Carnival Splendor Boasts A New Burrito Bar

In a nod to the Mexican Riviera itinerary of the new Carnival Splendor, a new burrito bar debuted during the ship’s two-day familiarization cruises in San Francisco and Los Angeles last week.

Located within the expansive poolside restaurant, The Lido, the venue allows guests the opportunity select a variety of meats, rice, vegetables, and other ingredients and have a custom-made burrito created on the spot.

The burrito bar has garnered positive feedback from Carnival Splendor guests and the company is evaluating expanding the concept to other ships in the fleet.

Explore all the features aboard Carnival Splendor with CruiseDiva.com.

Norwegian Epic Will Offer The Most Dining Choices at Sea

Norwegian Epic’s wide range of dining choices will wow even the most discerning cruiser with 14 Freestyle Dining restaurants and 18 bars and lounges. Each restaurant features unique and sensational culinary delights from around the world. Although we're fairly certain that Café Jardin & The Great Outdoors will be complimentary—after all, it is the buffet—there's no word yet on whether any of the other restaurants will be included in your fare or which ones will require reservations and carry an extra charge.

Norwegian Epic’s dining establishments will include:

• Taste: Located in the ship’s atrium on Deck 5, Taste’s décor blends off-white, free-form plastered walls with European retro-chic mixed with brick details and floor to ceiling velvet curtains. Taste will serve a selection of traditional and contemporary cuisine.
• The Manhattan Room: Reminiscent of an elegant art deco supper club, The Manhattan Room features a dance floor as its focal point and will offer live music and dancing in the evening. The two-story high restaurant on Deck 6 features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows looking aft. The cuisine reflects the elegant and romantic nature of the room.
• Café Jardin & The Great Outdoors: Café Jardin’s décor is modeled after a traditional English country garden conservatory. This is Norwegian’s signature action station casual restaurant where chefs cook fresh, prepared-to-order food as guests watch, featuring seafood, pizza, fruit, soups, pasta, ethnic specialties, burgers and desserts; offering extensive and varied selections. The Café includes a Kid’s Café with child-friendly seats and tables. At the Great Outdoors, guests can enjoy fresh air and a view of the Aqua Park with their meal.
• Cagney’s Steakhouse & Churrascaria: Norwegian’s traditional American steakhouse takes on a new twist with the addition of Argentinean churrasco. In addition to mouth-watering steaks, guests will be able to sample a variety of skewered meats presented by tableside passadors. Another new addition is a large, centrally located salad bar.
• La Cucina: This Tuscan-style eatery will serve regional Italian specialties including pizza, pasta and steak, chicken and fish dishes. The traditional Italian décor reflects two distinct areas: a Tuscan farm home and an Italian courtyard, where a large olive tree with hanging lanterns is the centerpiece, open to Café Jardin above.
• Le Bistro: Norwegian’s upscale bistro will serve classic French cuisine with an American flair. This elegant dining establishment surrounds guests with contemporary and traditional paintings and sculptures, making guests feel as if they were dining in an art museum.
• Shanghai’s: This new addition to Norwegian’s specialty dining options will serve a delicious mix of Chinese dishes and noodle bar specialties. The décor reflects Old Shanghai in the 1930s and is reminiscent of the China Club in Hong Kong. There will be an open kitchen preparing traditional Chinese cuisine, noodles, wok fried dishes and dim sum.
• Wasabi: This expansive sushi and sake bar will serve the freshest sushi, sashimi and Japanese Yakitori dishes. Featuring modern décor and clean lines, Wasabi is located outside the Teppanyaki restaurant.
• Teppanyaki: As the largest Teppanyaki restaurant at sea with 115 seats, this expanded venue will feature up to 24 knife-wielding chefs cooking exhibition-style Japanese cuisine on flat top grills. Guests will be amazed by the masterful chefs who demonstrate their skills slicing and dicing while creating an appetizing meal.
• O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill: This classic neighborhood sports bar and restaurant will serve American favorites and comfort food and is open 24 hours. The atrium’s two-story high screen will be visible from inside the restaurant and additional flat screen televisions will show sporting events, while guests enjoy their own activities, including three lanes of bowling, dart boards, pool tables, foosball and arcade games.
• The Epic Club & Courtyard Grill: Located high atop the ship in The Villas complex, this modern and elegant restaurant is reserved exclusively for Norwegian Epic’s suite and villa guests. The décor reflects a private club ambiance with contemporary and modern furnishings, and a large wine display, dotted with glass sculptures and pearl drapes. The Courtyard Grill is the more casual, outdoor area of the restaurant serving Villas guests for breakfast and lunch.

In addition to the restaurants listed above, there is also one more Norwegian Epic restaurant which will be announced at the next reveal in May. Also, 24-hour room service will be available for all guests on board Norwegian Epic. Throughout the ship, there will also be a total of 18 bars and lounges, which include: Atrium Bar; O’Sheehan’s; Cascades, the casino bar; Bliss Ultra Lounge; Cagney’s Bar; the Ice Bar; Sake Bar; Malting’s Whiskey Bar; Shaker’s Martini Bar; Humidor Cigar Lounge; The Living Room, exclusively for The Studios’ guests; Waves Bar; Spice H20; the Epic Club; and Posh Beach Club. The final three bars will also be announced in May.

Check out Cruise Diva's other Norwegian Epic reveals:

• Freestyle Cruising Accommodations to suit every type of guest are revealed for Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Epic, formerly known as F3.
• Norwegian Cruise Line Reveals Nightlife Options — NCL sailed into a sea of dreams to share a peek into the future of nightlife afloat.
• With Details About the Ship, NCL throws us a curve. Catch the NEW WAVE in innovative ocean-going accommodations.

