The Royal Wedding Afloat

It's been nearly three decades since July 29, 1981, when a worldwide audience of over 750 million television viewers watched as Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana Spencer were married in a "Fairytale Wedding." However, seeing the nuptials live while at sea simply wasn't an option. Most cruise ship staterooms didn't have a television back then and, if they did, the programs aired were mostly old movies or activities taped on board.

Times have changed and when Charles and Diana's eldest son Prince William and his bride Kate Middleton are wed on April 29, 2011 in Westminster Abbey, London, passengers at sea on at least two British passenger lines will be able to watch the event live.

Cunard Line
Guests on board Cunard’s three ships–Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and Queen Elizabeth-on April 29, 2011, the day of the Royal Wedding, need have no fear of missing one second of the historic union of the future King and Kate Middleton. Each of the three ships feature Royal Court Theatres–West End in style and West End in size–where the wedding ceremony will be broadcast live.

Queen Mary 2’s Royal Court Theatre seats over 1,000 guests, who will be able to watch events unfold in plush cinema comfort as the ship sails between New York and Southampton, on a 7-night Transatlantic Crossing (April 26–May 2).

“If demand for seats exceeds supply we are able to use our Planetarium and lecture room, Illuminations, which seats a further 450 passengers,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard.

The Royal Court Theatres on the smaller Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria seat over 800 passengers, and they too will be used to screen the Royal nuptials live. At the time Queen Elizabeth will be at sea heading for Southampton, and Queen Victoria will be at sea in the Mediterranean.

“Cunard is a company with an enviable heritage and unparalleled links to the Royal family–our ships were named either by Her Majesty The Queen or by her apparent successor, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall,” Shanks continued. “It follows then that our passengers are likely to have an above average interest in the pageantry of a Royal wedding. We intend to cater for that and ensure they do not miss one minute. Royal weddings don’t happen that often and with our impeccable Royal connections we intend to ensure that our red ensign ships lead the British merchant marine in marking this momentous day.”

The day will also be one of celebration on all ships, with that evening’s dinner featuring a commemorative menu and a champagne toast.

P&O Cruises
Passengers on board any of the seven ships in the P&O Cruises fleet on Friday April 29, 2011 need not worry about missing out on the Royal wedding as the ceremony from Westminster Abbey will be shown live on board.

Managing director, Carol Marlow, said: "The whole nation will be gripped on April 29th as the Royal wedding takes place at Westminster Abbey. As Britain's favorite cruise line it is only fitting that our passengers should have a front row seat from unique locations around the globe. It will certainly be a grand celebration with almost 14,000 passengers sailing with us at this time."

• Arcadia: 2,000 passengers watching as they finish their transit of the Panama Canal and head towards Puntarenas, Costa Rica
• Aurora: 1,800 passengers watching as they cross the Atlantic heading home from Barbados, next stop Madeira
• Azura: 3,100 passengers watching on the giant SeaScreen by the pool, from Palma
• Oceana: 2,000 passengers watching from the open sea en route to Southampton from Gibraltar
• Ventura: potentially 3,100 passengers watching from Southampton (turnaround day)
• Oriana: 1,800 passengers watching from Palma

Up to three lucky couples can share their wedding day with the Royals, and be married by the ships Captain on board Aurora as they sail across the Atlantic from the Caribbean. The P&O Cruises Weddings at Sea program provides an affordable and stress free way to get married and wedding certificates feature the nautical coordinates of their wedding location.

As Ventura is in her home port, Southampton, passengers sailing on that date will be able to join in with a special Royal sailaway party, with flag waving, champagne, and a celebratory atmosphere.

Cruise Review: An "Elite" Cruise Aboard Crown Princess

Avid cruisers and frequent review contributors Vincent & Mary Finelli share their fifteenth cruise on Princess and it was another pleasant one. They are now Elite members of the Captain's Circle and look forward to more cruises on Princess ships for the enhanced benefits, such as complimentary Mini Bar set up, free laundry and professional cleaning services, deluxe canape selections, and, most of all, the special breakfasts at Sabatini's!

This was Vincent & Mary's first cruise on board the Crown Princess, but her class includes Ruby Princess and Emerald Princess and they have sailed on both of them. Cruise Diva is pleased to share their delightful and insightful Crown Princess Review.

Surprise Godmother for Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas

Royal Caribbean has once again made maritime history. At the official naming ceremony for the world's largest cruise ship, Allure of the Seas, guests were enchanted when her larger-than-life godmother was unveiled—Princess Fiona.

If you don't know who Princess Fiona is, don't worry because we didn't either. However, her unique choice is a first—the first time that a 3-D animated character is the godmother of a cruise ship. The 3-D star of DreamWorks Animation's hit film series, "Shrek," presided over the celebration, joining and interacting in 3-D with Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.'s Chairman and CEO, Richard D. Fain, during the ceremony pictured above). This naming further highlights Royal Caribbean's new partnership with the DreamWorks Animation film studio.

"It's never easy choosing the right godmother, but we realized we had the perfect candidate right in front of us. Princess Fiona is not only a Royal, but we felt such a unique ship deserved a unique godmother and Princess Fiona symbolizes the fun and entertainment that is so extraordinary on Allure of the Seas," said Fain.

