San Juan to Carnival Dream: You’re too big!

Photo: Whitney Owen

Guests aboard Port Canaveral’s Carnival Dream were disappointed yesterday when the new Carnival Dream had to skip San Juan.  It seems the ship was too big to dock at the available berths in the port.

The available piers, built years ago, were not meant to handle a ship of the 130,0000 ton Dream’s size.  Upset passengers aboard the ship told us ”Wouldn’t you think the cruise line would have checked this out before their first call at the port?”

The problem seems to be that a gigantic sculpture built several years ago, partially funded by rival line Royal Caribbean, prevented the ship from docking.  The dove-shaped sculpture, located at the entrance to the pier actually blocks the docking of newer, larger ships.

This is bad news for San Juan, actively trying to increase their cruise business, a major source of revenue for the island.

I guess Oasis of the Seas, a much bigger ship/small country, won’t be docking there any time soon either

Celebrity Cruise Contest starts today

Celebrity’s “Eclipse of a Lifetime” sweepstakes, running from today through January 14, 2010, will entitle 10 winners and their guests to be the first outside of the line’s employees to board Celebrity Eclipse when it sets sail for the first time.

Those VIP winners will be the first to have exclusive, up-close-and-personal views of the construction process of Celebrity’s fourth Solstice Class ship in Germany at Meyer Werft, one of the most modern shipyards in the world. Winners will be the first to be led and hosted throughout Celebrity Eclipse by Celebrity’s President and CEO Dan Hanrahan; first to enjoy the ship’s AquaClass staterooms; first to sample the ship’s innovative cuisine created by the line’s VP of Culinary Operations and Chef Jacques Van Staden, and the first to have the chance to interact with the ship’s senior officers.

All this will take place surrounding an experience that will occur only once in the ship’s life, and only once in the lives of the winners: the “conveyance” of Celebrity Eclipse. Scheduled for March 13, 2010, the conveyance marks the occasion when Celebrity Eclipse departs Meyer Werft shipyard for the first time, and navigates the narrow River Ems – backwards – from Papenburg, Germany, to Emshaven, Netherlands, prior to embarking on sea trials.

The prize will also include a night in Dusseldorf, prior to boarding the ship, and a night in Amsterdam after departing the ship. Each “Eclipse of a Lifetime” prize package also includes coach-class air for two from each winner’s nearest major gateway to Dusseldorf, Germany; hotel accommodations and meals prior to boarding Celebrity Eclipse; all meals and activities onboard the ship; all pertinent gratuities; ground transfers to and from airports, hotels, and Celebrity Eclipse; the exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the Meyer Werft shipyard, and coach-class air from Amsterdam to the U.S.

Celebrity has made it a breeze to enter the sweepstakes. Simply visit the Celebrity web site, at www.celebritycruises.com and click the “Eclipse of a Lifetime” tab to access the entry form and sweepstakes rules or click here. The sweepstakes runs from December 7, 2009 through January 14, 2010. Winners will be announced January 28, 2010. This sweepstakes is open only to residents of the U.S. and Canada. See Official Rules on the site for complete information.

Princess Cruises quietly offers more

The recent launch of Carnival Cruise Lines new Carnival Dream and Royal Caribbean’s new generation Oasis of the Seas have dominated the news for quite some time.  Princess Cruises have not been idle.

Delivery of Oasis of the Seas has surely changed the spectrum of ships from which to choose as have ongoing program enhancements on the existing fleet.  Also significant is what many of the other cruise lines have done recently.  Carnival Cruise Lines has completed a roll out of several new features to existing ships.  Holland America has done the same.  Norwegian Cruise Lines continues to get their act together to where I would almost recommend some of their ships now.  Just a couple years ago I never thought I would be able to say that.

All these changes were in the works well before the economic turndown forced an adjustment in pricing and marketing necessary to fill the ships.  There may not ever have been a better time to sail than right now.

If you have not sailed on Princess Cruise Lines lately, take a look. The “Love Boats” offer a richer than ever cruise experience at prices that seem more reasonable all the time.  And what does that add up to class?  That’s right: Value, what we want above all else.

Let’s take a look at some of the new programs Princess has on board many of the ships in their fleet of 17 ships.