NCL Announces More Norwegian Epic Features

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has revealed another industry first to debut on its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, which will include an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea -- The Epic Plunge. The line also unveiled seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever repelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids’ and teen activity areas and the first squash court at sea. In addition, Norwegian revealed the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 14 restaurant choices – the most at sea – and 18 bars and lounges.

Norwegian’s First Aqua Park: Norwegian Epic, set for delivery in late May 2010, takes Freestyle Family Fun to the extreme with an expansive Aqua Park that includes three water slides of varying thrill factors, including one specifically designed for children that zips straight through the rock climbing wall; a more adventurous slide twisting and turning down three stories; and The Epic Plunge, the only tube slide at sea that puts the blast of inner-tubing into the core of a bowl slide with a thrilling drop through a 200-foot long tube. Riders are then launched into the vortex of The Epic Plunge where centrifugal forces keep them high on the wall for several turns, ending in an exciting transition into a splashdown lane. The Aqua Park also includes two main pools with arching water effects which illuminate at night; five whirlpools; a wading pool and a kid’s pool in the children’s Splash and Play Zone which features whimsical sculptures, water sprays and effects, along with a kiddy slide.

Scaling New Heights in Freestyle Fun: In an industry first, Norwegian Epic will scale new heights with the first ever repelling wall at sea and a 33-foot high extreme rock climbing wall, accessible on two levels with varying degrees of difficulty, rated according to official U.S. climbing grades.

Expanding its innovative concept of bowling at sea, Norwegian Epic will offer the most bowling lanes with a total of six located in two venues: Bliss Ultra Lounge and O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill. The multi-use sports deck will include a full size basketball court, volleyball, soccer, dodge ball, batting cage, bungee trampoline, rope adventure course and a 24-foot tall enclosed climbing cage called the spider web. Norwegian Epic will also feature the first squash court at sea, located in the fitness center.

Our Largest Kid’s Crew Facility & Exclusive Teen Lounge: Recess is Norwegian Epic’s Kid’s Crew facility that is centrally located on Deck 14 adjacent and easily accessible to the family-friendly staterooms. Two separate areas are specifically designed for kids ages two through nine and tweens, ages 10 through 12. The Kid’s area includes a space-themed play area, air hockey table, an interactive light up dance floor; WiiTM gaming areas; an arts and crafts area; along with a state-of-the-art surround sound cinema. The Tween Zone has a futuristic feel that includes multiple WiiTM and PlayStation® areas; along with a private karaoke performance stage which doubles as a cinema.

Entourage is Norwegian Epic’s high energy, exclusive teen zone for ages 13 through 17, located at the top of the ship on Deck 16. This funky space includes air hockey; pinball; foosball; a video jukebox; and nine large flat screen televisions, five of which are located around a central video game console featuring PlayStation® 3. In the evening, Entourage transitions into a hip nightclub with a space for dancing or just hanging out on comfy couches. Directly below is the video arcade which features number of the most challenging and interactive video games.

Check out other Norwegian Epic reveals:

• Freestyle Cruising Accommodations to suit every type of guest are revealed for Norwegian Cruise Line's Norwegian Epic, formerly known as F3.
• Norwegian Cruise Line Reveals Nightlife Options — NCL sailed into a sea of dreams to share a peek into the future of nightlife afloat.
• With Details About the Ship, NCL throws us a curve. Catch the NEW WAVE in innovative ocean-going accommodations.

Princess to Offer New 3-Day Sampler Mini-Cruises Aboard Ruby Princess

Princess has added two new December sampler sailings aboard the new Ruby Princess, offering passengers an opportunity to escape from the pre-holiday hustle and bustle with 3-day cruises from Fort Lauderdale. Departing on Monday, Dec 14 and Thursday, Dec 17, 2009, the new getaways each offer a call at the line’s private island, Princess Cays—an exclusive beach resort offering a day of relaxation and water sports. The sailings replace a previously scheduled wetdock.

“We were able to cancel an unnecessary maintenance period scheduled for Ruby Princess and turn it into a great opportunity for passengers to try our newest ship,” said Jan Swartz, Princess executive vice president. “These sampler sailings are a rare opportunity to experience the Princess product on a quick getaway. We think our passengers will appreciate the great value of these mini cruises, plus the chance to escape just before the busy holiday period.”

Launched in November 2008, the 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess features the line’s most popular new features including a dramatic piazza-style atrium with small-bite eateries and an ever-changing line-up of street performers. Passengers will also enjoy an array of dining venues including the signature Sabatini's Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill steak house, plus the new Wheelhouse Bar pub lunch. The ship offers many other Princess innovations including the relaxing adults-only oasis called The Sanctuary, the poolside Movies Under the Stars experience, and a unique behind-the-scenes option called the Ultimate Ship Tour.

Escape fares for the new sailings begin at $249 for the December 14 departure, and $299 for the December 17 cruise. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at Princess.com.

Find out more about Ruby Princess in Cruise Diva's ship review.

Regent Seven Seas Voyager Temporarily Out of Service for Repairs

Regent Seven Seas Cruises (RSSC) has confirmed that it is necessary to cancel the upcoming April 18th and May 8th cruises of the 700-guest Seven Seas Voyager in order to make the necessary repairs to one of its pod propulsion units. The starboard propulsion unit became entangled with a fishing net on or about March 18th after departure from Singapore and subsequently experienced a mechanical failure which resulted in the shutdown of the pod. While this in no way compromises the ship’s safety or seaworthiness, the damaged propulsion unit substantially reduces the vessel’s cruising speed, thus impeding the ability to operate its scheduled itineraries.

