Cruise Travel: Hurricane Earl & Tropical Storm Fiona Advisory

Several cruise lines have offered the following updates.

Carnival Cruise Lines
We are closely monitoring Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona in the Atlantic. Rest assured, all of our ships will continue to operate at a safe distance from the storms.

All departures for the sailings of September 1, 2010 – September 6, 2010 are scheduled to operate as normal.

Holland America Line
At Holland America Line the safety and comfort of our guests and crew is our top priority. As a result of the projected path and strengthening of Hurricane Earl in the Atlantic, we have decided to modify the following published itineraries:

ms Eurodam August 19th 18-day Transatlantic Cruise: Port calls at Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia, have been cancelled. The ship will remain at sea and out of the projected path of the hurricane. The cruise will finish as planned on Monday, September 6 in New York where guests will embark for the 10-day Canada/New England cruise as scheduled.

ms Maasdam August 28th 7-day Canada/New England Cruise: On Tuesday, August 31st, Maasdam departed from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island as scheduled and sailed directly to Boston. Port calls at Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as Bar Harbor, Maine, were cancelled. The ship arrived in Boston on September 2nd at 5:00 p.m. EST. Guests are welcome to stay onboard the ship until Saturday morning. Arrangements have been made to accommodate those guests wishing to disembark the ship earlier. No changes are currently planned for the September 4th departure of the Maasdam 7-day Canada/New England cruise.

ms Veendam August 29th 7-day Bermuda Cruise: On Friday, September 3rd, the Veendam will depart Hamilton a few hours early, and is scheduled to arrive in New York as planned on Sunday, September 5th. Guests embarking for the September 5th sailing will do so as scheduled.
We will continue to monitor the weather conditions closely and communicate any future impact on cruise itineraries to guests and others as they are implemented. Updates will be posted at HollandAmerica.com on a regular basis. Guests with questions may call 1-800-577-1728.

Norwegian Cruise Line
At Norwegian Cruise Line, the safety and security of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance. Therefore, the company is closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona. Because of the expected weather conditions, we are making the following changes:

Norwegian Dawn will depart Bermuda two hours early today, leaving at 3 pm. The ship is expected to arrive in New York as scheduled on Sunday, September 5.

Norwegian Spirit will stay docked at the Port of Boston tonight. The ship will depart late tonight or early Saturday morning.

We will continue to closely monitor the weather conditions and will update this information and notify our guests if there are any itinerary changes because of the storms’ projected paths.

Carnival to Redeploy Two Ships

With the announcement that two of their Fantasy-class ships will swap year-round homeport deployments for fall 2011, the big news here is that Carnival Cruise Lines will offer a 14-day Panama Canal voyage on each that will provide highly attractive longer length “Fun Ship” cruise options, as well as the unforgettable experience of transiting the Panama Canal.

The homeport exchange will see the 2,052-passenger Carnival Inspiration repositioning to Long Beach, California, for 3- and 4-day Baja departures and the 2,052-passenger Carnival Paradise to Tampa, Florida, on 4- and 5-day Caribbean voyages. Carnival Inspiration is currently based in Tampa while Carnival Paradise operates from Long Beach.

To reposition the ships, Carnival Paradise will sail a Panama Canal cruise from Long Beach to Tampa departing Nov. 28, 2011, while the Carnival Inspiration Panama Canal voyage will depart Dec. 3, 2011, and operate from Tampa to Long Beach.

These voyages will be highlighted by the transit of the Panama Canal, one of the great technological achievements of the 20th century, where ships are raised 85 feet in the air via a series of three locks and then gently lowered back again. The transit also includes the crossing of 163-square-mile Gatun Lake, the world’s largest man-made lake, which is surrounded by a variety of native tropical foliage and interesting sites. Each voyage will also feature visits to five ports of call: Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Cartagena, Colombia; and George Town, Grand Cayman.

Reservations are currently being accepted for the new schedules of the Carnival Inspiration and Carnival Paradise as well as the 14-day Panama Canal cruises. For additional information, visit Carnival.com.

Cruise Travel: Hurricane Earl Advisory & Itinerary Alterations

As Hurricane Earl makes its way north in the Atlantic, cruise lines are preparing by altering itineraries to insure the safety of their ships and the passengers and crewmembers on board. These are the most recent updates we've gathered.

