Posted : July 16th, 2009
Author : Carnival Cruise Line
Category : Press Release
MIAMI (July 16, 2009) – The new Carnival Dream will take seagoing technology to an entirely new level with the introduction of the FunHub, a comprehensive shipboard intranet portal featuring the cruise industry’s first on-board social network, along with access to a wide variety of information on the ship’s services, facilities and daily activities.
The 130,000-ton vessel, Carnival’s largest ship, is set to debut Sept. 21.
Access to the FunHub will be available via 36 state-of-the-art stations located on decks 3, 4 and 5, including 12 within Ocean Plaza, Carnival Dream’s spectacular indoor/outdoor café and entertainment venue.
The FunHub locations will provide guests with free and convenient access to an informative ship-specific intranet portal, and an exclusive shipboard social network, both of which will be available on a 24/7 basis. Guests may also access the sites via their personal laptops or via 10-inch netbooks which are available for rent and can be used anywhere on board.
Carnival Dream’s on-board social network mirrors the experience one finds on other social networking sites. Guests can create a personal profile and use the application to meet and interact with others on board, send and receive private messages, create groups based on interests, and invite friends to attend shows or participate in on-board events. Guests can also create their own private or public discussion group, inviting others in their traveling party or friends they meet on board to participate.
Designed as a convenient resource for wide-ranging information specific to the Carnival Dream, the intranet portal details the ship’s numerous on-board activities, including entertainment options, daily events and youth programs. Carnival Dream’s extensive food and beverage offerings are showcased with sample menus, hours of operation and more. A filtering application is available to assist guests in planning their day.
The portal also includes weather updates for that day and the next port of call; the latest news and sports scores; biographies of key shipboard personnel; ship and cruise director announcements; fun, interactive polls; helpful three-dimensional ship maps, and a frequently asked questions section.
A year-long collaboration involving Carnival’s hotel operations, marketing, IT and guest experience departments, the Carnival Dream’s on-board social network and intranet portal are available on any guest computer or Wi-Fi enabled device free of charge.
“Carnival is the industry leader in cruise ship technology and social networking and the FunHub sets a new standard,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience. “The FunHub provides Carnival Dream guests with an exciting and convenient way to keep in touch, meet new friends and learn all about this spectacular addition to the ‘Fun Ship’ fleet,” he added.
Internet access to sites outside the FunHub also is available through all FunHub locations. Netbooks are available free of charge when purchasing a special Internet package on board.
Cell phone service, along with bow-to-stern wireless access where guests can check e-mail and surf the Web from any shipboard location, including their staterooms, will be available, as well.
To showcase its newest and largest ship, Carnival has created a new micro-site at carnival.com/dream with exclusive images, video, interviews and blogs highlighting the ship’s many on-board innovations and features.
The line’s largest ship, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream is slated to debut Sept. 21, 2009, with the first of three 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia), followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome (Civitavecchia) to New York Oct. 27 – Nov. 12.
From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and 23, then reposition to Port Canaveral, Fla., for a special one-time nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will then launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral, Dec. 12, offering weeklong voyages to the eastern and western Caribbean.
Posted: July 15th, 2009
Author: Carnival Cruise Line
Category: Press Release
Carnival Cruise Line has enhanced its Cruise Vacation Protection Plan (VPP) to include severe weather watch/warning protection, as well as job loss protection. The enhanced features apply to plan purchases made July 15, 2009 and after.
The severe weather watch/warning protection provides reimbursement in the event the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and/or National Weather Service issues or maintains a severe weather watch or warning within 48 hours of a cruise departure. Should the watch or warning affect either the cruise departure city or the guest’s route to that city, the plan will allow for cancellation and reimbursement up to the full amount of the cruise cost.
Another new weather protection feature provides that if a guest is traveling to the cruise departure port via a common carrier (airplane, bus, train, etc.) and inclement weather ultimately causes the guest to miss 50 percent or more of the cruise vacation, the guest may receive reimbursement up to the total cost of the cruise.