• The Piazza- New to Caribbean, Golden and Star Princess, the Piaza is a dramatic, Italian-inspired atrium area offering small bite eateries including the International Cafe and Vines Wine Bar.  Live music and animated street performers entertain passengers in this cafe-style setting throughout the day
• The Sanctuary- in line with a growing trend on major cruise lines to offer more for adults, The Sanctuary is a tranquil adults-only retreat complete with refreshing beverages, light snacks, relaxing music selections on MP3 players and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards
• Crown Grill- New to Caribbean and Golden Princess, this premium beef and seafood restaurant offers seafood, steaks and chops for an upcharge of $25 per person
• Ocean-view window suites- New also to Caribbean and Golden Princess, several ocean-view window suites have been added, offering even more stateroom options
• Complementary soft-serve ice cream- taking a cue from sister-line Carnival, Princess has added this popular choice
• Movies under the Stars- now offered on 10 ships, this popular attraction features first-run screenings, concerts and sporting events as well as PlayStation 2 and Nintendo Wii competitions
• Ultimate Ship Tour- a 2 -3 hour back of the house tour including the bridge, funnel and control room is offered to a limited number of guests on each sailing
• The Leonard Maltin Movie Club- The Leonard Maltin Movie Club will showcase a new film chosen by Mr Maltin each month.  Passengers will have the opportunity to join fellow film buffs to enjoy a theater viewing or an open-air poolside Movies Under the Stars viewing experience.   Later on, passengers will gather for a fun-filled discussion to gain greater perspective on the film
• The Leonard Maltin Movie Channel- Passengers can catch up on many popular and classic films with this new feature.  Features on the ships television system, passengers will enjoy a selection of contemporary, classic and animated movies plus “Maltin Moments” movie insights, conversations and stories narrated by Mr Maltin
• Art History @Sea- Five-hundred years of art comes to life with a special hour-long presentation that traces world masterpieces over time from many great masters.
• Navigation @Sea- Learn the history of navigation and increase your maritime terminology with this exciting presentation led by the ship’s navigator
• Expanded Culture Onboard- Several itinerary-specific programs add depth and a new dimension on sailings with topics such as Aloha Hawaiian Cultural Immersion, South American Samba Fiesta, European Old World Culture and more
• Youth and Teen Programs- new programs developed in partnership with the California Science Center explore the world of magic in the Wizards Academy, arts and crafts in Klutz, a program where kids make their own storybooks, creating lanyard bracelets and other activities and Yoga for Kids and Teens
• Boutiques feature authentic itinerary-specific merchandise with new specialties in Authentic Roman Glass jewelry, The Jacqueline Kennedy Jewelry Collection and new Princes gift box chocolates and cookies
• Wi-Fi hot spots have been added and now include passenger staterooms
• Chef’s Table- this alternative dining event is one of the best culinary experiences at sea and it is only offered by Princess Cruises.  A limited number of guests can actually go behind the scenes for a Galley Tour, meet the Executive Chef and have Champagne and hors d’ oeuvres

While none of these programs have been big headline-grabbers, Princess Cruise Line has continued their ongoing efforts to keep the line relevant and exciting.

I’ll be on board Ruby Princess in a few days sailing from Port Everglades on December 17th.  Watch for reports from the ship as we discover what’s new at Princess

Oasis of the Seas Christened by 7 Godmothers

Last night, Royal Caribbean’s new Oasis of the Seas was officially named at a gala ceremony at Florida’s Port Everglades with not one but seven Godmothers

To start with they went back to popular performer Gloria Estefan already a one-time Godmother for now retired ship Empress of the Seas, others were taken from other performing arts and include star-studded stable of talent ranging from actors to Olympians. Here they are

