Tag Archives: refit

Classic Rock Cruise Setting Sail in 2019

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Royal Caribbean International renders Mariner of the Seas' upper aft deck additions
PHOTO: Royal Caribbean International renders Mariner of the Seas’ upper aft deck additions. (photo courtesy of Royal Caribbean International)

Classic rock fans rejoice.

The inaugural On The Blue cruise will sail to the Caribbean in 2019 and feature several world-famous bands.

The five-night voyage aboard Royal Caribbean’s Mariner of the Seas will depart from Miami, Florida, February 10-15, 2019, and will visit Nassau/Paradise Island, Bahamas, and Labadee, Haiti.

The Classic Rock Cruise will be hosted by Justin Hayward of The Moody Blues and feature musical performances and events. Some of the artists playing during the voyage include The Zombies, Dave Mason, Steve Hackett, Alan Parsons, Procol Harum, Al Stewart, Wishbone Ash, POCO, Vanilla Fudge, Colin Blunstone, Danny Seraphine, Rick Derringer, Randy Hansen, The Young Dubliners and more acts to be announced.

Tickets for the On The Blue cruise will go on sale March 14 at 1 p.m. ET, and prices start at $1,099 per person based on double occupancy. Government fees, taxes, and gratuities are additional and mandatory for all passengers, regardless of age.

The Mariner of the Seas features two huge music venues and is undergoing a makeover worth more than $100 million. Scheduled to be completed this summer, it is the biggest facelift in the history of the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

The ship will feature new dining concepts, a bungee trampoline experience dubbed Sky Pad, the FlowRider surf simulator, The Perfect Storm waterslides, The Bamboo Room tiki bar, the family-style Jamie’s Italian restaurant by Jamie Oliver and more.

For more information, reach out to your local travel agent.

Fresh from the shipyard—a first peek at Louisiane Steam Boat Re-Fit  (and some juicy new tidbits)

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Image result for Louisiane's refit

Louisiane’s refit is complete and the vessel will reposition to its dedicated Quai Louisiane in New Orleans this weekend

‘Stylish and opulent’ is how French America Line chairman Christopher Kyte describes the new boutique riverboat Louisiane. He also shared a soupçon of fresh details about the vessel and a new hire.

‘The fabrics are rich. The furniture and materials probably make it the most luxe riverboat in the world. We can’t take credit for the high ceilings; they were there. [Louisiane] will certainly set a new standard here in the US,’ Kyte said.

The vessel’s refit is complete and Louisiane is in New Orleans where sailings will start Oct. 22 from a dedicated pier, Quai Louisiane, on the west bank of the Mississippi near the Hilton Riverwalk.

Louisiane is the former Columbia Queen, the last vessel built by the Delta Queen Steamboat Co. and just redone from stem to stern during a multimillion-dollar docking. Sailing for French America Line, the vessel will have luxury touches like beignets from Café du Monde, Ladurée macarons from Paris and cuisine by the noted chef Regina Charboneau.

The first two cruises are charters, a four-night sailing for a ‘huge US tour company’ and a 15-night sailing for a ‘huge Asia Pacific tour operator.’

The vessel is ‘the perfect size for charters,’ Kyte said. ‘You only need 150 people, or 75 couples.’

Bookings, he added, are ‘phenomenally good’ for next year.

Exemplifying the caliber of entertainment is vocalist Barbara Rosene, renowned for interpreting the great music of the 1920s, ’30s and ’40s, who performs with The Harry James Orchestra and at the Carlyle Hotel in New York. She’ll be aboard for the first week.

Newly revealed, after 10 p.m. the brasserie-like Veranda will transform into a late-night spot called Bar Rive Gauche, with soft lighting, French jazz, carafes of red wine and onion soup gratinée. The inspiration was the chic late-night spot of the same name on the SS France, an ocean liner Kyte adored.

As for the new hire, Aidy Alonzo joins next week as director of marketing. Her prior cruise-related positions include senior director of marketing at American Queen Steamboat Co. and at Cruise Planners/American Express, director of on-board revenue management for Prestige Cruise Holdings and director of marketing for Oceania Cruises.

A couple other cruise figures will be signing on as well. Stay tuned, Kyte said.

Fleet-wide renovations planned for Norwegian ships

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Norwegian Cruise Line has revealed it plans to invest $250 million (£147 million) in fleet-wide renovations that will take place during the course of 2015.

The NEXT makeover programme will focus on bringing “new enhancements, experiences and transformations” across the fleet and will include improvements to food and drink facilities, as well as entertainment amenities.

According to the firm, the renovations will bring older ships inline with the more modern Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway liners.

Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line, said: “The youngest fleet at sea continues to get even better with our robust enhancement taking place over the next two years, and we want to continue to provide fresh and relevant experiences to our guests every time they sail with us.”

The firm will continue its partnership with children’s television network Nickelodeon and plans to create further entertainment options for its youngest passengers.

According to Norwegian, the iConcierge app will be rolled out to all ships and Wi-Fi facilities will be upgraded. In addition, touch screens and digital signage will be fitted across the whole fleet.

Further technological improvements are planned, focusing specifically on improving efficiency and reducing the carbon footprint of the fleet.