Celebrity Cruises Stirs and Shakes at Sea with New Craft Cocktails

                                                                                                                        

Celebrity Cruises is shaking up the onboard bar scene by significantly expanding its selections of cocktails, offering 30 new craft cocktails exclusively onboard.

 

Celebrity's new craft cocktail experience was developed through an alliance with artisanal cocktail developers Hawthorn Beverage Group, founded by noted cocktail creator Josh Durr. Hailing from Kentucky, Durr has been honoured with a "Rising Star Award" from Cheers magazine and has his clients include Apiary, Diageo, Pernod, Remy Cointreau and Ruth's Chris, among others.

 

The new craft cocktails blend vintage-style liqueurs with fresh ingredients, organic juices and the finest artisanal spirits, resulting in a combination of new-school brews and updated old-school favourites. A new line-up of "zero-proof" (non-alcoholic) cocktails also will be introduced including 'Sparkling Mint Lemonade' and 'Raspberry Fizz', along with an assortment of fine wines by the glass. Celebrity's current list of international beer selections will be expanded too, including everything from pale ales and IPA's to Belgian ales and premium lagers.

 

"Together with Josh Durr and the highly skilled mixologists at Hawthorn, we worked to create flavour profiles that vacationers will thoroughly enjoy, while also focusing on the details, quality of ingredients, and craftsmanship," said Celebrity's manager of Beverage Development Chanelle Duarte. "Through our creative guidance and the methodical specifications of Josh and his team, Celebrity is 'stirring up' an authentic, trend-forward craft cocktail bar experience for our guests."

 

Celebrity Cruises guests will have the opportunity to indulge in the full, new craft cocktail experience across its modern luxury fleet by the end of 2013.

 

Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Millennium will sail from Australia and New Zealand this summer season to exciting destinations locally and within the South Pacific and Asia.

 

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Royal Caribbean Upgrades Guests’ View on Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda Sailings

Guests enjoy great rates on Oceanview and Balcony Staterooms in August on tropical itineraries! 

Royal Caribbean is enticing Aussies to swap the winter blues for tropical views in the sunny Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda with a free upgrade* offer!

The free upgrade* offer is applicable to all new and individual bookings in August 2013 on three to 10 night Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda cruises departing from 1^st September 2013 through 30^th April 2014.

Guests who take advantage of the free upgrade* offer will be able to experience some of the most revolutionary at-sea experiences onboard their choice of superliner.

Enjoy Oceanview category stateroom for the price of an Interior stateroom onboard:

• Enchantment of the Seas
• Grandeur of the Seas
• Legend of the Seas
• Majesty of the Seas

Enjoy a Balcony stateroom for the price of an Oceanview category stateroom onboard:

• Adventure of the Seas
• Allure of the Seas
• Brilliance of the Seas
• Explorer of the Seas
• Freedom of the Seas
• Independence of the Seas
• Jewel of the Seas
• Liberty of the Seas
• Navigator of the Seas
• Oasis of the Seas
• Serenade of the Seas

Fares start from $1,139 per person for a Balcony stateroom (including free upgrade) for a 7-night Western Caribbean Cruise onboard Oasis of the Seas departing Fort Lauderdale, Florida on 9 November 2013.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. Royal Caribbean provides a world-class holiday experience with a wide range of signature onboard amenities, entertainment, and award-winning family programming. Royal Caribbean International is an award-winning global cruise brand with a 40-year legacy of innovation and introducing industry "firsts" never before seen at sea. The cruise line features an expansive and unmatched array of features and amenities only found on Royal Caribbean including, jaw-dropping, Broadway-style entertainment and industry-acclaimed programming that appeals to families and adventurous vacationers alike.

The local Royal Caribbean team look forward to the return of the Royal Caribbean International superliners to Australia & New Zealand for the summer season in October, 2013. The Royal Caribbean International superliners sailing locally and to the South Pacific are Voyager of the Seas, Radiance of the Seas and Rhapsody of the Seas.  

For more information about Royal Caribbean's upgrade offer and the brand, visit: RoyalCaribbean.com.au.

