Gourmet cuisine has always been a big part of the cruise vacation experience. On many ships, flaming Baked Alaska has been paraded around the dining room on formal nights. Signature menu creations like Carnival's Warm Chocolate Melting Cake or Princess Cruises Fettuccini Alfredo keep guests coming back for more. In recent years, a focus on sharing what were once closely-guarded secrets has become quite popular. Cooking classes, events, demonstrations and even food and wine-themed sailings are becoming popular on most lines.

Learn to cook- Royal Caribbean International has partnered with Chefmakers Cooking Academy to offer unique cooking programs to guests.

Available now on Liberty of the Seas and beginning soon on Freedom of the Seas sailing from Port Canaveral, guests will have an opportunity to enhance their cooking skills while sailing. For an additional cost, guests can learn everything from pumpkin carving to what it takes to host an elaborate dinner party.

Chefmakers at Sea's hands-on classes range from $40 to $125 and are suitable for beginners and the experienced home cook alike. With several essential programs like Knife Skills, Quick & Easy Fish, and All About Chicken, to highly social and interactive cooking parties like Asian Persuasion, New American Cuisine, and Surf & Turf, there is a wide variety to choose from. Successfully piloted aboard Mariner of the Seas, the three-hour programs are open to guests 18 and over,

"At Chefmakers, we teach Royal Caribbean guests the tricks of the trade, in turn providing a feeling of mastery and confidence that will last long after their cruise," said Richard H. Klein, founder and CEO of Chefmakers Cooking Academy, LLC.

Other classes include: Small Bites; Quick & Easy Pasta; Tamales; Lazy Day Brunch; California Cuisine; and Cooking Around the World. In addition, Chefmakers at Sea offers a series of festive holiday classes, such as: Pumpkin Carving; Gingerbread House Decorating; Ultimate Thanksgiving; and Entertaining for New Years.

Participants will receive their very own Chefmakers apron and recipe cards for all menu items prepared, as well as complimentary wine based on class selection. Guests will also have the opportunity to purchase the high quality kitchenware and utensils that they learn to use in the classes.

Children from 4 to 11 years old can get involved too with a one-hour "Kids with Kids Baking" class. The future chefs learn to prepare homemade sweet treats, like mini-puff pastry turnovers, learning lessons in chemistry and kitchen hygiene along the way.

Guests can register and learn about the specific classes being offered online using the Chefmakers pre-board reservation system. Private Chefmakers at Sea programs also will soon be available for various corporate groups that offer a unique team building experience as well as for families looking for another way to enjoy their cruise vacation.

The Chef's Table-Carnival Cruise lines along with sister-line Princess Cruises gets into the act too.In an effort to expand extraordinary on board programs, Carnival and Princess added a new dining option, Chef's Table, which lets guests tour the galley and dine with a working Chef from the ship.

The culinary experience includes a multi-course dinner hosted by one of the line's master chefs along with a private cocktail reception and a tour of the galley. With The Chef's Table, a group of 12 guests have cocktails and hors d'ouevres with the ship's Chef de Cuisine. The Chef then takes the group on a tour to see the galley in operation. The evening concludes with a full-service dinner with appetizers, entrees and desserts. Depending on the vessel, the meal takes place in non-traditional dining venues throughout the ship, such as the galley, library, conference center, etc.

The Chef's Table is available on the Carnival Dream, Ecstasy, Liberty, Sensation, Imagination, Inspiration, Pride and Carnival Fascination and all Princess Cruises ships. The program can be booked on board through the ships' guest information desk. The cost is $75 per person and includes cocktails & wine with dinner.

Food and Wine-themed sailings-Continuing to focus on the guest experience at sea, Celebrity Cruises is adding to their Celebrity Life program with themed sailings called "Savor Your Destination". The new addition centers around an invited guest chef on select sailings.

"Our guests are always looking for new ways to celebrate their love of great cuisine, which is why an outstanding culinary experience is one of the key aspects of a Celebrity Cruises vacation," said Jacques Van Staden, Celebrity's Vice President, Culinary Operations.

