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NEW SHIP REVOLUTION - Read About the Upcoming Amenities.         

 

Prior to the emergence of the Majesty of the Seas, cruise ships were pretty much standard. The same amenities were basically cabins, show

rooms, lido area with pools and Jacuzzi's and a single restaurant. The ships were very modest in size, mostly 45,000 tons or less.

As the cruise market grew in popularity, and the introduction of new cruise ships became common, cruise lines began to add special amenities

to gain the attraction of potential passengers, guests and the press. Early additions include the introduction of the multi-deck Atrium concept,

first introduced on the Majesty of the Seas. Carnival began to sport the signature twisty slide on the pool deck of it's ships. Other innovations

include the introduction of the balcony cabin, family cabins, rock climbing walls, boxing rings, ice skating rinks, numerous ethic restaurants, the

choice of dining experiences, mini-golf, basketball courts, extensive spa treatments and even surfing.

Now as the cruise liners are becoming even larger, cruise companies are trying to find the next new "thing" to incorporate into the next

generation of ship.

Celebrity Cruise's Celebrity Solstice....

There is a new job opening at Celebrity Cruises: groundskeeper. The perfect candidate must be willing to perform his or her duties while traveling the world aboard a beautifully appointed ocean liner. The successful candidate also must be a dedicated horticulturist who possesses an unmistakable enthusiasm for the unexpected, as the greens will be miles out at sea.

When Celebrity Solstice launches in December, vacationers will find that the grass really is greener on a Celebrity Cruises vacation. The ship will present an industry first on the top deck of the ship: real, growing grass, set in an innovative new country club environment known as "The Lawn Club."

The half-acre Lawn Club on Celebrity Solstice will invite guests to enjoy bocce ball and croquet, practice their putting, picnic with a basket of wine and cheese, or simply feel the grass between their toes, while sailing the oceans of the world. The area also will feature the Hot Glass Show, another first in the industry, developed in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass; the Patio on the Lawn; the Lawn Club Shop, and the Sunset Bar.

Achieving that reality was no easy task. Celebrity worked with design firm Wilson Butler Architects to design the entire club area, then engaged a team of landscape architects and irrigation specialists along with turf and soil scientists at the University of Florida. Together, they conducted extensive research and tested a variety of grasses to determine which can withstand the winds, sun, shade and temperature variations that will affect the grass and soil as the ship sails in the Caribbean this winter. Other considerations included the ability of the grass to tolerate foot traffic, irrigation and day-to-day care and maintenance of the grass. Even the weight of the grass and soil had to be considered, as well as the water they absorb from the atmosphere and from irrigation.

Metric Facts about The Lawn Club on Celebrity Solstice

• At 2,130 square meters (22,927 square feet), The Lawn Club is just over a half-acre in size.

The Lawn Club is:

• Over three times larger than New York’s Rockefeller Center ice skating rink (668 sq. meters)
• 1.7 times larger than an Olympic-size swimming pool, which is 1,250 sq. meters
• The equivalent of 8.2 tennis courts (these are 260 sq. meters each)
• 2.4 times the size of Centre Court at England’s Wimbledon Lawn & Tennis Club, which is 902 sq. meters
• One-third the size of a regulation soccer field, which is 6,500 sq. meters

The Lawn Club is the central element of the top-deck experiences on Celebrity Solstice. The Patio on the Lawn offers elegant yet relaxed sitting areas where luxury meets casual country club charm. Guests can read the morning paper, lose themselves in a good novel, or enjoy a cup of gourmet coffee with friends, courtesy of the patio’s coffee cart service.

The Hot Glass Show, presented in collaboration with The Corning Museum of Glass, is the patio’s main feature. In its own, dedicated glassblowing studio, the Hot Glass Show will present the history and craft of glassblowing, from its ancient origins to its current countless uses. Three resident "gaffers" – highly skilled glassblowing artists – will educate and entertain cruisers with live glassmaking shows, lectures and workshops.

The area also features the Sunset Bar – the ideal sailaway setting on any ship, enhanced on Celebrity Solstice by the natural grass in The Lawn Club. Located at Celebrity Solstice's highest point aft, the Sunset Bar provides breathtaking views in a relaxed atmosphere.

Royal Caribbean's Project Genesis....

