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Harmony of the Seas: A Look Inside
Let’s take a look inside the world’s largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas.
Harmony of the Seas Photo Gallery
Harmony of the Seas
Costing more than $1billion, Harmony of the Seas will be the 25th ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet and boasts highly anticipated first-at-sea experiences, including:
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A 100-foot drop with The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea, plunging courageous adrenaline seekers 10 stories down from deck 16 to the Boardwalk on deck 6
- 4,700,000 lbs. (2,150 tons) of water in 23 swimming pools, whirlpools, two FlowRider surf simulators and waterslides, including the Perfect Storm, a thrilling trio of waterslides, and the Splashaway Bay waterpark for young guests
- The first double-story Wonderland, the specialty restaurant concept first introduced onboard the global cruise line’s Quantum class of ships delivering an imaginative and whimsical feast for all the senses
- The debut of Broadway’s hit musical Grease in the Royal Theater and spectacular diving shows in the AquaTheater
- 11,252 works of art showcased throughout the ship and Central Park, a living park in the center of the ship which features a total of 10,587 plants, 48 vine plants and 52 trees, some over 20 feet (6.1 meters) high
- VOOM, the fastest internet at sea, available exclusively to Royal Caribbean guests, which allows travelers to seamlessly stay connected, stream their favorite entertainment, video chat, and share their adventures with friends and family at home
In November 2016, Harmony will arrive at her homeport of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, FL., from where she will offer seven-night eastern and western Caribbean sailings. The newest member of the fleet will join sister-ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, sailing from Port Canaveral and Port Everglades respectively, on the east coast of Florida.
Seven Distinct Neighborhoods
Harmony of the Seas offers a bold and unexpected lineup of experiences found nowhere else on land or sea. An architectural marvel, Harmony of the Seas combines the distinct seven neighborhood concept that Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships are known for with some of the most modern and groundbreaking amenities.
Harmony of the Seas will span 16 guest decks, encompass 227,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,479 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,747 staterooms.
The World’s Largest Cruise Ship Makes Her World Debut
Onlookers gathered to be among the first to see the world’s largest cruise ship, Harmony of the Seas, upon her first arrival into the Port of the port of Southampton, U.K. today. After 32 months of construction, the ship’s arrival marks a major milestone for Royal Caribbean International as Harmony becomes the 25th ship in the fleet.
“Harmony of the Seas is redefining vacations and intriguing a new generation of travellers with a bold and unexpected line-up of first at sea innovations, while enticing them to explore the world from a new perspective,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. “From thrilling onboard activities and experiences to visiting awe-inspiring destinations across the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, Harmony places guests at the forefront and encourages them to create their own adventures onboard and at every destination.”
Intricately built with more than 500,000 individual parts, Harmony measures 362 meters (1,188 feet), nearly four football (soccer) fields long, and weighs 226,963 gross registered tons.
The newest addition to the family combines the distinct seven-neighborhood concept that Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships are known for with a lineup of the most modern and groundbreaking vacation amenities. Innovative features include The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea with a 10-story plunge; robot bartenders at The Bionic Bar, powered by Makr Shakr; virtual balconies with real-time views of the destination and VOOM – the fastest internet at sea – so that guests can stay connected, stream their favorite entertainment and share their adventures with family and friends back at home.
Harmony of the Seas will sail from Southampton, U.K. on a series of short getaways to Northern Europe before embarking on her maiden cruise on May 29, arriving in Barcelona, Spain on June 5. The unparalleled cruise ship and her 2,100 dedicated crew members then will officially launch her inaugural summer season with the first of 34 seven-night western Mediterranean sailings on June 7.
In November 2016, Harmony will arrive at her homeport of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., from where she will offer seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean sailings. The newest member of the fleet will join sister ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, homeported in Port Canaveral and Port Everglades respectively, on the east coast of Florida.
For additional information or to make reservations, vacationers should call their travel agent; visit RoyalCaribbean.com; or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN.
Celebrity Cruises Completes Newest Modern Luxury Makeover
Today the 2,138-guest Celebrity Millennium emerged from a drydock refreshed, reenergized, and more luxurious than ever, with the same lineup of stunning enhancements that Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Infinity have received in recent months.
Guests sailing on Celebrity Millennium in Alaska this summer will be among the first to enjoy her new spaces and experiences.
Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, President & CEO of Celebrity Cruises said, “We have added new elements and experiences that will help open up the world for modern luxury travelers, from our gorgeously updated Suite Class staterooms onboard to the amazingly delicious Tuscan Grille menu, and, of course, the new Rooftop Terrace.”
