May 21

COSTA MEDITERRANEA 20/05/13 Champions of the Sea Event

Champions of the Sea Event 20/05/13 Costa Mediterranea.
Guests FRA, BEL, NED, LUX.

May 20

Richard J. O’Hanlon Appointed Vice President, Nautical and Safety Operations For Carnival Cruise Lines

Richard O'Hanlon

Richard J. O’Hanlon, a former rear admiral in the U.S. Navy with nearly two decades of government and private sector executive experience in maritime operations, maintenance and logistics, has been named vice president – nautical and safety operations for Miami-based Carnival Cruise Lines, the world’s largest cruise operator.

O’Hanlon started May 20, reporting to Martin Landtman, Carnival’s senior vice president of marine operations.

In this newly created position, O’Hanlon will be responsible for all aspects of nautical and safety functions across the line’s 24-vessel fleet, including bridge procedures and nautical operations, as well as firefighting and lifesaving systems.  Additionally, all shipboard deck and bridge personnel, including ship captains, will report to him.

“We are privileged to have such a highly experienced professional oversee this critically important role within our marine operations area,” said Landtman. “Rich’s outstanding level of expertise and diverse skill set will be a major asset to our nautical and safety operations.”

O’Hanlon most recently served as chief operating officer of Long Island, N.Y.-based Talon Air, Inc., an air charter company with a fleet of 25 corporate aircrafts where he controlled $40 million in assets. Prior to that, O’Hanlon held a number of prominent maritime positions, including commander of the Naval Air Force Atlantic and deputy chief of staff for logistics and training for U.S. Fleet Forces, both based in Norfolk, Va.  O’Hanlon also served as the commanding officer of a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier, overseeing a team of more than 5,000.

O’Hanlon earned a bachelor of science in mathematics from the United States Naval Academy, a master’s certification in applied aeronautical engineering from the United States Naval Test Pilot School and a master’s certification in applied nuclear engineering from the United States Naval Nuclear Power Training Command.

Carnival is “The World’s Most Popular Cruise Line®” with 24 ships operating three- to 16-day voyages to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, New England, Europe, Panama Canal, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, Norway, the Baltic and the British Isles.  The company’s 25th ship, an as-yet-unnamed 135,000-ton vessel, is scheduled for delivery in spring 2016.

May 20

Carnival Cruise Destinations: Rome, Italy – Europe Cruises

Explore Rome like never before with Carnival Cruise Lines and visit all the must-see sites like the Coliseum, the Trevi Read the rest of this entry »

May 20

Norway's Hurtigruten celebrates 120 years with special sailings

The line has tied together many of Norway’s coastal communities for more than a century.

Read more at USA Today's 'cruise blog'

May 20

Deal watch: Crystal discounts back-to-back cruises

Discounts reach up to 25% for Mediterranean sailings this fall and next spring.

Read more at USA Today's 'cruise blog'

May 20

Coast Guard evacuates passenger from Carnival Splendor

The U.S. Coast Guard evacuated a 50-year-old heart attack victim from the ship Saturday.

Read more at USA Today's 'cruise blog'

May 17

Carnival Sunshine Returns From Inaugural 12-Day Voyage Following Massive $155 Million Makeover

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Carnival Sunshine – which recently underwent a groundbreaking $155 million renovation that added a host of new features and facilities – arrived today in Barcelona, Spain, following its inaugural 12-day cruise from Venice, Italy.

The unprecedented transformation added all of the line’s Fun Ship 2.0 dining, bar and entertainment features, along with a host of unique and exciting innovations and an additional 182 staterooms.

Today’s voyage from Barcelona represents Carnival Sunshine’s first-ever departure from the Spanish port and continues the ship’s summer schedule of nine- and 12-day Mediterranean voyages that will run through October.

