CruiseNews

Ocean Princess in Abu DhabiAbu Dhabi’s expanding cruise industry credentials have received an out-of-season boost with today’s maiden arrival of the 755 passenger capacity Ocean Princess at Mina Zayed Port - the first time a vessel registered to the Los Angeles-based Princess Cruises fleet has docked in the emirate. The latest indicator of the steady upturn in Abu Dhabi’s cruise industry potential, the upmarket Ocean Princess, which is currently on a round-the-world voyage, is the first of two Princess Cruises’ arrivals scheduled to dock in Abu Dhabi in the coming weeks. "This arrival is the result of three years of negotiations with senior Princess Cruises management, though the move to include Abu Dhabi on the company’s round-the-world itineraries gained compelling momentum in the last 12 months as the emirate’s international stop-over reputation spread," said George Varghese, General Manager " Commercial, Rais Hassan Saadi Group, a port agent at the forefront of regional cruise industry growth. With Varghese insisting the smaller, limited capacity luxury liner is "testing the waters" for Princess Cruises, he revealed the larger, 2,272-capacity Dawn Princess will arrive in Abu Dhabi on June 16 as part of its own globe-trotting voyage. "The arrivals of Ocean Princess and Dawn Princess illustrate increasing international operator demand for Abu Dhabi. The emirate’s regular, winter season itineraries yield the majority of cruise traffic, but year-round stop-overs for round-the-world vessels could see arrivals extended to the traditional, out-of-season summer months," added Varghese. Princess Cruises is wholly-owned by Carnival Cruises, the world’s largest cruise line operator. Carnival, which operates more than 100 vessels under various brands - including Abu Dhabi stop-over regulars, AIDA Cruises and Costa Cruises - currently contributes 75 per cent of all Abu Dhabi’s cruise arrivals. Master Stefano Ravera, Captain, Ocean Princes said he was "honoured" to be at the helm of the vessel as she made her historic maiden call in Abu Dhabi. "As captain I can say I and the crew felt at home here as soon as we saw the fabulous city skyline. The passengers have had a fantastic experience in Abu Dhabi with them commenting that they felt safe and that everything is so clean," he said. Abu Dhabi’s cruise ambitions received a major boost last October when MSC Cruises, the world’s fastest growing cruise operator, decided to homeport the luxury MSC Lirica in the UAE capital from October 2011, where it will embark on 19 regional itineraries. MSC Lirica’s regional sailings translate to a potential 41,000 cruise arrivals; a number that Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority (ADTA) " which signed the landmark co-operation agreement with MSC - has estimated will generate in excess of AED 135 million (US $37 million) per season in nett economic impact to, and via, the emirate’s tourism sector. Abu Dhabi’s ambitions have now received a further boost with the news that Costa Cruises’ Costa Favalosia " at 3,800-capacity the biggest cruise liner ever to be built " will stop in the emirate in November following its July 2 launch in Trieste, Italy. AIDA Cruises, based in Rostock, Germany, will also debut its own new vessel, the AIDAblu, in Abu Dhabi this winter. "Increased cruise arrivals are a core enabler in ADTA’s strategy to attract 2.3 million hotel guests to the emirate by the end of 2012," explained Lawrence Franklin, Strategy & Policy Director, ADTA. "Over the past two years, cruise arrivals to the emirate have nearly doubled and in the forthcoming 2011/12 season, we are expecting 68 ships to deliver upwards of 145,000 passengers and 50,000 crew. The high growth strategy target of welcoming over 100 ships per season and around 250,000 cruise arrivals to the emirate by 2014/2015 is on-track." Martijn Van De Linde, CEO, Abu Dhabi Terminals, insisted Abu Dhabi’s cruise industry growth story was built on the foundations of hard-work and co-operation. "Abu Dhabi Terminals is a strong supporter of the cruise industry and ADTA’s initiatives to introduce passengers to the Arabian heritage and culture", said Van De Linde. "We’ve worked closely with cruise lines and agents over the years to instill confidence and ignite interest in the region as a tourist destination; the success of which is clearly visible through the record number of 139,597 passengers we handled last season." An interim cruise terminal at Mina Zayed Port, suitable for home port and port-of-call vessels and capable of handling all types of embarkation and disembarkation, will cater for Abu Dhabi’s 2011/12 winter season itineraries. Click here to view the article