The new Rooftop Terrace, complete with its large screen, chaise lounges, cabanas, soundscape, and decorative lighting, is a modern relaxing backdrop for Celebrity’s sumptuous new multisensory experience, “A Taste of Film,” which presents films that evoke a specific cultural, culinary, or destination experience, paired with cuisine that brings the scenes on the screen to life through guests’ taste buds.
The cruise brand’s culinary team, led by Michelin-starred chef Cornelius Gallagher, has specially crafted a multi-course tasting menu for each “A Taste of Film” selection. The Rooftop Terrace is on the ship’s 12th deck.
As part of the $8 million refresh plan, Celebrity invested heavily in its Suite Class experience on Celebrity Millennium, as every Penthouse and Royal Suite received new glimmering fixtures, marble surfaces, and comfortable seats in the bathrooms. The rest of the suite received refreshing touches like new carpeting, drapes, and bed linens.
Celebrity Millennium’s Olympic restaurant was converted to Tuscan Grille, Celebrity’s popular, Italian-inspired steakhouse that debuted on its Solstice Class ships, with complete refinishing of the space and the introduction of a refreshed menu designed to tantalize.
The menu features: fresh pasta made in-house; an Italian cocktail menu, a first for Tuscan Grille; a wine list focused on the wine-growing regions of Italy; and new foods like artisanal salami and cheeses, crispy crab arancini with lemon pepper aioli, grilled branzino with spinach and olive oil, swordfish with Castelvetrano olives, fennel and white wine, and oven-roasted USDA Prime dry-aged steak.
On Celebrity Millennium, the maritime artifacts in the Olympic are featured in a special display area in the casino’s entry vestibule. Items include charts, maps, an original place setting, a ship model, and more.
Additional work that took place onboard includes:
- The addition of an enclosed portrait studio similar to that found on Celebrity’s Solstice Class ships, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Equinox
- The creation of a new future cruise sales office, where guests can take advantage of special offers
- A refresh of the Solarium, with new furniture, new floors, and refinished pool tops, and a refresh of finishes in the spa café
- The removal of the themed décor in the ship’s casino
This summer, Celebrity Millennium will sail a series of open-jaw itineraries between Vancouver, British Columbia, and Seward, Alaska, before heading to Asia in September for her winter season there.
Carnival Vista Offers Nearly 30 International Dining and Bar Venues
From authentic Asian delicacies and a New England–inspired seafood eatery to light bites with a Cuban flair, the new Carnival Vista offers an exciting and flavorful array of diverse flavors from around the world.
Complementing the delicious fare is a wide variety of bars, lounges, and watering holes including the line’s first on-board brewery.
With a comprehensive selection of eateries, Carnival Vista features several exclusive outlets that are only on board the line’s newest, largest, and most innovative ship, including Seafood Shack, modeled after roadside seafood stands that dot the New England coast, and expanded versions of Bonsai Sushi and Cherry on Top, offering both indoor and outdoor seating.
Dining venues and bars featured on Carnival Vista include:
- BlueIguana Cantina – Open for breakfast and lunch, BlueIguana Cantina serves authentic tacos
Guests aboard Carnival Vista can enjoy burgers at Guy’s Burger Joint with cooked-to-order hamburgers and French fries inspired by Food Network star Guy Fieri. on fresh-made tortillas and made-to-order burritos that can be personalized by diners at an extensive salsa and toppings bar.
- Bonsai Sushi — Bonsai Sushi has been expanded on Carnival Vista to offer cooked-to-order items like shrimp tempura, chicken katsu, omakase (chef’s choice) and various noodle bowls, complementing a variety of sushi, sashimi, and bento boxes.
- Cherry on Top — For those with a sweet tooth, Cherry on Top serves up ingredients mixed by hand and made to order. Cool concoctions include a base of ice cream and at least four toppings, from whipped cream and hot fudge to Oreo cookie pieces and pineapple chunks. Additionally, when guests order Brownie Buoy – hand-selected by kids at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital – a donation is made to the hospital.
- Cucina del Capitano — A celebration of Carnival Cruise Line’s deep roots in Italy — all of the fleet’s captains are Italian — Cucina del Capitano serves up a variety of Italian favorites family-style.
- Fahrenheit 555 — This classic American steakhouse offers mouth-watering steaks and other gourmet fare with impeccable service.
- Guy’s Burger Joint — A guest favorite, Guy’s features fresh-made burgers, hand-cut fries and innovative toppings created in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri.