Holland America Line
At Holland America Line the safety and comfort of our guests and crew is our top priority. As a result of the projected path and strengthening of Hurricane Earl in the Atlantic, we have decided to modify the following published itineraries:

ms Eurodam August 19th 18-day Transatlantic Cruise: On Friday, September 3rd, the Eurodam will call at Halifax rather than calling at Sydney, Nova Scotia. On September 4th and 5th the ship will be at sea and will remain out of the projected path of the hurricane. The cruise will finish as planned on Monday, September 6 in New York where guests will embark for the 10-day Canada/New England cruise as scheduled.

ms Maasdam August 28th 7-day Canada/New England Cruise: On Tuesday, August 31st, Maasdam departed from Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island as scheduled and will now sail directly to Boston, arriving the evening of Thursday, September 2nd. Port calls at Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia, as well as Bar Harbor, Maine have been cancelled. This will put the ship safely alongside in Boston ahead of the storm’s anticipated arrival. Guests are welcome to stay onboard the ship until Saturday morning. Subject to receiving approval from the various governmental agencies that are involved in the disembarkation process, we will try and make it possible for guests who want to leave the ship on Friday to do so. No changes are currently planned for the September 4th departure of the Maasdam 7-day Canada/New England cruise.

ms Veendam August 29th 7-day Bermuda Cruise: On Friday, September 3rd, the Veendam will depart Hamilton a few hours early, and is scheduled to arrive in New York as planned on Sunday, September 5th. Guests embarking for the September 5th sailing will do so as scheduled.
We will continue to monitor the weather conditions closely and communicate any future impact on cruise itineraries to guests and others as they are implemented. Updates will be posted at HollandAmerica.com on a regular basis. Guests with questions may call 1-800-577-1728.

Princess Cruises
We have been closely monitoring Hurricane Earl as it heads north and is forecast to be in the path of Caribbean Princess from Halifax to New York.

As the safety of our passengers and crew is our priority, we have cancelled Caribbean Princess' call to Halifax today and will sail directly for New York to avoid the worst effect of the hurricane. The ship will instead make a call to Manhattan on Friday September 3. During the early morning of Saturday, September 4 Caribbean Princess will reposition to the cruise terminal in Brooklyn in time for disembarkation Saturday morning.

We expect embarkation for the next voyage to commence as planned, and Caribbean Princess will sail from New York at 5 p.m. Saturday evening.

Royal Caribbean
Due to the forecasted path of Hurricane Earl, Royal Caribbean International has altered the current itineraries for Monarch of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, and Freedom of the Seas.

Monarch of the Seas was unable to call on CocoCay, Bahamas Tuesday, August 31. The ship sailed directly to Nassau, Bahamas, where it will stay until midnight Wednesday, September 1. The ship will spend Thursday at sea as it returns to Port Canaveral on Friday, as scheduled. Monarch of the Seas is currently sailing a 4-night itinerary, which departed Port Canaveral on August 30.

Majesty of the Seas extended its port call in Key West, Florida on Tuesday, August 31 until early Wednesday morning. It spent the remainder of Wednesday at sea, and calls into Nassau on Thursday, September 2. The ship will return to the Port of Miami on Friday, as scheduled. Majesty of the Seas is currently sailing a 4-night itinerary, which departed the Port of Miami on August 30.

Enchantment of the Seas called on San Juan, Puerto Rico Sunday, as scheduled, but cancelled its call at St. Thomas on Monday in order to avoid inclement weather from the storm. Instead, the ship called on Samana, Dominican Republic on Monday, August 30 and Labadee, Haiti, on Tuesday, August 31. The ship will spend Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at sea as it returns to Baltimore on Saturday, as scheduled. Enchantment of the Seas is currently sailing a 9-night Caribbean itinerary, which departed Baltimore on August 26.

Oasis of the Seas was unable to make its scheduled port calls to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas on Tuesday, August 31 and Phillipsburg, St. Maarten on Wednesday, September 1. The most recent forecast simply placed the storm too close to these ports of call during the time Oasis of the Seas would be sailing there. The ship will now call at Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico, on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Oasis of the Seas is sailing a 7-night Caribbean itinerary, which departed Ft. Lauderdale on August 28.

