Norwegian Epic Freestyle Dining and Family Fun

Miami - Apr 3, 2009 --- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today revealed another industry first to debut on its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, which will include an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea -- The Epic Plunge. The line also unveiled seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic activities; as well as three separate kids' and teen activity areas and the first squash court at sea. In addition, Norwegian revealed the next generation of Freestyle Dining with 14 restaurant choices - the most at sea - and 18 bars and lounges.

"From the Aqua Park to the expanded sports deck and largest Kid's Crew facility to the most dining outlets at sea, Norwegian Epic is truly taking Freestyle Cruising to the next level by offering our guests so many choices in dining and on-board activities," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "Our largest Freestyle Cruising vessel to date represents the culmination of our 43 years of innovation in the cruise industry. Norwegian Epic will delight and amaze our guests."

Norwegian's First Aqua Park

Norwegian Epic, set for delivery in late May 2010, takes Freestyle Family Fun to the extreme with an expansive Aqua Park that includes three water slides of varying thrill factors, including one specifically designed for children that zips straight through the rock climbing wall; a more adventurous slide twisting and turning down three stories; and The Epic
Plunge, the only tube slide at sea that puts the blast of inner-tubing into the core of a bowl slide with a thrilling drop through a 200-foot long tube. Riders are then launched into the vortex of The Epic Plunge where centrifugal forces keep them high on the wall for several turns, ending in an exciting transition into a splashdown lane. The Aqua Park also includes two main pools with arching water effects which illuminate at night; five whirlpools; a wading pool and a kid's pool in the children's Splash and Play Zone which features whimsical sculptures, water sprays and effects, along with a kiddy slide.

Scaling New Heights in Freestyle Fun

In an industry first, Norwegian Epic will scale new heights with the first ever repelling wall at sea and a 33-foot high extreme rock climbing wall, accessible on two levels with varying degrees of difficulty, rated according to official U.S. climbing grades. Expanding its innovative concept of bowling at sea, Norwegian Epic will offer the most bowling lanes with a total of six located in two venues: Bliss Ultra Lounge and O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill. The multi-use sports deck will include a full size basketball court, volleyball, soccer, dodge ball, batting cage, bungee trampoline, rope adventure course and a 24-foot tall enclosed climbing cage called the spider web. Norwegian Epic will also feature the first squash court at sea, located in the fitness center.

Our Largest Kid's Crew Facility and Exclusive Teen Lounge
Recess is Norwegian Epic's Kid's Crew facility that is centrally located on Deck 14 adjacent and easily accessible to the family-friendly staterooms. Two separate areas are specifically designed for kids ages two through nine and tweens, ages 10 through 12. The Kid's area includes a space-themed play area, air hockey table, an interactive light up dance floor; Wii gaming areas; an arts and crafts area; along with a state-of-the-art surround sound cinema. The Tween Zone has a futuristic feel that includes multiple Wii and PlayStation® areas; along with a private karaoke performance stage which doubles as a cinema.

Entourage is Norwegian Epic's high energy, exclusive teen zone for ages 13 through 17, located at the top of the ship on Deck 16. This funky space includes air hockey; pinball; foosball; a video jukebox; and nine large flat screen televisions, five of which are located around a central video game console featuring PlayStation® 3. In the evening, Entourage transitions into a hip nightclub with a space for dancing or just hanging out on comfy couches. Directly below is the video arcade which features number of the most challenging and interactive video games.

The Most Dining Choices at Sea
Norwegian Epic's wide range of dining choices will wow even the most discerning cruiser with 14 Freestyle Dining restaurants and 18 bars and lounges. Each restaurant features unique and sensational culinary delights from around the world.

Norwegian Epic's dining establishments will include:

• Taste: Located in the ship's atrium on Deck 5, Taste's décor blends off-white, free-form plastered walls with European retro-chic mixed with brick details and floor to ceiling velvet curtains. Taste will serve a selection of traditional and contemporary cuisine.
  


• The Manhattan Room: Reminiscent of an elegant art deco supper club, The Manhattan Room features a dance floor as its focal point and will offer live music and dancing in the evening. The two-story high restaurant on Deck 6 features floor-to-ceiling panoramic windows looking aft. The cuisine reflects the elegant and romantic nature of the room.
  


• Café Jardin & The Great Outdoors: Café Jardin's décor is modeled after a traditional English country garden conservatory. This is Norwegian's signature action station casual restaurant where chefs cook fresh, prepared-to-order food as guests watch, featuring seafood, pizza, fruit, soups, pasta, ethnic specialties, burgers and desserts; offering extensive and varied selections. The Café includes a Kid's Café with child-friendly seats and tables. At the Great Outdoors, guests can enjoy fresh air and a view of the Aqua Park with their meal.
  


• Cagney's Steakhouse & Churrascaria: Norwegian's traditional American steakhouse takes on a new twist with the addition of Argentinean churrasco. In addition to mouth-watering steaks, guests will be able to sample a variety of skewered meats presented by tableside passadors. Another new addition is a large, centrally located salad bar.


• La Cucina: This Tuscan-style eatery will serve regional Italian specialties including pizza, pasta and steak, chicken and fish dishes. The traditional Italian décor reflects two distinct areas: a Tuscan farm home and an Italian courtyard, where a large olive tree with hanging lanterns is the centerpiece, open to Café Jardin above.
  


• Le Bistro: Norwegian's upscale bistro will serve classic French cuisine with an American flair. This elegant dining establishment surrounds guests with contemporary and traditional paintings and sculptures, making guests feel as if they were dining in an art museum.
  


• Shanghai's: This new addition to Norwegian's specialty dining options will serve a delicious mix of Chinese dishes and noodle bar specialties. The décor reflects Old Shanghai in the 1930s and is reminiscent of the China Club in Hong Kong. There will be an open kitchen preparing traditional Chinese cuisine, noodles, wok fried dishes and dim sum.
  


