Carnival To Launch First Of Three New Cruise Ships In 2017

Carnival Corporation & plc recently launched the Seabourn Encore, the first of three new ships that will enter service in 2017 across three of its 10 global cruise brands. Carnival Corporation will also launch Majestic Princess from Princess Cruises in April, which will be the world’s first cruise ship built specifically for the Chinese market, and its Germany-based AIDA Cruises brand in July will launch AIDAperla, one of the world’s most environmentally friendly and technologically advanced ships.

Following the launch of Seabourn Encore, the upcoming 2017 additions of Majestic Princess and AIDAperla are part of the 17 ships scheduled for delivery for Carnival Corporation and its brands through 2022, creating measured capacity growth over time that enables the company’s global fleet to meet accelerating demand for cruise vacations in every region of the world.

“On the heels of launching three new ships in 2016, it is exciting to have three more new ships join our fleet in 2017 as we re-invest on multiple fronts to continue raising the bar in providing our guests with a great vacation experience at an exceptional value,” said Roger Frizzell, chief communications officer for Carnival Corporation.

Added Frizzell: “Introducing new ships is part of our long-term strategy to build state-of-the-art vessels that are highly efficient to operate while creating excitement and demand among consumers. Of course, as stunning and beautiful as our new and existing ships are, what matters even more is the passionate focus of our 120,000 employees on providing our guests with extraordinary experiences to over 700 ports around the world that land-based vacations simply cannot match. All in all, it is rewarding to see more and more consumers recognizing that cruising is the world’s best vacation and vacation value.”

The three new ships scheduled to join Carnival Corporation’s fleet include:

Seabourn: Seabourn Encore – Official launch date of January 2017

Seabourn Encore, the fourth all-suite ship in Seabourn’s fleet, was launched Jan. 7 at a festive evening ceremony pier side at Marina Bay Cruise Center in Singapore, a key Asian shipping hub and popular homeport in southeast Asia for Carnival Corporation cruise ships. The launch featured international recording artist and world’s best-selling soprano Sarah Brightman presiding over the naming ceremony as godmother of the new 600-guest ship.

The vessel was designed by hospitality design icon Adam D. Tihany and features contemporary interiors and modern design elements and innovations consistent with the line’s reputation for understated elegance. Tihany is also designing a second ship, Seabourn Ovation, which is currently under construction and scheduled to launch in spring 2018.

Seabourn Encore will expand and build on the line’s award-winning Odyssey-class ships, which revolutionized ultra-luxury cruising with enhanced accommodations and innovative amenities when they were introduced between 2009 and 2011. The 40,350-gross ton ship is configured with one additional deck, expanded public areas and a private veranda for every suite.

Seabourn Encore will maintain the line’s high ratio of space per guest, enabling highly personalized service by its exceptional crew.
The new vessel continues Seabourn’s reputation as the world’s finest ultra-luxury cruise line. Seabourn has been named the “World’s Best Small-Ship Cruise Line” by readers of both Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler magazines. Cruise Critic named Seabourn “Best for Luxury,” and numerous other publications have recognized the brand for its luxurious accommodations, extraordinary level of service, exceptional dining and unrivaled spa facilities.

Princess Cruises: Majestic Princess – Official launch date of April 2017

Majestic Princess will be the world’s first cruise ship built specifically for the Chinese market, where Carnival Corporation, led by Princess Cruises and Italy-based Costa Cruises, maintains industry leadership in a market expected to eventually become the world’s largest cruising region. The 143,000-ton vessel, with capacity for 3,560 guests based on double occupancy, will showcase the exclusive Princess Class experience enhanced with features designed specifically for Chinese travelers.

Majestic Princess will also offer the international flavor of cruising with Princess Cruises, drawn from the brand’s award-winning expertise as the world’s leader in premium destination cruising.
Majestic Princess will be the only cruise ship that offers two specialty dinner menus designed by Michelin star chefs at sea in China.

One offering is Harmony, created in partnership with Richard Chen, former chef of Wing Lei – the first Chinese restaurant in North America awarded a Michelin star. Harmony will feature haute Chinese cuisine paired with pristine ocean views and modern décor, serving Chen’s interpretation of classic Cantonese dishes. The second Michelin star dining experience will be “La Mer – A French Bistro” from three-Michelin star chef Emmanuel Renaut.