Here’s a look at some of the many innovations added to the 3,006-passenger vessel during its comprehensive makeover:

Delicious Dining Choices

  • Ji Ji Asian Kitchen, a stunning new full-service restaurant featuring an extensive menu of delicacies from the Far East, all enjoyed amidst striking Asian-inspired interiors
  • Guy’s Burger Joint, a free-of-charge poolside venue developed in partnership with Food Network personality Guy Fieri serving hand-crafted burgers and fresh-cut fries
  • Cucina del Capitano, offering Italian favorites and new Carnival classics served family-style in an engaging atmosphere reminiscent of a cozy Italian home
  • BlueIguana Cantina, a complimentary poolside Mexican eatery where guests can enjoy authentic, freshly made burritos and tacos on homemade tortillas
  • JavaBlue Café, offering lattes, cappuccinos and other caffeinated favorites, as well as “spiked” coffees made with liqueurs, and deliciously decadent confections
  • Pizzeria del Capitano, an expansion of Cucina del Capitano offering five varieties of hand-tossed artisanal-style pizza, all available free of charge 24 hours a day
  • Fahrenheit 555, a classic American steakhouse offering mouth-watering steaks, gourmet appetizers, entrees and desserts, with impeccable service and understated ambiance
  • Shake Spot, the ideal “chill” spot where guests can enjoy hand-crafted milkshakes and floats, including “adult versions” of the frozen confections, available with fun toppings

Outdoor Fun and Relaxation

  • Carnival’s first three-deck-high Serenity adults-only retreat, offering plush chaise lounges and chairs, a whirlpool, a waterfall, a pool, and, of course, magnificent sea views
  • SportSquare, an open-air recreation complex that includes a ropes course, mini-golf course, a basketball court, jogging track, ping pong, foosball and pool tables, and more
  • WaterWorks, an expansive water park with 40 interactive water features, a gigantic drenching bucket, five different slides including the new racing-themed Speedway Splash, and a 334-foot-long Twister slide, the longest in the “Fun Ship” fleet
  • Carnival’s Seaside Theatre, a 270-square-foot LED screen displaying nightly movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming

Raising the Bar

  • RedFrog Pub, featuring the Caribbean’s best rums and beers – including Carnival’s own ThirstyFrog Red – enjoyed in a distinct British-West-Indies-meets-Key-West atmosphere
  • BlueIguana Tequila Bar, a fun and festive outdoor watering hole offering a laid-back Mexican-themed atmosphere and tequila-based frozen drinks and beers
  • EA SPORTS Bar, where guests can catch live sporting events, check out scores on the real-time 24/7 sports ticker, and play the latest EA SPORTS video games
  • Alchemy Bar, a vintage-themed cocktail “pharmacy” with mixologists who “prescribe” concoctions from different elixirs and ingredients
  • RedFrog Rum Bar, a poolside adaptation of the RedFrog Pub offering the quintessential Caribbean vacation vibe with refreshing Caribbean rum-based frozen drinks and beers
  • The Library Bar, a warm and cozy venue offering self-serve wine dispensers and full bar service for those seeking a more intimate spot for before- or after-dinner drinks
  • Havana Bar, which by day serves as a gathering spot for Cuban coffee and snacks, then at night transforms into a Latin-inspired courtyard for classic Cuban cocktails, music and dancing

Captivating Entertainment

  • Playlist Productions, which combines captivating live performances of recognizable pop and rock songs and spectacular special effects to create enthralling music revues
  • Hasbro, The Game Show, featuring larger-than-life adaptations of the company’s iconic and popular games and presented in the totally transformed Liquid Lounge
  • The Punchliner Comedy Club presented by George Lopez, featuring a line-up of hilarious, laugh-out-loud comedians, part of the line’s partnership with the popular comedian, who serves as Carnival’s “curator of comedy”

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May 17

New Five-Day Cruises Added to Carnival Freedom’s Year-Round Schedule from Fort Lauderdale

Carnival Freedom

Carnival Cruise Lines has added two distinctly different five-day itineraries to Carnival Freedom’s year-round schedule from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., beginning in 2014.

The new five-day itineraries include a western Caribbean route featuring Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman, and an eastern Caribbean/Bahamas option featuring Grand Turk, Nassau and the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay.  Departure dates for western Caribbean routes are June 30, Aug. 11 and Sept. 22, 2014, while the eastern

Caribbean/Bahamas cruises depart May 19, June 9, July 21, Sept. 1 and Oct. 13, 2014.

These new five-day itineraries complement Carnival Freedom’s popular year-round six- and eight-day voyages from Fort Lauderdale, providing consumers with a diverse array of destination and cruise duration choices from South Florida.

May 17

Carnival Cruise Destinations: Messina, Italy – European Cruises

Carnival Cruise Lines offers cruises to Messina, known as the entrance to Sicily. While in this cruise port, you can Read the rest of this entry »

May 17

New upscale cruise line to launch in 2015

VIking Ocean Cruises will debut with two 928-passenger ships.

Read more at USA Today's 'cruise blog'

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