• Wasabi: This expansive sushi and sake bar will serve the freshest sushi, sashimi and Japanese Yakitori dishes. Featuring modern décor and clean lines, Wasabi is located outside the Teppanyaki restaurant.


• 
  Teppanyaki: As the largest Teppanyaki restaurant at sea with 115 seats, this expanded restaurant will feature up to 24 knife-wielding chefs cooking exhibition-style Japanese cuisine on flat top grills. Guests will be amazed by the masterful chefs who demonstrate their skills slicing and dicing while creating an appetizing meal.
  


• O'Sheehan's Neighborhood Bar & Grill: This classic neighborhood sports bar and restaurant will serve American favorites and comfort food and is open 24 hours. The atrium's two-story high screen will be visible from inside the restaurant and additional flat screen televisions will show sporting events, while guests enjoy their own activities, including three lanes of bowling, dart boards, pool tables, foosball and arcade games.
  


• The Epic Club and Courtyard Grill: Located high atop the ship in The Villas complex, this modern and elegant restaurant is reserved exclusively for Norwegian Epic's suite and villa guests. The décor reflects a private club ambiance with contemporary and modern furnishings, and a large wine display, dotted with glass sculptures and pearl drapes. The Courtyard Grill is the more casual, outdoor area of the restaurant serving Villas guests for breakfast and lunch.
  


• To Be Announced: In addition to the above, there is also one more Norwegian Epic restaurant which will be announced at the next reveal in May.

Also, 24-hour room service will be available for all guests on board Norwegian Epic.

Throughout the ship, there will also be a total of 18 bars and lounges, which include: Atrium Bar; O'Sheehan's; Cascades, the casino bar; Bliss Ultra Lounge; Cagney's Bar; the Ice Bar; Sake Bar; Malting's Whiskey Bar; Shaker's Martini Bar; Humidor Cigar Lounge; The Living Room, exclusively for The Studios' guests; Waves Bar; Spice H20; the Epic Club; and Posh Beach Club. The final three bars will be announced in May.

The final chapter reveal of Norwegian Epic will take place in New York City on May 20 and will focus on the ship's innovative entertainment. The ship will also go on sale to the general public on that date. The first Eastern Caribbean sailing is scheduled for July 17, 2010 and its alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries will be available for booking through April 2011.

Norwegian Epic to Feature Largest Ship-Within-A-Ship Suite Complex at Sea, Innovative New Studios

NCL's largest Freestyle Cruising ship to offer range of accommodations to suit every type of guest

Miami - Mar 18, 2009 ---

Norwegian Epic, NCL's largest Freestyle Cruising ship to date, set for delivery in May 2010, will feature the biggest ship-within-a-ship suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas on two private decks at the top of the ship. Guests staying in one of these suites will have exclusive access to the Courtyard Villa complex featuring a pool, two whirlpools, gym, saunas, sundeck, indoor/outdoor dining, bar/nightclub and concierge lounge. Always an innovator, Norwegian pioneered the ship-within-a-ship concept on its Jewel class ships and is now taking that vision to epic proportions on the 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic.


For the budget-conscious traveler, Norwegian also unveiled a new category of inside staterooms - The Studios. A first in design for the cruise industry, these ultra-modern staterooms maximize space and feature a large, round window that looks out into the corridor, along with customizable color changing light effects that mirror different stages of the day or the guest's mood, including a love setting for those romantic nights at sea. The Studios occupy two decks and have exclusive key-card access to the Living Room, a two-story shared private lounge. The area is a two-floor lounge which features a concierge, bar, room service, two large TV screens, and comfy seating for hanging out, reading a book or just enjoying a cocktail before dinner.


For the first time in its 43-year history, Norwegian is also introducing spa balcony, deluxe balcony staterooms and suites located within the spa with complimentary access to the ship's ultra-relaxing thermal suite and invigorating and state-of-the-art fitness center. For families traveling on Norwegian Epic, NCL has placed the majority of its family-friendly staterooms, both deluxe balcony and balcony staterooms, many that connect, on two decks within close proximity to an expanded, biggest ever Kids Crew facility for added convenience.


"True to its name, Norwegian Epic takes Freestyle accommodations to the next level, offering a wide range of staterooms, suites and villas to suit every type of guest," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "Since this ship is our largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising vessel to date, we've taken a fresh approach to our stateroom mix, offering niche accommodations such as our family and spa categories, along with creative, ground-breaking design as evidenced by The Studios with Living Room and largest ever Courtyard Villa complex."


These specialized accommodations complement the ship's New Wave Inside, Balcony and Deluxe Balcony staterooms announced last year. These New Wave staterooms feature curved walls and lines creating a modern and chic experience. Norwegian has maximized the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink. Norwegian Epic is also a balcony-rich ship, with all of its outside staterooms featuring private balconies.



More details on Norwegian Epic's accommodations are as follows:

Villas and Suites:

• A total of 60 Courtyard Villas, Penthouse Suites and Deluxe Owner's Suites on two private decks high atop the ship on Decks 16 and 17. All have exclusive access to a private pool, two whirlpools, saunas, sun deck, fitness facility, private indoor/outdoor dining, bar and concierge lounge.


• There are 46 of NCL's signature Courtyard Villas featuring two bedrooms and two bathrooms of ultimate luxury.


• Six Courtyard Penthouses include a bedroom with separate living and dining area.


• Eight Deluxe Owner's Suites feature all-around floor to ceiling windows, bedroom and separate living and dining area. There are also seven Penthouse Suites located in other areas of the ship.
  
