Would You Pay For A Concert At Sea?

Carnival Cruise Lines have come up with an interesting new twist in onboard entertainment, announcing earlier today their Carnival LIVE Concert Series.

It promises an impressive line-up of rock and pop talent for a one-off concert aboard one of eight of their ships, with the likes of Jennifer Hudson (above, at the New York announcement today of the Concert Series), Daughtry, Chicago, Martina McBride, Olivia Newton-John and REO Speedwagon all appearing.

It is a lot of talent to set before a cruise ship audience and should definitely appeal to fans of the many 1970s and 80s bands being featured.

Each concert will take place in the ship's main theatre on one of 49 dates throughout 2014, at three ports of call, namely Cozumel, Mexico, Nassau, in the Bahamas, and Catalina Island, California. The headline artist will fly in for the show, then leave again the next day as the ship overnights in that port.

So far, so good, and very impressive and forward-thinking. But now comes the kicker - Carnival will sell tickets for each show, at $20-$40, with special 'VIP packages' at $100-$150, with front-row seats and the chance to meet with the evening's artist(s).

And it begs the question - would you pay extra for an evening's entertainment aboard ship?

OK, we already pay a supplement for speciality dining on nearly all ships these days (in the non-luxury segment). But is there room to start charging for the entertainment, too?

Carnival clearly think their audience will go for it and are presenting it as a big breakthrough in sea-going excitement. And, with only a limited amount of seats available for the one-off concerts, it's hard not to think they will have plenty of takers.

In addition to the Carnival LIVE Concert Series, Carnival is also enhancing its popular shipboard house bands. The bands will feature both male and female lead singers, a more choreographed, themed and diverse set list, and increased interaction with guests. Nine Carnival ships currently feature the new bands, with implementation across the full fleet over the course of this year.

Mark Tamis, senior vice president of guest operations for Carnival Cruise Lines, explained: “Onboard entertainment is an important part of the overall guest experience when cruising. With the Carnival LIVE Concert Series, our guests will enjoy an exclusive performance with one of their favourite artists for an extraordinary value. Combined with our enhanced house bands fleetwide, this is just another example of the many ways we are constantly looking to create even more fun and memorable moments for our guests."

The full range of concert special guests is as follows:

38 Special
Chicago
Daughtry
Foreigner
Gavin DeGraw
Jennifer Hudson
Jewel
Kansas
Lady Antebellum
LeAnn Rimes
Martina McBride
Olivia Newton-John
REO Speedwagon STYX
Trace Adkins


Is it the kind of line-up that would have you shelling out $40? We'd love to hear YOUR opinion. 

More info: www.carnival.com/CarnivalLive. 

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Seabourn Launches Signature Savings Event

Yes, it's cruise bargain season, and yes, there are about a billion offers out there at the moment, all vying for space in a million different publications.

But here at World of Cruising you can be sure we sort the wheat from the chaff, and present only the creme de la creme of the latest new arrivals. With that in mind, luxury cruise fans should be tempted by Seabourn's Signature Savings Event, featuring special offers and savings on a worldwide array of voyages throughout 2014 and 2015.       

Sample offers include complimentary suite upgrades, additional savings of up to 15% on combination cruises, and $1,000 per suite shipboard credit on premium suites for Mediterranean cruises.

Many of the line’s Northern Europe, Antarctica and Patagonia, South America, and Arabia, Africa and India voyages feature complimentary suite upgrades and shipboard credit on premium suites, as well as transatlantic sailings, cruises to Southeast Asia, Australia, Canada and New England.

Seabourn’s Senior Vice President John Delaney promised: “Now is the season when many travellers plan their vacations for the year. Our Signature Savings promotion offers the absolute best value opportunity for booking a Seabourn cruise.”

The line’s intimate, award-winning ships offer industry-leading standards, including spacious, thoughtfully appointed suites, many with verandas; superb dining in a choice of venues; open bars throughout the ship; fine wines poured at lunch and dinner; award-winning personalised service and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere that makes guests feel right at home on board.

Worldwide voyages go from seven to more than 100 days, visiting hundreds of ports, including marquee cities plus lesser-known ports and hideaways.

More info: call 0843 373 2000 or visit www.seabourn.co.uk.

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A Hong Kong New Year Celebration With Crystal

Anyone looking for the ultimate New Year's Eve celebration this year may well be tempted to consider Hong Kong, which is rapidly establishing itself as THE go-to destination for memorable end-of-year celebrations.

