Here are photo’s from the ‘4 Bs in Bergen’ event – named after the initial letter of each of the four Fred . Olsen ships – Balmoral, Braemar, Boudicca and Black Watch. It was the first time ever that the Fred. Olsen fleet has converged in one place, anywhere in the world. The event took place on July 28th and nearly 4,000 visitors celebrated the day in the city of Bergen, Norway.
Today Carnival Cruise Line and its partner Dr. Seuss Enterprises teamed up to celebrate the release of the new Dr. Seuss book, “What Pet Should I Get?” with a special book reading by Tampa Bay Rays all-star third baseman Evan Longoria to summer camp kids aboard Carnival Paradise at the Port of Tampa earlier today.
In conjunction with the event, Carnival is matching Longoria’s donation of $100 to Pet Pal Animal Shelter for every home run he hits during the 2015 season. The cruise line is also donating $5,000 to the Tampa Bay chapter of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA).
“Carnival is the number one cruise line for families and we’re delighted to team up with Dr. Seuss Enterprises to bring the joy of reading to kids with a special presentation by Rays legend Evan Longoria while supporting animal rescue organizations in the local community,” said Christine Duffy, Carnival’s president. “The kids were absolutely thrilled to be in the presence of an all-star and our most sincere thanks to Evan and the SPCA for the valuable work they do each and every day,” she added.
Donning Dr. Seuss’ signature striped hat and surrounded by rescue dogs from the SPCA, Longoria delighted children from the SPCA’s summer camp with a spirited reading of “What Pet Should I Get?” the first new Dr. Seuss book in 25 years. “What Pet Should I Get” is based on an original manuscript and accompanying sketches by Dr. Seuss, aka Ted Geisel, that was discovered in the La Jolla, Calif., home of the late beloved children’s author.
Following the reading, the children and their chaperones joined the The Cat in the Hat, Sam I Am, and Thing 1 and Thing 2 for Carnival’s popular Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and Friends, part of the line’s exclusive Seuss at Sea program.
Launched in 2014, Seuss at Sea is a fleetwide program featuring exciting youth, family, dining and entertainment experiences inspired by the amazing world and words of Dr. Seuss. The program includes such fun activities as the Seuss-a-palooza Parade and Story Time, as well as character interactions, Dr. Seuss toys and games and popular movies.
“I was thrilled to participate in this very special event that not only provided local kids with an opportunity to be among the first to read along with the newest Dr. Seuss book but also supports a cause that I hold close to my heart,” said Longoria, a three-time all-star who is Tampa Bay’s all-time leader in home runs and runs batted in and also earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2008. “With Carnival matching my own pledge of $100 to Pet Pal Animal Shelter for every home run I hit, I’m really looking forward to a great second half with the Rays.”
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit carnival.com.
Carnival Corporation has announced that its Italian brand, Costa Cruises, will build two new cruise ships as part of an agreement with Meyer Werft to construct four next-generation cruise ships with the largest guest capacity in the world. In June, Carnival Corporation announced the other two ships included in this multi-billion dollar contract are destined for its German brand, AIDA Cruises.
The two new ships for Costa Cruises will be built by shipbuilder Meyer Werft at the company’s shipyard in Turku, Finland, with deliveries expected in 2019 and 2020. Each new cruise ship will exceed 180,000 gross tons, offering more than 2,600 passenger cabins and 5,200 lower berths to comfortably accommodate a total capacity of 6,600 guests. A major part of Carnival Corporation’s new ship design involves making more efficient use of the ship’s spaces, which includes multi-functional common areas and plans for more personal space, creating an enhanced onboard guest experience.
Carnival Corporation’s four next-generation cruise ships for Costa Cruises and AIDA Cruises will be the first in the industry to be powered at sea by Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), the world’s cleanest burning fossil fuel, representing a major environmental breakthrough. Pioneering a new era in the use of sustainable fuels, these new ships will use LNG to generate 100 percent of the ship’s power both in port and on the open sea – an industry-first innovation that will significantly reduce exhaust emissions to help protect the environment and support the company’s aggressive sustainability goals.
The four-ship contract with Meyer Werft is part of a larger previously announced strategic memo of understanding with leading shipbuilders Meyer Werft and Fincantieri S.p.A for nine new ship orders between 2019 and 2022. As previously announced, construction of the two new ships for AIDA Cruises will take place at Meyer Werft’s shipbuilding facility in Papenburg, Germany.
“These new ships will be phenomenal additions to our fleet, and we’re looking forward to seeing our Costa and AIDA brands bring this ground-breaking new ship design to life for our guests in a way that is customized for each brand,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation
“As we continue enhancing our fleet, it is very important to us that every decision we make in the development of these new ships is about the guest experience, which supports our goal to exceed guest expectations and create great vacation memories for every person who boards one of our ships.”