Freedom of the Seas will be unable to make its scheduled port calls to Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas on Wednesday, September 1 and Phillipsburg, St. Maarten on Thursday, September 2. The most recent forecast simply placed the storm too close to these ports of call during the time Freedom of the Seas would be sailing there. The ship called on CocoCay, Bahamas on Monday, as scheduled, spent Tuesday at sea, and called into George Town, Grand Cayman on Wednesday. On Thursday, the ship will visit Cozumel, Mexico. The ship will spend Friday and Saturday at sea as it returns to Port Canaveral, Florida on Sunday, as scheduled. Freedom of the Seas is currently sailing a 7-night Caribbean itinerary, which departed Port Canaveral on August 29.

No other Royal Caribbean International ship's itinerary is currently being affected by Hurricane Earl. Royal Caribbean will continue to closely monitor weather conditions and will update this information if there are any additional itinerary alterations due to the storm's projected path.

Norwegian Cruise Line
At Norwegian Cruise Line, the safety and security of our guests and crew is of the utmost importance. Therefore, the company is closely monitoring the path of Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona.

Because of Hurricane Earl’s path which took it west of Bermuda, Norwegian Dawn is sailing its original itinerary. The ship is currently en route to Bermuda and arrived on Wednesday morning as scheduled.

Because of the adverse weather, Norwegian Jewel did not stop at Great Stirrup Cay and instead docked in Nassau a day early. The ship stayed in Nassau overnight.

UPDATE: At this time, we expect all ships embarking this weekend to sail their scheduled itineraries.

We will continue to closely monitor the weather conditions and will update this information and notify our guests if there are any additional itinerary changes because of the storms’ projected paths. We appreciate our guests understanding.

Carnival Cruise Line
We are closely monitoring Hurricane Earl and Tropical Storm Fiona in the Atlantic. Rest assured, all of our ships will continue to operate at a safe distance from the storms.

Carnival Miracle, currently on an 8-night round trip cruise from New York, will return to New York one day earlier than originally scheduled, on Friday, September 3. The ship will dock overnight in New York and the cruise will conclude on schedule on Saturday, September 4.

All departures for the sailings of September 1, 2010–September 6, 2010 are scheduled to operate as normal.

We will update this information on Carnival.com if any new information becomes available. Most importantly, we look forward to welcoming our guests onboard this weekend.

Celebrity Cruises
Due to the forecasted path of Hurricane Earl, Celebrity Cruises has altered the current itinerary for Celebrity Summit.

Given Hurricane Earl's location and projected path, it is not possible for Celebrity Summit to call on both Saint John (Bay of Fundy) today and Halifax, Nova Scotia on Friday. Celebrity Summit will now visit Halifax today and spend Friday and Saturday at sea.

Celebrity Cruises will continue to closely monitor Hurricane Earl and any potential impact to Celebrity Summit's next sailing, which is scheduled to depart Cape Liberty, New Jersey on Sunday, September 5. Celebrity Cruises will update this information should any changes be necessary.

Cunard Line
UPDATE: Queen Mary 2 will arrive in New York as scheduled tomorrow and will now remain in New York until 5am on Saturday, September 4.

The call at Newport RI has been cancelled and she will now proceed directly to Boston where she will arrive as scheduled.

Her Majesty the Queen to Name Queen Elizabeth

Cunard Line is pleased to announce that Her Majesty The Queen will name the company’s new Queen Elizabeth, the third Cunard ship to bear the name, at a ceremony to take place in Southampton, England on Monday, Oct 11, 2010. Queen Elizabeth will set sail on her Maiden Voyage the following day. The naming will be a milestone in British maritime history and will be a major event of worldwide interest.

“The naming of a Cunard Queen is a very special occasion and this will be an historic event in the true sense of the word,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “The Queen launched Cunard’s Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1967 and named our current flagship, Queen Mary 2, in 2004. We are both honored and proud that Her Majesty will name our new liner, Queen Elizabeth,” added Shanks.

For more information, visit queenelizabeth.cunard.com.

Jillian Michaels Ultimate Wellness Cruise Features New Trainers, Comedians, Music & More Entertainment

Jillian Michaels wants her fans to have fun on their ultimate wellness vacation and assures us that the Jillian Michaels Ultimate Wellness Cruise, sailing Oct 21-25 on Norwegian Star, will not be "all work, no play." As Jillian says in the video message below, it is both a family cruise and a cruise for single travelers: there is something for everyone and anyone. The cruise will feature friendly competitions, workouts, speaking engagements, and entertainment; it is about rebooting, having fun, and learning to live well.

