Following the success of Viking River Cruises, a new cruise line was born this evening with the advent of Viking Ocean Cruises, and with it comes the reveal of the line’s first ship, the Viking Star (rendered above). Launching in 2015, the new endeavor offers quite the value proposition and looks to crete a new category in the cruise industry.

Infinity Pool
(Copyright © Viking Cruises)

We will surely followup with an extensive evaluation of everything that is to come, but let us for now whet your appetite with an impressive list of bullet points and alluring artist renderings of this intriguing new cruise ship.

Atrium
(Copyright © Viking Cruises)

Viking Star

• All Veranda Room Ship
• 928 Passengers
• 48,000 Gross Tons
• Casual Dress Code
• Two-Deck Observation Lounge
• Dining Room with Al Fresco Windows
• Infinity Pool and Magrodome Pool
• Spa with Sauna and Chill Room

Deluxe Veranda Stateroom
(Copyright © Viking Cruises)

Impressive Inclusions

The post New Viking Star Introductory Photo Tour appeared first on Popular Cruising.

…Catch up on our Live Cruise Review.

Much like the Rock of Ages production show featured onboard, the new Norwegian Breakaway from Norwegian Cruise Line is in itself a perfect manifestation of rock ‘n’ roll, shaking up the cruise industry something fierce. The vessel is making waves with unparalleled innovation in features and layout, enhancing the overall shipboard experience from staterooms and suites to dining and entertainment.

Atrium and Le Bistro, One of 10 Specialty Dining Options

The anticipation for this ship’s launch has been remarkable. Popular Cruising alone has followed her construction progress religiously, and we were thrilled to experience her first hand, albeit for only two days. Those two days, however, provided enough time for us to fall in love with this ship and the sheer abundance of things to do while onboard.

The Inside of Le Bistro

Norwegian Breakaway

While I have not personally sailed on the Norwegian Epic, the cruise line’s second newest ship, all signs indicate that – although 9,000 tons smaller at 146,600 gross tons – the 4,000-passenger Norwegian Breakaway is the more refined younger sister. This is first apparent from viewing the ship’s exterior. Gone is the Epic‘s ugly block of a forehead sitting atop the ships bow. Instead, the Norwegian Breakaway is sleek and sports one of the most impressive cruise ship features ever conceived: The Waterfront, a secondary promenade deck separate from the lifeboats that acts as a boardwalk for al fresco dining, entertainment and shopping.

The Waterfront at the Stern

Part of 678 Ocean Place, the ship’s three-deck epicenter of activity, The Waterfront provides unobstructed views 270-degrees around the ship and takes window shopping outside along with restaurant and lounge patios. Wind blocks do a decent job of cutting down on any cold breezes, but this feature is clearly prime for the warm weather destinations of Bermuda and the Caribbean where the ship will sail to year-round from New York, New York.

Window Shopping on The Waterfront

In fact, the Norwegian Breakaway has been defined and designed by the cruise line as New York’s cruise ship. The ship’s bow dons the New York iconography of Peter Max’s art, and the city is well represented onboard with three Broadway shows, Rock of Ages, Burn the Floor and Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy; The Rockettes as the ship’s collective godmother; Big Apple-themed ice sculptures; Brooklyn Lager; genuine Sabrett’s hot dog stands and Carlo’s Bake Shop, infamous from the Cake Boss TV series. New York influences further extend to the food of Geoffrey Zakarian and the blues of the Slam Allen Band.

Norwegian Breakaway Advertisement in Times Square

Staterooms and Suites

There is a staggering amount of cabin configurations available on the Norwegian Breakaway ranging from inside staterooms to The Haven deluxe owner’s suite, all of which are expertly appointed. We had the pleasure of staying in a midship mini-suite onboard that was very comfortable and accommodating. These rooms feature a unique offset design that maximizes space for the bedroom and narrows towards the couch and desk, alternating in orientation with each adjacent cabin.

Mini-Suite Bedroom

Bathrooms are spacious and come complete with a luxurious shower featuring a Hansgrohe rain head and body spray array. A wide sink basin conveniently accommodates two faucets helpful for couples and families alike. The inclusion of a body wash dispenser instead of a soap bar for lathering is a little annoying but not unbearable. Welcome technological enhancements in the room consist of a make-up-room/do-not-disturb set of switches instead of the usual door placard and interactive TV for making dining and entertainment reservations. Due to limited seating at shows and restaurants, pre-booking on this ship is required.

Mini-Suite Bathroom

The creme de la creme of onboard accommodations is found at The Haven, Norwegian Breakaway‘s ship-within-a-ship wherein booking higher category suites affords exclusive access to The Haven Courtyard, 24-hour butler service and priority reservations. Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line, touts The Haven as a means for families to experience luxury cruising with kid-friendly features that are often absent on dedicated luxury cruise ships.