• Gloria Estefan, singer, songwriter, actor and author, who was godmother of Royal Caribbean’s Empress of the Seas
• Michelle Kwan, Olympic Games medalist is an all-time great and the most decorated figure skater in United States history, and is also an American Public Diplomacy envoy promoting education, positive health practices and respect for diversity
• Jane Seymore, Emmy and Golden Globe winning actor, as well as an Officer of the British Empire, who remains actively involved in the J and J Foundation benefiting children in need. Based on her philosophy that keeping an open heart despite adversity can bring a wealth of love, hope and inspiration into life, she founded the website www.KeepAnOpenHeart.com, a community where people can share stories and engage in a dialogue about living with an open heart.
• Dara Torres, twelve-time Olympic medalist and oldest female swimmer to compete in a record five Olympic games (1984, 1988, 1992, 2000 and 2008
• Keshia Knight Pulliam, film and television actress is well-known for her role as Rudy Huxtable on the classic sitcom “The Cosby Show.” The youngest actress ever nominated for an Emmy Award when she was only 6 years old, she presently stars on the TBS television comedy “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” and was most recently seen starring in the hit motion picture “Madea Goes To Jail.”
• Shawn Johnson, four-time medalist at the 2008 Olympic games for women’s gymnastics and cancer philanthropist, who in addition to serving as a godmother for Oasis of the Seas, will be granting wishes onboard as part of her work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
• Daisy Fuentes, international television personality and producer, beauty and fitness expert, and recognized role model for Latin-American women in the United States, who is committed to improving children’s health and treatments through St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital, Starlight Children’s Foundation and the March of Dimes
• The seven women will took their posts to officially name the ship at a ceremony during a one-night inaugural celebration-fundraiser onboard Oasis of the Seas to benefit the non-profit Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions.Tickets for the once-in-a-lifetime event began at $500 per person. Guests who wished to continue their adventure onboard will receive an exclusive discount price, beginning at $650 per person, on a four-night cruise package sailing to the cruise line’s private beach destination, Labadee, departing today

New Video of the festivities

So, will I die if I go ashore Chris?

That has been the big question floating around for those booked on a cruise that stops in the Bahamas since I reported that crime against cruise passengers was on the rise lately.

On the rise?  Like it exists at all?

Well yeah but not to worry, odds are you will probably not be held at gunpoint.

Probably??  I’d like better odd than that please

Well let me ask you this:  Can you think of a part of town where you live that is not safe to be in?  Does crime occur where you live?  Sure it does and we know to stay away from those places or at least be more careful when going there.  Traveling is a lot like that no matter where you go.  Jamaica is a great example of a port of call that has an unearned bad reputation in that area.  We always go ashore there and have always lived to tell about it, gloriously.

Cruise passengers may not believe this but there are actually people who visit islands and are not on a cruise.  I know, who would want to you might ask.  There are those who do though and also live to tell about it.  Have you seen those commercials for Beaches or some other all-inclusive land vacation in the Caribbean?  You know, the one where this great looking guy and gal are walking into a huge olympic-sized pool all by themselves enjoying the lovely island?   Well, besides the fact that the only way they got that shot was to have the other hundreds of people get out of the pool for a while, those islands have bad places too.  And bad people, they have bad people there as well.

Those people manage to have a safe and fun time too and they don’t have a ship to decide if they want to get off of or not.

The point is, don’t let the news scare you away.   There are many different ways to get in trouble on vacation.  NOT paying attention to concerns or warnings from sources such as me (I won’t tell you wrong), the newspapers, travel blogs and the like is what gets you into trouble.

Pay attention and you should be safe no matter where you go

I remember one time in Miami, we had arrived a day or two ahead of a cruise and wanted to walk down to the beach from our hotel not far from the water.   It was me and my two then-teenage daughters headed in that direction when a rough bunch of guys came walking towards us.   The appropriate thing to do on that chilly (like 55 degrees) winter night was NOT for the girls to blindly go about taking off their sweatshirts because they were warm at the exact time we passed these guys.   No need to advertise the prey to the predator I thought.  I was wrong, they didn’t hardly realize we were there but being alert to such things is important even if your children think you are being overly cautious.

Daddy had no desire to have a conflict with a half-dozen young men who surely had knives, guns, were peddling drugs, had probably just robbed a bank and would find great glee having me watch them slice and dice his kids.

Yes, it is better to overreact than go crazy.

But this is the same guy who was out racing about the neighborhood at 3:01pm if the kids, normally home at 3:00pm from school were late.  Who knows if that diligence kept one of them from being a crime victim.  The way I looked at it at the time was it sure couldn’t hurt to be vigilant.   Ok so maybe that thought has been tempered by a few years of hindsight; maybe at the time it was terror of what might be going through me that got me behind the wheel.  Again, diligence paid off and will for you too when traveling.