In preparation for the cruise, Jillian handpicked some of the best trainers, experts, and performers to join her. Leading onboard workouts are Jeanette Jenkins, president of The Hollywood Trainer and creator of Bikini Bootcamp; Steve Lee, who has conditioned martial artists, boxers, firefighters, and celebrities; Marco Borges, world-renowned exercise physiologist and author; Heidi Rhoades, Los Angeles yoga instructor; Madelene Karlsson, sports and fitness trainer; and celebrity trainer and fitness expert Basheerah Ahmad. HOPSports and NFL Play 60 are also joining the cruise to provide active entertainment for children, helping them create a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

For information on healthy living, guests will hear from internist and endocrinologist Katja Von Herle, MD, MSPH; psychotherapist Jo Ann McKarus; and aesthetician and green beauty expert Paige Padgett. When guests are ready to kick back, they can enjoy tunes spun by Michigan-based DJ Jenna Brown, Latin-Urban DJ Frankie Needles, Atlanta-based seventies throwback Yacht Rock Revue, and comedian Howard Kremer, whose half-hour special is currently running on Comedy Central.

Guests will have plenty of activities to choose from while on board Jillian Michaels Ultimate Wellness Cruise, and even during their stop at Great Stirrup Cay, guests can join a group workout. Jillian will take a photo with each guest as they board; guests will each get a group workout with Jillian and a seat for one of her speaking engagements.

For information on booking the cruise, visit jillianmichaels.com/cruise.

Cruise Travel: Effective Complaining

Sadly, there’s no such thing as a perfect vacation and things can go just as wrong at sea as they do on land. Minor quibbles can be brought to the attention of the crewmembers you come in contact with on a regular basis. However, for the really big problems, you should work your way up the managerial ladder to the top until you are satisfied.

The most important thing to remember is that you should deal with problem situations on the ship when they occur; there's not much that can be done after the cruise is over.

What happens if you weren't able to resolve a situation on board? When it comes to post-cruise problem solving, Cruise Diva has suggestions for Effective Complaining.

Hurricane Earl Prompts Itinerary Adjustments

After the quiet opening months of the 2010 hurricane season, things are beginning to heat up with Hurricane Earl, the fifth named Atlantic storm of the year, moving in on islands in the Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Proactively, Carnival Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line have altered some ships' itineraries to avoid the storm.

Cruise Ship Itinerary Alterations, Updated Noon 8/30

Carnival Cruise Lines: Carnival Dream, which departed Port Canaveral on Saturday, will sail to the Western Caribbean and call at Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, and Costa Maya instead of following the planned Eastern Caribbean itinerary that included Nassau, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten.

Carnival Victory, which left San Juan on Sunday, will bypass St. Thomas and remain at sea today. A scheduled call in St. Maarten has been canceled and the ship plans to visit St. Thomas later in the week.

Carnival Pride sailed from Baltimore on Sunday and has cancelled a Wednesday visit in Grand Turk. Instead, it will make a call at Port Canaveral, Florida. Instead of Half Moon Cay, the ship will call at Nassau, Bahamas.

Royal Caribbean: Enchantment of the Seas, which departed from Baltimore last Thursday, will call at Samana, Dominican Republic today instead of St. Thomas. It will visit Labadee on Tuesday and spend Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday at sea in order to arrive in Baltimore on Saturday.

Oasis of the Seas will not make its port calls Tuesday in St. Thomas and Wednesday in St. Maarten. The ship made an extended Sunday call on Nassau, will spend today and tomorrow at sea, then visit Costa Maya on Wednesday and Cozumel on Thursday. Friday will be a sea day returning to Fort Lauderdale on Saturday.

Freedom of the Seas, which sailed Sunday from Port Canaveral, has been diverted to the Western Caribbean and will call at Grand Cayman and Cozumel on Wednesday and Thursday instead of the Eastern Caribbean ports of St. Thomas and St. Maarten.

Norwegian Cruise Line: Norwegian Epic, which sailed from Miami on Saturday will visit Cozumel and Roatan in place of St. Maarten and St. Thomas. Epic will lengthen a Friday call in Nassau.

Norwegian Dawn was scheduled to leave New York on time yesterday, but faces a possible itinerary alteration depending on the path the storm takes.

