Oasis of the Seas update: Holiday sailings available

Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas, debuting in Port Everglades later this week, still has some staterooms available for this year’s holiday cruise season.

Normally sold out well in advance, the still-recovering US economy has a sliver lining for those in the market for a cruise vacation.  Holidays are special sailings and sailing on Royal Caribbean’s newest and largest ship with more amenities and features for guests would surely be a dream vacation for any avid cruiser.  Check with your travel agent for all the details and see the video below for more information on special things happening aboard Oasis of the Seas.

done

Cruising from Florida: Carnival Dream update

The official naming ceremony of Carnival Cruise Lines’ new cruise ship Carnival Dream featuring Academy Award- and Tony Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden in the role of ship’s godmother will be broadcast live on the company’s web site, www.carnival.com/dream, beginning at 4 p.m. EST on Thursday, Nov. 12.

The Carnival Dream debuted in Europe September 21 and will operate a series of voyages from New York before repositioning to Port Canaveral to begin year-round Caribbean service December 3rd with some new features not on other Carnival ships.

The Chef’s Art Steakhouse, located on Spa Deck 12, will seat 139 and specialize in dry-aged beef. Carnival will charge $30 per person for this alternative restaurant. Reservations are recommended.

The Gathering, a two-level eatery, will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Options within The Gathering include a pasta bar, a burrito bar, a Mongolian wok, a 35-item salad bar and a tandoori oven serving Indian specialties. There is no charge to dine at the Gathering.

Located along the Promenade Deck will be Wasabi, a sushi bar serving complimentary sushi.

The Ocean Plaza, an indoor/outdoor cafe, will have a dance floor and a stage for live entertainment. Ocean Plaza also will offer full WiFi access and 12 stand-alone kiosks where guests can access the FunHub, the Carnival Dream’s onboard social network.

Within Ocean Plaza, the Plaza Cafe will sell specialty coffees, pastries and milkshakes. There also will be full bar service.

According to Carnival, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream “ushers in an exciting new era in “Fun Ship” cruising”, offering a host of innovations. These also include Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive aqua park featuring the longest water slide at sea; more than 19,000 square feet of space dedicated to children and families; and a 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 Spa, the largest in the line’s fleet.

Tropical storm delays start of two Carnival cruises

Two Carnival ships preparing for cruises from Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans will be delayed due to the path of Tropical Storm Ida.

The storm, downgraded from a hurricane on Monday morning, is expected to make landfall Tuesday morning.

The Carnival Fantasy’s first sailing from Mobile will be delayed one day due to the temporary closing of Mobile’s port. The Fantasy will now operate a modified five-day cruise leaving Nov. 11. The ship will call in Cozumel and Costa Maya.The Fantasy was originally scheduled to operate a six-day cruise departing Nov. 10.

Carnival said that passengers on the shortened trip will receive a pro-rated refund of the paid cruise. Passengers also have the option to cancel and receive a full refund.

The Carnival Triumph’s first sailing out New Orleans will also be delayed due to the closure of the port there. The Triumph will operate a three-day cruise from New Orleans departing Nov. 11, instead of a four-day cruise departing Nov. 10.

Guests on that cruise will get a 50% refund of their fare and can also cancel for a full refund. Carnival updates their website with the most current information frequently.