Attended by approximately 3,500 guests, the event was part of a one-night inaugural celebration-fundraiser, benefiting United Way of Miami-Dade and Broward counties, Haitian relief efforts, and other charity partners. The naming ceremony took place in Allure's main Amber Theater and was broadcast live throughout the ship, as well as via streaming video on the Internet. The ceremony included the customary bagpipe-and-drums procession, the U.S. national anthem performed by international recording artist and West End- and Broadway-star MiG Ayesa, and a scene from Royal Caribbean Productions' new aerial production Blue Planet. The ceremony culminated with the traditional breaking of a Champagne bottle—featuring a festive label specially created by pop-artist Romero Britto, who also has an onboard gallery—on the ship's hull, electronically activated by one swift karate-chop by Princess Fiona herself. Video of the event is available on the ship's dedicated website, AllureOfTheSeas.com.

The sister ship to Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas boasts an array of new features and onboard amenities, many of which have never before been seen at sea. In addition to the signature Oasis-class neighborhood design which provides guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood, Allure measures 5 centimeters longer than Oasis. Allure has a number of new entertainment options, including the DreamWorks experience, Blue Planet, Chicago: the Musical, and OceanAria.

With a cache of distinct new onboard activities and amenities, Allure of the Seas spans 16 decks, encompasses 225,282 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas alternates a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Allure of the Seas Naming Ceremony: Live Video Web Stream

Although you can't be there in person unless you purchased a cabin for the one-night inaugural celebration charity fundraiser, you can still join Royal Caribbean and more than 3,500 guests today via live video web streaming of the naming ceremony of Allure of the Seas. The event will be held prior to the ship’s departure from her Port Everglades homeport.

Allure of the Seas’ surprise godmother will also be revealed in the ceremony, which will be held in the ship’s Amber Theater, and include a customary pipes-and-drum procession, a performance of a scene from Royal Caribbean Productions’ new aerial production Blue Planet, and then culminate with the traditional breaking of a champagne bottle on the ship’s hull.

WHEN: Sunday, Nov 28, 2010 at 4:30 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time

WHERE: Log on at AllureoftheSeas.com

Cruise Travel: A Holiday Gift For Cruise Ship Fans

As the year draws to a close and we're all shopping for unique holiday gifts for special people, here's one that cruise ship and ocean liner aficionados alike will treasure. The 2011 desk calendar from P.K. Productions features twelve images of passenger ships of all shapes and size, captured by cruise journalist Peter Knego during a busy year of travel in 2010.

The vessels range from the former "Love Boat" twins, DISCOVERY (ex ISLAND PRINCESS) and PACIFIC (ex PACIFIC PRINCESS) to the under-construction QUEEN ELIZABETH and the brazenly unapologetic NORWEGIAN EPIC. A wreck, a pair of laid up classics, an elegant diesel/sailing ship, a smoldering Italian, Oceania's sleek REGATTA and parting shots of the liner-like last P2 transports round out the selections. It all ends on a tenuously hopeful note with the freshly-painted MV AURORA (ex XANADU) under tow to a new home on the San Francisco waterfront. The settings span from Alang to Eleusis/Petrola, New York, Monfalcone, Genoa, the Aegean Sea, and the Turkish hamlet of Bodrum.

The eternal cycle of life exemplified in a maritime setting, the cover shot was taken from the radio mast of the SS WINNER 5 (former AUSONIA) as the sun rose behind her divinely MidCentury Italian funnel at Alang this past March. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2010 (cover picture above used with permission). The calendar measures 8.25 by 4 inches and is printed on high quality glossy card stock.

How To Order: Price: $15.00 per calendar plus $3.00 shipping and handling in the U.S. or $4.00 for overseas airmail shipping. For multiple orders, please add $1.00 additional postage per additional calendar. California residents please add 8.25% sales tax ($1.25 per calendar). Please send a check or money order (in US dollars only) to: P.K. Productions, 15485 Mallory Court, Moorpark, CA 93021-3253 USA or send an e-mail to pkpro7@aol.com or pk@midshipcentury.com if you would like to pay with a credit card via PayPal (a $1.00 PayPal service charge is applied).

Paul Gauguin Cruises: Shop on Black Friday to Prepare for Tahiti Cruising

Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest-rated and longest continually sailing luxury cruise ship in the South Pacific, is offering a special Black Friday sale to kick off the holiday season.

During their two-week sale you'll find Super Savings off cruise pricing in all categories on select sailings, plus free airfare from Los Angeles. And, as Black Friday comes to Tahiti, Paul Gauguin Cruises is kicking off the holiday season with even more incredible savings on previously advertised cruise fares–the perfect gift idea for the holidays. Book between November 26th and December 10th to enjoy this special offer of savings from $750 to $2,775 per person on select sailings that include:

• 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands: April 2 & 9, 2011
• 7-night Tahiti & the Society Islands: June 4 & 11, 2011
• 11-night Cook Islands & Society Islands: March 5, May 14 & June 18, 2011

BONUS: Book on Black Friday (November 26th) or November 27th and receive a $100 per person Spa Credit to the Deep Nature Spa by Algotherm aboard the m/s Paul Gauguin. For reservations, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-800-848-6172 or visit PGCruises.com.