An expansion of "Savor", the popular culinary-and-wine/spirits-focused pillar of Celebrity Life, Savor Your Destination will include a line-up of special interest cruises aimed at celebrating Celebrity's onboard culinary experience by inviting guest chefs and other food and wine experts to enhance select sailings

Program highlights include

* A meet-and-greet style cocktail hour with the invited guest chef

* A cooking demonstration in the ships theater

* Book signing for chefs with published cook books

* A "Star Chefs" competition where guests team up with high-ranking Celebrity chefs for a cook-off judged by selected guests

* Cooking classes for guests in the ships main galley

* A food-and-wine-pairing by the guest chef in the ships specialty restaurant

Savor Your Destination kicked off with Chef Benjamin Christie sailing on Celebrity Eclipse on an 11-night Canary Islands cruise. Christie is an acclaimed television host, author, online food personality, and unofficial culinary ambassador based in Sydney, Australia. Future guest chef's include UK-based chef Adam Byatt, Food Network's Daisy Martinez, Zach Bell from Palm Beach's Cafe Boulud, Carmen Gonzalez formerly of Miami's Carmen the Restaurant and US chef John Currence.

In the future, Celebrity will announce additional Savor Your Destination events designed to give cruisers the opportunity to expand their culinary horizons while at sea. "The Savor Your Destination cruises are another experience in our robust onboard culinary enrichment program," Van Staden said. "Our guests love great cuisine, a passion that expands to other gastronomic experiences such as winemaking. As we continue to develop the Celebrity Life Savor Your Destination cruise lineup, we will welcome not only chefs, but also winemakers and food artisans, to share their expertise with our guests."

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Princess Cruises to Welcome Renowned Film Critic Leonard Maltin Aboard Coral Princess
 
Celebrated Movie Expert to Present Favorite Movies of the Year During December 15 Sailing

 
 
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (October 1, 2010) – Renowned Film Critic Leonard Maltin will be sailing aboard Coral Princess’ December 15 holiday sailing, and will be presenting his favorite films of 2010 throughout the cruise especially for Princess Cruises passengers.
 
During this 15-day Panama Canal cruise, movie buffs will be able to view the four films Maltin has dubbed “Leonard’s Unsung Favorites of 2010,” which he will personally introduce to the audience.  Maltin will also lead a discussion of some of the films, will challenge passengers to a film trivia contest and will offer a talk focusing on Hollywood of yesteryear.
 
Passengers will be able to view the films on Coral Princess’ giant poolside Movies Under the Stars screen or in the Princess Theater.
 
“Leonard Maltin’s wealth of knowledge about the world of film has made him one of the most recognizable movie experts today,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.  “Passengers on this Coral Princess voyage are in for a special treat as he shares these hand-picked films with them.”
 
Maltin’s appearance is an extension of Princess’ exclusive Leonard Maltin Movie Club.  This fleetwide club invites passengers to view a specially selected film onboard.  Each month, a new movie is featured, with a special video introduction from Mr. Maltin.  Later, cruise staff members host a gathering for passengers featuring a group discussion of the film, guided by questions and trivia from Mr. Maltin.  The one-hour club meeting is open to all passengers.
 
For passengers who want to further enjoy films in their stateroom, the Leonard Maltin Movie Channel on the ship’s television system will feature a selection of contemporary, classic and animated movies specially selected by Mr. Maltin.
 
Leonard Maltin is one of the country's most recognized and respected film critics and historians.  He may be best known as the resident film buff on the popular syndicated program “Entertainment Tonight,” where he has appeared since 1982.  However, long before he became a familiar face on television, his annual paperback “Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide” established his reputation; he was 18 when the first edition was published.  He has also published numerous other books and articles, and teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts.  In addition, Mr. Maltin has created television specials and DVDs on film topics, currently hosts the weekly program “Secret’s Out” on ReelzChannel, and introduces movies on DirecTV.

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In line with the Cunard tradition of commissioning appropriate sculpture or portraits for display on board each ship named by a member of the Royal Family, the company has commissioned an official portrait of The Queen for the new Queen Elizabeth, due to be named by Her Majesty next month.
 
This new official portrait will be unveiled by the artist today at a private event at the National Portrait Gallery in London.
 
The portrait, which shows The Queen in the Yellow Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace, was painted by 31-year-old, Lancashire-born Isobel Peachey. Although an accomplished award-winning portrait artist, she had never before been commissioned to paint a royal portrait.
 
“At my interview with Cunard, I answered many questions about how I would approach an important commission,” said Peachey. “But it was only at the end of the interview that the subject was revealed as The Queen. This was both a shock and a marvellous surprise.”
 