The new job loss protection will provide reimbursement up to the total cruise cost if individuals who have booked a cruise and purchased the plan are subsequently terminated by their employer and have worked for that employer for at least one continuous year.
The above enhancements will further strengthen the current plan which offers a variety of other benefits, including trip cancellation/interruption, trip delay, emergency medical evacuation, medical, baggage loss and baggage delay. The program also provides a 24-hour emergency assistance hotline.
“These enhancements to the Cruise Vacation Protection Plan are designed to provide consumers with an assurance that their vacation investment will be protected in the unlikely event severe weather or job loss occurs – important factors given both the unpredictability of Mother Nature and the current economy,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival’s executive vice president of marketing and guest experience.
Carnival’s Cruise Vacation Protection Plan is administered by BerkelyCare, a recognized leader in travel insurance. The plan must be purchased at least 14 days prior to the cruise departure date. Prices begin at $49 per person and vary by cruise length. Travel agents receive 10 percent commission on the sale of VPP coverage.
More cruise lines are keeping their ships in the U.S. for 2010, and Baltimore is the latest port to offer year round cruising.
The Carnival Pride, a 2,214 passenger ship just began sailing from there. The ship is currently offering 6, 7 and 8 day cruises, then beginning September 6, 2009, the 7 day cruise program will begin departing on Sundays. The ship will alternate between 2 itineraries – the first will visit Grand Turks, Half Moon Cay & Freeport, and the 2nd itinerary will visit Port Canaveral, Nassau and Freeport. Each voyage will have 3 days at sea.
Royal Caribbean is moving the Enchantment of the seas, a 2,252 passenger ship will sail year round from Baltimore beginning in 2010. In the meantime, the Grandeur of the Seas will offer seasonal service beginning June 19th, 2009. The Grandeur will offer 5, 7, 8 and 9 night voyages sail to Canada/New England, Bermuda and the eastern Caribbean, followed by a 14-night November repositioning cruise to the Caribbean, which then debarks in Tampa.
The Enchantment will offer 9-night Easter Caribbean cruises visiting San Juan, St. Thomas, Samana and Labadee. Alternate itinerary will visit Port Canaveral, Key West, Nassau and Coco Cay. On select dates (Dec 6, 2010; Jan 17, Feb 07, Mar 21 & Apr 11, 2010,) the Enchantment will be doing a 12 Night cruise visiting Labadee, Samana, San Juan, St. Thomas, St. Maarten, & Tortola.
Other ships in the port of Baltimore seasonal are the Norwegian Majesty which is offering 7-day sailings to St. George’s, Bermuda from May 24 through mid-August. Starting in November, the Celebrity Mercury will operate winter-time seasonal cruises including 12-night journeys to the eastern Caribbean and 9-night voyages to the Bahamas.
For best avaialable pricing on Baltimore cruises, call 800-942-3301
Butterfly Farm – Sam marvels at butterflies flying freely in St. Thomas. Havensight Mall Charlotte Amalie St. Thomas USVI
View the website
Boss Underwater Adventure — Sam’s friends, Pete and Kinga, take a dive. Quayside in Charlotte Amalie
View the website
Antigua
ATV Adventure — Sam and Pete go off-roading to explore Antigua Redcliffe Quay PO Box 1275 St. John’s, Antigua
Antigua Canopy Tour -- Sam and friends zip-line through the lush rainforest.
The Rendezvous Company Ltd. PO Box W1245
Evergreen, McKinnons St. John’s, Antigua
View the website
Antigua Distillery — After a full day of adventure, Sam is ready to sample some rum.
Antigua Distillery Ltd.
PO Box 149 Friars Hill Road St. John’s, Antigua
View the website
TORTOLA, BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS: — Sam and friends visit the baths.
