CruiseNews

Why is Azamara Club Cruises such a carefully kept secret in this industry? It is perplexing that this excellent product has to work so hard to rise above the marketing noise and clutter. Word of mouth still counts, however, particularly now with instant user internet reviews. We hope and feel strongly that Azamara will hold its own and thrive despite the constant reminders of "economies of scale" that tell us in the industry that bigger is better (more profitable). A unique itinerary within a seven-day framework, plus the fact that we were curious about the product, attracted us to a cruise on the Azamara. The Quest started out from Venice, and we had luxuriously long days in Hvar, Split, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Korcula and Trieste. With few slips-ups, the tone, culture and consistency of this relaxed upscale product delivered. We'd like to point out what is so different and special about this experience weighed against the other cruise products. There were some weak points here and there, but on the whole we were very pleased. For starters this is a small 694-passenger ship. A mostly adult experience, few kids and an international mature guest mix that was stimulating in itself. Large numbers of Brits and Scandinavians made for a certain cordial atmosphere aboard. Without exception everyone we talked to commented on the crew – more so than any other cruise we have been on. Crew and staff were always smiling, warm and courteous without being over-bearing or having that "under the gun" happiness you sometimes sense. These crew members seemed to be in on some secret joke. Were they laughing about something we did or just smiling? It doesn't matter. As has often been said a happy crew is a happy cruise! Captain Carl Smith undoubtedly set his personal stamp to the tone on this ship (see one-on-one interview). As one crew member told us he wasn't like "some of the other captains" they sailed under, even attending crew parties and events. Senior officers were more involved with passengers than we've ever seen. They participated in a 1,350-step climb to a fortress in Kotor, danced with passengers at certain events, and although not too unusual, walked the ship often, keeping an eye and ear on things. Most impressive from our point of view was being wished well as we disembarked by the hotel manager and food/beverage manager at the gangway. They waited for every single guest to leave the ship and thanked them for sailing. Click here to view the article

The next generation of ships needs to be of flexible design, according to Giuseppe Torrente, head of the design department at Fincantieri's Merchant Ship Business Unit. He said they need to be energy efficient and economical to operate. "Already more hydrodynamic hull forms require less propulsion power," he explained."The starting point is the speed. By designing hulls for the most frequent speed, we can optimize the hull for that speed and save fuel and energy. A hull optimized for 20 knots will be different from a hull optimized for 22 knots." In addition the industry has had to work in new stability requirements and the Safe-Return-to-Port concept in their new designs, as well as new ballast water, anti-fouling and recycling conventions, sequentially adopted by the IMO, according to Torrente. The real impact of the new rules and conventions are yet to be determined, he noted, calling it a revolution, not an evolution from past standards. Pending is the so-called energy efficiency index for which the standards for cruise ships have yet to be defined and agreed upon. Its objective is to contain greenhouse gas emissions. "As we see it, energy efficiencies will surely be increasingly important in the future," said Olli Jantunen, senior vice president of sales and marketing at STX Finland, and Sami Kouvonen, manager of concept design. Kouvonen is also the naval architect for the dual-fuel Viking Line cruise ferry, designed to run on LNG and being built in Turku. According to Richard Goodwin, manager of Lloyd's Register's Passenger Ship Support Center, future designs need to be evaluated for their purpose. "There is no need to design and build a race car if what you need is a family car," he commented. At V.Ships Leisure, Vittorio Facco, technical director responsible for newbuildings, said that diesel electric propulsion is here to stay. Markus Aarnio, vice president of competence at Foreship, said that other powerplant alternatives are not viable, including solar power, which he called "basically a gimmick." He added that the only choice is between podded propulsion, which generates less noise and vibration, or shaft lines. Matteo Di Maio, managing director at V.Delta, said the company may