Take a look at what Cruise Capital’s Editor Jordan, witnessed an unusual event on board Cruise & Maritime Voyages’ Magellan on 5th June 2015. Here is his story:
At 20:45, during the evening dinner service in the grand Waldorf Restaurant, a small leak began from the ceiling directly next to my table. The small leak quickly turned into a constant stream of water. Our waiter quickly rushed to hold a wine bucket under the leak, but within seconds it was full to the top. Our table group were quickly escorted to a nearby table to avoid any further splashes, Moments later, the leak spread affecting another table close by. This time a crew member brought a large plastic box, which contained most of the water. The leak continued to spread, this time directly onto our new table. We had just enough time to jump out of our seats, before water engulfed our table, filling plates and empty wine glasses.
Maintenance crew quickly attended the scene, and assessed where the leak was coming from. We decided it was best to vacate the restaurant before any more leaks began. I walked up to deck 9, to see if I could see where the source of the water was. The floor of the Jade Spa was also filled with water, which narrowed the source of the problem to the lido pool directly above the spa on deck 10.
A crew member already monitoring the pool, said they had had a problem whilst trying to fill the pool with water, as a result of a burst pipe.
Carnival Corporation has launched a tenth cruise brand called fathom. The brand category, called social impact travel, will offer an impactful travel experience and work alongside locals to tackle community needs.
Fathom is purposed built, starting with one sh
ip, and allowing guests to immerse themselves in local culture and economic development.
Based out of Miami with a 700-passenger cruise ship, the first destination will be the Puerto Plata region of the Dominican Republic. This area is known for both beauty and poverty. Which is where fathom steps in.
Sixthman, the industry leader of festivals at sea, is coming together with Renegade Circus to bring you the inaugural Outlaw Country Cruise to set sail Spring 2016. This four-day music festival will take place February 7-11, 2016 aboard Norwegian Pearl, sailing from Miami, FL to the sun-kissed port of Grand Cayman.
Outlaw Country’s finest, including Blackberry Smoke, Lucinda Williams, Steve Earle, The Mavericks, Bobby Bare, Bobby Bare Jr., Lukas Nelson & POTR, Shooter Jennings, Waymore’s Outlaws, Elizabeth Cook, Dale Watson, Black Oak Arkansas, The Band Of Heathens, Nikki Lane, Preacher Stone, Roger Alan Wade, Mojo Nixon, Sarah Gayle Meech, and more to be announced. Fans of the famed SiriusXM Outlaw Country channel can look forward to special onboard programming and performances from SiriusXM Outlaw Country hosts including Steve Earle, Shooter Jennings, Elizabeth Cook, Roger Alan Wade, and Mojo Nixon and live radio broadcasts hosted by Elizabeth Cook and Mojo Nixon as they MC the event out at sea. Theme nights, contests, workshops, engaging activities hosted by artists, rare collaborations, and late night jam sessions make this a one-of-a kind experience for any Outlaw Country music fan.
Norwegian Pearl will stop in beautiful Grand Cayman where guests can stroll along tropical beaches, explore local cuisine, shop for one-of-a-kind souvenirs, or choose from a host of exciting excursions offered onboard. A destination of her own, Norwegian Pearl offers guests access to 13 bars and lounges, 19 dining experiences, one outdoor pool, two hot tubs, a full menu of luxurious spa treatments, and so much more. Guests will have access to other entertainment on the ship as well: Whether it’s a game of soccer or basketball on the sport court, bowling a few frames at the onboard lanes, or tempting lady luck with a few hands at The Pearl Club Casino.
Fans of SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country can enter for the chance to win a cruise prize package for two including round-trip airfare, one night’s hotel stay and a mini-suite cabin on the Outlaw Country Cruise at www.siriusxm.com/OutlawCruise.
This week Carnival Corporation introduced their newest brand called fathom™, defining a new travel category it is calling “social impact travel,” that will offer consumers authentic, meaningful impact travel experiences to work alongside locals as they tackle community needs. What sets fathom apart is the long-term, systematic partnership approach with its partner countries paired with the unique business model that allows for sustained impact and lasting development. fathom’s scale and global vision reach beyond what the world has ever seen.
The company’s first destination will be the Dominican Republic, a country known for its spectacular beauty but also a country where the average household income is approximately $6,000 USD a year and more than two million Dominicans do not have access to piped water.
fathom will operate as a standalone brand, the 10th global brand in the Carnival Corporation family.
