Carnival Cruise Lines testing new dining room experience

Posted on 4 December, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Updated: Carnival Cruise Lines testing new dining room experience

By Tom Stieghorst

Carnival Cruise Lines said it will test two new dining concepts on the Carnival Glory starting Dec. 8, in what could be a fleet-wide revamp of its main dining room.
The new dining products, called American Table and American Feast, were developed with input from Union Square Hospitality Group of New York.

American Table will be offered on “cruise casual” nights. It includes a new style of service, new menu and table decor, and is designed to evoke a modern restaurant experience with an emphasis on exceptional American cuisine, Carnival said.

There will be a cocktail menu, an entree with ties to the port being visited during the meal, a “from the grill” entrée and a special dessert menu.

On Carnival’s more formal “cruise elegant” nights, it will offer American Feast, which has been designed to create the feel of an elegant, elaborate special occasion “celebrated by all guests in the restaurant with courses served table-side in elaborate style,” Carnival said.

The pilot program will be extended to Carnival Liberty beginning in January, and Carnival Imagination and Carnival Inspiration starting in February, with the intention to roll it out fleet-wide in the second half of 2014.

Union Square Hospitality Group is an outgrowth of Union Square Cafe, founded in 1985 by Danny Meyer, who is now CEO. In addition to the original restaurant, it now runs Gramercy Tavern, Blue Smoke, Jazz Standard and Shake Shake, as well as a catering and consulting practice.

Carnival senior vice president for operations Mark Tamis said Union Square’s role was primarily one of inspiring the Carnival team to create the new concepts.

Norwegian Getaway Floats Out From Building Dock

Posted on 14 November, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Norwegian Getaway Floats Out From Building Dock

PAPENBURG, GERMANY – November 4, 2013 – Norwegian Getaway, whose construction has taken 12 months, was floated out of MEYER WERFT’s covered building dock II on Saturday, November 2 in Papenburg, Germany where the 146,600-ton ship has been under construction since November 2012 when the ship’s keel was laid. Beginning at approximately 3:30 pm local time, the massive 4,000 passenger ship with her signature hull artwork designed by Miami artist David “LEBO” Le Batard, which features a whimsical mermaid holding the sun above the waves, departed building dock II bow first. Norwegian Getaway, sister ship to Norwegian Breakaway, has an overall length of 324 meters, and is 39.70 meters wide.

The ship’s float out represents a major milestone in the vessel’s construction as it denotes that the ship has now moved into the final phase of construction with delivery taking place on January 10, 2014.

“Hats off once again to the team at MEYER WERFT for building an absolutely spectacular vessel in record time,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line’s chief executive officer. “We are now in the home stretch and looking forward to the launch of Miami’s ultimate ship.”

“This new vessel, built in merely 12 months, is one of the largest and most technologically advanced ships in the world,” said Bernard Meyer, Managing Partner of MEYER WERFT. “We are thrilled to see her leaving the building dock and getting ready for her sea trials.”

Following the float out, tests were carried out in the harbor and the ship was berthed alongside the yard’s outfitting pier. Next week, the first crew members will move into their staterooms on board, and begin to familiarize themselves with the ship, readying her for guests. Norwegian Getaway’s conveyance down the river Ems towards the North Sea, where she will prove her seaworthiness, is scheduled for mid-November (weather permitting).

Following inaugural events in Europe, New York and Miami, Norwegian Getaway will sail seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises departing every Saturday from Miami beginning on February 8, 2014. For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line, or to book a cruise, contact a travel professional, call Norwegian at 866-NCL-CRUISE (625-2784), or visit www.ncl.com. Additional information on Norwegian Getaway can be found at www.getaway.ncl.com.

Norwegian Getaway

Norwegian Getaway is Miami’s ultimate ship and will embody the essence of her tropical hometown with hull artwork by Miami’s own David “LEBO” Le Batard, which features a whimsical mermaid holding the sun above the waves.

Featuring groundbreaking entertainment, Norwegian Getaway boasts sizzling Latin-inspired dance productions by Broadway sensation, Burn the Floor; performances of the seven-time Tony Award nominated musical LEGALLY BLONDE; hilarious comedy headliners produced by Levity Entertainment Group; and the sing along fun of the dueling pianos of Howl at the Moon. The ship is the first to feature the GRAMMY® Experience at sea, which will include artifacts chosen and curated by the GRAMMY Museum® along with live performances by past GRAMMY winners and nominees, among others. Another first of its kind at sea, The Illusionarium is an all-new dining and entertainment experience that will envelop guests in the fascinating world of magic, inviting them to experience the astonishing illusions of world-class magicians and supernatural special effects. To cap off a spectacular cruise experience, every sailing will feature a dazzling fireworks show at sea, set to music, as part of a dance party in the ship’s outdoor club, Spice H20.

