MSC offers free Caribbean cruise with purchase of Med sailing

Posted on 22 October, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

MSC Cruises said it will give a free, transferable cruise on select 2014 sailings of MSC Divina in the Caribbean for anyone who books the ship for a Mediterranean cruise next summer before Oct. 31.

A $500 deposit on the Mediterranean cruise is required to take advantage of the offer.

Divina began sailing in North America about a year ago on seven-day Caribbean itineraries out of Miami. It will return next summer to Mediterranean itineraries from May 16 through Sept. 19.

MSC is promoting a $1,899 package that includes roundtrip airfare to Rome or Barcelona, a seven-day cruise, a two-night post-cruise stay in a four-star hotel and all transfers needed.

Travel gateways are New York, Chicago and Miami. Government taxes and fees are extra.

Quantum of the Seas float-out features 30-foot pink bear

Posted on 14 August, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas was floated out of its construction berth at the Meyer Werft shipyard sporting a 30-foot pink bear on a top deck.

The sculpture, entitled “From Afar,” is part of the ship’s 2,980-piece art collection. It is formed from 1,340 stainless steel triangles, weighs eight tons, and is intended to provoke thoughts about “What Makes Life Worth Living,” the theme of the ship’s art collection, according to Royal Caribbean.

“The pieces we have commissioned for Quantum of the Seas are stunning, engaging and, in some cases, completely unexpected,” said Lisa Lutoff-Perlo, executive vice president of operations at Royal Caribbean.

The 18-deck, 4,180-passenger Quantum will undergo two months of finishing before being delivered. It’s first voyage is scheduled for mid-November in New York.

Royal Caribbean to expand Cape Liberty

Posted on 28 May, 2014 by Spacejunkie2

By Tom Stieghorst

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (RCCL) said it will build a second terminal at Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne, N.J., a facility that serves the New York area.

Groundbreaking on the $55 million project has already occurred, and the terminal is expected to be completed in time for the arrival of Quantum of the Seas in November.

The 125,000-square-foot terminal will include check-in, customs and immigration, and luggage-processing space, as well as a 900-car parking structure and pier improvements.

RCCL opened Cape Liberty 10 years ago this month. Currently, the port is the year-round home of Royal Caribbean’s Explorer of the Seas and seasonally for Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Summit.