The Haven Courtyard

Upper Deck Features

The outdoor recreation compound of water slides, pools, sporting venues and ropes course – with fun options for all ages – is truly impressive. The Aqua Park features five water slides including two with a free fall that launch riders into a high-speed downward and upward helix. These are top on our list of things to try when we surely return to this ship soon. Two pools and four hot tubs round out the offerings, and a Kid’s Aqua Park features Nickelodeon characters from SpongeBob SquarePants amidst playful water jets.

Aqua Park

What’s more, the sports complex includes an extensive list of attractions: the largest ropes course at sea complete with The Plank that stretches 8-feet over the side of the ship, a nine-hole mini-golf course, basketball court, rock climbing wall, bungee trampoline and climbing cage. Fun for juniors continues at a video arcade for all ages, Entourage for teens and Splash Academy for kids, and adults can play in the casino or relax at the spa.

Sports Complex

Dining

Such activities are sure to build up in you an appetite, and the 16 dining choices onboard will astound you. Six restaurants are entirely included in the cruise fare like three handsome main dining rooms, The Manhattan Room, Savor and Taste; O’Sheehan’s 24-hour Irish and American pub; the Garden Cafe lido buffet and the poolside Uptown Bar & Grill. From our experience, the Manhattan Room was a timeless treat of a venue that served tasty meals with hot ballroom numbers for entertainment; O’Sheehan’s was a great gathering place to grab international favorites; and the Garden Cafe had extensive buffet options with a delightful wraparound interior that extended to the back of the ship in lieu of an aft terrace.

The Manhattan Room

Culinary choice is most evident with the ship’s remaining 10 specialty venues. Among those are Moderno Churrascaria, a Brazilian-style steakhouse where delicious meats are delivered to your plate right off the skewer continuously for as long as you wish. Here you can eat indoors or outdoors along The Waterfront. Also along the boardwalk is an offshoot of Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian that does not require reservations. Here you can (over)pay for selections like a very small but mouthwatering crab tostada or a zesty lobster roll sandwich with large chucks on a brioche. Walk down a bit farther and you’ll find a stand for great gelato and probably the most universally praised pastry shop at sea.

Lobster Roll at Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian

Carlo’s Bake Shop, made infamous on TLC’s Cake Boss TV program and operated by beloved Buddy Valastro, offers the same treats available on land on the Norwegian Breakaway, and they are mighty fine. Cakes are available to take away or preorder for special events, and smaller pastries like cannolis and lobster tails entice. The lobster tails are exquisite cream-filled flaky delights that absolutely must be tried while onboard. Buddy himself jokingly claims these will be his last supper, and you can easily see why. You do indeed feel like you’ve died and gone to heaven upon biting in.

Carlo’s Bake Shop

Similar to the wealth of dining options is a wide selection of bars and lounges. One unique offering is the Svedka Ice Bar which is essentially a small freezer room lined with ice blocks. The New York theming continues here with drinks and ice carvings inspired by the city. The experience is a novelty for a cruise ship, but land-based alternatives are more enjoyable with more room to move among patrons.

Svedka Ice Bar

Entertainment

Food and entertainment come together at Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy, a acrobatic dinner show housed in a two-deck spiegel tent. Impressions of this experience are fantastic, and we’ll be sure to report on it once we have a chance to try it for ourselves. As I’m sure it is becoming clear, the sheer number of dining and entertainment options ensure that there is plenty to see and do while onboard the Norwegian Breakaway with even a seven-day cruise bursting at the seams. We’ll also have to come back on the ship to take in the Spice H2O Fireworks extravaganza – one of only two fireworks displays at sea – which sadly had to be cancelled during our sailing due to rainy conditions.

Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy

As far as productions shows are concerned, Rock of Ages is an impressively full-scale and full-length Broadway remount of the 1980s-themed musical. The irreverent show itself may not be for everyone, but the majority of guests will likely appreciate the energetic music and comedic characters. While some of the vocals are a tad sloppy, perhaps intentionally so, the show slowly but surely draws you in and is undeniably fun. Burn the Floor also stages a full production which we got a taste for in The Manhattan Room with their abridged high-energy dinner show.

Rock of Ages

Entertainment onboard also includes Howl at the Moon, a dueling piano show; improvisational comedy sketches from The Second City; and top notch blues from the extraordinary Slam Allen Band at the Fat Cats Jazz & Blues Club. Even with only two nights onboard, we frequented this standing-room-only haunt each and every night. This venue and band alone were enough to keep us entertained in to the wee hours of the morning.

Slam Allen Band

Norwegian Cruise Line has unquestionably knocked it out of the park with the Norwegian Breakaway to the point where we’re just itching to get back onboard to try out those features we missed and also return to our favorite spots. For more information about the Norwegian Breakaway, visit Norwegian Cruise Line‘s website here. Are you planning on taking a cruise onboard this wonderful new ship? Please feel free to share your excitement and thoughts in the comments section below…

The post Post Cruise Review: Norwegian Breakaway, New York Inaugural 2013 appeared first on Popular Cruising.

