Andy Stewart, President and COO of Norwegian Cruise Line
Andy Stewart, President and COO of Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. has announced that company veteran Andy Stuart has been named President and Chief Operating Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line effective today, following the resignation of Drew Madsen. Stuart has been with Norwegian Cruise Line since 1988 and has held a number of leadership positions, most recently as Executive Vice President of Sales.
“Given the recent restructuring of the role and job responsibilities, Drew has decided to step down. We thank him for his contributions and wish him well,” said Frank Del Rio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. “As we continue to build the newly merged organization, we are tapping into the tremendous company and industry knowledge that Andy has, along with the strong relationships he has built with our travel partners.”
“Andy and Norwegian are virtually synonymous. He is very well known and respected by our guests, travel partners, officers, crew, and team members. I am extremely confident that he is the perfect leader for the next phase of Norwegian’s growth,” added Del Rio. In this role, Stuart will report to Del Rio.
Stuart has been instrumental in building the Norwegian brand, particularly in the roll out and marketing of the line’s signature Freestyle Cruising. He also greatly strengthened relationships with travel partners with the introduction of Partners First, the company’s corporate philosophy of always putting its travel partners first. During his 27-year tenure with the company, he has held responsibility for a number of key areas including: Global Sales, Passenger Services, Revenue Management, Marketing and Public Relations. He also served as Chief Product Officer, responsible for delivery of the Freestyle Cruising product across the Norwegian fleet, ensuring that it provided exceptional value and quality for guests and was consistent with the marketing and brand positioning of the company.
“Having seen Norwegian Cruise Line grow significantly during the course of my career, I am thrilled and proud to lead this incredible company as we continue to enhance and build the brand,” said Stuart. “The future is extremely bright and I am looking forward to continuing to work with our travel partners through our expanded sales team, delivering an exceptional product to our guests in conjunction with our hard-working officers and crew and ensuring that our team members are motivated and engaged, all the while building value for our shareholders.”
Carnival Elation also Moves to Jacksonville, Carnival Fascination to San Juan In Spring 2016
Cruise Addicts their is a big new ship coming to the big easy. The Carnival Triumph will be replacing the Carnival Elation on its four- and five-day short cruise program from New Orleans. The much larger Carnival Triumph will increase capacity by 34 percent when she replaces Carnival Elation next spring.
In turn, Carnival Elation will reposition to Jacksonville, Fla., for year-round four- and five-day cruises and Carnival Fascination will shift to San Juan for year-round seven-day Caribbean cruises beginning in spring 2016, providing consumers with fresh and exciting new choices in these markets. As previously announced, Carnival Liberty will replace Carnival Triumph on the line’s year-round four- and five- day cruise program from Galveston next spring.
“Repositioning these ships to New Orleans, Jacksonville and San Juan provides our guests and valued travel agent partners with fresh and exciting new ‘Fun Ship’ choices in three important and highly attractive cruise markets,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president.
New Choices in the Big Easy
Carnival Triumph will shift from Galveston to New Orleans to launch year-round four- and five-day cruises to Mexico beginning April 4, 2016. On this route, four-day “long weekend” cruises depart Thursdays and call at Cozumel while five-day cruises depart Mondays and Saturdays and visit Cozumel and Progreso. During these fun and affordable getaways, consumers can relax on world-class beaches, enjoy a variety of dining, shopping and cultural opportunities and visit centuries-old Mayan ruins including Chichen Itza, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Carnival Triumph will also offer a special three-day cruise round-trip from New Orleans April 8-11, 2016.
Carnival Triumph has undergone an extensive dry dock that added a number of Fun Ship 2.0 innovations, including Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in tandem with Food Network star Guy Fieri, poolside watering holes BlueIguana Tequila Bar and RedFrog Rum Bar, the BlueIguana Cantina Mexican eatery, cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar, and Cherry On Top, a “candy and more” store. Carnival Triumph also features more than 500 staterooms and suites with private balconies that are not generally available on other short cruises and are highly coveted by Carnival guests.
