Royal Caribbean International Sell Celebrity Century to Chinese Travel Company

Royal Caribbean International have announced that they plan to sell Celebrity Century, the 19-year-old, 1,814 passenger ship, to Ctrip, a Chinese travel company.

Royal Caribbean International and Ctrip have entered into a joint venture, both managing the operations of Celebrity Century. However the details of this agreement have not yet been announced.

Ctrip International, Ltd is one of China's leading travel agencies, with interests in accommodation reservation, transportation ticketing, packaged tours and corporate travel mamangement. they have sent more than 120,000 passengers on cruises and makeup more than 10% of the Chinese cruise market.

Celebrity Century will complete its scheduled sailings through to March 22, 2015 itinerary plus scheduled farewell cruises, including one with President and CEO Michael Bayley before leaving Celebrity Cruises fleet in April. It has also been rumoured that the vessel will receive a full renovation ensuring a great cruise experience for the Chinese market.


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Celebrity Eclipse Will Undergo A Revamp April 2015

Celebrity Cruises has announced that Celebrity Eclipse will undergo a revamp April 2015 just in time for her six consecutive summer seasons from Southampton! The Solstice Class ship will arrive in the UK, May 2015, ready for the summer season with some luxurious new features!

Cellar Masters is becoming Gastrobar A new craft beer and comfort food venue

• Gastrobar's upscale casual surroundings will feature inviting entertainment and music for the complete sophisticated lounge experience

• The new venue will offer food and beer enthusiasts a choice of over 40 handcrafted boutique beers in addition to Celebrity Cruises' varied collection of wines and classy cocktails, all of which are perfectly paired with a menu of elevated bar-fare creations

American style Casino becomes a bit more British
• Guests will be able to enjoy more British style slot machines
• The bar will receive an upgrade with a reconfigured layout including a new seating area and larger TVs for viewing sporting events
• Better odds will be offered through more European-style roulette

Say Goodbye to the Pool Kiosk & hello to ‘Slush’ 
• The current sea and sun kiosk will be reinvented as a frozen drinks venue called ‘Slush’ featuring flavour-rich and fresh frozen cocktails
• The venue will be modern, bright and cheerful to entice passing guests
• Alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails will be served with perfectly balanced ingredients ranging from fresh pressed lemon juice to Persian lime

The Studio is becoming a brand new fine art photography studio
• The Studio will provide guests with a brand new, unique and Modern LuxurySM venue that will take the portraiture experience to a whole new level
• The Studio will specialise in ‘fine art photography’
• The Hot Glass ShowSM will remain, and The Studio will replace the Glass Exhibit


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Construction Begins On Holland America Line's New Pinnacle Class Vessel

The end of last week saw Holland America Line celebrate the keel laying of its new Pinnacle Class ship. 

The 680-ton block which was cut earlier this year was lowered by crane into the yard's building dock, marking the official beginning of construction. The event was attended by Holland America Line's Keith Tayor, senior vice president, fleet operations and Cyril Tatar, vice president, newbuild and technical operations. 

"The keel laying of our new Pinnacle Class vessel heightens the anticipation for delivery because very soon we’ll see the ship begin to take shape,” said Stein Kruse, president and CEO of Holland America Line. “As the largest ship ever built for Holland America Line, the vessel features many innovations and new features, and we’re excited to see it all come together over the next year and a half.”

The new ship is being built at Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard in Italy and is scheduled for delivery February 2016. At 99,500-gross-ton it is the largest ship ever built for Holland America Line and will hold 2,650 passengers. The ship will showcase decors by leading hospitality designer Adam D. Tihany, based in New York City, and designer and architect Bjorn Storbraaten, based in Oslow, Norway.

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Royal Caribbean Reveal Quantum of the Seas - The world's first 'smartship'

When Royal Caribbean began their 99 day count down until their newest cruise ship, Quantum of the Seas, we knew they wouldn't disappoint! Yesterday, as part of the big countdown, Royal Caribbean announced the latest update on the ship during an online 'reveal' where Quantum of the Seas was labelled the first ever 'smartship'.

With the latest technological innovations it is easy to see why Quantum of the Seas will be the smartest ship in the world!

Smart Check-in
"From sidewalk to ship in 10 minutes"
For the first time ever Royal Caribbean will eliminate the counter check-in, forms and queues when you arrive at the cruise terminal! Passengers will now use an easy online check-in system to upload their own ID photo before they arrive at the cruise terminal and will receive a digital check-in confirmation.

PLUS with the latest RFID technology, passengers will be able to track their luggage in real time on their smartphones. Luggage will be tagged at drop-off and from their passengers can monitor the progress of their bags from through key points from drop-off to arrival at passengers' cabins.

Smart Concierge
"Flexibility at your fingertips"
Royal Caribbean are introducing new RFID WOWband wristbands, with just one simple tap passengers will navigate around the ship, make onboard purchases and access their cabin.

PLUS two brand new smartphone apps, Cruise Planner & Royal IQ.
Cruise Planner gives guests the ability to book shore excursions, spa appointments and dinner reservations through their smartphone or tablet even before their cruise begins.
Royal IQ is a smartphone app which is used by guests during their cruise, it includes a quick view of the cruise programme and the ability to text and phone one another or even those at home.