Virgin Gorda, BVI — Sam’s friends share an unforgettable swim with dolphins.
Prospect Reef PO Box 104, Tortola, BVI
View the website
Virgin Gorda
Dolphin Discovery
Josiahs Bay – Sam and friends visit Josiah’s Bay, an undeveloped, secluded beach on Tortola’s north shore.
Josiah’s Bay Tortola, BVI
NASSAU, BAHAMAS:Educulture, Ivern House
#31 West Street at Delancey Street
PO Box N-85 Nassau, Bahamas
View the website
Junkanoo — Sam and friends learn about Junkanoo, the most distinctive part of Bahamian culture and heritage.
Educulture, Ivern House
#31 West Street at Delancey Street
PO Box N-85 Nassau, Bahamas
View the website

When times are tough, a well-deserved vacation is therapeutic, doctor says Dr. David Hubschmitt, a New Jersey-based psychologist specializing in depression, agrees that vacationing during stressful times can be a good remedy. “A well-timed vacation may offer significant benefits for mental health. The relaxation provides a much-needed change of gears in a time-starved society, and may be an ideal time to reconnect with loved ones traveling with you. For those traveling alone, vacations may lead to a higher level of self discovery.”
A well-chosen vacation, according to experts, offers significant benefits and opportunities, including:
What makes a cruise the perfect vacation therapy? There’s the ease of planning and the convenience of having a “home away from home” for the length of the trip, plus all-inclusive pricing that delivers excellent value. The diversity of cruise experiences means that there is a vacation for every taste, interest and budget. With more than 30 domestic ports of embarkation, millions of Americans are within driving distance of a cruise. And CLIA member lines are doing everything they can to create irresistible incentives. So take a cruise; it’s good for you!
That is the key message of the summer-long “You Deserve a Cruise” promotion just announced by Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and its member lines.
From June 8 through August 31, 2009, families, singles, seniors, first-time cruisers, honeymooners and groups of all descriptions will discover the important therapeutic benefits of vacationing as they take advantage of unprecedented cruise values, the latest savings and special cruise incentives.
Many cruise lines and thousands of CLIA-member travel agents are participating to tell consumers across the country that it is okay to travel – that the travel industry is vital to the economy, and they deserve to put daily worries on hold and take a break.
In fact, research, surveys of consumer attitudes and trends, and health professionals increasingly point to the beneficial effects of vacationing. Combined, these realities provide good cause to encourage consumers to take the break they deserve.
Now more than ever, a vacation is what people really need – a break from everyday stresses to get in touch with themselves, their families and what’s important, to reflect on the next steps which could be life-changing, and to renew physically and emotionally.
We are living in challenging times; we deserve the opportunity to reward ourselves while at the same time making a small contribution to the country’s well-being as well.
And, with the incredible, never-seen-before, and likely never to be seen again, values offered by CLIA member lines today, what better time could there be to get some ‘cruise therapy?
Terry L. Dale, President & CEO
Cruise Lines International Association
American Cruise Lines is offering a free category upgrade if you reserve a stateroom on a 2009 10-night Grand New England Cruise before Aug. 31.
Carnival Cruise Lines assures the lowest rate available if you book a three- to five-day cruise three months in advance, or a six-day or longer cruise five months in advance.
Celebrity Cruises is offering rates as low as $64 per day for Alaska, Europe and Trans-Panama Canal cruises, with price protection when those bookings are made by June 30.
Crystal Cruises’ “All Inclusive-As You Wish” promotion extends up to $2,000 in shipboard credits on nearly every voyage for 2009 and 2010.
Cunard is offering 30 percent off early booking fares on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria 2010 World Cruise full, liner and segment voyages.
Disney Cruise Line is giving onboard credits for verandah stateroom bookings on Caribbean cruises, with a $700 credit for most seven-night cruises sailings June 20-Aug. 8; a $400 credit for most four-night trips June 28-Aug. 9, and $300 for most three-night sailings June 25-Aug. 6.