- Havana Bar — This popular bar specializing in mojitos and Cuba Libres has added a bar menu. From Sabor de Habana, a sampler plate, to ceviche de mariscos, ropa vieja, and pan con bistec, guests can taste authentic dishes of Cuba.
- JavaBlue Café — Featuring coffee straight-up, or perhaps with an upgrade, JavaBlue Café serves hot and cold drinks with a fun twist. Guests also can enjoy sweet treats and comfort snacks.
- Ji Ji Asian Kitchen —
Carnival Vista Brewmaster Colin Presby pours malt into a mash tun located in the RedFrog Pub’s brewery house onboard the Carnival Vista. Photo by Andy Newman/Carnival Cruise Line Serving up enticing dishes in an eclectic space, Ji Ji brings not only great food, but good fortune to the table. Offering a full-service menu featuring a mix of exotic and familiar dishes designed to challenge and delight the senses, the venue offers a truly unique culinary experience.
- Pizzeria del Capitano — Pizzeria del Capitano offers five varieties of hand-tossed artisanal-style pizza, all available free of charge 24 hours a day
- Lido Marketplace — A casual poolside eatery offering an array of international favorites, from paninis to comfort food to a New York-style deli and just about everything in between
- Ocean Plaza — An indoor/outdoor café serving cappuccinos, lattes, and espressos as well as pastries and other confections.
- RedFrog Pub & Brewery — Delicious Caribbean bites are served here, but the star is the hand-crafted beer brewed on board in the line’s first onboard brewery developed in collaboration with Miami-based Concrete Beach Brewery. The Caribbean-inspired brews include the aromatic and citrusy Port Hoppin’ IPA, spicy ThirstyFrog Caribbean Wheat unfiltered lager, and rich and creamy FriskyFrog Java Stout.
- Seafood Shack – A Carnival Vista exclusive, Seafood
The Seafood Shack Shack features traditional fare like New England clam chowder, lobster rolls, crab cake sliders, and fried clam strips served by the bucket, with steamed lobster, snow crab, peel-and-eat shrimp, and raw oysters sold by the pound.
- Serenity — Salads, sandwiches, wraps, and other light fare is available at the ship’s exclusive adults-only retreat.
- Shake Spot — Shake Spot offers more than just your average shakes and floats. Guests can sip on hand-crafted classics, fruity-flavored treats, and even spiked indulgences.
- The Chef’s Table —
The Chef’s Table This VIP experience starts with cocktails and hors d’oeuvres for an exclusive group of 14 guests, followed by a tour to see the galley in operation. The evening concludes with an impressive full-service dinner of appetizers, entrees, and desserts not found on the regular menus, all hosted by one of the ship’s master chefs.
- The Taste Bar — Offering complimentary bite-size preview offerings inspired by popular Carnival dining venues, along with a signature cocktail tied to the day’s particular theme available for purchase.
- American Table/American Feast – Featuring extensive menus and wine lists in the Horizons and Reflections main dining rooms with a wide range of appetizers, side dishes, entrees, and desserts, as well as shareable items for the table.
Carnival Vista debuted May 1 with a 13-day cruise departing from Trieste, Italy — the first European voyage for Carnival in three years. A variety of spectacular Mediterranean itineraries will be offered with port calls throughout Italy, France, Spain and Croatia as well as several new destinations for Carnival such as Crete (Heraklion), and Corfu, Greece; Valletta, Malta; Palermo, Sicily; Cagliari, Sardinia; and Gibraltar.
On Oct. 21, 2016, Carnival Vista embarks on a special 13-day transatlantic crossing and arrives in New York Nov. 3, then operates a pair of 11-day voyages from the Big Apple before repositioning to Miami for year-round Caribbean departures later that month.
Royal Caribbean International Holds Delivery Ceremony for Harmony of the Seas
Today Royal Caribbean International honored the crew and project team of the new Harmony of the Seas at a traditional delivery and flag changing ceremony in Saint Nazaire, France.
Following 32 months of construction at the STX France shipyard involving thousands of shipyard employees, sub-contractors and suppliers, the world’s largest cruise ship is now home to 2,100 crew members from 77 different nationalities.
Joining the festivities in the ship’s signature AquaTheater were Richard Fain, Chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and Michael Bayley, President and CEO of Royal Caribbean International together with Laurent Castaing, General Manager, STX France.