The ship will also offer Princess’ signature Movies Under the Stars, with the largest outdoor screen at sea, and the exciting Princess Water Color Fantasy fountain and light show.

Guests will also experience the signature SeaWalk, the industry’s first glass-floor walkway at sea, and SeaView Bar featuring “flair” bartending with the best views at sea.

The Piazza Atrium, the central focal point of the ship, features live entertainment throughout the day and evening. It is a grand spectacle surrounded by The Shops of Princess, nearly 1,100 square meters of luxury boutiques, which include designer brand shops from Cartier, Bvlgari and Chopard and leather goods from Burberry and Gucci, to name a few.

Accommodations will be configured to appeal to families and multigenerational travelers, and all outside staterooms will have private balconies.

AIDA Cruises: AIDAperla – Official launch date of July 2017

AIDAperla is the 12th and second of a new-generation vessel in the fleet for AIDA Cruises, the most recognized cruise brand in Germany and one of the country’s fastest-growing and most successful tourism businesses that has pioneered the “green cruising” concept. At 124,500 tons with 1,643 cabins, AIDAperla will be among the world’s most technologically advanced and environmentally friendly cruise ships.

AIDAperla will – like its sister ship AIDAprima — feature the revolutionary hull design that significantly enhances energy efficiency. It will also use the Mitsubishi Air Lubrication System (MALS), which was a first in the cruise industry on AIDAprima. This modern technology enables the ships to glide on a cushion of air, further reducing fuel consumption.

The ship will also feature AIDA’s Spray Bar, an exclusive, all-white champagne lounge, which is spread across two decks and operated via partnership with Moët & Chandon.

More New Ships to Join Fleet in 2018

In 2018, Carnival Corporation plans to launch three new ships from Carnival Cruise Line, Holland America Line and Seabourn. The Carnival Horizon, sister ship of the Carnival Vista, from Carnival Cruise Line is scheduled for delivery in March 2018; the Seabourn Ovation from Seabourn is scheduled for delivery in spring 2018; and ms Nieuw Statendam, sister ship of ms Koningsdam, from Holland America Line is scheduled for delivery in November 2018.

Princess Cruises To Debut Ocean Medallion Class – Offering The Next Wave Of Vacation Travel

First Carnival Corporation Brand to Provide Elevated Experience Personalization, Customization 

and Simplicity

 Princess Cruises, a long-time innovator of cruise industry products, will be the first Carnival Corporation

 brand to feature the Ocean Medallion™, a wearable device powered by a first-of-its-kind interactive 

technology platform within the O·C·E·A·N, One Cruise Experience Access Network. The Ocean Medallion

 enables a new level of personalization that delivers an enhanced guest experience previously not 

available in the global vacation industry.

Carnival Corporation CEO Arnold Donald unveiled the Ocean Medallion today during his opening

 keynote at CES 2017, the world's largest consumer technology trade show. The Ocean Medallion

 is the only accessory needed to elevate the guest experience on cruises. Ocean Medallion Class™

 will be available November 13, 2017, onboard Regal Princess, followed by Royal Princess and 

Caribbean Princess in early 2018.

"We are in the business of providing our guests incredible vacation experiences that create memories

 that they will cherish for a lifetime," said Jan Swartz, president, Princess Cruises.  "Ocean Medallion Class

 will deliver an elevated cruise vacation experience by connecting people, places and cultures from 

around the world in a more profound way. The service Princess guests have always loved will be amplified

 by the Ocean Medallion."

Medallion Class makes Ocean Vacations more personal, immersive, simple and seamless than previously

 considered possible. At the heart of this personalized experience is the Ocean Medallion, which enables 

endless vacation possibilities. The Ocean Medallion has no discernible technology – no on-off switch, no

 charging, no menu to navigate – and can be worn as a pendant on a wristband in a clip or simply placed

 in a pocket to reveal enhanced services and personalized experiences without guests having to push a

 button or take any action. The pre-cruise engage will allow guests to provide preferences that detail

 their wants, needs and desires so that their onboard experience can be personalized. 

Pairing with the Ocean Medallion is the Ocean Compass™ (for both guests and crew). The Ocean Compass

 is a personal digital experience concierge accessible by all guests using interactive displays throughout the

 ship, on stateroom TVs or via guests' own mobile devices.  For example, guests can find their way to

 venues around the ship; make reservations at the Lotus Spa, specialty dining restaurant and shore

 excursions; arrange celebrations; view photographs; learn about the destinations they will visit and 

activities at each port of call and more. The Ocean Compass via Ocean Concierge will invite guests to

 experiences based on their individual needs, wants and desires.