Nickelodeon and Norwegian Cruise Line today announced the addition of Daniella Monet and Leon Thomas III, stars of Nick's hit live-action series Victorious, to the talent roster for this summer's "Nickelodeon All Access Cruise." Monet (Trina) and Thomas (Andre) will set sail aboard Norwegian Epic on July 24, 2011, joining iCarly's Jennette McCurdy (Sam), and Nathan Kress (Freddie), as well as Tom Kenny, the voice of SpongeBob SquarePants. Departing from Barcelona, Spain, this seven-day cruise offers stops at ports of call in some of the most beautiful locales in the Mediterranean, including Florence/Pisa, Rome, and Naples, Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain. Norwegian and Nickelodeon are providing families with a once-in-a-lifetime Mediterranean cruise vacation that offers a unique family entertainment experience on board Norwegian Cruise Line's newest, largest and most innovative cruise ship to date. On land, families can explore the ruins of the lost city of Pompeii, visit the world-famous aquarium on the island of Majorca, and take an excursion to the Leaning Tower of Pisa before ending the day on a beautiful Mediterranean beach. Only on the "Nickelodeon All Access Cruise," families can enjoy Nickelodeon's exclusive entertainment, including: An ultimate sliming experience that offers an opportunity for the whole family to get slimed together; Meet and greets with the stars of Nickelodeon's hottest live-action shows including Jennette McCurdy and Nathan Kress from iCarly and Daniella Monet and Leon Thomas from Victorious; Special viewings and premieres of never-before-seen episodes of Nickelodeon's hit TV shows like iCarly, Victorious and SpongeBob SquarePants; Meet and greets with popular Nickelodeon characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, Aang the Last Airbender and many more; Nickelodeon's signature messy game shows like Slime Time LIVE! and poolside events; Breakfast with Nickelodeon characters every day of the cruise; Plus, families can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising®. Cruises are priced from $1,049 per person, based on double occupancy. In addition to all of Nickelodeon's top-notch entertainment offerings, the specialty cruise will also include Nick-themed Sailaway; Club Nick parties; and the opportunity for every family to get slimed. Nickelodeon Nickelodeon, now in its 32nd year, is the number-one entertainment brand for kids. It has built a diverse, global business by putting kids first in everything it does. The company includes television programming and production in the United States and around the world, plus consumer products, online, recreation, books, and feature films. Nickelodeon's U.S. television network is seen in more than 100 million households and has been the number-one-rated basic cable network for 16 consecutive years. Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian has 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The Company has two 4,000-passenger vessels on order for delivery in spring 2013 and spring 2014. Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, appearing for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, , Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, Gibson Guitar, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams® & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top. Click here to view the article

Stein Kruse, president and ceo Holland America Line, announced that Rotterdam woud be based year-round in northern Europe at the Cruise Europe conference in Stavanger this week. Her winter deployment will begin after the 2012 summer season out of the Dutch port. She will sail a series of short and long itineraries ranging from Christmas cruises to Oslo to those to the Caribbean and Indonesia. Saying that growth of the Dutch market “has been huge for us” he told delegates that he expected more than 50% of the passengers to sail on Rotterdam to be Dutch. Plans were in place for the deployment before the financial crisis hit but were put on hold until the right opportunity arose. “We have reached a point when we are ready to do this,” he said, adding: “We hope it will be massively successful.” In July this year the company will commemorate the 40th anniversary of its last traditional trans-Atlantic crossings between Rotterdam and New York and the beginning of vacation cruising with two classic crossings on Rotterdam. Click here to view the article

Best ship for entertainment adds internationally-inspired performances Norwegian Cruise Line continues to change the face of cruise ship entertainment with Norwegian Epic, its largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship ever, by adding new entertainment to appeal to an international audience for her inaugural season in Europe. The award-winning Norwegian Epic will also continue to offer the popular Blue Man Group; Cirque Dreams? & Dinner; Legends in Concert; Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos Show; Slam Allen Blues Band*; and Nickelodeon? on every sailing. "Norwegian Epic has taken cruise ship entertainment to a new level with world-class performances and multiple entertainment options," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "We had such a popular response during Epic's inaugural season that we wanted to customize the entertainment to fit the broader, international audiences for her first season in Europe." Headliner's Comedy and Musical Acts Four unique performances will replace The Second City Comedy Troupe in Headliner's Comedy Club. Three of the four 45-minute shows will be offered each week. Lost Locos Ole! is a fast paced Latin music comedy features three Latin Machos who duel with their ingenious slapstick, manic comedy and flamenco guitars. The show promises pop