Cruise News: Soon to Be Rolling on the River, Queen of the Mississippi Gets Her Paddlewheel

American Cruise Lines’ brand new authentic paddlewheeler, the Queen of the Mississippi, reached a milestone in its construction as the massive 23-ton, 28 foot-wide paddlewheel built specially for the new riverboat was lifted into place and installed last week.

“This marks an important step in the creation of this authentic riverboat,” said Timothy Beebe, VP of American Cruise Lines. “The paddlewheel is one of the most important elements of classic riverboats, and this one isn’t just cosmetic—it’s fully functioning.”

The Queen of the Mississippi will be completed in May, with its inaugural cruise scheduled for August 11, 2012 from New Orleans to Memphis. Currently, the interior is being fitted out, with carpeting being installed throughout the ship and furniture beginning to go on board. All sliding glass doors leading to the private balconies are in place and painting is just about complete. Wood work trim and antique-style accessories are bringing the period interior to life. Sea trials—or would that be river trials?—are scheduled to begin later this month.

The Queen of the Mississippi carries 150 guests in spacious staterooms, many of which are twice the size of those on any other Mississippi riverboat. Staterooms feature large private balconies with sliding glass doors and all of the amenities today’s travelers expect, while maintaining the elegance of classic late 1800s Mississippi riverboats. American Cruise Lines will operate the authentic paddlewheeler over the entire Mississippi River System, including the Ohio and Cumberland Rivers. The Queen of the Mississippi will also be able to travel at significantly higher speeds than all other Mississippi riverboats, minimizing night travel and making more itineraries possible with longer visits to the river towns. A number of unique riverboat journeys are planned that take passengers as far north as St. Paul, MN on the Mississippi River and as far east as Pittsburgh, PA on the Ohio River. To learn more, visit AmericanCruiseLines.com.

Here’s a video of the intricate paddlewheel installation:

Images and Video Courtesy of American Cruise Lines

And The Godmother For Great American Steamboat Company's American Queen is... Priscilla Presley

She played my favorite character on "Dallas," I cheered her performances on "Dancing With The Stars," she married the one and only "Hunka Hunka Burning Love" himself—Elvis—and now the Great American Steamboat Company has announced that Priscilla Presley will be the godmother of the steamboat American Queen.

Presley, who is synonymous with Graceland in the steamboat's homeport of Memphis, Tennessee, will name her in a christening ceremony at the revitalized Beale Street Landing on April 27. Highlights of the festivities will include performances by local musicians, a bottle of champagne crashing against the stern, and the sounds of the American Queen Calliope as she steams off up the Mississippi River.

After the sunset christening, the American Queen will depart on her inaugural voyage up the Mississippi River to the Ohio River with stops in Henderson, Kentucky, Louisville, Kentucky, and Madison, Indiana, before arriving in her disembarkation city of Cincinnati, Ohio. In Louisville she will take part in the wonderful tradition of the Kentucky Derby Festival's Great Steamboat Race with the Belle of Louisville and Belle of Cincinnati.

The Godmother
The daughter of an Air Force officer, Priscilla Presley attended high school in Germany, where she met her future husband, Elvis Presley. As the wife of The King of Rock 'n Roll, you could call her an American Queen. After Elvis' death, she became co-executor of the Presley Estate growing it from a burgeoning entity into a phenomenally successful organization consisting of the famous Graceland Mansion, a worldwide licensing program, merchandising, music publishing, television, and video projects.

In addition to being a savvy businesswoman, producer, and actress, Presley is an ambassador of the Dream Foundation, helping to fulfill the dreams of adults battling terminal illnesses. She became aware of the organization after helping to grant recipients' wishes to visit Graceland. The organization is the only one of its kind working with adults as well as helping to create lasting memories for their family and friends. Priscilla has also joined Hollywood celebrities in an important fight against the overmedication of children. She is an advocate for Citizen's Commission on Human Rights and a percentage of all purchases on PriscillaPresley.com are donated to support these two worthy charities.

"It is quite a thrill for Memphis as steamboating returns once again with the arrival of the American Queen," explains Presley. "I look forward to her guests visiting Graceland and experiencing true Southern hospitality, which is why this city holds such a special place in my heart."

The King
The Great American Steamboat Company has also entered into an exclusive partnership with Elvis Presley Enterprises. This collaboration will present the first Elvis Cruise on the American Queen from Memphis to New Orleans this December, as well as signature Graceland experiences for guests.

The Company
The Great American Steamboat Company shares a common passion with  Ms. Presley, which is its homeport of Memphis. Earlier this month the company hosted a job fair at the Memphis Cook Convention Center hiring 300+ new employees to work onboard the American Queen or at its downtown headquarters. An annual economic impact of $89 million for the region is expected with the largest and most opulent steamboat ever built returning to the heartland's iconic rivers.

Steeped in history, nostalgia and tradition, the American Queen will offer an unrivaled All-American hospitality experience from its elegant staterooms to its palatial public spaces and celebrated Southern cuisine of famed Chef Regina Charboneau, the line's Culinary Director. A variety of voyage lengths, ranging from three to ten nights offers exceptional value and convenience, with little or no flying required. Pre- or post-cruise luxury hotel stay, all bottled water and soft drinks, wine and beer at diner, and complimentary shore adventures are included in each port of call. For additional information visit the Great American Steamboat Company online.

