Today’s cruise market offers everything from ice skating to miniature golf and “surfing”. There's an entire staff on board organizing activities to insure that you and everyone you are traveling with always have a wide variety of activities to choose from. This creates some outstanding opportunities for parents and grandparents to relax in the spa, read a book by the pool, see a movie, try their luck in the casino or attend a wine tasting while your kids are having a great time on a treasure hunt.”
With today’s hectic schedules, a cruise is the perfect solution for individuals with many different interests and is ideal for “multi-generation” groups. Now is the time to plan your family vacation.
Even in light of the economic slump the cruise lines know the value of the vacations they prove and over the next 4 years there are 37 new ships on order for the major cruise lines. 8 of these ships will be out in 2009. With huge value for the dollar spent cruising offers opportunities to see the world by sea. Call me to explore your corner of the world.
Below are some highlights for the ships launching in 2009.
Costa Luminosa, May 5, 2009, 2,828 passengers
The name Luminosa implies light, the ship will feature special lighting effects during evening performances in the main show lounge and an innovative 4-D cinema. This ship offers the very best of the Costa product in terms of wellness, entertainment, exclusive itineraries, art, intimate settings, as well as fine food and wine. Other Costa firsts on the Costa Luminosa include a roller-skating rink, an 18-hole golf course simulator with 37 virtual gofl courses and outdoor putting green. The Club Restaurant, offers guests a view right into the large kitchen. Sixty-eight percent of the ship's cabins feature private balconies.
Costa Pacifica, June 6, 2009, 3,780 passengers
Like her sister ships, Costa Serena and Costa Concordia, the Costa Pacifica boasts the state-of-the-art Samsara Spa. This 20,500-square-foot space houses a wellness center, spa, salon and fitness center. She will also feature popular innovations found on her sister ships, including a covered swimming pool area extending over two decks, and a Grand Prix race car driving simulator and 13 bars and lounges. The public areas are inspired by a different genre of music, and throughout the ship passengers will have opportunities to enjoy arrangements composed especially for Costa.
Seabourn Odyssey, June 24, 2009, 450 passengers
The first new 6-star vessel in six years will have 225 suites, three times larger than its fleetmates, but carrying only double the passengers allows for the highest space-per-passenger ratios at sea. The spa will be the largest on any luxury ship, spanning two decks! Indoor and outdoor treatment rooms offer everything from massages to facials, thalassotherapy whirlpool, Finnish saunas, aromatic steam rooms and more. The revolutionary fitness center will feature a pulley system called the Kinesis wall which combines three fitness components, cardiovascular, strength and flexibility for a shorter more efficient workouts.
Public spaces include four dining venues, offering options from casual grilled food to gourmet tasting menus; six bars and lounges, where complimentary fine wines and spirits flow freely. 90 percent of the suites on the all-suite ship will have verandahs. that measure around 65 square ft. The traditional in-suite dining from regular menus will be expanded to include course-by-course suppers on verandahs.
MSC Splendida, July 13, 2009, 3,959 passengers
MSC Splendida is a ship looking to the future but drawing from its past. With 290,000 square feet of public areas the ship will accommodate guests of all ages with a plethora of onboard activities, amenities. Passengers can try their hand at basketball, tennis, swimming, virtual auto racing and miniature golf, younger guests will enjoy the children's water park or hanging out in teen centers with video games and karaoke.
The well-being center - AUREA SPA, which covers 17,384 square feet, will feature a sauna, yoga and a complete beauty salon. The Splendida will feature a diverse selection of dining venues, each serving up its own unique cuisine.
Celebrity Equinox, August 8, 2009, 2,852 passengers
As a sister ship to Solstice launched November 2008, Equinox will boast all of the same interesting onboard features. These include The Lawn Club, a half acre area on the top deck of the ship with real growing grass and a country club atmosphere, where passengers can play croquet or golf, relax and mingle, take in glassblowing demonstrations and lectures. The ship will also feature Quasar, a futuristic disco; and a selection of 10 restaurants, covering all genres including French, steaks and chops, and Asian-fusion.