Following thorough inspections in Cochin, India and Dubai, United Arab Emirates, it has been determined that the extent of the damage is greater than originally anticipated and the ship must be dry-docked to facilitate the necessary repairs. Seven Seas Voyager will now be withdrawn from service upon arrival in Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy on April 18. Arrangements will be made to transport all guests back to their city of origin, including the shipping of luggage, from Rome.

Guests on the April 18th voyage from Istanbul and the May 8th voyage from Fort Lauderdale and their travel agents are being informed of these cancellations. All guests will be offered a variety of options which may include re-accommodation on an alternative RSSC voyage or voyages or a full refund. Specific re-accommodation details and refund offers for each sailing will be sent in a separate letter to guests and their travel agents and dedicated team of Regent Seven Seas cruise specialists will be contacting all affected guests and agents. A special toll-free number, 877-505-5632, has been established to answer questions and provide details to those guests and agents with reservations on these sailings.

Seven Seas Voyager is expected to return to service on May 21st.

What time is dinner? It's "Your Choice" on Carnival Cruise Lines' Ships

Instead of rushing to make dinner at a fixed time, Carnival Cruise Lines offers another option. The line has launched "Your Choice Dining" which provides a selection of three different dinner seating options for guests aboard the line’s 22-ship fleet. In addition to Early or Late assigned seating, the cruise line is rolling out "Your Time" open seating to accommodate individual guest preferences. Also, under the new Your Choice Dining program, dining assignments will be confirmed at the time of booking.

"We have been experimenting with an open seating dinner option on a few ships since the latter part of 2008," said Roberta Jacoby, Carnival’s senior vice president of hotel operations. "Exceptional guest feedback to the pilot program and an indication from the vast majority of those participating that they would choose that option again has prompted the decision to extend open seating fleetwide. At the same time, we felt it was important to also enhance the dining program overall by confirming dining assignments at the time of booking. We believe that our new Your Choice Dining Program will prove to be an extremely popular enhancement to the Carnival vacation experience," Jacoby added.

Your Time open seating, currently available on five ships, will be implemented one vessel at a time over the next several months as modifications in dining room table configurations are completed on each ship. An additional eight ships are scheduled to be converted by the end of year and the balance of the fleet by summer 2010.

"In making the decision to introduce Your Time dining, we felt it was imperative that we be able to offer guests the option to sit only with those individuals they prefer and that requires reconfiguring a section of the dining rooms on each ship to incorporate smaller table arrangements," said Jacoby. "This is an important distinction as some lines still group people together under their open seating programs."

Confirmed dining assignments are now being offered fleetwide. At the time of booking, guests will be asked to choose from among Early dining at 6pm, Late dining at 8:15 pm or Your Time dining which allows guests to dine at any time between 5:45pm and 9:30pm (if applicable depending on ship and sailing date). Dining assignments will be accommodated on a first-come, first-serve basis according to when guests made their reservation. If the preferred dining choice is not available, guests may confirm an alternate choice and be placed on a waitlist for their first preference. Waitlists will be cleared prior to sailing and guests will be notified via email of their confirmed seating assignment. As Your Time dining is implemented on each ship, guests already booked will be contacted via email or through their travel agent and provided the opportunity to switch to Your Time dining or retain their original choice.

Your Time guests are able to request any table size or waiter and are typically seated immediately when arriving at the dining room. However, if a modest wait time is required, guests are given a pager so they are free to relax elsewhere on the ship until their table is ready. Additional options available under Your Choice Dining include extensive poolside eateries offering a wide variety of cuisine choices in a casual environment and, on a number of ships, elegant, reservations-only restaurants serving fine quality dry-aged U.S.D.A. prime steaks and other dishes in an intimate, upscale atmosphere.

Here is the timetable for the introduction of Your Time open seating throughout the Carnival fleet:

• Already implemented: Carnival Legend, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Sensation, Carnival Paradise, Carnival Miracle
• End of April: Carnival Conquest, Carnival Elation, Carnival Pride
• Mid-June: Carnival Fantasy, Carnival Spirit
• Late September: Carnival Dream
• Mid-October: Carnival Ecstasy
• Mid-December: Carnival Glory
• February 2010: Carnival Fascination
• By summer 2010: Carnival Imagination, Carnival Inspiration, Carnival Destiny, Carnival Triumph, Carnival Valor, Carnival Splendor, Carnival Freedom, and Carnival Victory

RCCL's Chairman & CEO Blogs About Oasis of the Seas

Here at Cruise Diva, we love to discover interesting blogs and a new one hosted by Richard D. Fain, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., promises to be informative as well as fascinating. In this first entry last week, Fain confided that it took him five years to write his blog and that, "The idea of doing a blog scares the hell out of me." However, the subject is dear to his heart—the building of Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas.

How's he doing so far? Yesterday marked the addition of his second entry and it's a behind-the-scenes look at the work in progress aboard Oasis of the Seas at the shipyard in Turku, Finland. In One Cold Visit to Turku, not only does Fain offer a look at the progress on board, he also shares photos of the ship and cabins under construction at the cabin factory. He also says that he wished more than 27 loft suites were planned—they are that terrific.