Image Courtesy of Great American Steamboat Company

Cruise News: Carnival Destiny, You Are My Sunshine

“You Are My Sunshine” has special meaning for those of us from Louisiana. You may know it as the state song, made popular by the late Governor Jimmie Davis. Personally, it touched my heart when I had the pleasure of hearing the governor sing it with a group of Special Olympians in 1985 at the opening ceremony of the National Olympic Sports Festival at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge. So, Carnival Cruise Lines’ plans to re-name a ship the Carnival Sunshine and homeport her in New Orleans is pretty special to me.

In doing so. Carnival will accomplish their most ambitious refit and transformation project ever. Carnival Destiny will undergo a $155 million makeover next year that will incorporate all of the line’s “Fun Ship 2.0” dining, bar and entertainment features, as well as a variety of exciting innovations unique to this vessel. The refit will also include a reconfigured layout, the addition of a partial deck and the expansion of two other decks within the forward section of the ship, providing the opportunity to incorporate a number of new and exciting on-board spaces. One-hundred and eighty-two cabins will be added, as well, increasing her capacity to 3,006 passengers in double occupancy.

Carnival Destiny, launched in 1996 as Carnival Cruise Lines’ first megaship weighing in at over 100,000 tons, will be reborn as Carnival Sunshine after a 49-day dry dock that will take place from February to April 2013. The refit work will be completed by Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri. Following the dry dock, Carnival Sunshine will embark on a schedule of 9- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona and Venice from April to Oct 2013 then launch year-round 7-day Caribbean departures from New Orleans beginning Nov 2013.

“This is our most ambitious ship conversion project to date and it will radically transform the Carnival Destiny into essentially an entirely new ship offering a variety of exciting dining and beverage choices, spectacular outdoor spaces and entertainment options, and on-board innovations not available anywhere else,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Here’s a look at some of Carnival Sunshine’s many features:

Wide-Ranging On-Board Dining Choices
• Guy’s Burger Joint, a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries in an atmosphere that celebrates the chef’s California roots and love of car culture
• BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic, freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas that can be personalized with a variety of salsas and toppings
• Fahrenheit 555, a classic American steakhouse offering mouth-watering steaks and gourmet appetizers, entrees and desserts, all enhanced by understated ambiance and impeccable service (venue will carry a surcharge consistent with other steakhouses in the Carnival fleet)
• Cucina del Capitano – or “The Captain’s Kitchen”–with Italian favorites and new Carnival classics served family-style in a fun and engaging atmosphere reminiscent of a cozy Italian home (during the day, the venue will serve as a free casual lunch-time pasta bar with a nominal charge for dinner)
• A stunning new full-service Asian restaurant inspired by the line’s popular Mongolian wok casual eateries that will feature an extensive menu of delicious favorites from the Far East, along with a striking Asian-themed décor (no charge for lunch with a nominal fee for dinner)
• An expansive casual poolside eatery, Lido Marketplace, offering a seemingly endless array of delectable favorites from around the world, from paninis and pizza to a deli offering piled-high sandwiches and just about everything in between
• A new casual dining option, “The Comfort Kitchen,” located within the Lido Marketplace and offering a tempting array of American-style “comfort food” entrees and side dishes
• Completely renovated main dining rooms that will offer extensive menus and wine lists, with a tantalizing selection of salads, appetizers, entrees and desserts nightly, including Carnival’s legendary chocolate melting cake
• A newly designed coffee bar, serving a wide range of sweet and frothy concoctions such as cappuccinos, lattes, espressos and other caffeinated favorites, along with delicious pastries and other decadent confections

Innovative Bar and Beverage Concepts
• RedFrog Pub where guests can enjoy the Caribbean’s best rums and beers–along with Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red private label draft brew– and island-inspired pub fare while soaking up the distinct British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West ambiance
• RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside adaptation of the RedFrog Pub offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red
• BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a fun and festive outdoor watering hole offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers, perfect for chillin’ by the pool
• EA SPORTS Bar, a sports and video game lovers’ paradise where guests can catch live sporting events, check out scores on the real-time 24/7 sports ticker, and play the latest EA SPORTS games on a 16-screen video wall
• Alchemy Bar, a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” that’s the go-to spot for guests seeking a unique experience with mixologists who “prescribe” concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients or guests’ own custom-created cocktails
• The Library Bar, a warm and cozy venue offering full bar service for those seeking a more intimate spot for before- or after-dinner drinks
• An exciting new lounge, Havana Bar, a tropical-inspired nightspot located aft within Lido Marketplace featuring a panoramic ocean view from its floor to ceiling windows and offering a unique and memorable venue for cocktails, live Latin music and dancing
• The new Sunshine Bar, an elegant lounge with sun-splashed interiors located at the lobby level of the ship’s towering atrium where guests can enjoy a cocktail, dance and listen to live music
• A new cigar bar concept, with plush, comfortable surroundings, along with fine cigars and a variety of brandies, cognacs and liqueurs, ideal for pre- or post-dinner drinks and conversation

Outdoor Fun and Relaxation

Carnival Sunshine: Serenity

• Carnival’s first three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat, an oasis of tranquility offering plush chaise lounges and chairs, a whirlpool, a cascading waterfall, teak-planked decks, a pool, a complimentary dining area with freshly made salads that can be customized by guests, and, of course, magnificent sea views

