Celebrity Allows Online Booking of Specialty Restaurants

Celebrity's specialty restaurants have long been a popular feature onboard their Millennium Class ships and Century. For good reason! These restaurants give a truly special experience and excellent menu beyond what is found in the regular dining rooms.

In the past, only Captain's Club members could make reservations for these restaurants prior to boarding. However, that's all changing. Today, Celebrity announced that they'll be rolling out online reservations availability to all their specialty restaurants, beginning with the Millennium.

In addition to making reservations for yourself and up to a total of 6 people (you'll need their reservation numbers), you'll be able to make changes online, make payments (even on separate credit cards), and check the status of your request.

They've set up a web site for more information at www.celebritycruises.com/specialtydining. However, when I checked it a little bit ago, it wasn't yet live.

Not mentioned in the announcement was whether or not Captain's Club members would continue to receive priority in these bookings, or if that benefit is now moot.

As someone who has long counseled people to go immediately to the restaurant upon boarding to make their plans, this will be a convenience for many. But be forewarned, it will likely make it even more difficult to get reservations on popular nights during a cruise. So if dining in these restaurants is a favorite part of your cruise experience, it'll be even more important to plan ahead!

Celebrity Memorial Weekend Happy Hours

Disappointed that there weren't any Alaska sailings for Royal Caribbean's Happy Hour this weekend? Never fear! Celebrity has their own extended sale as well, and they prominently feature Alaska sailings, along with Europe.

Like Royal Caribbean's sale, it starts tomorrow, Friday May 23, and extend through Tuesday, May 27! Again, if you'd like the preview before the newsletter is delivered tomorrow, just email me at amber@cruiseresource.com for your copy of the .pdf flyer.

Pregnant? Just had a baby? New policies on RCCL, Celebrity, Azamara

The RCI brands - Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara - have revised their policies dealing with their youngest passengers... and those expecting future cruisers.

Effective immediately, infants sailing on a cruise must be at least 6 months old as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour. However, for Transatlantic, Transpacific, Hawaii, select South American cruises/cruisetours and other selected cruises/cruisetours, the infant (as of the first day of the cruise/cruisetour) must be at least 12 months old.

For pregnant cruisers, the policy is revised for all three lines as well. Guests who will have entered
their 24th week of pregnancy by the beginning of, or at any time during, the cruise or cruisetour. A physician's "Fit to Travel" note is required prior to sailing, stating how far along (in weeks) the guest's pregnancy will be at the beginning of the cruise and confirming that the guest is in good health and not experiencing a high-risk pregnancy.

These policies are for the protection of the passengers. Neonatal and infants require specialized equipment and medication, and the onboard clinics just aren't equipped to handle premature labor or infants. Other lines have similar requirements and I'd expect to see more of these restrictions specifically spelled out.

If you're pregnant and thinking of cruising, or have an infant, make sure to discuss that with your agent at the time of booking... or after you've confirmed your pregnancy. It's wonderful to get away before the birth of a new family member, but horrible to be turned away at the pier.

Celebrity Galaxy Leaving Fleet

Frequent Celebrity cruisers often ask me why the Celebrity Galaxy and Mercury haven't received the "Century" upgrades such as a premium restaurant. My response has been that I felt those ships would be leaving the fleet in the next few years. Part of that is now confirmed, but instead of the Mercury leaving first as I expected, it's the Galaxy who will be the first to depart.

In May, 2009, the Galaxy will be transferred to Royal Caribbean's new partnership brand, TUI, based out of Germany and targeted to the rapidly-growing German-speaking market. The last sailing for the Galaxy with Celebrity will be the March 2, 2009 itinerary.

Celebrity Cruises Revises Smoking Policies

In a move which seems to echo her Azamara sister brand's policy, Celebrity has announced that effective October 1, 2008, it will be revising their onboard smoking policies.

The new policy will disallow smoking in Celebrity's staterooms or on stateroom verandas. The policy also will reduce the number of public areas in which guests can smoke onboard.