The new Norwegian Breakaway from Norwegian Cruise Line is truly astounding with her many innovations and long list of features and venues. Popular Cruising had the pleasure of sailing on a two-day inaugural preview cruise which we just disembarked from in New York this morning, and it was just enough of an experience to whet our appetite for much more of this fantastic new cruise ship.

Vibrant Hull Art

As usual, we will followup with a comprehensive Post Cruise Review in the coming days, but let us first share with you our initial impressions and photos from onboard the Norwegian Breakaway. Thankfully, our short cruise was one to nowhere, granting us more time to take in the ship itself. The question now, with so many great things to say, is just where to begin.

Spacious Mini-Suite with Veranda

From the very get go, the Norwegian Breakaway was a stunner, boarding the vessel from the forward gangway nearest to her vibrant pop-art-clad bow, designed by famed artist and New Yorker, Peter Max. As a ship intended to feature and cater to New York – apropos to her year-round sailing from the city – hull iconography including Max’s ubiquitous Liberty Head and the city skyline perfectly represents the Big Apple.

Stylish and Accommodating Cabin Bathroom

The Waterfront

Stepping first onto a traditional promenade deck flanked by lifeboats, you get a glimpse of The Waterfront one deck above. This secondary promenade deck is a game changer in the industry that effectively and impressively turns the cruise ship inside out like no vessel before. The restaurants, bars, lounges, clubs and shops on this deck are situated both inside and out with al fresco patios and a surrounding boardwalk with unobstructed views. This was easily our favorite innovation onboard the Norwegian Breakaway.

The Waterfront Boardwalk

Al Fresco Dining

Fat Cats Jazz & Blues Club is one of the many venues found on The Waterfront – itself a component of the larger 678 Ocean Place, the ship’s three-deck entertainment hub. Here, the expert Slam Allen Band performs the blues with funky comedic soul. This group of musicians alone was such a treat that we attended the standing-room-only performances two evenings in a row.

The Slam Allen Band

Fat Cats Jazz & Blues Club

Dining

Dining venues at The Waterfront, and ship-wide for that matter, are aplenty: 16 in all, 6 of which are included in the cruise fare. Our first taste onboard was a lunch at O’Sheehan’s – a 24-hour Irish/American pub and one of the complimentary restaurants. Here you’ll find tasty favorites like corned beef sandwiches and a wide selection of beers. Following the New York theme, Brooklyn Lager is even onboard, although I was unable to find it while we were on the ship.

O’Sheehan’s

Fried Mozzarella Sticks and Beer…Yum

Our first dinner was at Moderno Churrascaria, a specialty Brazilian-style steakhouse that serves 10 varieties of delicious meats right off the skewer continuously until you’re full. The Manhattan Room, one of the main dining rooms, features some of the ship’s best decor – which is truly fantastic everywhere onboard – and hosted our second dinner. The menu was heavy on seafood for the evening, but nonetheless, the dishes were quite well prepared and flavorful. Come dessert the supper club atmosphere came alive with a Burn the Floor performance which was naturally best seen and experienced by those tables closest to the central dance floor.

Moderno Churrascaria

Burn the Floor at The Manhattan Room

Entertainment

Entertainment extends to the Breakaway Theater with a full hour and 45 minute Broadway production of Rock of Ages. The show is certainly irreverent and consequently a bit polarizing. For instance, I’ve never seen so many audience members get up and leave during a shipboard performance, but I personally found it quite entertaining. It starts out slow, and some of the vocals were occasionally sloppy. However, the comedy sprinkled throughout and quirky cast of characters draw you in for a truly fun time.

Rock of Ages in the Breakaway Theater

Other shows include a fireworks spectacular that unfortunately had to be cancelled during our sailing due to rainy weather conditions, and expanding the dinner show idea from before even further is Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy. A spiegel tent houses this very popular dinner show that fills up fast. This along with all dining options must be reserved ahead of time to secure a spot, which can be done conveniently from your stateroom TV, interactive displays throughout the ship or on your smart phone.

Spice H2O Without Fireworks

Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy

Aqua Park and Top Decks

Something I’ll have to save for my next time onboard will be to experience the massive aqua park on the upper deck of the ship that features five water slides including two of a thrilling free-fall variety. This area also features an expansive ropes course with a zipline and plank where you can courageously walk out over the side of the ship, while tethered safely of course.

Aqua Park Water Slides

Ropes Course

Water features remain delightfully leaky at the Nickelodeon-themed kiddie splash zone, and all ages have two pools to enjoy as well. There’s even an adults-only section at the back of the ship with a cool water curtain to chill out under. Of course, it was raining when I explored the area, and the water feature at the time was redundant to mother nature. Come tropical conditions, this will be a happening place.

Nickelodeon at the Kid’s Aqua Park

Norwegian Cruise Line has really hit it out of the park with the Norwegian Breakaway, and as it is, we’ve only just touched the surface with these initial impressions and first few photos. To learn more, stay tuned for our Post Cruise Review to follow and visit Norwegian Cruise Line’s website here.