So pay attention to good sources of information like this one, CruiseCritic.com, USA Today’s CruiseLog, your personal travel agent and other sources.  But don’t be afraid to get off the ship!

Oasis of the Seas: It’s all about the cupcakes

Now in her new home at Port Everglades here in Florida, Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas continues to draw attention.  Online message boards, bloggers and other sources are buzzing over the ship’s arrival and many of the new features.  While interest has reached a fevered pitch, not everyone is happy about what they see and hear.

Price is one of the first topics that comes up when discussing Oasis and her being-built sister Allure of the Seas, due out next year.  In a very price-conscious economy,  Oasis sells for as much as 30 to 40% more than other ships doing a similar itinerary.  As true as this is, equally true is that the Oasis class ships of Royal Caribbean are truly unlike any other ship in service.  To expect this ship to price along with others who have been in service for 5 to 10 years doing the same itinerary is not appropriate.  If you want a ride on this one, expect to pay more.

Size, rightfully so, is another topic that gets discussed quite a bit.  From environmental groups concerned over pollution potential to cruise purists who long for the olden days of smaller-ship cruising, many are eager to start and perpetuate a debate.  While both these groups and others mean well and are committed to their beliefs, at this point they are vocal over potential issues, not actualproblems.  The first revenue sailing of Oasis, marking the actual start of her cruise history,  has not even come to pass yet.  Yes, this is the biggest ship on planet earth.  Yes, more people will get on and off this ship on turnaround day than any other ship.  But also a resounding YES and kudos to Royal Caribbean for taking all that into consideration and building a ship for everyone.

Those opposed to this ship just don’t get it….or at least most don’t.  Some kind of do.

I read yesterday where someone said the ship was like a hotel on a floating barge.  Another said it should be called Theme Park of the Seas.  Those people kind of do get it.  They are right to a certain extent.  Where they lose it and don’t get it is the cupcakes.

Long ago and far away, cruise ships did not sell cupcakes.  Cruise ships might have made a cake or Baked Alaska might have been paraded around the dining room on formal night, but they did not sell cupcakes.

Oasis does.  Oasis gets it.  Oasis is relevant.

Dividing the ship up into neighborhoods, each with its own unique flavor was simply brilliant.   What if they had built this ship and done nothing different than make more cabins?.  There is no shortage of cruise ships to go from point A to point B.  But the cruise business has evolved from the transatlantic ocean liner that brought my ancestors here long ago to almost being put out of business by the airliner to being reborn by Carnival as a fun, hip thing to do to where they are today; poised to go off in yet another direction I believe led by visionary cruise lines like Royal Caribbean. Even Norwegian Cruise Line with their new Norwegian Epic coming out later which also redefines the cruise experience, maybe not to such an extent as Oasis, but in that direction.

Yes, Oasis of the Seas is all about being relevant.

From opening night this week with pop-singer Rihanna and a live broadcast of Good Morning America the next morning, to trendy gourmet cupcakes, food venues and areas of the ship embracing what is happening right now in the world, this one has it all.

But that is the flashy side of Oasis.  The company behind her, Royal Caribbean International, is  a solid organization that is in tune with it’s customers.  While other cruise lines may nickel and dime guests to death, make applying discounts and special offers difficult and are sticking with the old programs of yesterday, Royal Caribbean for many years has striven to be the one that is easy to do business with.  They commonly refer to what they do as “delivering the “Wow!” and work hard to make that happen.

When a guest steps foot on of their ships, they are totally into making that experience truly a “cruise of a lifetime” as they say.  There is a lot that goes into making and keeping this ship afloat as we have covered in our series of articles leading up to now. Those that get it will appreciate all that has gone into this ship, pay the price, and have a fabulous vacation that they truly can not get anywhere else.

Thinking about sailing on the Oasis?  Contact your travel agent today; right now Royal Caribbean is making it easier to enjoy those extras on Oasis and sister-ship Allure of the Seas with a special offer granting bonus onboard credit of $200 to those who book a December 2009 sailing of Oasis or $100 for a December 2010 through April 2011 sailing of Allure.  That’s not good for group sailings and other restrictions apply

I can get a whole lot of cupcakes for $200

Do be sure to join us right here, live on Oasis of the Seas starting early Thursday morning for the drive from Orlando to Port Everglades then look for reports throughout the day and night all about the ship

OK so Oasis has arrived, what’s next?