Loyal Princess cruisers and potential future cruisers collectively feel having an exceptional vacation

 occurs when guests' vacation time is spent doing more of what they love. With Ocean Medallion

 Class on Princess Cruises, there is endless possibility for personalized attention and the ability to

 truly relax knowing everything will be handled. Some of the initial service innovations include:

• Ocean Ready: The Ocean Medallion expedites embarkation as required information is added
•  to the guest profile at home.
• Stateroom Access: The Ocean Medallion will also unlock a guest's stateroom door – replacing
•  the key card and its sign and sail functions.
• HERE and NOW™: Guests can place dining orders and have them delivered to their
•  current location. For example, by using the Ocean Compass guests can order select
•  food and beverages from a lounge chair and not miss a moment of Movies Under The Stars.
•  While Stargazing with Discovery at Sea™ on the top deck, parents can order and surprise the
•  kids with hot chocolate without interrupting a moment of the family fun.
• THERE and THEN™: Guests can place a beverage order and have it delivered to where
•  they plan to be at a designated time.  For example, guests wanting to enjoy a glass of wine
•  at the theater can place an order prior to the show and it will be delivered to them at their seat.
• Crew at Your Service: With the OCEAN Medallion, from the moment you embark, your
•  experiences will be curated in alignment with your preferences allowing the crew to assist
•  at all times. For example, a room attendant or bartender will have the ability to assist a
•  guest with booking Lotus Spa services or specialty dining reservations.
• Ocean Navigate: Accessed through the Ocean Compass, guests can learn the whereabouts
•  of their family as they enjoy activities throughout the ship and be guided seamlessly in finding
•  their way around the ship. Friends and family will also be able to easily communicate with each
•  other through seamless messaging service.
• 
  

More announcements surrounding innovations and enhancements from Medallion Class Ocean

 Vacations will be announced in the months leading up to the first sailing on Regal Princess.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by

 calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.

About Princess Cruises:One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise line and tour company

 operating a fleet of 18 modern cruise ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of

 choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided with the experience of exceptional

 customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 2.0 million guests

 each year to more than 360 destinations around the globe on more than 150 itineraries ranging in

 length from three to 114 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE:CUK).

About O·C·E·A·N:From sailing to and exploring exotic places to being immersed in authentic cultures with family and

 friends, cruising has always appealed to people who value the travel experience. Now, with 

O·C·E·A·N — One Cruise Experience Access Network™ -- Carnival Corporationis helping

 them transform those experiences into a way of life. Carnival Corporation's new experiential media

 content portfolio features a range of inspirational family- and travel-related TV shows that highlight 

the great destinations, exciting adventures, authentic cultures and cuisine, and beautiful vistas that

 make cruise vacations the fastest growing segment of the vacation sector. Ocean Medallion Class

 is the pinnacle of Ocean Experiences. Ocean Medallion Class leverages Carnival Corporation's

 revolutionary Ocean Medallion™ and Ocean Compass™ to deliver personalization on a level never

 before considered possible. Based on a strategy to make vacations more simple, personal,

 immersive and authentic.

Disney Cruise Line Unveils Ports And Itineraries For Early 2018

Disney Cruise Line announces lineup of 2018 itineraries

Disney Cruise Line introduces a popular Caribbean destination — Bonaire — into the lineup of favorite itineraries for early 2018.

Limited-time engagements in Puerto Rico and California, plus a variety of cruises from Florida, offer Disney Cruise Line guests the opportunity to visit exciting ports of call in the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexican Riviera from January through May.

San Juan to Southern Caribbean, including Bonaire

Bonaire is a new port of call for Disney Cruise Line and part of a seven-night sailing that departs San Juan, Puerto Rico, on Jan. 28. Located just north of the South American coast, the Dutch Caribbean island of Bonaire is favored for arid climate and sunny weather. Beautiful waters and a reef-lined coast lure water-sport enthusiasts for scuba diving, snorkeling, windsurfing and kiteboarding.

From San Juan, the Disney Wonder sets sail on three seven-night cruises to the Southern Caribbean. Departing Jan. 14, 21 and 28, each voyage offers a unique itinerary with four destinations and two days at sea. This limited-time engagement includes a combination of calls on Bonaire, Curacao, Aruba, St. Lucia, Martinique, Antigua and St. Kitts.