musical parodies, musical performances ranging from Flamenco to rock, dancing from salsa to swing, all ending in a Grande Fiesta. The comedy has won accolades and been described as funny, unpredictable and spectacular. Stephen Sorrentino, a talented musical comedian and impressionist, comes straight from Las Vegas to perform Voices in My Head, an act that has earned him the title of "Male Impressionist of the Year" by the International Guild of Celebrity Impersonators and Tribute Acts. His performance, appropriate for guests of all ages, showcases Stephen's ability to impersonate over 180 different voices and play numerous musical instruments. The Maestranza Spanish Ballet mixes the influences of Arabic and flamenco dance with Spanish techniques to create a sophisticated performance. The Flamenco guitarist, along with traditional Spanish castanets, provides the rhythm for the three Flamenco dancers. The performers in their colorful costumes lead the audience on a journey of passion. The Extraordinary Voyage is a musical comedy marionette show that tells the story of a jealous husband and his beautiful wife through Mexican songs and Spanish flamenco. The "Cabaret on Stings" is performed by only two people and ends with a grand finale of 19 marionettes performing in a gypsy-like choir. Beatles Tribute A brand new addition to Norwegian Epic's line-up of entertainment, the Beatles Tribute, an internationally acclaimed concert, provides guests with an authentic live performance using all original instruments. The 45-minute show will take place in the ship's outdoor venue, Spice H20, giving guests the chance to experience an evening summer concert three nights per cruise. The tribute band will perform popular hits such as "Let it Be," "Yesterday," and "A Hard Day's Night," as they journey through the ten years of the world phenomena that was the Beatles. Blue Man Group Blue Man Group is best known for their wildly popular theatrical shows and concerts which combine music, comedy and multimedia theatrics to produce a totally unique form of entertainment. The blissful party atmosphere created at their live events has become the trademark of a Blue Man Group experience and is now performed for the first time ever at sea only on Norwegian Epic. The group performs eight 75-minute shows during a seven-day cruise in the ship's Epic Theater. Cirque Dreams? & Dinner Famed producer/director Neil Goldberg created Cirque Dreams & Dinner solely for the Spiegel Tent, the only "big top" at sea. This one-of -a-kind, interactive entertainment and dining experience is performed in the air, while juggling dinner courses with music, mayhem and acrobatic imagination. During this two-hour show, guests marvel in amazement and become part of a celebration of spectacle and fantasy. The entire experience, available eleven shows of each sailing, is unlike anything at sea. Legends in Concert Internationally acclaimed Legends In Concert is known as the pioneer of live celebrity impersonator shows and possesses the greatest collection of celebrity tribute artists ever assembled. For the European season, tribute artists include Shakira, Whitney Houston and Elton John. The three celebrity tribute performers take the stage in the ship's Epic Theater for six 45-minute live shows over three days during a seven-day cruise. In addition, an "unplugged" show is performed on three additional nights in the Manhattan Room, the ship's New York-inspired supper club, providing an unprecedented dining and entertainment experience on Norwegian Epic. Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos Show Performing four times per cruise in Headliners, Norwegian Epic's comedy club, Howl at the Moon is a total entertainment experience where the talented piano players not only entertain the guests; the guests become part of the show. The fun is centered around two baby grand pianos and a full out rock show with Howl's entertainers playing the best music from 70's rock to hip-hop for four hours per show. Howl at the Moon, with multiple locations across the United States, encourages people to live out their inner rock star, so guests should be ready to clap, sing, dance and howl. Slam Allen Blues Band Slam Allen Blues Band continues to jam out on Norwegian Epic as the official Fat Cats house blues band. Slam Allen first appeared on Norwegian Epic during the ship's inaugural launch in June, 2010 and has since become a staple. With Slam at the helm, the band develops an incredible rapport with guests and other entertainers on board in four hour-long jam sessions six nights per cruise. Slam Allen will be on a brief hiatus from July 17 through August 28, 2011. During this time, Roadside Louie and the Dusters, a Memphis-based blues band personally selected by Slam, will play in Fat Cats. Nickelodeon Family Entertainment Each cruise features live Nickelodeon-themed interactive shows, including: SlimeTime LIVE!; Breakfast with Nickelodeon; Nick Live Poolside entertainment; Nick-themed dance parties and opportunities for kids to visit with their favorite Nick characters. So that guests are ensured of seeing the incredible entertainment on board, Norwegian has created advanced, online ticketing for many of these performances including Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams & Dinner, Legends in Concert, Headliner's Comedy and Musical Acts (one advance booking per cruise), Nickelodeon Slime Time Live!, and Breakfast with Nickelodeon. Booked guests can go to the Norwegian website, www.ncl.com, log in to the "My NCL" section and visit a special entertainment page where they can select and reserve their desired performance. Guests may make a reservation for each show once per sailing. Online reservations for entertainment open 45 days prior to a sailing date. Norwegian Epic will sail from Barcelona, Spain from May 22 through October 23, 2011. Guests will have the opportunity to visit Florence (Livorno), Italy; Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy; Naples, Italy; and Palma, Majorca, Spain, as well as enjoy two relaxing days at sea. About Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility. Today, Norwegian has 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The Company has two 4,000-passenger vessels on order for delivery in spring 2013 and spring 2014. Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, appearing for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, Second City® Comedy Troupe, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, Gibson Guitar, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams® & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top. Click here to view the article

Carnival Cruise Lines was well represented in a culinary competition to commemorate Carnival Corporation & plc’s 100th ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic, which made her debut in Europe earlier this month. Carnival Corporation & plc invited pastry chefs from across its 10 worldwide brands to create custom-designed cakes to celebrate the historic and unprecedented achievement. Although many of highly imaginative and decorative entries from Carnival Cruise Lines’ chefs were in the running as finalists, the team from Holland America Line’s Rotterdam was deemed the winner, taking home a $10,000 grand prize which will be used for a crew celebration. It’s only fitting that a vessel from the Carnival Corporation & plc’s flagship brand earned the 100th ship distinction as the company’s origins date back to the launch of Carnival Cruise Line’s first “Fun Ship,” the TSS Mardi Gras, in 1972. The introduction of the Mardi Gras nearly 40 years ago set the foundation for the incredible growth of Carnival Corporation & plc, the largest cruise vacation group in the world. In addition to the cake competition for its shipboard teams, Carnival Corporation & plc provided guests sailing aboard its 100 ships an opportunity to participate in the celebration with a complimentary champagne toast late last month. All told, more than 227,000 guests participated in the toast, believed to be the largest celebration of its kind at sea. Click here to view the article

Carnival Cruise Lines, which has offered baby-sitting services on its ships, will offer a new late-night children’s activity program fleetwide starting in June. Called Camp Carnival Night Owls, the program will offer supervised activities from 10 p.m. on for three age groups, Mark Tamis, senior vice president of guest operations, announced during a press meeting aboard the new Carnival Magic, which entered service May 1. For age 2 to 11 years, the program will operate until midnight and cost $13 per child with a 15 percent gratuity. The program will operate until 1 a.m. for those age 6 to 8 years and cost $20 with a 15 percent tip. And for kids age 9 to 11 years old, the program will end at 3 a.m., when children can be delivered back to their staterooms. That program will cost $33 plus the 15 percent. Participating children will also receive a gift backpack, Tamis said. Carnival expects to carry about 670,000 children in 2011. The Carnival Magic has 19,000 square feet of children’s and teen areas. Click here to view the article

Royal Caribbean International announced the cruise line’s 2012-13 Caribbean cruises, offering vacationers more choices for an exciting vacation aboard some of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the largest and most revolutionary cruise ships at sea, as well as Freedom of the Seas, Explorer of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas will continue sailing a range of Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries year-round from five convenient drive-market ports. Six additional ships, Adventure of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas and Navigator of the Seas, will offer even greater flexibility with four- to 12-night Caribbean itineraries, departing from four more convenient domestic U.S. ports in winter 2012-13. Royal Caribbean’s 2012-13 Caribbean cruises aboard Adventure of the Seas, Mariner of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas, Brilliance of the Seas, Enchantment of the Seas, and Explorer of the Seas are open for booking immediately, while 2012-13 sailings aboard Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas, Liberty of the Seas, Jewel of the Seas, Majesty of the Seas and Monarch of the Seas will open throughout next week. “Royal Caribbean’s 2012-13 Caribbean cruises aboard some of the