The prestigious International Interior Design Association (IIDA) featured Celebrity Solstice in an installment of its “Pioneering Design Lecture Series” in New York, focusing on influential professionals in the hospitality, fashion, and theater arts design arena. Among the creative people invited to participate were designer Adam D. Tihany, who created Celebrity Solstice's Grand Epernay main restaurant , the casual Oceanview Café and Bar, and the Napa Valley-inspired Tuscan Grille steakhouse; Francesca Bucci and Hans Galutera of BG Studio International, who led the design of Celebrity Solstice's elegant "Murano" specialty restaurant and four of the ship's bars and lounges; and Celebrity Cruises' AVP of Newbuilding & Design Kelly Gonzalez, whose team headed up the design of the ship's Mediterranean-influenced "Blu" specialty restaurant. Each participated in a panel discussion about the history of ocean liner design, which evolved to how "Celebrity's Solstice Class has become the new benchmark in the industry," according to the IIDA New York Chapter.
That new benchmark – Celebrity Solstice – will be joined by sister ship Celebrity Equinox, which enters service July 31, 2009, as well as three additional ships in the class, which will join the fleet annually through 2012. Guests on every Solstice Class ship will experience the series of brand-defining, industry-first attributes that guests, travel agents and press have praised about Celebrity Solstice, including a half-acre Lawn Club with real grass, a glassblowing show and studio developed with The Corning Museum of Glass, unrivaled dining venues offering trendsetting cuisine and design, and widely varied entertainment, including spectacular new shows in partnership with Poet Theatricals. The 2,850-guest vessels also have spacious staterooms and bathrooms, and several categories of accommodations, including Celebrity's new, spa-inspired AquaClass staterooms.
For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111, or visit the line’s web site by clicking on the link below:
The annual distinction is awarded to one of Princess' 33 worldwide turnaround ports that receives the highest passenger satisfaction scores for an entire year, as indicated by passengers on each cruise. A turnaround port is where a cruise ends and the next one begins.
The honor recognizes that a port has provided the service, facilities and personnel that have enhanced the passenger experience boarding or disembarking the ship. In total, the voting measured passenger satisfaction scores from 61 calls in Los Angeles from December 2007 to December 2008.
"The experience our passengers have in a turnaround port is part of their Princess vacation -- it's either the first or last impression of their cruise with us -- so we want to acknowledge those ports that deliver our high service standards," said Dean Brown, Princess executive vice president of corporate services. "Our service scores at the Port of Los Angeles have always been high, but we saw them increase last year and we offer them our congratulations and thanks for having such a positive impact on our passengers."
For additional information about Princess Cruises, contact a travel agent, call 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visitthe company's web site by clicking on the link below:
Travel agents embarking on the special one-time mini-cruise were encouraged to bring non-perishable food items which were placed in collection boxes located at the pier in San Pedro.
With hundreds of travel agents participating, more than 1,500 pounds of food, along with $295 in cash donations, were collected and distributed to various homeless shelters throughout Southern California. It is estimated that 1,000 meals will be provided as a result of these donations.
The 113,300-ton Carnival Splendor launched year-round seven-day service from Long Beach, Calif., on April 5, becoming the newest and largest Carnival ship ever based on the West Coast.
For more information about the cruise line, visit the Carnival web site by clicking on the link below:
During her cruise, the epicurean expert will perform cooking demonstrations for guests in the ship’s state-of-the-art show kitchen, conduct seminars and tastings, and participate in question-and-answer sessions.
Pirello discovered the value of healthy eating when, at age 26, she cured herself of leukemia. She’s an expert chef, author and Emmy Award-winning television personality who is passionate about eating a plant-based diet to prevent cancer, diabetes, obesity, heart disease and other health-related epidemics.
Pirello is the host of two television shows: “Christina Cooks!” premiered in 1998, is currently in its ninth series and airs on more than 150 public television stations nationwide and on CN8 The Comcast Network. “Christina, Naturally” premiered in 2007 and airs on CN8 The Comcast Network.