Carnival Elation to Jacksonville, Carnival Fascination to San Juan
Carnival Elation will reposition from New Orleans to Jaxport beginning April 23, 2016
Carnival Elation will shift from New Orleans to Jacksonville to operate year-round four- and five-day cruises from Jaxport beginning April 23, 2016, providing a newer ship on this highly attractive cruise program.
Carnival Elation will assume Carnival Fascination’s four- and five-day schedule from Jacksonville and continue cruising’s only year-round program from that port. Four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Freeport and Nassau and five-day voyages depart Mondays and Thursdays and visit the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay and Nassau.
In turn, Carnival Fascination will reposition to San Juan to operate year-round seven-day southern Caribbean cruises beginning April 24, 2016. These week-long adventures feature five breathtaking Caribbean islands: St. Thomas, Barbados, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Maarten. In addition to some of the world’s best beaches, these tropical seaside destinations are known for their exceptional snorkeling, scuba diving and water sports.
Exciting Six- to 11-day Voyages from New Orleans and San Juan
In anticipation of its new homeport, Carnival Elation will offer two exciting longer length cruises visiting some of the Caribbean’s most stunning ports of call. An 11-day cruise will depart New Orleans April 2 and arrive in San Juan April 13, 2016, with port calls at Aruba, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Antigua, and St. Thomas, while a 10-day cruise will sail from San Juan to Jacksonville April 13-23, 2016, featuring Barbados, Grenada, Tobago, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and St. Thomas.
Carnival Fascination will also offer a special six-day cruise departing Jacksonville April 18 and arriving in San Juan April 24, 2016. Featured ports on this one-time voyage will include St. Thomas, St. Kitts and St. Maarten.
All of these cruises have been specially designed to offer our guests who have previously sailed with Carnival from New Orleans or Jacksonville, with new itineraries that visit more exotic ports of call. The unique appeal of these voyages should provide first-time cruisers with even more incentive to experience a Carnival cruise vacation. The 10- and 11-day cruises also offer our valued travel agent partners with the ability to earn higher commissions due to the longer cruise duration.
How to book?
Reservations are currently being accepted for all of these cruise programs. For additional information and reservations contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
MSC Cruises presents a futuristic vision with a new contemporary cruise ship designs and extend the current fleet. The Vista project will create new ships for all seasons, adapting and transforming communal spaces throughout the year, evolving to best suit each itinerary. The Seaside project plans to extend the existing fleet to follow the sun, making the most of the outdoor traveling experience within a luxury setting.
Harmony of the Seas, featuring the cruise line’s design of seven distinct neighborhoods for which Oasis class is known, will offer the most amazing collection of experiences, amenities and activities at sea.
Cruise Addicts its time to meet, Harmony of the Seas. Set to launch in April 2016. The third in the Oasis class of ships – currently the largest cruise ships in the world – will continue the award-winning cruise line’s philosophy of innovation and imagination to offer a unique vacation adventure for guests.
“We are orchestrating a medley of new exciting concepts with the best Royal Caribbean innovations to strike the perfect chord for adventurous vacationers. That is why we are calling our third Oasis-class ship Harmony of the Seas,” said Michael Bayley, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.
Harmony of the Seas, featuring the cruise line’s design of seven distinct neighborhoods for which Oasis class is known, will offer the most amazing collection of experiences, amenities and activities at sea. Guests can test their mettle on the ship’s three multi-story waterslides, all of which twist and turn over Central Park 10 decks below. One of the slides also will feature a champagne bowl that swirls guests around as they make their approach to the end of the ride.
“The Oasis class ships continue to astound and delight both new and experienced cruisers. They shatter preconceived notions of what cruising can be and continue to stand in a category by themselves,” said Richard D. Fain, Chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. “With Harmony of the Seas, we are making the most exciting experience at sea even better.”