Donald added: “Above all, these strategic investments are designed to exceed the vacation needs of our guests, but it is also important to note that these next-generation ships are an important part of our measured growth strategy, which includes replacing less efficient ships with newer, larger and more efficient vessels over a very specific period of time.”
The new Costa Cruises ships will prominently feature the brand’s “Italy’s finest” experience, with the new ship designs and creative uses of space serving to enhance the overall onboard immersion in Italian culture. The ships and crew will serve as ambassadors for the finest of Italian society on the seas, enabling guests to discover Italy’s unique style, hospitality, entertainment and culinary excellence.
The new contract also supports the community-focused efforts of Carnival Corporation and Costa Cruises to invest in Italy as a key market in which the company operates. According to forecasts from Costa Cruises, more than 650 crewmembers are expected to be hired to work on the two new ships.
“We are honored that Carnival Corporation has entrusted us with the implementation of this ambitious shipbuilding program,” said Bernard Meyer, CEO of Meyer Werft. “These ships represent the next generation of cruise ship innovation, featuring a revolutionary ‘green cruising’ design implemented to meet the specific needs of guests who sail with the Costa and AIDA brands.”
The new ship order will also enable the Costa Group, which includes a combined 25 ships across the AIDA and Costa brands, to continue to build on its leadership position in the European cruise market. In 2014, one out of every two cruise guests in Europe, or about 50 percent, sailed onboard a Costa or AIDA cruise ship. In total, the Costa Group has 27,000 employees working onboard its ships and in its 20 offices in 14 countries, serving a total capacity of 68,000 beds across its fleet.
This year’s lucky 7th adventure promises another Bad A** floating rock and roll party at sea as it sails with a ship full of Kid Rock’s rebel souls from Miami to Jamaica March 2016!
Multiplatinum recording artist, Kid Rock and Sixthman, the industry leader in music festivals at sea, are teaming up again to bring back the baddest ship this side of Detroit for it’s 7th year! This year’s voyage of the hugely popular Kid Rock’s Chillin’ The Most Cruise, Norwegian Pearl will sail another full ship of Kid Rock’s disciples down to Jamaica for four days of bands, beers, babes, and fun in the sun March 10 – 14, 2016. The festival will feature an onboard pre-party the night before the event heads out to sea, where guests are invited to get their vacation started with a bang!
Glam metal super-group, Steel Panther and a full lineup hand picked by the honorary captain himself, Kid Rock, will keep guests rockin’ ’til sunrise. In addition to live shows on multiple stages day and night, this party will be jam packed with activities, theme nights, contests, and more to be announced!
CHECK OUT THE RECAP OF LAST YEARS EVENT:
Cruise details including the latest news, pre-party information, and artist lineup announcements can be found at the newly updated http://www.kidrockcruise.com. Guests wishing to sign up for the pre-sale are invited to do so now at http://www.kidrockcruise.com/
Pearl Seas Cruises has announced that it plans to offer a series of 7 to 10-night cultural voyages to Cuba in the spring of 2016.
Aboard the Pearl Mist, a brand new luxury 210-passenger cruise ship, this round trip voyage from South Florida will visit several Cuban ports including Havana, Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba. Pearl Seas Cruises plans itineraries on both the Southern and Northern coasts of Cuba, featuring People to People cultural exchanges authorized under U.S. law to several UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
“We are delighted to play such an important role in the People-to-People program in support of the Cuban people. The 210-passenger Pearl Mist allows access to more of Cuba’s ports and regions, while providing a relaxed means to engage directly with Cubans and explore the rich history and fabric of Cuban culture,” according to Charles A. Robertson, President of Pearl Seas Cruises.
Offering the finest accommodations and amenities, the Pearl Mist features 105 staterooms and suites, all with private verandas and large sliding glass doors or opening picture windows offering spectacular views. The ship is fully stabilized for cruising comfort and offers the latest technology in safety and environmental standards.
These voyages are pending approval by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Treasury, the Department of Commerce and the Cuban government.
For more information or to make reservations, visit http://www.pearlseascruises.com.
Royal Caribbean Productions is always looking for new ways to take entertainment to the next level. As the latest addition to entertainment onboard Anthem of the Seas, The Stowaway is sure to surprise and delight guests – if they are lucky enough to spot him!
Record smashing NFL star, Rob Gronkowski, hosts family, friends, and fans aboard Norwegian Pearl for a 3-day bash through the Caribbean.
You heard it on the ESPY Awards, TMZ, CBS, ESPN and it’s likely blowing up your twitter feed: Super Bowl winning New England Patriots tight end, Rob Gronkowski, and Sixthman, the industry leader in festivals at sea, are partnering up for the first ever Gronk’s Party Ship. This three-day cruise will take place from February 19-22, 2016. The party will sail from Miami, FL aboard the beautiful Norwegian Pearl, with a stop at Norwegian’s private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay.
or at least until the next party.