*Cabin type and upgrade varies per ship. Conditions apply. Subject to availability. Excludes Vision of the Seas sailings. The free upgrade offer is applicable for all new, individual bookings made by 31 August 2013 on three to 10 night Bahamas, Caribbean and Bermuda cruises departing from 1^st September 2013, through 30^th April 2014. Any booking that is cancelled and then rebooked during the offer period will not be eligible for the promotion.

Great Deals on the Horizon as National Cruise Week Nears

Australian holidaymakers can look forward to a flood of great deals from cruise lines around the world, when National Cruise Week gets underway on September 2.

Coordinated by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Australasia, the cruise promotion features deals from dozens of international cruise lines which will be available exclusively from CLIA travel agent members across the country from September 2-9.

The deals will include special discounts, upgrades and bonus offers on bookings, with travel agents planning an array of special activities to promote the offers to holidaymakers.

To find their nearest CLIA travel agent member and learn more about what's happening in their area, holidaymakers should visit www.nationalcruiseweek.com.au

From August 23, the website will also promote the range of special deals being offered during the week.

CLIA Australasia General Manager Brett Jardine said National Cruise Week was a great way for consumers to find out more about cruise holidays - from ocean cruises to river cruising and smaller expedition ships – and to pick up a great deal.

"For those who already know that cruising is a great value holiday, National Cruise Week is the perfect time to take advantage of some fantastic deals. And for those who've yet to experience a cruise, it's the ideal time to contact a local cruise specialist travel agent and find out more about the options available."

Mr Jardine said latest industry figures showed that Australia continued to be one of the fastest growing cruise markets in the world with almost 700,000 Australians enjoying a cruise in 2012.

"More and more Australians are discovering that cruising is one of the easiest ways to travel.  We're looking forward to highlighting all the cruise options and all the new deals during National Cruise Week so that we can welcome even more Australians onboard our ships next year," he said.

New England “Features of the Fall” cruise tour - exclusive features

THE exclusive 36-night Canada and New England "Features of the Fall" cruise tour has just been released by cruise specialists ecruising.travel with special prices for the September 14, 2014 departure and a free 15-minute "New York Tour" by helicopter and a night time helicopter flight over the Las Vegas strip if you book before December 31, 2013.
 
Fly from Australia to Las Vegas for three nights Mandarin Oriental before flying to New York to explora the city that never sleeps. You will have four days to take in a show in Broadway, hit the shops on 5^th Avenue and visit the numerous tourist sights the city is so famous for.
 
At Cape Liberty embark on your Celebrity Summit vessel for a 14-night round trip cruise which includes port visits to Maine, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Quebec.
 
The escorted touring component begins after the cruise with extensive sightseeing during two weeks travelling to Massachusetts, Vermont, Quebec, Ontario and Michigan before arriving at your final destination of Chicago. Highlights include visiting Morse farm,  a cruise on Lake Champlain, getting up close and personal with Niagara Falls onboard the "Maid of the Mist" and much more.
 
Now priced from $11,449 (was $20,089) per person twin share it includes return economy airfares from Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane, 15-nights fully escorted tour including hotel accommodation,  daily breakfast, transportation, all sight-seeing and entrance fees with a tour director, three nights' accommodation in Las Vegas, four nights at the Grand Hyatt New York, 14 nights cruise accommodation with all meals on board plus a complimentary bottle of champagne and chocolate coated strawberries, entertainment and on-board gratuities, transfers and port charges and government taxes.

 

For departures from Adelaide the tour is priced from $11,749 and for Perth passengers from $11,949 per person twin share.
 
The tour is limited to 50 guests, to reserve your place now contact ecruising.travel on 1300-369-848 or check out www.ecruising.travel

 

Couple missing on cruise ship. Did she slip and fall?

Kristen Schroder and Paul Rossington drowned after they
went missing from a cruise ship. Picture: Facebook

A WOMAN who plunged off a cruise ship balcony may have slipped while trying to climb around to visit family members in a neighbouring cabin, it has emerged. 
 