About Paul Gauguin Cruises
Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., the leader in French Polynesia luxury destination resorts, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates the luxury cruise ship m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a luxurious cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of Tahiti, French Polynesia, and the South Pacific. The Gauguin was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire, France. The ship is 513 feet long, 71 feet wide and has a draft of 16.9 feet and accommodates 332 guests with a staff of 215. The Gauguin has undergone more than $25 million in enhancements, has completed more than 570 South Pacific cruises, and served more than 155,000 guests, including more than 14,000 honeymooners since its inaugural sail in 1998.

Happy Thanksgiving From Jamaica

No, Cruise Diva isn't in Jamaica, but I'm not the only one in the family who travels on business. In this case, it's my husband Mel who's currently in Jamaica and arriving home in time for dinner on Thanksgiving Day.

You may recall that in an October 20th blog story (Jamaica Me Crazy), I mentioned that my husband had recently been in Jamaica. I asked him to swing past the Falmouth Port area, where it had been reported that construction progress for the new cruise terminal and nearby attractions were on course. Mel's on-the-scene assessment was quite negative at the time and his update isn't much better.

This time I asked Mel to take some photos and I've added a couple here. Although he couldn't get too close, he reported it's evident that a lot of work has been done, yet it's still painfully obvious that much more will be needed before the port in particular, as well as attractions in the historic Georgian-style town will be ready to welcome cruise ship passengers. At the port there are no paved roads completed and the buildings pictured above and below are shells without windows. (Click the images for a larger view.)

As reported in October, Holland America Line's Falmouth port calls scheduled for November and December were cancelled and their cruise ships will call either at Ocho Rios or Montego Bay instead. However, Jamaica's president of cruise shipping, William Tatham optimistically said the first ship to arrive will be Royal Caribbean's Navigator of the Seas, which is still scheduled to visit the port on Jan 7, 2011. Meanwhile, calls by Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, for which the port was conceived, have been postponed until March 2011. Maybe by then the port will be finished and the ships will visit on schedule. But with January 7th just a little over six weeks away, Mel's assessment is that they could only make that opening date if work proceeds round-the-clock and, even with the cranes in evidence, he saw no actual work going on this week. Still pretty dumpy, Falmouth town itself isn't expected to be fully "restored" for at least another year and a half.

For a bit more background on Falmouth's planned development, you might want to read our report from last May, Getting to 'Historic Falmouth Jamaica' on Island Time. Take heart if you have a cruise planned that is supposed to call at Falmouth and you are diverted to a different Jamaican port. Most of the same (or similar) excursions offered by the cruise lines for Falmouth are available from the alternative ports as well. Despite recent media reports that there's "no problem, mon," Mel's photos tell a bleaker story.

In any event, the Why Not? blog hosted by Adam Goldstein, President & CEO of Royal Caribbean Intl assured followers last May that the port will offer a "more authentic" Jamaican experience, which has proven to be true. Thus far, it's certainly a visible example of authentic Island Time.

Cruise Food: Thanksgiving Dishes

First, from Carnival Cruise Lines, we have a soup for the season that would be delicious on any cold night, but is particularly appropriate for Thanksgiving. Of course we mean their popular roasted pumpkin bisque with turkey and walnut quenelles. It's bound to warm you up on a blustery evening. Come to think of it, this recipe would an ideal day-after-Thanksgiving treat (and a way to use leftover turkey).

Roasted Pumpkin Bisque With Turkey & Walnut Quenelles

Ingredients
For the Soup:
1 cup Half-and-half
1 cup Heavy Cream
6 cloves Fresh Garlic, peeled
1 cup Leeks, chopped
1 cup Onions, chopped
2 cups Pumpkin Puree
5 tbsp. Olive Oil
2 quarts Turkey Stock
Salt and Pepper to taste

For the Quenelles:
½ lb. Turkey Breast Meat
1 each Fresh Egg White
¼ cup Heavy Cream
¼ cup Walnut Halves
Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions
For the Soup: Roast onions, leeks and garlic with olive oil in a pre-heated oven at 300° F for about 30 minutes; remove and puree. Bring a strong turkey stock, pumpkin puree and pureed vegetables to a boil. Simmer for 45 minutes. Add half-and-half and simmer for 30 more minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Finish with the heavy cream.

For the Turkey and Walnut Quenelles: Roast walnut halves in a medium hot pan without oil (or fat), then grate in a food processor to a fine paste. Cut the lean turkey breast into small chunks and place it in a processor bowl with 2 ice cubes; grind to a paste. Add heavy cream, egg white, salt and pepper; process until very smooth. Add the grated walnuts and process until mixed well–do not over-mix. Refrigerate the mixture until properly chilled (2 hours). Bring some chicken or turkey stock to a simmer, add quenelles (dumplings made from 2 tsp. of the mixture above), simmer for 1 minute and remove from heat. Arrange 3 quenelles in a soup cup or bowl, add about 6 fl. oz. of the pumpkin soup, and garnish with a sprig of sage. Yields 10 servings or 2 quarts.

No leftover turkey? Well, trust me, the soup is great on its own.

And, if you're looking for something unique to serve for Thanksgiving dessert, here's one that Viking River Cruises is happy to share.

One of the best things about traveling on a river cruise in Europe is the opportunity to sample delicious local cuisine. This is one of the recipes the Viking River Cruises folks have collected while traveling through France—the almond paste, an ingredient often used in French baking, gives this delicious dessert a Continental flavor. Serve alone or top with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.

