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Carnival Cruise Lines is in search of a child with "awesome dreams" to become the first godchild to a cruise ship water park, on its upcoming newbuild, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. The cruise line is calling on children between the ages of 7 to 12 in the US and Canada to share their "awesome dreams" for a chance to travel to New York City and christen the Carnival WaterWorks aqua park on the new ship. The area will boast a 303-foot-long, four-deck corkscrew water slide which Carnival says is the longest at sea. Children must complete the thought “I’m always dreaming up fun stuff. Wouldn’t it be awesome if…” in 250 words or less, from now until September 18, in the Virtual Book of Dreams contest. Carnival said submissions would be judged based on creativity, originality, expression and emotional content. In late September 2009, Carnival will announce four finalists chosen by a panel of judges, in addition to one Wild Card finalist who will be selected via public online voting. Each of the finalists will be featured in a final round of public online voting that will run through the beginning of October. The winning family will also receive a cruise on the Carnival Dream when the ship debuts in North American in November, the line said. To enter go to the Virtual Book of Dreams website.

A fire broke out on Pullmantur Cruises’ ship the Zenith today while it was docked in Stockholm. Aftonbladet, Sweden’s largest newspaper, said that 650 passengers were onboard the ship and evacuated at the time of the fire. The rest of the 1,600 passengers on the cruise, mostly from Spain, were sightseeing in Stockholm. According the the report, heavy smoke was visible from several of the ship’s decks when the fire alarm sounded at 2:37 p.m. local time while the vessel was docked at the port of Frihamnen, Stockholm. When the local fire department arrived, the passenger evacuation was in effect. The Aftondbladet report said that passengers were being lowered into the water on lifeboats as well as carried off on stretchers. Aftonbladet said that the cause of the fire was unknown, but that it was thought to have started in a lower deck storage area. Two crewmembers were being treated for smoke inhalation, the newspaper said, and were currently hospitalized. The Zenith is a former Celebrity Cruises ship that was transferred to Pullmantur when Celebrity's parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. bought the Spanish cruise line. It is currently on a Baltic cruise and the line told the newspaper that it is expecting to arrive at its next destination, Tallinn, tomorrow morning as planned.

Princess Cruises eliminated almost half of its Mexican Riviera cruises in 2010-2011, replacing them with month-long Pacific crossings between California and Sydney, and additional Hawaii cruises. Princess, the line that started life in the 1960s with winter cruises from Los Angeles to Mexico, the same route taken by Captain Stubing during seven years of The Love Boat television series, said that West Coast cruise demand was shifting. Princess canceled 15 of the Sapphire Princess’ seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises during the 2010-2011 fall and winter season, still offering 17 sailings to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Replacing those cruises will be two month-long Pacific crossings - from San Francisco to Sydney and then Sydney to Los Angeles beginning in September 2010, and three 14-day roundtrip Hawaii cruises from Los Angeles beginning in January 2011, all on the Sapphire. The ship will also sail one 10-day Mexican Riviera itinerary. Princess is operating the same Pacific crossings on the Star Princess this fall, but they weren't originally on the 2010 schedule. "Due to the enthusiastic response to our 2009 transpacific sailing, we wanted to offer additional opportunities to experience this unique itinerary," stated Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises' executive vice president, in a statement.

Did Holland America Line jump the gun in declaring that a passenger that went overboard two weeks ago had committed suicide? That is what Alaska State Troopers are asking, according to Seattle television station, KOMO News. Washington state resident Amber Malkuch, 45, was reported missing on Aug. 3 during a seven-day Zaandam sailing from Seattle. Her body was found in the water 45 miles south of Juneau the next day. Holland America said the following day that the overboard was most likely a suicide. "So far there is no indication that there was foul play," said Holland America spokeswoman Sally Andrews. "It appears to have been a suicide. But the final determination will be made by the investigating authorities with whom we are cooperating fully." The line would not say what indications pointed to a suicide. Yesterday, Alaska state troopers told the Seattle TV station that they didn’t know how Holland America realized so quickly that the death was a suicide when they have not come to that conclusion after two weeks of investigation. According to the report, the investigators are still looking at several key pieces of evidence, such as photographs, interviews and toxicology reports. "We're the people actually looking into the exact cause of death," Alaska State Troopers spokeswoman Megan Peters said in the report. "We're the ones doing the interviews and looking at the evidence. And if we haven't been able to make a determination, how can the cruise ship line who isn't trained?"