For a good read and photos you won't see elsewhere, join Richard Fain at the Chairman's Blog.

PS—It's even cold in Turku, Finland in the summer. Trust me on that!

Disney Cruise Line to Add "Wonder" to the West Coast

Disney Cruise Line has announced plans to reposition the Disney Wonder from its Florida base in Port Canaveral to the West Coast in 2011. The company is working with the Port of Los Angeles to finalize a two-year agreement with a three-year extension option. The contract will be considered by the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners on April 2, 2009. If approved, the new Disney Wonder sailings could generate more than 250,000 guests passing through the Port of Los Angeles over a five-year period.

The addition of a new homeport for Disney Cruise Line is part of the overall expansion plan for The Walt Disney Company. Two new ships, Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy, will arrive in Florida’s Port Canaveral in 2011 and 2012, respectively.

“We are looking forward to returning to the Port of Los Angeles and offering our special brand of family cruises on the West Coast,” said Walt Disney Parks and Resorts Chairman Jay Rasulo. “Having a Disney Cruise Line ship based in this region is something families on the West Coast have wanted for a long time, and we’re pleased to bring the Disney Wonder to Southern California in 2011.”

Disney Cruise Line has successfully tested the West Coast market with two summer seasons of Mexican Riviera itineraries from the Port of Los Angeles. Disney Magic first called on the West Coast during the summer of 2005 as part of Disneyland’s 50th anniversary and returned again during the summer of 2008. Disney Cruise Line has not yet announced the details of its itineraries for 2011.

Disney Cruise Line delivers a cruise experience that every member of the family feels was created for their own individual vacation wants and needs. Specifically designed areas and activities for each member of the family allows for both quality time together and wonderful individual experiences. The focus is to allow families to reconnect, adults to recharge their batteries and kids to immerse themselves in worlds of fantasy only Disney can create.

Take a first-hand look at Disney Cruise Line at CruiseDiva.com.

Royal Caribbean Revises Onboard Programs And Crown & Anchor Society Benefits For Past Passengers

As a past passenger, I often receive email alerting me when cruise lines make changes in their on board amenities and past passenger programs. Over the weekend I received such an email from Royal Caribbean International.

With 20 ships currently in service around the globe and two ships under construction, Royal Caribbean has always regarded the optimum enjoyment of all guests worldwide as a top priority. They consistently review guest feedback to ensure that they are able to continuously improve services while keeping the base price of a Royal Caribbean cruise essentially the same for nearly a decade. In that process, they constantly measure and evaluate guest satisfaction.

To enhance the onboard experience, Royal Caribbean has recently initiated a variety of programs including:

• MyTime Dining, which allows guests more flexibility to dine according to their own schedule, and My Family Time Dining, which provides young children an expedited 40 minute dinner experience and an escorted return to the Adventure Ocean youth programming facility so that parents can continue to enjoy dinner at a leisurely pace.
• Pre-cruise booking of shore excursions and beverage packages and advance reservations for specialty restaurants.
• Upgraded suite services and amenities including preferred seating and reservations, exclusive in-stateroom culinary treats, concierge lounge access, upgraded furniture and more.
• An enhanced departure process which provides a quicker and more seamless experience for guests at the conclusion of the cruise, while extending access to their staterooms on the morning of departure.
• New programming for kids and families, such as Crayola® Beginnings art, Sitters at Sea, Babies 2 Go!, Fisher Price® toy lending, Stroll & Roll, and more.
• Pool-side towel service which eliminates the need for a guest to remember to bring towels from their stateroom.

Starting July 1st there will be some changes to the Crown & Anchor® Society benefits based on member feedback and Royal Caribbean's recent enhancements. Crown & Anchor® Society members will continue to receive their most valued benefits such as discounts on cruises, savings certificates, and priority embarkation and debarkation. Platinum and Diamond members also will continue to receive discounts on suite category staterooms including the recently introduced upgraded services and amenities for suite guests. Keeping feedback and cruise experience in mind, some of the changes that will occur include:

• A new Ultimate Value Booklet with coupons for various onboard amenities.
• An upgraded wine tasting event at a special price.
• A new special event, hosted by our ship officers, for Diamond and above members to meet and mingle with other fellow members, and featuring complimentary wine, champagne, and hors d'oeuvres.

Due to limited capacity, the Concierge Lounge has not been able to accommodate growing Crown & Anchor Society membership, challenging the line's ability to provide the optimum experience for guests. Therefore the Concierge Lounge will now be accessible to suite and Diamond Plus guests only. Diamond Members cruising on Freedom class ships, Oasis of the Seas, and Allure of the Seas will continue to be able to experience exclusive access to a dedicated Diamond Lounge on these ships, which feature a complimentary 'happy hour' from 5:00-8:30pm daily.

The chart on CruiseDiva.com outlines the new Crown & Anchor Society benefits, starting July 1st.

What Message Does This Message Board Behavior Send?

Do you really have to know your fellow passengers before embarking on your cruise? Will it make or break your vacation? It could go either way and is something to think about.

It never ceases to amaze me that people will set up a "roll call" on an active cruise travel message board and invite fellow passengers to join in... and then turn on newcomers. While I read some message boards to see what's on passengers' minds, I don't participate. For good reason. Some get downright ugly.