It’s going to be hard to beat that show this morning from Port Everglades this morning as thousands lined Jetty Park to welcome Royal Caribbeans 220,000 ton Oasis of the Seas.

Soon, Port Canaveral will welcome the new Carnival Dream.   I think about all they can do to beat this show is have veteran cruise director John Heald moon the crowd ashore as the petit (just 130,000 ton)  Dream passes by.

Carnival: Please no more CEO Gerry Cahill doing comedy.  Bob he is not.  Maybe before you leave the Big Apple, get  actor Eddie Cahill from CSI:New York to play the part instead.

In the mean time, next up is the new Carnival Dream, dedicated last night in New York.It was a lavish affair as most are but in a typical Carnival “Fun” way from what we could see on the live broadcast on Carnival’s Dream website

What I still want to know is the story behind the name of the ship…what with Disney Cruise Line coming out with their new Disney Dream followed by the Disney Fantasy.  I can see it pissing off Carnival that they used” Fantasy” since Carnival’s popular Fantasy class ships have been chugging around for years.  But hey, anybody who lives in Florida or pretty much any part of planet Earth knows that Disney has had the whole Dream and Fantasy thing locked up for a long time.

I suppose we could settle it with an arm wrestling match between all of Carnival’s characters and all of Disney’s characters.

Oh, maybe not

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.

Princess Cruises next for digital documents

Princess Cruise Lines photo

Princess Cruises, next to stop sending paper travel documents,  has debuted an innovative array of digital documents designed to transform the way passengers plan for and learn about their upcoming cruise. The all-new electronic format will deliver more information about their cruise than ever before, arriving conveniently by email and right to their computer desktop from the time of booking and continuing through departure.  Already in place on Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and others, Princess becomes the next cruise line to do away with paper travel documents sent in the mail that you can hold in your hand.

Still, while wildly UNpopular with guests, Princess has a few different twists on how they are going about it.

The timely digital documents include a brand-new email series filled with personalized pre-cruise information, a downloadable Princess Countdown ConnectionSM widget that delivers useful and entertaining information to a passenger’s computer, personalized online luggage tags, and customizable shore excursion eBooks. The change from printed information to fully digital documents applies to all North American passengers on voyages departing on or after January 21, 2010.

“These new digital enhancements are yet another example of our commitment to service innovation,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises’ executive vice president. “Not only will our passengers receive the most comprehensive array of pre-cruise information we’ve ever made available, the information is also fully personalized, and the content is designed to build excitement and anticipation for their cruise with a rich collection of multi-media experiences. Digital documents are also more environmentally friendly.”

Princess’ new digital documents include:

Personalized Pre-Cruise Emails

As soon as passengers book their cruise, they will begin to receive a new series of four emails that are timed to deliver just the right information needed for each stage of the cruise planning process. Replacing a printed Cruise Answer Book, the emails include the passenger booking details and interactive content that gives passengers a fun, engaging way to learn more about the signature amenities and activities they will experience on their ship.

The information will be customized to the itinerary and the ship the passenger is sailing, and greetings are featured from some of the senior officers who will be sailing on their cruise. An array of links are also provided to such things as ship videos and virtual tours, bridge cams, dining options, entertainment choices, shipboard features and amenities, travel logistics, weather information, packing tips, frequently asked questions, Captain’s Circle benefits, important notices and reminders, and how to stay connected to family and friends while onboard.

Princess Countdown ConnectionSM

To help passengers anticipate and prepare for their upcoming sailing, the innovative Princess Countdown ConnectionSM widget is an eye-catching online clock that ticks down the days, hours and minutes until their cruise departs. The new application, which can be downloaded from the pre-cruise emails, can live right on a passenger’s computer desktop, and will automatically deliver an array of personalized information to them about their upcoming sailing such as dining, onboard activities, shore excursions and notices.