Richard D. Fain said, “Harmony of the Seas is the product of our zealous spirit of continuous improvement, where we have combined revolutionary ship design with the technological strides that have defined the Royal Caribbean brand. Thank you to STX France for their ongoing partnership in building our ships, which continue to introduce unexpected industry innovations.”
Costing more than $1billion, Harmony of the Seas will be the 25th ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet and boasts highly anticipated first-at-sea experiences, including:
-
Harmony Delivery Ceremony
Royal Caribbean InternationalA 100-foot drop with The Ultimate Abyss, the tallest slide at sea, plunging courageous adrenaline seekers 10 stories down from deck 16 to the Boardwalk on deck 6
- 4,700,000 lbs. (2,150 tons) of water in 23 swimming pools, whirlpools, two FlowRider surf simulators and waterslides, including the Perfect Storm, a thrilling trio of waterslides, and the Splashaway Bay waterpark for young guests
- The first double-story Wonderland, the specialty restaurant concept first introduced onboard the global cruise line’s Quantum class of ships delivering an imaginative and whimsical feast for all the senses
- The debut of Broadway’s hit musical Grease in the Royal Theater and spectacular diving shows in the AquaTheater
- 11,252 works of art showcased throughout the ship and Central Park, a living park in the center of the ship which features a total of 10,587 plants, 48 vine plants and 52 trees, some over 20 feet (6.1 meters) high
- VOOM, the fastest internet at sea, available exclusively to Royal Caribbean guests, which allows travelers to seamlessly stay connected, stream their favorite entertainment, video chat, and share their adventures with friends and family at home
Harmony of the Seas will homeport in Barcelona, Spain, and embark on the first of 34 seven-night sailings in the western Mediterranean on June 7, exploring some of Europe’s most beautiful locations.
Royal Caribbean International
In November 2016, Harmony will arrive at her homeport of Port Everglades, Fort Lauderdale, FL., from where she will offer seven-night eastern and western Caribbean sailings. The newest member of the fleet will join sister-ships Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, sailing from Port Canaveral and Port Everglades respectively, on the east coast of Florida.
Harmony of the Seas offers a bold and unexpected lineup of experiences found nowhere else on land or sea. An architectural marvel, Harmony of the Seas combines the distinct seven neighborhood concept that Royal Caribbean’s Oasis class of ships are known for with some of the most modern and groundbreaking amenities.
Harmony of the Seas will span 16 guest decks, encompass 227,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,479 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,747 staterooms.
A Bakers Dozen Unique Features Of Crystal Cruises
In the luxury cruise travel segment, there are a number of cruise lines from which to choose, all offering something a bit different. A deciding factor on which luxury cruise line is a good fit for each cruise traveler often boils down to the details of what they do. Here we have some unique features of Crystal Cruises, a line that is expanding in a number of areas but pays close attention to those tiny details.
Delicious Dining- The attention to detail is hard to miss when it comes to the culinary offerings on a Crystal Cruise. Breakfast, lunch, dinner, tea time, midnight snacks and everything in-between are served in style with no special request ever a problem. Dining venues are staffed with plenty of people to make it all happen too, leaving no Crystal guest hungry for more or waiting on waiters. It’s a simple enough idea, nicely executed.- Do Not Disturb/Clean Room Sign- Simple enough, on the inside wall of Crystal Cruises staterooms is a button with two choices: “Clean Up” and “Do Not Disturb”. Rather than hanging a sign on the door when leaving to indicate either of these two choices, guests of Crystal Cruises simply push the appropriate button inside the cabin to indicate their desire on a similar sign that illuminates outside of the cabin. It’s a little thing but attention to detail is a hallmark of any luxury travel option, at sea or on land. Taking this brilliant idea a step further, forget to turn off the Do Not Disturb sign when it is nightly turndown service and stateroom attendants respect the sign but slip a note under the stateroom door offering to return at a more convenient time.
- Welcome Chocolates- Unique to Crystal Cruises a box of their custom made chocolates await in staterooms upon arrival. Crystal guests will see those chocolates and others similar to them at dinner in the Crystal Dining Room, served along with dessert each night.
- Free Digital Entertainment- In addition to a well-stocked library of Blue Ray DVD video, logging in to the ship’s efficient intranet brings an assortment of current, complementary video, on demand. Guests can also view past guest lectures, visit the Crystal Cruises web site and more, without logging in to pay by the minute internet access. Also available on demand; national and international newspapers, the ship’s daily Reflections newsletter, details on all shore excursions and a handy “Instant Guest Feedback” option that lets Crystal guests send comments to shipboard management in real time, when they can do something about a negative experience or pass along positive comments.