Holland America Line is offering 50 percent off your deposit for each booked 2010 cruise, with no deposit required for the third or fourth guest, plus reduced fares on some sailings.
MSC Cruises is offering balcony staterooms on European cruises from $999 per person (savings of 60 percent), plus a “Kids Sail Free” offer, through June 30. Some Caribbean cruises are on sale for $399 plus “Kids Sail Free.”
Norwegian Cruise Line is offering weekly “Hot Deals” Atlas is also offering a 1 month NCL Sale (ends June 30th) with shipboard credit offers on every sailing. Pepsi promotion also offers complimentary soda package with 7+ day cruises.
Oceania Cruises is launching 2010 European sailings with a $2,000 price reduction off two-for-one cruise fares, with a free airfare per stateroom on all 2010 sailings to Europe.
Princess Cruises is offering free upgrades for balcony staterooms on certain cruises beginning June 15.
Royal Caribbean is offering $100 onboard credit per person on select fall Caribbean sailings booked by July 24.
Windstar Cruises offers free airfare from New York on select 2009 Europe sailings.
Cruise rates, particularly for Alaska and the Caribbean, are a great value this year. Considering the fact that the cruise fare includes accommodations, meals, several onboard activities and entertainment, if you plan ahead, you can have very little out of pocket expenses.
In December we wrote some tips on how to save while on a cruise. For those of you who have never been on a cruise, we now want to share more details on the different types of onboard activities that are available.
Plenty of things to do on a cruise ship are free, like using the pool, library, game room, basketball courts, fitness center or catching live entertainment…you’ll find everything from Reggae Bands by the pool, to Comedians, Magicians and Broadway style performances throughout your cruise. Children’s programs are free, and the activities cater to several age groups. If you are interested, you can also dance the night away at various lounges, or the night club. Check your daily planner (or “compass” as it is called on many ships,) that is left in your cabin each day, so that you don’t miss out on the activities.
Activities vary by ship and cruise line, but in general here are some of the popular/free activities available while on a cruise:
Onboard parties include:
Games include:
Tournaments include:
Some ships have come up with other unique forms of free entertainment. For example, several Princess ships offer Movies Under the Stars – a 300 sq. ft. screen around the pool. During the day, all sorts of videos and family movies are shown. At night, the chairs are covered with comfortable padding, blankets are provided and fresh popped popcorn…it’s almost like being at a drive-in! Make sure and arrive early, as the seats do fill up. Newer Carnival ships also have an outdoor screen, and some it’s and MSC ships have added it as well.
The Celebrity Solstice, which launched in November, features the first “Hot Glass Show” at sea, where glassblowers from New York’s Corning Museum of Glass give free glassblowing demonstrations. On the same deck right off of the Glass blowing area, the Solstice also has a deck with real grass called the “Lawn Club” where you can play bocce or croquet or putt golf balls for free. The Eclipse (2009) and Equinox (2010) will offering the same activities as the Solstice.
For “Foodies,” Holland America has an excellent Culinary Arts Presentations Center. Each cruise features chefs and experts offering cooking demonstrations. On several cruises throughout the year, famous guest chefs will be onboard. Demonstrations are offered on seas days – usually twice during a 7 day cruise. After the demonstration, which lasts about 45 minutes to an hour, everyone in attendance gets to sample a few of the dishes that were prepared on stage. Many other cruise lines also offer cooking demonstrations, ice carving, napkins folding and more.
Royal Caribbean offers free rock climbing on most of their ships. Newer ships also have free Ice skating shows, and on Freedom Class ships you can try out the Flow Rider, a surf simulator that attracts hundreds of eager surfers and golfers to the aft sports court each day. The sloped, wavelike surface of the FlowRider is perfect for beginning, intermediate and advanced surfers. And for those not brave enough to attempt the FlowRider, the surrounding stadium seating is great for surveying wipeouts.