Personalized Online Luggage Tags

Passengers will also be able to print their own personalized luggage tags from their home or office computer. These new tags not only include the passenger’s name, but also feature their Captain’s Circle membership status, cabin number and embarkation information. Passengers will be able to print as many tags as needed to ensure all their luggage is properly marked prior to boarding the ship.  Carnival was the first to do this.  I have yet to talk to anyone who really loves this part of it all.    I have tried this, it does work.  Still, I strongly suggest tagging bags with your own luggage tags and then tagging each one twice with these flimsy, print-your-own luggage tags.  It’s a good idea to print an extra to put inside your luggage too.  Make it the last thing you put in which will make it the first thing someone sees if they have to open your luggage looking something that might identify your luggage from the others that have lost their luggage tags too.

The printable luggage tags debut for all voyages departing after December 1, 2009, and are accessible through the Cruise Personalizer. They can be printed up to 75 days prior to the sailing date. Generic luggage tags will continue to be available at the pier for passengers who may need them.

Shore Excursion eBooks (something else not to hold in your hand)

Beginning in December, passengers will be able to print their own personalized shore excursion eBook for their cruise. Using this innovative tool, passengers will be able to select their favorite excursions from the wide array offered in each port, and create their own customized eBook of shoreside experiences. Further details will be available next month.

Online Cruise Vacation Resources

Yesterday, it was announced that due to weather conditions on the way, arrival of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas at Port Everglades will be delayed by two days.

Today our extensive coverage of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas continues with some interactive Internet sources sure to be favorites.  There are a lot of websites that mention Oasis but here are some I have run across that really do a great job of making sense of the worlds largest cruise ship. These first two from SunSentinel.com, offer some great insight and are really helpful if you’re trying to find your way around the ship, always a good idea before sailing.

• Take a virtual tour of the world’s largest cruise ship- allows us to zoom in and see where all the different areas we have been talking about actually are
• Terminal 18: The largest single-ship cruise terminal in the world- enables us to see where to go for both embarkation and disembarkation (click on “Inside Terminal”)
• CruiseCritic’s Countdown To Oasis- steadfast source of information, CruiseCritic.com has a special section just for Oasis of the Seas updates
• USA Today’s CruiseLog- Gene Sloan is right on top of things in the world of cruising with breaking news, in-depth reporting of on-going topics and more
• About.com:Cruises- Linda Garrison does a great job with cruising all over the world. Linda has cruised on a variety of ships from small sailing ships to mega-liners, budget-priced cruises to ultra-expensive.
• Orlando Cruise Vacations Examiner- that’s me. My main focus is on cruises that leave from Florida and we have a whole lot of those

All these are great sources of information.   Use them to research, keep up with what is going on and plan for the future.  When it comes time to book your cruise vacation don’t make a critical mistake; use a professional, certified travel agent.   As more and more of them go broke, the bad move of booking with an  Internet Cruise Broker is more and more like a hangover, totally avoidable.    Rule of thumb:  If all you have to do is click to order, you’re in the wrong place.

Carnival Names Godmother for new Carnival Dream

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines announced today that Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden will serve as Godmother on the new Carnival Dream which will be homeported at Florida’s Port Canaveral.

When the ship makes her North American debut on November 12 in New York,  Harden will reveal Carnival’s Big Book of Dreams - measuring 15.5 feet high by 20 feet wide – in New York City’s Rockefeller Center today and will conduct a special reading of the larger-than-life story to dozens of schoolchildren.

As part of a multi-year partnership with St Judes Childrens Hospital also announced today, Carnival has a goal of raising $3 million to help the hospital with its ongoing mission of finding cures for children with cancer.

“As a mother and actress driven by the idea of dreaming big, I’m honored to take on this new role as godmother of Carnival’s largest-ever ship and to help bring the Big Book of Dreams to life for local children,” said Marcia Gay Harden. “I’m also inspired by Carnival’s dedication to support and encourage all kids to dream big through its partnership with St. Jude.”

“We’re excited to have a dream-worthy lineup of activities to celebrate the launch of the Carnival Dream, including the talented Marcia Gay Harden as godmother, and to bring kid’s dreams to life in the biggest children’s book ever,” said Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill. “We are also very proud and honored to work with St. Jude to further support its wonderful work and inspire the children and families of St. Jude to never lose sight of their dreams.”