Chic Elevator Lobbies

Are you drooling over the prospect of sailing onboard the Norwegian Breakaway? Please feel free to tell us what you think in the comments section below…

The post Live Cruise Review: Norwegian Breakaway, New York Inaugural 2013 appeared first on Popular Cruising.

My mother joins Cruize Cast this week as we review our experience onboard the luxurious Silver Spirit from Silversea Cruises. My cohosts describe the episode as follows:

This week we discuss luxury cruising, specifically Silversea, with Jason and our guest, Darlene. They detail the tangible differences of a luxury line including dining, staterooms, and inclusions.  Jason also interviews Silver Spirit cruise director, Don Fluke, who gives us an insider’s perspective of the cruise line. Cruise news features a new ship for Galveston.

(click here to download the episode directly to your computer)

~ ~ ~ Access past episodes of Cruize Cast featuring Popular Cruising ~ ~ ~

Have any questions or thoughts? Ask or tell us in the comments section below…

The post CRUIZE CAST – Silver Spirit Review and Cruise Director Interview appeared first on Popular Cruising.

Yesterday, the exciting new Norwegian Breakaway from Norwegian Cruise Line – fresh from the shipyard and her European unveiling – began steaming across the Atlantic Ocean from Southampton to New York, where she will sail from year-round upon her arrival. The new cruise ship has yet to arrive stateside, but already her presence is palpable. Just follow #NorwegianBreakaway on Twitter to get a keen sense for the anticipation, anticipation that we share since our next Live Cruise Review will broadcast directly from the Norwegian Breakaway herself next weekend as we board May 10, 2013.

The Ship

There’s no question that I get excited about cruise ship construction, so when I had the chance to visit the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany a little over a year ago, I was beyond ecstatic. While there, I got my very first glimpse of the Norwegian Breakaway, in pieces. Of course, even these pieces were already massive contoured panels of steel that would soon compose modular blocks and in time the entirety of the ship (as she began to appear after my visit in images like the one below). Seeing a ship at her “birth” establishes a connection, nay a testosterone-filled gear-head affinity for the vessel, and consequently, I cannot wait to see the finished product.

Norwegian Breakaway at Her Start
(Copyright © Norwegian Cruise Line)

Stepping aboard the Norwegian Breakaway next week will mark the first time my father and I have ever been on a Norwegian Cruise Line ship, but we are very familiar with her features after following and reporting on an abundance of announcements and construction updates. These revelations stem back to Cruise Shipping Miami in 2012 when we both had the pleasure of meeting the fun-loving Kevin Sheehan, CEO of Norwegian Cruise Line. Still, going from perusing artist renderings (like that of the Aqua Park below) to experiencing the genuine article will be an utter joy, and boy, is there a lot to see, do and share with all of you in the two days we will be onboard.

Aqua Park Rendering
(Copyright © Norwegian Cruise Line)

The Itinerary (More of The Ship, Really)

The impressive 4,500-passenger Norwegian Breakaway is sized at 146,600-gross-tons and is chock-full of features that will be taking the place of traditional ports-of-call on our two-day cruise to nowhere from New York, New York. To be sure, it will be a challenge to fit them all in, but I’m certain this won’t be our last experience onboard the new ship. Already on our schedule are dinners at The Manhattan Room for main dining on one night and Moderno Churrascaria for Brazilian specialty dining on the other night. Pre-planned entertainment includes the Spice H2O Fireworks extravaganza and Rock of Ages Broadway production.

Rock of Ages Rendering
(Copyright © Norwegian Cruise Line)

Our accommodations onboard will be one of the roomy and stylish mini-suites with a balcony and 269-square-feet of living space which can facilitate up to four guests. The clean, modern aesthetic comes complete with a padded leather-clad headboard, convenient storage nooks and pleasant LED accent lighting. The bathroom features a wide dual-faucet sink basin and a luxurious shower with a rain head, body sprays and additional handheld head. Visible in the rendering below, the cabin certainly looks comfortable.

Mini-Suite Rendering
(Copyright © Norwegian Cruise Line)

Of course, these are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the extraordinary list of features onboard the Norwegian Breakaway. Other highlights include the following ship zones:

678 Ocean Place – The extensive dining, retail and entertainment hub of the ship encompasses three decks – 6, 7 and 8 as the name implies.

The Waterfront – This indoor-outdoor promenade flanks the restaurants and bars on Deck 8 and creates an al fresco atmosphere, introducing the venues to the crisp sea breeze.

Moderno Churrascaria on The Waterfront Rendering
(Copyright © Norwegian Cruise Line)

Aqua Park and Sports Complex – Five thrilling water slides, two pools, four hot tubs, a Nickelodeon-themed kids area, the largest at-sea ropes course, a sports court, a mini-golf course, a rock-climbing wall, a trampoline and a climbing cage dot the upper decks with fun.

