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British celebrity Myleene Klass to be the godmother of the new Carnival Splendor.
British celebrity Myleene Klass, a chart-topping musician, singer and television personality, is to be godmother of the new Carnival Splendor. She will officially name the newest "Fun Ship" in Dover, England on July 10. The naming ceremony will also mark another first, as Carnival uses Nyetimber English sparkling wine to smash against the hull. Myleene Klass is a classically trained musician and singer who has achieved success on the pop and classical charts in the U.K. She is also a popular TV presenter who has hosted high profile British TV shows and currently hosts "The Screening Room" on CNN International, as well as the British radio program Classic FM Breakfast Show.

At 113,300 tons and carrying up to 4,914 passengers, the Carnival Splendor will be the largest passenger ship ever to sail from the Kent port chosen for this summer's UK inaugural voyage departures. Following the naming ceremony, the Carnival Splendor will set sail for a three-day mini preview cruise to Amsterdam, returning to Dover on July 13, when it will depart the same day for its inaugural 12-day cruise to the Baltic countries, visiting Copenhagen, Warnemunde (for Berlin), Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn and Amsterdam.

At the conclusion of its European program, which also includes a series of Mediterranean voyages, the ship will reposition to Fort Lauderdale for seven-day Caribbean departures. Following a series of 14- to 18-day South America voyages, the ship will begin year-round, seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Long Beach, Calif., on March 29, 2009.

New French Cruise Line - French CDF Croisieres de France, launched last week
On most cruise lines, passengers tend not to notice if it’s champagne or prosecco served, bouillabaisse or fish soup. Not so on 100 percent French CDF Croisieres de France, launched last week, according to General Director Nicholas Sharp. “The gastronomic aspect is a highlight. The menus are well conceived and the dishes expertly cooked and superbly presented,” he said, adding that the French market has been waiting for such a product for 16 years.

 

CDF Croisières de France is a cruise line which caters to the French cruise market, with French as the only language used onboard their ships. CDF will offer cruises on the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Founded on September 2007 as a subsidiary of Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., CDF commenced operations in June 2008 with Bleu de France as their sole ship. During the north hemisphere summer season the Bleu de France will operate cruises in the Mediterranean out of Marseille, while for the winter season she will be relocated to the Caribbean, with La Romana, Dominican Republic as her port of departure. The company will offer an all-inclusive product, with not only accommodation and meals but also all drinks and tips included in the price of the cruise.

Costa Cruises is the first cruise line to float two new ships on the same day

On June 27, Costa Luminosa will take to the water at Fincantieri's Marghera yard, while Costa Pacifica does the same at Fincantieri's Genoa Sestri Ponente shipyard. During the launches, the dry dock areas where the ships are under construction will be flooded, allowing the ships to float for the very first time. Once a ship has been "floated out," interior work can commence because the exterior is virtually complete.

The 92,700-ton, 2,828-passenger Costa Luminosa is scheduled for delivery at the end of April 2009. The ship, which recently received the line's distinctive yellow funnel, will be the 32nd ship in the fleet's history and the 13th in the line's active fleet. Luminosa will feature an innovative design for the Costa fleet with a 4D cinema, golf simulator with 37 virtual courses, a rollerblading track and the highest percentage (68 percent) of balconies of any ship in the fleet.

The 114,500-ton, 3,780-passenger Costa Pacifica will make its debut in May 2009. The ship is a sister to Costa Concordia and Costa Serena, and its design is themed around music.

Ships Can Run Casinos While in Bermuda Ports
Cruise ships will be allowed to open late-night casinos in port after Cabinet approved a plan aimed at fighting off increasing competition from rival cruise destinations.

The Opposition United Bermuda Party last night attacked the move, which it said had been made without any public consultation and would open the door to gambling on the Island.

Premier and Tourism Minister Ewart Brown announced the decision in the House of Assembly on Friday as one of a number of alterations to cruise ship legislations. The Premier said ships would now be allowed to open bars and signature shops and “provide full entertainment inclusive of the opening of casinos after 10 p.m. while in port”.

He said cruise lines would in return be required to contribute hundreds of thousands of dollars to on-Island activities such as the Bermuda Music Festival and Harbor Nights.

Opinion over gambling has long divided the Island, with the AME Church recently condemning the controversial casino ship Niobe Corinthian which came to Bermuda and the Seventh-day Adventist Church hitting out against poker games which were being played in bars.

Pro-gambling groups hoped Mr. Scott’s successor Dr. Brown would bring a more relaxed attitude, and have pointed to the Premier’s participation in overseas poker tournaments, including his much-criticized recent appearance at a gambling tournament at the notorious Los Angeles Playboy Mansion.

As well as allowing casinos on cruise ships, Cabinet has also approved a proposal to waive the $14 cabin tax for Hamilton and St. George’s for three years from 2009.

Royal Caribbean Selects Oasis Of The Seas And Allure Of The Seas As The Names For Its Project Genesis Ships

MIAMI, May 23, 2008 - An oasis is commonly defined as a fertile area in an arid region or a place of refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast. Today, Royal Caribbean International adds another use of the term, defining it as the official name for the cruise line's newest and most awe-inspiring class of cruise ships, until now referred to by the code name "Project Genesis."

The name Oasis of the Seas was selected from more than 91,000 entries in Royal Caribbean's "Name that Ship" contest, which the cruise line launched on January 18 in partnership with USA TODAY. Entrants were invited to submit two names ending in "of the Seas" that best encapsulate the universe of experiences a Royal Caribbean cruise provides guests. The contest marks the first time members of the general public, outside of the cruise industry, have been given the opportunity to name a cruise ship.