Cruise News

CRUISE NEWS

VOYAGER OF THE SEAS ARRIVES IN GALVESTON FOR ITS FIRST WINTER SEASON IN TEXAS

Royal Caribbean Introduces Gulf Coast’s Largest and Most Innovative Cruise Ship

Everything is bigger in Texas and the next biggest thing in the Lone Star State is Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager of the Seas. The largest cruise ship ever to be based in the Gulf Coast and to sail from the Port of Galveston, Voyager will sail seven-night itineraries visiting the Caribbean, South America and Mexico calling on Cozumel, Costa Maya and Yucatan, Mexico; Roatan, Honduras; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and George Town, Grand Cayman through April 2008.

“Voyager’s arrival also marks the first time a Voyager-class ship has been deployed in Texas,” said Alice Norsworthy, senior vice president, Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “We are excited to offer more Texans the opportunity to experience our signature style of cruising right from their backyard.”

At a ceremony held onboard Voyager of the Seas in January, special guests, including local dignitaries, travel agents and media gathered to celebrate the arrival of the ship, which was adorned with gigantic longhorns, 140 ft. long and weighing 600 pounds. Following the ceremony, Royal Caribbean kicked off a week-long charity auction on eBay (www.ebay.com/longhorns) with proceeds benefiting the (b)Starlight Starbright Children's Foundation(eb) (www.starlight.org), which helps seriously ill children and their families cope with their pain, fear and isolation through entertainment, education and family activities. The highest bidder will win the longhorns and a seven-night cruise for two.

“In 2006, we welcomed 617,000 cruise travelers, making Galveston the Gulf Coast’s most popular cruise port. With the arrival of Voyager of the Seas, the port will undergo a $3.3 million upgrade to accommodate a 50 percent increase in Royal Caribbean guests,” said Steven M. Cernak, port director, Port of Galveston. “Hosting the most innovative ship in the Gulf will have a significant economic impact, adding to the success of 2006 when we saw $1.1 billion in direct spending, resulting in 19,341 jobs created and $907 million generated in new income in the state of Texas as a result of the cruise industry.”*

When she debuted in 1999, Voyager of the Seas introduced cruise-industry innovations such as an ice-skating rink, rock-climbing wall and the 308-ft.-long Royal Promenade, a shopping, dining and entertainment boulevard. Offering a vacation experience that can be tailored to suit all energy levels, Voyager also features a basketball court, miniature golf course, interactive golf simulator, three swimming pools, six whirlpools, the full-service Voyager Day Spa and a state-of-the-art fitness center.

In the evenings, guests can enjoy a myriad of activities from top-rated Broadway-style productions in the theatre to gaming in the Casino Royale and a variety of dining and entertainment experiences in 16 bars and lounges and seven restaurants, including a 1950s-style Johnny Rockets Diner and Royal Caribbean’s signature specialty restaurant, Portofino Italian Ristorante.

For the younger set, Voyager of the Seas also offers the line’s award-winning Adventure Ocean children’s program. Teens have dedicated onboard areas such as the Optix teen disco giving them their own space to meet, build friendships and relax with their peers. They, along with other cruisers will experience the line’s hallmark Gold Anchor Service, which helps make each guest vacation a unique and unforgettable experience with friendly and engaging service from the staff and crew.

For travel professionals, go to www.cruisingpower.com or call (800) 327-2056.

CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES TO HOST 2008 ‘WILD WINNERS’ TOURNAMENT OFFERING $25,000 CASH PRIZES

Series of Slot, Blackjack, Poker Tournaments Taking Place on 10 Different Sailings With the Grand Final Event Hosted Aboard Carnival Splendor

Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator, in conjunction with the Ocean Players Club, a casino rewards program for guests sailing aboard the World’s Leading Cruise Lines, is hosting its 2008 “Wild Winners” Tournament, comprised of a series of slot, blackjack and poker tournaments.

The tournaments are being held on 10 different seven- to nine-day “Fun Ship” cruises that began operating January and will continue through October 2008, culminating in a grand final event on board Carnival’s newest ship, the 3,006-passenger Carnival Splendor in November.

“With convenient homeports located throughout the U.S., and a variety of itineraries to choose from, guests not only enjoy a memorable and fun cruise vacation, but also have the opportunity to compete for thousands of dollars in cash prizes,” said Vicki Freed, Carnival’s senior vice president of sales and guest services.

The preliminary slot and blackjack tournaments each offer a cash prize of $2,500. All first place winners receive complimentary balcony accommodations for two, and a free entry to the Final Event on the Carnival Splendor Nov. 17.

The Grand Final slot and blackjack tournaments will each offer $25,000 in cash prizes, and the winner of the poker grand final event will win a $10,000 seat to the 2009 World Series of Poker (WSOP) in Las Vegas, NV, plus $1,000 cash for travel expenses.

Entry fees for the slot and blackjack tournaments are $100 per person, and $150 per person for the poker tournament.

For additional information and reservations regarding the upcoming “Wild Winners” slot and blackjack tournaments, call (888) OPC-CLUB or visit carnival.com.

MICKY ARISON AND STEIN KRUSE TAKE THE FIRST JOY RIDE ON HOLLAND AMERICA LINE’S NEW LUXURY “EXPLORER COACHES™

Hot off the production line, the first MCI LX “Explorer Coach™ arrived in Seattle early November before heading out for the third annual Moose Mobile tour. A total of 39 coaches operating on the Great Land and Direct-to-Denali tours will feature first-class amenities: cushy leather seats, a battery charging station for guests traveling with electronic equipment, a mini galley serving snacks, six new LCD monitors and every seat will be equipped with a headset and eight-channel audio. Seating has been reduced from 54 to 45, providing 50 percent additional legroom – equivalent to the legroom on a domestic first-class flight. Micky Arison, chairman and chief executive officer of Carnival Corporation & plc, and Stein Kruse, president and chief executive officer of Holland America Line took the opportunity to tour the first Explorer Coach giving it a solid thumbs-up.

Pictured here (l-r) are Kruse, Arison and Rick Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line, standing next to the bear wildlife version of the new Explorer Coach.

AMADEUS WATERWAYS RELEASES 2009 CRUISE SCHEDULE

Amadeus Waterways released its 2009 cruise schedule, presenting a great selection of 17 vacation programs in Europe, Russia, Portugal and Egypt. You clients can start their European vacation in enchanting Paris, cruise along the Mosel and Main River from Trier to Nuremberg, before ending in historic Prague. Discover magnificent Europe from Amsterdam to Budapest or journey through Eastern Europe on their Black Sea Voyage. Those looking for a new adventure can take an enchanting cruise from Budapest to Passau, before ending in Prague; looking for a little romance – cruise Provence and Spain; and a lover of fine wine and rich history can cruise the beautiful Douro River Valley in Portugal.

Amadeus Waterways is proud to announce two brand new luxury ships scheduled to debut 2009, the MS Amalyra in March and MS Amadolce in May. Both vessels will feature the same state-of-the-art amenities as their sister-ships, MS Amadante (2008), MS Amacello (2008), MS Amalegro (2007) and MS Amadagio (2006). Guests will enjoy the luxurious comfort of exquisitely decorated staterooms, equipped with a flat-screen TV, internet access, and will feature French balconies on the upper two decks.

For information contact Amadeus Waterways at 800-626-0126