Harmony of the Seas also will feature a new Bionic Bar on the Royal Promenade. The Bionic Bar was first introduced aboard Quantum of the Seas, and feature robot bartenders serving up one-of-a-kind crafted cocktails while dancing to a fluid beat. Additionally, guests onboard Harmony of the Seas will enjoy RFID technology with Royal WOWBands that provide them access to their staterooms as well as make onboard purchases and reservations. Like her sisters, Harmony also will feature the fastest Internet connection at sea where guests can stream video; Skype with family and friends back at home; and share their vacation memories through social media instantly while at sea.
While Oasis and Allure offered some of the largest staterooms in the fleet, on Harmony of the Seas the company has made some stateroom categories even larger. Interior accommodations also will be outfitted with Royal Caribbean’s exclusive Virtual Balconies which offer a view in every stateroom, while single travelers will have studio stateroom choices. Suite guests also will have exclusive new areas to enjoy, from a well-appointed suite lounge and a private suites-only restaurant called Coastal Kitchen to an exclusive full-service Suite Sun Zone sun deck.
Harmony of the Seas will feature three multi-story waterslides, all of which twist and turn over Central Park 10 decks below. One of the slides also will feature a champagne bowl that swirls guests around as they make their approach to the end of the ride
Younger and young-at-heart guests can take a spin on the handcrafted carousel or enjoy a new classic games arcade on the ship’s Boardwalk neighborhood. While parents enjoy the newly relocated Starbucks café on the Boardwalk, kids can meet new friends at a new climbing play area.
New specialty restaurant concepts will provide even more variety for guests including Izumi Hibachi & Sushi, with a new teppanyaki menu, and the Sabor Modern Mexican restaurant. The new Wonderland Imaginative Cuisine will give guests the chance to experience a unique culinary adventure for the senses when Royal Caribbean chefs twist their culinary kaleidoscopes in a whimsical setting that challenges the imagination with never-before-seen fare.
Harmony of the Seas will span 16 decks, encompass 227,000 gross registered tons, carry 5,479 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,747 staterooms. The Oasis class is an architectural marvel touting Royal Caribbean’s exclusive seven neighborhood concept, including Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone.
The Caribbean’s newest destination, Amber Cove Cruise Center, is located in the Dominican Republic on the Bay of Maimon near Puerto Plata in the country’s North Coast.The new facility represents one of the largest cruise industry investments ever made in the Dominican Republic.
The Caribbean’s newest destination, Amber Cove Cruise Center, is located in the Dominican Republic on the Bay of Maimon near Puerto Plata in the country’s North Coast.The new facility represents one of the largest cruise industry investments ever made in the Dominican Republic.
New destination, representing the largest cruise industry investment ever made in Dominican Republic, will open expanded itinerary options in the Caribbean, feature one of most extensive shore excursion programs in the Caribbean and serve as the gateway to Puerto Plata, founded in the 1490s by Christopher Columbus
Carnival Corporation recently announced it will begin welcoming guests at its newly developed Amber Cove port in the Dominican Republic beginning October 2015. Six of Carnival Corporation’s nine brands will call on Amber Cove along the country’s Amber Coast – a partial filming location for the original Jurassic Park movie – to give cruise passengers another exotic location to explore as part of their vacation experience.
With the opening of the new Amber Cove port, passengers will be able to make stops along the Dominican Republic’s north Amber Coast, which has not been regularly visited on cruise itineraries since the 1980s. It will open expanded itinerary options in the Caribbean, the world’s most popular region for cruise vacations1, and will pair with the company’s Grand Turk Cruise Center only 100 miles to the north to anchor new central Caribbean itineraries for Carnival’s nine global brands. In looking to the future, the port is strategically located to be incorporated into itineraries featuring potential stops in Cuba.
The Caribbean’s newest destination, Amber Cove Cruise Center, is located in the Dominican Republic on the Bay of Maimon near Puerto Plata in the country’s North Coast.The new facility represents one of the largest cruise industry investments ever made in the Dominican Republic.