Beginning in April 2016, fathom will embark on seven-day voyages from PortMiami aboard the MV Adonia, a 710-passenger vessel redeployed from Carnival Corporation’s P&O Cruises (UK) for the start-up of the new operation. Depending on their passions, interests and skills, travelers will have the opportunity to choose from a range of social impact activities and experiences both onboard and onshore.
With Carnival Corporation’s new fathom brand, travelers will work with locals sculpting clay to build water filters — providing clean drinking water in a country where more than two million people do not have piped water. (PRNewsFoto/Carnival Corporation & plc)
Travel That Creates Enduring, Transformative Social Impact
“fathom will cater to a growing market of consumers who want to have a positive impact on people’s lives, and aren’t always sure where to begin,” said Arnold Donald, CEO of Carnival Corporation. “We believe travel is a meaningful way to allow for personal growth while making purposeful and engaging contributions to the world. We are so pleased that fathom will give travelers a unique opportunity to work alongside local people as part of a larger scale effort that will demonstrably improve lives. Both our travelers and the local citizens will learn and benefit from the opportunity to serve together.”
Donald brought in a non-traditional, social entrepreneur, Tara Russell, Founder and Chairman of Create Common Good (www.createcommongood.org), a food production social enterprise, to lead this effort. Russell will serve as President of fathom and as Global Impact Lead for Carnival Corporation. Russell established and led the team that has been working on the design and business model for fathom since late 2013.
“We created fathom to meet the real hunger in the world for purpose, while at the same time tackling profound social issues through a sustainable business model,” said Russell.
“We harness the assets and resources of the world’s largest travel and leisure company and combine them with the talents and hearts of those working in social enterprises around the world.
“Travelers will work in partnership with proven, trusted local organizations on the ground to amplify their missions for far greater, sustained impact,” Russell said. “Because fathom will bring hundreds of travelers to a destination on a regular basis, fathom can achieve focused and holistic, collaborative contributions in a broad region of the country – allowing fathom travelers to make a collective, transformative impact that they know will extend far beyond their involvement. They also will know they played an important role in ensuring the region flourishes. We are excited about making the Puerto Plata region of the Dominican Republic our first partner destination, and we are optimistic about taking all that is being built in and through fathom to other global destinations and to the broader Carnival corporate family.”
According to Russell, the fathom team took an innovative design-thinking approach to deeply understanding both its travelers, as well as the needs identified by stakeholders across all parts of society in the Dominican Republic, and will continue to leverage the unique approach.
“fathom will mobilize, educate and equip up to 700 travelers on every trip allowing for thousands of impact activity days per week – and tens of thousands of travelers a year to communities of promise, providing unprecedented scale for impact,” said Russell. “fathom has been built differently, having worked carefully to ensure any and all efforts fathom travelers engage with are authentically impactful, scalable and sustainable. fathom’s scale allows the opportunity to continuously innovate in the social impact space, while achieving holistic, transformational societal contributions that will help a broad region flourish.”
Based on extensive market research, fathom has identified a sizable and growing market of potential social impact travel consumers – approximately one million North Americans who are strongly predisposed, in addition to global travelers already pursuing service-oriented travel experiences worldwide – who will be interested in this type of travel offering.
In addition, the company believes fathom will attract a significant number of travelers who have never before cruised. According to research, nearly 40 percent of the individuals who will book a social impact trip on fathom might otherwise never have chosen to cruise.
According to Russell, fathom will attract people of all ages and from all walks of life, but especially North American, U.K. and Australian citizens ages 20 to 60 years old who are eager to discover their individual gifts, and unleash their personal passions and talents to improve the world. The company expects to be particularly popular among:
Millennials – people in their 20s and 30s looking to make a difference in the world;
Parents seeking a way to open their children’s eyes to other parts of the world in a meaningful way (approximately half of travelers are expected to be families); and
Adults 50+ years of age eager to find rewarding ways to help other people apart from writing a check.
“During the past 10 years, in countless conversations I have had with people eager to serve others and make meaningful societal contributions, there has been a common theme – people struggle to know where they fit in and often people have challenges finding trusted, easy ways to make a difference,” said Russell. “fathom exists to address this desire and to create enduring, life-changing impact, both in the communities where fathom operates, and in the lives of the travelers who embark on one of our journeys, allowing for unique impact experiences before, during and after the trip.”