Spa and The Haven – For pampering, the expansive spa features room for messages and all varieties of wellness plus a thermal suite and first at-sea salt room. With Haven-category suites and villas comes further seclusion with a private pool deck, butler service and priority reservations throughout the ship.

The Spa Thermal Suite Rendering
(Copyright © Norwegian Cruise Line)

As you might expect, the list doesn’t even stop there. A multitude of other dining and entertainment options abound within the very areas mentioned above.

Dining

Complimentary restaurants include three distinctly designed main dining rooms with different menus: The Manhattan Room, styled like a New York supper club with a central dance floor and ocean vistas; Savor Restaurant, putting “a modern twist on traditional dining,” and Taste Restaurant, with rich woods and colorful glass accents. Other included dining options are O’Sheehan’s Neighborhood Bar & Grill for 24/7 Irish and American pub eats, Uptown Bar & Grill for poolside burgers and drinks, and Garden Cafe for casual buffet breakfasts, lunches and dinners.

The Manhattan Room Rendering
(Copyright © Norwegian Cruise Line)

Specialty dining options include eight unique restaurants: seafood at Ocean Blue by Geoffrey Zakarian, French cuisine at Le Bistro French Restaurant, steaks at Cagney’s Steakhouse, hibachi-style Japanese at Teppanyaki, Brazilian at Moderno Churrascaria, Oriental at Shanghai’s Noodle Bar, Italian at La Cucina Italian Restaurant, and lastly sushi and sashimi at Wasabi Sushi Bar.

What’s more, specialty sweets can be had at Carlo’s Bake Shop from Buddy Valastro, star of the TV series “Cake Boss” and “Next Great Baker,” and Dolce Gelato for frozen treats along The Waterfront. Also, look for Sabrett Hot Dog stands and Brooklyn Lager beer for a taste of New York. A wealth of bars and lounges finish off the offerings including an authentic ice bar with New York-themed ice carvings on display.

La Cucina Italian Restaurant Rendering
(Copyright © Norwegian Cruise Line)

Entertainment

The 1980s are alive and well on the Norwegian Breakaway with headline entertainment like the Broadway favorite, Rock of Ages, and Spice H2O Fireworks set to the soaring music of the cherished decade. Also from Broadway, Burn the Floor brings sizzling dance numbers to the Breakaway Theater as well as The Manhattan Room while Cirque Dreams & Dinner Jungle Fantasy comes alive under the big top.

Rounding out the entertainment onboard are the dueling pianos in Howl at the Moon, the improvisational laughs of The Second City and the moody tunes at Fat Cats Jazz & Blues Club. Also, the casino is ready for adults, Entourage is set for teens and Splash Academy is prime for kids.

Spice H2O Fireworks Rendering
(Copyright © Norwegian Cruise Line)

Needless to say, there is plenty to keep guests busy onboard the Norwegian Breakaway, and we are looking forward to experiencing as much of it first hand as we can to share it with all of our readers in our Live Cruise Review. For more information on the Norwegian Breakaway from Norwegian Cruise Line, visit the line’s website here.

Do you have any questions about the Norwegian Breakaway? Ask away in the comments section below, and we’ll be sure to answer you…

HEADER IMAGE SOURCE: NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE

The post Live Cruise Preview: Norwegian Breakaway, New York Inaugural 2013 appeared first on Popular Cruising.

The latest episode of Cruize Cast highlights Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean International, Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Line and Princess Cruises. My cohosts describe the episode as follows:

This week we detail and discuss the newest ships coming on the scene as well as the extensive refurbishments taking place. The ships we discuss are the Norwegian Breakaway, Quantum of the Seas, Carnival Sunshine, Disney Magic, and Royal Princess. We talk about the features we are most excited about and what we are looking forward to.

(click here to download the episode directly to your computer)

~ ~ ~ Access past episodes of Cruize Cast featuring Popular Cruising ~ ~ ~

Have any questions or thoughts? Ask or tell us in the comments section below…

HEADER IMAGE SOURCE: ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL

The post CRUIZE CAST – New Cruise Ship and Refurbishment Roundup appeared first on Popular Cruising.

Following our Post Cruise Review and previous tour of the Celebrity Century from Celebrity Cruises, we review in video our exciting but far too short four day sailing onboard this classic cruise ship. Discover the perfect blend between old-school and new-school Celebrity Cruises on the Celebrity Century today.

Mobile Users – Please use this link to view video: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=56VwC7gfRkA

The post VIDEO – Celebrity Century Ship Review appeared first on Popular Cruising.

Never one to rest on its creative laurels, the Disney Cruise Line is set to “plus” the shipboard experience once again on its very first cruise ship – the Disney Magic – with a dry-dock refitting in September 2013. Taking design cues from her youngest fleet-mates – the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy – the 1998-launched Disney Magic will inherit many of the line’s most recent favorites as well as sport entirely new features (fully illustrated below – click on images to enlarge).