Royal Caribbean International's Project Genesis will bring the land and sea together with Central Park, a revolutionary design in which the

center of the ship opens to the sky and features lush, tropical grounds spanning the length of a football field. An exquisite public gathering

place featuring serene pathways, seasonal flower gardens and canopy trees, Central Park will provide cruisers with more choices in a unique

 outdoor space. One of the ship's most ground-breaking spaces, this new concept is the first of seven neighborhoods to be unveiled on Project

 Genesis. Each neighborhood will provide vacationers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences in various locales based on their

personal style, preference or mood.

Elegant and lively, Central Park's central piazza will be the ship's "town square" which

evolves from a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere during the day to a gathering space for

 alfresco dining and entertainment in the evening, where guests will enjoy concerts and

street performances. The neighborhood is lined with balcony staterooms rising six decks

high with views of the Park below and the sky above.

Surrounding this social space will be an array of restaurants, with choices ranging from

fine dining to casual chic. Guests will have the option of an elegant dinner at the new 150

Central Park or a picnic lunch from the more casual Central Park Café, where they can

sit outdoors and people-watch. Other dining choices will include: Giovanni's Table, an

Italian restaurant; Vintages wine bar; and Royal Caribbean's signature Chops Grille

steakhouse. Several bars will be scattered throughout the Park, including the Canopy Bar, located at one of two impressive glass-domed

canopies, and the unique Rising Tide bar - the first moving bar at sea. Truly an engineering feat, Rising Tide will span three decks and allow

cruisers to enjoy a cocktail as they slowly ascend into Central Park and then descend back into the public spaces below. Central Park also

will have stylish boutique shops, showcasing a selection of upscale merchandise.

Central Park Fast Facts
 

  • Central Park is located on Deck 8 of the ship, with dimensions of 62 feet (19 meters) wide and 328 feet (100 meters) long. The sophisticated neighborhood will include 334 staterooms overlooking the Park, 254 with balconies.

  • Central Park will be landscaped with tropical foliage, including seasonal flowers, shrubs and trees. Drawing on the concept of unexpected surprises and intrigue, garden spaces throughout the Park will sprout from charming pathways. Drifts of Calla Lilies among Giant Elephant Ears, Red Ginger, Rabbit Foot Ferns and Zebra Calathea are some of the plant life guests will discover. Trees, some eventually reaching more than two-and-a-half decks tall, include Black Olive, Cuban Laurel, Cherry of the Rio Grande, and Painted and Golden Bamboo.

  • Surprises in the Park include quiet reading corners; a Chess Garden with large-scale pieces; the Pergola Garden, an interpretive garden featuring vegetation from a host of Caribbean locales; and a Sculpture garden, highlighting work by international artists.

  • Irrigation and drainage systems will be incorporated, along with micro-climate control techniques.

  • An on-site horticulturist will provide educational classes for guests seeking to learn more about flora.

  • The Crystal Canopies, two impressive arched-glass domes, one with a bar, will be a focal point of Central Park and provide sunlight into the ship's inner public spaces.

  • Restaurants and dining options in the Central Park neighborhood include:

     

    • 150 Central Park - The most exclusive dining venue on the ship, 150 Central Park combines leading-edge cuisine with leading-edge design. An observation window into the kitchen of this stylish restaurant will give Central Park passersby the opportunity to observe the executive chef in action. Open for dinner.
       

    • Chops Grille - Continuing the tradition, Royal Caribbean's popular signature steakhouse will offer premium cut, quality meats in an upscale, contemporary setting. Open for dinner.
       

    • Giovanni's Table - Influenced by the Tuscan countryside, Giovanni's will be a casual new Italian restaurant concept offering toasted herbal breads, pizzas, salads, pastas, Italian sandwiches, braised meat dishes and stews. Rustic with a contemporary flair, dishes are served family style in an indoor and outdoor setting to provide an alfresco experience in Central Park. Open for lunch and dinner.
       

    • Central Park Café - A casual dining choice providing a high level of variety and flexibility, Central Park Café is an indoor/outdoor gourmet market with walk-up counters. From freshly prepared salads and made-to-order sandwiches to paninis, crepes and hearty soups, guests order directly from the chefs behind the food stations. European pastries, sublime chocolates and decadent fudge round out the offerings. Open for breakfast, lunch, snacks, dinner and late night treats.
       