world’s largest and most innovative cruise ships are perfect settings for families and couples of all ages to create memories that will last a lifetime,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “Our unmatched ships, amazing onboard staff and crew, and exciting itineraries are all part of the Royal Advantage that we deliver to guests on every cruise. There’s something for everyone onboard, from relaxing in the solarium to participating in the DreamWorks character parade to attending a Broadway musical, to enjoying a multitude of dining options, all of which create opportunities to bond and grow.” In 2012, Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Freedom of the Seas continue to alternate seven-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Every weekend, Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., while Freedom of the Seas sails from Port Canaveral along the Space Coast. The recently launched Oasis-class ships introduced many ‘firsts’ to the industry and offer guests the widest array of innovative onboard amenities, accommodations, dining and entertainment options. Aboard all three ships – and Liberty of the Seas – guests enjoy the exclusive DreamWorks Experience, which feature programs and interactive sessions with DreamWorks Animation’s characters from “Shrek,” “Madagascar,” “Kung Fu Panda” and “How to Train Your Dragon.” Throughout winter 2012-13, Brilliance of the Seas will take over for Serenade of the Seas and join Adventure of the Seas to offer vacationers two ships to embark on a round-trip, seven-night Southern Caribbean cruise from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Explorer of the Seas and Enchantment of the Seas continue their year-round departures from Cape Liberty in Bayonne, NJ, and Baltimore, respectively, to the Caribbean. Explorer of the Seas offers New York-metropolitan vacationers seven-night Bahamas and nine- to 11-night Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries. In mid-April 2013, vacationers also can choose a five- or six-night Bermuda or a nine-night Bermuda and Caribbean itinerary. Enchantment of the Seas, on the other hand, will sail seven-night Bahamas, nine-night Eastern Caribbean and 12-night Southern Caribbean itineraries throughout the season. Gulf Coast vacationers will again have three convenient regional ports to embark on a Caribbean cruise in winter 2012-13. Sailing seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries, Navigator of the Seas will replace Voyager of the Seas as a new seasonal product from New Orleans, while Mariner of the Seas will sail round-trip from Galveston again. Jewel of the Seas will continue four- and five-night from Tampa, where the new five-night itinerary will alternate calls at Cozumel and Grand Cayman or Cozumel and Key West. Liberty of the Seas also will offer four- and five-night Western Caribbean itineraries from Port Everglades. Additionally, Monarch of the Seas and Majesty of the Seas continue to sail three- and four-night Bahamas getaways from Port Canaveral and Miami, respectively. These quick getaway cruises call at Nassau and CocoCay, Royal Caribbean’s private island in the Bahamas. Onboard, guests can enjoy a day by the pool, rejuvenate with a session in the ship’s day-spa, or on select ships, take on the challenge to climb the rock-wall, hang-ten on the FlowRider surf simulator, or fly nine decks high on the zip line. At night, the Casino Royale offer world-class gaming, while lounges offer a variety of atmospheres for dancing into the night to relaxing and recounting the day’s activities. The cruise line’s complimentary, award-winning Adventure Ocean kids and teen programming help younger guests meet like-minded peers to build lasting friendships in counselor-led activity sessions from morning to late night. Throughout, every guest enjoys Royal Caribbean’s friendly and engaging Gold Anchor Service. Click here to view the article

Carnival Cruise Lines’ latest “Fun Ship,” the 130,000-ton Carnival Magic, is set to raise the bar on shipboard entertainment with some of the most spectacular shows ever seen at sea. In addition to three spellbinding stage shows that feature detailed sets and costumes, state-of-the-art video technology and sophisticated special effects, Carnival Magic offers an array of entertainment choices at various venues throughout the ship, including everything from solo singers and comedians to live bands and engaging audience participation. “On Carnival, it’s all about giving our guests choices, and Carnival Magic is our most entertaining ship to date,” said Senior Vice President of Guest Operations Mark Tamis. “With our most fun and diverse entertainment lineup ever, we are offering something for everybody.” A Magical Extravaganza The first production show, “Destination: Unknown,” is the largest show ever staged on a Carnival ship and the latest in Carnival Cruise Lines’ arsenal of hits. It stars Jason Byrne, award-winning “magician extraordinaire” and Las Vegas headliner. The mood is set before guests even enter the Showtime theatre with high-tech special effects, and as the houselights dim, full-stage silk drapes fall into view and quickly disappear into the floor or fly into the wings to reveal the full