take a different view from the big cruise lines, as they mostly work with smaller newbuildings in the luxury, premium and expedition market segments. "For the smaller ships, the choice is between diesel electric propulsion with shaft lines or mechanical propulsion." According to Facco: "The bottom line is that new ships need to be profitable in order to provide products that the market wants and operate within the financial parameters of the owner. "You cannot design from energy saving perspectives alone." Putting a brake on inventions and new technology is that something really new would set a ship too far apart from the rest of a fleet, and the cruise line may be forced to retrofit all their other ships, Aarnio explained. Looking ahead, Fincantieri's Torrente said that someday e-guided vessels may be a reality, using technology to avoid collisions, groundings and other incidents. "Then, we do not have to concentrate on the consequences of flooding if collisions can be avoided," he noted. Today, cruise ships use AC current, and DC is considered old technology. "But," said Torrente, "progress is being made on DC circuits, breakers, engines, generators and batteries. So never say never." Click here to view the article

In recognition of National Cruise Vacation Week, Carnival Cruise Lines is offering a special promotion offering “cash back” of up to $300 per stateroom for bookings made October 17-23, 2011. The promotion is available in conjunction with a wide range of three- to 12-day “Fun Ship” departures through December 2012. Guests sailing on three- and four-day cruises will receive up to $50 cash back per stateroom; for five-day departures, up to $100 per stateroom; and for six- to nine-day voyages up to $150 per stateroom. Guests will also receive up to $300 per stateroom for 12-day Europe cruises. “We’re celebrating the incredible value of a Carnival cruise during this week-long event by giving even more added value to our guests who book during this time period,” said Joni Rein, vice president of worldwide sales for Carnival Cruise Lines. “Most importantly, we hope this gives our valued travel partners, who are so key to our business, an added sales boost surrounding the event.” The promotion applies to Fun Select rates and is capacity controlled. The cash back is provided in the form of a shipboard credit that can be redeemed once on board. The shipboard credit is automatically applied to guests’ on-board accounts when they board their cruise and can be redeemed toward a wide range of shipboard purchases. Any unused funds at the end of the cruise will be returned to guests on debarkation day in the form of a check. Click here to view the article

Update, 1 p.m. EDT: According to an update provided by FBI Special Agent Dave Couvertier, Dutch authorities took custody of the infant's body on Wednesday and interviewed the 20-year-old mother. The mother remained in St. Maarten and is expected to return to the United States within the next 24 hours. This is an ongoing investigation and the FBI is coordinating with Dutch authorities in St. Maarten. (9:45 a.m. EDT) -- The FBI is investigating the death of a newborn found Wednesday on Carnival Dream, which returned to its Port Canaveral homeport Saturday. "Law enforcement authorities were advised and subsequently a 20-year-old female guest who was traveling onboard the ship was detained [in St. Maarten, where Dream called on Wednesday] pending further investigation," said the line in a statement. At this time, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the matter. Carnival says an employee discovered the deceased newborn in a guest cabin. In an e-mail to the Associated Press, Special Agent Dave Couvertier wrote, "No one has been charged as we are still working on obtaining facts and gathering any available evidence. As a result, no information is being released regarding suspect(s) at this time." Couvertier added that the detained passenger is from the United States. Carnival's official policy states, "Pregnant women are not allowed to cruise if their estimated gestational age on the day of disembarkation is 25 weeks or more." Women with an estimated gestational age of 25 weeks or less, on the day of disembarkation, must submit, prior to departure, a letter from her attending physician certifying that her gestational status is in accordance with this policy, and that the expecting mother is fit to sail. Carnival and the FBI have yet to respond to requests for more information. --by Dan Askin, News Editor Click here to view the article