San Diego

Disney Cruise Line will return to San Diego with seven Disney Wonder cruises to Baja and the Mexican Riviera, where guests can enjoy world-famous beaches and snorkeling. Five-night sailings visit Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico, while two- and three-night cruises call on Ensenada.

Friday departures for the two-night cruises offer the ultimate weekend getaway from San Diego.

Port Canaveral

With three Disney ships in port and cruise lengths spanning three, four and seven nights, vacationers looking for a Disney Cruise Line getaway in early 2018 have a full menu of options from Port Canaveral, Florida. Every sailing includes a day at Castaway Cay, Disney’s private island paradise reserved exclusively for Disney Cruise Line guests.

The Disney Fantasy continues to sail seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages, while the Disney Dream embarks on three- and four-night cruises to Nassau and Castaway Cay.  From Feb. 8 through April 8, the Disney Wonder will alternate similar three-, four- and seven-night itineraries.

Miami

To kick off 2018, the Disney Magic continues sailing from Miami with four- and five-night voyages to the Bahamas, plus five-night Western Caribbean cruises.

Castaway Cay awaits guests aboard every one of these Disney Magic sailings. Other Bahamian ports of call include Nassau and Key West, while a stop in Grand Cayman or Cozumel headlines the Western Caribbean itineraries.

Celebrity Cruises Tempts Taste Buds With Its Newest Culinary Experiences

             

 One-of-a-kind culinary offerings and exceptional restaurants are among a few of the

many unrivaled additions now onboard  

Discerning travelers who appreciate world-class cuisine, exceptional dining, incredible ingredients and the finest wines, can enjoy new uniquely distinctive experiences when they sail with Celebrity Cruises. Guests will savor fresh, authentic Japanese dishes at new restaurant Sushi on Five, enjoy the decadent Concierge Class, delicious menus, and much more. This is the Celebrity Distinction.

"Celebrity has always been recognized for its unmatched culinary and beverage experiences. And, our guests, trade partners and our multiple award wins continue to affirm this," said Brian Abel, VP, Hotel Operations, Celebrity Cruises. "We are now taking our expertise to an entirely new level through our latest offerings, which are adventurous, unexpected and distinct - just like Celebrity. When you combine all of this with our passion for delivering extraordinary service and having the very best culinary talent at sea, you have a truly winning combination."

"We continue to redefine our offerings, and the expectations of modern luxury vacationers by providing unique onboard experiences," said Cornelius Gallagher, AVP, Food and Beverage Operations, Celebrity Cruises. "From globally inspired recipes, locally sourced ingredients and freshly prepared cuisine, we want to instill even more finesse in everything we do and throughout our entire fleet. Our newest offerings are all part of crafting an unrivaled experience that only Celebrity can provide.”

The modern luxury brand has premiered a variety of new exciting culinary adventures and expanded its restaurant portfolio in the past 18 months. These culinary delights include: 

Onboard Culinary Experiences:

• Celebrity’s Concierge Class staterooms have been redesigned to pamper travelers with a personal Concierge, five-star amenities, and an exclusive, Concierge Class Luncheon at the start of each sailing, showcasing expertly-crafted menus by Celebrity’s own Michelin-starred chef, Cornelius Gallagher:
  • In addition to the personal and attentive service, Concierge Class guests receive other luxuries including fresh fruit and sparkling wine upon arrival, complimentary Daily Delectable Delights delivered every afternoon, preferred pillows from Celebrity’s extensive pillow menu and plush robes, towels and slippers.

• As part of Celebrity’s “Deliver the Destination” program, travelers sailing to Alaska can now enjoy fresh, locally sourced and succulent Alaska King Crab. This decadent treat is available at the Mast Grill daily, and can be paired with Alaskan brewed ale including Alaska Brewing IPA, Pale Ale, Amber Ale and White Ale
• Travelers can take part in chef-led culinary excursions - Chef’s Market Discoveries, offered in more than 40 regions across the world, to experience the local fare on land and feast on culturally inspired dishes on board.