Port Outlook
Hurricane watches are in effect for Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands, and British Virgin Islands. Tropical storm conditions are expected over the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico today, with the possibility of hurricane conditions tonight. Hurricane warnings have been issued for St. Maarten, St. Barth's, Antigua, St. Kitt's, and neighboring islands.

Cruising From New Orleans

Many people know that the Cruise Diva team is based in the South, but aren't aware of our Louisiana history. Throughout the 1980s, our home was in Baton Rouge and we grew to love the city, the state, and, of course New Orleans as well. We watched the televised coverage of Hurricane Katrina five years ago with sadness and growing concern.

Less than two years post-Katrina, it felt good to be going home to Louisiana again. Our mission was to embark on a cruise. After driving through the sad remains along the Mississippi Gulf Coast and skirting the edge of New Orleans' infamous Lower 9th Ward, we were relieved when the iconic Superdome came into view and we were once again in the New Orleans we knew from years past—long before the hurricane brought terrible flooding and death to sections of the city.

We wondered if the city had recovered enough for tourists to enjoy it as much as we always had. Just as we'd remembered, there's no better place to start a day in New Orleans than at the Cafe du Monde, the original French Market coffee stand since 1862. (You didn't think Starbucks invented the coffee house, did you?) Fortified with chicory-laced cafe au lait and sugary beignets, a walk through the French Quarter is in order. Boutiques, antique shops, and sidewalk cafes line the main streets of the Quarter. Bourbon Street enjoys a raucous reputation for smoky bars, music clubs, and strip joints, yet is also where some of the most elegant restaurants and hotels are located.

The downtown area is where everything is happening. Adjacent to either side of Canal Street are the French Quarter and Warehouse/Arts Districts with accommodations ranging from intimate bed-and-breakfasts to luxury high-rise hotels. With streetcars in service, as well as taxis and buses, getting around is easy.

Find out how to get there, where to stay, and what to see and do when Sailing From New Orleans.

Find a Cruise, or an Embarkation Port on Your iPhone

As a rule, I'm not one to promote products that I don't own or have at least tried out. However, I'm not about to give up my trusty BlackBerry for an iPhone, so this is something I can't share first-hand experience with. The ability to view deck plans on a small screen is probably better left to people with keener eyesight than mine, but I do like the idea of having port directions at hand whenever I need them. I know iPhone users love their apps, so this one is for them.

Any iPhone owners out there? Feedback is appreciated.

Carnival Invites Cruisers To 'Make The Magic Yours'

With only 246 days left before launch, let the magic begin! As Carnival Cruise Lines unveils new details about its newest "Fun Ship," Carnival Magic, fans and fun-seekers can learn more and join in the action, well before the ship sets sail next year. Carnival's new, interactive online home for Carnival Magic at www.carnivalmagic.com showcases the ship's standout features through a full-screen virtual tour and more, as well as many ways for "Fun Ship" enthusiasts to add their own unique touches to the new vessel, set to debut May 1, 2011.

Through the Make the Magic Yours campaign, which includes a wide array of contests and promotions, Carnival is inviting fans of fun to "make the Magic theirs" by submitting ideas and voting on their favorites, while supporting St. Jude Children's Research Hospital®. The campaign will run Aug. 24, 2010, through Feb. 18, 2011, and Carnival will make a donation of up to $50,000 to St. Jude, based upon participation and voting.

How You Can Add Magic Touches To the Ship
On the Carnival Magic microsite, users can learn more about participating in a sea of fun monthly contests and other promotions that comprise the Make the Magic Yours campaign, which will continue up to Carnival Magic's inaugural sailing in May 2011. Beyond bragging rights, Carnival will be giving away great prizes, from digital cameras to a free cruise. And by participating in many elements of the campaign, fans will also do good by generating monetary donations from Carnival to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

Carnival will be challenging fun-seekers everywhere to name some of Carnival Magic's special features, including a gigantic 500-gallon water dump bucket, the largest at sea housed in the WaterWorks aqua park, along with the two-level mini-golf course in SportsSquare, and a delicious dish at Cucina del Capitano, Carnival's first Italian trattoria. Other opportunities include creating fun toasts, coaster sayings, and music playlists for its new island-inspired RedFrog Pub. This winter, kids will be invited to get into the act with creative ways to make the Magic theirs, as well.