Commenting on how the artist was chosen, Cunard’s President and Managing Director, Peter Shanks, said, “Apart from being impressed by the quality of Isobel’s work, which we originally saw on display in the National Portrait Gallery, we were keen to offer the commission to a young artist who had never before had such an opportunity. Isobel is, in fact, the youngest female artist ever to paint the monarch, and the quality of the finished work is such that our confidence has been greatly rewarded.” He added, “It is a truly wonderful picture of Her Majesty. It is even more remarkable when you consider that, lacking a private studio, Isobel executed this magnificent painting in her mum’s attic!”
 
The Queen granted three sittings for the portrait, a three-quarter length painting which shows her dressed in blue and wearing Queen Victoria’s collet necklace and earrings, which she also wore for her Coronation in 1953.
 
The Queen will see the finished portrait for the first time on 11 October when she visits Southampton to name the new liner Queen Elizabeth. The portrait will hang in a prominent position in the ship’s Grand Lobby.

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Royal Caribbean 2-Day WOW Sale!

 Reserve your next cruise on September 29th & 30th, 2010 on any sailing after January 1, 2011 and receive up to $200 onboard credit and 50% reduced deposit!

 2-Day WOW Sale includes cruisetours plus voyages on Oasis of the Seas^® and Allure of the Seas^SM

 CRUISE LENGTH          ONBOARD CREDIT       REDUCED DEPOSIT

3 to 5-Night                       $50 USD per stateroom       $50 USD/CAD per person

6 to 9-Night                       $100 USD per stateroom     $125 USD/CAD per person

10+ Night                         $200 USD per stateroom     $225 USD/CAD per person

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Luxury line Seabourn's newest ship to arrive ahead of schedule

The Yachts of Seabourn today announced its newest cruise ship, the Seabourn Quest, will be entering service several weeks ahead of schedule.

The luxury line says the 450-passenger vessel, currently under construction at the T. Mariotti yard in Italy, will be ready for delivery by late May instead of early June, allowing the company to add two new "pre-inaugural" cruises to its 2011 season:

-- A three-night round-trip voyage from Monte Carlo kicking off on June 9 that includes calls at Livorno and Corsica's Bonifacio. Fares start at $1,299 per person.

-- An eight-night voyage from Monte Carlo to Barcelona starting on June 12 that includes calls at Portofino, Cannes, Ile de Porquerolles, Port-Vendres and Valencia. Fares start at $3,499 per person.

The two trips can be combined to create an 11-night sailing, with fares starting at $4,549 per person.

Seabourn says there will be no change to the date for the official unveiling of the Seabourn Quest, which will remain on June 20 in Barcelona. A gala naming ceremony with fireworks is planned. The Quest then sets sail on a 14-night maiden voyage to Athens.

Seabourn Quest is the third of three sister vessels the line has been rolling out since 2009 in a major expansion that is tripling its capacity. The second new vessel, Seabourn Sojourn, arrived this past summer

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Celebrity Cruises Celebrates Autumnal Equinox by

Naming Fifth Ship In Widely Heralded Solstice Class Fleet

 In light of the images of sun and shadow conveyed in the names of Celebrity Cruises' stylish Solstice Class ships, the world's top-rated premium brand is marking autumnal equinox by announcing the name of the fifth in its 'Xceptional' series: Celebrity Reflection.

"Selecting the name of the fifth ship in the class led us to reflect back on the significant impact the Solstice Class has had on the cruise industry," said Celebrity's President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "Our Solstice Class ships offer the finest in premium cruising, with service provided by the best men and women in the hospitality business, as evidenced by the tremendous response from our guests, travel partners and the press, and a continuously expanding series of prestigious awards. There is no question that Celebrity Reflection will deliver an equally outstanding vacation experience for our guests."
Following delivery in November 2012, Celebrity Reflection will join Celebrity Solstice, Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity Eclipse and Celebrity Silhouette, rounding out the $3.7-billion class.
Celebrity Reflection will present vacationers with some new features, yet to be announced, along with many of the hallmarks found on some or all of her sister ships, including:
The hip "Celebrity iLounge" that made Celebrity Cruises the industry's first Authorized Apple Reseller
Uniquely unordinary "Qsine," the first seagoing restaurant to feature a menu and wine list on an iPad(R), and an engaging food-as-theater dining experience
Celebrity's iconic half-acre Lawn Club, with real, growing grass
Ten unrivaled dining venues, including Qsine
Modern, stylish interiors designed by some of the world's best architects and designers
Hip, cool nightclubs and lounges, including CellarMasters, complete with the industry's first installation of the innovative Enomatic by-the-glass wine serving system
One of the broadest and best wine offerings in the industry, served by one of the world's largest staffs of certified sommeliers
One of the world's largest permanent collections of original contemporary art, and the industry's first self-guided art tours to be presented on an iPad(R)
Widely varied entertainment, including custom aerial production shows and live music