Expanded Restaurant Portfolio:

• Celebrity’s newest culinary delight, Sushi on Five, reimaged from what was once Bistro on Five, features an à la carte menu, crafted by expert sushi chef Yoshikazu "Yoshi" Okada. The new menu features hand-rolled sushi, fresh tableside grated wasabi, house-made soy sauce, plus a variety of starters and entrees paired with an array of Asian-inspired cocktails, Japanese beers and premium sakes curated by a sake sommelier
• Celebrity’s Italian-inspired ristorante and enoteca, Tuscan Grille, currently onboard the Solstice Class and Millennium Class ships, showcases a new menu crafted by Chef Gallagher, Celebrity’s Michelin-starred culinary lead. The menu features 100% homemade pasta, artisanal salumi and cheeses, USDA prime dry-aged steaks, as well as Celebrity’s own spin on Italian regional favorites. Sip hand-crafted, Italian-inspired cocktails, house-made limoncello and choose from the wine list dedicated to the wine-growing regions of Italy. The new Tuscan Grille will be rolled out to Celebrity’s entire fleet by the end of Summer 2016 
• An energetic, vibrant lounge onboard Solstice ships, the Sky Observation Lounge now offers new hand-crafted cocktails prepared by a flair mixologist who has been professionally trained by the world’s best Flair Bartender, Christian Delpech

And, what’s still to come:

• From November 2016, Celebrity will be the first cruise line in the industry to introduce Dine Aware, the only standard for the food and beverage industry which focuses on food allergy and intolerance communication and experiences. Guests with special dietary needs will be able to dine confident with Dine Aware
• Celebrity proves no detail is too small with the soon-to-be-offered Ripple Maker, which prints personalized images and photos on cappuccinos and lattes, bringing joy to every cup
• The modern luxury brand will take customization a step further with its Blendtique^TM wine blending classes, allowing guests to become a vintner for the day, creating one-of-a-kind wine blends that can be bottled onboard and customized with personalized wine labels. Guests will be able to mail order their custom blended wine to their friends and family on land. Available fleet wide by the end of 2016
• Riedel Glassware, created with over 260 years of expertise in redefining modern glassware, will be Celebrity’s exclusive glassware featured in the main dining rooms fleet wide by the end of 2016

The excitement doesn’t stop there; guests can continue to enjoy the new Rooftop Terrace while savoring sumptuous cuisine inspired by classic films at A Taste of Film, or experience a firsthand lesson in proper grilling techniques from top Grill Masters at the Lawn Club Grill. For the romantic in everyone, the guest favorite Murano offers modern interpretations of classic French cuisine and a unique Five Senses Menu, which features six courses presented in a tasting menu, perfectly paired with world-class wine, designed to stimulate the senses.

Suite Class and Aqua Class guests can enjoy distinct private restaurants of their own. Suite Class offers exclusive access to unrivaled globally inspired modern, eclectic fare at Luminae, the highest-rated restaurant across the fleet, while Aqua Class guests can dive in to the clean, crisp flavors and contemporary cuisine at Blu.

In addition to these truly new and wonderful culinary experiences and expanded restaurant portfolio, Celebrity boasts one-of-a-kind wine offerings and world-class cocktails fleet-wide:

• The modern luxury brand offers one of the largest wine collections at sea. The main dining room wine lists, which have claimed 39 Awards of Excellence from the Wine Spectator Restaurant Wine List Awards over the last four years, host over 300 prestigious labels, including Tignanello, Grgich Hills, and Guigal Côte Rôtie. Celebrity’s wine menus feature an extensive global collection of fine wines as diverse as the destinations the brand visits across the seven continents of the world
• Celebrity’s team of Sommeliers navigates guests through the award-winning wine lists, guiding them to new and exciting choices. The Sommeliers also participate in ongoing education to keep them well-versed in wine theory, vintages, regional and varietal technicalities, and the most delectable food and wine pairings
• Guests can enjoy Celebrity’s newest proprietary blend “Elegance” by Kendall-Jackson, available fleet-wide
• Cocktail lovers can enjoy both classic and contemporary martinis, featuring a collection of classic and rare vodkas at Martini Bar & Crush or relish in the hand-crafted cocktail menu at World Class Bar

As part of the Celebrity Distinction, the brand is committed to continually pushing the boundaries of what is possible at sea while delivering a truly modern luxury experience through its world-class cuisine, personal attention to detail and unrivaled accommodations.

For more details on the newest culinary offerings, visit celebritycruises.com. 