  

The Studios and Living Room:

• 128 ultra modern studios located on two decks, 11 and 12. Each sleeps two, has a den-like feel with a large, round window looking onto the corridor with customizable color changing light effects that mirror different stages of the day. Inside the Studios, a control panel allows guests to select their own light effect depending on their mood, including a love setting for romantic nights at sea.
  
• The Living Room is a shared social space exclusively for the use of Studio guests. The area is a two-floor lounge which features a bar, room service, two large TV screens, and comfy seating for hanging out, reading a book or just enjoying a cocktail before dinner. A concierge is available to book dinner reservations and shore excursions.
  

Spa Suites and Staterooms:

• Located on Deck 14, a total of 39 spa suites, deluxe balcony and balcony staterooms have private key-card entry to the enclave surrounding Norwegian Epic's ultra-luxurious thermal suite and fitness center. For an added indulgence, eight spa suites each feature an in-room whirlpool.

Family Staterooms:

• 225 Family Deluxe Balcony and 146 Family Balcony staterooms, with triple and quad occupancies, are located on two decks (13 and 14) within close proximity to the expanded Kids Crew. These staterooms feature Norwegian's signature New Wave design with contemporary curved architecture and open living space. The curved walls and ceilings maximize the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink.


• Many of the family staterooms can connect, perfect for families and multigenerational groups.
  

Deluxe Balcony Staterooms:

• 98 Deluxe Balcony staterooms featuring NCL's signature New Wave design, with contemporary curved architecture and open living space. The curved walls and ceilings maximize the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink.

New Wave Balcony Staterooms:

• 851 Balcony staterooms feature Norwegian's New Wave design and open living space; located throughout the ship on Decks 8 to 14.

Inside Staterooms:

• 560 Inside staterooms, with contemporary décor and open living space, including a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, water closet and a modern vanity top sink; located on Decks 8 through 14.

STAY TUNED TO CRUISE NEWS
FOR UPDATES ON NORWEGIAN EPIC!

Never been on a Norwegian cruise and already excited about NCL's new Epic Class of Ships? Head to our NCL homepage and take a look at the Jewel Class of Ships, the pioneer class of Freestyle Cruising. Feel free to book directly online or call 1-800-439-1909 to speak with one of our NCL Certified Cruise Vacation Specialist

NCL Names F3 Norwegian Epic; Announces Inaugural Season Itineraries

Miami - Jan 27, 2009 --- Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) today announced that it has selected the name for its new F3 ship: Norwegian Epic. Just as the name implies, the ship will be the largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date.

The 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic is scheduled to sail year-round to the Caribbean from Miami, beginning in summer 2010. Following a series of inaugural events in Europe and the U.S., the ship will homeport in Miami and will sail year-round to the Caribbean offering alternating seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean voyages through April 2011. These cruises are scheduled to go on sale to the public later this spring. NCL will open Norwegian Epic's sailings for group block bookings exclusively for travel partners in mid-March 2009.

"The F3 experience will take our already successful Freestyle Cruising to the next level, affording our guests the ultimate freedom and flexibility. Norwegian Epic, denoting a ship that is very impressive on a grand scale, is the most fitting name," said Kevin Sheehan, NCL's president and CEO. "The combination of the ship's exciting new features, along with the tropical allure of these Caribbean destinations, will provide an extraordinary cruise vacation for our guests."

The ship's Western Caribbean itinerary includes stops in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. Norwegian Epic's Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.

7-Day Eastern Caribbean from Miami	7-Day Western Caribbean from Miami
Sat. - Miami, Florida Sun. - At Sea Mon. - At Sea Tues. - Philipsburg, St.Maarten Wed. - St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands Thur. - At Sea Fri. - Nassau, Bahamas Sat. - Miami, Florida	Sat. - Miami, Florida Sun. - At Sea Mon. - Costa Maya, Mexico Tues. - Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras Wed. - At Sea Thur. - Cozumel, Mexico Fri. - At Sea Sat. - Miami, Florida

Norwegian Epic represents the next generation of Freestyle Cruising – a ship that incorporates a wide range of new features and amenities, including curved New Wave staterooms and unique nightlife options. To date, the company has revealed five unique nightlife venues that rival the experiences of Las Vegas, Ibiza, the Riviera and South Beach. The five venues include the industry's first true Ice Bar; POSH Beach Club, a first of its kind beach club at sea that offers an exclusive, adults-only setting at the top of the ship; Halo, the Über Bar, a private bar and lounge in the ship-within-a-ship villa complex; Bliss Ultra Lounge, NCL's all-day entertainment and nightclub complex with four-lane bowling alley; and Spice H20, an adults-only aft pool deck
experience.

In addition, the ship will feature the New Wave standard, New Wave balcony and New Wave deluxe staterooms that represent a giant leap forward in cruise ship accommodations with a completely fresh take on bathroom design, contemporary curved architecture and open living space. The New Wave staterooms' most distinctive design element is its curved walls and lines creating a modern and chic experience. NCL has maximized the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink. The staterooms feature a sophisticated earth-tone palette accented with a splash of color and rich, dark wood. Concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings set a relaxing vibe.

STAY TUNED TO CRUISE NEWS
FOR UPDATES ON NCL'S F3 CLASS!

Never been on a Norwegian cruise and already excited about NCL's new F3 Class? Head to our NCL homepage and take a look at the Jewel Class of Ships, the pioneer class of Freestyle Cruising. Feel free to book directly online or call 1-800-439-1909 to speak with one of our NCL Certified Cruise Vacation Specialist

CruiseCheap Extends their Norwegian Pearl to Alaska with Hotel Offer

CruiseCheap.com has extended their exclusive offer that includes a 1 Night Free at a Seattle Hotel when you book a 7 Night Alaska Cruise aboard the Norwegian Pearl.

