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How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station

How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station
How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station

The iconic view in Venice can be described in one word as amazing, so the entire popularity revolving around this Italian area is understandable. Travel enthusiasts from all over the world are choosing to explore what Venice has to offer, and in most cases, people are pleasantly surprised by the beauty and romance of the city. Canals and gondolas, unique views and a captivating atmosphere, you can say that Venice has it all, and you will not be disappointed in choosing the city as your next travel destination. Entering this island city will provide you with a once in a lifetime view, so you can expect to be enchanted as soon as you get there.

 

Considering this is not your regular European city, as soon as you get to the Venice cruise port or train station, you will find yourself in need of adequate transportation in order to actually arrive in the heart of the city or to St. Marks square, from where all the city’s main attraction can be reached more easily. You may be tempted to follow the example of many other tourists who wait to book their shore excursion, believing that this is the only accessible solution. Well, you should know that you have several transportation options available, and getting around can be manageable in different ways. Things can get a bit confusing for first time Venice travelers, so doing a bit of research first, and knowing your options well enough is recommended. Here are the transportation options you can choose from, and a bit of information about each one – looking into these factors will allow you to make an informed choice that suits your needs perfectly:

 

Walking – from Venice port to a vaporetto point

Let’s start with the most budget-friendly option there is. If you are the more athletic type, and a long walk doesn’t scare you, you have the possibility of getting to a vaporetto point by foot. Walking is chosen many tourists who want to keep their expense to a minimum. In order to get access to public transportation without spending any more money, start walking from the Stazione Marittima Venice cruise terminal by Piazzale Roma on the Venice Grand Canal. A nice walk will also give you the opportunity to get a glimpse of the surroundings, so it might just be the ideal option to kick-start your entire Venetian experience. This is, however, not recommended, if you are travelling with children.

How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station
Public transportation water buses, also known as vaporetti, are the most popular transportation method for tourists.

Cruise ship organized water buses – public transportation water buses

Public transportation water buses, also known as vaporetti, are the most popular transportation method for tourists, who want to arrive to their final destination promptly and in an affordable manner. Just like as any other classic form of transportation in other regions around the world, these travel in an organized manner and have fixed schedule, so if you do choose a vaporetto to get from the port to Venice, you should check their schedule first. These cruise buses will take you to where you need to arrive, with minimum walking involved. A vaporetto can be regarded as a bus on water. There are mainly two major companies operating this public transportation option, and these are Alilaguna and ACTV. While the first is mainly used for connecting travelers between the airport and the cruise point, the latter is used for traveling around the islands.

Connect with locals for transportation assistance via a mobile app

Wither you aren’t exactly sure how to easily get to the nearest vaporetto point, you want a more rapid solution for arriving in the center of Venice, or some more extensive transportation assistance would come in handy, nowadays, you have a great mobile application for that. When you are googling How to Get to Venice from the Venice Cruise Port, you will come across the popular mobile app Prontopia. Using this application, you can connect to friendly locals, who will help you cover all your transportation requirements, and get to your points of interest in a rapid and convenient manner. More tourists are choosing this personalized approach to Venice traveling, and are benefiting from a more enjoyable experience. Whether it’s finding your AirBnB easily or getting to your tour meeting from the train station, you’ll find a local ready to step in and help via this app.

How to Get Around Venice Cruise Port and Train Station

Water taxis

The difference between a vaporetto and a water taxi is that the first one is regarded as public transportation, while the latter provides you with increased privacy and comfort. So the last option you have the possibility of looking into is the common water taxis. You and the people you are traveling with – friends or family – can benefit from a personalized transportation solution around Venice by choosing this particular option. This isn’t, however, the ideal choice if you are on a budget, considering you will have to get quite a high amount of money out of your pocket. In terms of comfort and convenience, if money isn’t an issue here, this might be the most appealing possibility. Usually, water taxis have the capacity of taking a maximum of 12 people, so when you are splitting the costs, the price paid will become a bit more reasonable. In order to stick to your itinerary, you need to book your taxi in advance, just to make sure you are covered once you arrive at the port.