The most recent occasion was marked by ‘shooting stars’ whizzing over Victoria Harbour as hundreds of thousands of spectators gathered on the harbour-side to make wishes and see in he midnight hour - when the city positively erupted in an eight-minute pyrotechnic display that started on the waters of the harbour and moved landwards, enveloping the skyscrapers around the iconic Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Now, for New Year's Eve 2014, Crystal Cruises are offering perhaps the ultimate NYE opportunity with the chance to be in Hong Kong from December 30 through January 1, as Crystal Symphony will be docked at the Ocean Terminal in Kowloon for a grandstand view of the famously elaborate countdown celebration and musical pyrotechnics display in Victoria Harbour.  

The prime spot also provides the perfect vantage point for viewing the massive skyscrapers specially illuminated for the holidays and the nightly Symphony of Lights – the largest permanent light show in the world. 

The “China Sea Holiday Spectacular” Asia cruise also boasts several celebrations. Christmas and Hanukkah will be celebrated with traditional feasts, parties, holiday shows and religious services amidst Crystal’s lavish seasonal décor. On New Year’s Eve, besides taking in Hong Kong’s holiday festivities in luxurious comfort onboard, Crystal guests can  enjoy a multi-course gourmet dinner, champagne, live music and a festive balloon drop. 

The 15-night voyage round-trip from Bangkok departs December 21 and sails to Ho Chi Minh City (overnight), Chan May, through Halong Bay, to Hanoi’s port of Hongai and Hong Kong (two nights). All-inclusive cruise-only fares start from £5,085 per person if booked before February 28.

More info: call 020 7399 7601 or www.crystalcruises.co.uk

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Seabourn Signs Formal Deal For New Ship

We have been eagerly awaiting the news of the formal signing of the contract for Seabourn to confirm a fourth new ship, and here it is today.

And the confirmation includes the details that the latest ship from their 2009 Odyssey-class series will be their biggest to date at 40,350 tons and is due for delivery in mid-2016.

The contract for construction of a new ultra-deluxe, all-suite vessel continues the fleet modernisation the company began with the launch of Seabourn Odyssey (above) and followed up with Seabourn Sojourn (2010) and Seabourn Quest (2011), and which has been widely recognised as a game-changer in the luxury cruise sector.

The configuration of the as-yet unnamed vessel will be based on the 32,346-ton Odyssey-class, with one additional deck and new expanded public areas. The ship will be built by Fincantieri S.p.A. in Italy, and is expected to carry  604 guests, based on double occupancy of the all-suite lower berths, as compared to the Odyssey trio's 450. However, the design will maintain Seabourn’s high ratio of space per guest and enable highly personalised service by nearly one staff member per guest on board. In addition, every suite will feature a private veranda. 

Seabourn president Richard D. Meadows insisted: “The new ship will continue the evolution that began with Seabourn’s fleet expansion, adding modern design elements and innovations consistent with Seabourn’s reputation for understated elegance. With its delivery, the most highly rated cruise line in the world will also offer travellers the newest fleet of ships in the luxury segment.”

The new vessel will replace capacity - Seabourn Pride, Legend and Spirit - that is being transferred to new owners Windstar Cruises in April 2014, April 2015, and May 2015, respectively. The contract with Fincantieri also continues a longstanding relationship of more than two decades between Seabourn’s parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc and the Italian shipbuilder.

More info: call 0843 373 2000 or visit www.seabourn.co.uk.

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Discover Pompeii With Celebrity

With the release of Hollywood blockbuster Pompeii next month (starring Kit Harrington of Game of Thrones fame and Kiefer Sutherland), a visit to the ancient Roman city, via the cruise port of Naples, is likely to be high on the must-see list for many Mediterranean visitors and film buffs.

 

And those clever marketing folks at Celebrity Cruises have been quick to highlight the possibilities of a visit to Pompeii on one of their Med sailings this summer, with the opportunity to step back 2,000 years in time and discover the petrified city’s ancient history.

 

Perfectly preserved in time by the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in AD79, history and cinema enthusiasts alike can explore the region on a range of shore excursions from Naples. As a special bonus, Celebrity are also offering guests any two of the following offers: a complimentary drinks package, worth up to $1,400; up to $300 onboard credit; or fully paid gratuities.