• SportSquare, Carnival Sunshine’s new open-air recreation complex that includes such attractions as a ropes course, mini-golf course, a lighted half court for basketball and volleyball, jogging track, ping pong, pool, and foosball tables, and bar with a large flat-screen for those who want to check out the action on TV
• WaterWorks, a “splash-tastic” top-deck attraction that’s sure to be a hit with guests of all ages with wet ‘n wild thrills such as the line’s iconic “Twister” water slide, a Splash Zone kids water play area, an all-new thrill slide and other fun features
• Carnival’s Seaside Theatre, a poolside 270-square-foot high-tech LED screen offering nightly “Dive In Movies,” along with a variety of concerts, sporting events and other programming, all of which are enjoyed in the fresh sea air

That’s Entertainment!
• Playlist Productions, which builds upon Carnival’s reputation for high quality entertainment by combining captivating live performances and spectacular staging and special effects to create enthralling music revues produced by the top directors and choreographers in the industry
• Hasbro, The Game Show, where guests are part of the show through a series of larger-than-life productions and entertainment activities based on the company’s iconic and popular games and presented in the ship’s remodeled main show lounge
• Piano Bar 88, a new twist on Carnival’s popular piano bar concept that will amp up the excitement with themed nights, an engaging new décor and opportunities for spontaneous sing-along fun
• The Punchliner Comedy Club Presented by George Lopez, featuring a hilarious line-up of both established and up-and-coming talent evaluated and vetted by the popular TV personality who serves as Carnival’s “curator of comedy”
• The Punchliner Comedy Brunch, for those who want a little merriment in the morning, serving up laughter along with delicious cuisine

Staterooms, Shopping and More
• All staterooms will be fully revamped and feature a new tropical décor that pays homage to the ship’s Caribbean itineraries with a combination of bright colors and soothing pastels, with 182 new staterooms to be added across a broad range of accommodations from interior to balconies, including 96 new spa staterooms
• Newly designed play areas catering to kids in three age groups, part of the line’s top-rated children’s programs – Camp Carnival (2-11), Circle “C” (12-14) and Club O2 (15-17), with enthusiastic counselors and fun supervised activities for each group, along with popular elements of Carnival’s new partnership with Hasbro
• The FunHub, featuring dozens of flat-panel stations for keeping up with the latest Carnival Sunshine happenings, surfing the Web, and staying in touch with friends and family back home
• Cloud 9 Spa – Designed as the ultimate refuge for rest and relaxation, this newly constructed facility will set a new standard in oceangoing wellness with a sophisticated menu of exotic therapies, an elaborate thermal suite with varying degrees of soothing warmth, private treatment rooms, and the latest exercise equipment
• Cherry On Top, which celebrates the joys of simple indulgences with bins of bulk candy, fun fanciful gifts and novelties, custom apparel and more
• Ocean Plaza, a stunning café and entertainment venue where guests can meet new friends, listen to music, enjoy drinks and light snacks, participate in a wide range of activities and people watch.

European and Caribbean Itineraries
Carnival Sunshine will launch a series of Mediterranean cruises beginning with a 14-day voyage departing from Venice April 12 and arriving in Barcelona April 26, 2013. The ship will then operate a series of 18 nine- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises either round-trip from Barcelona or sailing between Barcelona and Venice. These departures will visit a wide variety of the Mediterranean’s most spectacular ports. Carnival Sunshine will then sail on a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing departing Barcelona Nov. 1 and arriving New Orleans Nov. 17, 2013, positioning the vessel for its year-round deployment from the Big Easy.

Following a special 6-day cruise from New Orleans Nov. 18-24, 2013, Carnival Sunshine will launch its year-round 7-day cruise schedule from that port Nov. 24, 2013. Three different week-long itineraries will be offered–an exotic western Caribbean route to Belize City, Belize; Mahogany Bay, Isla Roatan, and Cozumel, Mexico; a Bahamas/Florida schedule to Key West, Fla., and Freeport and Nassau, The Bahamas; and western Caribbean departures to Montego Bay, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel.

Carnival Sunshine will replace Carnival Conquest, which is currently based in New Orleans. Additional details on the Carnival Conquest deployment will be announced in the near future. For additional information, visit Carnival.com.

Images Courtesy of Carnival Cruise Lines

Cruise News: Disney Fantasy Arrives in Port Canaveral

In a photo taken yesterday, March 6, 2012, fireworks light the morning sky as the Disney Fantasy, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, arrives in her home port of Port Canaveral, Florida after traveling nearly 4,700 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Bremerhaven, Germany.

The 4,000-passenger Disney Fantasy will welcome guests on her maiden voyage on March 31, 2012, sailing 7-night cruises to the Caribbean and Disney's private island Castaway Cay, from Port Canaveral.

Did you know? Disney ships are the only vessels at sea that present a fireworks show from ON board while at sea.

Image Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line; Kent Phillips/Disney, photographer

Cruise News: Royal Princess Introduces Updated Amenities & A New Balcony Stateroom Category

When Princess Cruises latest Royal Princess launches in June 2013, she will feature a brand new balcony stateroom category and new amenities suggested by Princess past passengers.

“Our passengers really did design these stateroom additions, because we’ve incorporated many small changes that they’ve requested over the years,” noted Swartz. “And often the smallest changes make the biggest difference.”