The new $85 million facility represents the largest cruise industry investment ever made in the Dominican Republic, and will feature a two-berth port able to accommodate the largest cruise vessels in operation today. Carnival Corporation has monitored the various stages of the port’s construction progress with the use of drones, an innovative development that is being used for the first time as part of the company’s port development process. The facility, a joint project between Carnival Corporation and the Rannik family of Grupo B&R, is expected to host more than 250,000 cruise passengers in its first year of operation. It will provide approximately 430 local jobs.
Aerial View of the Amber Cove Cruise Center in the Dominican Republic
“Carnival Corporation’s investment in Amber Cove has already proven beneficial to the economy, and we expect the investment to have a positive long-lasting economic impact. The new port will also give cruise passengers an opportunity to see another part of the Dominican Republic, our Amber Coast, which hasn’t been available as part of cruise itineraries in nearly 30 years. This is a very exciting development.”
“The construction of the cruise port at Amber Cove has been an incredible project for our entire country, as well as the Caribbean region as a whole,” said Francisco Javier Garcia, tourism director of the Dominican Republic.
The port will open with a visit from Carnival Victory from the company’s Carnival Cruise Line brand on October 6, 2015. Following this inaugural visit, five additional Carnival Corporation brands are scheduled to make calls on Amber Cove — including Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 on November 22, P&O Cruises’ (UK) Azura on December 5, AIDA Cruises’ AIDAvita on December 11, Costa Cruises’ Costa Deliziosa on December 31 and Holland America Line’s ms Eurodam on January 19.
A view from Amber Cove Cruise Center, set to welcome its first cruise passengers in October 2015.
Additional ships from the company’s brands are scheduled to call on the port in late 2015 and through 2016 including Carnival Cruise Line’s Fantasy, Splendor, Valor, Sunshine, Conquest and Breeze and Holland America Line’s Nieuw Amsterdam. These visits will consist of 57 calls by 13 different ships across the six brands taking place between October 2015 and April 2016, accounting for more than 155,000 guests during this period.
As the world’s largest cruising market – representing more than 37 percent of the global cruise business2 – the Caribbean is a strategic geographic region for Carnival Corporation and the overall cruise industry and is highly popular for vacationers.
This new port facility in the Dominican Republic underscores the company’s focus on creating great vacation experiences, as passengers sailing the Caribbean will have an exciting new destination to visit. It will also give Carnival Corporation’s nine global cruise brands the ability to create more diverse itineraries, another important part of the cruise experience. More than 60 percent of cruisers are repeat passengers, and offering robust itineraries keeps the experience fresh and engaging for them.
“There are several markets that are becoming increasingly important to the cruise industry, but today the Caribbean is the single largest share of our business,” said Giora Israel, senior vice president of global port and destination development for Carnival Corporation. “We are constantly looking for new ways for our guests to enjoy their cruise experience, and it is always exciting to add new destinations to our itineraries, especially in the Caribbean where many of our passengers have been before. We are confident that our guests will love visiting Amber Cove, which we believe will quickly become a very popular port of call for our guests. And because Amber Cove is easily accessible, it will give our guests a convenient gateway to the Puerto Plata region, which is spectacular. And importantly, Amber Cove will allow us to offer our guests a new option in our Caribbean itineraries.”
The Amber Cove port is located in the heart of the Dominican Republic’s North Coast just outside the historical town of Puerto Plata, which was discovered by Christopher Columbus in the 1490s and was recently named by Travel + Leisure magazine as one of the “Best Places to Travel in 2015.” This newest Caribbean destination was developed to re-establish the Dominican Republic’s North Coast as a popular cruise destination – the last cruise ship to call at Puerto Plata was nearly 30 years ago.
Amber Cove will feature a waterfront welcome center with a variety of retail offerings, including a marketplace for Dominican crafts and souvenirs, as well as a wide range of unique food and beverage establishments. The port will also include a recreational area featuring amenities such as a pool, splash zone and green space areas. The transportation hub — the single largest component of the port — will provide visitors easy access by land and sea to the surrounding destinations and attractions.