7 Night Alaska & Glacier Bay Cruise with a 1 Night Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay
Sail out to Alaska and you'll choose from an impressive array of accommodations from the ultra luxurious Garden and Courtyard Villas to family-friendly connecting staterooms and suites. Onboard, you'll find 12 unique places to eat and 11 exciting bars and lounges where you can just hang. There's even a bowling alley (a cruise industry first!) and rock climbing wall onboard. Finally, a vacation where you're free to whatever.

1 Night Pre-Cruise Hotel Stay in Seattle
Available to all customers who book a balcony category or higher on this cruise! A 1 night pre-cruise Seattle hotel stay at either the Doubletree Hotel - Seattle Airport or the Embassy Suites - Seattle Aiport. Hotel accommodations will be assigned, transfers from airport to hotel and hotel to ship are included.

Ports of Call: Seattle, Inside Passage, Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay, Ketchikan, Victoria, Seattle

Take advantage of our EXCLUSIVE 7 Nt Norwegian Pearl Alaska Cruise with FREE 1 Nt Hotel Stay in Seattle!
Book online or call 1-800-543-1915 to speak with an Alaska Cruises Expert.

Norwegian Pearl to Alaska Recognized By Travel Channel As One Of The Great Cruises

Miami - Dec 17, 2008 ---
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) sets sail in the Travel Channel's one-hour special entitled Great Cruises: Norwegian Pearl, hosted by Brook Lee, Miss Universe 1998. The show, filmed in high-definition during a seven-day Alaska cruise aboard Norwegian Pearl, will premiere during the network's Alaska-themed night on Sunday, December 21, 2008 at 10 p.m. EST.

"With the first bowling alley at sea, a world-class spa, numerous specialty restaurants and a host of other amenities, Norwegian Pearl has so much to offer cruisers, especially in Alaska where guests can enjoy the glaciers, waterfalls and wildlife all from the comfort and convenience of the ship," said Kevin Sheehan, NCL's president and CEO. "We are pleased that the Travel Channel has recognized Norwegian Pearl as a great cruise ship and has chosen to feature the ship and its awe-inspiring Alaska itinerary in this special."

The show allows viewers to vacation alongside Lee through Alaska's Inside Passage with breathtaking stops in Juneau, Skagway, Glacier Bay and Ketchikan, Alaska. While on board, she explores the ship's amenities including bowling in Bliss Ultra Lounge; dining in several of the ship's specialty restaurants including dinner at Cagney's Steakhouse and Teppanyaki, a jazz lunch at Le Bistro, and tapas and cocktails at Mambos; dancing the night away in Spinnaker Lounge at NCL's White Hot Party; rock climbing; plunging into one of the steaming whirlpools while sailing through Glacier Bay; taking in a show at the Stardust Theater and relaxing in the spa with a hot stone massage after a day ashore.

While off the ship on NCL's shore excursions, Lee journeys into Juneau to take in the impressive sight of Mendenhall Glacier and sets off on a wildlife quest where she sees orca and humpback whales, seals, salmon and eagles. In Skagway, she indulges in Alaskan king crab at the Skagway Fish Company and sets off shopping in the quaint town. Then, Lee embarks on a Bering Sea crab fishermen's tour in Ketchikan onboard the Aleutian Ballad, one of the fishing boats featured on Discovery Channel's hit show "Deadliest Catch."

Throughout the hour-long show cruise and travel experts provide their expertise including Gene Sloan, USA Today's cruise editor; Philip Levine, cruise industry expert and entrepreneur; Michael Andre Adams, travel writer; Jennifer Doncsecz, president of VIP Vacations, Inc.; and Jon Ashton, celebrity chef, amongst others.

In 2009, Norwegian Pearl sails seven-day Alaska cruises through Glacier Bay round-trip from Seattle; Norwegian Star sails seven-day Alaska cruises through Sawyer Glacier round-trip from Seattle and Norwegian Sun sails seven-day Alaska cruises through Sawyer Glacier round-trip from Vancouver. NCL's seven-day Alaska cruises are priced from $599 per person. Guests can extend their cruise with an unforgettable visit to Alaska's Denali National Park with a pre- or post-cruise land package.

Great Cruises: Norwegian Pearl is scheduled to air again on Travel Channel Saturday, December 27, 2008 at 10 a.m. EST; Saturday, January 10, 2009 at 2 p.m. EST; Friday, January 16, 2009 at 10 a.m. EST; and Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 10 p.m. EST.

Book your "Great Cruise" aboard the Norwegian Pearl to Alaska today!
Take advantage of our EXCLUSIVE 7 Nt Norwegian Pearl Alaska Cruise with FREE 1 Nt Hotel Stay in Seattle!
Book online or call 1-800-543-1915 to speak with an Alaska Cruises Expert.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. Announces End To Fuel Supplement

Miami - October 24, 2008 - Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced that the company's fuel supplement will no longer apply to new Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises bookings made on or after November 10, 2008, anywhere in the world, for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010.

This decision takes into consideration the recent reductions in global fuel prices. The company has also established specific guidelines that will determine whether fuel supplement refunds will be provided for sailings that begin in 2009 and later, which were booked prior to November 10, 2008, if fuel prices remain below a specific price threshold.

For 2009 sailings and 2010 sailings booked before November 10, 2008, the company will determine on a quarterly basis whether fuel supplements will be refunded. Refunds, in the form of an onboard credit, will be provided if the closing price of West Texas Intermediate fuel is $65 or less, at the closing time of the New York Mercantile Exchange, two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter. When those conditions are met, an onboard credit will be provided to all guests on sailings that begin during the upcoming calendar quarter.