Two new UK-based cruise lines will launch next year, each connected to the former Orient Lines. The founder of Orient will launch a new cruise brand centered on Mediterranean history and culture, called Voyages to Antiquity. The 1973-built Aegean I cruise ship will undergo an extensive refurbishment before embarking on a series of Mediterranean itineraries inspired by the history book The Middle Sea, written by John Julius Norwich. The 380-passenger ship will sail 16 two-week itineraries based on the civilizations the book examines, from ancient Greece to the First World War. Details of those cruises will be released in the next few weeks, along with a website. Also new next year will be Cruise & Maritime Voyages, a UK-based, adults-only line that will launch with the Marco Polo, the former Orient Line ship that Norwegian Cruise Line sold in 2007, after shutting down the one-vessel line. Launching in January, the 820-passenger ship will sail from the UK to South America and the Caribbean during the winter, followed by a season of cruises to Northern Europe and the Mediterranean. The Marco Polo made news recently when its passengers were struck by a vicious outbreak of Norovirus during a cruise to Scotland operated by its current operator, Germany-based Transocean Tours.

Nina Barough CBE, founder of the UK-based charity, "Walk the Walk," served as Godmother of Celebrity Equinox, the second in Celebrity Cruises' Solstice Class fleet. Barough officially named the Celebrity Equinox in Southampton, England, during the formal naming ceremony, culminating in a large bottle of champagne custom-made by The Corning Museum of Glass crashing against the hull of the 2,850-guest ship. Celebrity Cruises selected Barough in recognition of her fervent devotion to raising awareness of breast cancer and her tremendous success in raising funds for the cause - GBP52-million to-date - through Walk the Walk's "SunWalks" and "MoonWalks." The four annual marathon and half marathon walks in London, Edinburgh, Bristol and Newcastle attract thousands of women typically clad in decorated bras - the signature apparel for most participants. Men also participate in the walks. "Nina is an outstanding leader, business person, and fundraiser, but what is perhaps most impressive, and certainly most inspiring, is her tireless devotion to breast cancer causes," said Richard D. Fain, Chairman of Celebrity Cruises and Chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. A breast cancer survivor herself, Barough's numerous other life achievements include receiving a CBE for her contributions to health care in December 2006. More recently, she was recognized at the "Pride of Britain Awards" (September 2008), where she was named "Fundraiser of the Year." And in October 2008, Barough was honoured once again; this time, with the "Woman of the Year - Outstanding Achievement Award" in recognition of her willpower, spirit and courage. Celebrity Equinox entered service from Southampton on an eight-night Norwegian Fjords cruise then returned to Southampton to embark on the ship's official maiden voyage for the Mediterranean. The ship will present a series of Mediterranean sailings from Rome (Civitavecchia) through the fall and will offer Caribbean sailings from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning this winter.

Royal Caribbean International has announced the choice of chef de cuisine for 150 Central Park, the ship's signature restaurant in the Central Park neighborhood. Keriann Von Raesfeld, an award-winning, internationally acclaimed chef will be heading up the restaurant aboard the world's largest cruise ship, slated to begin sailing in December 2009. After an extensive search, Royal Caribbean discovered Von Raesfeld at the prestigious 2008 World Association of Chefs Societies (WACS) Congress in Dubai. Von Raesfeld's talents have earned her accolades, which include being the first American and the first woman to win the honor of "Best Young Cook in the World" at the 2008 WACS Congress. She also led Team USA to a first gold medal at the Scothot Competition in Scotland and was part of Team USA's regional team that won the first ever gold medal at the Culinary Olympics held in Germany as well as part of the gold winning Team USA. At the age of 23, Von Raesfeld will realize any chef's lifetime goal to manage a restaurant of their own, leading a team of the best chefs in the industry. As chef de cuisine, Von Raesfeld will be a fixture in 150 Central Park, present in every aspect of the signature venue, from the day-to-day kitchen operations and the dining experience, to engaging and conversing with guests nightly. "Keriann Von Raesfeld's incredible talent and innovative vision for 150 Central Park is the perfect fit within the constellation of culinary offerings aboard Oasis of the Seas," says Frank Weber, vice president, Food and Beverage Operations, Royal Caribbean International. "Keriann embodies Royal Caribbean's culture of innovation. Rather than partner with a traditional celebrity chef to lend a name to our signature restaurant, we found one that is a true star in her own right who will focus all of her attention in making the 150 Central Park experience stellar. Royal Caribbean found an authentic, hidden gem with Keriann." Von Raesfeld's modern American epicurean approach, established in formal training from the Professional Culinary Institute and continuously refined through various international competitions, is founded in familiar cuisine and brought to life in original and unique ways. The distinctive style exercises a play on temperatures and textures to create dishes such as a spicy "hot" gazpacho and a Kobe steak entree served with shitake "bacon" and a celery root puree. Other signature presentations will include Von Raesfeld's acclaimed banana split, which requires a day-and-a-half of preparation. "Royal Caribbean has given me a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," says Chef Keriann Von Raesfeld. "My experience in international culinary competitions -- where time and food constraints are inherent -- is a huge advantage in helping to prepare me for what will be one of the best restaurants at sea. 150 Central Park will be a refined and inviting restaurant, offering extreme attention to detail, from the china and stemware to our amazing wait staff and sommeliers." Completing the gastronomic experience at 150 Central Park will be the most dynamic wine program of any Royal Caribbean restaurant. The expansive wine list, created by Master Sommelier John Blazon, will feature wine recommendations paired with the evening's menu and presented in three "tasting tiers" based on the bottles' price points. Guests will be able to view the ship's extensive wine collection in a uniquely designed wine cellar, visible from within the restaurant. Located in the lush and tropical grounds of the ship's Central Park neighborhood, 150 Central Park will feature decor that will embrace the mellow earth tones, unique textiles and fixtures inspired by nature's four seasons. Inspired by the simple elegance concept of trend-setting restaurants in Chicago, New York and Los Angeles, each detail of 150 Central Park will be dedicated to enhancing the dining ambiance, from the tabletops to the service team uniforms. The restaurant will feature two menus per sailing, each offering a six- and eight-course option, and be open for dinner daily from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. with a cover charge of $35.

