Category: Ocean Cruises

Light Camera & Action on Carnival Celebration

October 8, 2022 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Light Camera & Action on Carnival Celebration

New Offerings to Include Extravagant Aerialist Performances, High-Tech Multimedia Shows and Celebrations Galore

With a ship as expansive and exciting as Carnival Cruise Line’s new Carnival Celebration, there will be countless ways to celebrate with never-before-seen live entertainment.

From new main production shows and aerialist acts to game shows, parties and events, the ship’s new unique offerings have been designed to be as much celebrations as they are performances, with elevated and engaging presentations, upbeat vibes, energetic music, playful choreography, colourful scenes, and tons of fun.

Highlights from the new Playlist Productions and Center Stage offerings include:

The Most Magnificent Circus – a story of celebrating self-discovery and acceptance will unfold to reimagined popular hits as a big-top circus comes to life. Taking talent to new heights – literally – wire-rigged performers will showcase their skills leaving the stage behind to soar above and beyond the audience, creating action in every direction. Guests will adventure through a fully immersive theatrical circus experience as the most extravagant aerialist show in the fleet uses all of the ship’s high-flying capabilities to the max, with mesmerizing trapeze, chair, chandelier, hoop, ladder and mirror aerial performances throughout.

Colour My World – An Indie Rock and Pop Love Story – romance will be in the air as a popular artist and his assistant go on a journey of love through art and colour. The artistic love story will blend fun dance styles such as street jazz, hip-hop, musical theatre and ballet with the best songs from indie rock and pop genres. Combining different mediums of art to create a visually captivating experience, this vibrant and colourful show will feature live painting on stage with music and choreography to match.

 Visual Symphony (starting in December) – as the name suggests, this innovative show will use Celebration Central’s 16 massive moving LED screens, lasers and classical rock music to create a high-tech visual masterpiece. Pushing the boundaries of theatrical performances, the show will take full advantage of the cutting-edge technology and special effects in the zone’s three-deck-high space. As the LED walls’ content is synced with the choreographed lighting designs, the elevated multimedia experience will deliver an extraordinary live performance.

Rio Carnival (starting in May) – coming soon, this vibrant and high-energy Brazlian extravaganza will have guests moving their hips in a parade and celebration of music and dance as the cast performs authentic samba, bossa nova, marchinha, batudada, forro, carimbo and capoeira to some of the most famous Latin pop songs of all time in both in Portuguese and English.

In addition to Family Feud Live, Deal or No Deal and the Love and Marriage game shows, some of the new offerings will include:

What’s Age Got to Do With It – in this question and answer trivia show for fun of all ages, one parent and child will have to prove they are the best family duo.

Cash Bash – in partnership with the casino team, guests can win cash prizes as they compete in Fun Squad challenges and interactive activities.

Guess That Grove – guests will have to listen up and get ready to move as they show off their knowledge of iconic tunes and groovy dance skills

Image Credit: Carnival Central

Carnival Splendor Escorted Home to Sydney

September 30, 2022 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Carnival Splendor Escorted Home to Sydney

Carnival Splendor Escorted Home to Sydney

Image Credit: Carnival Splendor, Carnival Australia

In one of Sydney Harbour’s epic maritime events, Carnival Cruise Line’s Carnival Splendor arrived home today escorted by sister brand ship P&O Cruises Australia’s Pacific Adventure as the official summer cruise season gets underway for Carnival Australia’s eight brands, signalling growing cruise industry recovery.

Carnival Splendor and Pacific Adventure met off the coast sailing together before separating to enter the harbour in majestic single file and momentarily pausing adjacent to Fort Denison, and the Sydney Opera House and the Sydney Harbour Bridge providing a stunning backdrop.

This spectacular Fort Denison ‘moment’ signified the fact that Carnival Splendor and Pacific Adventure are now both home-ported in Sydney to resume cruising on itineraries in Australia and to the South Pacific.

Carnival Splendor’s return also fulfilled a promise made by the crew of Carnival Spirit the night before their ship left Sydney in March 2020 as the two-year cruising pause began. They used cabin lights along the length of the ship to spell out the message: ‘WE WILL BE BACK’.

Today’s maritime pageantry also served to highlight the rapid recovery of cruising in Australia.

Eighteen ships from Carnival Australia’s eight brands are set for a peak summer cruise season in 2022-23 making 667 turnarounds and port calls to 33 destinations across the country.

The number of ship turnarounds and calls eclipses the 625 that were announced prior to the 2019-20 season, which was curtailed due to the onset of the covid pandemic.

Carnival Australia’s three cruise brands that base ships year round in Australia — P&O Cruises Australia, Princess Cruises and Carnival Cruise Line — are well advanced in their restoration of local operations.