Thanksgiving Apple Cranberry Tart

Ingredients:
1 unbaked, room-temperature 9-inch tart shell
1 roll (about 7 oz) almond paste
1 cup fresh cranberries
5 medium-sized apples (preferably Macintosh), peeled and sliced to make approximately 5 cups
A quarter cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
A half cup uncooked oats
A half cup all-purpose flour
A half cup brown sugar
6 tablespoons unsalted butter, very cold or frozen
A quarter cup sliced almonds
Vanilla ice cream

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375°F. Flatten almond paste on a sheet of wax paper with a rolling pin, to form an 8-inch circle. Press almond circle into the bottom of the unbaked tart shell. In a bowl, combine cranberries, apples, sugar and a half teaspoon of cinnamon. Pour on top of almond circle, into tart shell. In a bowl, combine the remaining cinnamon, oats, flour and brown sugar. Cut butter into very small pieces and stir into cinnamon mixture until crumbs form. Spoon crumb mixture evenly over the top of the apple mixture. Bake 50-60 minutes. Sprinkle with sliced almonds during the last 5 minutes of cooking time. Serve warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and enjoy. Makes 6 servings.

Sixthman on Selling Out, Ships and Dip, and More

Sixthman, the affinity travel company that develops musically-driven lifestyle events with an emphasis on themed cruises has updated their scheduled events by announcing that Cayamo is SOLD OUT! They are running a waiting list, so get on it while it's still short - Cayamo.com.

In Addition, Kid Rock's Chillin' the Most Cruise, Lynyrd Skynyrd's Simple Man Cruise, and Sixthman's 311 Cruise are also sold out and running waiting lists. 311 and Simple Man have just announced new artists! You can see a list of all upcoming cruises, including The Rock Boat, Ships and Dip, VH1 Best Cruise Ever, and more at Sixthman.net/upcomingevents.

SHIPS AND DIP 4
Sixthman has also informed us that they are switching up the itinerary for Barenaked Ladies' Ships and Dip 4 cruise to maximize the good times! Instead of calling at Belize, they'll stop in Cozumel, Mexico, on Feb 9th. The change occurred because they were only guaranteed a tender port in Belize City, and if you've ever cruised (especially in February), you know that there is never a guarantee you'll actually make it to the tender port. With Cozumel, they have a spot dockside so everyone can get off the ship if they choose to go ashore. Norwegian Cruise Lines is awesome and they're issuing every cabin a $50 onboard credit for being so understanding.

Also, Angel Taylor won't be able to sail on Ships and Dip after all, BUT Sixthman has added several new great artists to the lineup, including ELLIOTT BROOD - a popular Canadian act, JUKEBOX THE GHOST - a super fun band who has toured with BNL in the past, Halifax singer-songwriter JENN GRANT, and "karaoke king" JONNY Z. The cruise sails on Norwegian Dawn from Feb 6-11, 2011. Get more info about the artists and activities at ShipsandDip.com.

INDEPENDENT TRAVELER PROGRAM
Before we finish, I want to let you know about an exciting addition to Sixthman's sales options. Due to popular demand from solo guests, they have created the Independent Traveler Program for a few select cruises. Here is how it works:

Guests can book a cabin at the Single Occupancy Rate for a Two Person Cabin. If the cruise sells out, Sixthman contacts the guest to see if he or she has been able to secure a friend to join you in your cabin. If so, then the second guest is added at the same rate as the first guest. If not, Sixthman will match the solo traveler with a cabin mate of the same sex from our other guests in the program. Guests will be assigned in the reverse order of which they book, so the first guest to select the Independent Travelers Program will be the last guest assigned a cabin mate. If the cruise does not sell out, then guests in the program will not be assigned a cabin mate. Either way, the solo travelers are only responsible for his or her share of the fare and fees.

Your Cruise Vacation: Shopping

Nearly everyone who goes on vacation, and especially a cruise vacation, does a bit of shopping. It's the law. My motto is that there's no such thing as a "bad" souvenir if it brings you pleasure and reminds you of an enjoyable trip. Pictured here is one of my favorite and funky buys—turf for your tootsies from The Lawn Club shop aboard Celebrity Solstice.

Cruise Diva offers suggestions on how to Plan Before You Shop Ashore; what you'll find in The Shops Onboard; and then looks at Cruise Ship Shopping At Its Finest in It's Your Duty To Shop, But It Won't Be Free.

But before you go overboard and shop 'til you drop, get the information you need from U.S. Customs: The Traveler's Standard Duty-Free Exemption.

As a bonus, we also share some insider tips on How to Pursue No-Cost Cruising Souvenirs.

Cruise Travel: Oprah's "Favorite"

Viewers know that Oprah Winfrey is the queen of swag and she enjoys sharing her "favorite things" with her live studio audience in an annual orgy of giving. This year was no different with the items ranging from a Season 25 T-Shirt from the O Store and Nike "Free Run+" shoes to a Nikon D3100 Digital SLR camera.

Recipients of the final prize of the day can put those items to good use as they pack up to sail away a 7-day adventure aboard the world's largest cruise ship, Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas.

