Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas- WOW

Royal Caribbean Debuts New "Neighborhoods" on Oasis
Published on: June 19, 2008



Royal Caribbean International introduced its latest amenities planned for its newest ship, Oasis of the Seas. Launching in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the world's largest and most revolutionary ship, with a total capacity of roughly 6,300 passengers (third and fourth berths included). The company, which in April debuted a Central Park running down the center of the ship, yesterday unveiled the Boardwalk, a space for families inspired by the nostalgic seaside piers of yesteryear, plus the first amphitheater at sea, AquaTheater, which will celebrate water with the largest freshwater pool found on a ship offering a full spectrum of activities and performances for guests. Central Park, the Boardwalk and AquaTheater will all be located on one deck, with AquaTheater in the stern. In addition, a new version of the Royal Promenade will allow guests to have a physical connection with the neighborhood above, Central Park, as natural light cascades down from the sky through the Crystal Canopy sculptured glass domes.

Reminiscent of the piers that dot the coast of England and amusement parks such as Coney Island, the elements of Boardwalk will engage the entire family in classic fun with eateries, retail outlets and carnival games. An original, handcrafted carousel -- the first at sea -- will be the centerpiece of this neighborhood. Two rock-climbing walls and the first zip-line at sea will be suspended nine decks above the Boardwalk. AquaTheater, created to offer two unique experiences, will allow guests to swim in the theater's magnificent kidney-shaped pool, relax on sun loungers located on tiered platforms surrounding the pool, and even take Scuba lessons in the afternoon. At night, the venue will deliver a complete sensory experience playing on the element of surprise as audience members witness the area come alive with theatrical performances featuring dramatic acrobatics, synchronized swimming, water ballet, and professional high-diving, as well as elaborate fountain shows synchronized to music and lights.

Royal Caribbean also introduced a series of industry-first loft suites offering expansive ocean views and luxury amenities. The 28 contemporary two-level loft suites will feature vibrant, ocean-inspired colors in a sophisticated and spacious setting. The lofts will feature spectacular views of the ocean with floor-to-ceiling, double-height windows. The signature lofts will round out a new portfolio of 37 categories of accommodation options, many with views unique to Oasis of the Seas, such as Central Park and the Boardwalk. "We are particularly excited about the neighborhood concept, which gives guests compelling choices and the ability to flow seamlessly throughout the ship to meet their individual desires and preferences," said Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
Additions to Royal Promenade, the heart of the ship, will include a mezzanine level that overlooks the main promenade below. The Royal Promenade will be home to a vast array of shopping, dining and entertainment options including the Rising Tide bar, the first moving bar at sea, which will traverse three decks and allow cruisers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly ascend into Central Park. A focal point will be a giant copper globe sculpture built into the facade above the Globe, and Atlas Pub, which will "crack open" to create a spectacular, surprise element for guests, as it unfurls on hinged hydraulics and becomes a bridge platform for performances. Other options include the Schooner Bar and Champagne Bar; the new Mondo Coffee Bar; Focus, a photo shop and gallery; and the Boleros Latin dance club.

"Royal Caribbean is proud to introduce a number of industry firsts on a level and scale that the world has never seen before," said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International. "Oasis of the Seas is the ultimate expression of the creativity and imagination found on all of our ships, providing guests with a collection of experiences that will offer an incredible cruise vacation.

When she launches in December 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. She will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line's new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, and the Royal Promenade. The ship will sail from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

NCL's new Night Life on board their F3 Ships

From Miami chic and Ibiza style to Las Vegas flair and the luxury of the Rivera, the nightclubs on the new F3 ships will create never-before-experienced nightlife at sea.

There are five new nightlife venues on F3, including the industry’s first true Ice Bar, inspired by the original Ice Bars and Ice Hotels in Scandinavia, it’s the ultimate chill; POSH Beach Club, a first of its kind beach club at sea that offers an exclusive, adults-only setting on the ship’s highest deck; Halo, the Uber Bar, an exclusive private lounge with Mediterranean flare combined with the sizzle of South Beach and the luxury of the Rivera in the ship-within-a-ship villa complex; Bliss Ultra Lounge – hailing the return of the only bowling alley at sea, this hotspot is more than a lounge, it’s simply striking; and Spice H20, our adults-only complex, located at the back of the ship on decks 15 and 16, features a huge screen displaying vibrant video images combined with dynamic music to create a truly unique experience, day or night. With these signature outlets, NCL’s nightlife experience will rival even Vegas’ energy and passion for nighttime entertainment.

Every experience on board will be completely unique. What’s unconventionally extraordinary about these spaces is that they will have multiple uses – sunning, bowling, dining and of course, party playgrounds.

Royal Caribbean Brand ups their fuel surcharges

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is revising the fuel supplement charged to guests sailing onboard three of its brands.