In addition, Cunard will base Queen Elizabeth in Australia for its longest ever local season of cruises, while two Holland America Line ships and a Seabourn ship will also spend significant periods in Australian waters.

Destinations in all Australian states will benefit from cruise calls and turnarounds including:

  • NSW — Sydney, Eden and Newcastle.
  • QLD — Brisbane, Moreton Island, Airlie Beach and Cairns.
  • VIC — Melbourne and Phillip Island
  • SA — Adelaide, Kangaroo Island and Port Lincoln.
  • WA — Fremantle, Albany, Broome and the Kimberley region.
  • TAS — Hobart, Burnie and Port Arthur.
Image Credit: Carnival Splendor, Carnival Australia

Cunard announces The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel on Queen Mary 2

September 30, 2022 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Cunard announces The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel on Queen Mary 2
Image Credit - Simon Friend Entertainment & Cunard Line

Cunard, in conjunction with Simon Friend Entertainment, announces the performance of Deborah Moggach’s The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel aboard flagship ocean liner Queen Mary 2 between 15 and 22 December 2022 (Voyage M240).

Based on the bestselling novel that was turned into an award-winning film, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is a joyous, feel-good comedy about taking risks, finding love, and embracing second chances, even in the most surprising of places. Headlining the show are celebrated stars of stage and screen, Hayley Mills (Pollyanna, The Parent Trap, Whistle Down the Wind) who stars as Evelyn, Paul Nicholas (Jesus Christ Superstar, BBC 1’s Just Good Friends, EastEnders) who plays Douglas and Rula Lenska (ITV’s Rock Follies, Coronation Street, Channel 4’s Celebrity Big Brother) who performs as Madge in this feel-good tale of love and adventure.

The show, which is currently in production at London’s Richmond Theatre, will conduct three matinee and evening performances in the ship’s Royal Court Theatre during the seven-night Transatlantic Crossing. In addition, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a behind-the-scenes Q&A, as well as workshops and other appearances with the star-studded cast.

Green Eggs and Ham breakfast return to Carnival Fleet

September 17, 2022 baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Green Eggs and Ham breakfast return to Carnival Fleet

For the first time since the line’s pause in guest operations, Carnival Cruise Line will officially bring back its Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast with The Cat in The Hat and Friends across its fleet on sailings beginning Oct. 1. The breakfast is part of the many exciting experiences in Carnival’s Seuss at Sea program, the line’s exclusive partnership with Dr. Seuss Enterprises.

Guests are encouraged to pack their imagination, as well as their appetites, as the whole family embarks on a breakfast that’s part meal and part journey into the deliciously whimsical world of Dr. Seuss.

Bringing Dr. Seuss’ famed children’s books to life, the breakfast features special appearances and meet and greet photo opportunities with favourite Dr. Seuss characters, helping create unforgettable memories no matter the age.

From Green Eggs and Ham – of course – to brightly coloured fruit, gravity-defying fluffy pancake stacks, funky french toast, “Moose Juice” and “Goose Juice,” and much more, the fantastical feast features unique menu items, as well as classic breakfast offerings, accompanied by décor with bright colours and patterns. The breakfast is offered once per cruise.

 

In addition to the Green Eggs and Ham Breakfast, the Seuss at Sea fleetwide program features fun youth, family, dining and entertainment activities inspired by the amazing world and words of Dr. Seuss, such as the Seuss-a-Palooza Story Time (beginning Nov. 1), Dr. Seuss Bookville, a family reading venue on select ships, character interactions, Dr. Seuss toys and games, and popular movies shown on board.

Goop & Celebrity Cruises Go Beyond in 2022

April 15, 2022 quality_baz Ocean Cruises, Theme Cruises Comments Off on Goop & Celebrity Cruises Go Beyond in 2022

Celebrity Cruises and lifestyle brand goop are setting sail this fall on an exclusive wellness retreat at sea on board the highly anticipated new-luxury ship, Celebrity Beyond.

Image Credit - Goop CEO & Founder Gwyneth Paltrow

With a series of transformative experiences and sessions led by goop’s wellness practitioners and an appearance by goop founder and CEO, Gwyneth Paltrow herself, ‘goop at Sea’ will be held on the Celebrity Beyond 9-night Italian Riviera & France sailing departing from Barcelona on 24 September, 2022.

