At an event in New York City, Disney Cruise Line officially unveiled major features of its 4,000-passenger Disney Dream cruise ship, which will sail on its first cruise Jan. 26, 2011. The 128,000 gross-registered-ton, 14-deck ship is currently under construction at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenberg, Germany, but cruises will go on sale on Nov. 9.

To underscore the importance Disney is putting on the new vessel, the event featured Bob Iger, chairman and CEO of Walt Disney Company; Jay Rasulo, chairman of Disney Parks & Resorts; Karl Holz, president of Disney Cruise Line; and Randy Garfield, president of Walt Disney Travel Co. and executive vice president-worldwide sales and travel operations for Disney Destinations, among other top Disney executives.

Disney Dream, like the other two ships in the Disney fleet, will feature an interior design that blends elegant Art Deco style and Disney decor in a ship that will very much cater to families. The ship have a first-of-its kind water coaster, called appropriately the AquaDuck, which will send guests careening around the twin stacks on the upper decks of the ship and out over the ocean. The AquaDuck will stretch 765 feet in length and spans four decks of the ship. Guests slide 13 feet over the side of the ship in a translucent “swing out” loop allowing them to look down on the ocean 150 feet below. They will experience coaster-like thrills as high-powered water jets push them upwards and forwards at 20 feet per second.

Disney Dream will have another stateroom innovation with all inside staterooms on the Disney Dream featuring a Virtual Porthole that provides guests with a real-time view outside the ship. High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live video to each Virtual Porthole. As guests observe the outside views, they also can glimpse animated characters such as Peach the starfish from the Disney Pixar hit film “Finding Nemo,” or Mickey Mouse.

Like other ships in the Disney Cruise fleet, Disney Dream will feature large spaces for children. The ship will have nearly an entire deck of youth spaces designed to inspire, entertain and unlock the imagination of children. There are two main spaces for children ages three to 10: At Disney’s Oceaneer Club, children can play among larger-than-life characters from Disney Pixar’s “Toy Story” in Andy’s Room; explore the Laugh Floor with lovable monsters Mike and Sully from “Monsters, Inc.”; or dive under the sea with Nemo and friends or visit Tinker Bell’s fairy forest.

At Disney’s Oceaneer Lab, children will feel as though they are embarking on a great seafaring adventure in a room filled with maps, maritime instruments and swashbuckling artifacts. They can try their hand at animation, become a pop star or navigate ships through digital seas. Both venues offer interactions with the animated characters such as Crush, the sea turtle from the Disney Pixar motion picture “Finding Nemo,” and Stitch, the mischievous alien from “Lilo and Stitch.” The characters chat, play and joke with children via 103-inch plasma screens.

Located inside the forward funnel will be Edge, a lounge just for tweens (ages 11 to 13). This tween area will be filled with a multitude of hi-tech entertainment, including the ability to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke using green-screen technology. Teens have their own exclusive club aboard the Disney Dream with Vibe, an indoor/outdoor space created especially for guests ages 14 to 17. A “teen-only” swipe card provides access to the nearly 9,000-square-foot club. Teens can create and edit videos, play computer games, access the onboard social media application or try their hand at spinning and mixing dance tracks. Teens have their own private outdoor deck area with chaise lounges for sunbathing, two wading pools, misters and pop jets for cooling off, and deck games such as ping-pong and foosball.

Like other ships in the Disney Cruise fleet, Disney Dream will offer rotational dining among three themed restaurants. Throughout the cruise, guests will “rotate” to Animator’s Palate, a signature Disney Cruise Line restaurant that brings the magic of Disney animation into the dining room; Royal Palace, an elegant restaurant inspired by the classic Disney films “Cinderella,” “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” “Beauty and the Beast” and “Sleeping Beauty”; and Enchanted Garden, a whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles and featuring a dining environment that magically transforms from day to night. Disney Dream’s specialty restaurant will be a larger version of Palo, which is on both Disney Magic and Disney Dream. Palo will also have an outdoor dining area.