Dominican Republic identified as fathom’s first social impact partner destination
The new brand selected the Puerto Plata region of the Dominican Republic as its first impact destination based on a number of factors: genuine needs, infrastructure to support social initiatives, enthusiasm for the fathom concept by locals at all layers of society including country officials, its location (proximity to Miami and Amber Cove, the new Dominican destination being launched by Carnival Corporation in October 2015), its innate beauty. The fathom team worked closely with local Dominicans, resident Dominican business and educational leaders, Dominican government officials and leading non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the country to fully understand the societal needs and determine the best way for fathom to participate in addressing those needs.
fathom has initially identified two lead impact partners in the Dominican Republic – Entrena and the Instituto Dominicano de Desarrollo Integral, Inc. (IDDI). Both organizations have deep roots in the country, including long-established programs and strong social connections in the northern Dominican region. fathom travelers will work alongside these organizations across the northern region to help Entrena and IDDI programs achieve much greater impact. Because fathom will regularly transport hundreds of travelers to the country, the support will be significant and sustainable – fathom travelers will make long-lasting contributions to the community.
A portion of every ticket purchase price will go directly to fathom partner organizations to cover on-the-ground activities in the Dominican Republic, including supplies, travel, personnel to assist with the activities and funding to support the partner organizations’ overall missions. This sustained partnership between fathom and its impact partners allows these organizations to have predictable revenue streams to even further amplify their missions.
“Having led the Dominican based non-profit IDDI, for more than 31 years, I have worked with a very large number of corporations ranging from energy, sugar, chocolate and cigar producers, as well as tourism and free-trade zone companies,” said David Luther, founder and executive director of IDDI, a non-profit organization with the mission to help alleviate poverty in rural and urban areas of the Dominican Republic. “I have always insisted on a horizontal relationship based on a win-win partnership, but on many occasions it has taken a great deal of convincing on our part for these to understand the benefits to the private sector of improving the overall well-being of Dominican society.
“fathom and Carnival Corporation are without a doubt the exception. They are making a strategic bet on contributing to the development of the Dominican Republic incorporating this initiative into their business plan, which is to me a remarkable step for a corporation of their size. This is not just Corporate Social Responsibility, but a vision of bringing people together as a catalyst for change, be they passengers on a ship or members of low-income communities – very, very innovative. In this, fathom and Carnival Corporation are demonstrating they are willing and capable of creating experiences that transform lives.”
“Entrena is excited about and committed to the fathom concept of impact travel for the north coast of the Dominican Republic,” said Dominican Republic, conversational Spanish lessons, impact activity training, creative workshops, personal enrichment and much more.
fathom travelers may build their own schedules and will have the flexibility each day to choose from a variety of social impact and recreational activities. At launch, the company will offer a selection of fun, immersive, and meaningful activities focused on education, the environment, and economic development along with all the incredible experiences the Puerto Plata region innately has to offer.
Impact activities will vary in length from a few hours to multiple days. Depending on their passions and skills, travelers may spend up to three days on causes they care about, working alongside locals and fathom partner organizations on one or more projects suitable for a wide range of ages, levels of skill and amounts of physical activity. Sample activities may include:
Economic Development: Help cultivate cacao plants and organic fertilizer at a nursery and assist a local women’s cooperative in producing artisan chocolates. This activity is designed to produce high-quality plants to increase farmers’ yields through sustainable practices and – importantly – create income opportunities for rural women. Over time, this activity will allow the cooperative to increase their workforce so the cooperative can achieve economic independence.
Educational: Work side by side with Dominican school teachers in classrooms to teach English skills and help boost students’ academic performance; and participate in adult-learning programs to teach small groups of local community members conversational English to help improve their ability to qualify for jobs that provide a higher level of income.
Environmental: Provide hands-on support to craft and build water filters – using clay, a natural resource found locally – and deliver those filters to families throughout the community to provide healthy drinking water. With limited piped water supply, this will make a meaningful difference in the quality of people’s lives throughout the region.
“Together we aim to help communities and travelers flourish by providing immersive, life-changing experiences for travelers and allowing our partner communities to prosper,” said Russell.
When not participating in social impact activities, travelers will enjoy exploring the beauty of the region, experiencing the many Dominican beaches and sites of interest, or participating in any one of an array of different recreational activities available to the entire family of Carnival Corporation brands visiting Amber Cove and the Puerto Plata region.
The onboard experience will be customized to this unique travel market, including specialized, purposeful retail options and amenities, as well as geographically inspired menus, music, and additional onboard cultural immersion. While docked in the Dominican Republic, the fathom ship will serve as a comfortable, convenient home-base for travelers.
Travelers may reserve travel on future fathom voyages
Travelers may reserve a spot on future fathom sailings by calling any travel agent or visiting www.fathom.org or by calling 1-855-9fathom. Prices for the seven-day trip to the Dominican Republic start at $1,540 per person, which includes an exterior cabin with a window, all meals on the ship, onboard social impact immersion experiences, three on-shore social impact activities and related supplies, taxes, fees, and port expenses. Prices will vary by season.