Royal Princess will be one of the most balcony-rich ships afloat, with 80 percent of all cabins including this popular feature. Some changes have also been added to make traveling with technology easier. Electrical sockets have been spaced farther apart to accommodate multiple plugs and now offer a 220-volt socket. Additionally, energy-saving features have been built in to the staterooms, including a card reader that activates the room’s lighting, plus low-energy LED lighting fixtures. Families traveling in more than one cabin can take advantage of another new option with the addition of 50 adjoining staterooms.

Royal Princess Staterooms and Amenities

Deluxe Balcony

• Deluxe Balcony: Debuting on Royal Princess, this new category of stateroom is an extra spacious balcony cabin with a comfortable sofa bed (in place of a side chair) and some of the upgraded amenities found in a mini-suite stateroom, including enhanced bathroom amenities, waffle bathrobe, and an upgraded duvet. Royal Princess will feature 358 deluxe balcony staterooms throughout the ship.

• Mini-Suite: In addition to featuring the new general stateroom amenities, mini-suites will offer a decorative central lighting fixture, a privacy curtain between the bed and sitting area, and marble-topped counters.

• Suite: Suites will feature larger televisions, two sinks in the bathroom, accent lighting and a glass-paneled shower. Suite passengers can also take advantage of Royal Princess’ new Concierge Lounge, offering an exclusive space to enjoy refreshments, make reservations for dining, spa services and shore excursions.

• Stateroom Amenities: All staterooms will include a variety of subtle changes based on feedback from passengers. Room décor will feature contemporary and rich finishes, modern carpet patterns, and soft, soothing colors. Bathrooms will offer larger shower spaces and hand-held shower heads. Sinks will be square in shape to provide more vanity space, mirrors will feature built-in vanity lighting, and beds will have pillow top mattresses and upholstered headboards. Decorative wall sconces will provide enhanced lighting and televisions will be larger and wall-mounted.

Currently under construction, the 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship for Princess Cruises that adds new features such as a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; the dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed enclosed walkway on the ship’s starboard side extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; Alfredo’s Pizzeria, a gelateria, Bellini’s cocktail bar, Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar, Vines Wine Bar, a dazzling water and light show, and an expanded version of Princess’ signature adults-only haven, The Sanctuary, and the popular poolside theater, Movies Under the Stars.

As time nears for bookings to open on Princess Cruises’ highly anticipated new ship, the line is holding an unprecedented charity auction for a chance to secure a stateroom aboard Royal Princess’ inaugural sailing on June 16, 2013. The auction, which is now open on eBay under the eBay Giving Works program, will enable one lucky bidder to become the very first passenger booked on the ship, while at the same time raising money to support worldwide charitable causes. All proceeds from the eBay auction will go directly to the Princess Cruises Community Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity, which supports causes around the globe.

The winning bidder will secure a coveted cruise for two on the Royal Princess maiden voyage, a 7-day, 4-port Iberia sailing from Southampton to Barcelona with calls at Vigo, Lisbon, Gibraltar and Malaga. The lucky passengers will sail in th new class of accommodation debuting on Royal Princess, a deluxe balcony stateroom. Bidding started at just $1 and has reached $12,500.00 at this writing. The 10-day auction will close with the highest bid winning the cruise on March 12, 2012. Anyone with an eBay account, regardless of location, may bid on the cruise.

“We don’t open the books on Royal Princess until March 15, but we know many passengers are eager to reserve their stateroom,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “This auction will give someone the unique opportunity to be the very first passenger booked aboard the ship’s maiden voyage while at the same time supporting the worldwide charities that benefit from the work of the Princess Cruises Community Foundation.”

All proceeds from the eBay auction will go to the Princess Cruises Community Foundation, a nonprofit public benefit corporation that provides financial and in-kind support to non-profit organizations dedicated to children, education, the environment, disaster relief and community health in ports visited by Princess ships, in regions where Princess seafarers reside, and locales from which Princess operates. More information about the Foundation’s work is available at Princess Cruises Community Foundation. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available by visiting the company's website at Princess.com.

Find more Royal Princess details on Cruise Diva's blog at:

• Princess Cruises Newest Ship Will Be A Royal

• Royal Princess: Expanded Atrium, New Features

Images Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Won't You Take Me On A Million-Dollar-Plus Silversea World Cruise?

World Cruise. Those two words set many travelers' hearts aflutter. And it's simple to see why. There's no easier way to see a vast swath of the world's most treasured destinations than on a World Cruise. Each of the more than 100 days of a World Cruise with Silversea is an adventure with a plethora of exotic ports of call and on board activities, including wine experts and guest lecturers and chefs, plus the amenities luxury passengers expect.

After spending the final segment of the 2011 Silversea World Cruise aboard Silver Spirit in the Royal Suite, I dreamt of what it would be like to do the entire round-the-globe cruise in that type of suite. Above my pay grade, but a diva can dream.

Sadly, my pockets aren't deep enough and even my husband's platinum card won't cover what a British travel company is billing as "the ultimate cruise holiday"—with a staggering £1 million price tag per couple (that's $1,595,565.68 in US dollars!). Six Star Cruises, the UK’s leading luxury cruise retailer, has created what they term the world's most luxurious 124 day vacation, including the 115-day Silversea 2013 World Cruise aboard Silver Whisper. That one million GB pounds translates to £8,000 per day. A mere $12,752.51 per couple per day.