- Sundry Menu Items- Have you ever forgotten a toothbrush, toothpaste or needed some unanticipated sundry item like cough drops, an eyeglass repair kit for a contact lens case? Crystal Cruises has a list of over 60 items in each stateroom from which their guests can order and have their choice delivered, many available 24 hours a day.
- Rental Golf Clubs- in addition to clubs available at practice nets on Crystal Serenity’s top deck and those used by the ship’s golf pro for lessons, Crystal Cruises also offers complete sets of golf clubs to rent. The clubs can be taken ashore for a day of golf at a local course and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. What a wonderful idea for golfers who do not want to manage traveling with their own clubs but would enjoy a round of golf at one of the stops along the way.
- Help Getting Home- A nice touch at the end of the cruise: complimentary minutes of Internet time to check in for return flights and print boarding passes. Done ahead of disembarkation, Crystal guests know they have the time when checking in for flights, a day in advance. Thoughtful.
- Visitors Allowed- Some restrictions apply and no visitors are allowed on board on disembarkation day but if Crystal guests want to have a visitor on board for lunch or dinner (when overnighting in a port), they can. The $20 per visitor fee is charged to the Crystal guest’s onboard account.
- Crystal Cruises Creative Learning Institute aims to bring out the best in Crystal guests by promising them “the best instruction at sea”, expanding on Crystal’s commitment to enrich the body, mind and spirit by extending new opportunities for personal growth. The integrated certificate program focuses on four centers of learning; Arts & Entertainment, Business & Technology, Lifestyle and Wellness. A nicely laid-out conference center is the place where many of these opportunities happen, with each class and workshop designed to further Crystal guest’s knowledge in an entertaining and interactive format.
- Table For Eight Dining Concept – Targeting solo travelers, Crystal Cruises Table for Eight concept addresses the former problem of singles wanting to enjoy the specialty restaurants but not having someone to dine with. On select evenings, a no-host table for eight is reserved in one of the ship’s specialty restaurants. Those wishing to engage others via this popular concept do so by reservation.
- Shuttle To Town– a concept we wish all cruise lines would do, when a Crystal ship calls on a port where the city center is far away, they provide a shuttle bus back and forth from that area and the ship.
- Crystal Clean Eco hangers– Crystal Cruises, like other cruise lines, has a commitment to the environment as stewards of the oceans they do business in. Admirable, but not unique. Still, since 2008, Crystal Cruises has used hangers made from 100% environmentally recycled materials when Crystal guests use the ship’s laundry service. Also, Crystal has eliminated the use of plastic bags for that laundry service, replacing them with washable, white cloth garment bags, eliminating the use of 100,000 plastic bags per year on their ships.
- Included beverages, gratuities and specialty restaurants are a big part of the Crystal Cruises experience that makes for an easy lifestyle on board. Crystal guests use the card issued them at embarkation primarily as identification for getting on and off the ship and as the key to their stateroom. Included gratuities results in a much more relaxed atmosphere with crew members genuinely interested in being of service.
All of the above comes at a time when Crystal Cruises has moved beyond being just a two-ship cruise line.
Coming soon: Crystal Luxury Air for upscale travelers who might want to see the places on any given cruise itinerary but don’t have the time to sail. Skip the ship and fly from port to port in luxury. Excited about the idea of a river cruise? Crystal has River Yachts coming shortly that will embark on European sailings in posh style. Looking for a small ship sailing? Crystal Yacht Cruises will chart a new course with the first-ever purpose-built expedition megayacht,
This video brings more information on what Crystal has in store for the world of travel:
This article is brought to by Cruise Compete.CruiseCompete.com allows you to easily compare multiple offers from Cruise Experts.
Carnival Valor’s Extensive Makeover Completed
In preparation for its new year-round program of three- and four-day voyages from Port Canaveral kicking off later this year, Carnival Valor has completed an extensive renovation that added a variety of popular dining and bar concepts.