Staterooms on the Celebrity Equinox and sister Solstice-class ships, 85% verandahs, are 15% larger than on other Celebrity vessels and boast flat-screen televisions and wireless Internet access.
Carnival Dream, September 21, 2009, 3,646 passengers
Carnival Dream will not only be the largest and most spaceful in Carnival's "Fun Ship" fleet, but also a very luxury ship. With 5 different classes of staterooms, the upper decks will offer large apartments for the VIP guests, there will be new "cove" balcony staterooms located close to the waterline, deluxe oceanview staterooms featuring two bathrooms, and spa staterooms and suites with exclusive amenities and spa privileges.
The dream will keep you busy with a two-level miniature golf course, the WaterWorks aqua park, the Piazza, an indoor/outdoor cafe and live music venue,large parks situated on open decks and alleyways for a nice stroll with your friends. Plus the dancing club and large cinema, there will also be extensive children's and teens' areas with activities for three age groups.
Cloud 9 spa, Carnival's largest health and wellness center to date, has scenic whirlpools extending beyond the ship's beam and two large fitness halls. You can spend all your time on board this ship it will be built to bring leisure to all customers on board.
Ocean Princess, December 2, 2009, 688 passengers
Formerly the Tahitian Princess, the Ocean Princess will provide her passengers with spacious cabins and a cozy atmosphere. Smaller in size yet rich in amenities this beautiful vessel features an array of onboard activities including the classic shuffleboard and a golf practice cage, nine hole putting course and two computerized golf simulators. Relax on deck by the one of the pools or waterfall, or get a massage at the Lotus Spa.
At night, fine fare abounds in refined traditional dining rooms or a range of alternative dining venues: Sabatini's Italian Restaurant, Sterling Steakhouse and a 24-hour buffet. Lago's pizzeria a central location on the top level of the atrium lobby features freshly-baked pizzas, wine and beer.
With the majority of the ship's cabins sporting balconies, you won't have to miss a single sunset.
MSC Magnifica, December 7, 2009, 3,013 passengers
With 236,000 square feet of public space, Magnifica will be one of the largest ships in the MSC fleet. 80% of the staterooms will be ocean views, with 65% balconies. The ship will feature 7 themed areas, 2 pools, one with a retractable roof so guests may swim rain or shine, 4 hot tubs, plus a 13,000-square-foot spa. Guests can select from four restaurants, including a specialty sushi bar.
Royal Caribbean, Oasis of the Seas December 5, 2009, 5,400 passengers
Oasis of the Seas will truly be one-of-a-kind, this highly anticipated ship is the largest ship ever built and the first to deliver the "neighborhoods" concept where everyone can find their unique experience. The 7 neighborhoods each offer its own unique experiences. Central Park combines nature and nautical where guests can peruse the art gallery or unwind in the sophisticated wine bar. The more adventurous passengers can head toward the Boardwalk, and area dedicated to family fun to try out the world's first onboard zipline or take in a show at the Aqua Theater.
The pool and sports zone will offer more options than you can imagine! Taking up an entire deck with multiple pools, rock-climbing walls, miniature golf, ping pong, two FlowRiders® and a basketball court. All this plus amazing views of BoardwalkSM and Central ParkSM below.
The heart of the ship will be in the Royal Promenade, the most expansive promenade at sea. With enough shops and restaurants to entertain even the most traveled of travelers, the Promenade will feature the Rising Tide, a levitating bar that ascends and descends over three decks and comes alive at night parades and entertainment.
With 37 categories to choose from, many with views unique to Oasis of the Seas, you accommodation choices seem limitless. In addition to traditional staterooms there are state-of-the-art lofts, multi-level suites, Aqua suites and more.
Carole Novak your personal Cruise Specialist
410-877-8232 fun2cruise@comcast.net
Associate of Sara Perkins – Franchise owner, Abingdon, MD
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