The Opening Scene

“Storytelling is at the heart of everything we do,” says Joe Lanzisero, senior creative vice president for Walt Disney Imagineering. “Walt Disney was a master storyteller and knew how to engage people’s emotions into stories. Our job is to take what we learned from Walt and apply it to the experiences on board our ships.” Said storytelling begins onboard at the redesigned art deco atrium.

Further opening up the space with the removal of one of the mirrored staircases, the new asymmetrical layout will still spotlight the signature bronze “Helmsman Mickey” statue, polished with a fresh luster and now offset among the new carpeting below and chandelier above. Lanzisero describes the updated atrium look as “elegant art deco, inspired by elements of the sea.”

The Atrium
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

Inspired Favorites

The most dramatic enhancement will be the exterior addition of the AquaDunk (rendered in the header above and below) – a brand new water slide and thrilling variant of the popular AquaDuck on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy. Contrasting the raft ride that doubles back around those ships more leisurely, the AquaDunk will be a three-deck body slide with a near vertical drop that launches riders into a translucent helix stretching 20-feet over the side of the ship.

AquaDunk
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

The poolside AquaLab, first introduced on the Disney Fantasy, will also be coming aboard with the conversion of the existing Mickey’s Pool to include new interactive pop jets, geysers and bubblers. Also, the current kiddie slide will be replaced with the higher and longer Twist ‘n’ Spout with over 250-feet of run and three helixes.

AquaLab and Twist ‘n’ Spout Water Slide
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

The Disney Fantasy will share her once-exclusive “Animation Magic” dinner show with the Disney Magic at the redesigned Animator’s Palate restaurant. Here diners will draw their own character before being treated to dessert and the sights of their creation magically animated alongside legendary Disney characters. The addition of Remy from Ratatouille and Rapunzel from Tangled, plus new larger high-def displays, will enhance the classic black-and-white to color extravaganza of “Drawn to Magic.”

Animator’s Palate
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

The existing Topsider Buffet will be transformed into Cabanas with an Australian theme inspired by the film Finding Nemo that is sure to feature a flock of seagulls. A welcome improvement here will be the expansion of the indoor dining space with an additional 3,400 square feet, bringing the total to 9,460 square feet with 455 seats.

Cabanas
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

Andy’s Room, a kid favorite from the two newest ships, will comprise a new play structure made to look like an oversized bed with a life-sized Mr. Potato Head, Hamm piggy bank and Slinky Dog slide, and Pixie Hollow will similarly make its way onboard with costumes for dressing up like Tinker Bell’s fairy friends in a fanciful forest.

Andy’s Room
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

The popular Irish pub from the Disney Fantasy, O’Gills, will establish itself as a new adults-only offering on the Disney Magic as well and will no doubt serve up its infamous house Irish cream liqueur. The space will also doubles as a sports bar with a live televised feed of athletic events.

O’Gills
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

Also from the new ships for both kids and adults, Studio Sea will be repurposed into D Lounge, multi-use entertainment venue and host to family-friendly games, shows, dances and activities.

D Lounge
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

Entirely New Features

Not everything new to the Disney Magic will be a carryover from the rest of the fleet. For instance, she will be the first Disney ship to feature famed comic book heroes onboard. Disney’s Oceaneer Club will house Marvel’s Avengers Academy. Here, “young crime-fighters will be transported to a high-tech command post used by The Avengers for special missions and operations training,” according to the cruise line. Displays include Iron Man’s suit, Captain America’s shield and Thor’s hammer.

Marvel’s Avengers Academy
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

The Mickey Mouse Club also joins the ship, internationally inspired by “a new series of two-dimensional short cartoons that places the world’s most famous mouse in contemporary settings like Paris, New York, Tokyo and Venice,” says the cruise line. “The new cartoons, which borrow from the style of Mickey Mouse’s character in the 1930s, will air on The Disney Channel and Disney.com.”

Mickey Mouse Club
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

Tots may be too young to enjoy the new AquaLab and AquaDunk, but they will get their own new Nephews’ Splash Zone, formerly Mickey’s Splash Zone, described as “a splash-a-second space dedicated to interactive fun and starring Donald Duck’s mischievous nephews, Huey, Dewey and Louie. The area features all sorts of water play with pop jets, squirting figures of Donald Duck’s nephews and plenty of high seas hijinks they’ve created for ‘Unca Donald.’”

Parrot Cay will give way to the new Carioca’s, a restaurant inspired by Brazil and named after Donald Duck’s parrot friend in The Three Caballeros. Disney explains, “during the day, buffet meals feature a festival theme before night falls and the atmosphere transforms into an after-hours scene of Rio de Janiero, with city-side windows softly illuminated and lanterns flickering overhead. A scenery scrim is drawn to conceal the buffet and kitchen areas for dinner service, providing a more elegant dining locale.”