Update, 1 p.m. EDT: According to an update provided by FBI Special Agent Dave Couvertier, Dutch authorities took custody of the infant's body on Wednesday and interviewed the 20-year-old mother. The mother remained in St. Maarten and is expected to return to the United States within the next 24 hours. This is an ongoing investigation and the FBI is coordinating with Dutch authorities in St. Maarten. (9:45 a.m. EDT) -- The FBI is investigating the death of a newborn found Wednesday on Carnival Dream, which returned to its Port Canaveral homeport Saturday. "Law enforcement authorities were advised and subsequently a 20-year-old female guest who was traveling onboard the ship was detained [in St. Maarten, where Dream called on Wednesday] pending further investigation," said the line in a statement. At this time, the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation is handling the matter. Carnival says an employee discovered the deceased newborn in a guest cabin. In an e-mail to the Associated Press, Special Agent Dave Couvertier wrote, "No one has been charged as we are still working on obtaining facts and gathering any available evidence. As a result, no information is being released regarding suspect(s) at this time." Couvertier added that the detained passenger is from the United States. Carnival's official policy states, "Pregnant women are not allowed to cruise if their estimated gestational age on the day of disembarkation is 25 weeks or more." Women with an estimated gestational age of 25 weeks or less, on the day of disembarkation, must submit, prior to departure, a letter from her attending physician certifying that her gestational status is in accordance with this policy, and that the expecting mother is fit to sail. Carnival and the FBI have yet to respond to requests for more information. --by Dan Askin, News Editor Click here to view the article

The region's only dedicated business to business cruise event will focus on a number of key commercial questions such as how cruise lines and destinations can work together to increase opportunities for cruising in the wider Middle East region and continue to attract repeat passengers. The Seatrade Middle East Cruise Convention (SMECC), to be held between October 18-20 at The Meydan Hotel in Dubai, will feature a high level conference, exhibition, workshop, travel agent training day and networking opportunities. Since the announcement of its launch earlier this year, the event has excited interest both from the region and from a host of global cruise companies. Chris Hayman, Chairman, Seatrade, said: "We have been delighted that so many senior executives from the cruise industry have found time in their schedules to visit Dubai for SMECC, and also to explore other destinations in the region that offer different attractions for their passengers," he added. "It is not only cruise lines already sailing in the region that are represented – we also have representatives from those that will launch cruise programmes next year and others which are keen to touch and taste the destination for future itineraries." The Seatrade Middle East Cruise Convention comes at an opportune time as according to new figures released last week by the Dubai Department of Tourism & Commerce Marketing (DTCM), the number of cruise passengers arriving into Dubai is expected to increase by 50,000 year-on-year through 2015, setting the tone for regional growth and validating expanding interest in the cruise tourism sector. The keen interest in the Middle East as a cruise destination is underlined by statistics from the UK, one of the two largest source markets, with Germany – while cruising numbers rose six per cent overall, the percentage increase in passengers cruising in the Arabian Gulf/Red Sea rose a massive 76 per cent, making it the fastest growing cruise spot worldwide for ex-UK passengers. In the region, Dubai's Port Rashid expects total passenger numbers for the 2011 season to reach 425,000 passengers, with DTCM forecasting continued steady growth for the next four years with 625,000 passengers by 2015, which represents a 38 per cent increase on 2010 figures. Muscat's Mina Qaboos posted a record 231,000 passengers for the 2010/2011 winter season, up 72 per cent over the previous year, while Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi will see around 145,000 cruise visitors this winter. The conference programme will highlight issues including the factors behind the success of the Gulf as a cruise destination; deployment strategies and future potential, and the economic impact of cruise tourism in the region. It will also cover the key topic of how to market the region to the global cruise industry, as well as itinerary and destination development, opportunities for shore excursions and promoting pre and post cruise programmes. "The second morning will focus on how to sell cruising to Gulf residents, a