Friday, November 6, 2009

A Tale of Two Crossings: Carnival Dream & Oasis of the Seas

While both Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Dream & Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas are crossing the Atlantic, there's good news and bad news from their respective headquarters. Carnival's is good, so we'll share that first.

To celebrate the launch of its newest, largest and most family-friendly "Fun Ship" ever, Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden will serve as godmother of the new Carnival Dream and will unveil the world's largest children's book in New York City today, along with a major, multi-year partnership with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

New Yorker and mother of three, Harden will officially name the new ship when it makes its North American debut in New York on Nov 12, 2009. In honor of Carnival Dream's much-anticipated arrival, the Tony Award-winning actress will unveil Carnival's Big Book of Dreams, measuring 15.5 feet high by 20 feet wide, in New York City's Rockefeller Center today and will conduct a special reading of the larger-than-life story to dozens of schoolchildren. Inspired by the imaginative dreams of children who sailed on Carnival Cruise Lines this spring, "The Dream Plucker of Perrysport" tells the tale of a group of young friends who find themselves on a unique adventure after they encounter a furry orange monster in a quest to remember their dreams. The book will remain on display at Rockefeller Center Nov 6 and 7 as part of a series of free, activity-filled Carnival "Dream Big" events for the whole family.

During the three-year partnership with St. Jude, Carnival Cruise Lines' goal is to raise $3 million to help achieve the hospital's mission of finding cures and saving children with cancer and other catastrophic illnesses. To support the hospital, under the theme "Care to Play," Carnival is creating a number of fun, interactive on-board fundraising activities that will involve guest participation. Carnival will also donate hundreds of kid-sized copies of "The Dream Plucker of Perrysport" to the hospital.To learn more about Carnival Dream and the Carnival Book of Dreams, visit BigBookofDreams.com.

Carnival Dream is a new class of vessel for the line and ushers in an exciting new era in "Fun Ship" cruising. The 3,646-passenger ship offers a host of innovations including more than 19,000 square feet of space dedicated to children and families, as well as an expansive WaterWorks aqua park featuring the longest water slide at sea. The ship also offers a stunning indoor/outdoor café and entertainment venue called Ocean Plaza, a two-level Serenity adults-only retreat, a wrap-around promenade encircling the ship and a 23,750-square-foot health spa. On Sept 21, the Dream began its inaugural voyages in Europe and will make its North American debut in New York on Nov 12, followed by its launche of year-round 7-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral, Florida on Dec. 12, 2009.

Meanwhile, on day seven of its North Atlantic crossing on its way to Port Everglades, Florida, Royal Caribbean's massive new ship Oasis of the Seas has encountered strong winds and high seas. Due to the inclement weather, Oasis of the Seas is now scheduled to arrive at Port Everglades on the morning of Nov 13, 2009, two days later than originally scheduled. The late arrival will not impact any inaugural events, promotional activities or revenue sailings.

You may continue to follow Oasis’ journey on OasisoftheSeas.com. Oasis of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world. Termed an architectural marvel at sea, it spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas is the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will sail weekly to the Caribbean from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

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