So, raise your glass in a toast as the Make the Magic Yours campaign begins with the RedFrog Coaster Contest, challenging grown-up fun-atics to submit their best pub line. The winning sayings will appear on the thousands of drink coasters used each voyage in Carnival Magic's Caribbean-themed RedFrog Pub as pints of the pub's signature beer, ThirstyFrog Red, Fun Ship Specials and other beverages are enjoyed by guests.

Through Sept. 7, 2010, Carnival welcomes those ages 21 and above to submit the pub-appropriate lines they believe best capture the magical moments experienced on a Carnival "Fun Ship." Entries must be 60 characters or less and Carnival coaster-worthy, as they'll be judged by the company based on relevance, creativity and humor, then culled down to 10 finalists, nine chosen by Carnival and one wild card determined by consumer voting.

In mid-September, Carnival fans and fun-seekers will be invited to vote for their favorite sayings to choose three lucky winners who will be announced later that month. Each winner will receive a special commemorative version of their RedFrog Pub coasters and other items including a digital camera, RedFrog Pub bartending items and more. Additional information and contest rules are available at www.carnivalmagic.com/contest.

The 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic is slated to debut in Europe with a series of 7- to 12-day Mediterranean cruises operating May 1-Oct. 16, 2011. Following a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing, Carnival Magic will launch 7-day Caribbean service from Galveston, Texas, Nov. 14, 2011, becoming the port's largest year-round cruise ship.

Carnival Magic: The Countdown Continues

Now that they're down to 247 days until launch, here's one of the new spaces on Carnival Magic that will have sports junkies jumping for joy. It's SportsSquare. Taking Carnival's popular outdoor recreation areas to an entirely new level, SportsSquare will feature the cruise industry's first ropes course where thrill-seeking guests can traverse across nets suspended above Spa Deck 12 and offering spectacular views to the sea nearly 150 feet below. Surrounded by an eighth-mile jogging track, the expansive SportsSquare complex also includes the first outdoor weightlifting area on a cruise ship, along with Carnival's first two-level miniature golf course, a Vita exercise course, a lighted multi-purpose court for basketball, volleyball and soccer, along with ping pong and foosball tables. A full bar with a large flat-screen display is available for those who just want to relax and check out the sports action in the area or on TV.


Carnival Magic's other top-deck amenities include the splash-tastic WaterWorks aqua park (above) that will offer even more thrills with an exhilarating "Twister" spiral water slide, as well as the new Aqua Play splash park designed for youngsters and their families, featuring a gigantic, 500-gallon "dump bucket" and a host of other wet 'n wild features. Resort-style pool areas offer the perfect venue for catching rays or some Zs, although adults might want to head for the Serenity area for more peace and quiet.

In addition to the new features Carnival Cruise Lines has unveiled, Carnival Magic will also have a variety of signature "Fun Ship" elements, including:

• Expansive Family-Friendly Spaces: The ultimate family vacation, Carnival Magic offers more than 19,000 square feet of space catering to kids and families, including dedicated spaces for children (Camp Carnival), 'tweens (Circle "C") and teens (Club O2), with organized activities and enthusiastic counselors for each group.
• Serenity: The ideal space for some adult-only "me" time, Serenity offers comfortable chaise lounges and chairs, hammocks, colorful umbrellas and two jumbo-sized whirlpools, along with full bar service specializing in frothy, icy concoctions.
• Cloud 9 Spa: Guests in the mood for a workout or some personal pampering can visit this stunning and sophisticated facility. At the Cloud 9 Spa, troubles melt away as guests soak in the soothing thalassotherapy pool, unwind in the elaborate thermal suite or just take in the elegant, serene surroundings.
• Stateroom Innovations: With 1,845 staterooms, Carnival Magic offers a wide array of accommodation types, including two-bathroom/five-berth cabins and connecting staterooms that hold particular appeal to families; cove balcony cabins closer to the water line; and spa staterooms providing special access and benefits.
• Food, Glorious Food: Whether its authentic delicacies from India and China, a full-service meal in an elegant, two-level dining room, a late-night slice of pizza, an exquisite meal in a classic American steakhouse, or just a burger by the pool, Carnival Magic offers a tantalizing array of international cuisines sure to satisfy every palate.
• Dazzling Entertainment: From a laugh-out-loud Punchliner Comedy Club, live bands along the promenade, Superstar Live Karaoke where guests sing to channel their inner rock star fronting a four-piece band, or dazzling production shows incorporating the latest special effects, nights are truly special aboard Carnival Magic.
• Carnival's Seaside Theatre: This 270-square-foot LED screen and poolside seating is the perfect spot for guests to sit back, relax and watch classic and first-run movies, sporting events, news, concerts and other programming, either during the day or night.
• Ocean Plaza: A place to see and be seen, Ocean Plaza is a stunning indoor/outdoor cafe and live entertainment venue where guests can dance to live music and enjoy specialty coffees and sweets - even freshly made milkshakes. Full bar service, specializing in martinis and mojitos, is also available.
• The Lanai: Taking the traditional cruise-ship promenade to new heights, The Lanai is a half-mile, open-air promenade encircling Promenade Deck 5. Here, guests can stroll while enjoying spectacular ocean vistas, curl up with a good book, soak up some sun in a comfortable deck chair, or relax in one of four cantilevered whirlpools that extend out over the ship's sides.
• Fun Hub: Available on any guests' Internet-connected laptop or at dozens of convenient locations throughout the ship is the Fun Hub, a social network and comprehensive shipboard intranet portal that provides access to a variety of information on Carnival Magic's services, facilities and daily activities. Carnival Magic will also offer bow-to-stern Wi-Fi and cell phone service.