 

A typical example is aboard Celebrity Equinox for a seven-night Istanbul to Rome fly/cruise from £1,689 per person (based on two people sharing an oceanview stateroom). The price includes return flights from London Heathrow, transfers, one-night pre-cruise accommodation and a seven-night cruise departing from Istanbul and calling at Mykonos, Athens, Valletta, Catania and Naples before arriving into Rome for the flight home. Also included - all meals and entertainment onboard and all relevant cruise taxes/fees.

Price based on a July 18 UK departure. Book before February 28 to take advantage of the special 123 Go! offer.

More info: call 0845 456 0523 or visit www.celebritycruises.co.uk.

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Valentine's Day - Love It Or Hate It

Love it or loath it, Valentine’s Day is less than a month away. So, whether cupid gets you hot under the collar or leaves you completely cold, the holiday companies are keen to grab your attention with fun St Valentine's ideas at this time of year.

 

And clever old P&O Cruises have come up with  a choice of holidays, whether you love the idea of celebrating the occasion - or simply want to avoid it all costs! On the one hand, you can jet away and sip cocktails with your loved one in the Caribbean or skip the date entirely by crossing the international dateline.

 

Here are P&O's ideas for lovers and haters.

Love it: Swap the dreary local restaurant and spend February 14 with your loved one toasting mojitos in St Maarten and relaxing with a couple’s massage on an island-hopping adventure round the Caribbean. It’s the winter sun holiday, which can be renamed as the most romantic gesture ever!

A 14-night Caribbean cruise departing February 7 on Azura starts from £1,399pp for a Getaway Fare with return flights. Starting from and returning to Barbados, ports of call include Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica, St Kitts, St Maarten (for Valentine’s Day), Tortola, Curacao and Bonaire. For added romance, book a couple’s massage in the Oasis Spa or sample British/Indian fine dining in Sindhu restaurant by Michelin-starred chef Atul Kochhar (cover charge applies).

Loath it: if the mere mention of Valentine's Day triggers cold sweats, red vision, nausea or fits of rage, then just skip the date. That’s right, omit the date entirely. Go to bed on February 13 and wake up on February 15. P&O has a cruise which crosses the international dateline on February 14 so it fast-forwards a day and doesn’t happen!

An 18-night cruise from Los Angeles to Auckland departing February 2 on Arcadia starts from £1,499pp for a Getaway Fare. Starting from Los Angeles, ports of call include Papeete, Bora Bora, Suva, Bay of Islands and Auckland. Flights and transfers from £1,000pp.

Cruises are based on an inside cabin and include full board meals, daily afternoon tea and on board entertainment.

More info: call 0843 374 0111 or visit www.pocruises.co.uk.

 

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Fred Olsen's 'All-Inclusive' Appeal

All-inclusive holidays have been a major part of the holiday landscape for more than 30 years, and is a concept most people can relate to easily and effectively.

 

Cruising has also long been an 'all-inclusive' holiday in many ways, in that it includes all your transport, meals, accommodation and entertainment, all under one roof, so to speak.

 

But it hasn't always been apparent to those who have never cruised before (even though the inherent extra value of a trip at sea is obvious once you're tried it), hence Fred Olsen Cruise Lines have launched a new brochure aimed at trying to simplify things and underline the greater 'inclusivity' involved.

 

Called 'All-Inclusive Holidays', the new brochure is targeted specifically at the 'yet to cruise' market. It has simple, all-inclusive pricing, based on one cabin type, and tackles some of the perceived challenges of booking a cruise head on, using more familiar mainstream vocabulary, such as 'Ocean View Room' rather than 'Outside Cabin'.

Itineraries in the new great-value ‘All-Inclusive Holidays’ brochure include:

• Braemar’s 10-night ‘Canary Islands & Madeira’ cruise, from London Gatwick and Manchester on April 23. Prices start from £685 per person (cruise only), based on two adults sharing a twin Interior Room.
• Black Watch’s 11-night ‘Highlands & Islands’ cruise, from Rosyth on August 23. Prices start from £1,190 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin Interior Room.
• Balmoral’s 10-night ‘Waterways & Cities of Europe’ cruise, from Southampton on October 24. Prices start from £820 per person, based on two adults sharing a twin Interior Room.  

More info: call 0800 0355 242 or visit www.fredolsencruises.com.

 

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