The dates on which the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel will be measured, and the quarters during which refunds could apply are:

Fuel Price Determination Dates for Possible Fuel Supplement Refunds

December 18, 2008 .................. First quarter 2009
March 18, 2009 ...................... Second quarter 2009
June 17, 2009 ........................ Third quarter 2009
September 17, 2009 ................. Fourth quarter 2009
December 18, 2009 .................. First quarter 2010
March 18, 2010 ....................... Second quarter 2010
June 17, 2010 ......................... Third quarter 2010
September 17, 2010 ................. Fourth quarter 2010


The company will continue to closely monitor the movement of global fuel prices and recognize that an upturn in those prices could necessitate the reinstatement of a fuel supplement.

Oasis of the Seas Seventh Neighborhood Unveiling; Youth Zone

MIAMI, October 22, 2008 – The final neighborhood to be added into the deck plans of Royal Caribbean International’s Oasis of the Seas was announced last night. The Youth Zone, a haven for children and teens, joins the ranks of six other previously-announced, diverse neighborhoods that will be aboard the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship due to launch in November 2009. Oasis of the Seas features a unique concept that will provide guests with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood in seven neighborhoods, including Central Park, Boardwalk with the AquaTheater, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place, and the Youth Zone.


The latest neighborhood unveiling introduced a wealth of kid- and teen-friendly adventures that lie within the Youth Zone - covering a total expansive area of more than 28,700 sq. ft. (2,669 sq. meters) - including, Kids Avenue, a central boulevard connecting children with dedicated Adventure Ocean spaces and various themed play areas; the cruise line’s first nursery for infants and toddlers (six months or older); and state-of-the-art teen areas.


The Adventure Ocean youth program aboard Oasis of the Seas will feature the cruise line’s award-winning curriculum currently offered to young guests fleetwide, but with an exciting new and enhanced approach, including impressive spaces created and equipped specifically for designated activities allowing for a more robust program. All Royal Caribbean Adventure Ocean and teen programs are led by exceptional, energetic and college-educated counselors, whose goal is to create memorable experiences for the cruise line’s younger guests.


Undoubtedly one of the most anticipated advancements is the addition of the Royal Babies and Tots nursery, a first for Royal Caribbean. This colorful space will serve as a fully-staffed nursery where children can be left in the care of Royal Caribbean’s trained professionals, as well as host various playgroups created by Fisher-Price and Crayola for babies and tots.


Open daily, the nursery will offer parents childcare drop-off options in the daytime and evening, carefully maintaining an optimum staff to child ratio. Free-time play also will be offered daily, creating an interactive environment where parents and children can bond while playing with a variety of Fisher Price developmental toys in specially-designed programs offered exclusively for guests sailing with Royal Caribbean. The Crayola Beginnings line of toddler art tools will be featured in unique developmentally-appropriate art activities designed for parents and children to enjoy precious creative moments together.


Within the Youth Zone, Kids Avenue will serve as the main promenade for young cruisers to access the various Adventure Ocean areas. Crayola Arts and crafts activities, scavenger hunts, talent shows and other scheduled and guided age-specific activities will be offered to three Adventure Ocean program age groups, each with its own space: Aquanauts, ages 3 to 5; Explorers, ages 6 to 8; and Voyagers, ages 9 to 11.


In addition, Oasis of the Seas will introduce exciting new common play areas, including the Kid’s Arcade for video games; the Workshop, where families can learn scrapbooking skills or create personalized jewelry; Imagination Studio where children can explore the world of color and imagination through Adventure Art by Crayola; a fully-equipped lab for Adventure Science Lab, where Einsteins-in-the-making can expand their knowledge; Play, a circular area where children can frollick and participate in a variety of sports and games; and Adventure Ocean Theater, the first-ever children’s theater at sea - complete with a stage and curtains, audience seating and state-of-the-art production equipment - where children of all ages can learn about theatrical productions, take part in talent shows, or sign up for hip hop dance classes.


The teen-only spaces will be located one deck above the Adventure Ocean areas and adjacent to the ship’s Sports Deck, where kids can test their skills on one of the ship’s two FlowRider surf simulators; the miniature golf-course, Oasis Dunes; or the Sports Court for volleyball and basketball games. The physical separation of the teen-only spaces from younger Adventure Ocean guests will be one of the many striking enhancements implemented as a recommendation of Royal Caribbean’s Teen Advisory Board — a group of teens recruited last year to identify what youths between the ages of 12- and 17-years would want to see aboard future Royal Caribbean ships.


Longtime favorite Royal Caribbean teen-only spaces, Fuel disco and The Living Room, will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, only larger and more state-of-the-art. The Living Room will be the ultimate go-to hangout for teens to kick back and socialize at the “mock-tail” bar, which serves non-alcoholic sodas and juice concoctions; learn to spin and mix music in Scratch DJ 101 classes, a part of Royal Caribbean’s Scratch DJ Academy; or surf the Internet and keep in touch with friends via the bank of computer stations dedicated to the space. Teens also will be able to kick it up a notch at Fuel, a disco which will feature a hip environment, where they can hang out with friends, and a dance floor, where they can show off their moves. A spacious outdoor deck adjacent to these venues will give teens more opportunities to make new friends while on their cruise vacation.


In addition to the areas within the Youth Zone and teen-only spots aboard Oasis of the Seas, special attractions for children of all ages also will be located throughout the ship’ other neighborhoods. Along the Boardwalk, kids and teens will be able to shop at retail stores tailored to their interests, and infants and toddlers can ride the Carousel with their parents or enjoy the climbing and play space modeled after a 50’s-style gas station next to the popular Johnny Rockets restaurant. The lively Challengers Arcade also will return aboard Oasis of the Seas, and will be decked out with the latest video games sure to entertain kids and teens. In the Vitality Spa and Fitness Zone, teens and tweens can enjoy a menu of spa options specially tailored for them in a dedicated space at the Vitality at Sea Spa.