The new spaces were added during a dry dock that began April 23 and ran through May 8, 2016 and include:
- Guy’s Burger Joint: a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri which serves hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries in an atmosphere that celebrates the chef’s California roots and love of car culture
- RedFrog Rum Bar: a poolside bar offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers, including Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red
- BlueIguana Tequila Bar: a fun and festive outdoor watering hole offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers, perfect for chillin’ by the pool
- BlueIguana Cantina: a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic, freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas, as well as an elaborate toppings and salsa bar
- RedFrog Pub: at this tropics-inspired watering hole, guests can enjoy the Caribbean’s best rums and beers – including, of course, Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red – while soaking up the distinct British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West ambiance
- Alchemy Bar: a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” that’s the go-to spot for guests seeking a unique experience with mixologists who “prescribe” concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients or guests’ own custom-created cocktails
- SkyBox Sports Bar: a sports lovers’ paradise where guests can catch live sporting events and check out scores on the real-time 24/7 sports ticker
- Cherry On Top: the “sweetest spot on board” which celebrates the joys of simple indulgences with bins of bulk candy, fun fanciful gifts and novelties, custom apparel, and more
President of Carnival Cruise Line Christine Duffy said, “Carnival Valor offers a convenient and affordable choice from Port Canaveral, with a host of exciting new innovations as well as popular features like a reservations-only steakhouse and nearly 600 balcony staterooms – rare for a short cruise itinerary.”
“We’re sure our guests are going to love all the new features and our travel agent partners will appreciate this exciting new cruise vacation option departing from the Space Coast,” Duffy added.
Carnival Valor kicks off its year-round three- and four-day Bahamas cruise schedule from Port Canaveral Oct. 30, 2016. On this route, three-day cruises depart Thursdays and call at Nassau while four-day voyages depart Sundays and feature Nassau and Freeport.
Carnival Valor will also offer a series of three- to five-day cruises in May 2016, as well as a program of five- and eight-day departures through October 2016. The three- to five-day sailings will take place throughout May, visiting popular ports like Grand Turk, Amber Cove, Half Moon Cay, Nassau and Freeport. The ship will also offer a one-time six-day cruise departing May 15 featuring Nassau, Amber Cove and Grand Turk.
The five- to eight-day voyages will run June 4 to Sept. 30, 2016. Five-day cruises visit Nassau, Half Moon Cay, and Freeport. Eight-day eastern Caribbean cruises call at Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Kitts and St. Maarten and eight-day southern Caribbean sailings include Aruba, Grand Turk and Curaçao or Bonaire.
Reservations are currently being accepted for Carnival Valor.
Galveston Arrival of Carnival Breeze Celebrated with Fun Mother’s Day Event
To celebrate Carnival Breeze’s arrival at the Port of Galveston, Carnival Cruise Line — Texas’ largest cruise operator — and the NFL’s Houston Texans hosted “Moms Dash to the Splash” yesterday.
The on-board event officially kicked off the recently announced partnership between Carnival and the popular NFL franchise and featured Houston Texans players DeAndre Hopkins and Brian Cushing competing with local moms in a water slide race for charity. It also included a traditional maritime plaque exchange between Carnival Breeze Captain Vincenzo Alcaras and Port of Galveston’s Director Mike Mierzwa.
Following a spirited pep rally on Lido Deck by the Houston Texans Cheerleaders and the Deep Thunder Band, local Texas moms — selected via an online contest — competed with Cushing and Hopkins in an exciting head-to-head water slide race on Carnival Breeze’s massive 312-foot-long Twister slide and exhilarating DrainPipe water slide attraction.
Team Cushing won and received $10,000 for the Brian Cushing Foundation, which assists and supports military families. As runner-up, Team Hopkins received $5,000 for Houston Food Bank, with all participating moms receiving a free Carnival cruise. The moms and race spectators were also treated to a delicious Mother’s Day brunch prior to the race.
President of Carnival Cruise Line Christine Duffy said, “Galveston is one of our most popular homeports, and what better way to celebrate the arrival of Carnival Breeze on Mother’s Day than with a fun event with our newest partners, the Houston Texans, that honors local moms and benefits two great Houston-area charities.”
Brian Cushing said, “It was great to participate in ‘Moms Dash to the Splash,’ and receive $10,000 for my charity. Mother’s Day is about spending time with family and having fun, and today was a great way to do just that aboard the Carnival Breeze.”
The arrival of Carnival Breeze to Galveston further bolsters Carnival Cruise Line’s position as Texas’ most popular cruise line with three year-round ships carrying more than 650,000 passengers annually.
In addition to Carnival Breeze, which launches seven-day Caribbean service from Galveston later today, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Freedom offer four- to seven-day voyages visiting popular ports in the Caribbean, The Bahamas, and Mexico.
Viking Sea Christening Ceremony – Photo Gallery
Viking Ocean Cruises welcomed the company’s second ship, Viking Sea, with a christening celebration on the Thames River in Greenwich – and although Viking’s ocean ships are classified as “small ships,” Viking Sea is the largest ship ever launched in London.