A post on a lesser trafficked message board caught my eye the other day. An active member of that smaller cruise travel community was distressed that, "For the first time in 20 years plus we find ourselves on a small 'Z' (name changed) cruise with the nastiest and most self important cruisers we have ever met." She went on to wonder how to avoid what could be unpleasant scenes on board once they embarked. How did she know before even sailing that this particular group of people might not be congenial? She had joined a Cruise Critic "roll call" for her sailing date. Out of curiosity, I looked it over. Indeed, she had posted there and her comments seemed to convey her excitement about the cruise—her first on that particular cruise line—as well as the anticipation she felt about meeting fellow passengers. Comments were aimed back at her from others on the roll call that did indeed sound demeaning. The culprits are a small number of 'Z' cruise line regulars who brag about their top-level past passenger status.

In essence, the past passengers appear to have opened the roll call topic with an agenda: to show off. I didn't get a warm and fuzzy let's meet for cocktails and get to know each other vibe. Quite the opposite. The top status past passenger members seem to pick and choose who was going to be good enough to hang out with them.

What a shame that some adults stoop to such juvenile behavior. The lady who was so upset by their snobbishness was actually considering cancelling her dream cruise with no hope of recovering her money. The next time she books a cruise, she will be returning to a different cruise line—one that she has sailed with before. She vows to not return to 'Z' cruise line because of her unpleasant experience with their top level past passengers.

The lesson here is to read an entire roll call topic and then follow it for a couple weeks before making the decision to reveal yourself. Also, never divulge your real name or your cabin number on message boards and be wary—very wary—of people who invite you to "meet" them online and then onboard. They might not be who you have been led to believe they are.

Special Fares for America's Finest from RCCL Brands

In challenging times, good news is particularly welcome, and when it centers on those who do good for others, it's even better. That's the inspiration behind the introduction of new, special rates exclusively for police officers and firefighters on cruise vacations with Royal Caribbean Intl, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises.

Active employees of local, state or federal law enforcement agencies or fire departments in the U.S. now can book a Celebrity, Azamara, or Royal Caribbean cruise vacation at fares up to 20 percent off the best prevailing rate on select sailings with each brand. Guests traveling in the same stateroom also are eligible to receive the special rate. Police officers and firefighters interested in booking a cruise vacation at the new special rates will be asked to provide valid proof of employment (badge or police officer/firefighter ID card) when booking and upon boarding the ship.

About Royal Caribbean Intl: Royal Caribbean Intl is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Asia, Australia, Canada, Europe, South America and New Zealand. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, visit www.royalcaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.

About Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises offers comfortably sophisticated, upscale cruise experiences with highly personalized service, exceptional dining, and extraordinary attention to detail. Celebrity sails in Alaska, California, Canada/New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Galapagos Islands, Hawaii, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal and South America. The line also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Australia, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity's current fleet - including the new Celebrity Solstice - will be joined by Celebrity Equinox this year, Celebrity Eclipse in 2010, a fourth Solstice-class ship in 2011, and a fifth in 2012. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.

About Azamara Cruises: Azamara Cruises unlocks the hidden corners of the world for those who desire to immerse themselves in the rich details of every voyage. The deluxe ships - Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest - offer an intimate experience, while allowing access to exotic destinations experienced travelers long to reach. For the 694 guests on each Azamara Cruises ship, every moment at sea embodies the pinnacle of luxury, and each footstep on shore accentuates the difference between visiting a place and getting a true sense of place. This year, Azamara Cruises presents the best of enchanting Europe, elite Asia, and the most captivating Caribbean and the Panama Canal. The line also offers unique cruisetours in Asia and Europe. For more information, you are invited to call 1-877-999-9553 or visit www.azamaracruises.com.

Royal Caribbean Ship Trio to Sail From Four Northeast US Ports in 2010

From the pastel pink beaches of Bermuda, to the balmy breezes and crystalline waters of the Caribbean, to Canada and New England’s palette of multi-colored fall foliage, Royal Caribbean Intl’s 2010 sailings from the Northeast will offer a wide array of itineraries suited to virtually any vacationer. Explorer of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, and Enchantment of the Seas will sail from Baltimore; Boston; Norfolk, VA; and Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ. In total, the ships will offer 84 sailings—16 more than last year—on 14 itineraries, calling at 22 ports on 5- to 9-night cruises.

Enchantment of the Seas’ debut in the Northeast will mark the cruise line’s first year-round deployment in the Maryland port. The 2,252-guest Enchantment of Seas will replace the 1,950-guest Grandeur of the Seas and increase Royal Caribbean’s capacity in the region by 302 berths, comprising an additional 36 balcony and 87 oceanview staterooms. The ship also will offer more family-friendly onboard amenities, including expanded youth programming spaces, and Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse, Chops Grille. Enchantment of the Seas’ initial Baltimore deployment will include 5-night Bermuda and 9-night Eastern Caribbean roundtrip itineraries in the summer and autumn seasons. The ship will first sail the same itineraries in May and June from the Port of Norfolk, exclusively offering Bermuda cruises from the Virginian port. Watch for winter and spring season itineraries that will be announced at a later date.

Explorer of the Seas will continue its year-round service from Cape Liberty in April 2010. The ship’s fourth consecutive year of service in the New York metropolitan area will feature a 5-night Bermuda cruise and two alternating 9-night “Bermuda and Caribbean” and “Bermuda and Bahamas” itineraries.In addition, Explorer of the Seas’ season will kick off with a special 13-night Southern Caribbean sailing departing March 28.

Both Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas’ short Bermuda cruises will feature a two-day call at Kings Wharf, from where you can explore the island’s pink beaches, quaint shops and night life at their leisure. Guests on Explorer of the Seas’ Bermuda and Bahamas itineraries will enjoy a day at CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island paradise in the Bahamas, while guests on Enchantment of the Seas’ Eastern Caribbean itinerary will call at Labadee, the cruise line’s private beach destination on the northern coast of Haiti.