"We are proud to be the first premium cruise line to set a new standard toward creating an environment of cleaner air on our ships," said Celebrity Cruises President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. "We pay careful attention to what our guests have to say, and approximately 90 percent of them have told us they are non-smokers. By increasing the number of smoke-free areas onboard while still designating areas for those who smoke, our aim is to make the onboard experience as pleasant as possible for all of our guests."

The new policy was created after Celebrity polled past guests. Designated indoor areas where guests can smoke cigarettes include the port side of one lounge per ship and a designated slot machine area in each ship's casino. The new policy also designates outdoor areas where guests can smoke. These include the port side of the pool deck and sundecks on each ship, the port side of the Sunset Bar on Celebrity Century and on Celebrity's Millennium class of ships, and the port side aft outside of Winter Garden on Celebrity Galaxy and Celebrity Mercury. Celebrity's new Solstice class of ships, launching with Celebrity Solstice late this year, will follow the new policy beginning with the first sailing. Celebrity Solstice's Lawn Club and the Sunset Bar at the Lawn Club will not allow smoking. Violations to Celebrity's smoking policy may result in a $250 cleaning fee charged to the guest's onboard account and may also be addressed through the line's guest conduct policy.

The new policy will go into effect on Celebrity's fleet on the first day of the first sailing to follow October 1.

Note that the Celebrity Xpedition is not part of this policy as it has had in place restrictions based on the Galapagos National Park requirements.

Personally, I'll admit that as a non-smoker who is very smoke sensitive, I applaud this move. Since ship design generally has a major traffic pattern to the show lounges passing through the casino, I've had to alter my route to go up or down a deck to avoid the congestion even passing through the casino can cause. It was a pleasure on Azamara to have a virtually non-smoking casino. I also view the non-smoking policy for the cabins and verandahs to be a strong safety move as well. I do recognize this as a pretty significant inconvenience for smokers, and I actually think it would have been a nice move to have the port side Promenade Deck also a smoking area (to make it easier for smokers to duck out of the dining room for a quick puff) in addition to the other designated areas. Perhaps Celebrity will consider that for the future.

More Fuel Supplement Hikes

Following on the hikes announced by Carnival Corporation, Royal Caribbean International and Norwegian Cruise Lines have both posted increases of their own.

Royal Caribbean International (Azamara, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines) announced that, effective for booking made starting May 1, 2008, the supplement will increase to $8/person per day, with a maximum of $112/person per cruise for the first and second passengers in the cabin. Third and fourth passengers will be assessed $3/person per day, with a maximum of $24/person per sailing.

Norwegian Cruise Lines will be raising their fuel supplement to $9/person per day for the first and second passengers in the cabin, with a supplement of $4/person per day for the third and fourth in the same cabin. Their increase is also effective for bookings made starting on May 1, 2008. One thing to note with NCL is that they don't have a per person maximum.

I'm a bit surprised by the NCL increase. While fuel costs have gone up dramatically since the supplements were originally announced in November and December, I thought part of the rationale behind the Carnival Corp. and RCI increases were the losses they suffered when they had to credit back supplements for sailings booked prior to their November announcements of the surcharge. However, NCL never had that issue, as they didn't make their supplements retroactive. However, their supplement did go up less per person, so perhaps that's how it all adds up together to make their respective balance sheets happy.

Expect to see further increases if the price of fuel continues to rise.

New Entertainment Options on Celebrity Solstice

Continuing the stream of announcements about new and innovative offerings on the upcoming Celebrity Solstice, debuting in late fall this year, we now have more information about the entertainment options being designed specifically for this ship, and presumably her sisters coming later.