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Experiencing the entire Venetian vacation can be quite thrilling, especially if this is the first time you are traveling the area. However, planning a trip there needs to be done with attention and care, in order to stay organized, and prevent small inconveniences from affecting your trip. Getting to Venice from the Venice cruise port is one of the challenges you will be faced with initially, so being aware of all your options from the start can be necessary. This way, you can know for sure which transportation solution suits your needs, and you will be able to start off your vacation on the right foot. Whether you decide to resort to the Prontopia app, to water taxis or vaporetti, these are the possibilities you can access at the moment.


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Oprah Winfrey Officially Names Holland America Line’s Nieuw Statendam

Holland America Line Celebrates Dedication of Nieuw Statendam with O-Mazing Ceremony Featuring Godmother Oprah Winfrey
Holland America Line Celebrates Dedication of Nieuw Statendam with O-Mazing Ceremony Featuring Godmother Oprah Winfrey

In an event rich with inspiration and tradition, Holland America Line held a dedication ceremony for Nieuw Statendam Saturday, Feb. 2, 2019, at Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, FloridaOprah Winfrey officially named the ship in a ceremony on board in the ship’s World Stage.

During the daytime celebration, Winfrey was joined by Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line; Stein Kruse, Holland America Group and Carnival UK chief executive officer; and Arnold Donald, president and CEO of Carnival Corporation.

“We are deeply honored to have Oprah Winfrey serve as the godmother of our newest ship in a celebration of our shared belief that travel has the power to open minds, build connections and inspire shared humanity across cultures and people,” said Orlando Ashford, Holland America Line’s president. “Oprah’s magnetic energy and astounding ability to inspire others is admired around the world, and today was the perfect culmination of a memorable few days together on Nieuw Statendam and our ongoing partnership with O, The Oprah Magazine.”

Nieuw Statendam‘s dedication ceremony followed the three-day Girls’ Getaway cruise to the Caribbean that celebrated the power of female relationships. Gayle King, editor-at-large of O, The Oprah Magazine and Winfrey’s best friend, joined her on the cruise, along with several other senior editors from the magazine.

During the ceremony, Ashford highlighted the connection between Nieuw Statendam, the legacy of the ship’s name and the stories of life-changing travel experiences for the officers and crew, travel professionals and guests, saying: “Nieuw Statendam represents our highest aspirations for connection and understanding in our world. She is a vessel for exploration and adventure across countries, languages, cultures and peoples, and — we hope — a source of joy for our guests for many years to come.”

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Winfrey reflected on the Girls’ Getaway cruise that had just concluded, saying “It’s been an incredible experience to see people from across the world come together with one mind and celebrate themselves, honor themselves and honor each other. Everybody gathered, made friends and connected to people they didn’t know because they felt like they had met themselves on some level. I have never seen anything like it.” She then officially dedicated the ship as its godmother with the traditional statement, “I name this ship Nieuw Statendam. May God bless her and all who sail on her.” The ceremony concluded when Winfrey triggered the release of the traditional bottle of Champagne that broke against the ship’s bow.

Holland America Line Celebrates Dedication of Nieuw Statendam with O-Mazing Ceremony Featuring Godmother Oprah Winfrey
Winfrey reflected on the Girls’ Getaway cruise that had just concluded, saying “It’s been an incredible experience to see people from across the world come together with one mind and celebrate themselves, honor themselves and honor each other.

Following the ceremony, a Gala Dinner was held on board. During the evening celebration, guests were invited to participate in a maritime tradition of pouring Champagne over the ship’s bell as a blessing.  This ceremony was a recreation of the bell ceremony on Holland America Line’s s.s. Statendam IV on January 23, 1957, when a then-18-year-old Dutch Crown Princess Beatrix poured Champagne over the bell to officially dedicate that new ship as it sailed in the North Sea. Nieuw Statendam is the sixth ship in the company’s history to bear the name.


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5 Questions with Holland America’s Master Chef Rudi Sodamin 

Chef Rudi Sodamin
Holland America Line Master Chef Rudi Sodamin has his name on another restaurant on the new cruise ship Nieuw Statendam.

Chef Rudi Sodamin has spent more than three decades in the cruise and hospitality industry, and he says he has as much passion for food and life as ever. His work in recent years also includes authoring several books on the tastes of the world, as well as a colorful and creative coffee table book showcasing his “Food Faces” art work. 