Needless to say, there is plenty to do on a cruise. Let one of our agents help you find the best value and cruise line for you next vacation.
Contributed by: S. Brages
Carnival Cruises is offering FREE AIR on balcony staterooms on select 2009 Summer Sailings. Rates starting from $999 per person. Call 1-800-942-3301 for more details
Applicable Sail dates:
CARNIVAL FREEDOM: 6 Day Ft Lauderdale – Sailings between May 31, 2009 – August 23, 2009
CARNIVAL LIBERTY: 7 Day Miami – Sailings between May 30, 2009 – August 22, 2009
CARNIVAL VALOR: 7 Day Miami – Sailings between May 31, 2009 – August 23, 2009
CARNIVAL FREEDOM: 8 Day Ft Lauderdale – June 6, 2009 sailing.
Free Air is available from these Gateways: Boston Logan International, Buffalo Niagara International, Charlotte Douglas, Raleigh-durham International Airport, Richmond International Airport, New York: John F Kennedy Intl & La Guardia, Washington Dulles International.
Offer is only applicable on category: 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8G. Blackout sailings Liberty 6/20, 6/27, & 7/04; Valor 6/28, 7/05; Freedom 6/20, 6/28 & 7/04/09.
Call 1-800-942-3301 for more details.
To price your cruise go to: Carnival Cruise
Visit our Flickr section to see pictures of Carnival Ships
Please note that Carnival reserves the right to re-instate the fuel surcharge for all guests at up to $90 per person per day if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel
Terms and Conditions: Air add-on & cruise rate are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. Free air is only applicable to passenger 1 & 2 sharing the same stateroom. Government taxes/fees are additional for all guests. Offer is capacity controlled and subject to change without notice. Promotion is limited to BOS, BUF, CLT, IAD, JFK, LGA, RDU, RIC Fly Aweigh cities only. Offer applies to new individual bookings and is combinable with FUN SELECT rates only. Offer is not applicable with any other discount or promotional offer. Some restrictions (including category availbility) apply. Offer excludes categoroies 1A, 4A, 4B, 4C, 4D, 4E, 4F, 4G, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, 5A, 6E, 9A, 11, 12, SS, IS, OV, BL, ST. Offer is only applicable on category: 8A, 8B, 8C, 8D, 8E, 8G. Blackout sailings Liberty 6/20, 6/27, & 7/04; Valor 6/28, 7/05; Freedom 6/20, 6/28 & 7/04/09. Some sailings within range are slightly higher. Rates can change without prior notice and are subject to availability. Request Fare Code: PPA
Carnival Cruise Lines has introduced a new online pre-purchase system for guests interested in booking spa treatments prior to their “Fun Ship” cruise. Now you do not have to wait until the day you board the ship and rush to make spa appointments. With the advanced reservations system, available on all 22 “Fun Ships,” guests who have a fully-deposited cruise can log onto Carnival’s website and choose a spa treatment, pick an appointment time and pay for the treatment in advance.
There are more than 30 different treatments to choose from, including acupuncture, teeth whitening, soothing massages, facials, detox wraps and slimming treatments. A full menu of nail and hair services are also available for pre-purchase so now you can get make sure you have an appointment on sea days to get your hair done for the “formal” nights.
To access the new online spa treatment pre-purchase system, you must be registered on carnival.com and have a fully-deposited cruise booking. After accessing your reservation through the “My Reservation” link, you are prompted with the “Plan Activities” option and “Spa Appointments” link where you can search for spa services available on your sailing by treatment type, date, and preferred time.
To purchase, just select the treatment and enter credit card payment information via a secure encrypted reservations portal. You are then provided with a printable spa treatment order confirmation with details on the specific treatment and appointment time included. Like shore excursions, you can cancel up to 24 hours prior to the treatment for a refund.
While you are on www.carnival.com why not take the to fill out the necessary information to get your boarding pass and choose your shore excursions as well?