About Celebrity Cruises:

Celebrity Cruises' iconic "X" is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. Celebrity Cruises' 12 ships offer modern luxury vacations visiting all seven continents. Celebrity also presents immersive cruise tour experiences in Alaska and Canada. Celebrity is one of six cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE: RCL). For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111, visit www.celebritycruises.com, or call your travel agent.

Cruises 2016: Big New Ships, Submarine Trips, 'Voluntourism'

• 

This undated rendering provided by Carnival Cruise Line shows SkyRide..

NEW YORK (AP) — Underwater sightseeing in a glass submarine, shopping with a chef for dinner ingredients and volunteering with locals: These are some of the new options this season for cruise passengers.

Also in 2016 from the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean launches the world's largest ship, and a new ship from Carnival features a biking track suspended high above the water. And for cruisers with deep pockets, luxuries range from round-the-clock personal assistants to long-term leases for residences at sea.

Here are some details and other cruise news.

___

THE SUBMARINE, VOLUNTOURISM AND MORE

Crystal Cruises has just launched Crystal Esprit, a 62-guest yacht that offers among its excursions a ride in a submersible vessel. The underwater excursions take place near the Seychelles islands in winter and on the Adriatic Coast in spring and summer. The glass capsule holds two people and a captain. Thirty-minute rides are $599 per person.

Later this year, Crystal launches a yacht for river cruising in Europe, Crystal Mozart, with four more river yachts in 2017. Crystal is also getting into the airplane business with charter flights on four jets connecting to trips by ship and on land. And later this year Crystal launches residences at sea, with long-term leases for staterooms on three new ocean vessels, prices to be determined.

Fathom, a new brand from Carnival Corp., offers "voluntourism" trips to the Dominican Republic in April and to Cuba in May. Carnival is still negotiating details on the Cuba trips with the Cuban government but tickets are on sale. Passengers will work with locals on everything from learning English to reforestation, while immersing themselves in the culture.

New from Celebrity Cruises: Passengers on certain sailings in the Caribbean and Europe are participating in the Chef Market Discoveries program, in which they shop with chefs in local markets for ingredients used in the meals they'll eat onboard that night.

New from Princess Cruises: Chocolate Journeys with chocolate-infused menus and other treats designed by chocolatier Norman Love, plus menus by celebrity chef Curtis Stone, on-deck stargazing in a partnership with Discovery Channel, and a magic show and musical revue, "Magic to Do," with music by Broadway composer Stephen Schwartz of "Wicked" and "Godspell" fame.

Disney Cruise Line features a "Star Wars" day on each of eight Disney Fantasy ship sailings in the Western Caribbean beginning this month, with "Star Wars" characters, activities and themed celebrations. In June, the Disney Magic ship will sail its first British Isles itinerary, to Scotland, England and Ireland.

___

BIKING IN THE SKY, DOGS ONBOARD AND BIG NEW SHIPS

In June, Royal Caribbean launches what will be the world's largest ship, Harmony of the Seas, with a capacity of 5,479 passengers. Harmony will feature the "neighborhood" areas already found on other Royal Caribbean ships, including Central Park and Boardwalk. Harmony will also have robot bartenders, a mini-golf course, surfing on a FlowRider machine, waterslides, a zip line and, for guests who need their every whim catered to, round-the-clock personal assistants called Royal Genies.

Another new Royal Caribbean ship, Ovation of the Seas, debuts in April, designed primarily for service in China.

Carnival Cruise Line launches its largest ship in May, Carnival Vista, which can carry 3,954 people based on two per cabin. Vista's showcase attraction, SkyRide, lets guests cycle on bikes suspended from an 800-foot long track, 20 feet above the top deck and 150 feet above the water. Vista will also have an onboard brewery and a 455-foot-long tube slide.

Holland America Line debuts the Koningsdam in April, with staterooms for families and for singles; a theater with two-story-high, 270-degree LED screens, and music options ranging from B.B. King's Blues Club to nightly chamber music. HAL is also collaborating with a travel planning service called Utrip so guests can go online and create customized shore itineraries.

Norwegian Cruise Line's newest ship, Escape, debuted in the fall of 2015 with an urban craft beer hall, Mondavi wine bar, a Margaritaville and a tapas bar. Norwegian is also introducing a new "Free at Sea" promotion inviting guests to pick a free amenity from four options: a beverage package, specialty dining package, excursion credits or WiFi package.