His status as a leading culinary figure on the oceans has been recognized through his role as the chairman of Holland America’s Culinary Council and with the establishment of Rudi’s Sel de Mer on the newest HAL ships Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam, which debuted in late 2018. 

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Cruise Addicts sat down for a chat with Sodamin during a recent sailing on Nieuw Statendam to learn what drives the chef and to learn about how he views his role in making cruisers well fed and happy. 

Cruise Addicts: How special is it to have your name on the Rudi’s Sel de Mer Restaurants? What does that mean to you, personally? 

Chef Rudi SodaminFor any chef, to have your own restaurant with a corporation or a cruise line is an accomplishment. I’m very pleased with the progress of what I have achieved at Holland America Line 

It’s flattering, but it’s also a lot of work. I’m known as a visionary guy and hard-working and a perfectionist. So, I want to make an impact in whatever I do in life. 

Cruise Addicts: Cuisine and the dining experience is a huge part of what HAL cruisers look forward to on their trips. Is there any pressure — or do you consider it a pleasure that food has such an important role in defining Holland America cruises? 

SodaminThere is always a pressure, regardless, for any chef out there. But it’s also a pleasure to provide great food and great quality to our guests. 

It always starts with quality. There is a lot of hard work behind the entire culinary team, and management understands this. I always assemble the best team available. I have always been spearheading culinary excellence in the last 30 years in the cruise industry, and I have always set new levels.  

I always try to assemble the best team available and work to foster them with inspiration and creativity, so we can achieve what we do.  

Cruise Addicts: What role does the Culinary Council play in this? (The council is a collection of seven world-renowned chefs who collaborate to curate the restaurants and menus on HAL ships.) 

SodaminThe Culinary Council came to fruition from an idea to use talent from outside to promote our culinary happenings onboard our ships. We meet yearly, and we involve them (in creating specialty items) … and we have occasional times when we feature them (on Food & Beverage Aficionado Cruises). We cooperate with them, we ask them for ideas. 

They often are also impressed from our kitchen operations onboard our ships and like to bring ideas back to their establishments on shore. 

So, every cruise line likes to say they have food in their DNA. But I think we have a singularly good product.

Rudi Sodamin and his plates featuring Food Faces
Chef Rudi Sodamin shows off two plates in the restaurant Rudi’s Sel de Mer on Nieuw Statendam. The chef has a book available that features 150 “Food Faces” that he created and photographed.

Cruise Addicts: Can you tell us a little about the origin of your artwork that we see on the plateware? 

SodaminAs a chef, you’re always an artist. And a warrior in many ways. An accountant. An organizer. 

Every chef is different. I was always ahead of my time with presentation. It’s work and passion and having fun at the same time. 

So, I created as an artist “Food Faces.” I don’t plan every dish. When I see something, I assemble the food. My camera is with me, so I photograph it. It might take about 20 minutes. 

It’s really spontaneously put together. I have done almost 400 images.  

Wherever I go, in Spain, in France, in England, in my kitchen at home. If I see something, I photograph it. 

Some people say “It’s a little bit over-creative.” (Laughs.) 

I like to photograph, and I even photograph other food pictures. “Food Faces” is just a new way of thinking. 

It ties perfectly into Rudi’s Sel de Mer (and the plates on the tables). Every guest who dines here says “Wow!” and every guest takes a picture. 

Cruise Addicts: What do you like to do in your free time away from the kitchen and food? 

SodaminAway from the kitchen? There is not much time. Food is life; life is food.  

I like to play golf. I have a lot of sport interests. I like to ski.  

I like to cook in my home. I’m well-balanced. I’m happy. 

And if you’re happy with what you’re doing, I think that’s a blessing. Creativity is the intelligence of having fun. 

Life is a race without a finish line. 


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How Cruise Casinos Differ from Traditional Casinos

Everyone should experience a cruise vacation at least once in their life. There’s lots of excellent foot and fun activities. One favorite source of entertainment is the cruise line’s on-ship casino. It’s nearly impossible for most people to resist the temptation to check the casino out for at least an hour or two. After all, how much time can a captive audience spend at the buffet or in the pool.