"Cruising, of course, is one of my favorite things," Oprah told the audience. "And you are going to have the time of your lives."

To get them to Allure of the Seas' Fort Lauderdale homeport, United Airlines is providing round-trip flights, but Oprah didn't divulge if that's her favorite airline. We suspect her preference leans more toward private Gulfstream jets. Of course.

Cunard Line Honors Military Personnel with On Board Credit Program

In recognition of recent Veterans & Remembrance Day Holidays and to honor those who have served and continue to serve in the military, Cunard Line is promoting its military on board credit program for active and retired military personnel. The credit, which ranges from $50 to $250 per stateroom depending on the length of the voyage, is available to members of the United States and Canadian armed forces with appropriate service identification.

The on board credit amount is $50 for voyages six days in length or less, $100 for voyages of seven to 13 days, or $250 for voyages of 14 days or longer, offered on a per stateroom basis. The Line’s military personnel on board credit program is available to active military personnel plus retired and disabled military veterans with proper verification as follows:

• Active personnel currently serving in the following service divisions: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, Canadian National Defense (military verification certificate).
• Retired Personnel defined as: Enlisted personnel or officers with a minimum of 20 years of service, medically retired or 100-percent disabled (blue or tan uniformed ID card/Canadian white N.D. 21 ID card).
• Veterans with an Honorable Discharge serving a minimum of two years or six months in an active war zone in any of the United States service divisions listed above or Canadian National Defense (DD 214 plus current photo ID).

“We commemorate and thank those who have fought around the globe to bring peace and freedom worldwide,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “Throughout our 170 year history, we have supported military forces during wartime; today we recognize their dedicated service and hope that this program provides a small token of our gratitude.”

To request the military personnel on board credit, eligible persons should apply no later than one week prior to the voyage departure date. Guest and sailing information should be accompanied by proof of eligibility and provided to either the guest’s travel agent or to Cunard Line. For more details about how to submit information, contact 1-800-7-CUNARD (1-800-728-6273). For more information and to book a voyage aboard a Cunard ocean liner, contact your travel agent or visit Cunard.com.

St, Kitts: Will Seabourn Sojourn Call There?

The last time I was on a cruise ship that called at St. Kitts it rained. It was such a deluge that the ship left early and repositioned to nearby Nevis where the weather was a bit drier. Since then I've been back to Nevis, but not St. Kitts and I must admit that I have been looking forward to visiting there next month.

Unfortunately, an attack on cruise passengers by armed robbers last weekend may prompt a change my upcoming itinerary on Seabourn Sojourn. The robbers, who ambushed a tour bus carrying passengers from Celebrity Mercury, blocked a road and boarded the bus when the driver stopped to clear the way. They then held the passengers at gunpoint while they robbed them of money, jewelry, cameras, mobile phones, and other valuable. Thankfully, no one was hurt. However, Carnival Cruise Lines and Princess Cruises canceled port calls at St. Kitts this week.

A statement by St. Kitts police said the robbery was unprecedented. "Last year, over 500,000 cruise passengers safely disembarked in St. Kitts to enjoy the many attractions of our island. We deeply regret any type of incident that might tarnish our visitors' experience. As law enforcement authorities, we are committed to root out and expose the persons responsible."

Their commitment, and the outrage of citizens has paid off. Top officials from the St. Kitts Police High Command, The Ministry of National Security, and The Ministry of Tourism & International Transport have revealed the latest developments in the ongoing investigation into the incident. At a press conference, the officials announced that four individuals had been arrested in relation to the incident and that a number of items were taken into police custody. A special investigative task force has been put in place to investigate the incident and increased tactical patrols and uniformed police presence has been established in the tourism-concentrated areas and other key local venues. Further, a comprehensive plan is being put together to help prevent instances of this sort from taking place in the future.

“We hope never to see this type of incident again in our Federation and look forward to working with the police to reinforce strategies and procedures designed to prevent any further occurrences of this nature,” said Senator Ricky Skerritt, Minister of Tourism & International Transport. “While the act was reprehensible, our police, Ministry of National Security and especially the people of St. Kitts & Nevis should be commended for their swift and decisive response to this affront to our nation’s economic security and reputation as a safe and welcoming tourism destination.”

According to Acting Commissioner of Police Stafford Liburd, concerned residents of St. Kitts rose to the occasion after realizing the damage this kind of incident could do to the country’s image and economy and it was the assistance of the local people which was the major factor in the success to date of this investigation. The local outrage as well as the potential impact of the matter on the important cruise industry led local people to flood the police with calls and leads in the first 36 hours following the incident. The information they provided ultimately led to the arrest Tuesday morning of the four persons in connection with the incident. “I was getting so many calls on my cell phone that I had charge my phone several times today,” said Liburd. “We had overwhelming public support on this and it shows the influence of tourism.”

Minister of National Security, Sam Condor, also reported receiving an impressive number of calls from the local community with information on the case following his national media broadcast Monday evening in which he appealed for urgent public support to the Police efforts. The investigation continues to be handled with the utmost urgency by all official organizations involved and no additional cancellations of port calls are anticipated at this time.