Further extending the partnership between the companies that began in early 2020, a selection of goop’s signature products, including the GOOPGLOW and GOOPGENES collections, will now be available on board Celebrity Beyond. Gwyneth Paltrow will continue as Celebrity’s Wellbeing Advisor, a collaboration first announced in April 2021; and, Paltrow and the goop team will also continue to curate innovative wellness offerings for Celebrity’s ships including on-demand wellness classes on stateroom TVs, a custom detox smoothie and fitness tools for guests of AquaClass® staterooms, a fully-immersive next level wellness experience, which is taken further on Beyond with the new Aqua Sky Suites featuring floor-to-ceiling ocean views, private verandas, luxurious bedding and other wellness amenities. Kiki Koroshetz, goop’s VP of Content, will also continue her role in Celebrity’s Women in Wellness program, which brings together the expertise of some of the most highly respected female leaders in the wellness industry to cultivate a unique wellness program at sea.

The goop at Sea sailing will feature a variety of exclusive programming curated and hosted by goop, including:

  • A live interview hosted by Gwyneth Paltrow with a top wellness expert, where she will also answer audience questions
  • Several interactive goop practitioner-led sessions focused on enhancing the mind, body and soul;
  • Nourishment from the inside out through exclusive pop-up experiences including tastings, product trials, massages and more
  • Goop curated gifts and surprises
Image Credit: Yoga onboard Celebrity Apex (sister ship to Celebrity Beyond)

Kristina Vogel christens AIDAcosma in Hamburg

April 10, 2022 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Kristina Vogel christens AIDAcosma in Hamburg
Image credit: AIDAcosma, Aida Cruises

Under the motto “The world is becoming more colourful”, AIDAcosma was christened on 9 April 2022, as part of a colorful music and light show in the Port of Hamburg. The godmother of AIDA Cruises’ second LNG cruise ship is the eleven-time world champion in track cycling, Kristina Vogel.

AIDACosma Christening
Aidacosma Light Show
AIDAcosma at sea

Accompanied by Captain Vincent Cofalka, Kristina Vogel lit up a colorful globe on the Ocean Deck of AIDAcosma at 9:55 p.m. At the same time, the baptismal bottle smashed against the hull of the ship.

Cruise fans across Germany followed the christening live on the internet, on the AIDA YouTube channel and on board all AIDA ships.

As part of the naming ceremony, a spectacular light show not only illuminated the newest member of the AIDA fleet. Visible from afar, the evening sky over the Hanseatic city turned into a sea of bright colours.

At around 11:30 p.m., AIDAcosma said goodbye to Hamburg with a light show from on board, which took place during the departure while passing the Hamburg Elbphilharmonie and the Landungsbrücken to Teufelsbrück. The two-week christening voyage will sail to Palma de Mallorca over the Easter holidays (arriving 23 April 2022).

From 23 April to 29 October 29, 2022, AIDAcosma will be offering voyages from Palma (Mallorca) and Barcelona. Florence, Rome and Corsica are also on the program during the weeklong highlight cruise “Mediterranean Treasures”. From autumn 2022, AIDAcosma will set course for its sunny winter home in Dubai.

First Cruise Ship Set to Return to Canada

April 9, 2022 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on First Cruise Ship Set to Return to Canada

Holland America Line's Koningsdam Calls at Victoria and Vancouver April 9 and 10 with local governments holding celebratory events

Holland America Line will be the first cruise line to return to Canadian cruising following a more than two year industrywide pause due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. Koningsdam will call at Victoria, British Columbia, Saturday, April 9, restarting the cruise industry in Canada. The following day the ship will end its current seven-day cruise at Port of Vancouver, its homeport for the summer Alaska season.

Koningsdam’s call at Victoria marks 905 days since a cruise ship has visited the port, and it also will be a maiden call for the ship. To mark the milestones, Antorcha and local government officials will be on hand in both Victoria and Vancouver to celebrate the return to Canadian cruising and address the importance Canada and Alaska to Holland America Line.

In 2022, six Holland America Line ships will call at Victoria and Vancouver for the Alaska cruise season. In total, the six ships will make 45 calls at Victoria and bring nearly 75,000 guests to the port, and 76 cruises begin or end at Vancouver, welcoming approximately 140,000 guests.

For Canada and New England cruising on the East Coast, two ships return in May and cruise between Boston, Massachusetts, and Quebec City or Montreal, Quebec. Nieuw Statendam and Zaandam offer itineraries ranging from seven to 24 days to more than 12 Canadian ports.

In total for 2022, Holland America Line operates 141 cruises on eight ships in Canada with more than 250,000 guests visiting both coasts. 

Costa Cruises restarts from Genoa with Costa Firenze

April 8, 2022 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Costa Cruises restarts from Genoa with Costa Firenze

In 2022, Costa Firenze will visit Genoa every Thursday until the end of November for a total of 45 calls, offering cruises in the Western Mediterranean, with the return of free visits in the ports of call.

Image Credit: Costa Firenze, Costa Cruises.