    • Vintages - Always a popular hot spot for Royal Caribbean guests on Voyager- and Freedom-class ships, the Vintages wine bar evolves into a larger space on Project Genesis, offering a variety of options for those seeking a tropical white Riesling or a mocha-inflected Merlot. Great for a pre-dinner rendezvous, Vintages also provides a selection of cheeses and a full tapas menu to accompany a robust selection of fine wines. Open for lunch and dinner.

  • Central Park will feature upscale retail boutiques for discerning travelers, including specialty outlets such as The Parkside Gallery, showcasing original artwork for purchase, and Picture This, a portrait studio.

    When she launches in late 2009, Project Genesis will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 GRT, carry 5,400 guests, and feature 2,700 staterooms. The ship will sail from her home port in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. In 2010, she will be joined by a sister ship.

    		•

    Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL's) New F3......

    NCL Corporation revealed the cruise industry's most innovative living space

    at sea - New Wave Staterooms by NCL. Designed for its next generation of

    Freestyle Cruising ships, F3, the New Wave standard, New Wave balcony and

     New Wave deluxe staterooms represent a giant leap forward in cruise ship

    accommodations with a completely fresh take on bathroom design, contemporary

    curved architecture and open living space.

     

    "From the introduction of the first Caribbean cruise more than 41 years ago to

    the launch of Freestyle Cruising in 2000 and beyond, NCL has always blazed

    a trail of innovation," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "We have

    thrown away the rule book with the design of F3 and today are revealing the

     very first element with our New Wave staterooms. Gone are the regimented typical designs and in place are sleek staterooms that are totally

     outside the box, designed for the needs of tomorrow's guests."

     

    The New Wave staterooms most distinctive design element is its curved walls and lines creating a modern and chic experience. NCL has

    maximized the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern

    vanity top sink. The staterooms feature a sophisticated earth-tone palette accented with a splash of color and rich, dark wood. Concealed

    contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings set a relaxing vibe.

     

    All the amenities and comforts of NCL's Freestyle 2.0 enhancements are included with upgraded bedding, linens and towels, Euro pillows,

    Elemis bathroom products and MP3 connectivity upon request. Balcony and deluxe staterooms have bathrobes, a customized fruit menu, a

    fresh-baked cookie at turn down on the last night of cruise, an escort to the stateroom on embarkation day, priority restaurant reservation

    and reception hotlines and special color keycard for ship-wide recognition.

     

    "Today's announcement is just the first chapter in a series of innovations we will be revealing about our new F3 ships leading up to their

    launch in 2010," Veitch said. "These ships will further deconstruct the traditional cruise ship experience with innovations in design,

    accommodations, luxury and entertainment to create a cutting-edge resort vacation experience unlike any other at sea."

    Further design details of the New Wave staterooms include:

    New Wave Deluxe:

    • A bathroom that's "outside the box," including:
      • Separate water closet
      • Separate vanity top sink within the room
      • Separate bathtub and shower or luxurious shower
    • Unique curved walls
    • Concealed contour LED lighting
    • Back-lit domed ceiling
    • Comfortable seating area
    • Flat-screen TV
    • Mini-Bar
    • Balcony
    • Expanded living space

    New Wave Balcony:

    • A bathroom that's "outside the box," including:
      • Separate water closet
      • Separate vanity top sink within the room
      • Separate shower stall
    • Unique curved walls
    • Concealed contour LED lighting
    • Back-lit domed ceiling
    • Comfortable seating area
    • Flat-screen TV
    • Mini-Bar
    • Balcony

    New Wave Standard:

    • A bathroom that's "outside the box," including:
      • Separate water closet
      • Separate vanity top sink within the room
      • Separate shower stall
    • Concealed contour LED lighting
    • Most inside staterooms feature the back-lit domed ceiling
    • Flat-screen TV
    • Mini-Bar

    The two 150,000-ton F3 ships will each total 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ships in NCL's fleet. The new ship

    design will offer 60 percent more guest space than NCL's largest ships to date, which will be used to provide guests an even wider

    range of on-board activities, amenities and stateroom options. The ships' cabin mix will be the richest of any NCL ship with 100

    percent of outside staterooms featuring private balconies. In total, each ship will have 1,415 balcony staterooms.

     

    In conclusion, as cruise lines continue to introduce new ships, they will always be striving to add new amenities to attract passengers,

    upgrade the passenger on-board experience and capture media attention.

     

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