The new port will host one of the most extensive shore excursion programs available in the Caribbean, offering roughly 40 different landside experiences including beaches, water sports and special culinary, cultural and adventure options. Many of these excursion offerings will come from well-established local operators. Nearby Ocean World, one of the region’s largest marine adventure parks, offers guests popular ways to experience and interact with a variety of marine animals.
Carnival Corporation recently announced it attracted nearly a quarter of a million visits to its unique “CRUISE-A-NALITY” tool – an easy, fun and industry-first quiz that helps people determine what type of cruise vacation and brand experience is right for them. The results are based on a six personality-focused questions that generate a cruise “persona” for all types of travelers.
Of the thousands of people who completed the “CRUISE-A-NALITY” quiz, a total of 65 percent were women. Additionally, when combining both male and female respondents, nearly 40 percent of consumers who completed the quiz qualified as a “Captain Spontaneous” (male) or “The Free Spirit” (female) cruise personality – meaning they are up for whatever experience is thrown their way and always looking for a good time.
The “CRUISE-A-NALITY” tool, available on Carnival Corporation’s World’s Leading Cruise Lines website, combines onboard experience-based questions with destination-based questions to provide tailored cruise brand recommendations for each participant. For instance, if a male answered questions about what kind of onboard experience he was looking for that led him to the “Captain Spontaneous” persona and chose that he is looking for a tropical getaway, he might be provided with recommendations to travel on the company’s Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises or Costa Cruises brands.
“The CRUISE-A-NALITY tool is a fun way for travelers to look for the cruise vacation experience that is best for them,” said Ken Jones, vice president of group marketing and insights for Carnival Corporation.
It is easy to do, and it is helping our current and potential guests get a better understanding of their cruise personas. The more we can help get the right people on the right ship for the right occasion, the more we are able to ensure we exceed guest expectations. And of course, we always encourage our guests to work with their travel agent, who can provide excellent insight into how to make the most of a cruise vacation.”
The quiz has been an engaging tool for consumers, with people spending on average more than two and a half minutes on the site per visit. When that amount of time is combined with the more than 200,000 visits to the tool, it accounts for 445 days, or more than a year of time, exploring their cruise personality. When taking the quiz, there are 30 possible “CRUISE-A-NALITY” personas available. This includes the below eight corresponding personalities — four male, four female — that were the most popular personas based on consumer answers to the quiz:
MOST POPULAR CRUISE-A-NALITIES
CRUISE-A-NALITY
Description
Percent of Quiz-Takers
Captain Spontaneous (male)
The Free Spirit (female)
These personas are up for anything in pursuit of a good time on their cruise vacation
36% male
38% female
Adventure Man (male)
Madame Adventurous (female)
These personas are ready to take on any adventure out there
18% male
21% female
The Super Dad (male)
The Ultra Mom (female)
These personas are the ultimate-parents looking to have a good time with their kiddos
11% male
11% female
Admiral Amorous (male)
LadyLove (female)
These personas are the romantic-type looking to enjoy time with a significant other
11% male
9% female
Carnival Corporation launched the “CRUISE-A-NALITY” quiz as part of its new multi-brand marketing initiative targeting new cruisers, which led to the company airing a 60-second TV commercial during the Super Bowl on February 1.
Take the Quiz yourself and see what your “CRUISE-A-NALITY” is? – Click Here!
Cruise Addicts sailing with Disney Cruise Line now have an easier way to identify healthier menu choices for their children. As part of Disney’s commitment to make healthy living simpler and more fun for families, Mickey Check meals are now offered in rotational dining restaurants aboard all four Disney ships.
To receive the Mickey Check, foods must be nutritious and meet Disney Nutrition Guidelines for calories, saturated fat, sodium and sugar. These guidelines were developed by leading child health experts and align to best-in-class dietary guideline recommendations. A complete Mickey Check kids’ meal, for example, includes three or more nutritious food groups (such as vegetables, whole grains, lean protein), has limited added sugar and does not have any trans fats.