In 2022 the Italian company, which started cruising in July last year, will call at Genoa every Thursday until the end of November 2022, for a one-week Western Mediterranean itinerary, which also includes Marseille, Barcelona, Cagliari, Palermo and Civitavecchia/Rome. In addition to Costa Firenze, from November 13th until the end of the year, Costa Luminosa will also be in Genoa every Sunday, again for one-week cruises in the Western Mediterranean. In 2022 Costa will be in Genoa for a total of 45 calls, after only a few calls in 2021 and 2020 due to the Covid emergency. In 2023 Costa expects a further growth of her presence in Genoa, thanks to the arrival, every Friday from April to November, of Costa Toscana, the new Liquefied Natural Gas-powered ship of the fleet.

Costa Firenze, built at Fincantieri shipyard in Marghera and dedicated to the Florentine Renaissance, is a 135,000-ton ship with 2,136 guest cabins. With 13 different restaurants and 8 bars, the food and wine offer is among the widest in the fleet. There are plenty of outdoor spaces to fully enjoy the sailing experience. Families with children will be able to choose between different activities to do on board, including a water park and an adventure park, and couples will find a private spa, swimming pools and various spaces to enjoy a moment of privacy. The offer of excursions available has been redesigned to explore hidden and less frequented gems, and to enjoy the most authentic traditions, flavours and colours.

Pacific Explorer to arrive in Sydney on 18 April 22

April 8, 2022 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on Pacific Explorer to arrive in Sydney on 18 April 22
Image credit: Pacific Explorer, P&O Cruises Australia

In keeping with Sydney Harbour’s rich maritime heritage, on April 18, P&O Cruises Australia’s flagship Pacific Explorer will return home to lead the restart of cruising in Australia.

Pacific Explorer’s arrival after an absence of more than two years will be embraced by cruise suppliers as a sign that their businesses and livelihoods will soon be in recovery mode with the resumption of cruising based on comprehensive protocols to support its return.

The P&O Cruises Australia flagship’s arrival is also expected to capture the imagination of Sydneysiders as it enters the Heads on Easter Monday in returning to its home port.

The Easter Monday holiday arrival will give the city’s ‘boaties’ an opportunity to escort Pacific Explorer as the ship makes its way up the harbour to the Overseas Passenger Terminal (OPT) to be alongside at 10.30am.

President of Carnival Australia and P&O Cruises Australia Marguerite Fitzgerald said Pacific Explorer’s return marked the start of rebuilding cruise tourism in Australia, which, prior to the pandemic, contributed more than $5 billion a year to the national economy.

The approximate schedule for Pacific Explorer’s arrival on April 18 is as follows:

  • 9.30am – Pacific Explorer enters Sydney Heads
  • 10.10am – Passing Fort Denison
  • 10.20am – Passing the Sydney Opera House
  • 10.30am – Alongside at the OPT

NCL Kicks Off its Greatest Europe Season Yet

April 8, 2022 quality_baz Ocean Cruises Comments Off on NCL Kicks Off its Greatest Europe Season Yet

NCL will operate one of Europe’s most modern fleets, with eight innovative ships

Image credit: Norwegian Prima, Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL), has kicked off its greatest Europe season yet with eight ships sailing to over 100 destinations from 10 different departure ports, including two ships never-before-seen in Europe: Norwegian Prima makes her global debut in Iceland in August, while Norwegian Escape sails Europe for the very first time, making NCL’s one of the most modern fleets in the region.

In Northern Europe, NCL will offer a selection of sailings ranging from 8- to 12-days with departures from Amsterdam, Copenhagen, London (Southampton) and Reykjavik aboard four ships – Norwegian Getaway, Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Star and Norwegian Prima – which will take the title of the first major cruise ship christened in the Icelandic capital when she debuts in August. World famous pop icon and “American Idol” judge Katy Perry will serve as the ship’s godmother, fulfilling the longstanding maritime tradition of blessing and officially naming Norwegian Prima, the first of six vessels in the Prima Class, as well as performing during the christening ceremony in Reykjavik.

Meanwhile in the Mediterranean, three innovative NCL ships – Norwegian Escape, Norwegian Epic and Norwegian Star – will sail from Barcelona, Rome (Civitavecchia), Venice (Trieste) and Haifa, Israel, with sailings ranging in length from 5 to 12-days, many with no sea days ensuring guests enjoy maximum time on shore to immerse themselves fully within each and every destination.

And in the Greek Isles, travellers can look forward to two ships (Norwegian Jade and Norwegian Gem) offering immersive roundtrip voyages of 7 to 9-nights from Athens (Piraeus), Venice (Trieste) and Rome (Civitavecchia). Each cruise visits an array of breath-taking island locales like Santorini and Mykonos, ancient Greek cities like Athens, as well as the opportunity to explore the Holy Land with calls to Haifa, Israel, and Istanbul, Turkey.