The revised fuel supplements will apply to bookings made throughout the world on or after June 30, 2008. Onboard Royal Caribbean International® and Celebrity Cruises®, for first and second guests in a stateroom, the revised fuel supplement will be $10 (USD) per-person, per-day, and total no more than $140 (USD) per-person, per-cruise. Additional guests in a stateroom will be charged $5 (USD) per-person, per-day, and total no more than $70 (USD) per-person, per cruise.

Onboard Azamara CruisesSM, for first and second guests in a stateroom, the revised fuel supplement will be $15 (USD) perperson,per-day. Additional guests in a stateroom will not be charged a fuel supplement.

Passport Info

Sometimes lost in the brouhaha over the passport rules that went into effect in January 2007 is the fact that the requirements only apply to travel via air. That means that, at least through June 1, 2009, travelers can continue to cruise to the Caribbean out of U.S. ports without needing a passport. The exemption applies whether you are cruising out of Florida, elsewhere in the U.S. mainland, or Puerto Rico. Remember that the passport rules apply to reentry to the U.S. only; most Caribbean countries will still admit Americans carrying only a birth certificate and driver's license or other primary ID. (Bermuda and Barbados are two of the exceptions - you need a passport there.)


AIR TRAVEL



ALL PERSONS traveling by air outside of the United States are required to present a passport or other valid travel document to enter or re-enter the United States.
LAND AND SEA TRAVEL
The following summarizes information available on the Department of Homeland Security’s website.

CURRENTLY:
U.S. citizens need to present either (a) a passport, passport card (available in spring 2008), or WHTI-compliant document; or (b) a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver’s license, along with proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.
LATER:
On June 1, 2009, the U.S. government will implement the full requirements of the land and sea phase of WHTI. The proposed rules require most U.S. citizens entering the United States at sea or land ports of entry to have a passport, passport card, or WHTI-compliant document.
Note: The passport requirement does NOT apply to U.S. citizens traveling to or returning directly from a U.S. territory.


PLEASE REMEMBER, IF YOU ARE TAKING A CRUISE AND MUST FLY HOME FROM A CARIBBEAN ISLAND, YOU MAY NOT BE LET BACK INTO THE US WITHOUT A VALID PASSPORT. I CAN ONLY MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS, BUT MY RECOMMENDATION IS TO GET A PASSPORT NOW.

More Airline Fees

First American, and now US Airways. This is likely to be followed by the rest of the airlines shortly.

This is the announcement from US Airways:
Announcing changes to the way we do business
It's no secret that the airline business is facing difficulties of unprecedented proportions; and 'unfortunately
US Airways is no exception. Surviving high oil prices is going to require some substantial changes to the way the industry is run. Today, we announced a series of changes designed to prepare our airline for these new ways of doing business.

Specifically, we announced changes to domestic capacity, the Dividend Miles program and our overall business model. We're transforming our business by initiating a 'pay-for-what-you-use' model for items like baggage and beverages. We're also making changes to the Dividend Miles program that you should know about.
As part of our transformation, we will:

Introduce a first checked bag fee of $15*
Introduce a new in-flight 'pay-for-what-you-use' program*
Amend the Dividend Miles frequent flyer program
We'll also reduce 4th quarter domestic capacity by six to eight percent on a year-over-year basis, return ten mainline aircraft in 2008 and 2009, cancel the leases of two A330 aircraft scheduled for delivery in 2009 and work to defer additional deliveries in 2009 and 2010.


Please check the airline's website for the most up to date "fee structure" before booking a flight.

Carnival to bring the Pride to Baltimore year round

With the cost of airfare going up and flights being cancelled, I would hope that more of the cruise lines follow suit by bringing more ships to cruise ports closer to home- just as they did after 9/11.

Carnival announced that the Carnival Pride will be doing 7 nite sailings year round from Baltimore starting in September 2009. There are 2 different itineraries, Florida and the Bahamas as well as Turks and Caicos, Nassau and Freeport.

Baltimore is an easy drive from the NY metro region as well as Pennsylvania down to the Carolinas and is bound to be a popular option for those who don't want to fly down to Florida to get on a cruise ship.

We are hoping that this is the wave of the future.

Fuel Surcharges go up again

Rather than bombarding you with more news about fuel surcharges on the rise, please know that all of the Carnival brand (Carnival, Holland America, Princess, Costa, Cunard and Seaborn) have raised their fuel surcharge as well as Norwegian Cruise Line. I truly expect other cruise lines to follow suit shortly.

This is nothing that we, as travel agents, have any control over. These are additional charges that go directly into the cruise lines' pocket. Yes, we understand that you feel that they are excessive- we would just prefer that the cruise lines raise their prices to incorporate the fuel surcharge but instead they would rather hook guests in with the lower cruise rate and then shock you with all of the additional surcharges and fees.

When you see a price on the internet and I quote you a price of well over $100 more per person, please note that fuel surcharges of up to $11 per person per day and the government taxes and fees are never advertised in rates online.

If you are looking to book a cruise for later this year or next year, please do so NOW. You will only pay the current fuel surcharge not the new and inflated one. The Carnival brand of ships' new surcharge goes into effect 7/12, with NCL'n new charge going into effect on 7/20.