There will be four pricing levels, based on cabin configuration and location – interior cabins, exterior cabins with a window, exterior balcony cabins and suites. Additional recreational activities, cabin upgrades, and dining and beverage packages will be priced separately. Travelers may begin tailoring their trip in fall 2015 (e.g., impact activities selection, cabin selections, etc.).
The future of social impact in Carnival Corporation
In addition to leading the new fathom brand, Russell will work with Carnival Corporation’s nine other brands in her role as Global Impact Lead on social impact strategies and opportunities.
“With fathom, we are building one-of-a-kind, collaborative community social impact models and experiences and a solid network of reputable local and global NGO partnerships that, once established, can be considered for replication across global regions and company brands,” said Russell. “As fathom grows and evolves, we will continue exploring additional fathom destinations and experiences and identify powerful brand partnerships we can establish, both within the Carnival Corporate family, and also more broadly outside the corporation with other like-minded impact brands.
Royal Caribbean rocks when it comes to taking entertainment to a new level. From the Tony Award-winning musical We Will Rock You to Two70’s immersive Spectra’s Cabaret, guests will have an experience that transcends anything they’ve seen before.
BEIJING — For much of recorded history, traveling up the Yangtze meant braving turbulent currents and shoals. In recent years a more prosaic risk has been growing: poorly maintained ships and inexperienced crews.
Nature can still play a role. Initial reports indicate that the capsizing of a cruise ship on Monday may have been partly caused by hurricane-force winds that hit the ship. But most of the challenges facing passenger ships in China’s waterways are economic, brought about by cutthroat competition in the passenger ship industry.
Cruise Addicts waiting for the ultimate family vacation won’t have to wait much longer. The new Carnival Vista will offer family members of all ages the ultimate vacation experience, debuting a variety of amazing, one-of-a-kind on-board features when it enters service next spring.
From a unique suspended cycling experience called SkyRide and the innovative Family Harbor staterooms and suites featuring a “family concierge” to cruising’s first IMAX Theater, Carnival Vista promises fun for the whole family.
Carnival Vista will take cruising to new heights – literally – with SkyRide, a first-of-its-kind aerial attraction. Here, adventure seekers pedal hanging recumbent-like cycles at speeds of up to 18 miles an hour across an elevated 800-foot-long track, while enjoying panoramic views to the sea 150 feet below. There will be no charge for Sky Ride.
Adjacent to SkyRide is SportSquare, a fun-tastic all-ages open-air recreation area with a 270-foot-long suspended ropes course, a two-level miniature golf course, a 700-foot-long jogging track, a variety of outdoor fitness equipment, and the new Clubhouse, a modern indoor sports hangout with mini-bowling, ping-pong, sports-themed video games, arcade-style sports games and more.
When it’s time to cool off, the young – and the young at heart – can check out WaterWorks, the largest aqua park in the fleet highlighted by Kaleid-o-Slide, Carnival’s first inner-tube slide. Riders can zip down 455 feet of exhilarating corkscrew turns enhanced by music and stunning kaleidoscopic effects. And no Carnival water park is complete without the Twister slide, offering 300 feet of high-speed fun, as well as the PowerDrencher, a 300-gallon tipping bucket that’s sure to elicit shrieks from kids with each drenching. A kiddie area with 30 different water spray toys and mini-racing slides will be available for younger cruisers.
Amazing On-Board Entertainment Options
There are indoor thrills, too, with the cruise industry’s first IMAX Theater with a three-deck-high screen that brings an immersive cinema experience to sea with the latest Hollywood blockbusters and family favorites, IMAX classics and IMAX documentary content. The 182-seat IMAX Theater is part of the Carnival Multiplex, which includes Thrill Theater, a multi-dimensional experience where seats move back and forth and side to side and viewers are sprayed with water and bubbles to make them feel like they’re part of the movie. The Warehouse, featuring video and arcade games, is located next door. And no trip to the multiplex is complete without popcorn and other movie favorites, available at a nearby concession stand.
Families can also enjoy all-ages comedy shows at the 385-seat Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez as well as the audience participation favorite Hasbro, The Game Show. New for Carnival Vista will be a premium ice cream parlor within the Cherry on Top confection store where patrons can select their favorite ice cream and mix-ins and watch as their frozen creation is made right before their eyes.
Family-Friendly Accommodations
Exclusive to Carnival Vista is Family Harbor, located within a dedicated family zone aft on Deck 2 with 96 specially designed “family ergonomic” accommodations, including extra-large family suites accommodating five guests and featuring two bathrooms.