The exclusive four-month long holiday trip has been packaged for discerning British travelers who are accustomed to living large and have an unlimited budget. The cruise itself departs Los Angeles, California and calls on 28 countries including French Polynesia, New Zealand, Malaysia, the Maldives and Mauritius. But for the million pound price tag, it includes a lot more.

The amazing trip takes care of every detail in high style. First, the globe trotting couple is whisked from home by Sikorsky helicopter to a London airport. In flight they will enjoy a tasty snack of Beluga Caviar and wash it down with Da Hong Pao Tea harvested from rare one thousand year old plants or the king of all champagnes, Dom Perignon Rosé. The tea sounds yucky, but Brits do like their tea. However, the champagne would be a heavenly option for this diva's taste.

Once at the airport, flights to and from the US aren't anything to sneeze at in a privately chartered Boeing Business Jet. With mahogany paneling and gold-plated fixtures, the plane has a spacious lounge, a bedroom, and a dining room. Naturally the meals won't be typical airline fare. A top Michelin star chef will create 10 course tasting menus for both the outbound and return lights. Ground transfers in the US are chauffeur driven in a Rolls Royce Phantom. Once on board the "cruise of a lifetime," the lucky pair will settle into the sumptuous Royal Suite on board Silversea Cruises' Silver Whisper. In over 1,000 square feet, the stately suite features:

Royal Suite Bedroom

• Living room with sitting area; two-bedroom has additional sitting area
• Separate dining area and fully stocked bar
• Twin beds or queen-sized bed: two-bedroom has additional twin beds or queen-sized bed
• Two marbled bathrooms, one with double vanity, separate shower and full-sized whirlpool tub, plus a powder room; two-bedroom has additional marbled bathroom with full-sized bath
• Walk-in wardrobe(s) with personal safe
• Vanity table(s) with hair dryer
• Writing desk(s)
• Bang and Olufsen audio system
• Radio/Alarm with iPod docking station
• Direct-dial telephone(s)
• Flat screen television(s) with DVD and satellite reception
• Large teak veranda with patio furniture and floor-to-ceiling glass doors; two-bedroom has additional veranda
• Butler service

While the package is for two people, the literature indicates the suite will be in the two-bedroom configuration.

Stay with me, the elaborate trip package includes even more. There's a 4 night pre-cruise stay in the top suite of the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, and a 4 night post-cruise stay in an apartment located in the gated community on Sunset Island, Miami, Florida. In the event that they didn't get enough of the spa and other amenities aboard Silver Whisper, the spacious villa in Florida has a rooftop Jacuzzi, private screening room, and the services of a butler.

Six Star Cruises' Director Mal Barritt believes that this air-land-and sea voyage will be a hit with customers. He said, "We have listened to what some of our most discerning customers say they look for in a holiday and have created the most desirable cruise holiday in the world."

Wow. He's certainly got my attention. Not being a Brit with big bucks—make that extra pounds—I guess I don't qualify. However, if you want to book the 2013 Silversea World Cruise and $1.5 million is a tad over your budget as well, you can still take the 115-day voyage aboard Silver Whisper without all the posh extras for about $61,000 per person (cruise only, based on double occupancy). Or, if like Cruise Diva, you don't have that much time or disposable income, you can book one or more World Cruise segments. I promise that once on board you won't miss the helicopter or private jet (or the yucky sounding tea).

Images Courtesy of Silversea Cruises

Princess Cruises Puts Denali on Sale

Princess guests can enjoy outdoor dining and spectacular scenery
on Denali Lodge’s expansive deck

When I first read that headline, I thought, “Oh, no! Why is Princess selling off their property in Alaska?” Then I read further to discover that the announcement is actually about Princess Cruises’ new Denali on Sale promotion, billed as offering 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.

While Cruise Diva doesn’t often promote deals, this one is too good not to share. Princess’ Denali Explorer cruisetours begin at just $799 per person for a 10-day vacation, including a 7-day Alaska cruise with a land tour into the Alaska wilderness to see the majesty of Denali, and North America’s tallest peak. Accommodations are included at Princess’ own wilderness lodges and transportation is on their 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 (was $1,248)
• 11-night Anchorage to Vancouver Denali Explorer cruisetour: $1,049 (was $1,948)
• 12-night Vancouver to Fairbanks Denali Explorer cruisetour: $1,199 (was $1,698)

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. All fares quoted above are per person based on inside, double occupancy. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available at Princess.com.

Image: Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, Courtesy of Princess Cruises

PBS Commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the Titanic Disaster

With the 100th year anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic—the deadliest peacetime maritime disaster in history—coming up next month, there has been a lot of attention given to the tragedy. Cruises to the site where the great ship went to the bottom of the sea a century ago are planned and in the United States, the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) is marking the tragic occasion with three new programs scheduled for April 2012. SAVING THE TITANIC premiers on Sunday, April 1; THE TITANIC WITH LEN GOODMAN, premiers on Tuesday, April 10; and NOVA “Why Ships Sink,” premiers on Wednesday, April 18, 2012. The latter investigates the safety of cruise ships and questions whether passengers are safe at sea today. Each program provides a unique perspective on the April 14, 1912, disaster—from historical drama to science to personal stories of the effect of the tragedy on the descendants of those who perished and those who survived.

