The World's Most Revolutionary Cruise Ship Is One Step Closer To Redefining The Cruise Vacation In just over one year, Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas will make her long awaited debut. The ship, under construction at STX Europe in Turku, Finland, reached an important maritime milestone today when she was "floated out" - moved from dry dock to wet dock - to begin the final stages of interior work. At official ceremonies held at the shipyard, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. executives, Richard Fain, chairman and CEO and Harri Kulovaara, executive vice president, M...

During preview cruises this month on its new Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Cruises revealed plans to resume cruises to Bermuda in 2010. "Celebrity has a long and positive history with the beautiful island of Bermuda, and we're thrilled to respond to demand that we return, from our longtime guests and travel agent partners alike," said Celebrity's President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. On April 17, 2010, Celebrity Summit will reposition from San Juan to Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey, to present a series of 7-night roundtrip Bermuda itineraries. The ship will dock at King's...

As part of its ongoing Signature of Excellence, Holland America Line is doubling the amount to be spent in upgrades, enhancements and new features on five of the line's most popular ships. Over the next two years, the ms Statendam, ms Ryndam, ms Maasdam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam will undergo extensive dry docks to create new venues, new staterooms, new décor and more. The $200 million program will begin when Veendam enters an extended dock in spring 2009, and the last ship is slated for completion in early 2011. The investment in this new series of enhancements will include a new...

In a "ruby red" themed ceremony celebrating romance, Princess Cruises today named its newest ship, Ruby Princess. America's reigning reality couple, Trista and Ryan Sutter of The Bachelorette did the honors, breaking the traditional bottle of champagne to mark the ship's launch, and their own fifth anniversary. The new godparents were surrounded by hundreds of guests decked out in ruby red-tie formal attire, and a ruby-haired singer serenaded the crowd. As befitting the most romantic cruise line, and an event celebrating "romantic moments and milestones," the official ...

 After showcasing its new Celebrity Solstice to more than 8,000 members of the travel agency community, press and other dignitaries on a series of two-night preview cruises, Celebrity Cruises today eagerly welcomes guests embarking on the ship's maiden voyage. "This is yet another significant milestone in the rapid growth and evolution of the Celebrity brand, as Celebrity Solstice - our first in a series of five spectacular Solstice-class ships - officially enters service," said Celebrity's President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "We hope our guests on this sailing are as ...

 Cunard's QE2 bid farewell to America in a poignant celebration befitting the company's longest serving liner, recognized as the most famous ship in the world. On her 710th and final call to New York, the iconic passenger vessel elegantly sailed through New York Harbor for the last time, escorted by the US Coast Guard and FDNY Fireboats, meeting her sister ship Queen Mary 2 for their final Royal Rendezvous at the Statue of Liberty before departing in tandem for Southampton, England. "It is most fitting that QE2's farewell to America be celebrated in New York, the city Cunard...

The Pinnacle Grill, the exclusive, reservations-only dining venue on all Holland America Line ships, debuts a tantalizing new menu this fall. Created by Master Chef Rudi Sodamin and introduced with rave reviews on ms Eurodam earlier this summer, the expanded menu introduces new Pacific Northwest specialty entrees and adds creations ranging from lobster "mac & cheese" to Colorado lamb chops. Delectable seafood dishes include broiled, troll-caught salmon, broiled or poached lobster tail, cedar-planked black cod with shrimp scampi and the Master Chef's interpretation of surf-a...

Star Princess set sail this weekend after a three-week drydock that dramatically transformed several spaces onboard, including turning the ship's atrium into a vibrant street cafe-like piazza, adding the company's signature adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary, and installing a 300-square-foot Movies Under the Stars poolside screen. These features, which have been enthusiastically enjoyed by passengers on Princess Cruises' newest vessels, have inspired an expansion to other ships in the fleet, and Star Princess is the first to be revitalized with these favorite elements. Star Princess...

Norwegian Cruise Line announced that Norwegian Spirit is undergoing a multi-million dollar refurbishment focused on enhancing the total guest experience. The 2,376 passenger Freestyle Cruising ship is receiving a total renovation to its public areas, staterooms and suites. These refurbishments are in addition to the enhancements already made as part of Freestyle 2.0, the company's fleet-wide initiative to further improve the guest experience across all guest touch points from food and beverage to staterooms. "Norwegian Spirit's multi-million dollar renovation will enrich the overal...

The final neighborhood to be added into the deck plans of Royal Caribbean International's Oasis of the Seas was announced last night during an online unveiling sponsored by American Express Travel. The Youth Zone, a haven for children and teens, joins the ranks of six other previously-announced, diverse neighborhoods that will be aboard the world's largest and most revolutionary cruise ship due to launch in November 2009. Oasis of the Seas features a unique concept that will provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or moo...