Royal Caribbean also will return to Canada and New England in autumn 2010 with convenient sailings from Baltimore, Boston, and Cape Liberty, offering 14 itineraries ranging from 7- to 9-nights, including ports of call at Portland and Bar Harbor, Maine; and Canada’s Saint John, New Brunswick, and Halifax, Nova Scotia. Jewel of the Seas will sail 7-night roundtrip voyages from Boston, while Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas will each offer four 9-night cruises from Cape Liberty and Baltimore, respectively. Enchantment of the Seas also will offer a special 8-night roundtrip itinerary on June 18, which will add extended port time in Halifax and Bar Harbor.

Passengers will have a multitude of shore excursion options designed to provide one-of-kind experiences. For instance, they can test the trade winds on Labadee’s Dragon’s Breath Flight Line, the longest flight line in the world over water, zipping over the bay at speeds of up to 50 miles an hour. In Bermuda, travelers can snorkel at night, viewing sea creatures rarely seen during the day. During a call in Bar Harbor, guests can embark on a bike tour that crisscrosses some of the most scenic areas of Acadia National Park.

Find out more about Royal Caribbean in CruiseDiva.com's Cruise Line Profiles.

New 4- and 5-Day Departures To Cabo Added To Carnival Elation's Schedule

Carnival Cruise Lines is offering even more ways for time-crunched travelers to cruise to Baja from San Diego. A new 4- and 5-day cruise option featuring day-long calls at Cabo San Lucas will be added to the Carnival Elation’s existing schedule from San Diego in July 2009, complementing the ship’s popular 3- and 4-day Baja program. Carnival Elation, which emerged from a multi-million-dollar renovation last week with a host of new features, will operate the West Coast’s only 3-, 4- and 5-day schedule, expanding upon the line’s industry-leading short cruise offerings. Roughly half of the “Fun Ship” fleet offers voyages of five days or less in length. On its new schedule, Carnival Elation will operate a year-round series of 4- and 5-day cruises for a two-week period followed by another two weeks of 3- and 4-day Baja departures.

4- and 5-Day Cruises to Cabo San Lucas
Beginning July 2, 2009, Carnival Elation’s four-day “long weekend” cruises will depart Thursdays and visit Cabo San Lucas. Two different 5-day itineraries will also be offered. Five-day cruises departing Saturdays will feature the industry’s only itinerary that includes two full days in Cabo San Lucas, providing guests with a unique opportunity to enjoy one of Mexico’s most spectacular destinations. Five-day cruises departing Mondays will feature both Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada.

New Departure Days for 3- and 4-Day Cruises
The Carnival Elation’s 3- and 4-day cruises which currently depart on Thursdays and Sundays, respectively, will be changed to Fridays (3-day cruises) and Mondays (4-day cruises) starting with the July 20, 2009, 4-day departure. These new departure dates offer guests an even more convenient option on these popular short cruise itineraries from San Diego.

Find out more about Carnival Cruise Lines in CruiseDiva.com's Cruise Line Profiles.

Crystal Cruises Unleashes Your Inner Techie

Is your Garmin GPS unused in the glove box of your car? Your iPod® ignored and unloved in a drawer? You want to use these wonderful gadgets, but just can't get over the learning curve?

Help is on the way from Crystal Cruises. The cruise line that introduced classes to de-mystify the personal computer is giving even more technologies a big dose of individual attention. Crystal is rolling out a groundbreaking service —Technology Concierges on each of their ships to train and educate guests on their latest gadgets. From iPods® to iPhones™, from Blackberrys® to GPS devices, Technology Concierges can help guests fully understand the sometimes daunting features of popular devices they own or are considering for purchase. The complimentary service—a first in the cruise industry—begins through Crystal's educational, user-friendly ComputerUniversity@Sea aboard Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in April and May, respectively.

The fully-trained Technology Concierges will enlighten guests on the newest trends and teach them finer nuances of today's most popular devices, such as:

-- Apple iPod nano®
-- Apple iPhone™
-- BlackBerry® Bold™
-- Kindle™ 2 wireless reading device
-- Palm Treo Pro™
-- Garmin® Colorado 400c (GPS) navigational device

To further enhance the service, Crystal's Bistros, the popular centrally-located cafes for complimentary cappuccinos and tasty bites, will carry the latest technology magazines for guests to peruse. Crystal's "Gadget Committee" plans to continually add new technology and update their in-house education to ensure the Technology Concierges remain current.

"For many, portable tech devices have become essential travel accessories, yet most people aren't familiar with half of their functions and capabilities," said Thomas Mazloum, senior vice president, hotel operations. "Whether one is too busy or simply less tech savvy, the Technology Concierges offer great opportunities to master one's gadgets with one-on-one assistance from an expert. And a vacation is a great time to explore something new."

For more information about Crystal Cruises, visit the line's website.

"Beautiful, Passionate, Italian" An MSC Orchestra Cruise

MSC Cruise's tag line—"Beautiful, Passionate, Italian"—perfectly describes our cruise on MSC Orchestra, with particular emphasis on Italian.

Come aboard with Cruise Diva and discover Mediterranean warmth on a Western Caribbean itinerary. Find out what makes an MSC cruise unique and what to expect.