“The 100th anniversary of the sinking of the Titanic is an opportunity to take another look at what really happened in this epic disaster,” said John Wilson, Senior Vice President and Chief TV Programming Executive. “These three programs examine the tragedy from different angles—from the impact of the tragedy on the descendants of those on board, to the engineering challenges faced by the crew and, finally, a chance to ask ourselves if the safety of cruise ships has kept pace with the public’s demand for larger and even more luxurious accommodations over the last hundred years.”

SAVING THE TITANIC, premiering Sunday, April 1, at 10:00 p.m. ET, is a new historical drama that tells the untold story of the self-sacrifice and bravery of the ship’s engineers, stokers and firemen in the face of impending death. Starring an ensemble cast, SAVING THE TITANIC seeks to answer the question of what happened in the engine and boiler rooms after the collision. Based on eyewitness accounts, this is the remarkable story of nine men from the engineering crew who fought courageously to hold back the power of the sea and keep the power systems running, even when they learned that all was lost. Encore presentations are scheduled on Friday, April 6, at 10:30 p.m. ET, Tuesday, April 10, at 9:00 p.m. ET, and Saturday, April 14, at 9:00 p.m. ET.

Premiering Tuesday, April 10, at 8:00 p.m. ET, THE TITANIC WITH LEN GOODMAN examines the impact of the sinking on the thousands of affected families. For the first time, these tales of loss and love, triumph and tragedy are brought together, part of the Titanic legacy that lives on in the descendants. Len Goodman, best known as a judge on “Dancing With the Stars,” has his own connection to the ship. Before he was a dancer, he was a welder in East London for Harland and Woolf, the company that built the Titanic, in Belfast, Northern Ireland. To mark the centenary of the tragedy, Goodman takes viewers on an exploration of the ship’s hundred-year legacy through the stories of the handpicked group of men who helped build the Titanic and then died with her. He visits Southampton to find out why it was the city hit hardest by the Titanic’s death toll and explores the story of the ship’s band. He also uncovers the stories of 700 emigrants who were on board and had the smallest odds of survival. In London, he meets the men whose wealthy ancestors survived the tragedy, only to pay for their lives with their reputations. Encore presentations are scheduled for Friday, April 13, at 10:00 p.m. ET and Saturday, April 14, at 8:00 p.m. ET.

On Wednesday, April 18, at 9:00 p.m. ET, NOVA presents the premiere of “Why Ships Sink,” which investigates the safety of cruise ships. Twenty million passengers embark on cruises each year, vacationing in deluxe “floating cities” that offer everything from swimming pools to shopping malls to ice skating rinks. And the ships just keep getting bigger: the average cruise ship has doubled in size in just the last 10 years. Some engineers fear that these towering behemoths are dangerously unstable, and the recent tragedy of the Costa Concordia has raised new questions about their safety. NOVA brings together marine engineering and safety experts to reconstruct the events that led up to famous cruise disasters, including the ill-fated Concordia, the Sea Diamond, and the Oceanos. Are we really safe at sea—or are we on the brink of a 21st-century Titanic?

Check your local listings for broadcast times in your viewing area.

Titanic Image: Courtesy of Tile Films Ltd.

Cruise News: Disney Fantasy Naming Ceremony

Live! From New York! Well, not exactly live, but here's a snippet from the grand ceremony aboard Disney Fantasy last night that included celebrity performances, the introduction of a world-class crew, and the official announcement of the ship’s godmother, Mariah Carey.

Video Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog

Cruise News: Mariah Carey Christens Disney Fantasy During Star-Studded New York City Ceremony

Disney Fantasy, the fourth ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet, was officially nameed last night during a star-studded christening celebration at the Manhattan Cruise Terminal. On a night filled with celebrity performances from the likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Neil Patrick Harris, Nick Cannon, and Heather Headley, it was Disney Fantasy godmother, Mariah Carey, who took center stage for the christening moment. Similar to the famed New Year's Eve celebrations in Times Square, Carey led the audience in a countdown that triggered a 6-foot tall bottle of champagne in the Atrium Lobby to erupt and shower onlookers with confetti and streamers as a traditional bottle of champagne broke against the ship's hull.

When Disney Fantasy begins sailing on March 31, 2012, it will continue the innovative approach Disney Cruise line brought to family cruise vacations with a collection of new guest experiences specifically developed for the ship's 7-night itinerary. Highlights include:

Technological Wizardry. . .
Animator's Palate on the Disney Fantasy brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room with a new show called "Animation Magic." At dinner, families are encouraged to draw a character of their own on a specially designed placemat. Once the placemats are collected, the magic begins as Mickey takes to the screens and brings the guests' characters to life as they march across screens around the dining room and even step into scenes from beloved Disney movies side-by-side with characters such as Mickey Mouse, Jiminy Cricket, Cinderella and Snow White.

The Muppets are coming to the Disney Fantasy! Guests can join the world-famous Muppets for interactive adventure quest to find missing show props by uncovering clues via more than a dozen pieces of Enchanted Art around the ship. Guided by a map and holding a unique game card in front of select pieces of Enchanted Art, guests unveil games and clues to find the missing items. "The Case of the Stolen Show" is a self-paced adventure game that features several possible endings and multiple randomized events – so each time a guest plays, they have a different game experience.