cast of singers and dancers. Then Byrne, the show’s star magician, appears out of thin air piloting a helicopter mid-stage. What follows is a mystical and magical circus full of masterful illusions made possible by the Showtime theatre’s state-of-the-art, unparalleled technology. This is a can’t-miss show stopper that’s sure to entertain the whole family. Grooving Through the ’70s The 1970s were more than just disco music and polyester bell-bottoms, and “The Groove Line” is a funky journey through the city streets and iconic discotheques of that era. Choreographed to the tunes that shaped a generation and featuring artists such as KC and the Sunshine Band, The Jackson Five and Sister Sledge, this show will have guests on their feet and carry them back to the heyday of the 1970s. It’s a Game Thing “Win! The Game Show” is a wild and crazy parody of television’s most popular game shows. The different and twisted games comprise a travelogue that guides the audience to exotic and exciting places, from a NASCAR-style race track to the Las Vegas Strip. With opportunities for audience participation and a fabulously catchy soundtrack featuring songs by Lynyrd Skynyrd, The Eagles, Shania Twain and Ricky Martin, this show is sure to be a major hit with guests. More Entertainment Options Carnival Magic’s two new venues help to take the line’s reputation for diverse, at-sea entertainment choices to a new level. Cucina del Capitano (“The Captain’s Kitchen”) not only boasts singing and dancing waiters and waitresses alongside a barrel of Chianti on wheels, but also has a loop of 65 hand-selected, Italian-themed songs. Meanwhile, each evening as the sun sets, patrons of the Caribbean-inspired RedFrog Pub can kick back to live acoustic guitar and vocals as they relax on swing-gliding chairs or amuse themselves with any number of bar games, such as foosball, a tabletop shuffleboard, darts, puzzles and more. Ocean Plaza is the central entertainment hub of the ship. Here, sip on a latte from the coffee shop, delight in an ice cold beer or indulge in a frozen concoction. By day, this is the place to surf the web, gather with friends or enjoy fun trivia contests led by the cruise staff. By night, the fabulous indoor/outdoor space turns into a whole different world with entertainment acts taking the stage and guests dancing the night away. Also featured on the Carnival Magic is the Punchliner Comedy Club, which highlights a wide variety of comedians offering both family-friendly and adult-only performances. “Superstar Live” takes karaoke to a whole new level by offering wannabe starlets, crooners and rockers the opportunity to perform accompanied by a live band and backing singers. Additionally, a variety of solo performers and musical ensembles can be found in different locations throughout the ship, providing musical entertainment spanning a wide range of musical genres. More Shows in Texas Upon arrival at Carnival Magic’s homeport of Galveston, Texas, two more shows will be added to the ship’s entertainment lineup. The first is guest favorite “Carnival Legends.” For those who have dreamed of performing with a live band dressed as Tina Turner, Michael Jackson or Cher, this is the opportunity to make that a reality. During the “Carnival Legends” show, guests don authentic, highly detailed costumes of their favorite singer and perform one of the artist’s signature tunes, backed by a talented 10-piece orchestra and full complement of dancers. After rehearsing with the Carnival Magic’s band and production show dancers, it’s “showtime” as the would-be stars take to the stage and strut their stuff to a packed audience. Currently showing on Carnival Triumph, “A Kiss Goodnight” is drawing capacity crowds for each adult-only late-night show and is set to do the same on board Carnival Magic. The show features the slight-of-hand and close-up magic of house magician Mark Miller and featured magician Jason Byrne alongside the table magicians who work the room prior to showtime. Cue the music and dancers grace the stage in alluring costumes, moving in and out of the shadows to create a sensual and beautiful atmosphere like no other. Click here to view the article

Guests can watch "Kung Fu Panda 2" onboard select Royal Caribbean ships this summer. // © Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean International will offer 3-D film screenings of “Kung Fu Panda 2” onboard Allure of the Seas, Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas from June through August 2011, while the film is still playing in movie theaters around the world. The cruise line will also host a series of red-carpet premieres, which will be celebrated onboard Oasis of the Seas on June 4, Freedom of the Seas and Allure of the Seas on June 5, and Liberty of the Seas on June 18. In conjunction with the at-sea premiere of “Kung Fu Panda 2,” the line will launch “Pandamonium,” an exclusive summer promotion perfect for families. The package is available onboard four Royal Caribbean ships that feature the DreamWorks Experience, and includes VIP seating at one of the onboard “Kung Fu Panda 2” premieres, exclusive meet and greets with DreamWorks Animation characters, two soft drink packages, two cupcakes from the Cupcake Cupboard, a