“We are so fortunate to work with compassionate companies like Carnival,” said Richard C. Shadyac Jr., Chief Executive Officer of ALSAC, the fundraising organization of St. Jude. “Every dollar donated by Carnival and its guests through the Care to Play fundraising activities will help St. Jude continue its efforts in finding the cures and providing the treatments that will save children’s lives. On behalf of everyone at St. Jude, thank you.”

Oasis of the Seas- Amazing Staterooms

Royal Loft Suite

One of the biggest differences Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas will offer guests is in the stateroom choices available to them.  With all the different “neighborhoods” there are even more different categories of cabins available from which to choose, 37 at last count.   It will probably take some time to see which are the most popular, which ones sell out first, or which ones are likely to be discounted.

Most impressive of the staterooms are the loft suites shown here.  The unique feature is the two deck high floor-to-ceiling windows with solid glasss for spectacular views of whatever happens to pass by.

Other accomodations are impressive as well with the latest features including RCTV television network allowing the booking of shore excurions, specialty restaurante reservations and more as well as oversized showers, telephone, private bath and more

done

Oasis At Sea: Report from the Captain

Fully into the Atlantic, Captain Wright turns the ship into the ocean, slowing down to just 6 knots speed to allow for a smooth ride in near-hurricane force winds.

The ship “continues to perform wonderfully” he said in the video we have for you here today which shows those conditions at sea and gives us a glimpse of what Oasis is capable of in this environment.

The environmental impact of cruise ships is a topic that has been discussed a great deal. “The Oasis of the Seas will have such a dramatic impact that she will help more people understand all that cruising has to offer,” said Richard Fain, CEO and chairman of Royal Caribbean Cruises, parent company to Royal Caribbean International. “We are seeing a halo effect on the rest of our fleet,” he added. “We saw it when the Freedom entered service, too.”

Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president of maritime, said the size is a result of responding to guest expectations, and that more “real estate” allows broader product offering, more energy efficiencies and less environmental impact, and more safety by scale (more space enables more redundancies and better engine rooms, including double hull protection).

See and hear the Captain and Today’s Report

Oasis of the Seas- What about the shows?

Royal Caribbean International

With over 5000 guests on the ship, I have had several people ask me “How will all those people be able to fit in the theater for the show?”  Darn good question.  Little did I know that the Captain would start me on a path to get the answer to that which we have for you here today.

On route to Port Everglades, the cast and crew take advantage of this time at sea to practice and rehearse their roles in the production of the Broadway show, Hairspray which will be in the big Opal Theater aboard Oasis of the Seas.

While entertainment on cruise ships has commonly been of the Vegas-style extravaganza with lots of feathers and kick lines, Royal Caribbean is going all out with this first production, sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Three months in advance of their sailing, guests may pre-reserve at seat at such entertainment options as ice shows, “Splish Splash,” or “Hairspray,” among other choices.

All shows onboard Oasis of the Seas are free to guests. Guests who pre-book shows will use their electronic cruise pass card to enter the theater. Charly McDonald, the line’s manager of guest activities and entertainment technical operations, said clients who pre-book a show will gain entry to the show but not be booked into a specific seat.

What if you are more spontaneous? What if you don’t want to pre-book? You will still be able to arrive at the entertainment venue unannounced and be granted entry if space is available. But if the show is fully booked, an on-site box office will give them a reservation at a show later the same evening or later in the cruise.

View a video about all this at today’s Examiner.com report

New laws keep cruise passengers and crew safe..ok and ships too

Called a big win for everyone who sails on cruise ships departing from a United States port,  the US House of Representatives passed legislation today that will escalate efforts to make both passengers and crew safer at sea.

The Cruise Vessel Security and Safety act of 2009, a provision included in the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2010 allows funding for the U.S. Coast Guard and includes the cruise safety provision.

Far more than any previous attempts have accomplished, this act calls for specific rail heights,  peep holes in cabin doors and video systems that will help in documenting crimes at sea.  Supported by the Cruise Lines International Association which represents most major cruise lines, the legislation makes formal what most cruise lines have been doing all along.

Legislation was first introduced in 2008 by Senator John Kerry as the Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act of 2008.  Reintroduced in March of 2009, consumer group Friend of the Earth noted “You wouldn’t think that minimal security requirements and environmental protections would require federal legislation,” said Friends of the Earth President Brent Blackwelder. “But many cruise lines have failed to reduce pollution and afford their customers even these minimal protections