On the Disney Dream, adults can escape into The District, a nighttime entertainment area with five unique venues. This playground for grownups features sophisticated lounges, each with its own unique design, look and feel. The District is located on Deck 4 aft and is open exclusively to guests age 18 and older. Sensational venues include: District Lounge, a sophisticated, yet relaxed area featuring live piano music and entertainment; Metro Pub a modern interpretation of a traditional pub; Pink, an elegant and upscale cocktail lounge serving champagne and top-shelf libations; Skyline, a chic, metropolitan “sky bar” with ever-changing views of stunning city skylines; and Evolution, a contemporary nightclub.

Senses Spa & Salon, a 16,000-square-foot facility, will have 17 private treatment rooms, two spa villas with indoor treatment rooms and private outdoor verandahs, and Rainforest, a special section of the spa offering steam, heat and hydrotherapy. Located in the forward section of the ship and spanning two decks, the spa features a design that is soothing – using a color palate of natural green, blue and soft brown hues, organic tropical motifs and lush woods to impart a calming effect. An ocean-view gym, a 2,500-square-foot facility, will have state-of-the-art exercise equipment and complimentary group classes such as yoga, Pilates, aerobics, stretching and spinning. Adults also can use a Quiet Cove Pool, a multi-level pool with varying depths.

For entertainment, Disney Dream will feature two theaters – the Walt Disney Theater and Buena Vista Theater. The Walt Disney Theater will feature three major rotating productions, one of which will be a show focusing on “Disney Villains.” Buena Vista Theater will offer first-run Disney movies, among other entertainment. In public areas, Disney Dream will feature “Enchanted Art,” which looks like other hanging art pieces around the ship but is actually a framed LCD screen with technology that recognizes a guest is present. As a guest stops to view a piece of Enchanted Art, several seconds of animation in the picture are activated.Nearly nine out of 10 of the 1,250 staterooms on the Disney Dream are outside rooms, and of those, 90 percent have a private verandah. To accommodate larger families and groups traveling together, there are 500 connecting doors adjoining staterooms. On connecting verandah staterooms, the partition between verandahs may be opened to create a larger shared balcony. The Disney Dream will have 21 suites, each lavishly appointed and designed with upscale furnishings. Most suites can connect to another stateroom, creating an exceptionally spacious living area for larger groups and families. Each suite has two bathrooms designed with opulent granite and marble finishes. The master bathroom features a whirlpool bathtub, a rain shower, double sinks and a television built seamlessly into the mirror. Suites also have a large private verandah, walk-in closet, living room and Blu-ray disc player. Both the living area and master bedroom have a 42-inch, high-definition LCD television.

Disney Dream is scheduled to sail alternating three- and four-night cruises to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay. During summer months, the ship will alternate four- and five-night itineraries with two stops at Castaway Cay

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LAST MINUTE OFFER for December sailings on the NEW Oasis of the Seas…

JUST FOR CRUISE PLANNERS!!!

 The details of the Cruise Planners offer are as follows:

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Families Loving the Love Boats in Alaska

For 2010, Princess Cruises has added a 12-night cruise-tour designed for families including features that are not usually part of the package. Participants will have the opportunity to travel on a jetboat, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park and experience what Alaska is like in the winter.

The ‘Family Fun’ cruise-tour is offered at a 25% discount for all berths, so all members of the family are included in the special pricing.

The program includes a seven-night ‘Voyage of the Glaciers’ sailing plus a five-night land tour featuring one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. At sea, families can take advantage of programming for children, including a Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park.

Extras included in the tour are daily breakfast, Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service with lunch, a Three Rivers Jetboat Tour as an alternative to taking a motorcoach to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge and the Arctic Blast at Denali where a chamber is chilled to wintertime temperatures.  In the chamber, visitors can find out what happens to hot water when it is thrown in the air and whether soap bubbles can survive the cold.