complimentary family photo and a chance for guests to build their own Pets at Sea plush animal. The Pandamonium package can be booked using the promotional code YNOTxxPO. The DreamWorks Experience, first launched aboard Allure of the Seas, and now offered aboard Oasis of the Seas, Freedom of the Seas and Liberty of the Seas, provides Royal Caribbean guests with entertainment programs from DreamWorks studio’s most popular feature films. Year round, film characters, including Shrek, Fiona and Puss In Boots of “Shrek;” Alex, Mort, and the Penguins of “Madagascar;” Po of “Kung Fu Panda;” and Hiccup of “How to Train Your Dragon,” engage guests of all ages, day and night. Additionally, guests can enjoy DreamWorks Animation programming on a dedicated RCTV channel in their staterooms, as well as DreamWorks Animation’s films in 3-D in the four ships’ theaters on the big screen. Click here to view the article

Norwegian Cruise Line is inviting children ages 17 and under to sail for free when their parents book them on a cruise by May 7, 2011 as third or fourth guests on select sailings fleet-wide. Destinations include the Bahamas, Bermuda, Hawaii, the Caribbean and Europe. Family-friendly features onboard Norwegian’s fleet include waterslides, a two-story Wii wall and supervised kids and teens programs, as well as a dedicated Kid’s Café onboard the Norwegian Gem, Norwegian Jade, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Spirit, Norwegian Star, Pride of America, Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl. During the Norwegian Jewel’s sailings from New York to the Bahamas and Florida or Norwegian Epic’s voyages to the Western Mediterranean from Barcelona or to the Caribbean from Miami, signature Nickelodeon activities and shows are available for children. The Norwegian Epic features an Aqua Park, a two-deck sports complex and an interactive children’s area, Recess. Click here to view the article

With just over two weeks until the debut of the new 3,690-passenger Carnival Magic, final preparations are underway at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, in anticipation of the ship’s inaugural May 1 voyage from Venice. Workers are putting the finishing touches on the Carnival Magic’s dazzling interiors and public spaces and nearly 1,000 crew members are on board undergoing various training exercises and familiarizing themselves with the facilities and features aboard the new 130,000-ton vessel. As the line’s newest “Fun Ship,” Carnival Magic will introduce a host of innovations, including the Cucina del Capitano, a new family-style restaurant that brings the heritage of Carnival’s captains to the table; SportSquare, an expansive open-air recreation complex featuring the first-ever ropes course at sea; and the RedFrog Pub, a Caribbean-inspired watering hole with its own private label draught beer. Immediately prior to the May 1 inaugural cruise, Carnival Magic will be officially named by Lindsey Wilkerson, a former St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital patient who now serves an employee and an ambassador for the organization. Wilkerson’s choice as godmother is a tribute to Carnival’s ongoing relationship with St. Jude, one of the world’s premier centers for the research and treatment of pediatric cancer and other catastrophic diseases. Carnival Magic will operate a series of seven- to 12-day Mediterranean voyages through October then reposition to Galveston, Texas, in November to launch seven-day Caribbean voyages, becoming the port’s largest year-round ship. Click here to view the article

Jamaica benefited from a nearly double-digit increase in cruise ship arrivals during the most recent, busy winter season, the Caribbean country's tourism minister announced Tuesday. Edmund Bartlett said cruise ship tourists surged by 9.6 percent this high season over the same period in 2009-2010, an increase of 34,954 visitors. The high season for Jamaica's tourism sector came to an end on April 15. Bartlett, who made the comments at a conference in the tourism mecca of Montego Bay in the island's north, also said the tourism industry brought in foreign exchange earnings of $852.6 million during the winter, a 6 percent increase over the $804.5 million earned over the same period last season. Stopover arrivals increased by 5.6 percent, he added. "The stage is now set for yet another remarkable year of performance in terms of arrivals and foreign exchange earnings," he said. The rebound of cruise ship passengers is especially good news for tourism-dependent Jamaica since the number of ship tourists visiting the island dropped by 1.4 percent last year to 910,000. Jamaica hopes to capture even more of the cruise ship market with the recent opening of a two-berth cruise port in the north coast town of Falmouth. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. and the Port Authority of Jamaica developed the $220 million, three-phase port project, which is nestled between the resort cities of Montego Bay and Ocho Rios. Although the port received its first visiting cruise ship in February, officials held the opening ceremony last month for the arrival of the 16-deck, 225,000-ton (204,100-metric-ton) Oasis of the Seas. Click here to view the article