A diverse selection of activities for families and guests of all ages will be found in all of the neighborhoods throughout Oasis of the Seas. Family-friendly innovations range from the industry’s first amphitheater, the AquaTheater, featuring theatrical diving performances and spectacular water and light shows; the first zip line at sea stretching 82 feet in length and suspended nine decks above the exciting Boardwalk area; and in the Pool & Sports Zone, the H2O Zone aquapark with its toddler pool and the first beach pool at sea, featuring a true-to-form sloped entry and colorful beach chairs and umbrellas to give guests the ultimate beach experience.

Reserve your Oasis of the Seas booking today!

iCruise Internet Team Invited to Google!

Happy Wednesday Cruisers,

Just a little update about the ho-hum lives of the CruiseCheap and iCruise Internet Team...

Because we are loyal clients of Google and their marketing products, we were invited to Google Headquarters all the way in San Jose, CA.

Last Tuesday, September 08, we boarded our early flight to San Jose.

We arrived excited to view the Google campus, and have a Google-filled day learning about all the existing and new advertising tools available to us through Google.

We made sure to represent iCruise with our spiffy new shirts. Although I'm not sure if we gave the impression of either eager tourists, or professionalism, or both... either way, people definitely noticed us. I suppose it couldn't be helped, especially since we made it a point to sit in the very front row of the conference.

We took a break half-way through the day for lunch, and walked outside for a bit before heading back to the conference.

Our brains were jumpstarted with tons of ideas by the end of the conference, and we couldn't wait to get back home to begin working on some awesome projects for the websites. We have so many things planned to help maximize customer satisfaction with our sites, and so many ideas on how to get the word out.

We hope - with the use of some innovative Google tools; our efforts, ideas, and hard work; and the help and support of our loyal customers - that iCruise will one day be a household name.

We look forward to fulfilling your cruise vacation needs and expectations again and again and again,

The iTeam

iCruise Internet Team

Oasis of the Seas Presents World-Class Entertainment

One More Oasis of the Seas Neighborhood Announced!
- Entertainment Place -

MIAMI, September 16, 2008 – The curtain has been raised on another neighborhood aboard Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s newest and highly anticipated ship set to launch in November 2009. Entertainment Place, a complex of diverse entertainment venues, is one of seven neighborhoods on the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship – a unique concept providing vacationers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood. Previously announced neighborhoods include, Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center.



A contemporary night club district, Entertainment Place will introduce new signature after-dark spaces in more intimate venues that offer a variety of entertainment experiences. The new collection of venues will include Blaze, the hottest nightclub at sea; Jazz on 4, an intimate lounge filled with live jazz and blues; and Comedy Live, featuring side-splitting comedy. Dance enthusiasts also will be able to enjoy an elegant evening in Dazzles, a dance lounge featuring musically themed evenings, dance lessons and competitions.



Whether guests are looking for a mellow low-key evening or an exhilarating high-energy ‘night on the town,’ Entertainment Place will have an experience to suit any mood. Those in need of a good belly laugh will be drawn to Comedy Live, the comedy club where headline acts will interact with the audience and provide engaging and customized performances each evening. The festive space with décor inspired by a New York subway station, features an underground theme with bright casual furnishings, glazed tiling and a ceiling map of the subway system.



Inspired by prohibition-era Chicago, Jazz on 4, with its warm tones of rich walnut paneling, plush sofas and chairs and velvety drapes accented with hand-stitched Swarovski crystals, will provide an intimate experience as guests enjoy soulful rhythms. Blaze, with its dramatic entrance of doors ‘burning’ with hot flames and a ‘charred’ threshold, delivers the quintessential nightclub experience where guests can dance the night away to pulsating music in a hip and trendy atmosphere.



Oasis of the Seas also will offer guests some of the most captivating theatrical productions ever created by the cruise line’s award-winning Royal Caribbean Productions team. The Opal Theater, Oasis of the Seas’ state-of-the-art 1,380-seat main theater, will feature a thrust stage and proscenium extending into the audience space to create a more intimate and interactive environment. Entertainers will make their entrances from unexpected locations around the venue and perform aerial acrobatics enveloping audience members in an experience which unfolds around and above them. The popular Studio B with its ice skating rink will continue to awe guests with spectacular and vibrant ice shows and serve as the locale for a variety of themed events.



The late-night energy of Entertainment Place will center around Casino Royale, the largest and most sophisticated casino at sea. Guests will enter through two themed walkway entrances - the first showcasing the 40-year legacy of Royal Caribbean International and the second, the Museum of Gaming, which immerses guests in the history of gaming. The elegant and stylish casino, reminiscent of the classic casinos found on the French Riviera, features dramatic sculptured architecture, sparkling crystal chandeliers and décor in jewel-toned hues of amethyst, aquamarine and ruby. Casino Royale will feature 450 slot machines; extensive table games including Blackjack, roulette, craps, and Caribbean Stud Poker; and a bar and lounge area from which to take in the casino action. Other amenities include a poker room and players club.



Sure to be popular with guests, Dazzles is a spectacular venue - spanning two decks - with an expansive floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the Boardwalk below. The new dance lounge will offer a variety of musical experiences ranging from 1940’s big band to disco to ballroom evenings. In the evenings, the elegant space is theatrically illuminated with dazzling constellations of small twinkling lights reflecting off glass and mirrored surfaces above and below. During the day, Dazzles will be open for guests to enjoy the view of the bustling activity on the Boardwalk over a drink or to learn a new dance move with a professional dance instructor.



