Royal Introduces Visionary Vertical Entertainment

Post Royal Introduces Visionary Vertical Entertainment

Vision-Class’ Signature Centrum Will Transform into an Exciting New Experience for Guests

Royal Caribbean International continues to deliver the Royal Advantage with the transformation of the elegant and popular Centrum found aboard its Vision-Class ships.

Beginning with Splendour of the Seas, the Centrum with its sweeping views and central location on the ship will reemerge from an extensive revitalization as a new chic and sophisticated venue featuring enriching daytime activities, dazzling nightly entertainment and jaw-dropping aerial spectacles. The Centrum’s Champagne Bar also will be reinvented, unveiled as a new venue – the R Bar – featuring a sophisticated 1960s vibe, complete with iconic furnishing and signature cocktails mixed by a savvy and personable mixologist.

“The rebirth of the spectacular 60-foot high Centrum found aboard the Vision-class ships brings new life to a popular gathering space by incorporating innovative technology and vertical entertainment elements to what was already the place to be and be seen,” said Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “When we complete our extensive revitalization program, guests sailing aboard Splendour of the Seas will be in for a multi-sensory experience that puts them at close proximity to amazing aerial performers from multiple viewpoints in a sophisticated and glamorous atmosphere.”

Bringing the Centrum’s new entertainment offerings to life is the latest in sound and light technology. The glass elevators facing into the Cent

rum will feature large LED panels across their entire length providing a spectacular backdrop of moving visuals 5 decks high. During the entertainment experiences, which takes place throughout the cruise, the soaring space comes alive with a series of aerial acrobatic vignettes blurring the lines between artful choreography and state-of-the-art technology.

The R Bar offerings will feature a return to the classics – gimlet, martini, brown liquors, gin and whiskeys – all served in unique glassware with surprising garnishes. The venue’s resident mixologist, selected from the cruise line’s fleet to be the face and personality behind the bar, will create drink specials that will complement each evening’s theme and aerial spectacular.

Throughout each sailing, guests can gather in the Centrum for a variety of interactive daytime activities including chef demonstrations, towel folding demonstrations, dance classes, game shows, Nintendo Wii competitions and the popular Captain’s Corner where guests can spend time with the Captain. Additionally, guests may sit back, relax and enjoy performances from musicians and singers or take a spin on the dance floor at themed parties such as the popular Disco Inferno dance party.

Ryanair’s new security feature blocks agent sales

Ryanair’s new security feature blocks agent sales

Nov 18, 2011 08:00AM GMT

Ryanair has made what is being seen as the most aggressive move yet to prevent travel agents booking its flights using the screen-scraping method.

A new verification step has been added to the Ryanair booking process, identical to the system many sites already utilise to ensure the inquiry is being made by a genuine human being rather than a machine.

It is understood the new procedure, that requires the customer to enter a unique code, was introduced this week. Agents could still book flights manually, but taking large numbers of flights by screen-scraping would be impossible.

On Holiday Group chief executive Steve Endacott said the move could present a major challenge for a number of UK-based dynamic packaging agencies, some of whom he estimated are up to 60% reliant on Ryanair flights.

He believes Ryanair may be unaware of exactly how much business comes from the trade and, despite chief executive Michael O’Leary’s well documented antagonism to travel agents, may come to regret this latest attempt to cut them out.

“They could lose 30% of their business,” he said. “It’s a question of who blinks first; the trade or Ryanair.”

The Irish budget carrier has fought and lost a number of legal cases around Europe in its attempts to prevent third party sales, although many firms are able to get around attempts to stifle screen scraping by using companies based outside of the EU.

Endacott described the move by Ryanair as “deeply anti-consumer”.

Orbitz to power AOL Travel

Orbitz to power AOL Travel

By Johanna Jainchill

Orbitz Worldwide on Thursday signed a multiyear agreement for Orbitz.com to be the primary travel booking partner for AOL Travel.

Orbitz replaces Travelocity, which has been AOL’s reservations engine since 1999.

The partnership will allow AOL users to book with Orbitz and give Orbitz access to AOL editorial content.

Beginning in January, AOL Travel visitors will be able to book hotels, vacation packages, flights, rental cars and cruises on Orbitz.com. Orbitz Worldwide brands will be promoted on AOL-owned sites.

In turn, Orbitz brands (including Orbitz.com, CheapTickets.com and Away.com) will feature AOL Travel travel guides and will have access to AOL Travel, HuffPost Travel and Gadling travel content, including destination reviews, overviews and blogs.

Orbitz CEO Barney Harford said that the editorial content would “help consumers make better decisions.”

In a statement, Jared Smith, general manager of travel for the Huffington Post Media Group, said, “As a one-stop-shop for travel news, inspiration, research and purchasing, it is important for us to partner with a top-notch travel-booking site.

“Given its reliability, breadth and quality, Orbitz.com is the ideal booking partner for AOL Travel. We’re also excited to provide our high-quality content to the Orbitz Worldwide family of brands to enhance their customer offering.”

In September, Orbitz agreed to power American Express’ consumer travel website, beginning in the second half of 2012, also replacing Travelocity.