New Year - New Ships

Happy New Year, fellow cruisers! 

May your 2011 be filled with health, prosperity, time well spent with loved ones,

and at least a few happy days at sea.

What's new in cruising for the New Year?  Well, one thing is that we can look forward to welcoming a few brand new ships into the world of cruising in the months ahead.  Here's a quick run-down of expected new launches:

JANUARY

The maiden voyage of  Oceania's Marina departs Barcelona for Miami on the 22nd. A Regatta class ship, but a bit larger than her sisters, at 66,000 gross registered tons, she'll carry 1250 passengers.

The Disney Dream will arrive at her home part of Port Canaveral for her inagural sailing on the 26th.  She's the first in the newest (bigger) class of ships for Disney Cruises.  (130,000 tons; 4000 pax)

APRIL
German line Aida Cruises launches Aida Sol.  (71,000 tons; 2050 pax)

MAY
Carnival debuts their 23rd ship, the Carnival Magic, sister to the Deam. After a season of sailing from Barcelona, she'll arrive at her new homeport of Galveston in November.   (130,000 tons; 3690 pax)

JUNE
The Seabourn Quest, new from the Yachts of Seabourn will begin sailing the Mediterranean and Greek Isles in mid to late June.  (332,000 tons; 450 pax)

JULY

Costa brings us their sixteenth ship, the Costa Favolosa, sailing the Med fromVenice, beginning on the 7th.   (114,500 tons; 3000 pax)

A new Solstice Class ship, the Celebrity Silhouette embarks the 23rd from Hamburg to Rome on her inaugural, then sails the Med and Middle East before coming to Bayonne, NJ in the fall.  (122,000 tons; 2850 pax)

Happy New Year from Cruising Musings!

In this New Year, may we all

Live, Love, Cruise, and be Happy!

Take advantage or Cruise Ready Store's New Year Sale -  discounts up to 20%.
Through Jan 4. See Store home page for details.

Win a Cruise on Celebrity!

Celebrity Cruises is giving away cruises for two to the Caribbean on a Solstice Class ship! Yes, cruises - plural - sixteen of them!

Grand prize is a 7 night Caribbean cruise for two in the Royal Suite, which includes European sstyle butler service. Winners of the First Prize (five of them) will sail in an Aqua Suite, while the 10 Second Prize winners will recieve Concierge Class accommodations.  20 additional lucky entrants will win an iPod touch.

CLICK HERE to go to the entry page on Facebook.  I hope one of my followers wins one of the great cruises, and will be in the market for a personalized cruise name bagde.  Good lulck, and happy cruising!

Brand New Eclipse to the Rescue

Celebrity Cruises has made an alteration in the launch schedule of their brand new ship, the Celebrity Eclipse, in order to assist a boatload of U.K. travelers who have been stranded as a result of the eruption of Iceland's volcano.

The new ship was originally scheduled to begina 2 day launch celebration cruise today, but will, instead, sail for Bilbao, Spain. this evening, on a mission of mercy this evening. She'll arrive there very early Thursday, where she'll "collect" stranded travelers, and sail back to  Southampton, arriving late Friday evening. This special voyage replaces the scheduled two-night, round-trip launch celebration cruise from Southampton.

Company chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Richard Fain said, ““Collecting stranded British and Irish holidaymakers is a fitting first mission for new ship Celebrity Eclipse – what better way for a ship dedicated to the UK to mark her arrival?”

KUDOS from Cruise Ready Store to Celebrity and parent company, Royal Caribbean International,  for once again sailing to the rescue!