Regent Seven Seas Explorer launches in July with the $10,000-a-night super-luxurious Regent Suite, complete with private spa and grand piano. Despite the price tag, the suite is already sold out for its entire first season.

Viking, once known just for river cruises, is launching the second of its ocean-going ships, Viking Sea, in April, a sister ship to Viking Star, launched last year.

Seabourn expects its first new ship in five years, Seabourn Encore, to be delivered in December for a January 2017 launch. The ship will have all-suite staterooms and a Thomas Keller restaurant.

And Cunard is renovating the Queen Mary 2, adding staterooms for solo travelers and expanding the number of onboard kennels where guests are permitted to keep their dogs. The QM2 will be out of service for the redo from May 27 to June 21. Looking ahead to 2017, the Queen Victoria will become the largest ship to ever navigate the Amazon, on Cunard's first voyage to that part of the world.

By BETH J. HARPAZ

Travelore Cruise News: Royal Caribbean Plans Huge New PortMiami Cruise Terminal

New Royal Caribbean terminal at PortMiami would be located at the northeast side of the facility, to the left of the berths pictured here (Photo: PortMiami)

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is in talks with Miami-Dade County officials to build a $100m cruise terminal at PortMiami with a berth capable of handling ships up to 400 meters long—plenty ample for a 360-meter Oasis-class vessel.

'We can't park our biggest ships in Miami and, with a project like this, we could. So this opens lots of possibilities,' Royal Caribbean spokesman Rob Zeiger told Seatrade Cruise News.

According to county documents, the cruise operator would design, finance and build the new Cruise Terminal A on a 10-acre site at the northeastern end of the port, in an area that is partly now used for cargo operations.

The facility, to include a multi-tier parking garage with approximately 1,000 spaces, would become operational in the second half of 2018. 

PortMiami anticipates Royal Caribbean would invest well over $100m during the construction phase of the project and the port will invest several million dollars.

Zeiger could not confirm the $100m figure but said that would put the terminal among the company's most costly infrastructure investments. He added it's too early to talk about design details. The timeline, he acknowledged, is very short—the memorandum of understanding talks about a July 31, 2018 target completion date—but 'We think we can build this as fast as we can build a ship.'

Zeiger called the plans a vote of confidence for South Florida, adding that he doesn't anticipate any port to be a loser in a situation like this in view of the company's newbuild orderbook. Royal Caribbean has a 'really great relationship with Port Everglades,' which was 'able to execute for Oasis and Allure,' he noted, in building the $75m Terminal 18.

'It feels good when we can grow anywhere and make an economic impact. It feels especially good when it's in our hometown,' Zeiger added.

The ground lease would have an initial 20-year term, with Royal Caribbean holding an option to extend for up to four additional terms of 10 years each.

Base rent for the facility would be $9.5m a year, with a 1.5% increase compounded annually. In addition, the county would receive $5.50 per passenger move for every Royal Caribbean passenger in excess of 1.55m passenger moves each year at Cruise Terminal A.

Before 2009, PortMiami averaged more than 1.6m Royal Caribbean passengers annually. Subsequently Miami lost a majority of the cruise giant's business when the new Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas began operating year-round at Port Everglades.

At the time, Miami didn't have facilities capable of accommodating these ships nor did it have suitable expansion plans.

PortMiami currently handles about 730,000 Royal Caribbean passengers a year, about 15% of the port's overall passenger traffic. The cruise operator's contractual guarantee to the county is only 325,000 passengers a year for the preferential use of Cruise Terminal G, at the northwestern end of the port.

Under the PortMiami 2035 Master Plan, adopted in late 2010, eight cruise berths are envisioned along the north channel—six existing berths, plus two new berths. The new berths, called Cruise Terminal A and Cruise Terminal AA, would be the last possible facilities on the port's north side.

According to county documents, the master plan is to incorporate requirements and logistical flows for Cruise Terminal AA to ensure it and Cruise Terminal A are 'separate but compatible.'

Additional matters to be negotiated include a possible option for Royal Caribbean to construct and potentially use and operate Cruise Terminal AA. Discussions about amending the cruise operator's Terminal G terms and additional extension options for the Royal Caribbean corporate offices at the port would be negotiated, too.

County commissioners are to consider a memorandum of understanding with Royal Caribbean for the new cruise terminal at a commission meeting on Sept. 16.

Source: 

Seatrade Cruise News

@SeatradeInsider