Princess Cruises has added seven new sailings to its fall 2010 to spring 2011 schedule aboard Sapphire Princess, including two leisurely Pacific crossings between California and Sydney, plus additional Hawaii cruises. "Due to the enthusiastic response to our 2009 Trans Pacific sailing we wanted to offer additional opportunities to experience this unique itinerary," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "The two new month-long sailings visiting 13 tropical ports of call will give cruisers a true taste of the idyllic South Pacific." Swartz added that increased interest in roundtrip Hawaii sailings prompted Princess to add several more of these sailings to its west coast lineup as well. The new Sapphire Princess voyages include: • 2-day Pacific Coastal (Vancouver to San Francisco) -- September 20, 2010 • 30-day Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific (San Francisco to Sydney) -- September 22, 2010 • 29-day Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific (Sydney to Los Angeles) -- October 23, 2010 • 10-day Mexican Riviera (roundtrip out of Los Angeles) -- January 5, 2011 • 14-day Hawaiian Islands (roundtrip out of Los Angeles) -- January 29, 2011 • 14-day Hawaiian Islands (roundtrip out of Los Angeles) -- February 26, 2011 • 14-day Hawaiian Islands (roundtrip out of Los Angeles) -- March 26, 2011 The new sailings are currently open for sale, with fares starting at $199 per person for the new two-day coastal cruise. Hawaiian Islands sailings begin at $1,995 per person, and Pacific crossings begin at $4,195 per person. To accommodate the new cruises, which were added as a result of shifting demand in the west coast cruise market, Princess has cancelled 15 previously scheduled Mexican Riviera sailings. An additional 17 Mexican Riviera sailings are still available during this time period.

Congratulations.

Two months after hurricane season began, the first named storms of the season swirled through the Atlantic over the weekend, impacting several cruise itineraries. Tropical Storm Ana, downgraded to a tropical depression, drenched Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands over the weekend en route to the Dominican Republic. Hurricane Bill became the first hurricane of the 2009 season today, and is predicted to become a Category 3 storm by Wednesday, according to the National Hurricane Center. The Carnival Freedom, on an eight-day cruise out of Fort Lauderdale, called at Nassau yesterday rather than staying at sea, and postponed its visit to San Juan until tomorrow. It is at sea today, and on Wednesday will call in St. Thomas instead of Antigua. Its stop in Tortola will be on schedule Thursday and it will spend Friday at sea rather than go back to Nassau. The Carnival Glory’s itinerary was modified yesterday, but has been changed back to its original itinerary. The Caribbean Princess, sailing out of New York, visited Grand Turk today instead of San Juan, will miss St. Thomas tomorrow and stay at sea, will visit Nassau on Wednesday instead of Grand Turk, and make an unplanned call at Port Canaveral on Thursday.