The Family Harbor Lounge is a secluded space designed as the ultimate family hangout with large screen TVs, board games and complimentary breakfast, cookies and other snacks. An exclusive family concierge maximizes the fun on board, assisting with dining, spa and shore excursion reservations, registering kids for the youth programs and making recommendations on and off the ship for families with kids of all ages.
Family Harbor staterooms include kid-friendly toiletries, bathrobes and slippers while suites feature separate sleeping quarters for parents and children and a walk-in closet. Guests in Family Harbor staterooms also receive a number of exclusive benefits and privileges, including 24/7 card key access to the Family Harbor Lounge, free meals for kids under age 12 in specialty restaurants, and one free evening in Night Owls, a late-night activities program held in Camp Ocean.
Dr. Seuss Bookville and Other Expansive Play Areas
Carnival Vista will also feature Dr. Seuss Bookville, a family reading and play venue featuring iconic décor and funky furniture inspired by the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss. Here, kids and their families can read Dr. Seuss books, enjoy arts and crafts, toys and play Dr. Seuss-inspired games. Dr. Seuss Bookville is part of Seuss at Sea, a fleetwide program that also includes the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in the Hat and Friends, and Seuss-a-Palooza Parade and Story Time.
Carnival Vista will also include a 4,000-square-foot Camp Ocean play area where kids ages 2-11 are immersed in the wonders of the sea through a variety of age-appropriate, fun-filled and engaging experiences and activities. Camp Ocean includes Party Reef, a common area for all ages, as well as a breakout room for arts and crafts called Creative Cove. Just outside Camp Ocean, are two outdoor playgrounds: Camp Ocean Playground featuring climbing, tactile and exploratory activities for the little ones, while the interactive NEOS® Play Zone offers fast paced high-tech physical fun for older kids. For early teens, there’s Circle “C,” designed as the ultimate chill space for 12- to 14-year-olds, as well as Club O2, a cool hangout just for 15 to 17 year olds.
Cunard's fleet gather together in spectacular fashion in Liverpool, its spiritual home, as the company marked its 175th anniversary. Left to right: Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2. The historic lines' three ships, the largest passenger ships ever to muster together on the River Mersey, lined up just 130 metres apart. The vessels lined up three abreast at Liverpool's Pier Head beside its iconic Three Graces: The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building.
Picture date Monday 25th May, 2015.
The Three Queens on the River Mersey as part of Cunard’s 175th Anniversary celebrations in Liverpool. Thousands of spectators on the beach at New Brighton,Wirral,watching the Three Queens head up the Mersey.
The Three Queens on the River Mersey as part of Cunard’s 175th Anniversary celebrations in Liverpool. Residents at Egremont have a birds eye view of the Three Queens.
The Three Queens on the River Mersey as part of Cunard’s 175th Anniversary celebrations in Liverpool.The Queen Mary 2 leaves Liverpool after the Three Queens celebrations.
The Three Queens on the River Mersey as part of Cunard’s 175th Anniversary celebrations in Liverpool. A cannon is fired from Fort Perch Rock,as the Three Queens pass New Brighton.
The Three Queens on the River Mersey as part of Cunard’s 175th Anniversary celebrations in Liverpool. Wirral residents give a warm welcome to the Three Queens.
Service of Celebration as part of the Three Queens, Cunard 175th Anniversary at the Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas, Liverpool. Pictured: A memorial plaque dedicated to those who lost their lives on the Atlantic Conveyor, during the Falklands Conflict on 25th May 1982. Photo by Ian Cooper
Service of Celebration as part of the Three Queens, Cunard 175th Anniversary at the Church of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas, Liverpool. Pictured: Roses at the remembrance stone for the Atlantic Conveyor in the gardens of the church. Photo by Ian Cooper
Cunard’s fleet gather together in spectacular fashion in Liverpool, its spiritual home, as the company marked its 175th anniversary. Left to right: Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria. The historic lines’ three ships, the largest passenger ships ever to muster together on the River Mersey, lined up just 130 metres apart.
The vessels lined up three abreast at Liverpool’s Pier Head beside its iconic Three Graces: The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building.
Picture date Monday 25th May, 2015.
Picture by Christopher Ison.
Cunard’s fleet gather together in spectacular fashion in Liverpool, its spiritual home, as the company marked its 175th anniversary. Left to right: Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. The historic lines’ three ships, the largest passenger ships ever to muster together on the River Mersey, lined up just 130 metres apart. The vessels lined up three abreast at Liverpool’s Pier Head beside its iconic Three Graces: The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building.