topic of interest to international lines which are looking to expand their passenger mix, particularly in an area where holidaymakers are looking for quality options and, often, family entertainments," added Hayman. Among the speakers lined up for the event are representatives from AIDA, Celebrity, Costa Cruises, Fred. Olsen, Hapag Lloyd, Holland America, Louis Cruises, MSC, Royal Caribbean, Saga Shipping, Seabourn, Silversea, The World, TUI and Variety Cruises. In addition, top executives from Gulf tourism bodies will add regional input, with speakers from Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, DP World, the Oman Ministry of Tourism, Bahrain's Mathias Tourism, El Zayat Tourism from Saudi Arabia, DNATA and Rais Hassan Saadi, plus research and statistical input from DVB Bank se. The cruise sector has been highlighted by many destinations in the region as one that can be enhanced and expanded, offering an opportunity to introduce the Gulf and wider Middle East to tourists who might not experiment with a single destination beach option. Costa Cruises, the first major line to introduce Gulf itineraries, is upping capacity by 16 per cent this winter season, while Royal Caribbean will upgrade its operation with the introduction of Serenade of the Seas from 2012, and MSC arrives in the region this autumn with a series of winter itineraries out of Abu Dhabi with MSC Lirica, including Khasab in the Musandam as a major port of call for the first time. "More ships means more opportunities for regional ports," said Chris Hayman. "Also attending SMECC will be port and tourism representatives from Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, and the event will provide a platform for them to engage with senior cruise officials to pursue joint opportunities." "in addition, with major developments such as the planned transformation of Mina Qaboos in Oman in to a dedicated cruise port, plus new cruise facilities in Doha and Abu Dhabi, cruise executives will be learning more about the potential to expand their programmes in the region" he added. The Seatrade Middle East Cruise Convention is hosted by the Government of Dubai, Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing, Dubai Cruise Terminal and DP World. Sponsored by Rais Hassan Saadi – Cruise Division, Royal Caribbean Arabia and Saifee Ship Spare Parts & Ship Chandlers LLC. Click here to view the article

Coral Princess Cruises' 35 metre catamaran Coral Princess has returned to her homeport in Cairns following a successful Kimberley cruising season and has immediately headed to dry dock for a million dollar refurbishment. The 50 passenger small-ship, which operates alongside the company's flagship Oceanic Discoverer in the Kimberley between April and October each year, will receive new engines, expansive teak decking, reconfigured dining room and lounge, stylish new interior and exterior teak furnishings and revitalised décor as part of the $1 million investment. Coral Princess Cruises, an accredited eco-tourism operator, is committed to the concept of sustainable cruising, and the ship's new "whisper quiet" engines have been developed to minimise emissions and improve fuel efficiency, whilst providing increased power and greater stability. After re-emerging from dry dock the ship will resume service on the Great Barrier Reef in February where she will operate alongside her sister ship Coral Princess II before returning to the Kimberley in early April for the commencement of the 2012 season. Australian-owned Coral Princess Cruises pioneered small-ship expedition cruising on the Kimberley coast in 1996 and has 34 departures scheduled across the 2012 season, which runs between April and October. The company is currently offering 15% discounts on April 2012 'Waterfall Season' departures aboard Oceanic Discoverer and the newly refurbished Coral Princess. The special is available on bookings made before 31 December 2011 or until sold out. For further information and reservations contact Coral Princess Cruises on 1800 079 545 or visit www.coralprincess.com.au. Click here to view the article