The line has partnered with Poet Theatricals, led by Michael McPherson and Patrice Marques, whose backgrounds include experience with Franco Dragone and the creation and production of the first worldwide touring show of the Lido de Paris. The three new shows are "Solstice," a European-style "theatrical circus" that includes vocalists, physical comedy, acrobatic and aerial performances in a celestial celebration; "Ghost Light," which depicts reminiscences about the closing of a Broadway theater; and "Pulse," an energetic dance show. Also in the works are specialty acts, including still performers, ring jugglers, fairy characters and acrobats.

I don't know about you, but sounds to me like they are still trying to get the Cirque-like entertainment to work onboard. I really hope it works for them, as it's a great concept and it could be absolutely fabulous!

The theatre onboard has been redesigned to enable a better audience experience. A curved stage extends into the audience, creating what the line likened to a theater-in-the-round experience. The traditional orchestra pit was omitted to allow for more guest seating in the central area of the venue, with musicians' platforms instead positioned to the left and right of the stage.

Also featured onboard is the Sky Observation Lounge, decorated in a stark white that allows colored lights to change the mood each night to reflect different themes, such as tango nights and ballroom dancing. Lessons in the dance being celebrated each night will be held for guests earlier that day.

The 200-guest Celebrity Central venue will offer late-night comedy shows, cooking demonstrations, enrichment lectures and feature films. Located in the center of the ship and flanked by Celebrity Central and the Quasar nightclub, the Entertainment Court will serve as an entertainment hub. The Court's design and proximity to Quasar allows for opening up both venues to create a larger entertainment atmosphere at night. During daytime hours, the Court might feature psychics or caricature artists. Quasar, the nightclub, will feature the mod, futuristic designs of the '60s and '70s, with cocoon-shaped acrylic chairs suspended from the ceiling and four large LED screens synchronized with the music.

They're really pulling out the stops on this ship!

RCCL and Celebrity Award Marine Conservation Grants

Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises have awarded marine conservation grants totalling more than $800,000 to 19 marine conservation and environmental organizations. The recipients are quite varied, including Audubon of Florida; Blue Ocean Institute in East Norwich, N.Y.; Conservation International in Arlington, Va.; El Colegio de la Frontera Sur in Quintana Roo, Mexico; Galapagos Conservancy in Falls Church, Va.; Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo, Fla.; Marine Mammal Care Center in San Pedro, Calif.; and Marine Stewardship Council in London, U.K. Also receiving grants were Massachusetts Maritime Academy in Buzzards Bay, Mass.; MAST Academy in Miami; The Nature Conservancy; The Nature Conservancy of Canada in British Columbia; New England Aquarium in Boston; Seattle Aquarium; Shake-A-Leg Foundation in Miami; University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine & Atmospheric Science; University of North Carolina in Wilmington; University of Oregon in Eugene; and World Wildlife Fund based in Washington D.C.

Royal Caribbean has long been involved with marine research. Their Explorer of the Seas ship has an onboard NOAA research facility which monitors changes in the ocean along their weekly routes.

Way to go RCI! And take that, people who believe that cruising is not concerned with the environment!

Not Quite an Extreme Makeover for Celebrity Galaxy

When Celebrity Galaxy undergoes renovation during her her upcoming drydock scheduled for April 18-May 2, 2008 in the Bahamas, she will be nipped, tucked, buffed and polished, but will stop short of the extreme makeover her sister ship, Century, underwent two years ago. In other words, no new premium restaurant for Galaxy.

However, more than $4 million will be spent on this renovation, including refurbishing the main dining room, with new contemporary carpeting, reupholstered and newly varnished chairs, new waiter stations, and new floor-to-ceiling columns. The adjacent RendezVous Lounge will be enhanced with new upholstery, as will the Martini Bar. The Celebrity Theater will be completely refurbished, with new carpeting and upholstery throughout.

The casual dining and buffet areas will be revitalized with new chairs, carpeting, upholstery and lighting. The neighboring pool deck area will get new teak decking and new glass tiles surrounding the pool. The retail area also will be enhanced, with refurbished jewelry boutiques and brighter, more contemporary new product-display areas throughout. The Stratosphere Lounge -- an observation area by day and dance club by night -- will get new carpets and upholstery. Contemporary new carpeting will be laid in 250 staterooms, and new sinks and upholstery will complement the same work that already has been completed in the balance of the ship's staterooms. Additionally, Celebrity Galaxy's Michael's Club jazz/piano bar already has been entirely refurbished.