Located in the northern Leeward Islands of the Caribbean, St. Kitts offers a diverse tourism product developed from the destination’s natural beauty, cultural heritage and rich history. The island’s stunning variety of tourism attractions include hiking through the tropical rainforest, riding the scenic railway that connects the island’s sugar plantations, visiting the Caribelle Batik factory, touring Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park, the only man-made UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Eastern Caribbean, and the more traditional vacation pastimes such as watersports, golf, shopping, tennis, dining, gaming at one of St. Kitts’ two casinos, or simply relaxing on one of the island’s sandy beaches.

While I haven't heard one way or another, I sincerely hope Seabourn Sojourn stops there next month as planned. [UPDATE: It will!] For more information about St. Kitts, visit stkittstourism.kn.

And the Winning Name is “Power Drencher”

Our congratulations go out to Judy Yee of Las Vegas, Nevada, the winner of Carnival’s “Name the Bucket” contest!

Judy’s entry of “Power Drencher” received more votes than any other, meaning that her creative moniker will now be displayed on the massive 300-gallon water bucket that will take center stage in the sprawling WaterWorks aqua park on the new Carnival Magic, set to debut May 1, 2011.

The “Power Drencher”–the largest water bucket afloat—will be one of several splash-tastic features available within the WaterWorks facility, which will also include an enclosed 320-foot-long Twister slide and the DrainPipe, an exhilarating funnel-shaped water attraction.

In addition to having her name associated with a signature feature on Carnival’s most innovative “Fun Ship,” Judy also received a prize pack containing a digital camera, beach bucket, towel, sunscreen, and sunglasses.

Aside from serving as a clever way to name this giant water attraction, the contest raised thousands of dollars for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, with Carnival donating $1 for each entry and vote, as well as for each Facebook fan who “liked” the contest.

WaterWorks is sure to be one of the most popular features on the new 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic which is scheduled to enter service from Europe May 1st. The ship will operate a series of seven- to 12-day Mediterranean cruises before repositioning to Galveston, Texas, for 7-day Caribbean voyages beginning Nov. 14, 2011, becoming the port’s largest year-round cruise ship.

Carnival Splendor To Be Out Of Service For Repairs Until January 16, 2011

Carnival Cruise Lines has cancelled voyages of the Carnival Splendor through the departure of January 9, 2011, to allow time for repairs following an engine room fire last week. The ship is scheduled to re-enter service on January 16, 2011.

Guests who were scheduled to sail on these voyages will receive a full refund of their cruise fare and air transportation costs, along with a 25 percent discount on a future cruise.

Carnival Splendor was towed to San Diego following the fire which occurred off the Mexican coast on November 8. A team from the U.S. Coast Guard, NTSB and flag authorities, along with Carnival’s engineers and technicians, is currently on board investigating the cause of the fire. Carnival personnel are being assisted by representatives of the shipyard that built the vessel and other manufacturers of engine room components in assessing damage and necessary repairs.
“We realize how much guests look forward to their vacations and know that they are very disappointed by this news. We too are disheartened that we are not able to fulfill the dreams of those who have entrusted us with their important vacation plans. We sincerely apologize to everyone who was scheduled to sail on these cancelled voyages and look forward to welcoming them aboard in the future. Now that we have a full technical team engaged in the assessment, we wanted to provide this information as quickly as possible,” said Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO.

Carnival is contacting travel agents and guests on the affected sailings and providing assistance in finding alternate cruises. Travel agent commissions on the cancelled sailings will be protected.

Carnival Corporation estimates that the total impact from voyage disruptions and related repair costs will result in an approximate $0.07 reduction in the company's 2010 fourth quarter earnings per share. The impact of voyage disruptions in the first quarter of 2011 is not expected to be material to the company's 2011 earnings.

Celebrity Cruises to Expand “Solsticizing 2.0” on Celebrity Infinity

Celebrity Cruises coined the word “Solsticized” earlier this year, and brought its meaning to life for guests who set sail on Celebrity Constellation following an ambitious 15-day revitalization in April.

During that time in drydock, Celebrity complemented the ship’s already award-winning style and design with some of the most popular venues on the line’s widely-heralded Solstice Class ships, including:

• the tantalizing Tuscan Grille steakhouse
• the vibrant creperie, Bistro on Five
• a “cool” new ice-topped Martini Bar
• the inviting Café al Bacio and Gelateria
• Cellarmasters wine bar, complete with the “Enomatic” state-of-the-art wine serving system allowing guests to select wines by the glass, at the touch of a button
• more sumptuous suites, with all new furniture, flat-screen TVs, upholstery, bedding and carpeting
• restyled staterooms, with entirely new carpeting, flat-screen TVs, upholstery and bedding
new color schemes, carpeting and upholstery reflective of the Solstice Class’ stylish, modern design in every public venue

And now, Celebrity has announced plans to add all these features on Celebrity Infinity, in addition to its industry-first, spa-inspired “AquaClass” accommodations and the Mediterranean-themed “Blu” specialty restaurant, when the ship becomes the second in the Millennium Class fleet to be “Solsticized.”

“Everything we’ve introduced on our award-winning Solstice Class fleet, and everything we’re adding to our popular Millennium Class ships, is inspired by extensive research into what is most important to guests on vacation,” said Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. “All of our new venues and attributes–paired with the spectacular service of our highly dedicated crew–are designed to enhance that all-important feeling of getting away and fully enjoying every aspect of Celebrity’s upscale onboard experience.”

