cruise ships

Disney Dream Ship Gets A Fireworks Float Out

The Allure of the Seas wasn't the only massive cruise ship on the move recently. The Disney Cruise Line saw its newest vessel, the Disney Dream float out of an enclosed building dock at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany. The ship's debut after 20 months of construction was celebrated by a fireworks display and the appearance of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. The ship will now undergo testing on its stabilizers, rudders and other features while work on the interior continues. AOL Travel was on hand and captured video of the event.

The Disney Dream is the third ship in the Disney Cruise Line fleet and has 14 decks and a ship length of 1,115 feet. The 128,000-ton vessel accommodates 4,000 passengers in 1,250 staterooms along with over 1,450 crew members. Staterooms on board the Disney Dream feature contemporary amenities including split bathroom, a feature perfect for families. The ship has plenty of clubs and activity centers for all ages of children and in addition to the magically themed restaurants there is also elegant adults-only dining. Entertainment on the Disney Dream will include musical live shows, first-run films, Digital 3-D movies and pools for kids, families and adults.

The first voyage of the Disney Dream is scheduled for January 26th, 2011 from Port Canaveral, Florida. The Disney Fantasy is also under construction at the same shipyard. This is the largest ship to come out of the Meyer Werft shipyard which is also committed to build a pair of vessels for Norwegian Cruise Line.

Tags: cruise ship travel, cruise ships, disney, Disney Cruise Line, disney dream

Oceana Cruises to Offer Ralph Lauren Appointed Suites

by Carrie N. Culpepper (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels

When Oceana Cruises' new "Marina" ship sets sail in winter 2011 the exclusive "owners' suites" (pictured above) will be something of a homage to Ralph Lauren's enduring American style.

Last week, from the Ralph Lauren showroom in New York, the cruise line announced that the Marina's three, 2,500-square-foot luxury suites will be decorated with furniture, fabrics, lighting and bedding from the Ralph Lauren Home collection. Just shy of hiring Ralph Lauren himself, the company went so far as to hire a Tocar Interior Design, a firm started by two former Polo executives.

Marina was designed to carry 1,258 travelers and the boat's filled with high-end details not usually found on cruise ships, like a grand, Lalique-designed grand staircase, stained-wood paneling, marble and granite surfaces, wool carpets and leather armchairs. The ship has 10 dining venues, a variety of bars and lounges, a full-service Canyon Ranch SpaClub, fitness center and more. The ship is just now being built but Oceania Cruises will start taking reservations in January 2010.

Gallery: Oceania Cruise's "Marina"

Tags: cruise ships, oceania cruises, ralph lauren, ralph lauren home, tocar interior design

Costa Cruises Launch Ship In Real Life And Second Life

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Spas, Yachts & Sailing

This may be a first, a luxury ship that launched both in real life and simultaneously in Second Life. The Costa Serena, from Costa Crociere will depart from Venice to Greece, Turkey and Croatia in summer 2007 and from Savona to Canary Islands in winter 2007/2008 .The new ship was christened in Marseilles on May 19 and a virtual cruise ship and cruise terminal were also launched in Second Life.

The new ship is 290 meters long and has accommodation for up to 3780 guests in 1500 cabins. Like other Costa cruise ships this one features the Samsara spa and Samsara spa suites. The ship also has four swimming pools including one with a giant movie screen. The ship has a Greek and Roman mythology theme with 5990 art works including many original pieces. Costa Serena has already embarked on its maiden cruise from Venice to Turkey and Greece. Fares start at $1099.

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Tags: costa cruises, costa serena, CostaSerena, cruise ships, cruises, european cruise, travel, vacation

Holland America's Dancing Dinner

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Dining, Luxury Travel & Hotels

Cruise ships are famous for their lavish food and their often flashy entertainment. Put the two together and you've got Holland America's new Signature Master Chef's Dinner. The evening begins with a menu in the shape of kitchen utensils listing evening's dining and wine selections. Each diner is given a chef's hat and the dinner roll is also in the shape of a chef's hat. Even the musicians in the band have instruments that have been changed to resemble food items. The meal's festivities include the "waltz of the napkins" in which the napkins are delivered by the staff in a waltz which culminates in the presentation of a domed silver platter containing the "Chef's Amuse Surprise," which can be a small treat ranging from salmon mousseline to mushroom mousse or a foie gras petit four. Next, your salad is juggled to you while a singer dressed as a salad performs. Thing settle down as the dinner (options include roasted tenderloin of beef, lamp chops, duck breast a l'orange or wild mushroom streudel) progresses and the band provides background music. Things ramp up again for dessert as the song "Sugar, Sugar" plays and out comes the "Hats Off" dessert, a chocolate mousse with macerated berries topped with a white chocolate chef's hat. The ship's chefs make an appearance and the servers dance through the audience and then form a kick-line. Oh, I need to see video of this.

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Tags: cruise entertaiment, cruise meals, cruise ships, dining, holland america, HollandAmerica, vacation

Condo Cruises

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Yachts & Sailing

More and more we are seeing cruise ships turned into condos. A new company, Condo Cruises buys smaller cruise ships and then converts some of the staterooms into one, two and three room suites. The conventional staterooms are booked to fund the annual operating budget of the ship and the condo suites can also be booked for income. Later, when the ship no longer cruises, the ship is turned into a floating hotel. Condos sell for $229,000 to $549,000. While a floating retirement home is a tempting notion, I wonder about the long-term investment potential of a suite on a cruise ship.

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Tags: condo cruise, CondoCruise, cruise ships