Before visiting the cruise ship’s casino, some level of caution is warranted. There are differences from what someone might have already experienced in a land-based traditional casino in places like Las Vegas. The following information is being provided to help people understand the differences and how it might affect the live casino gambling experience. Some of these differences would also pertain to an online casino like Casumo.

Atmosphere

On the positive, cruise ship casinos have windows that expose the outside. Vegas style casinos are notorious from trying to keep customers from having any sense of place and time. Cruise ships already have a captive audience with no other gambling alternatives. Therefore, there really is no good reason to “keep people in the dark.”

On the negative, bettors best not expect any kind of free drink service life you find in land-based casinos. Alcohol sales are a primary income source for the cruise lines. They simply are not motivated to give away that which makes them profitable. They aren’t in the casino business. They are in the business of generating revenues from selling spirits and souvenirs. Note: There are some exceptions. Additionally, ocean-bound ships do not operate under land-based laws. Maritime laws permit smoking anywhere. Therefore, there’s a reasonable expectation the cruise ship casino might be a little smoky.

Logistical Issues

Unlike land-based casinos in major gambling meccas like Macau, Las Vegas and Atlantic City, cruise ship casinos have restricted hours of operation. Gambling cities operate 24/7/365 with no regard for the weather, religious holidays or time of day. Cruise ships are not allowed to operate while in a port. This most likely has to do with local regulations. They are also closed for a prescribed timeframe upon departure from any given port. Usually, they open late morning or early afternoon and remain open until the early morning hours of the following morning.

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Table game players had best be patient. There’s usually a limited number of gaming tables and dealers available. If the casino is busy, players have to wait until a spot opens up. While they are waiting, there’s usually a lot of slot machines available for play. Land-based casinos can employ more dealers and have more space to allocate for table games.

The good news is no matter which port a ship leaves out of, maritime law dictates that the universal minimum gambling age is 18 years old. The minimum age in Las Vegas is 21 years old.

Gambling Issues

On the positive side, most cruise ships offer a nice variety of games. Aside from the requisite video slots, video poker, Blackjack, Baccarat, Craps and Roulette options, it’s always possible games like Pai Gow Poker, Texas Hold’em Poker and Sic Bo might be available. What makes all these gaming options all the more appealing is the fact the come with low betting limits. Remember, the ship is not really in the casino business. The casino is more a means to an end. For that reason, they prefer to make sure the casino is available to novice bettors who might otherwise be reluctant to wager on high limit tables. In some cases, it’s possible to find cruise ship games that are normally difficult to find in Vegas or Macau.

On the downside, cruise ships are not very generous. They have no competition, which is the perfect reason not to offer bettors fair payouts. Blackjack and Craps have notoriously bad odds when compared to the odds being offered in online casinos casinos or when playing at land based establishments. When patrons do when, they are going to have to wait in line to cash out. Players aren’t going to get access to modern-day voucher-drive cash out machines.

By taking advance notice of these differences, you should be able to avoid going into the cruise ship casino with inflated expectations. The whole point is to use the cruise ship casino as intended, just another form of on-ship entertainment.


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MSC Seaside Tour & Review w/ MSC Cruises with The Endless Adventure

MSC Seaside Tour & Review w/ MSC Cruises with The Endless Adventure

Sit back and enjoy this tour and review of MSC Cruises, MSC Seaside by The Endless Adventure vlog. I have become a fan of their fun and informative videos. Be sure to check out their YouTube Channel here and subscribe. I hope this video about MSC Seaside helps give you a glimpse of what an MSC Cruise will be like. Don’t forget to to also watch their MSC Seaside Food Tour!

Give us a comment below if you enjoy seeing these type’s of posts here.

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Learn more about the MSC Seaside and book your own cruise! ? http://msccruises.com/endlessadventure

WATCH NEXT: ▶ Cruise day 2: Trying PUERTO RICAN FOOD! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7PNS…

To find out more visit www.msccruises.com.


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MSC World Cruise 2019: Sint Maarten – Puntarenas with Kara and Nate

MSC World Cruise 2019_ Sint Maarten – Puntarenas with Kara and Nate

The second racers of #MSCWorldCruise have just finished their journey!