Carioca’s
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

The adults-only area of the ship will be rethemed from Beat Street to After Hours, with the included Diversions becoming O’Gills as described above. Other clubs to see changes are Rockin’ Bar and Sessions which will become Fathoms and Keys respectively. Fathoms will be “a celebration of the sea” with special effects, lighting and sound that transform the environment throughout the evenings, and Keys will be a piano lounge with a relaxed vibe.

Fathoms
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

Further Enhancements

With the existing pirate theme of Disney’s Oceaneer Club being retooled, Disney’s Oceaneer Lab will take over the reigns with a new buccaneer workshop and animator’s studio for kids including Navigator Simulators for practicing maritime maneuvers. For the even younger, Flounder’s Reef Nursery will be rethemed into It’s a Small World Nursery as also found on the Disney Dream and Disney Fantasy.

Disney’s Oceaneer Lab
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

As for dining, the cruise line touts that Palo will be getting “a makeover with stylish wood fixtures, glass artwork panels, new stone floors, decorative lighting and hand-tufted carpet. Red and white striped poles reminiscent of those found throughout the canals in Venice are a design feature. A rich interior color palette – inspired by Venetian artwork – complements gourmet dishes that please guests’ palates.”

Palo
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

Another area onboard to receive improvements is Senses Spa & Salon. The cruise line expresses, “redesigned with a sleek and contemporary style, this haven of personal harmony provides an unmatched ocean-view environment. The size of the spa is being expanded by 725 square feet, to a total size of nearly 11,500 square feet. A new Smile Spa offers teeth whitening services, a new barbershop offers services for the gentlemen and the new Chill Spa provides treatments especially for teens 13 to 17 years of age.”

Senses Spa & Salon
(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

Lastly, staterooms onboard are slated to be redesigned with new nautical decor and better use of space with raised beds for improved storage. The updated Disney Magic will reemerge with sailings starting on October 20, 2013 from Miami, Florida.

To further explore what’s in store for the Disney Magic, check out the great video below and visit Disney Cruise Line‘s website here.

(Copyright © Disney Cruise Line)

What do you think about these new features? Join the Popular Cruising community and share your thoughts in the comments section below…

HEADER IMAGE SOURCE: DISNEY CRUISE LINE

The post Disney Magic Scheduled for Extensive Redesign appeared first on Popular Cruising.

…Catch up on Part 1: Murano and Santa Barbara, California and Part 2: Catalina Island, California and The Grand Restaurant of our Live Cruise Review.

We’re pleased to conclude our Celebrity Century Live Cruise Review – formerly known as a Live Voyage Review – with excitement for the cruise ship and anticipation to return onboard very soon. One thing that is certain: four days is not enough time to take in a ship entirely, and as a result, this Post Cruise Review will be briefer than usual. Overall, Celebrity Cruises‘ Modern Luxury brand is well represented on the Celebrity Century, thanks mostly to her newest features such as the excellent Murano specialty restaurant and refined decor.

Murano Specialty Restaurant

There were indeed hiccups at the beginning and end of our cruise with resolving our stateroom configuration on the first day – our original cabin was not outfitted as described in the brochure – and posting due statement credits on the last day – it took four visits to guest relations to finalize, but the time in between was very enjoyable, although much too short. Still, Celebrity Century is one cruise ship not to be missed, especially since she has some expected Solsticization in store next February. Read on to learn more…

Celebrity Century

For the longest time I couldn’t understand why Celebrity Cruises would spin off its youngest Century-class ships – the former Galaxy and Mercury – to TUI Cruises and hold on to the oldest and smallest of the three classmates – the Celebrity Century. It seemed to me like a curious choice, but during our interview, Christopher Scaliotis, Celebrity Century Hotel Director, helped to provide an explanation. One version he had heard was that the Century, as the first in her class, was a bit of a “good luck charm for the company.”

Hemisphere Observation Lounge

He went on to describe the ship as being more akin to a boutique hotel than some of the mega-ships in service today, and I completely agree with his assessment. In fact, the ship reminded me in many ways of the smaller vessels sailing for Azamara Club Cruises as a favorite among seasoned cruisers with a focus more on destinations, and our itinerary was definitely that: everyday we were at a new port-of-call.

Apparently the “Penalty” for Fishing from the Pier in Santa Barbara is Cannon Fire

Staterooms

As with all smaller ships, the cabins too will be smaller than on newer, larger vessels, but all in all, those onboard Celebrity Century are very comfortable. Celebrity was very helpful at relocating us from our original cabin that was missing an expected sofa-sleeper to an upgraded family veranda stateroom. Not only did this room have a sofa-sleeper, it was a larger one in a living space separate from the main bedroom with a convenient sliding partition. The aft-facing veranda looking over the ship’s wake was another treat.

Concierge Class Stateroom

The bathroom even sported an ace feature that I previously recommended for improving the tiny showers onboard the Azamara Quest, corporate cousin to Celebrity Century. These showers have done away with the old straight curtain track in favor of a bar that bows away from the shower compartment – like you might find at a shoreside hotel – to help draw the curtain away and make the bathing area roomier. Now I only wish there was more than a single 110V electrical outlet outside the bathroom to charge from.