Splashtacular Family Fun. . .
Soaring above the upper decks of the Disney Fantasy, guests will find the AquaDuck a 765-foot long, twisting-and-turning water coaster that has been a huge hit with guests sailing on the Disney Dream. Several new water surprises are set to debut on the Disney Fantasy including AquaLab, a water play area on the upper deck filled with a variety of water "experiments," created by Donald Duck's nephews, designed to drench, soak, and saturate guests. This fanciful 1,800-square-foot space features pop jets, geysers, bubblers, falling water, squirting walls and more.

On Deck 13 forward, guests 18-years of age and older will find a new relaxing respite. Satellite Falls is a circular splash pool with benches and a gently falling rain curtain that provides cool comfort and is surrounded by ample deck space where adult guests can soak up the sun in loungers or relax in the shade under a canopy.

World-Class Entertainment. . .
The launch of a new Disney ship includes the premiere of two new Broadway-style stage spectaculars in the lavish Walt Disney Theatre. The signature show "Wishes" is a 45-minute musical journey about three best friends who discover the secret to being a grown-up is staying connected to their inner child. "Disney's Aladdin–A Musical Spectacular" is a fast-paced musical comedy where Aladdin, the "street rat" of Agrabah, meets a Genie who grants him three wishes, battles the evil Jafar and falls in love with Princess Jasmine.

Club Hopping Across Europe. . .
Nightlife takes a European twist with Europa, an entertainment district of high-energy, sophisticated clubs and lounges inspired by the night spots of Italy, France, Ireland and London. Europa is a continent of adult nighttime fun without borders. La Piazza is a lounge that draws inspiration from stylish Italian plazas. Skyline is a chic bar that provides ever-changing birds-eye views of European cityscapes. O'Gills Pub is a rollicking Irish bar and Ooh La La is an elegant French champagne bar. The Tube transports guests to a vibrant metropolitan club reminiscent of swinging London.

"The Disney Fantasy is a spectacular addition to our fleet and builds on the creativity, innovation, and artistry that are hallmarks of the Disney Cruise Line," said Walt Disney Company President and CEO Bob Iger. "Like her sister ship, the Dream, the Fantasy will connect guests to iconic Disney characters and storytelling, creating unforgettable, one-of-a-kind vacation experiences for the entire family."

Disney Fantasy will sail from Port Canaveral, Florida on 7-night Caribbean itineraries that alternate eastern (St. Maarten and St. Thomas) and western (Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel) ports. All itineraries will include a stop at Disney's private island, Castaway Cay. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line, visit DisneyCruise.com.

Image: Singer Mariah Carey joins Walt Disney Company President and CEO Robert A. Iger (right), Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Thomas O. Staggs, and Mickey Mouse for the christening of the newest ship of the Disney Cruise Line, the Disney Fantasy. Matt Stroshane/Disney, Photographer

Cruise News: Disney Fantasy Christened by Mariah Carey

It's official. The rumor panned out and Mariah Carey, Godmother, has named Disney Cruise Line's newest ship Disney Fantasy.

Will Mariah Be Disney Fantasy’s Godmother? That’s the Rumor Out of the Big Apple

As Disney Cruise Line’s newest ship, Disney Fantasy, awaits her christening this evening at 6:00pm in New York City, Stitch Kingdom, an unofficial Disney news site reports what they call the most highly anticipated reveal of all: the ship’s Godmother.

Will the Godmother of the Disney Cruise Line Disney Fantasy be Mariah Carey? That’s the rumor.

Image Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line, David Roark/Disney, Photographer

Cruise News: Costa Accommodates & Compensates Stranded Costa Allegra Passengers

Costa Allegra Updates From Costa Crociere
Thursday, March 1st 2012

Time 6:00 pm (CET)
Costa Allegra, after mooring at the dock at Port Victoria, Mahé, Seychelles, at 12:00pm local time today successfully completed disembarkation of guests and crew in approximately two hours. On disembarking guests were attended to by the ship’s crew, members of the Costa Crociere Care Team, and assistance personnel provided by local authorities. Guests and crew are in good health.

The number of guests who decided to accept Costa Crociere’s offer to continue their holiday in the Seychelles has risen to about 70 percent out of a total of 627. Those guests already have been taken to the hotels where there will spend one or two weeks on holiday at the company’s expense on the islands of Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette, and Cerfs. Costa Crociere also will organize their return flights home after their holiday.

The remaining guests who have elected to return home have been accommodated in hotels on the island. They will leave in the evening on flights organized by Costa Crociere from Seychelles International airport to Paris, Milan via Rome, and to Zurich via Vienna. The flights are scheduled to arrive the morning of March 2.

The company has offered all guests a compensation package including:

● Full refund of the fare paid for the cruise and associated travel expenses
● Full refund of on-board expenses incurred during the cruise
● Indemnity equivalent to the amount of the fare paid for the cruise and associated travel costs

Guests who decided not to continue their holiday in the Seychelles at the company’s expense are to receive a voucher for the same value they paid for their unfinished Costa Allegra cruise, to apply toward any Costa cruise departing within 24 months.