Similar to sister ship Norwegian Breakaway, Norwegian Getaway will dazzle guests with the excitement of 678 Ocean Place and The Waterfront, a variety of interconnected indoor and outdoor venues on three dynamic decks that creates a multiplex of dining, activities and more and enhances guests’ connection with the ocean. Norwegian Getaway will also feature Miami’s coolest place to chill out – the ship’s SVEDKA/Inniskillin Ice Bar, featuring Art Deco-style décor, reminiscent of Miami Beach’s famous Ocean Drive.

Foodies setting sail from Miami on Norwegian Getaway can feast in their choice of 27 incredible dining options, including Celebrity Chef and Food Network star Geoffrey Zakarian’s three dining concepts: Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian; Ocean Blue on the Waterfront and The Raw Bar. Buddy Valastro, star of the popular TLC series “Cake Boss” also has an outpost of his famous Carlo’s Bakery onboard, serving up delicious treats like cannolis lobster tails and specialty cakes.

For families, Nickelodeon®, the number-one entertainment brand for kids, is on board and includes a variety of exciting interactive experiences, along with the opportunity to meet SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Star, Dora the Explorer and Diego, among other favorites. Norwegian Getaway will also include an all new pirate-themed Nickelodeon Kids’ Aqua Park where children can cool off with colorful, whimsical and larger than life Nickelodeon characters from Bikini Bottom.

The three-story Sports Complex will feature the Aqua Park with five thrilling water slides, two swimming pools and one of the largest multi-level elevated ropes course that will challenge guests to more than 40 different elements, including a zip track. For a thrill like no other, guests will confront The Plank, a platform that extends eight feet over the side of the ship. A nine-hole miniature golf course is located beneath the ropes course, offering family fun with friendly competition. A rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and spider web, a 24-foot enclosed climbing cage complete with a spiral slide, round out the activities.

Norwegian Getaway offers a variety of flexible accommodations ranging from Studio staterooms specially designed for solo travelers, to balcony and family staterooms and opulent suites in The Haven, the ultimate in luxury accommodations.

– See more at: http://www.getaway.ncl.com/latest/press-releases/norwegian-getaway-floats-out-from-building-dock/view/2013-11-04#sthash.hEAmxs1J.dpuf

Shutdown disappoints a lot of Chinese visitors

Posted on 7 October, 2013 by Spacejunkie2

Shutdown disappoints a lot of Chinese visitors

By Michelle Baran

The U.S. government’s partial shutdown this week coincided with a heightened period of inbound travel from China, resulting in disappointment for visitors encountering closed national parks, monuments and museums.

“Many Chinese visitors have saved for years to take the trip of a lifetime to our country. They wanted to see Yellowstone, the Statue of Liberty and the Grand Canyon. But they’re seeing none of it. They are extremely frustrated and confused by U.S. politics,” Haybina Hao, director of international development for the National Tour Association, said in a statement.

NTA oversees the China Inbound Program, which facilitates inbound leisure travel to the U.S. from China through a list of approved U.S. ground operators.

The U.S. had been named one of the top destinations for Chinese travelers, the fastest-growing tourism demographic into the U.S.

The U.S. government’s partial shutdown coincided with Golden Week, a period designated by the Chinese government as a time for its citizens to travel.

The shutdown meant tour operators had to reroute groups to alternative destinations, and in the process many operators had to cancel and rebook hotels and make new transportation arrangements.

“I had a group of 25 Chinese visitors who planned to visit Yellowstone this week, but they cannot get in,” said Sonny Sang of Los Angeles-based ACC America China Connection, a member of NTA’s China Inbound Program.

“I rerouted them to another destination, but I’ll lose $10,000 on this group. And I have another group of 22 arriving on Sunday to see Yellowstone. The financial consequences are unbearable for me as a small tour operator.”

Hao said one tour operator has more than 20 groups traveling in the U.S. this week.

Neil Amrine, owner of Guide Service of Washington, said, “The biggest disappointment is the Smithsonian being closed, but we’re coming up with other solutions.”

Amrine revised the itinerary for a group of Chinese travelers this week by adding privately run attractions and finding alternative viewing sites of popular monuments.

“They weren’t thrilled at first, but I think they’ll leave happy,” he said.

With destinations worldwide competing to attract Chinese travelers, Hao said that the shutdown will hurt U.S. travel companies investing in the Chinese inbound market.

In 2012, Chinese visitation to the U.S. increased 41% over 2011, and spending by Chinese travelers rose 19%, according to the Commerce Department.