www.jetlinecruise.com
4
CRUISE NEWS
Catch up on the latest cruise industry news
Queen Mary 2 enters dry dock for
significant upgrades
One of the icons of the cruise world, and despite today's floating resorts, still one
of the biggest cruise ships on earth, the Queen Mary 2, will spend the next three
weeks in the dry dock for an upgrade that will cost several million pounds. The
ship, which is part of UK-based cruise line Cunard's fleet, arrived in the German
port of Hamburg at the end of last week to undergo the much-needed revamp.
The vessel, which has a gross tonnage of 150,000, will get a host of upgrades, as
well as several new features during its stay at the Blohm & Voss Shipyard. Work
should be completed by 21st June 2016. Some of these upgrades include a totally
new Veranda Restaurant, a restyled Carinthia Lounge, 30 additional Britannia Club
staterooms, 15 extra single cabins, an enlarged kennel section, fresh carpets, new
trademark colour schemes, new furnishings, and also more attractive fixtures and
fittings throughout the ship. Apart from the upgrades to the interior of the vessel,
the Queen Mary 2 will also receive a brand new coat of paint as well as a variety of
technical upgrades. The first passengers who will get a chance to enjoy the virtually
new ship will be those joining a two-day sailing from Hamburg to Southampton
after the dry dock visit. The ship will later offer a couple of trans-Atlantic cruises
from the German port to New York City. Although she is 13 years old, the Queen
Mary 2, with a passenger capacity 2,640, is still Cunard Line's undisputed flagship;
and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is still her godmother.
Carnival Vista boasts huge Cloud 9 Spa
The Carnival Vista is certainly an impressive ship, and the cruise line is quite rightly proud
of its many amazing features. Probably one of the vessel's most remarkable features
is the large Cloud 9 spa, which offers two decks of bliss with many unique features,
including Hammam, and Infrared Heat Chambers. A one-of-a-kind feature of the Infrared
Heat Chamber is that its walls have a built-in heating system, so only approximately
20 per cent of the heat in the room comes from infrared. This delivers a significantly more
effective temperature management system by keeping the air at a lower temperature
than in a conventional sauna. The Hammam Chamber is another first for one of the cruise
line's ships, although strictly speaking the Ottoman Empire used it long ago to cleanse
the body and the soul. Prepare yourself to have warm water poured all over your body
until it reaches a temperature of 113 degrees Fahrenheit. Applied in a slow manner, this
therapy helps to loosen the muscles and joints. The Carnival Vista has a gross tonnage
of 133,500 and a passenger capacity of 3,936, which means it is the biggest ship in the
cruise line's fleet. It embarked on its maiden voyage earlier this month and between
now and the end of October 2016, it will be sailing in the Mediterranean. Apart from the
normal array of services and amenities, a significant number of the ship's cabins boast
their own private spas, taking onboard relaxation and luxury to new levels.
Princess Cruises releases 2017-2018
winter season details
If you are dreaming of a winter cruise to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Mexico, or the
coast of California, with the possibility of passing through the Panama Canal
during your voyage, do not look any further than Princess Cruises. The cruise
line recently released its itineraries for the winter of 2017/18, and it offers
all these locations and more. According to the announcement, one of the
highlights during this period will be the Caribbean Princess' inaugural season,
offering 10-day voyages passing through the locks of the Panama Canal.
Roundtrip sailings from the California Coast, which depart from Los Angeles,
will in future also visit the port of Monterey. Additionally, the Emerald Princess
will embark on a selection of 11-night round trip sailings to Alaska from Los
Angeles during the spring of 2018. Princess Cruise's fans will in future also be
able to choose from more mini-cruises, with departures from both the East-
and West coast of the U.S. The Emerald Princess and Ruby Princess will offer
four- and five-day cruises from Los Angeles, including an overnight stay in Cabo
San Lucas (five-day sailing only). The Crown Princess, meanwhile, will launch
brand new four-night sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Western and Eastern
Caribbean. Princess Cruises' president, Jan Swartz, said that their 2017/18
Americas season offered exciting voyages, providing their passengers with a
choice of departures ports in the US and Canada. She concluded by saying:
"Recognized for our award-winning itineraries, we're always evolving our cruise
options so our guests can immerse themselves in the local cultures and enjoy
new experiences while in port."