Also part of the program are a musical comedy in Denali telling the legend of the first expedition to Mt. McKinley’s summit, accompanied by a family-style meal; an intimate tour of Denali National Park featuring interactive experiences; a Denali Sourdough Expedition Breakfast with mountain climber Laurent Dick; and, from Fairbanks, a narrated sternwheel cruise and gold panning.

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Nothing is more mouthwatering than feasting on an amazing new dish you just concocted onboard - in a kitchen you don't have to clean? Chefmakers Cooking Academy* gives the opportunity for kids, families and adults of all skill levels a hands-on learning experience that is as appetizing as it is educational.

Join Chefmakers* award-winning chefs and learn to prepare amazing meals in the actual galley onboard Mariner of the Seas^® for a limited time*. For an additional fee+, each participant will be provided with ample space on a modern stainless steel surface and everything necessary to create delicious cuisine including utensils, ingredients and small appliances.

At the conclusion of each class*, you will be able to enjoy your delicious meal. To ensure that your experiences last a lifetime, you can take home recipe cards and purchase some of the necessary tools to recreate your masterpiece

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Norwegian Epic’s first Eastern Caribbean cruise on July 10, 2010 goes on sale to the public today.  Prices are from $1,149/person, based on double occupancy.  Ports of call include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.  Guests can make a reservation by contacting Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visiting epic.ncl.com or calling their travel agent.

The ship’s 2010 inaugural sailings to the Eastern and Western Caribbean, available as seven-day individual sailings or 14-day combined sailings, from Miami are available through April 2011.  The ship’s Western Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. 

Norwegian Epic will make her inaugural transatlantic seven-day cruise on June 24, 2010, departing from London (Southampton).  The 4,200 passenger Freestyle Cruising ship will arrive in New York, her first port of call in the United States, on July 1, 2010.

The 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic will offer world-class entertainment with Blue Man Group and Cirque Dreams™ & Dinner; new accommodations with the largest luxury complex at sea; a unique collection of 20 dining options; incredible nightlife with the first ever true Ice Bar at sea; and a multi-slide Aqua Park with the biggest bowl slide on water

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Chances are good you probably have a close relative, friend of neighbor who served in our Armed Forces.  Now you have an opportunity to assist the thousands of veterans and their families who require extended care at a VA medical facility through Cruise Planners’ Voyages for Veteran’s program.  When you book a selected cruise on Royal Caribbean, we will make a $50 donation in your name to Fisher House which provides free housing to the families of veteran’s while they undergo extended treatment.  This donation does not affect the cost of your cruise, so it is a “painless” way to donate.  For more information on Fisher House you can visit www.FisherHouse.org To see a list of departures for this exclusive Cruise Planners/American Express program please visit my web site at www.CruisePlanningByKim.com

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Another WOW sale from Royal Caribbean as they prepare to introduced the world’s largest cruise ship, the Oasis of the Seas, into service this fall.  For 2 days only Cruise Planners/American Express and Royal Caribbean have teamed up to showcase a special offer on all  ships in the fleet.  From 3 day get away cruises to longer, destination-oriented voyages, nobody can provide the variety and innovation that Royal Caribbean is famous for.  Great destinations like the Caribbean, Alaska, Mexico, Bermuda, and Europe combine with an incredible on board experience resulting in the best value on the high seas

During Cruise Planners WOW Sale you can get onboard credits and 50% reduced deposits fleet wide for sailings departing after December 1, 2009. !

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Ship Shape Shopping

Delivering the very best in overall guest experiences is the central motivator behind the design of Royal Caribbean International’s newest ship, Oasis of the Seas. When she debuts in December 2009, the most cutting-edge amenities and activities ever seen at sea will be complemented with a variety of retail venues – 13 stores, including open-air shopping that cover more than 10,000 square feet. With many products exclusive to Oasis, the shopping experience will be one of a kind in terms of both the items offered and the setting on the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. Guests of all ages and styles will find their retail therapy of choice in outlets that range from children and teen-favored shops to jewelry and duty-free stores for adults.