Gronk fans are invited to join the party now at www.gronkspartyship.com and sign up for the Mailing List for all the latest announcements including the full entertainment lineup, contests, activities, special guests, and more.
From emails and texts to tweets and Instagram posts, travelers want to digitally share and stay connected while on vacation. While the perception may be that a cruise vacation does not offer a chance to be accessible, Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) reveals that cruise lines have introduced a host of Wi-Fi capabilities and offerings on cruise ships making it easier than ever before to stay connected at sea.
“In our increasingly connected world, it has become incredibly important for travelers to stay connected,” said Thomas P. Ostebo, President and CEO, CLIA. ““Cruise lines globally have made major technological strides to offer our travelers the chance to stay connected while enjoying a cruise vacation.”
Following are some of the latest examples of Internet accessibility on cruise ships:
“There are common misconceptions that Wi-Fi capabilities on cruise ships are expensive, unreliable, or nonexistent,” Ostebo continued. “We are happy to dispel this myth and prove that connectivity and cruising are not mutually exclusive.”
Carnival Corporation has announced it will add two ships to its China fleet in 2016, making it the first global cruise company with six total ships based in China. The move will increase Carnival Corporation’s total capacity in China by an additional 58 percent in 2016, further accelerating the company’s leadership position in the growing Chinese market, which continually delivers double-digit annual returns and is expected to eventually become the largest cruise market in the world.
Carnival Corporation’s fleet of six China-based ships will include expanded offerings from its two leading brands in the market – Costa Cruises and Princess Cruises – that are each adding one new ship to meet growing cruise demand in China. Across the two brands, Carnival Corporation will have three year-round ships and three seasonal ships in the market, representing the largest cruise presence in China in 2016.
Together, the Costa and Princess brands will potentially offer about four million passenger cruise days in 2016, giving Chinese guests more choice and flexibility in both the contemporary and luxury segments. Based on the accelerating consumer demand for cruises in China, Carnival Corporation’s added capacity is expected to significantly increase the company’s total number of cruise passengers in China in 2016.
Included in this new deployment is today’s announcement made during a press conference in Beijing that Princess Cruises will send its Golden Princess ship to northern China in 2016, sailing out of Tianjin on a seasonal basis, with itineraries visiting a variety of desirable destinations in 
northern Asia. Golden Princess joins the brand’s first China-based ship, Sapphire Princess, which has been homeported in Shanghai since 2014 and will start sailing year-round in China in 2016. The brand’s two-ship deployment in 2016 will more than double its total available guest capacity in China compared to 2015, putting Princess Cruises in an even stronger position to serve the luxury cruise segment with its exclusive Princess Class experience designed specifically for the Chinese market.
Costa Cruises, a leading cruise brand in China and the first global cruise brand to introduce cruising to the market in 2006, recently announced it will debut Costa Fortuna in April 2016 as its fourth ship based in China. Costa Fortuna joins Costa Serena, Costa Atlantica and Costa Victoria already based in China, increasing the brand’s total available capacity in China by 43 percent in 2016.
“Our Costa and Princess brands are performing extremely well in China, and these new ship deployments will strengthen our growth position and enable us to carry nearly one million passengers in 2016, as we continue executing our plan to meet surging consumer demand for cruising in China,” said Alan Buckelew, chief operations officer for Carnival Corporation.
“As momentum accelerates in the market, we have a significant opportunity to increase cruising demand amongst China’s growing middle class and a new generation of Chinese travelers who are hungry for new vacation experiences.”
Buckelew added: “Our focus is on exceeding guest expectations on every ship and really tailoring our product for Chinese tastes, which helps create new advocates and spread the joy of cruising in China. Through our brands, our expanding operations and our potential joint ventures in China, we’re excited to play a lead role in helping China become one of the world’s leading cruise markets.”
In addition to expanding its industry-leading presence in China in 2016, Carnival Corporation recently announced that the latest ship under construction for its Princess brand will be based in China year-round when introduced in summer 2017. Based in Shanghai, the ship will be the first year-round international luxury vessel designed and built specifically for Chinese guests.
Carnival Corporation is also exploring potential joint ventures in China with China Merchants Group (CMG) and China State Shipbuilding Corporation (CSSC) designed to accelerate the growth of the overall cruise industry in China, including the possibility of launching a world-class Chinese domestic cruise brand, building new ships in China, and supporting port and infrastructure development. These efforts support Carnival Corporation’s commitment to help China realize its goal to develop cruising as a key economic driver for its economy and become one of the leading cruise markets in the world.