Holidaymakers can now dive into the pristine waters of the Pacific or soak up the French flavours of Noumea from the comfort of their home with P&O Cruises’ new online Cruise Experience videos. Featuring footage of fun shore excursions and exploration of picturesque ports, the cruise line hopes the series of videos will help existing passengers plan their holiday. Told through the eyes of passengers, crew and celebrity cruisers like former NRL player Paul Harragon, the videos are shot with handheld cameras offering honest and sometimes humorous insights into real cruising experiences. The destination videos offer a snapshot of some of the 60 ports P&O Cruises visits including the Isle of Pines, with its tropical landscapes, the Loyalty Islands with its smiling locals and all the island delights Vanuatu has to offer. A selection of the cruise line’s most popular shore excursions, including one starring Mr Harragon as he canoes down the Riri River in Vanuatu, feature in longer segments. Meanwhile a series of onboard videos will offer viewers a taste of the wide-array of activities and entertainment on P&O Cruises’ ships including Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill restaurant. Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises, said the videos offer holidaymakers an insight into all the great aspects of a cruising holiday. “Our ships are a destination in their own right but the videos also show the beautiful destinations we visit and the great activities available on shore and at sea,” Ms Lourey said. Click here to view the article

Miami - (October 13, 2011 ) - In the midst of its most award-winning year in its 20-year history, Celebrity Cruises this week added a tremendously meaningful honor to its lineup. In the prestigious annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards celebrating the world’s best hotels, airlines, cities, islands and cruise lines, Celebrity ranked #1 in the highly competitive large-ship (2,500+ guests) category. “All of us at Celebrity are thrilled with this recognition, which is a genuine validation of everything we’re devoted to offering our guests on every Solstice Class ship – and on our Millennium Class ships, particularly as we continue our ambitious, $140-million ‘Solsticizing’ initiative on each of those ships,” said Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. “To have our new Solstice Class ships recognized as the best in the category, just as our Millennium Class ships have been for several consecutive years, is extremely rewarding. We’re honored that the sophisticated readers of Condé Nast Traveler appreciate the modern luxury we’re focused on providing across the fleet.”In addition to its ambitious Solsticizing program, Celebrity this year alone launched the fourth sleek ship in its stylish Solstice Class series, Celebrity Silhouette, complete with the industry’s first outdoor, interactive barbecue area, “The Lawn Club Grill,”; initiated construction of the fifth Solstice Class ship, Celebrity Reflection, which sets sail in 2012; announced the line’s first sailings in Asia; announced a very special collaboration with The Breast Cancer Research Foundation®; introduced specialty dining packages, as yet another illustration of Celebrity’s culinary leadership and innovation, and published an engaging hardbound book filled with recipes, tips and personality profiles, Excite the Senses. Additionally, on October 10, further showcasing its expertise in wine and food, Celebrity announced plans to introduce an entirely new series of wine-themed cruises in France, Spain and Portugal during peak harvest season in 2012, enhancing its already broad and varied European vacation options, with several itineraries featuring visits to the destinations Conde Nast Traveler’s poll ranked as the top three in Europe: Florence, Barcelona, and Rome. Nearly 29,000 readers participated in Condé Nast Traveler’s 24th annual survey, evaluating cruise lines in seven areas: Food/Dining, Staterooms, Design/Layout, Crew/Service, Shore Excursions, Activities/Facilities and Itineraries/Schedules. The complete listing of award winners is featured on Conde Nast Traveler’s website and in the magazine’s November 2011 issue. About Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises’ iconic “X” is the mark of modern luxury, with its cool, contemporary design and warm spaces; dining experiences where the design of the venues is as important as the cuisine; and the amazing service that only Celebrity can provide, all created to provide an unmatchable experience for vacationers’ precious time. In addition to offering vacations visiting all continents, Celebrity also presents immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Europe and South America. One of the fastest-growing major cruise lines, Celebrity is one of five cruise brands operated by global cruise vacation company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE, OSE: RCL). Celebrity’s fleet currently consists of 10 ships, with an additional Solstice Class ship, Celebrity Reflection, scheduled to join the fleet in Fall 2012. For more information, dial 1-800-437-3111 or call your travel agent. Follow the brand socially at www.facebook.com/celebritycruises. Click here to view the article

