Below are some highlights of each ship launching in 2009, plus links to more information, departure dates and discounts as published by Vacations to Go.
Costa Luminosa, Costa --- May 5, 2009 --- 2,828 passengers
As her name implies, the 4.5-star Costa Luminosa is dedicated to light. Keeping with that theme, the ship will feature special lighting effects during evening performances in the main show lounge and an innovative 4-D cinema. Other Costa firsts on the Costa Luminosa include a roller-skating rink, an 18-hole golf course simulator and the Club Restaurant, where guests can see right into the large kitchen. Sixty-eight percent of the ship's cabins feature private balconies. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Costa Pacifica, Costa --- June 6, 2009 --- 3,780 passengers
Like her sister ships, Costa Serena and Costa Concordia, the 4.5-star 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. Elsewhere on the ship, guests will find a Formula 1 racecar driving simulator, pools with retractable roofs and 13 bars and lounges. Each public area is inspired by a different genre of music, and throughout the ship passengers will have opportunities to enjoy arrangements composed especially for Costa. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn --- June 24, 2009 --- 450 passengers
Boasting one of the highest space-per-passenger ratios at sea, the first new 6-star vessel in six years will have 225 suites, 90% featuring full-size balconies. All accommodations on the Seabourn Odyssey will have granite bathrooms with a separate tub and shower and twin sinks. 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; and the spa, which features a thalassotherapy whirlpool, Finnish saunas, aromatic steam rooms, a gym and an aerobics area. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
MSC Splendida, MSC --- July 13, 2009 --- 3,959 passengers
MSC Splendida will accommodate guests of all ages with a plethora of onboard activities, amenities and entertainment. The 4.5-star ship's state of the art Aurea Spa will feature a sauna, yoga and a complete beauty salon, while younger guests will enjoy the children's water park or hanging out in teen centers with video games and karaoke. Passengers can also try their hand at basketball, tennis, swimming, virtual auto racing and miniature golf. The Splendida will feature a diverse selection of dining venues, each serving up its own unique cuisine. Another highlight is the large percentage of cabins and suites with balconies, allowing guests to privately take in the ocean views. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity --- August 8, 2009 --- 2,852 passengers
The second in Celebrity's new Solstice class, the 5-star Celebrity Equinox will feature the innovative Lawn Club, a half-acre area with real, growing grass and a country club atmosphere. The Patio on the Lawn offers a spot where passengers can relax and mingle or take in glassblowing demonstrations and lectures at the Hot Glass Show. Staterooms on the Celebrity Equinox and sister Solstice-class ships will be 15% larger than those on other Celebrity vessels and boast flat-screen televisions and wireless Internet access. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Carnival Dream, Carnival --- September 21, 2009 --- 3,646 passengers
When it launches, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream will be the largest vessel in Carnival's "Fun Ship" fleet. Featured among the 4.5-star Dream's services and amenities are a two-level miniature golf course, the WaterWorks aqua park, the Piazza -- an indoor/outdoor cafe and live music venue -- and extensive children's and teens' areas with activities for three age groups. Adults will enjoy the 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 spa, Carnival's largest health and wellness center to date, as well as the scenic whirlpools extending beyond the ship's beam. The Carnival Dream will offer several new categories of staterooms including "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. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Ocean Princess, Princess --- December 2, 2009 --- 688 passengers
Formerly the Tahitian Princess, the 4-star Ocean Princess will provide her passengers with spacious cabins and a cozy atmosphere throughout the ship. Guests will enjoy traditional dining as well as a range of alternative dining venues: Sabatini's Italian Restaurant, Sterling Steakhouse and a 24-hour buffet. The ship's library will feature richly upholstered sofas and chairs and a welcoming fireplace, and the variety of onboard activities will include classic shuffleboard and a golf practice cage. With the majority of the ship's cabins sporting balconies, plus an excellent array of onboard entertainment options, the Ocean Princess will deliver a great cruising experience in an intimate environment. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
MSC Magnifica, MSC --- December 7, 2009 --- 3,013 passengers
Sister to the Musica, Orchestra and Poesia, the MSC Magnifica will offer 236,000 square feet of public space, making her one of the largest ships in the fleet. An impressive 80% of the staterooms will be oceanviews. Passengers will relax in the spacious, 13,000-square-foot spa or take a dip in one of the two pools. The ship's main pool will feature a Magrodome (retractable roof) so guests may swim rain or shine. Dining options will include four unique rest
aurants, including a specialty sushi bar. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean --- December 5, 2009 --- 5,400 passengers
Easily the most anticipated ship in recent history, the 5-star Oasis of the Seas will truly be one-of-a-kind. With 18 decks, the largest ship ever built will be divided into seven "neighborhoods," each offering its own unique experiences. In Central Park, guests can peruse the art gallery or unwind in the sophisticated wine bar, while more adventurous passengers can head toward the Boardwalk to try out the world's first onboard zipline. The heart of the ship will lie in the Royal Promenade, with a variety of dining and entertainment options, including Rising Tide -- a levitating bar that ascends and descends over three decks. When passengers are ready to indulge their appetites, they'll be able to choose from a wide range of restaurants, including Chops Steak House, Sorrento's Pizzeria, Seafood Shack and Johnny Rockets. In addition to traditional staterooms, the Oasis of the Seas will offer state-of-the-art lofts and multi-level suites to accommodate guests. The inaugural sailing of the Oasis of the Seas will not open for booking until January 12, 2009. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Imagens /images copyright L.M.Correia. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia
As her name implies, the 4.5-star Costa Luminosa is dedicated to light. Keeping with that theme, the ship will feature special lighting effects during evening performances in the main show lounge and an innovative 4-D cinema. Other Costa firsts on the Costa Luminosa include a roller-skating rink, an 18-hole golf course simulator and the Club Restaurant, where guests can see right into the large kitchen. Sixty-eight percent of the ship's cabins feature private balconies. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Costa Pacifica, Costa --- June 6, 2009 --- 3,780 passengers
Like her sister ships, Costa Serena and Costa Concordia, the 4.5-star 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. Elsewhere on the ship, guests will find a Formula 1 racecar driving simulator, pools with retractable roofs and 13 bars and lounges. Each public area is inspired by a different genre of music, and throughout the ship passengers will have opportunities to enjoy arrangements composed especially for Costa. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn --- June 24, 2009 --- 450 passengers
Boasting one of the highest space-per-passenger ratios at sea, the first new 6-star vessel in six years will have 225 suites, 90% featuring full-size balconies. All accommodations on the Seabourn Odyssey will have granite bathrooms with a separate tub and shower and twin sinks. 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; and the spa, which features a thalassotherapy whirlpool, Finnish saunas, aromatic steam rooms, a gym and an aerobics area. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
MSC Splendida, MSC --- July 13, 2009 --- 3,959 passengers
MSC Splendida will accommodate guests of all ages with a plethora of onboard activities, amenities and entertainment. The 4.5-star ship's state of the art Aurea Spa will feature a sauna, yoga and a complete beauty salon, while younger guests will enjoy the children's water park or hanging out in teen centers with video games and karaoke. Passengers can also try their hand at basketball, tennis, swimming, virtual auto racing and miniature golf. The Splendida will feature a diverse selection of dining venues, each serving up its own unique cuisine. Another highlight is the large percentage of cabins and suites with balconies, allowing guests to privately take in the ocean views. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Celebrity Equinox, Celebrity --- August 8, 2009 --- 2,852 passengers
The second in Celebrity's new Solstice class, the 5-star Celebrity Equinox will feature the innovative Lawn Club, a half-acre area with real, growing grass and a country club atmosphere. The Patio on the Lawn offers a spot where passengers can relax and mingle or take in glassblowing demonstrations and lectures at the Hot Glass Show. Staterooms on the Celebrity Equinox and sister Solstice-class ships will be 15% larger than those on other Celebrity vessels and boast flat-screen televisions and wireless Internet access. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Carnival Dream, Carnival --- September 21, 2009 --- 3,646 passengers
When it launches, the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream will be the largest vessel in Carnival's "Fun Ship" fleet. Featured among the 4.5-star Dream's services and amenities are a two-level miniature golf course, the WaterWorks aqua park, the Piazza -- an indoor/outdoor cafe and live music venue -- and extensive children's and teens' areas with activities for three age groups. Adults will enjoy the 23,750-square-foot Cloud 9 spa, Carnival's largest health and wellness center to date, as well as the scenic whirlpools extending beyond the ship's beam. The Carnival Dream will offer several new categories of staterooms including "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. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Ocean Princess, Princess --- December 2, 2009 --- 688 passengers
Formerly the Tahitian Princess, the 4-star Ocean Princess will provide her passengers with spacious cabins and a cozy atmosphere throughout the ship. Guests will enjoy traditional dining as well as a range of alternative dining venues: Sabatini's Italian Restaurant, Sterling Steakhouse and a 24-hour buffet. The ship's library will feature richly upholstered sofas and chairs and a welcoming fireplace, and the variety of onboard activities will include classic shuffleboard and a golf practice cage. With the majority of the ship's cabins sporting balconies, plus an excellent array of onboard entertainment options, the Ocean Princess will deliver a great cruising experience in an intimate environment. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
MSC Magnifica, MSC --- December 7, 2009 --- 3,013 passengers
Sister to the Musica, Orchestra and Poesia, the MSC Magnifica will offer 236,000 square feet of public space, making her one of the largest ships in the fleet. An impressive 80% of the staterooms will be oceanviews. Passengers will relax in the spacious, 13,000-square-foot spa or take a dip in one of the two pools. The ship's main pool will feature a Magrodome (retractable roof) so guests may swim rain or shine. Dining options will include four unique rest
aurants, including a specialty sushi bar. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean --- December 5, 2009 --- 5,400 passengers
Easily the most anticipated ship in recent history, the 5-star Oasis of the Seas will truly be one-of-a-kind. With 18 decks, the largest ship ever built will be divided into seven "neighborhoods," each offering its own unique experiences. In Central Park, guests can peruse the art gallery or unwind in the sophisticated wine bar, while more adventurous passengers can head toward the Boardwalk to try out the world's first onboard zipline. The heart of the ship will lie in the Royal Promenade, with a variety of dining and entertainment options, including Rising Tide -- a levitating bar that ascends and descends over three decks. When passengers are ready to indulge their appetites, they'll be able to choose from a wide range of restaurants, including Chops Steak House, Sorrento's Pizzeria, Seafood Shack and Johnny Rockets. In addition to traditional staterooms, the Oasis of the Seas will offer state-of-the-art lofts and multi-level suites to accommodate guests. The inaugural sailing of the Oasis of the Seas will not open for booking until January 12, 2009. For ship info, click here. For dates and prices, click here.
Imagens /images copyright L.M.Correia. For other posts and images, check our archive at the right column of the main page. Click on the photos to see them enlarged. Thanks for your visit and comments. Luís Miguel Correia
Thanks for the look ahead. I posted a link to your page on the http://z3.invisionfree.com/CunardCritic/index.php site for your many fans there.
ReplyDeleteNice to hear from you, Paul... Thanks for the link... and have a very happy year in 2009
ReplyDelete