After emerging from scheduled drydock Dec 3, 2011, in addition to all the new venues and features introduced this year on Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity Infinity will also offer:

• AquaClass accommodations–marking a Millennium-Class ‘first’ –allowing guests on Celebrity Infinity to experience the brand’s popular spa-inspired accommodations and amenities
• the intimate, Mediterranean-themed specialty restaurant, “Blu,” offered exclusively for AquaClass guests
• more private luxury havens with entirely new verandas added to the ship’s spacious, sumptuous Celebrity Suites
• the hip Celebrity iLounge, which debuted on Celebrity Eclipse and made Celebrity Cruises the industry’s first Authorized Apple Reseller
• additional new oceanview and inside staterooms

Celebrity currently plans to similarly refurbish Celebrity Summit in Jan 2012, followed by Celebrity Millennium in April 2012. Bookings for the newly refurbished Celebrity Infinity open Monday, Nov 22, 2010. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit CelebrityCruises.com.

Cruise Travel: An Updated Paper Luggage Tag Solution

As we reported on CruiseDiva.com some time ago, while most passengers have no complaint about printing e-documents for their cruise, luggage tags printed on paper are a cause for concern. Frequent cruiser George Hall said, "Someone will have to explain to me how these paper tags stay on through the process." Cruise Diva has had occasion to print out and use the paper tags and offered suggestions for how to keep them securely in place: Luggage Tags, Then & Now.

But now, I've discovered an even better method of attaching those fragile paper luggage tags without "laminating" them with clear packing tape. Favors by Serendipity* has come up with an ingenious Cruise Luggage Tag Holder for those printed luggage tags.

We love that cruise lines are going green and we love these luggage tag holders because they are reusable.

Not only are they useful, they won't fall apart in transit. The grommet at the top makes them even sturdier and longer lasting. Designed to accommodate 8.5" x 11" folded paper, just print your tags, fold them according to the instructions, put them in the holders, attach to your luggage handles, and relax. You're set for worry-free luggage transfer from pierside to your cabin.

The holidays are coming up and, priced at $2.95 each for from one to four holders (order five or more at $2.50 each), these are perfect stocking stuffers for avid cruisers.

*Favors by Serendipity has been in business since 1975 creating everything from handcrafted items to wedding and party favors.

Allure of the Seas Receives A Warm Welcome At Port Everglades

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas, the world's largest cruise ship, arrived at her homeport of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Thursday, Nov 11th, which is Veterans Day here in the U.S. Eagerly awaiting the ship's arrival amidst thousands of U.S. flags were hundreds of onlookers, including Royal Caribbean executives and employees, community organizations and residents, as well as a flotilla of maritime escorts made up of fireboats and private watercrafts. The second of the cruise lines Oasis-class ships made her U.S. debut following a 13-day transatlantic journey from Turku, Finland.

In the upcoming week, Allure will be abuzz with activity, first with hundreds of landscapers boarding the ship to add more than 12,000 live plants to the ship's Central Park neighborhood, as well as other final preparations. NBC's TODAY broadcasts the fourth hour of their show live from Allure on Friday, Nov. 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. ET. Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb will unveil the diverse line-up of entertainment and innovative onboard amenities that differentiate Allure from Oasis of the Seas. The inaugural activities and events can be followed via webisodes at AllureoftheSeas.com.

In the meantime. the Oasis-class ships made history once again yesterday, Saturday, Nov. 13th, at 5:30 p.m. when Allure of the Seas was joined by sister-ship Oasis of the Seas for a one-of-a-kind visual of the world's two largest ships together for the first time. They met off the Florida coast, where passengers aboard Oasis of the Seas flanked the top decks to wave at the crew onboard Allure and get an up close and personal peek at the world's newest cruise ship. That's Allure in the foreground of the photo here. In a friendly case of sibling rivalry, Allure of the Seas' captain, Hernan Zini, confirms that his ship is five centimeters longer than Oasis of the Seas.

Royal Caribbean launches Allure of the Seas with a refreshing new array of features and onboard amenities. In addition to the signature Oasis-class neighborhood design with seven unique spaces like Central Park and the Coney Island-style Boardwalk, complete with a hand-carved carousel and an AquaTheater, her distinct personality takes center stage presenting new features such as:

• New entertainment offerings including the launch of a partnership with DreamWorks Animation and the Broadway hit, Chicago: The Musical
• 26 dining options including the first Starbucks at sea, a new spin on fine dining at 150 Central Park conceptualized by The Culinary Institute of America alumna Molly Brandt, as well as the Samba Grill Brazilian steakhouse, Rita's Cantina Mexican cuisine, and The Boardwalk Dog House
• A wide array of retail options including a BRITTO Gallery fashioned by pop artist Romero Britto and GUESS Accessory boutique
• Innovative technology features such as a 3-D movie theater, iPod docks in suites, self service kiosks, and digital way-finding signage for guests

The official naming ceremony for Allure of the Seas will take place on Nov 28th during a one-night inaugural celebration fundraiser to benefit the United Way chapters of Miami-Dade and Broward counties and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Haiti Fund, among other charities. The godmother of Allure of the Seas will be unveiled during the special ceremony which will be streamed live at 4:30 pm on AllureoftheSeas.com.

