month in Chicago at Brickworld, the world's largest LEGO convention.

Made up of more than 250,000 LEGO bricks, the ship is McNaught's largest creation ever and designed to evoke the Princess Cruises ship that was the setting for the Love Boat television show of the 1980s

The LEGO ship includes over 450 miniature LEGO people "enjoying a fabulous cruise and the best holiday they have ever had," McNaught writes on his website, thebrickman.com. The vessel measures over ten feet long by nearly five feet high and includes powered functions such as a moving anchor, bow thruster and propeller. The lifeboat also can be raised and lowered.

"The ship of course has all the Love Boat crew on-board as well as a whole series of '80s washed-up TV stars," quips McNaught, who builds such models in his off hours. By day he's an information technology worker in Melbourne, Australia.

Fatboy Slim & Co aboard MSC Poesia

Posted by Susan O’Driscoll

A 3-night "Holy Ship!" music cruise is promising to be a DJ infused dance-electronica, around-the-clock party aboard MSC Poesia.

The cruise departs Fort Lauderdale in January 2012 and features more than 20 artists including Fatboy Slim and former Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee.

The sailing aboard 2,550-passenger MSC Poesia, will include a pre-cruise party the day before in Fort Lauderdale. And during the voyage, Fatboy Slim will host a beach party during a stop at a private island in the Bahamas.

Other DJs taking part in the event include Laidback Luke, Diplo, Rusko, A-Trak; Steve Aoki and Skrillex. Tommy Lee will be appearing with DJ Aero.

The cruise holiday, which is open to over 21's only, goes on sale on the 15th June, with fares starting at $499 per person.