Get a glimpse at Kara and Nate’s holiday on board #MSCMagnifica, from Sint Maarten to Puntarenas.

Follow the journey around the world live on our Instagram Stories: https://bit.ly/2k3DOXu

Find out more about the next racers here: https://bit.ly/2Hnl42v

Discover all about MSC Cruises destinations: https://bit.ly/2O2sdIx

Discover all about MSC Cruises fleet: https://goo.gl/D5bPB0

Learn More about MSC Cruises?

MSC Cruises is the world’s largest privately-owned cruise company and the number one cruise line in Europe, South America, South Africa and the Gulf. A game-changer in the world of cruises, the Company has achieved 800% growth in its first ten years, building a global reputation in the industry and one of the youngest cruise fleets at sea. MSC Cruises is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

The MSC Cruises fleet currently comprises 15 ultra-modern, highly innovative and elegantly designed ships, offering an unparalleled holiday experience with always delicious and authentic food, award-winning entertainment, plenty of relaxation, comfortable accommodation, as well as impeccable service and expertise.

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Under its ambitious industry-unprecedented €13.6 billion (≈15.6 billion USD) investment plan, the fleet is set to expand to 29 cruise ships by 2027. To date, MSC Cruises has designed six new large ship classes, all prototypes that push the boundaries of marine architecture and design, and an ultra-luxury class with ground-breaking options for guest comfort.

To find out more visit www.msccruises.com.


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Royal Caribbean Celebrates First Steel Cut For Odyssey of the Seas

Royal Caribbean Celebrates First Steel Cut For Odyssey of the Seas at Meyer Werft Shipyard
Royal Caribbean Celebrates First Steel Cut For Odyssey of the Seas at Meyer Werft Shipyard

Royal Caribbean International marked an important milestone yesterday as the first piece of steel was cut for its second Quantum Ultra Class ship at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The 27th ship in the global cruise line’s fleet is set to be named Odyssey of the Seas.

Set to debut in fall 2020, Odyssey of the Seas will sail from the United States. Additional details on Odyssey will be revealed later this year.


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Carnival Cruise Lines’s #ChooseFun Airship Extends Aerial Journey

Carnival Cruise Line's AirShip

Kicks Off Sweepstakes, Continues #ChooseFun Social Media Campaign Benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®

After completing a month-long tour of California to celebrate the arrival of the new Carnival Panorama to the West Coast, Carnival Cruise Line’s #ChooseFun AirShip is extending its aerial journey taking to the skies over Las Vegas, Nevada and Phoenix, Arizona.

The Carnival AirShip will begin a five-day tour of Las Vegas kicking off on Saturday, Feb. 2 with aerial visits to major attractions and iconic hotspots including the Las Vegas Strip as well as travel agent events. The AirShip will also delight football fans who will be in town to check out The Big Game on Sunday.

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, the AirShip will arrive in Phoenix for a five-day flyover of the city’s hottest areas and venues through Sunday, Feb. 17.

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In conjunction with the AirShip’s extended West Coast tour, Carnival is hosting a sweepstakes where consumers have a chance to win a free cruise as well as additional prizes each week when they enter at carnival.com/choosefun.

Carnival Cruise Lines's #ChooseFun Airship Extends Aerial Journey | 4
Carnival Airship floats over Carnival Vista” width=”1024″ height=”717″ /> The Carnival Airship floats over Carnival Vista

And there’s never an end date to raising money for a great cause – continuing the charity component of the AirShip’s month-long flyover, for anyone who takes a picture of the AirShip and posts it on social media with the hashtag #ChooseFun, Carnival will make a $2 donation to its longtime charity partner St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® up to a maximum donation of $20,000.

 “Fans everywhere can’t get enough of the Carnival AirShip and neither can we!” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line. “If there’s anyone who knows how to Choose Fun, it’s Carnival, and what better way to do that than to continue the AirShip’s journey.”

