Port Canaveral News - Tidbits from the Port

Queen Victoria at Port Canaveral

Here are several news tidbits from Port Canaveral.

A VISIT FROM A QUEEN and AMERICAN HAMBURGERS for 3 BRITS
The Queen Victoria recently visited Port Canaveral.  It was a pleasure to see one of Cunard's Queens, but mostly to finally meet a friend from England who I had 'known' as a fellow moderator for Cruise Line Fans forum. He and his party paid a visit to KSC, then lunched at the Cocoa Beach Pier.  All three were eager to order a "real American hamburger."  Once the meals arrived, they  took pictures of them, so they could show the folks back home what a real burger looks like!

My plan had been to get a great photo of the Queen putting out to sea.  Alas, that was not to be, as we were being assaulted by a wicked thunderstorm at sailing time.  The above pic of  the ship, berthed at the Royal Caribbean terminal, have to do.

MORE SHIPS?  (Yes, please!)
Canaveral Port Authority Chief Executive Officer J. Stanley Payne recently told the Titusville Area Chamber of Commerce that he is " negotiating with major cruise line companies" in an effort to increase the number of cruise ships that will home port at Port Canaveral in the future.  (Hooray, I say and I wish him much luck)

DISNEY SAILING FULL
The local media reports that the new Disney Dream is SOLD OUT through the fall, and that the line's other ships are booked at 95% of capacity through June, and over 80% through September.  So, if you are thinking of sailing on a Disney ship, looks like you'd best plan ahead!

PHOTOS of CRUISE SHIPS and More
If you are just longing for your next cruise, perhaps for now, you'd enjoy feasting your eyes on some nice cruise related designs and photos of cruise ships from a hand-picked selection of Zazzle photograhers and designers. They're in a little article I've put together featuring wall art, iPad cases, and iPhone cases that should appeal to avid cruisers.

Wonder Crew Member Missing- confirmed

Disney Cruises today confirmed that a female crew member has gone missing from the Disney Wonder.  The woman, who had been employed by DCL since last year, didn't "return for her scheduled shift."  She was assigned to the youth program, though the line has not said in what capacity.

A thorough search of the ship has been conducted, and the crew member's collegues have been interviewed. 

At this point they are not ruling out the possibility that she went overboard.

The Wonder is currently sailing on a 7 night Mexican Rivera itinerary, and is due to return to Los Angeles on Sunday morning.

Announcing: Disney Dream Sail-A-Bration at Port Canaveral

Although she's actually been here for over a week already we're still EIGHT DAYS AWAY from the day of Port Canaveral's big Sailabration for the new Disney Dream. More about that in a moment, but first - if you're hungering for some Disney Dream eye candy, the Orlando Sentinel has put together a nice album. Here's a link: PICTURES: Disney Dream cruise ship

Now, on to news of Port Canaveral's
Live the Dreams Sail-A-Bration

Mark your calendar for
Wednesday, Jan 26, 4 to 6 pm

The Live the Dreams Sail-A-Bration will take place at Jetty Park. For free parking, just follow the signs to Cruisse Terminal 4. The Port Authority promises "family fun and excitement," as well as a chance to win prizes as the community wishes Bon Voyage to the Disney Dream as she departs Port Canaveral that evening. Although there have already been pre-inaugural sailings, this will officially be her 'maiden voyage' from her home port.

Tise attending are asked to please bring a nonperishable food item donation for the Central Brevard Sharing Center.

I was there for the Sail-A-Bration for the Carnival Dreamm a while back, and am hoping to be able to be there for this Dream's party as well. If I make it, I'll try to get some photos for you!

8 days and counting!

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 Disney Cruise

It's been a while since I brought you news of a 'win a free cruise' contest. But, today, I'm doing just that. This one is from Disney Cruise Line and The Weather Channel.

Good Luck, and Happy Cruising, from Cruise Ready Store !

Here some of the details, and the link to the page where you can enter:

If you win the Grand Prize in the Choose & Cruise Contest, you get to choose whether you'd like to cruise the Med, visit European Capitals, bask in the warm Western or Eastern Caribbean.
There's also instant on-line prizes, including short cruises to The Bahamas, and DCL and TWC merchandise.

The link for the entry page is here- http://weather.promo.eprize.com/cruise/