Cruise Inc: Big Money on the High Seas

CNBC reports on the cruise industry, including their correspondent's 7-day stay on the Norwegian Pearl, a 14-story vessel that features just about everything a passenger could want, from bingo to Botox to, if need be, a full-service medical center. With unprecedented access, CNBC will take you inside the $30 billion dollar cruise industry starting Tuesday, March 24, at 9pm.

New ships cost big bucks and take a long time to build. That's why cruise lines are upgrading older vessels to remain competitive in today's market. Watch the preview clip below as CNBC reveals the secrets behind dry dock and check your local listings for air times of the shows.

14 Things You Probably Didn't Realize You Could Do on a Cruise

Cruising is all about sunburns, overeating and hangovers, right?! Here's a list of things you can do on a cruise vacation that most people probably didn't realize.

• Play Soccer: The coaches of Milan (Italy) have gotten together an intense technical program for the young soccer player. A remarkable experience will be had by all in the discovery of new friends and in depth discussions about the great game of soccer. (June 27, 2009; MSC Cruises)
• Meet Karl Rove: Yes, THAT Karl Rove. Learn inside secrets of the Bush White House. (July 8, 2009; Holland America Line)
• A little wrastlin': Sail with Jerry "The King" Lawler and learn everything you always wanted to know about the sport. (July 30, 2009; Royal Caribbean Cruise Line)
• Attend two James Taylor Concerts: Set sail aboard the QM2 with this musical legend, and enjoy 2 concerts and a Q&A session. (June 19, 2009; Cunard Line)
• Hang out with Keith Coburn, Captain of the Wizard (Deadliest Catch): Hear about it live, from the man himself. (June 7, 2009; Holland America Line)
• Buy a Cruise Line: Who knows, play enough poker onboard and the sky's the limit! (Multiple departures; Multiple cruise lines)
• ZUMBA!: Indulge in music, dance, health & fitness through guidance from licensed Zumba® professionals, creating memories that will last a lifetime. (Oct 4, 2009; Club Med)
• Cook with Chef Nobu: Cooking with the man himself. (July 28, 2009; Crystal Cruises)
• The Fab Four - Ticket to Cruise: Beatles tribute cruise starring the world famous Fab Four. (July 20, 2009; Carnival Cruise Line)
• Learn from a broadcast legend: Sail with Frank Deford - writer at Sports Illustrated, NPR's Morning Edition and HBO's Real Sports. (Aug 12, 2009; Crystal Cruises)
• Hang out with baseball stars: Spend time with the likes of Ken Griffey, Sr., Amos Otis, Vida Blue, Earl Weaver and others. (Multiple departures 2009-10; MSC Cruises)
• Cruise around the islands on your Harley: Just drive your ride up to the pier, onto the ship and away you go...what could be better! (Multiple departures in 2009; Royal Caribbean)
• Take part in a Goth Festival: Goth fashion show, private parties and (of course) a fully interactive viewing of the Rocky Horror Picture Show (Oct 11, 2009; Carnival Cruise Lines)
• Cycle the Greek Isles by day, cruise aboard a private yacht by night: Greece's magical qualities are evident everywhere, but its true essence is found far beyond the tourist sites and usual stops. (Sept 30, 2009; Butterfield and Robinson)

Theme Cruise Finder is designed to provide a comprehensive search portal for travelers interested in taking part in one of the many theme cruises currently available. Cruise executives and travel agents agree that theme cruises hold a significant position in the future of cruising. For more information, visit their website themecruisefinder.com/index.html.

Norwegian Epic: Innovative Accommodations & Amenities

While Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has previously tempted future passengers with glimpses of New Wave Staterooms and Nightlife Options, this week during the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Miami Convention they welcomed the media to a “Freestyle Living Room” complete with low slung white leather sofas and revealed the full range of innovative and varied accommodations to be offered on its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic.

After a peek into the living room of a Deluxe Owners Suite pictured here, get the inside story on Courtyard, Spa, Family, Balcony, Inside, and Studio accommodations. Straight from the "reveal" Cruise Diva shares Freestyle Cruising Accommodations to suit every type of guest. Illustrated, of course.

Would you book a 100-square foot Studio that includes a shared "Living Room"? The Studios occupy two decks and have exclusive key-card access to the Living Room, a two-story shared private lounge, which features a concierge, bar, room service, two large TV screens, and comfy seating for hanging out, reading a book, or simply enjoying a cocktail before dinner. Leave a comment and let Cruise Diva readers know what you think.

Royal Caribbean & Celebrity Cruises Announce 2010 Alaska Itineraries

Although the 2009 Alaska cruise season hasn't begun yet, cruise lines are rolling out their plans for 2010. While Royal Caribbean Intl will have one less ship in the region, their plans are nonetheless ambitious.

Flight-seeing, whale watching, hiking, biking and zip-lining are just part of the exhilarating mix of options on Royal Caribbean Intl’s 2010 Alaska cruises. The cruise line has unveiled 37 sailings for the season, 7- to 14-night itineraries aboard Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas. You can choose sailings from San Diego; Seattle; Seward, Alaska; and Vancouver, British Columbia, which will call at total of thirteen ports–eight of which are Alaskan. You may also complement an Alaska cruise with a cruisetour extension and travel beyond the ports into the rugged interior of Alaska. Celebrating its 21st consecutive season in the Great Land, Royal Caribbean is opening bookings for its 2010 Alaska cruises and cruisetours immediately.