Last month, the AirShip made its West Coast debut gaining the attention of tens of thousands of consumers across California in anticipation of the arrival of Carnival Panorama to Long Beach, Calif. in December – the first new Carnival ship homeported on the West Coast in 20 years and the world’s first ship to have a trampoline park at sea, in partnership with Sky Zone. Carnival Panorama will debut with a special three-day inaugural cruise from Long Beach on Dec. 11, 2019, followed by the launch of year-round, seven-day Mexican Riviera sailings on Dec. 14, 2019. The ship joins Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration to carry upwards of 600,000 guests annually from the West Coast – more than any other cruise operator.

To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visit Carnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL. Carnival can also be found on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.


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Carnival Cruise Line’s Mardi Gras Will Feature Six Themed Zones

Carnival Cruise Line recently revealed our first look at design details for the highly anticipated Mardi Gras, the line’s most innovative ship set to debut in 2020.  Mardi Gras will offer an extensive array of popular Carnival guest favorites along with new exciting experiences highlighted by six themed zones. Throughout the ship’s 20 decks and in each of these distinctive areas, guests will find fun, memorable ways to create their own personalized vacation with dining, libation, entertainment, recreation, and relaxation options.

The accommodations on Mardi Gras will include more than 20 different stateroom categories and multiple levels of spacious and luxurious suites.  Mardi Gras will also include the most expansive open decks on any Carnival ship, and a spectacular atrium that will serve as the hub of the ship as well as a stunning focal point where guests will be welcomed on board.

“When our guests Choose Fun and book a vacation on Mardi Gras, they are going to find many firsts and exciting experiences, all enhanced by the fun atmosphere our great Carnival crew deliver on every cruise,” said Christine Duffy, president of Carnival Cruise Line.  “We’ve specifically designed Mardi Gras to invite everyone to create their own personalized fun vacation experience with options to suit every age, mood or taste.”

Six Exciting and Distinctive Zones Add to the Fun

The six zones of Mardi Gras’ design will invite guests to stroll throughout the ship to enjoy new only-on-Mardi Gras features along with signature elements that have made Carnival America’s Cruise Line, all enjoyed amidst a festive, social and community-driven atmosphere with opportunities for guests to relax, recharge and reconnect with family and friends.  The six areas will be themed around Grand Central, French Quarter, La Piazza, Summer Landing, Lido and The Ultimate Playground and highlights include:

Grand Central (Decks 6-8, mid-ship)

 Grand Central takes the traditional atrium concept to new heights
Grand Central takes the traditional atrium concept to new heights, combining a day-to-night entertainment complex with spectacular three-deck-high floor-to-ceiling windows and a bar overlooking the starboard side of the ship.

Creating a sense of wonder the moment guests step on board, the transformative Grand Central takes the traditional atrium concept to new heights, combining a day-to-night entertainment complex with spectacular three-deck-high floor-to-ceiling windows and a bar overlooking the starboard side of the ship that will be the perfect venue for socializing and people watching amid sweeping ocean vistas. Steps away are Bonsai Sushi and Bonsai Teppanyaki which are being expanded from designs on existing ships to reflect their popularity with guests.  There’s also the first-ever dedicated Punchliner Comedy Club where guests can enjoy nightly shows, and the always popular Piano Bar 88 for sing-a-longs that bring guests together in an intimate feel-good setting.

French Quarter (Deck 6, aft)

Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras Will Feature Six Themed Zones | 4
alt=”Mardi Gras will feature a traditional New Orleans jazz club” width=”1024″ height=”576″ /> Mardi Gras will feature a traditional New Orleans jazz club with live entertainment and refreshing hand-crafted libations.

In a nod to the New Orleans’ culture that combines lively entertainment with an unparalleled food scene, French Quarter will be lined with new bars, music and eateries that perfectly capture the festive spirit of the Big Easy. And since the spirit of New Orleans is so closely tied to the jazz scene, this neighborhood is linked via a two-deck-high promenade leading to a traditional New Orleans jazz club with live entertainment and refreshing hand-crafted libations. More details on these new dining and entertainment choices and the introduction of a new Carnival celebrity partnership will be revealed this spring.

La Piazza (Deck 8, mid-ship)

La Piazza aboard Carnival Mardi Gras
La Piazza transports to Italy where they celebrate the rich heritage of Carnival’s senior officers with authentic cuisine, coffee and cocktails.