So while she may not get the "works", she's going to look "rested" and even more beautiful when she emerges.

Celebrity Announces 2009 Europe Itinerary Releases

Celebrity has announced the opening for their 2009 European season! Captain's Club members have an exclusive early booking period from March 13-20, with bookings open to the general public starting on March 20.

5 ships will make up the Celebrity fleet in Europe in 2009, with the brand new Solstice and Equinox being joined by the Century, Constellation and Summit. Big season for them!

With regard to the Equinox, she will be making her debut in Europe on August 8 with a 10-night sailing from Southampton to Rome, to be followed by a series of 13 and 14-night "Ancient Empires" sailings featuring several overnight port calls and Egypt.

Call or email me now to discuss plans for 2009!

5 Solstices for Celebrity

Shipbuilder Meyer Werft has announced Celebrity Cruises is going to exercise their option for a 5th Solstice Class ship, as yet unnamed, for delivery in 2012. Even though their first in the class won't be delivered until November, 2008, they're taking a very bold step in ordering yet another 112,000 ton, 2,850 passenger ship.

This class of ship represents a huge expasion for Celebrity, with many innovations onboard, many of which are yet to be announced. Can't wait to sail her!

Early Notice! Celebrity and Azamara Special Event!

Just wanted to give you all a head's up. On Friday, February 29, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises will both be offering a special Leap Year savings event! Full details on Wednesday in a special edition of my newsletter. If you've been looking at a Celebrity or Azamara cruise, and the current onboard credit offers weren't *quite* enough, then Friday's your day!

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Celebrity and Azamara Marry...

No, not each other, but they can marry you.

In a week traditionally devoted to romance, Celebrity and Azamara Cruises announced that their Captains will soon be able to marry couples at sea. Up to this point, only Princess Cruise Line offered this service, even though many couples presumed all lines could do this. Most lines offer weddings aboard the ship before departure, or in ports while on the cruise, but up to now, only Princess offered weddings while actually sailing, even though popular lore had most people believing all Captains can perform this ritual.

In the announcement, Celebrity and Azamara announced that with the re-registration of their ships to Maltese registration, government regulations there permit their Captains to perform legal weddings while at sea.

Weddings will still need to be arranged in advance to ensure the proper documentation and licenses can be secured.

I've helped many couples arrange weddings at sea through Princess, and am very glad to see two more lines offering this! It's a wonderfully romantic (and lower stress) way to tie the knot and start your honeymoon all in one fell swoop! Call or email me if you have questions or want to arrange your own wedding at sea.

Celebrity's Top Ten...

... Dining spots, that is.

The details are beginning to trickle out about the amenities aboard the Celebrity Solstice, and it's about time, as she debuts late this fall. Two weeks ago they announced that they would have the first natural grass area at sea. Now they're releasing some of the details about their 10 dining venues onboard.

Teaming with notable designers and restraunteurs such as preeminent restaurant and hotel designer Adam Tihany, who created such lauded restaurants as Per Se, Jean Georges, Le Cirque, The Sea Grill and Osteria del Circo in New York; Aureole, Bouchon and Seablue in Las Vegas; and Monte’s and the chic Mandarin Bar at the Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park in London, Celebrity is looking forward to moving their signature dining experience to the next level.

Tihany has created the main 2-story dining room, Epernay along with other venues such as the new steakhouse on board, the Tuscan Grille, and the more familiar areas such as the casual dining venue, the Oceanview Cafe and Grill.

Sure to be one of the visual centerpieces of his design is the 2-story wine tower in the main dining room, Epernay. I'm looking forward to seeing it! (Hint, hint, Celebrity!)