The theory is among several under active investigation as police prepare a brief for the coroner into the deaths of real estate agent Kristen Dennis, 27, and her paramedic boyfriend Paul Rossington, 30, on May 8.

They have not been found.

Read more: http://www.heraldsun.com.au/national-news/victoria/slip-theory-emerges-on-missing-cruise-ship-couple/story-fnii5sms-1226694826921#ixzz2bcXYqS4y

Royal Caribbean International dual milestones

ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL CELEBRATES DUAL MILESTONES FOR QUANTUM OF THE SEAS AND ANTHEM OF THE SEAS

Keel Laying and Steel Cutting Ceremonies Held for new Quantum Class

Excitement was palpable at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany on Friday as Royal Caribbean International marked two important milestones in the development of its Quantum class of ships. Quantum of the Seas, scheduled to be delivered in the autumn of 2014, received its first block as the keel was officially lowered and put into place. In conjunction, Anthem of the Seas, Quantum's sister-ship, had its first piece of steel cut, signalling the first step in the ship's construction.

"Today is a very special day in the development of our new Quantum class, as we are now two steps closer to delighting guests around the world with Quantum cruising," said Adam Goldstein, President and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "It's incredibly rewarding to seeQuantum of the Seas and Anthem of the Seas coming together so well, and today we not only honour these two very important milestones, but also recognize the years of hard work and dedication from the team developing these ships."  

The keel laying marks an important milestone in the development of Quantum of the Seas as it signifies the beginning of the ship's physical construction. During the ceremony, a 430-ton block measuring 59-ft by 75-ft (18 x 23 meters) was lifted into the building dock with an 800-ton crane. Newly minted coins were placed under the keel which then stays in place until the end of construction. Once the ship is nearing completion the coins are retrieved and presented to the ship's Captain and crew to be placed onboard the ship. According to maritime tradition, the coins are said to bring luck to the ship during its construction and then to its Captain and crew when she is out to sea.

The groundbreaking Quantum class ships will debut new unprecedented features, such as RipCord by iFLY, the first skydiving experience at sea; the North Star, an engineering marvel that transports guests more than 300 feet above the ocean; transformative venues, such as The Sea-Plex, the largest indoor sports and entertainment complex at sea with bumper cars, roller skating and more; and the cruise line's largest and most advanced staterooms ever, including the industry's first-ever Virtual Balcony staterooms, which offers expansive, real-time views of the ocean and exciting destinations for interior staterooms.

The Quantum class will debut in autumn 2014 with Quantum of the Seas, followed by her sister-ship Anthem of the Seas in spring 2015.  Quantum ships span 16 decks, encompass 167,800 gross registered tons, carry 4,180 guests at double occupancy and feature 2,090 staterooms.  More information on Quantum of the Seas is available at RoyalCaribbean.com/QuantumoftheSeas.

For additional information or to make reservations, visit royalcaribbean.com.au or celebritycruises.com.au, call 1800 754 500 or contact your travel agent. Travel professionals can call 1300 754 500 or visit cruisingpower.com.

Image 1  - Royal Caribbean International took a major step this week in the development of the cruise line's next generation of cruise ships when the first piece of steel was cut for Anthem of the Seas, sister-ship to Quantum of the Seas. The steel cutting took place at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany.
 
Image 2 - Quantum of the Seas, scheduled to be delivered in the autumn of 2014, received its first block today as the keel was officially lowered and put into place. The 430-ton block measuring 59-ft by 75-ft (18 x 23 meters) was lifted into the building dock with an 800-ton crane and signifies the beginning of the ship's physical construction.
 
Image 3 - Quantum of the Seas, scheduled to be delivered in the autumn of 2014, received its first block today as the keel was officially lowered and put into place. Newly minted coins were placed under the keel which then stay in place until the end of construction. According to maritime tradition, the coins are said to bring luck to the ship during its construction and then to its Captain and crew when she is at sea. Present at the event were (lefto to right): Bernard Meyer, Harri Kulovaara, EVP, Newbuild and Design, Royal Caribbean International; Mika Heiskanen,  
Project Manager, Royal Caribbean International and Jan Meyer, Managing Partner, Meyer Werft.