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Royal Caribbean Unveils Allure of the Seas' 24 Dining Venues

Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas, which will debut in December, will introduce new culinary concepts compared to its sister ship, Oasis of the Seas. A Brazilian steakhouse will open for dinner in the Solarium and will feature Brazilian-style meats and seafood dishes, from Picanha cut sirloin steak to Atlantic salmon marinated with sea salt and garlic, served table-side and sliced straight off the skewer. In Central Park, recently anointed Chef de Cuisine Molly Brandt will offer a one-of-a-kind menu at 150 Central Park, a signature fine dining experience.

Rita’s Cantina, a new restaurant in the Boardwalk neighborhood, will serve Mexican fare such as shrimp ceviche tostadas, warm tortilla chips with salsa and guacamole, and entrées such as fajitas, fish tacos and Chipotle-style flautas. Rita’s Cantina also will boast a wide selection of margaritas served on the rocks or frozen in a variety of fruit-flavor combinations. In addition, the restaurant will introduce new nightlife to Boardwalk with live guitar music, drinks and dancing. Rita Cantina’s design will include large open breezeways and an outdoor seating area complete with high top tables and stools, and will be located in place of Seafood Shack onboard sister-ship Oasis of the Seas.

Also new to Boardwalk’s dynamic and engaging scene will be The Boardwalk Dog House, a hot-dog specialty counter located where The Donut Shop is on Oasis of the Seas. It will offer hot dogs, wieners, brats and sausages. The Donut Shop will remain on Boardwalk in a new location next to the Ice Cream Parlor. Other dining options in the Boardwalk are the Boardwalk Bar, offering fruit, salads and sandwiches; Boardwalk Donut Shop; Ice Cream Parlor; and Johnny Rockets.

Central Park also will offer Giovanni’s Table, an Italian trattoria; Park Café, a gourmet market featuring salads, sandwiches, soups, pastries and fudge; Vintages, a wine bar with pre-dinner tapas and cheeses; and Chops Grille, the line’s signature steakhouse.

In the pool zone are Solarium Bistro, a health-conscious dining option for breakfast and lunch; the Wipe Out Café, a casual self-service buffet with pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and salads; and Izumi Asian Cuisine featuring a sushi bar with hot-rock cooking.

On the Royal Promenade are Sorrento’s Pizzeria, Café Promenade and the Cupcake Cupboard. In the spa is the Vitality Café, which offers healthy snacks, sandwiches, wraps, fruit and smoothies. The classic dining options include the three-tier Adagio Dining Room, which will offer both flexible and traditional assigned seatings; the casual Windjammer Marketplace; and room service, which includes Johnny Rockets hamburgers and Ghirardelli chocolate cookie

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Kids Sail FREE to the Mexican Riviera

 From January 23–March 20, 2011, KIDS 17 and under SAIL FREE when traveling with two full-fare Guests in the same stateroom on select 7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruises from Los Angeles! Enjoy the beauty and fun of the Baja California and Mexican coasts on a voyage filled with unmatched Disney entertainment, legendary service and magic made for everyone of every age.

 7-Night Mexican Riviera Cruise

Departing from Los Angeles to visit

Puerto Vallarta • Mazatlán • Cabo San Lucas

Includes three fun-filled days at sea

Book now through July 31, 2010, to get this great offer.  Ask for booking code KFMR.

 *Offer is only available to U.S. and Canada residents. Rates are in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy.  Valid for stateroom categories 4 through 11 only. The number of staterooms allocated for this offer is limited.  Government Taxes and Fees and Port Adventures not included. This offer cannot be combined with any other offers, discounts or onboard credits.  This special offer applies to new bookings only and is non-transferable. See Disney Cruise Line brochure for applicable Terms and Conditions.

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Princess Cruises’ Medical Departments Earn Unique Distinction with

Prestigious Quality Certification and Accreditation

 Medical Services Attain an Industry First in Healthcare Awards

 SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 6, 2010) – The Princess Cruises  Medical Departments have once again been credited with meeting the quality health standards of an internationally recognized healthcare organization.