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that pop icon and America's most popular living artist, Peter Max, has been commissioned to paint the signature hull artwork for the line's newest ship, Norwegian Breakaway, scheduled for delivery in April 2013. This is the first time Norwegian has asked a well-known artist to paint the hull artwork on one of its ships. The company also announced today that the ship will homeport year-round in Max's hometown, New York City. "Since Norwegian Breakaway will be making her home in New York, we felt it was fitting to ask the artist best associated with New York, Mr. Peter Max, to paint the ship's hull," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "I am a huge fan of his work and know that the art he creates for Norwegian Breakaway will make the ship instantly recognizable." With paintings on exhibition in hundreds of museums and galleries worldwide, Peter Max and his vibrant colors have become part of the fabric of contemporary culture. Max has been successively called a Pop Icon, Neo Fauvist, Abstract Expressionist and the United States' "Painter Laureate." "I am so excited to be painting the hull of Norwegian Breakaway for Norwegian Cruise Line," said Peter Max. "I love painting large canvases. I've painted a plane and a stage for Woodstock, but never a ship. I love ships and have travelled on them many times in my life. To see my artwork floating on Norwegian Breakaway out at sea will be a dream come true." Max has achieved his place in history having painted for various Heads of State, including six U.S. Presidents. From art that appeared on the first U.S. 10-cent stamp bearing the title "Preserve the Environment," to 235 U.S. Border murals greeting millions of people entering America each year, Peter Max seeks to capture themes of America at its finest in his art. He has a long-standing career as the preeminent Pop artist in America. His art appears on a Boeing 777 jumbo jet currently flying the skies for Continental; a 600-foot stage for the Woodstock Music Festival; the covers of Verizon's New York City yellow and white pages; and a giant mural unveiled at the 2002 Winter Olympics. Max has also been designated Official Artist of five Super Bowls, six Grammy Awards, World Cup USA, The World Series, the United Nations Earth Summit, and numerous other events. Max was honored at the Jefferson Awards with an award for his lifetime dedication to America, and its charitable causes. Currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, Norwegian Breakaway will be 144,017 gross tons and have 4,000 passenger berths. The ship represents an opportunity for the Norwegian guest to "break away" from the routine of work, school, and daily stress, and find a true respite at sea. Norwegian Breakaway, and sister ship Norwegian Getaway (scheduled for delivery in April 2014), will take the best of the best from all of Norwegian's existing ships, drawing on the line's experience of having launched 10 ships in the past 10 years ? starting with Norwegian Star and Sun in 2001 and culminating with the launch of Norwegian Epic in 2010. To date, the company has revealed details on all of the ships' staterooms which combine the form and function of the line's Jewel class ships' staterooms with the modern and contemporary design touches of Norwegian Epic. A rich mix of stateroom options will be available including the innovative Studios, designed and priced for solo travelers, the re-introduction of Oceanview staterooms, Balcony and Mini-Suites, along with Spa Balcony, Mini-Suites and Suites in close proximity to the spa. The ship also features The Haven by Norwegian, comprised of 42 suites at the top of the ship and 18 additional suites located throughout the ship. Norwegian Breakaway's New York to Bermuda cruises are scheduled to go on sale to Latitudes members, Norwegian's frequent guests, on Friday, October 14, 2011 and to the public on Monday, October 17, 2011. Also, as part of its Partners First commitment, Norwegian will open Norwegian Breakaway's sailings for group block bookings exclusively for travel partners on Monday, October 10, 2011. Click here to view the article