Picture date Monday 25th May, 2015.
Picture by Christopher Ison.
Cunard’s fleet gather together in spectacular fashion in Liverpool, its spiritual home, as the company marked its 175th anniversary. Left to right: Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2. The historic lines’ three ships, the largest passenger ships ever to muster together on the River Mersey, lined up just 130 metres apart. The vessels lined up three abreast at Liverpool’s Pier Head beside its iconic Three Graces: The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building.
Picture date Monday 25th May, 2015.
Cunard Lines’ Queen Elizabeth passes the Royal Liver Building and the Cunard Building (right) as their fleet gather together in spectacular fashion in Liverpool, its spiritual home, as the company marked its 175th anniversary. The historic lines’ three ships, the largest passenger ships ever to muster together on the River Mersey, lined up just 130 metres apart in the river.
Picture date Monday 25th May, 2015.
Picture by Christopher Ison.
Cunard Lines’ Queen Elizabeth passes the Royal Liver Building and the Cunard Building (right) as their fleet gather together in spectacular fashion in Liverpool, its spiritual home, as the company marked its 175th anniversary. The historic lines’ three ships, the largest passenger ships ever to muster together on the River Mersey, lined up just 130 metres apart in the river.
Picture date Monday 25th May, 2015.
Picture by Christopher Ison.
Cunard Lines’ Queen Elizabeth passes the Royal Liver Building as their fleet gather together in spectacular fashion in Liverpool, its spiritual home, as the company marked its 175th anniversary. The historic lines’ three ships, the largest passenger ships ever to muster together on the River Mersey, lined up just 130 metres apart in the river.
Picture date Monday 25th May, 2015.
Picture by Christopher Ison.
Huge crowds gather along Liverpool’s Pier Head to catch a glimpse of Cunard’s Three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria cruise liners – sailing up the River Mersey towards the city’s famous Three Graces – including the liner’s spiritual home, The Cunard Building.
Photo by James Maloney
Huge crowds gather along Liverpool’s Pier Head to catch a glimpse of Cunard’s Three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria cruise liners – sailing up the River Mersey towards the city’s famous Three Graces – including the liner’s spiritual home, The Cunard Building.
Photo by James Maloney
Passengers onboard the Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 wave to each other as huge crowds gather along Liverpool’s Pier Head to catch a glimpse of Cunard’s Three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria cruise liners – on a historic visit to Liverpool to mark Cunard’s 175th anniversary.
Photo by James Maloney
Best view in the city – an office worker grabs possibly the best picture in the city from the Liver Buildings as huge crowds gather along Liverpool’s Pier Head to catch a glimpse of Cunard’s Three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria cruise liners – on a historic visit to Liverpool to mark Cunard’s 175th anniversary.
Photo by James Maloney
Passengers onboard the Queen Mary 2 wave to the huge crowds gathered along Liverpool’s Pier Head to catch a glimpse of Cunard’s Three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria cruise liners – on a historic visit to Liverpool to mark Cunard’s 175th anniversary.
Photo by James Maloney
Huge crowds gather along Liverpool’s Pier Head to catch a glimpse of Cunard’s Three Queens – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria cruise liners – sailing up the River Mersey towards the city’s famous Three Graces – including the liner’s spiritual home, The Cunard Building.
Photo by James Maloney
The Three Queens arrive in Liverpool to celebrate the 175th
The Three Queens arrive in Liverpool to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cunard
The crowds at the Pier Head waiting for Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary in the river Mersey to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cunard
The Red Arrow’s fly past Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary in the river Mersey to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cunard
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary in the river Mersey to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cunard
Queen Mary turns in the river Mersey to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cunard
Crowds at Woodside to see the Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary in the river Mersey to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cunard
Queen Mary in the river Mersey with the backdrop of the city to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cunard
Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary in the river Mersey to celebrate the 175th anniversary of Cunard
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth meet in the Mersey, Liverpool for a gathering in front of the Three Graces and thousands of people on the riverside.