At La Piazza, guests are transported to Italy where they celebrate the rich heritage of Carnival’s senior officers with authentic cuisine from the casual family-style Cucina del Capitano and 24/7 Pizzeria del Capitano to a new Mediterranean-themed seafood restaurant. There’s also a bar where guests can savor cappuccino by day or classic Italian cocktails at night, while roaming musicians keep everyone entertained.

Summer Landing (Deck 8, aft)

Pig & Anchor Outdoors
Pig & Anchor Outdoors Patio

Designed as the ultimate chill spot, Summer Landing will be home to an expanded Guy’s Pig & Anchor Smokehouse Brewhouse with smoked-on-board barbecue favorites created by longtime Carnival partner Guy Fieri, along with the line’s exclusive Parched Pig craft beers brewed right on board.  For outdoor summer-inspired fun, there will be a pool and whirlpools, a new bar, the lunch counter for the Smokehouse Brewhouse along with ample lounging spaces and hang outs, making this the ideal spot to enjoy all the fun that a Carnival vacation experience delivers.

Lido (Deck 16-17, aft)

Carnival Cruise Line's Mardi Gras Will Feature Six Themed Zones | 4

Carnival is already known for its varied casual poolside restaurants and Mardi Gras’ expanded Lido will take this to a whole new level with existing Carnival favorites like Guy’s Burger Joint, the New England-inspired Seafood Shack, and BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery, along with some new concepts to be announced at a later date that are sure to inspire foodie fans.

The Ultimate Playground (Decks 18-20, aft)

The Ultimate Playground aboard Carnival Mardi Gras.
The Ultimate Playground will span Decks 18-20 and features the largest and most elaborate Carnival WaterWorks aqua park in the fleet, along with an expanded SportSquare and the much-anticipated BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster.

The aptly named Ultimate Playground will span Decks 18-20 and offer guests amazing sea vistas as they soak up the sun and the fun in this spacious family-friendly play area highlighted by the largest and most elaborate Carnival WaterWorks aqua park in the fleet, along with an expanded SportSquare. The Ultimate Playground is also where guests will find the much-anticipated BOLT: Ultimate Sea Coaster, the first roller coaster at sea announced in December 2018, where riders race along an 800-foot-long track achieving speeds of nearly 40 miles per hour.

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Mardi Gras will also incorporate all of the line’s most popular signature features from its nearly completed $2 billion fleet enhancement program that has brought a consistent level of experiences to the more than five million passengers who annually sail on Carnival, such as Alchemy Bar, Fahrenheit 555 Steakhouse, and the Serenity adult-only retreat, among others – many of which will offer an exciting twist, along with a variety of new innovations exclusive to this vessel.

Additional information on Mardi Gras, along with specifics on each of the six themed areas will be revealed in ways that are sure to amp up the fun factor in the coming months.

Reservations for Mardi Gras’ itineraries will be announced and open for sale on Jan. 30, 2019. Carnival Cruise Line fans who want to be the first to book on Mardi Gras can get a head start by clicking here where they can register up until Jan. 27, 2019 to get a “first to know” alert and special promotional offer when reservations open. You can also view the Mardi Gras DECK PLANS by clicking here.

To learn more about Carnival Cruise Line, visit Carnival.com. For reservations, contact any travel agent or call 1-800-CARNIVAL.


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Meet ZOE – the world’s first personal cruise assistant by MSC Cruises

Meet Zoe - Your Virtual personal Cruise assista
The very first virtual personal cruise assistant. Exclusive to MSC Cruises, ZOE is the latest interactive feature of MSC for Me, an innovative multi-channel digital cruise experience that revolutionizes and personalizes the way Guests get cruise information.

ZOE – the world’s first virtual personal cruise assistant – is poised to take MSC Cruises’ Guest Services to an exciting new level with guest-centric technology that will further enrich the cruise vacation. Developed in partnership with HARMAN and Samsung Electronics, ZOE is a voice-enabled artificial intelligence (AI) tool found in every stateroom. ZOE can speak seven languages, answer hundreds of questions about the cruise and provide information about on board services, guidance and suggestions or help to book a service. An easy to use device – guests simply say, “OK ZOE”, and she’s ready to help. The advanced voice recognition feature makes it easy for everyone to control and access information using only voice commands.