A multitude of entertainment experiences will be found in all of the seven neighborhoods on Oasis of the Seas where guests will be engaged throughout their cruise vacation. From musical and theatrical street performances in the tranquil gardens of Central Park or on the festive Boardwalk, to daring aerial acrobatic performances in the Royal Promenade, which will introduce a new dimension to Royal Caribbean’s signature street parades. AquaTheater will deliver a complete sensory experience playing on the element of surprise as audience members witness the venue come alive with heart-pounding aerial and aquatic acrobatics, as well as elaborate fountain shows synchronized to music and lights.



The On Air Club, located in the Royal Promenade, will radiate energy day and night with television monitors featuring news, sporting events and music. In addition, guests can put on a performance of their own on stage singing karaoke or create their own music video in a private video booth. Also in Royal Promenade, are other popular Royal Caribbean venues, Bolero’s Latin club and the Schooner Bar, featuring sing-along entertainment. Club 20, a high-energy late night dance club experience under the stars, will transform the adults-only Solarium into an evening hot spot.

Stay tuned to CruiseCheap for Oasis of the Seas Updates!
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Cruise West's Spirit of Endeavor to Alaska Experience

Alena Einfeldt of WMPH Vacation & AlaskaCruises.com cruised onboard Cruise West's Spirit of Endeavor. She set sail on August 20th and returned on August 29, 2008. This was her first Small Ship Cruise. Read about her adventure on her blog below:

My Cruise West Alaska experience was nothing like what I had imagined...Honestly I expected a whole bunch of older people and several days at sea? Don't know why, but that's what I thought... Here's what really happened!



Day 1- Flight to Ketchikan, Alaska

The flight was not that bad coming in from Florida-- with the time zone change my body was ahead of the game and I did not feel worn out! You’ll still want to book a pre hotel in case something goes wrong, or you want to see the departure city, or maybe your client will experience jet lag. It's better to be safe than sorry… but the biggest thing is to see the departure city. We started in Ketchikan; actually the city is very cool! There were many activities within walking distance right in the area. The ships dock across the street from down town and we walked everywhere without any problem.

We saw salmon swimming and jumping upstream from a bridge that ran right thru town. The weather was great! Also, if a person has to fly into Ketchikan, the airport is on a little island and you have to take a ferry to the main land-- being that we were with Cruise West they picked us up and drove the shuttle on the boat ferry. Many people walked from the airport to the ferry with their luggage... loved Ketchikan.

Our first encounter with the Cruise West ship crew- They stand outside and welcome you on the ship... everyone from the cook to the captain. The captain had dinner with us the first night and we had a wonderful time asking him a million questions. He asked us each what we wanted to see. Little did I know, he actually memorized everything we told him and would make sure we saw every one of our requests. (I love Captain Mike!- 2 thumbs up all the way



Day 2 - Misty Fjord

The 2nd day was sailing "Misty Fjord" in the morning. We sailed into a little bay called "God's Pocket" and it was stunning! It was like we were in a magazine page... There were waterfalls, the most amazing of green trees in every variety, and whales!!! Several waterfalls pouring over rocks and cliffs... Did I mention the Whales? I did not want to leave! All I wanted was 1 more minute there... I had "No idea that this was only the beginning!" Every sailing has guides and leaders. They have a mic and tell you where you are and what you are seeing for the ones that want to stay inside or look out the window from the cabin's ocean view window (Yes the view was perfect from our window... we were only 1 deck down from the main deck - the view must have everything to do small ships). In this bay, the guide was telling us about this rare rainforest tree and we sailed up to the tree to touch the soft fern leaves!!! Then we sailed up to the waterfall and anyone that was on the deck got wet!! It was so much fun.

We went to Metlakatla- Steve’s favorite place. We learned about Indians and totem poles which are everywhere in Alaska but they really only mean something to you when you learn what they are all about and how to read the story that the artist is telling. Cruise West made sure we were entertained; if you were interested, it was easy to become involved.

So much going on… I did not get to tell you about the clients on the ship.. All Age Groups! Our youngest was 11yrs old. (I don't think it would be good for younger than that- but it depends on the child). The captain told us that this year has been such a variety of ages. As I mentioned before, we meet Jessica's clients. They were booked in the least expensive cabin, but gladly paid for an upgrade while on the ship!!! In all fairness, the cruise was a gift to them, and the client said she thought that was all her family could probably afford. She said that if the ship was sold out she would of "had" to stay in the little room and if she would of known in advance she would of happily upgraded but it did not cross her mind to check what kind of room her family had put her in... (moral of the story and "Note to self": If I book a gift for a client I will mark my calendar to follow up with the actual client to see if they may want to upgrade in advance.)

The first day, we overheard a passenger that was highly upset that she was on a small ship with "No Spa!" also no shopping, or theater entertainment! She keep saying she could not wait to talk to her travel agent!!! YIKES.... She said she was a Diva and this is not what she wanted. She told her husband she wanted to get off the ship. She pointed out another passenger that had went out and purchased several evening gowns for the dinners… her agent told her that even though it's a small ship, that you still dress up!!! Double Yikes!!! ABSOLUTELY NOT! In fact most people kept the same clothes on all day, including us... Jeans and a shirt or whatever you’re comfortable in.

I asked the hotel director/bartender/continental breakfast server (inside joke - all staff works just about all of the jobs!) if we could see the cabin selection. We were booked in a category AAA, had absolutely zero complaints on the room; actually it was better than some of the larger ships I have sailed on... but I will not mention names. We saw that the lowest category was a lot smaller and you can hear the waves crash on the bow of the ship.

On the second night, the captain did not have dinner with us because he wanted to spread his charm among the other guests on the ship. He later apologized and said he would not cheat on us again… and he didn't. We had dinner every night with Captain Mike not because he had to because he wanted to. Every night we talked about what we did and saw, as well as what we would do the next day. He was great. Every night after dinner the guides and leaders have a little social and tell us what to look for the next day; i.e. animals, plants, birds, glaciers
ect... and then you go to bed! That's it - and that was fine because were worn out every night. I would never in a million years think that nature, culture, and history all day- every day was so exciting.. I think it's because you are a part of everything that’s going on.