Carnival Magic: The Countdown Begins

They're counting down the days (only 248 more) at Carnival Cruise Lines' Miami headquarters. That's when their newest "Fun Ship," the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic, sets sail.

While we wait, Carnival is giving us a peek through the porthole at some of the ship's unique spaces and fun features. From Carnival's first-ever pub, featuring its own private label beer, to an authentic trattoria that brings the heritage of Carnival's Italian captains to the table, to an expansive outdoor sports complex featuring the first-ever ropes course and outdoor weight-lifting area on a cruise ship—along with cruising's first gargantuan water dump bucket—Carnival Magic is destined to be the most innovative "Fun Ship" to date.

While Carnival Magic offers vacationing passengers a variety of opportunities for fun, relaxation, and enjoyment, the two innovations that appeal most to the Cruise Diva team are:


• RedFrog Pub: A new concept for Carnival, the RedFrog Pub (above) offers a laid-back Caribbean vibe with island-inspired snacks and drinks, including ThirstyFrog Red, a private-label draught beer brewed especially for Carnival Magic. Located on Promenade Deck 5, the 100-seat indoor/outdoor pub is a convivial place where guests can relax, meet new friends, sip a frozen cocktail, and snack on Bahamian conch salad, grouper fingers, firecracker Jamaican chicken wings, and other Caribbean favorites. RedFrog Pub will also offer tastings of top-rated rums of the Caribbean and a collection of the region's best beers. With a nod to Carnival Magic's Caribbean itineraries, which kick off in Nov 2011, RedFrog Pub's decor is decidedly British West Indies meets Key West, evoking the warmth and friendliness of a local island watering hole. Nautical-themed interiors with rich wood details, vibrant tile work, portholes, and images of ships at sea, along with foosball and shuffleboard tables, and a jukebox, complete the playful pub atmosphere.


• Cucina del Capitano ("The Captain's Kitchen"): An homage to Carnival's rich Italian lineage—all of the line's captains are Italian and many Carnival ships, including Carnival Magic, are built in Italy—Cucina del Capitano (above) is a dinner-time option with made-to-order Italian favorites in comfortable, relaxed surroundings. Dine on hand-made pastas, risotto, and fresh-from-the-oven Italian specialties—many served family style—complemented by a wine list specializing in Italian vintages. Many of the dishes and recipes were hand-selected by Carnival's captains. Framed archival photographs, many from the captains' personal collections, table arrangements that invite conversation, wood-beam ceilings, and ornate wrought ironwork recreate the ambiance of a cozy Italian home, while the warm service makes everyone feel like they're part of the family. Truly an unforgettable dining experience. Dinner carries a nominal fee. During the day, the space is utilized as a casual made-to-order pasta bar with items offered on a complimentary basis.

These and more of Carnival Magic's many features are highlighted on the interactive micro-site, CarnivalMagic.com, which features a full-screen virtual tour, exclusive images and videos, construction footage, and more. The virtual tour is exceptionally well done. The site also contains details on a series of unique contests and promotions Carnival will offer for fun fans to add their personal touches on Carnival Magic leading up to the ship's maiden voyage.