Smart Connect
"Speeds that match the fastest connections on shore"
Quantum of the Seas will operate with more bandwidth than every cruise ship in the world combined! Passengers will be able to stream videos, check email, share images on social media and enjoy video calls, even in the middle of the ocean, no matter what device they bring onboard.

PLUS such speedy connections will make it possible for SeaPlex to become a live global video gaming suite. Guests will enjoy Xbox Live with the ability to challenge other gamers worldwide!

Smart Experiences
"A fully robotic bar"
Quantum of the Seas will include various brand new venues including, Bionic Bar, where passengers will place their order via tablets and have fun watching fully robotic bartenders prepare their cocktails.
Another spectacular new venue featuring robotic technology is Two70, home to six Roboscreens that participate and perform during evening shows.

Watch the video for an overview of the technology onboard!

Your Quick Fix Of The Latest Cruise News

Azamara Sails Down Under
In conjunction with their efforts to grow their global boundaries, Azamara Club Cruises is offering cruises in Australia and New Zealand from 2016.

Viking Take to The Ocean
Viking are preparing to launch their three ocean-going ships between now and 2016.
The first is Viking Star launching in Norway in May 2015, followed by it's two sister ships Viking Sea and Viking Sky, which will launch the following year.
Neil Barclay, head of sales explains that they plan to spend more time in destinations than their competitors and because of the size of the ships they will be able to dock at some of the smaller ports, 'getting more into the heart of the community'.

SeaDream Yacht Club Considers Balconies
Although not in a hurry to do so, chief executive officer Atle Brynestad spoke about the possibility of balconies if they were to add a third ship to the fleet. He added that they do not need a new ship but he is working on the idea 'at all times' and it would most likely have balconies.

Crystal Cruises Voted World's Best for 20 Years
Voted 'World's Best' for an unsurpassed 20 years by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler and 19 consecutive years by the readers of Travel + Leisure, that's more times than any other Cruise Line, Hotel or Resort in history!

Crystal Adds Free Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi for all Crystal Society members starting this Autumn.

Each Crystal Society guest will receive 60 minutes of complimentary Wi-Fi for every day of the cruise. For example, a 10 night cruise will offer 600 minutes free internet access per person, which can be used any time throughout your voyage!

P&O Cruises Aurora Multimillion Pound Make-over

At the end of November 2014, just in time for her Christmas and New Year cruise, Aurora will spend around 20 nights in dry dock in Hamburg. She will come out of the make-over as the first ship in the fleet to receive the new look livery design, newly refurbished & modernised dining facilities, children facilities, accommodation and so much more!

P&O Cruises Aurora 2014 Multimillion Pound Make-over

P&O Cruises Aurora due in for a multimillion pound make-over November 29 to December 18.

At the end of November 2014, just in time for her Christmas and New Year cruise, Aurora will spend around 20 nights in dry dock in Hamburg. She will come out of the make-over as the first ship in the fleet to receive the new look livery design, a contemporary version of the Union Flag to celebrate P&O Cruises heritage.

Dining On Board
For those of you who enjoy the taste of Indian cuisine, you're in for a treat with the introduction of Sindhu restaurant, a fine dining restaurant with an Indian fusion menu designed by Michelin-star celebrity chef Atul Kochar. Sindhu will replace the library on deck 8, but don't fear the library is only relocating to the cyb@study on deck 13.

The buffet restaurant will undergo a complete refurbishment and in the evenings The Beach House menu will replace the Pennant Grill menu to include family favourites such as Fillet of Beef on Lava Rock.

Café Bordeaux will be replaced by The Glass House restaurant and wine bar, created in partnership with TVs specialist wine expert Olly Smith, which is currently proving popular on board Azura and Ventura. The Glass House is considered a stylish and informal haven, somewhere to relax and enjoy the marvellous selection of wines.

If you have experienced and enjoyed Freedom Dining on board a P&O Cruise, you'll be happy to hear that Freedom Dining is being introduced to the Medina Restaurant along with more tables of two.

The Sidewalk Café is undergoing a refurbishment with the introduction of Costa Coffee and a new "Grab and Go" counter - perfect for breakfast or lunch on the go!

Facilities On Board
One for the children - A complete refurbishment of The Reef children's clubs will take place, with room name changes to reflect Reef Club names across the fleet.

Improvements will be made to the Casino & Champions sports bar, creating a much more open-plan design with new furniture and an enhanced stage area creating an enhanced environment for entertainment.

The photography gallery is upgrading to include more touch screen technology and for those who like a bit of retail therapy, there is going to be an extensive shop refurbishment.

Sound and light equipment will also undergo an upgrade to improve shows in both the theatre and show lounge. And for those of you who enjoy spending quality time relaxing, the Oasis spa is undergoing a complete renovation!

Accommodation On Board
Last but certainly not least, plans are afoot to fit all cabins with new soft furnishings and flat screen TVs ensuring they remain comfortable and stylish!