Digital and APP versions of the "Cruising Bible"

By guest blogger Steve Newman

After 26 years' success in print form, the annual Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships is now also available in digital form as the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App. The beauty of the new app is that, with just a couple of touch-screen taps, would-be cruise-goers can search the 284 featured cruise ships according to their needs - whether for size of ship, families, couples, solo travellers or star ratings, among many more.

Available for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad, the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App features in-depth searchable cruise ship reviews. For regular cruise-goers and first-time cruisers alike, the App features quick and easy access to Douglas Ward's authoritative and hard-hitting reviews, ratings and statistical information through user-friendly touch-screen menus.

Browse through the ships according to Ward’s world-respected rating system, search by traveller type, ship size or cruise line, and highlight favourite ships for future reference. As the most extensive cruise ship information available anywhere, the App allows users to find out about each cruise ship's accommodation, cuisine, entertainment and fitness facilities, and to see images of every vessel.

Completely independent and accepting no sponsorship, the Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App and its author sets the internationally recognised ratings system for cruise ships worldwide. Douglas Ward is recognised as the world’s top authority on cruising and cruise ships, with more than 40 years of experience. He continues to spend up to 200 days a year aboard cruise ships, inspecting and evaluating their facilities.

Berlitz Cruise Ships 2011 App is available now at a promotional price of £9.99 (standard price £12.99). For further information, visit http://www.berlitzpublishing.com/

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Enter the iLounge!

When Celebrity Cruises’ Celebrity Eclipse launches in April, guests will find the first “Celebrity iLounge” onboard. Designed to offer what guests said they wanted most in an internet café: easy access to the internet, inspiring classes and new products.

(PS: That latter is a euphemism for new ways to sell you things!)

The iLounge will be composed of three main areas: a series of 26 workstations where guests can check their email, or print boarding passes; a retail space offering cruisers the opportunity to see and try out the latest MacBooks®, iPods® and accessories; and an 'enrichment centre' where staff will offer guests tips on Mac or iPod usage.

“Our new Celebrity iLounge is a direct expansion of our new ‘Designed for you’ brand platform, and our commitment to listen to our guests and offer experiences expressly designed for them,” said Celebrity President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. “Our surveys show that our guests rely heavily on the Internet for research, learning and staying in touch, so we think this new offering will be a big hit, as will the contemporary online classes offered through the ‘Discover’ series of our inspiring and enriching ‘Celebrity Life’ experiences.”

The iLounge will offer a series of engaging new courses designed to suit its guests’ interests – including DIY photo books, movie editing and web design, through programmes including iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and iWeb. And, whether guests are savvy or novice users of Mac or iPod products, Celebrity staff will be well-equipped to assist, following more than 125 hours of training in operating systems, applications and products.

Guests eager to expand their collection of merchandise will also find the iLounge an "enticing venue" (say Celebrity). As an authorised Apple reseller, the line will have products available for guests to purchase, including iPods, MacBooks and various accessories.

Located on deck six, the iLounge will house the 26 MacBook Pro’s, classroom and retail area, in addition to display pods, a 56-inch flatscreen TV for use during classes and an accessible workstation.

The iLounge will also feature on Celebrity Silhouette, which launches in 2011, and the fifth ship in the Solstice Class, which launches in 2012.

It all adds up to quite a thoughtful and new onboard programme (albeit quite heavy on the Mac sell) which should help to make the Eclipse (and her sisters) even more attractive against all the various competition.

Time Spent at Sea has moved and can now be found at World of Cruising. You can follow World of Cruising on Twitter and Facebook for the very latest in cruise news.

If you haven't already, subscribe to the World of Cruising magazine today.