Day 3 - Petersburg

We visited Petersburg, which was a little Norwegian/Indian Village, very cool. We walked through town and visited the little shops. By the way, every port has an included shore excursion... most of them are about a hour, but this gives you a chance to get off the ship see the city a little and do something on your own or another shore excursion. A lot of passengers did several excursions at each port if time allowed. We had our first eagle sighting today - that was cool. Again, whales everywhere; for the most part you needed a pair of binoculars to see them
clearly, but many times they swam right past the side of the ship. We also had our first bear sighting too... it was so funny, because Captain Mike made announcements on the speaker if they spot animals so you can come out and see them on the bow of the ship if you’re in your room... Well we hear him say "I need every one to come out on the bow of the ship… right now Candice!" He wanted to make sure Candice saw her bear! They make getting to know each other part of the entertainment.



Day 4 Tracy Arm Fjord and Fredrick Sound

This was once again one of my absolute favorite days. I wake up, decide to open up the window to see what the view would be and a huge ice berg floated past my window! "Candice wake up!!!!!" That’s all I could say. Her reaction, "This is beautiful!" and we gazed out the window for a moment and jumped out of bed because we knew the view from the deck would be awesome!!! We were awake now! This day was a beautiful all day - it was a "sailing day". We saw eagles, bears, harbor seals, orca pods, more whales, waterfalls, and glaciers calving – you’d hear a cannon ball blast and then you would see a chunk of ice fall. As simple as it sounds, you could stand out in the cold and watch all day, waiting for the "Big One". (There were other animal sightings but I didn't know what I was looking at).



Day 5 Sitka

Sitka is a little Russian/Indian Village - we did the included tour and walked through town. Most of the included tours involved a little tour and a performance by the natives or locals. The evening show was a film about Glacier Bay hosted by National Geographic. The funniest thing was after dinner, when they announced the social hour and film presentation we all hurried up there with such enthusiasm, since that too was so much fun.



Day 6 - Glacier Bay

Just imagine the choir in the background singing Ahhhhh!!) This was our defining moment!! It was hard to sleep after the movie, we didn't know what to expect. This trip got better and better every day!!!! (Even the Captain said he prefers the north bound!) I saw Puffins!! There is a whole island Glacier Bay and there must be hundreds of birds - we sailed right up to it! I was now a bird watcher! Here is a list of all the things we saw in Glacier Bay:

1. Sea Otters 2. Marbled Murrelets 3. Steller's Sea Lions 4. Glaucous- Winged Gulls 5. Black-legged Kittiwakes 6. Tugted Puffins 7. Black Oysterchatchers 8. Common Murre 9. Pigeon Guillemots 10. Common Loon's 11. Coastal Brown Bears!! 12. Wight-winged Scoters 13. Peregrine Falcon 14. Oodles of Harbor Seals 15. John Hopkins Glacier 16. Lamplugh Glacier 17. Reid Glacier 18. Belted Kingfishers

Everyday they give you a list of what you saw and did for the day… that was the list for Glacier Bay!



Day 7 - Skagway and Haines

I really liked Skagway. I thought it was very authentic and cute. I went out early and got back on the ship before the other 5 cruise ships that were there disembarked their passengers. I guess just about 1 hour later, there were 10,000 passengers in this lovely city that was only 12 blocks long and 4 blocks wide!!! The last of the passengers that came back to the ship said there were people EVERYWHERE!!! I was so glad I was not on a big ship! In Haines I saw several eagles, swans, a black bear, and a couple of moose!



Day 8 - Juneau

The Last Day!! I hate this day. Day 8 Juneau... We had to leave. The Captain spent the whole morning with us. He took us to the bridge and showed us his job - how to read maps, his degrees and certificates, etc. We spent most of our cruise time hanging with the Captain when on the ship. We would always ask him "If you’re with us? Who's driving?" He was so cool. He even told me if I ever have any problems to call my "Friend Captain Mike!" I didn't realize how much time we spent talking about where and how we grew up, what our goals and dreams were, and how much we LOVED ALASKA… we were all bonding. I felt the bonding with the other guests, because we were making friends with people, and we made friends with the Captain. How do I know? Because I too consider him my FRIEND!

Juneau is the Capitol and has so much to do; your clients really should overnight there even if it is at the end of the trip.




Just a quick note... With Cruise West, we cut the engine every time we saw wildlife because the noise of the engine will make them run and hide. We were also told to whisper. There is no way you can see those animals so up close on a big ship, because those ships can’t cut the engine and stop 2000 people from making noise so you can watch the animals play as if you’re not even there!



Also, by the end of the trip the two clients that were not informed properly about Cruise West by were saying how wonderful it was. No thanks to their travel agents! Cruise West turned them into happy campers with the level of service and personal care they received. They both said they were not booking with their agent again. (two different agencies by the way!)


Yes this cruise was up close and personal!!!


Alena

Alena Einfeldt Your Personal Cruise Vacation Specialist 1-800-439-1909, ext 7863 1-561-243-2100, ext 7863 (if calling outside the USA) Email: alena@wmph.com

Alena has 19 years of travel experience and education! She is a Commodore with both Princess and Cunard and has received her specialist certifications and diplomas from all of the major cruise lines including Cruise West. She is currently working on her CLIA certification. Alena has sailed on 10 different cruise lines repeatedly. Her favorite cruise lines are Disney, Cunard, the Freedom Class ships of Royal Caribbean and the NCL Pearl. She loves to travel and her life motto is "Seize the moment".