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liner Queen Mary 2 pulls up alongside the Liver buildings on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary 2 as the pass the waterfront. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Cunard 175th celebrations on the River Mersey, Liverpool pictured The Three Queens cruise liners Queen Victoria, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elizabeth on the river. Photo by Colin Lane
Crowds flock to the waterfront to watch the Queen Mary 2 sail away to meet her two sisters at the mouth of the Mersey before heading back to perform a river dance together during Cunard’s 175 years celebrations. VT
Crowds flock to the Liverpool waterfront to watch the three queens, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria perform a river dance together during Cunard’s 175 years celebrations. Queen Mary 2 disappears down the Mersey to her next destination. VT
Crowds flock to the Liverpool waterfront to watch the three queens, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria perform a river dance together during Cunard’s 175 years celebrations. VT
Crowds flock to the Liverpool waterfront to watch the three queens, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria perform a river dance together during Cunard’s 175 years celebrations. VT
Crowds flock to the Liverpool waterfront to watch the three queens, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria perform a river dance together during Cunard’s 175 years celebrations as the Red Arrows fly overhead. VT
The three queens, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria emerge on the Mersey horizon ready to perform a river dance together during Cunard’s 175 years celebrations. VT
For the first time, Cunard’s fleet gathered together in spectacular fashion in Liverpool, its spiritual home, as the company marked its 175th anniversary. The event culminated with the three ships – flagship Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – the largest passenger ships ever to muster together on the River Mersey, lined up across the river just 426 feet apart as the Red Arrows performed a fly-past overhead to the delight of the hundreds of thousands of spectators.
To view a time lapse video of the Three Queens on the Mersey, click here: http://we.tl/ExXzcmEGWR.
Queen Mary 2 sailed from the Liverpool berth up to the mouth of the Mersey this morning at 10:45 a.m. to meet her sisters, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria. The three ships then sailed in close single file down the river to Liverpool’s Pier Head with its iconic Three Graces: The Royal Liver Building, The Cunard Building and The Port of Liverpool Building.
Queen Mary 2 slowed in the river opposite the Cunard Building – Cunard’s headquarters for nearly 50 years until 1967 – with her sister ships stopping ahead of her to create a three ship line-up watched by spectators on both sides of the river.
Just 1,312 feet apart, the three ships then performed a graceful 180 degree synchronised turn to starboard. At the mid-point of the turn, all three ships lay across the river, creating the spectacle of the fleet’s three bows dramatically set against the backdrop of Liverpool’s famous Three Graces. Queen Mary 2 then sounded ‘175’ on her ship’s whistle (foghorn) – first one, then seven short blasts, then five more.
With the full turn completed and the 150,000 ton Queen Mary 2 now in the leading position, her two 90,000 ton sister ships then glided slowly towards either side of her to create an arrowhead formation, with the flagship just ahead of her two consort ships.
Finally, the entire fleet lined up three abreast across the river just 426 feet apart, as a salute to the Cunard Building and the City of Liverpool.
With the Three Queens in this tight formation, the Red Arrows flew in formation low over the Three Queens as they lined up on the river, a coup de grace which created a once-in-a-lifetime moment that thrilled hundreds of thousands of spectators.
Commodore of the Cunard fleet Christopher Rynd said, “It’s been a privilege to bring the Cunard fleet together on the Mersey for the first time ever to mark Cunard’s 175th anniversary year and our historic and ongoing partnership with Liverpool, our spiritual home.”
“All of us at Cunard are moved by the incredible reception the Three Queens have received from the people of Liverpool and beyond today,” remarked Richard Meadows, Cunard, President, North America. “This moment has brought the relationship between Cunard and the Mersey alive, and that together, Liverpool and Cunard have paid tribute to the people who have created our 175 years of shared history.”
Disney Magic in Galveston: In fall 2016, Disney Cruise Line will return to Galveston with a line-up of seven-night Bahamian and Caribbean sailings. In this photo taken in 2012, the Disney Magic sailed into Galveston for the first time as part of its inaugural season. (Matt Stroshane, photographer) (PRNewsFoto/Disney Cruise Line)
In the fall of 2016, Disney Cruise Line will return to New York for a limited time with sailings to the Bahamas that include a visit to Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. New seven-night Caribbean cruises from Miami and a return to Galveston, Texas round out the season.
Bookings for the new itineraries open to the public on May 20, 2015. More details can be found on the Itineraries and Ports for 2016 page of disneycruise.com.
On Oct. 7, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on an eight-night Bahamian cruise that includes stops at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; and Port Canaveral, Florida, which is located just one hour from the Walt Disney World Resort.
Adding to the magic on each of these Bahamian cruises will be the opportunity to visit the Walt Disney World Resort when the ship stops at nearby Port Canaveral. Each guest on these sailings will receive a one-day Walt Disney World Park Hopper ticket and round-trip transportation for the short trip between the ship and the resort.
On Oct. 2, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from New York on a five-night cruise to Halifax, Nova Scotia and Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. In these charming Canadian ports, guests can soak in splendid natural vistas, explore historic sites, visit quaint cafes and shops, and browse Canada’s oldest farmer’s market.
