Tag Archives: refurbishment

Multi-Million Pound Make-Over For P&O Cruises Aurora

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 by Danielle Fear

P&O-Cruises-Aurora

P&O Cruises has unveiled its plans for a £26 million pound make-over for Aurora this winter, the first ship in the fleet to receive the bold new livery design.

The refurbishment will take place November 29 to December 18 in Hamburg, ahead of its Christmas and New Year cruise and before the South America & Pacific Adventure world cruise itinerary departing January 8, 2015.

Launched in 2000, Aurora’s last refit was in 2009.

The planned changes for 2014 include:

  • A new look livery design, which celebrates P&O Cruises heritage and its place as Britain’s favourite cruise company. It features a contemporary version of the Union Flag on its bow and new blue funnels with illuminated rising sun designs
  • The introduction of Sindhu restaurant for evening fine dining (replacing the library on deck 8) with an Indian fusion menu designed by Michelin-star celebrity chef Atul Kochhar
  • The Glass House restaurant and wine bar is replacing Café Bordeaux on deck 8. Available for brunch, lunch and dinner it will house wine displays and wines selected by expert and TV presenter Olly Smith. Enomatic wine systems allow passengers to buy premium wines by the glass. There will also be a private room for wine tastings and dinners
  • A complete refurbishment of the buffet restaurant (Lido deck, deck 12) with new décor
  • In the evening, The Beach House menu replaces the Pennant Grill menu to include family favourites such as Fillet of Beef on Lava Rock
  • A complete refurbishment of The Reef children’s clubs with room names changed to reflect Reef club names across the rest of the fleet
  • The introduction of Freedom Dining to Medina Restaurant with more tables for two and Marco Pierre White dishes on gala evenings
  • A refurbishment of the Sidewalk Café and the introduction of Costa Coffee and brand new “Grab and Go” counter, a great option for breakfast and lunch on the go
  • The library relocates to the current cyb@study space adjacent to the Crow’s Nest on deck 13
  • Casino and Champions refurbishment with new open-plan design, new furniture and improved stage area for entertainment, live music and quizzes
  • Photography gallery upgrade to include more touch screen technology
  • An extensive shop refurbishment
  • Refurbishment of Oasis Spa
  • Upgrade of all sound and light equipment in the theatre and show lounge
  • New soft furnishings for all cabins with flat-screen TVs

P&O Cruises marketing director Christopher Edgington said: “This is a massive investment. It’s all part of our ongoing commitment to ensure continuous improvement of our ships and consistency across the fleet.

“Both Ventura and Arcadia underwent huge multi-million pound refits last year and Aurora is the next in line with Azura planned for 2015.

“Not only will Aurora feature firm favourites from Azura and Ventura, such as Sindhu and The Glass House restaurant and wine bar, but we will also see brand new initiatives as well as the distinctive new livery.

“As the very first ship to display our new livery, we have big plans to welcome Aurora back in to Southampton. We can’t wait to see her.”

Info courtesy of P&O Cruises

Carnival Freedom passengers sound off

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By Tom Stieghorst
*InsightI was aboard the Carnival Freedom on an eight-day cruise through the Caribbean last week. The ship was fresh out of a drydock and sported the new Camp Ocean children’s play areas.

At the conclusion of the cruise I asked 10 passengers, or couples, about the highlights and lowlights of their cruise.

The passengers ranged in age from young adult to retired. Several were African-American, two were Hispanic, and they came from seven states, including Utah and California. Three were from Florida.

A few general impressions stood out. Overall, the satisfaction level was pretty high. Several struggled to find anything negative to say, and no one was more negative than positive.*TomStieghorst

The excursions were one highlight for most of those interviewed, especially the tour guides. If there was a complaint it was that the excursions, and the port calls in general, went by too quickly.

“A little more time in port would have been great,” said Danilo Martell of Corona, Calif.

Although Grand Turk, the Dominican Republic, Aruba and Curacao each had their individual followings, Sarah Hoetzlein of Pittsburgh said the 11 p.m. departure from Curacao made that her favorite.

“I would love it if they stop later, so you have some night time,” she said. At other ports, she said, the beach excursion “is all you have time to do.”

Several mentioned the entertainment as a highlight, including Diana Jensen of Salt Lake City, who said the production shows were “the best thing on the ship.”

Others mentioned “sharing time with friends” and “there’s always something to do” as highlights and the level of service got high marks, except for the sea day brunches where the staff was “nonattentive” and the line to get in was long at times.

Several mentioned that they would like more food choice in the “tween times” after major meals, when the lido deck buffet is closed and deli sandwiches or pizza are the culinary offerings.

Katie Kivett of Nashville appreciated that Carnival is one of the few lines that allows children under 2 into the babysitting program, but didn’t like that her 15-month-old son was not allowed in the pool.

Other lowlights: motion sickness, the boarding process stalled and no one offered an explanation, there’s not enough to do at night for nondrinkers, some of the food was just “OK.”

Other highlights included the size of the beds, windows, closets and drawer space in the forward-facing cabins on the lido deck, the abundance of high-chair and crib accommodations for infants, the classes, casino and art auctions, and the dune buggy, power snorkel and catamaran excursions in Grand Turk, La Romana and elsewhere.

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.