A special 4-night sailing on Dec 1st will call at the cruise line's private beach destination of Labadee, along the north coast of Haiti, and Allure of the Seas' inaugural 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary will depart on Dec 5th. Allure of the Seas alternates a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean 7-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Photos Courtesy of Royal Caribbean Intl.

Cunard Line Brings "A Grand Celebration at Sea" to the Tournament of Roses Parade

Following the revelry of Queen Elizabeth’s Royal Naming Ceremony last month, Cunard Line continues A Grand Celebration by announcing its inaugural participation in the 122nd Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade® presented by Honda, the globally televised event considered “America’s New Year’s Parade.” Cunard has revealed a rendering of its float, themed “A Grand Celebration at Sea," created by award-winning Fiesta Parade Floats in collaboration with renowned artist and float designer Raul Rodriguez.

Marking the first time Cunard has participated in the world-famous parade, “A Grand Celebration at Sea” will illustrate the Cunard fleet of Queens–flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria, and the new Queen Elizabeth–and depict the ultimate sense of occasion, including ballroom dancing, a big band orchestra, champagne toasts, and multigenerational families celebrating their dreams and friendships while building memories, all on board a luxury cruise vacation with Cunard.

“We are delighted to be part of such a celebrated event like the Rose Parade,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “This year’s Rose Parade theme of building dreams, friendships, and memories, ties perfectly with our legacy and heritage. For more than 170 years sailing the seven seas, the Cunard name has been synonymous with fulfilling aspirations, fostering life-long friendships, and creating memorable experiences for all of our guests.”

From bow to stern, Cunard’s float will be decorated in floral grandeur, reflecting the line’s classic ocean travel experience. The float will also depict signature hallmarks found on a Cunard liner, including the Grand Lobby staircase and the Queens Room Ballroom. Additionally, an oversized floralgraph of Cunard’s three Queens takes center stage at the top of the float’s ascending staircases, a fitting reference to the modern fleet and also to the upcoming Cunard Royal Rendezvous taking place on Jan 13, 2011 in New York Harbour. This rare maritime event will be only the second time in Cunard’s history that three regal Queens have docked together in New York Harbour.

Featuring an eloquent fusion of floral and architectural detail in Cunard’s rich tradition of elegance and grandeur, the float stands at 24 feet high, 18 feet wide and 55 feet in length. It will include a big band orchestra and ballroom dancers to bring to life the Line’s famed Royal Nights Themed Balls, along with theatrical smoke rising from Cunard’s signature black and red funnel.

Thousands of red Black Magic roses, purple phalaenopsis orchid sprays, green cymbidium orchids and hypericum, and white Casablanca lilies will border the length of the float, along with more than 45,000 red Opium roses that will carpet the steps and floors. Layers of black onion seed and crisp white sweet rice will be used to adorn the distinctive shape of Cunard’s elongated bow, while shimmering deep brown flax seed will replicate the rich texture of hand-polished mahogany woods throughout the architectural features. Water waves showcased by white roses, dendrobium orchids and phalaenopsis orchids will sweep over oceans of light and dark blue iris, delphinium and hydrangea blossoms.

The Pasadena Tournament of Roses is a volunteer organization that annually hosts the Rose Parade taking place Saturday, Jan 1, 2011, at 8 a.m. (PST) featuring majestic floral floats, high-stepping equestrian units and spirited marching bands.

Visit Cunard.com/rendezvous to see planned festivities and viewing locations for the Cunard Royal Rendezvous celebration. For more information about Cunard Line, visit Cunard.com.

Princess Cruises Honors Veterans With Military Onboard Credit Program

In recognition of Veterans Day, Princess Cruises is promoting the line’s military onboard credit program for active and retired military personnel. The credit, which ranges from $50 to $250 per stateroom depending on the length of the cruise, is available to members of the United States and Canadian armed forces with appropriate service identification.

“As I discovered when I recently wrote about my own military experience on our company blog, we have a large number of veterans among our passengers,” said Alan Buckelew, Princess Cruises president and CEO. “We want to honor all military personnel this Veterans Day and thank them for their service.”

The line’s military personnel onboard credit program is available to active military personnel plus retired and disabled military veterans with proper verification as follows:

• Active personnel currently serving in the following service divisions: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, National Guard, Reserves, Canadian National Defense (military verification certificate)
• Retired personnel defined as: Enlisted personnel or officers with a minimum of 20 years of service, medically retired or 100% disabled (blue or tan uniformed ID card/Canadian white N.D. 21 ID card)
• Veterans with an Honorable Discharge serving a minimum of 2 years or 6 months in an active war zone in any of the United States service divisions listed above or Canadian National Defense (DD 214 plus current photo ID)

The onboard credit amount is $50 for cruises 6 days or less, $100 for cruises of 7-13 days, or $250 for cruises of 14 days or longer, offered on a per stateroom basis.

To request the military personnel onboard credit, eligible persons should apply no later than one week prior to the cruise departure date. Passenger and sailing information should be accompanied by proof of eligibility and provided to either the passenger’s travel agent or to Princess Cruises. For more information about how to submit information, contact 1-800-PRINCESS.

Buckelew’s story about his return to Vietnam, “A Soldier Returns … as a Tourist” (along with many comments from veterans) can be found on Princess’ blog: 50EssentialExperiences.com.

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.