New Seven-night Cruises from Miami
For the first time, Disney Cruise Line guests will be able to enjoy a season of seven-night voyages from Miami to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. On Nov. 20 and Dec. 4, 2016, the Disney Magic will sail from Miami to the Western Caribbean including Key West, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Castaway Cay.
On Nov. 27 and Dec. 11, the Disney Magic will sail to the Eastern Caribbean including Tortola, St. Thomas and Castaway Cay. On Dec. 23, the Disney Magic will sail to Tortola, San Juan and Castaway Cay.
In late 2016, Disney Cruise Line returns to Texas with a line up of seven-night itineraries, including Bahamian sailings that stop at Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. On Nov. 18, Nov. 25, Dec. 9, Dec. 23 and Dec. 30, 2016, the Disney Wonder will sail on a seven-night Bahamian itinerary from Galveston to Key West, Castaway Cay and Nassau.
On Dec. 2, the Disney Wonder will sail on a seven-night Caribbean itinerary from Galveston to Falmouth, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. On Dec. 16, the Disney Wonder will sail from Galveston on a seven-night cruise to Cozumel, Costa Maya and Grand Cayman. Two four-night sailings to Cozumel on Nov. 10 and Nov. 14, round up the sailings from Galveston.
Most of the late 2016 cruises include either Halloween or winter-holiday events that bring special entertainment, activities and decor to the Disney Cruise Line ships.
To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, visit disneycruise.com, call Disney Cruise Line at 888-325-2500 or contact a travel agent.
Holland America Line revealed the name of its new 99,500-ton cruise ship slated for delivery in February 2016 will be ms Koningsdam. While the name pays homage to the company?s rich heritage and deep roots in the Netherlands, it also reflects a new era with a bold name that is an original in Holland America Line?s 141-year history. The 2,650-passenger ship is an evolution in design for the line ? a new Pinnacle Class ? and is being built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri?s Marghera shipyard.
Since 1883 every Holland America passenger vessel has borne the ?dam? suffix, and ms Koningsdam carries on that tradition. The word koning means ?king? in Dutch, and the name celebrates the majestic new ship. The name also pays honor to His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, the first king of the Netherlands in over a century.
When it debuts in February 2016, ms Koningsdam will be a new type of ship for Holland America Line. At 99,500 gross tons and carrying 2,650 guests and 1,025 crew members, the vessel is the largest ever built for the company. The increased size provides more opportunities to add new public spaces and venues, and several innovative features will debut on ms Koningsdam. Familiar spaces and amenities currently featured across the Holland America Line fleet will also be found on the new ship.
To bring a fresh vision to ms Koningsdam, Holland America Line tapped Adam D. Tihany, one of the world?s pre-eminent hospitality designers. Tihany joins distinguished maritime designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten who worked with Holland America Line on ms Nieuw Amsterdam and ms Eurodam. The two firms will create a modern and contemporary ambiance while incorporating Holland America Line?s classic hallmarks.
Captain Emiel de Vries
When Holland America Line’s ms Koningsdam sets sail in April 2016, Captain Emiel de Vries will be in command. Having been with the company since 1997, de Vries rose through the ranks from fourth officer to captain and has been master of ms Amsterdam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Rotterdamand ms Zuiderdam.
De Vries currently lives near Venice, Italy, to be close to the Fincantieri shipyard where ms Koningsdam is being built. He has been involved with the newbuild project since 2014 and participated in the functional design of the navigation bridge — his “office” when he is onboard.
“With his knowledge, experience and dedication, Captain de Vries is the perfect choice to be at the helm when we introduce Koningsdam to the world,” said Orlando Ashford, president of Holland America Line. “Captain de Vries’ leadership and graciousness with both guests and crew will contribute greatly to the success of our new ship.”
Hailing from the Netherlands, de Vries grew up just east of Amsterdam. He graduated from the Hogere Zeevaart School in Amsterdam, one of the oldest nautical schools in the world, with degrees in navigation and engineering. De Vries was introduced to Holland America Line in 1995 when he interned as a cadet on the former ms Noordam, and since joining the company, he has sailed on every class of Holland America Line’s ships.
It is an honor to be named the first captain of the new Koningsdam, and I know bringing out the ship will be one of the highlights of my career,” said de Vries. “Being at the shipyard has enabled me to gain detailed insight into many areas of the ship, and I look forward to welcoming the first guests on board during the inaugural season.”
When not in Italy at the shipyard, de Vries lives in Barrie, Ontario, Canada, with his wife, Susan, and their daughter.