For Celebrity Cruises, the number seven holds a certain “lucky” mystique and their 2010 Alaska season places the number seven at its very core. From May through Sept of next year, 7-night itineraries will be offered across three Celebrity ships in Alaska. Paired with a fully escorted land tour, these cruises offer travelers an even greater opportunity to explore one of America’s most majestic landscapes. Celebrity opened its 2010 Alaska cruise and cruisetour bookings for sale today. Guests who purchase a 2010 Celebrity Alaska cruise within a booking window of March 17 and June 17, 2009, are eligible for an onboard credit of $100 per stateroom. Throughout the 2010 Alaska season, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Mercury, and Celebrity Millennium will offer a total of 58 Alaska sailings from six home ports: San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, California; Seattle, Washington; Seward, Alaska; and Vancouver, British Columbia.

For more details, see Cruise Diva's Cruise News and visit Alaska Ports of Call for things to see and do in the Great State.

Cunard Line Unveils Queen Elizabeth

Cunard Line has revealed itinerary and design plans for its newest ocean liner, Queen Elizabeth, which is scheduled to enter service on 12 October 2010, giving one of the oldest names in shipping the strength of operating the youngest fleet in the industry. Queen Elizabeth will be the third new ocean liner to be introduced by Cunard in six years and the second largest Cunard ship ever built. Queen Elizabeth will feature the unique Cunard traditions linking her with her sisters Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, and their predecessors. She will also debut some exciting features that will give the vessel her own style and personality, plus all the modern day luxuries Cunard’s guests have come to expect. Likewise, Cunard’s renowned White Star Service will be ever-present, ensuring that travellers who seek a return to tradition will enjoy proper, authentic experiences that reflect the line’s 170-year heritage of formality and civility at sea.

In announcing the first details of the new ship, Cunard President Carol Marlow said “Cunard holds the distinction of sailing the most famous ocean liners in the world and I’m delighted to announce this magnificent addition to our fleet, which marks the return to our operation of three Queens simultaneously. For more than 70 years there has been an ‘Elizabeth’ in the fleet and this beautiful modern-day celebration of our past ‘Elizabeths’ will ensure this proud tradition continues far into this century. Sir Samuel Cunard would be rightly proud.”

A Nod to Cunard’s History and Heritage: Queen Elizabeth is named after Cunard’s first Queen Elizabeth, the famed Cunard ship which was launched in 1938 as the world’s largest liner. The new ship will reference her predecessor in interior grandeur, décor and style, but with a modern twist. From the outside, her distinctive black and red livery will hint at the experience that differentiates a Cunard liner from a modern-day cruise ship. This will be most evident in the ship’s adherence to liner decor, with elegant double and triple height public rooms on a grand scale, intricately detailed interiors replete with rich wood panelling, mosaics, gleaming chandeliers, and cool marbles. Art Deco features will pay homage to the original Queen Elizabeth, and will allow the new ship to reflect a more civilized era of travel. And in addition to the extensive Cunard entertainment programmes onboard, Queen Elizabeth will offer some unique strands inspired by the era of the first Queen Elizabeth, including country house parties, lively piano evenings and a variety of dancing from that time–including the jitterbug and jive–all within the setting of this 21st century ship.

As a successor to Queen Elizabeth 2, the ship will also reflect this great liner via artwork and memorabilia and will have its very own ‘Yacht Club,’ named after the lively aft lounge on QE2. Offering guests 270 degree views and the perfect setting for activities and gatherings during the day, it will also double as a dramatic evening venue for cocktails and dancing.Similarly, through photography, memorabilia and exhibits, the ship will recognize the historic links Cunard has enjoyed with Royalty over the years.

The ship’s distinctive public spaces include:
-- Queens Room: a new take on the traditional Cunard ballroom, with artwork depicting views from royal palaces, and photography of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal family, along with its 1000 square foot dance floor for Grand Balls and Tea Dances at sea.
-- Garden Lounge: with its magnificent vaulted glass ceiling creating a conservatory feel inspired by the glass houses of Kew Gardens, beneath where guests will enjoy Supper Clubs, and mix dining with dancing under the stars. (illustrated above)
-- Games Deck: Named after the same deck on the original Queen Elizabeth, the Games Deck will offer paddle tennis, croquet and traditional British bowls. (Interestingly, the ship’s home port of Southampton is home to the oldest surviving bowls green in the world, first used in 1299.)
-- Midships Bar: will pay homage to her namesake liner, the first Queen Elizabeth, with memorabilia displayed from that era.

The ship’s dining venues include:
-- Queens Grill & Princess Grill: The ship will also feature the line’s celebrated five-star Grills accommodation and dining, with its al fresco dining option on a private deck terrace - first introduced on Queen Victoria - beautiful restaurants, Grills Lounge and sunbathing deck.
-- The popular Britannia Club, having first debuted aboard Queen Mary 2, features a private dining room with single seating dining for those guests in the top Balcony staterooms.
-- Britannia Restaurant: Art Deco decorative flourishes create a dramatic backdrop for this two-tiered dining room featuring a sweeping staircase ideal for making a grand entrance.

Queen Elizabeth’s maiden 2010 season will consist of six voyages, calling on 32 distinct ports in 18 countries. Her Maiden Voyage will depart from Cunard’s homeport of Southampton on 12 October 2010, en route to the Atlantic Isles. The 13-night voyage will call at Vigo (for Santiago de Compostela), Lisbon, Seville (Cadiz), Gran Canaria (Las Palmas), Tenerife (Santa Cruz de Tenerife), La Palma (Santa Cruz de La Palma) and Madeira (Funchal). The ship will then embark on five celebratory inaugural voyages. For more information see Cruise Diva's Cruise News.