ZOE is a first in the cruise industry and another example of how MSC Cruises continues to lead the way by employing technology to enhance the guest experience. ZOE will launch on MSC Bellissima and will then be available on each following new ship, including the upcoming MSC Grandiosa in 2019 and MSC Virtuosa in 2020.

Gianni Onorato, MSC Cruises’ CEO commented, “The cruise experience is constantly evolving to become ever-richer, offering an increasingly wide choice of services and facilities. In 2017, we introduced MSC for Me, an industry-leading digital innovation platform that revolutionized the way that guests were able to customize and personalize their experience. The technology was built into the very design of the new ships, incorporated into every step of the development process of each prototype, from conception to construction.”

Mr Onorato continued, “This was just the starting point in providing a connected cruise experience. There was a core guest need to be met, which was to find answers to common questions in a quick and easy way, enabling guests to make the most of their vacation. We researched the latest connected technologies and identified voice assistants and Artificial Intelligence as the way to meet this need, and the work on ZOE began.”

src=”https://cruiseaddicts.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Meet-Zoe-1024×682.jpg” alt=”Meet ZOE – the world’s first personal cruise assistant by MSC Cruises” width=”1024″ height=”682″ /> Meet ZOE – the world’s first personal cruise assistant by MSC Cruises

CO-CREATING INNOVATION

This ground-breaking AI guest service has been developed in partnership with the MSC Cruises’ Business Innovation team and HARMAN International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Samsung Electronics. The collaboration has brought together the best-in-class expertise in voice-enabled technology and cruise expertise as part of a shared vision for connected living, now extended to the cruise industry.

“Today, customers have increasingly high expectations for connected experiences wherever they live, work and, now, travel,” said Sanjay Dhawan, President – Connected Services and CTO, HARMAN. “Digital Assistants and voice recognition technologies are transforming the opportunity to create a guest experience that is highly personal, adaptable and intuitive. Our team at HARMAN Connected Services is incredibly excited to bring this innovation to MSC Cruises as we modernize and enhance the guest experience from the start to the end.”

ZOE’s physical design features advanced audio with far field microphones and a professional quality speaker to provide the best audio experience. Guests will enjoy fast response times, thanks to the integration of a top-of-the-line quad-core processor, and also have the opportunity to connect their phones directly to the device through Bluetooth to enjoy music, podcasts and more directly in their staterooms. In the future, ZOE will be able to offer further personalization and embedded experiences, and will also become a cross-channel personal assistant that will take on new forms within MSC for Me.

ZOE has been designed to enrich MSC for Me by interacting with the in-stateroom TV. Long-term innovation partner Samsung Electronics, designed the Hotel Management System software that allows the personal assistant to connect with the TV to provide guests further in-depth information and other guest services.

Hyesung HaSenior Vice President Of Enterprise Product Marketing Group, Samsung Electronics commented, “Samsung has always been committed to leveraging its technology leadership to improve the quality of people’s lives and to bring innovations to the world. The partnership with MSC Cruises is an example of how our advanced solutions enhance the guest experience: not only displays to access information and infotainment content on board, but a true comprehensive digital experience. Thanks to this long-lasting partnership, Samsung and MSC Cruises are bringing innovation to the cruise industry.”

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ANSWERING GUEST QUESTIONS FROM THE COMFORT OF THEIR STATEROOMS

To ensure ZOE could respond effectively to all guests, she has been programmed and trained to respond to more than 800 of the most commonly asked questions with thousands of different variants of each question. The conversation designs, ZOE’s natural speech recognition and ability to transform speech into text and back again has undergone significant testing, in addition to a variety of other behavioral, experiential and performance tests. As an artificial intelligence solution, ZOE is designed to continue learning and developing her responses based on real guest interactions.

While ZOE acts as a 24/7 virtual personal cruise assistant, she is not designed to replace human interaction between crew and guest, but rather to provide guests with the flexibility to communicate and discover information from the comfort of their staterooms.

To find out more about ZOE visit here and to find out more about MSC Bellissima visit here.


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