Costa Crociere expresses its gratitude to Master Nicolò Alba and all members of the Costa Allegra crew, to the guests of Costa Allegra, to the master and crew of the French fishing boat Trevignon, to the other naval and air units involved in the support operations for Costa Allegra, to the Italian Harbour Office General Command, to the local authorities of the Seychelles and Reunion Island, to the Italian Consulate and Embassy, and to international diplomatic representatives.

Image © CruiseDiva.com

Cruise News: Disabled Costa Allegra Reaches Port

Costa Allegra Updates From Costa Crociere
Thursday, March 1st 2012

Time 9.00 am (CET)
After three days at sea without power, Costa Allegra has safely docked at Port Victoria, Mahé in the island nation of the Seychelles. Guest disembarkation has started.

Image © CruiseDiva.com

Travel Like a Rock Star With Crystal's New VIP Airport Service

Slip on your shades and get ready to sail through airports in Brad Pitt-Angelina Jolie fashion. Crystal Cruises' guests can now move through airports like VIPs, bypassing the customary stress associated with flying. Door-to-gate porter and escort services, fast-track processes, and access to VIP/Business Class Lounges, where available, are all part of the groundbreaking, new "Crystal VIP Airport Service"—the first of its kind offered by a cruise line.

The personalized, 24/7 deluxe service, available for purchase internationally by all Crystal cruisers, utilizes worldwide, "on-the-ground" airport resources to facilitate a hassle-free airport experience for guests travelling to and from their Crystal ship. While they can't guarantee you won't encounter any paparazzi, you might feel like a rock star with customized, luxury services that may include:

• Greeting upon airport arrival (inbound, outbound and connecting flights)
• Luggage porter service
• Escorted and expedited check-in, security, customs, and immigration
• Entry to restricted-access airport lounges
• Preferred boarding
• Limousine/town car transfers between airport, home, day room, and/or ship
• Flight tracking and handling, including assistance with delayed or cancelled flights and related lodging, transportation, meals, etc.

"Security lines, long hikes, uncomfortable chairs, cumbersome luggage—the modern-day airport experience has lost the ease that flying once provided," says Vice President of Land and Port Operations John Stoll. "Whether one prefers to travel discreetly, or just minimize inconvenience, this service ushers you into the refined gentility of a Crystal experience from the moment your vacation really begins: when you leave home."

Packages are available for up to four people, in hubs around the globe, from New York and LA to Rio and Hong Kong. Prices vary depending on location and the services selected, with amenity menu subject to local laws, regulations, and/or airline/airport policies. Guests can log into Crystal's online "Priority Check-in and Planning Center (PCP)" for specific options correlating to their flight itineraries.

Crystal Cruises' ethos of warm and friendly attentiveness, proffered by top-trained service staff from around the world, has earned the line a reputation for elevating hospitality to an art form with no guest request left untended. For more information, visit CrystalCruises.com.

Image Courtesy of Crystal Cruises

Cruise News: Post-Fire Continuing Events Surrounding Costa Allegra

Costa Allegra Updates From Costa Crociere
Wednesday, February 29th 2012

Time 5.30 pm (CET)
Members of Costa Cruises’ Care Team have reached and boarded Costa Allegra. Team members met with guests to assess their needs upon disembarkation.

So far, 376 guests out of 627 have accepted Costa Cruises’ proposal to continue their vacation in Seychelles. They will be accommodated at Costa Cruises’ expense, in high-quality hotels on the following islands: Praslin, La Digue, Silhouette and Cerfs.

Costa Cruises also will arrange homeward flights at the end of their vacation. The remaining 251 guests decided to return to their homes on flights arranged by Costa Cruises, departing Mahé Thursday evening, March 1.

Time 11.30 am (CET)
Following the latest contact with Costa Allegra—currently under tow to Mahé, Seychelles—Costa Cruises reports that the situation on board is stable and weather conditions are good.

Arrival time of the ship at Mahé on Thursday, March 1, is subject to change according to speed and sea weather conditions. Currently, arrival is expected at 9 a.m. Seychelles time (1 a.m. ET). Costa is constantly updating authorities involved in the operation following each contact with the ship.

Within the next few hours Costa’s "Care Team" will reach the ship, and team members will immediately begin working to achieve repatriation of all guests. At the same time, members of "Care Team" based on the island are organizing hospitality services for guests and arranging air charter transfers.

Costa has optioned more than 600 airline seats to facilitate guest travel and more than 400 hotel rooms have been reserved for guests’ accommodations needs.

On board soft drinks and cold foods such as fruits, cold cuts and cheeses are being served. Mineral water is provided for personal hygiene needs. Fresh bread is delivered daily via helicopter.

Image © CruiseDiva.com

Cruise News: Disney Cruise Line Makes Its Inaugural Visit to New York to Christen Disney Fantasy

In these photos (taken yesterday, Feb. 28, 2012), the Disney Fantasy, the newest Disney Cruise Line ship, sails past the Statue of Liberty after traveling nearly 3,800 miles across the Atlantic Ocean from Bremerhaven, Germany.

The 4,000-passenger Disney Fantasy will be christened in New York on March 1, then sail to her home of Port Canaveral, Florida. With her maiden voyage scheduled for Mar. 31, the Disney Fantasy will sail 7-night cruises to the Caribbean and Disney’s private island Castaway Cay.

Images Courtesy of Disney Cruise Line, Top: David Roark/Disney, Photographer;

Center and Bottom: Kent Phillips/Disney, Photographer