            Not only will Oasis of the Seas provide the broadest selection of boutiques and shops industry wide, but several international brands also will be making their debut. Perhaps the most eagerly awaited store onboard will be Coach. Located in the Central Park neighborhood, the iconic maker of luxury leather goods will unveil its first dedicated store at sea. Custom built to the brand’s standards, the Coach store will showcase the signature line of beautifully crafted designer handbags, leather goods, sunglasses and scarves. Among the recognizable jewelry and clothing designers establishing a presence at sea for the first time are Breitling, watches that are instruments for professionals, and Italian jewelry designer Pianegonda, as well as apparel companies including Lucky Brand, Eileen Fisher, DC Apparel and Forest & Fauna, makers of 100% organic t-shirts and garments. Oasis of the Seas also will carry a number of brands never before seen in the Royal Caribbean fleet, including elegant jewelry from Roberto Coin, Charriol and Yvel, as well as offer long-time favorites, such as cosmetics by iconic brands Chanel and Christian Dior, among many others.

            The next generation of cruise enthusiasts will have their choice of stores throughout the Boardwalk neighborhood to satisfy anything from clothing and gadget needs to a sugar fix. Star Pier will be an interactive, hybrid shop touting an electronics wall adorned in the latest technology, tween and teen apparel by Roxy, Quiksilver and DC Apparel, as well as a DJ station and Nintendo Wii game area making it a truly innovative shopping experience. Younger cruisers will be drawn to Pinwheels featuring everything from clothes and toys by kid-favored brands, such as Crayola, to impromptu playtime in the store’s dedicated area equipped with LEGO stations and a number of other popular games.  Candy Beach will be the ultimate boardwalk candy store, offering more than 72 varieties to mix and match into a customized candy grab bag, as well as vintage candy treats from the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s.

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Royal Protection

Royal Caribbean International is reminding vacationers that they can enjoy the benefits of booking early and the peace of mind of receiving the best advertised prices with the line’s Best Price Guarantee program. By booking early, vacationers have access to a much wider selection of staterooms and availability on their desired departure date. If the guest then finds a lower fare advertised by Royal Caribbean for the same ship, sail-date and stateroom category, they can receive the difference in price as an onboard credit to spend on beverages, cocktails, spa services, specialty dining and other shipboard purchases. Any dollars not spent will be refunded at the conclusion of the cruise.

“Best Price Guarantee gives guests peace of mind, allowing them to plan ahead, book early and get the staterooms and excursions that they want with no worries that a better deal will come along after they’ve committed,” said a Royal Caribbean spokesperson.

Guests can take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Best Price Guarantee immediately from the time of booking to up to 72 hours prior to sailing. If after the cruise is booked, a qualifying advertised lower price is found, their cruise specialist at Cruise Planners will advise the cruise line. The difference in pricing will be provided in the form of an onboard credit. For reservations outside of the final payment period, onboard credit may be replaced, upon request, with a reduction to guests’ outstanding balance or a refund, as applicable. A limited number of pricing programs are excluded from the Best Price Guarantee program and it does not apply to group bookings.

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Royal Caribbean International has added an alpine coaster called Dragon’s Tail Coaster to Labadee, its private beach in Haiti. President and CEO Adam Goldstein announced the addition on his blog. He said similar attractions exist at some ski resorts but not at cruise lines’ private destinations. On Labadee, guests rise up from the beach on Santa Maria’s lookout mountain. “Once you reach 680 feet, you’ll have just enough time to catch your breath and marvel at the view before turning and whooshing down at 30 mph. As you race through 360-degree turns as well as dips, waves and curves, you can catch glimpses of the ocean,” Goldstein wrote. “Roaring down the gorgeous mountainside forest, this alpine coaster is one thrilling ride you and your family will be talking about long after you get home.”

The minimum age to be a single rider is 12 years old. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 may ride in the same cart with their parent/guardian. Maximum occupancy per cart is two people with a maximum combined weight of 360 pounds. Total ride time is approximately three to five minutes. Those who purchase a ticket can take someone else in their cart for free. Price is $35.

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