The round-trip Vancouver, British Columbia Alaska cruise calls at Tracy Arm, Juneau, Ketchikan and Skagway, Alaska with Glacier Bay scenic cruising.
For a full schedule of Holland America Line’s Culinary Guest Program, visit http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-onboard/Enrichment.action and click on the Culinary Arts Center tab.
For cruise brochures or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit visit the line's webs ite by clicking on the link below:
"Embarking the bow is a symbolic and strong step in the building of Norwegian Epic. She is taking shape beautifully," said Roberto Martinoli, Norwegian Cruise Line's president and chief operating officer. "STX Europe is doing an incredible job of constructing our largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date."
The 153,000-gross ton, 4,200-passenger ship is scheduled for delivery at the end of May 2010.
Norwegian Epic's next and final reveal is scheduled for May 20, 2009, in New York City, at the same time the ship's 2010-2011 sailings will be open for sale to the general public. These include seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami. To date, the company has revealed the ship's accommodations, night life, restaurants, aqua park, sports deck and family activities. For more information and renderings, visit the line's website by clicking on the link below:
Guests also can join the Science Club, affording ongoing opportunities to stay abreast of the latest in popular science publishing through quarterly OUP email newsletters, invitations to book launches and more.
The program was kicked off on Queen Mary 2's April 8th, 2009 westbound Transatlantic voyage--the ship's first crossing of the 2009 season--on which three leading scientists and science writers were on hand for lectures, book signings and interviews. Additional "Science at Sea" voyages aboard Queen Mary 2 are scheduled for June 13 through 19, August 29 through September 4, and October 9 through 15, 2009.
"We are delighted to partner with Oxford University Press, the world's oldest and most prestigious publishing house, to offer the new Science at Sea program that specifically addresses our guests' passionate interest in this discipline," said Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard Line. "Our guests are not merely on a voyage, but on a quest for knowledge and a deeper understanding of the world around them. Whether tackling evolution, genetics or biodiversity, this program will allow our guests to learn from some of the world's most accomplished scientists," Marlow added.
Cunard guests can become members of the Science Club simply by completing a membership card onboard a "Science at Sea" voyage. Membership will entitle them to quarterly emails from Oxford University Press featuring updates and articles on the upcoming "Science at Sea" voyages and invitations to book launches, promotional offers, competitions and information on speakers.
For more information about Cunard, contact your travel professional, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or visit the line's web site by clicking on the link below:
The new Cocos Island cruise begins in Los Suenos, Costa Rica and offers three full days of land and sea exploration including guided walks, Zodiac tours, snorkeling and kayaking opportunities. This rarely visited UNESCO World Heritage Site boasts prolific bird life with some 90 species, unusual caverns to explore, the world’s largest hammerhead shark population and more. Departures are available on January 24 and April 12, 2010, and may be combined with the January 15, January 30 or April 3, 2010 "Between Two Seas" departures.
The revised 9-night "Between Two Seas" voyage sailing one-way between Panama City and Los Suenos, Costa Rica, takes in the sights of Portobelo with a special performance by the Kuna Indians and traverses the entire Panama Canal. Always a highlight are the welcoming Emberá people in the Darién Jungle who are known for tattooing themselves with ink made from the fruit of the jagua plant. Newly added are two days at Coiba National Park, known for its abundant sea life, which makes for fabulous snorkeling, kayaking and nature walk opportunities. Rounding out this active and nature-focused itinerary are visits to Casa Orquideas at Golfo Dulce boasting beautiful gardens; and guided nature walks and beach time at Corcovado Conservation Area and Manuel Antonio National Park, known for prolific wildlife and bird viewing. Choose from 14 departures that operate from October 26, 2009 through April 3, 2010.
To book the Cocos Islands or "Between Two Seas" voyages or for additional information, contact a travel professional, call 1-800-296-8307 or visit the line's website by clicking on the link below:
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