Following a comprehensive survey of both its shipboard and shoreside medical departments, Princess Cruises has achieved an industry first by being awarded accreditation and ISO 9001:2008 certification for quality in health care. These awards recognize the excellent standards of medical care provided on board Princess’ vessels.

CHKS accreditation was first awarded to Princess in 2006 and, following comprehensive annual external surveys of its medical facilities, staff and procedures, in 2009 was re-accredited for a further three years. CHKS also certified that the Princess medical program meets the International Organization for Standardization’s quality standards (ISO 9001:2008) and has a management system in place that consistently meets customer and regulatory requirements. Princess is shortlisted to receive the CHKS Quality Improvement Award.

“I think many people would be surprised and reassured to know that our medical centers achieve similar quality standards to medical facilities ashore,” said Dr. Grant Tarling, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer for Princess Cruises.  “We’ve worked extremely hard to attain these outstanding achievements which demonstrate our dedication to providing the highest standards of medical care for our patients on board our ships.”

CHKS is a major UK based organization which works with public and private health care providers worldwide. They develop best practice standards and are accredited by the International Society for Quality in Healthcare (ISQua), the leading international healthcare quality policy and research organization, as well as by the UK Accreditation Services (UKAS) to award certification to the standards of ISO 9001:2008.

Princess Cruises’ medical department offers one of the industry's most advanced sea-going medical programs, featuring a staff of qualified, full-time maritime professionals who work within well equipped facilities suited to the practice of medicine in a maritime environment. In addition to the CHKS accreditation and ISO 9001:2008 certification, Princess' medical program meets or exceeds the cruise ship medical guidelines issued by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

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LEGENDARY ENTERTAINER REBA MCENTIRE TO CHRISTEN NORWEGIAN EPIC

 Queen of Country Music to serve as Norwegian Epic’s Godmother

 MIAMI – May 11, 2010 – Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that one of music's most iconic performers, Reba McEntire, will christen the company’s newest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, Norwegian Epic, the hottest new ship of the year.  The christening ceremony will take place in New York on July 2, 2010 on board Norwegian Epic.

            Ms. McEntire, who recently hosted the 45^th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, has achieved legendary status in the music world having sold over 55 million albums worldwide; earned 34 #1 singles and won 15 American Music Awards, 12 Academy of Country Music Awards, nine People’s Choice Awards, seven Country Music Association Awards and two GRAMMY Awards. She is also an avid cruiser and has taken several family cruise vacations, most recently on Norwegian Gem in the Mediterranean.

            Norwegian Epic is an innovator in cruise ship entertainment, featuring world-class entertainment on board such as Blue Man Group, Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner, Legends in Concert, The Second City^®, Howl at the Moon and Nickelodeon™ at Sea.   In keeping with its focus on exceptional entertainment, it is only fitting that an entertainer – particularly one as celebrated as Reba McEntire – christens the ship. 

            “I met Reba and her family on Norwegian Gem and saw how much they were enjoying the freedom and flexibility that Freestyle Cruising offers.  Later, I discovered that they are frequent customers on our ships which is why I believe that Reba is the perfect choice to christen our largest and most innovative ship, Norwegian Epic,” said Kevin Sheehan, chief executive officer of Norwegian Cruise Line.  “We are more than thrilled that such a celebrated performer as Reba, who also has experienced our product firsthand, will serve as Norwegian Epic’s Godmother.”

            "I am truly honored that Norwegian Cruise Line asked me to christen Norwegian Epic, a ship that is so focused on entertainment," said Reba McEntire.  "As a fan of Norwegian and Freestyle Cruising, this is a very special honor; I'm so excited to serve as Norwegian Epic's godmother."

            In addition, Ms. McEntire’s career has included hosting her own talk show; turns on Broadway, movies and television; authoring books; and creating lines of clothing, footwear, home products and luggage.  Considered one of the most successful female recording artists in history across all genres of music, Reba has seen every studio album since 1984’s, My Kind of Country, certified GOLD or higher, with 13 of her last studio albums all achieving Platinum + status.

            Inaugural festivities for Norwegian Epic will take place in New York at 2:00 p.m. ET on July 2.  In addition, Norwegian Epic will serve as the host venue for the 34th Annual Macy's 4th of July Fireworks event taking place on Sunday, July 4, 2010.  The event includes a national, one-hour, live entertainment broadcast on NBC-TV beginning at 9 p.m. ET and takes place on board Norwegian Epic where invited guests will have a front row view of the fireworks display.

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