SeaDream yacht club, with its twin, ultra-luxury mega yachts SeaDream I and SeaDream II, has been named the "World's Best Small Ships" in the prestigious Condé Nast Readers' Travel Awards 2011. SeaDream's total score of 88.94 is higher than every other cruise line of any size. Condé Nast Traveller is considered the most discerning and trusted monthly travel magazine in Britain. The annual Readers' Travel Awards, now in its 14th year, is considered by industry observers to be one of the most prestigious in the world and honors the best cruise lines, cities, islands, hotels, resorts, airlines and spas. In the 10 years since the company came into business, innovative SeaDream yacht club has brought a refreshing change to the world of ultra-luxury holidays at sea – with the intention of being completely different from any and every other cruise product. Chic and stylish, SeaDream's 56-stateroom twin yachts are favored for their elegant informality, state-of-the-art facilities, personal service provided by a crew of 95, inclusive open bar and gratuities, world class cuisine, all ocean-view accommodations and a Thai certified, luxury spa. It truly is "Yachting not Cruising". SeaDream's President, Bob Lepisto said "We are honored to be named number one amongst the incredible cruise experiences available. The timing couldn't be better! This news comes on the heels of SeaDream celebrating its 10th anniversary and achieving the top two ratings for 'Boutique Ships' in The 2012 Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships." Lepisto added, "I must thank and congratulate our dedicated crew on both SeaDream I and SeaDream II who have created the finest small luxury yachting experience in the world." Click here to view the article

Details on two fun and lively new poolside bars — RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar, part of Carnival’s new Fun Ship 2.0 shipboard enhancement program – were unveiled at a press conference earlier this week in New York. The Carnival Liberty will be the first ship to feature the new bars when it returns from a scheduled refurbishment later this month. Several more ships in the fleet will receive the new poolside bars over the next few years. Located across from each other on the Lido Pool Deck midship, the bars will each feature a unique and memorable themed décor and specialty drink menus, as well as offer live poolside entertainment and DJ mixes throughout the day and into the early evening. RedFrog Rum Bar is an extension of the wildly popular RedFrog Pub introduced on Carnival Magic earlier this year. The RedFrog Rum Bar has a Caribbean theme and serves tropical rum libations and rum-inspired frozen favorites, as well as Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red draft beer. Mexican-themed BlueIguana Tequila Bar is a new concept designed around the laid-back, fun vacation vibe of a beach cantina. The bar specializes in delicious tequila-based frozen drinks and cocktails, along with a wide selection of draft and bottled Mexican beer. The fun, engaging themes of both poolside hangouts are driven by their namesake characters, Red, the frog, and Blue, the iguana, with back stories explaining their origins on each bar’s menu. A friendly rivalry exists between the bars as they vie for guests’ attention, and each menu features one beverage allegedly “stolen” from the other. Both bars will have a guitar player performing popular numbers at different time periods throughout the day. RedFrog Rum Bar’s teak bar with louvered shutters and ceiling fans provides a fun and funky Caribbean vibe, while the BlueIguana Tequila Bar features colorful Mexican tiles and blue accents that give it a cool “south of the border” ambiance. Both bars have a curved drink rail and their own distinctive flooring that will define the seating area near the bars, along with tables sporting tabletop art matching the appropriate character theme. Bartenders will wear island-inspired style guayabera shirts – in red and blue, themed to their respective venue – while wait staff will wear T-shirts with their bar’s character and clever phrases printed on the front and back. RedFrog Rum Bar’s menu offers seven brands of rum, with a note that no other rums are “frog-approved.” Frozen coladas and daiquiris and drinks are featured, as well as a lineup of tropical cocktails, mojitos and spiked lemonade by the pitcher. ThirstyFrog Red and the Dominican Republic’s Presidente beers are on tap, and bottled brands from the Caribbean (Kalik) and Mexico (Corona) are also featured. BlueIguana Tequila Bar’s menu offers a selection of seven brands of tequila, along with a varied lineup of frozen concoctions, cocktails and margaritas by the glass or by the pitcher. Beer selections are just as varied, with a choice of five Mexican bottled brews and a special beer cocktail called a Beer Michelada — spiced-up beer in a salt-rimmed glass – along with Dos Equis and Modelo Especial on tap. The two new bars are part of Fun Ship 2.0, a multi-year initiative valued at more than $500 million that will completely transform the Carnival guest experience and is the largest and most ambitious project the company has ever undertaken. Many of the new Fun Ship 2.0 features will first debut on Carnival Liberty in October 2011 with additional ships to receive the enhancements over the next few years. Click here to view the article