[pullquote]”More and more families are looking for healthier options when they travel, and with Mickey Check, we’ve made it easy for them to identify these choices on our menus,” said Ozer Balli, vice president of Hotel Operations[/pullquote]
“More and more families are looking for healthier options when they travel, and with Mickey Check, we’ve made it easy for them to identify these choices on our menus,” said Ozer Balli, vice president of Hotel Operations for Disney Cruise Line. “Disney is known for exceptional, innovative and fun dining experiences at its parks and resorts around the world. And dining aboard a Disney Cruise Line ship delivers on the trust, quality and promise guests expect. Now, with the Mickey Check, our expert chefs are taking healthy food and making it fun and delicious for our youngest guests.”
Immersive dining experiences at Disney Parks and on Disney cruise ships blend cuisine with storytelling in a way that only Disney can. Whether it’s a quick meal on the go, a character dining experience or an exquisite adults-only dinner at Remy, cruise guests will find a range of food and beverage options to satisfy their exotic, health conscious and even comfort-food tastes.
The Mickey Check is used at various locations throughout Walt Disney World and Disneyland Resorts, on Disney-licensed food products sold at retail and on qualifying recipes on Disney.com. The Mickey Check is a part of the Disney Magic of Healthy Living commitment that launched in 2006. For more information about Mickey Check and the Magic of Healthy Living, visit Disneymickeycheck.com.
Balearia's New Bahama Mama Ferry holds 1,000 passengers
Balearia’s New Bahama Mama Ferry holds 1,000 passengers
Broward County’s Port Everglades expects to see a 65 percent increase in daily passengers as Spain-based ferry company Balearia Ferry Express replaces its 460-passenger vessel with the 1,000-passenger Bahama Mama, which began service to Grand Bahama Island this week.
“Balearia’s new ferry will further enhance the opportunities for our Bahamian neighbors and U.S. tourists to travel between the Bahamas and Florida through Port Everglades,” said Broward County Commissioner Dale Holness during an inaugural celebration at the Port.
Balearia’s ferry service at Port Everglades grew approximately 34 percent from 90,909 passengers in Fiscal Year 2013 to 121,321 passengers in Fiscal Year 2014. Port officials expect the ferry company’s success to continue at an even faster pace with the new Bahama Mama, which carries more passengers and larger amounts of cargo, containers and vehicles.
Bahama Mama, formerly named Alhucemas, is expected to make 300 voyages to Grand Bahama Island and carry more than 200,000 passengers annually.
Balearia’s New Bahama Mama Ferry holds 1,000 passengers
Located in the second largest county in Florida, Broward County’s Port Everglades is consistently ranked as one of the three busiest cruise ports in the world with more than 4 million passengers 2014. Eight cruise lines, one ferry and more than 40 cruise ships sail from the South Florida seaport including: Balearia’s Bahamas Express, Carnival Cruise Lines, Celebrity Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn and Silversea Cruises. The Port’s wide-ranging fleet of cruise ships provides guests with an array of cruise vacation choices from the sunny Greater Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and Dania Beach area. View details on the latest cruise offerings at porteverglades.net or contact us by emailing PortEverglades@broward.org.
Carnival Freedom with first ever Carnival Live stage setup on deck.
Country music artist Martina McBride aboard Carnival Freedom
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, left, poses with legendary country music artist Martina McBride, right, prior to a Martina McBride Carnival LIVE concert Saturday, Feb. 14, 2015, onboard Carnival Freedom while the ship was docked in Galveston, Texas.
Carnival Cruise Line President Christine Duffy, left, Operation Homefront CEO Tim Farrell, center, and Carnival Senior Cruise Director John Heald hold a large check facsimile just prior to a Martina McBride Carnival LIVE concert
Carnival Cruise Line, Texas’ number-one cruise operator, marked the arrival of Carnival Freedom at its new year-round homeport of Galveston on Saturday, Feb. 14, with a celebration honoring U.S. military personnel and their families.
In partnership with Operation Homefront, a national nonprofit organization that supports military families, service members and their families were treated to an overnight event featuring a variety of daytime activities, including an exclusive outdoor Carnival LIVE performance by country music superstar Martina McBride, along with dinner and a full evening of entertainment, all compliments of Carnival.
Prior to McBride’s concert, Carnival presented a check in the amount of $100,000 to Operation Homefront.
McBride, a 14-time GRAMMY® nominee, performed on Carnival Freedom’s upper deck in the first Carnival LIVE show staged outdoors. It was her second time participating in the Carnival LIVE concert series that offers guests the best live music at sea from popular acts spanning a variety of musical genres.
“Performing for these military families was an incredible honor. And everyone really enjoyed the outdoor setting on the ship’s deck,” said McBride. “I hope that everyone who was there had a special Valentine’s Day experience; I’m so glad I was asked to be part of it.”
“We’re thrilled Carnival Cruise Line honored these service members and their families by providing a truly memorable day and evening of onboard fun and exciting activities,” said Tim Farrell, chief operating officer for Operation Homefront. “In that spirit, we’re also grateful for Carnival Cruise Line’s generous gift of $100,000, which will help military families here in Texas and throughout the country.”
Carnival Freedom recently underwent a $70 million makeover that added an array of Fun Ship 2.0 product enhancements, and attendees at Saturday’s event had full access to the ship’s many on-board innovations, including new family entertainment programming such as Seuss at Sea and Camp Ocean featuring 200 marine-themed activities.
The renovation also included complimentary eateries such as BlueIguana Cantina, and Guy’s Burger Joint, developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri, along with exciting new bar concepts BlueIguana Tequila Bar, RedFrog Rum Bar, the cocktail pharmacy-themed Alchemy Bar and the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub. Four new high-tech Playlist Productions shows were added, as well.
For additional information on the Carnival Freedom or any other “Fun Ship” vacation, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
On 5 February, Cunard kicked off the company’s 175th Anniversary celebrations in the US by paying homage to the Queen Mary when Queen Elizabeth docked in the port of Long Beach, California for the first time. Enthusiastic well-wishers turned out for the festivities which featured an emotional speech read by the Queen Mary’s Commodore Everette Hoard to the gathered crowd about the history of the Queen Mary, currently celebrating her 80th year in public life. Whistle salutes between the two ships followed, and a dazzling fireworks display finished the day as the ship pulled away from her berth.
View the video highlights from the special day:
This was the first time a Cunard ship had berthed in Long Beach since Queen Mary arrived at her retirement home in October 1967. In recent years the current Cunard fleet has saluted Queen Mary during brief visits to the harbour.
Queen Mary will celebrate the 80th anniversary of her Maiden Voyage in May 2016.
“During our 175-year history, the Queen Mary has been one of our most beloved ships,” said Richard Meadows, president, Cunard, North America. “This meeting of the Queens was especially memorable for our passengers, as this maiden call offered them the opportunity to disembark in Long Beach and experience the Queen Mary, an integral part of our history and tradition.”
Earlier in the day, the Queen Mary debuted their new Ship Model Gallery, featuring Cunard models of Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and QE2, along with the original Bassett-Lowke shipbuilder’s model of the Queen Mary – a spectacular and historically significant ship model measuring over 20 feet in length. In attendance for the celebratory ribbon-cutting was President of Cunard, North America, Richard Meadows; Bernadette Greene, Deputy British Consul-General of Los Angeles; Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia; John Jenkins, General Manager of the Queen Mary, and Everette Hoard, Commodore of the Queen Mary. Master of Queen Elizabeth Captain Alistair Clark was also in attendance.
For more information about Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth and to book a voyage, contact your Travel Consultant, call Cunard toll-free at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com