A Welcome Feature: Bowed Shower Curtain

Dining

Culinary excellence has always been a hallmark of Celebrity Cruises, and that remains true onboard the Century. Murano shines as the only specialty restaurant onboard with tasty dishes comparable to those usually reserved for luxury cruise lines. This added dining venue has been expertly incorporated into the existing layout of the ship and features superb interior design. Service is equally polished in Murano as in the ship’s main dining room.

Murano Appetizer

In fact, we were pleasantly surprised by just how wonderful the service was in The Grand Restaurant. There has been a noticeable improvement in attentiveness since our last Celebrity cruise, and for banquet-prepared food, this premium line is still very hard to beat. Even deck-food – as James Lay, my cohost at CruizeCast, would call it – is yummy with juicy hamburgers and savory pizza pies. The casual Islands Cafe rounds out the culinary offerings with a wide selection of buffet choices for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The Grand Restaurant Entree

Entertainment

I was usually writing my Live Cruise Reviews after a day in port when the production shows were going on during this cruise, so I can’t say what those were like, but entertainment standouts we did enjoy were a full live band and an a cappella group heard throughout the ship. As two performer categories becoming less and less present on cruise ships, I was most pleased to see Celebrity Cruises committed to maintaining them.

Celebrity Theatre

Also, we did make it to the Celebrity Theatre to see ventriloquist, comedian and America’s Got Talent finalist, Michael Harrison. I’ve been a fan of puppetry since I can remember with a passion in particular for The Muppets, whom this performer has worked with. The show was quite amusing despite featuring some old cruise jokes and a tennis ball puppet that I’ve seen in an act before. However, he very cleverly took it further with an antagonist made from a tennis racket.

Crystal Room

The Future: A Solsticized Celebrity Century

I certainly intend to sail onboard Celebrity Century again to get a fuller appreciation for what she offers, and it just so happens that her future looks to be quite spectacular. I learned from the hotel director that she is scheduled for drydock in February of 2014, and while nothing is set in stone yet, it is expected that she will follow the Millennium-class vessels with her own Solsticization makeover during this time to more closely resemble the rest of the fleet including the titular Solstice-class.

AquaSpa

New features that are being discussed include AquaClass cabins, Blu, a Molecular Bar, the conversion of Cova Cafe into Cafe al Bacio, and probably Qsine, and while no mention has been made of the addition of a Bistro on Five and an iLounge, it would stand for reason that these might be on the docket as well. Hotel Director, Christopher Scaliotis also anticipates an improved flow throughout the venues on the ship and expresses excitement for the future of Celebrity Cruises, considering new President and CEO, Michael Bayley, an “out-of-the-box thinker.”

Cova Cafe

Whatever the specific future of the Celebrity Century, Popular Cruising will be there to report on and experience it to convey to all of our readers. So stay tuned! Also, watch our extensive Celebrity Century Ship Review Video here. For more information on the Celebrity Century, visit Celebrity Cruises‘ website here. Join the Popular Cruising community and discuss your thoughts about the Celebrity Century in the comments section below…

The post Post Cruise Review: Celebrity Century, California Coastal 2013 appeared first on Popular Cruising.

…Catch up on Part 1: Murano and Santa Barbara, California

Catalina Island, California

A Foggy Catalina

Yesterday, Celebrity Century was anchored off a foggy Catalina Island, which intriguingly shrouded the landmass in visual mystery, at least in the morning until it later burnt off. Then the island was back to its usual blend of a Mediterranean-like atmosphere paired with delightful California kitsch under a perfect springtime sun.

Palm Trees Line the Restaurants and Shops

The crescent-shaped bay is lined with eclectic shops and restaurants ranging from trinket vendors and ice cream parlors to beachwear retailers and seafood joints, all punctuated by the infamous casino, a theatre used not for gambling but for various entertainment offerings. In fact, the island hosts many different events throughout the year such as jazz festivals and an upcoming silent film benefit.

The Infamous Catalina Casino

Silent Film Benefit

The bay itself is home to anchoring boats, aquatic rentals, shuttlecraft from the mainland and once the vintage S.S. Catalina steamship, itself a shuttle in its day before retiring and sadly capsizing in the bay of Ensenada, Mexico – where Century is docked today. After partially sinking in 1997, it remained abandoned until around early 2010, when it was finally scrapped and removed.

Celebrity Century Anchored in the Bay

S.S. Catalina as Featured on a Shop Sign

Catalina is in many ways a time capsule, feeling in part like a tropical version of Disneyland’s Main Street; the architecture is timeless and the colors are vibrant. It’s always a joy for us to just stroll along the town of Avalon and take in the sights and do some shopping. Inevitably, Catalina is a great place to pick up a new favorite Hawaiian-style shirt for my dad and I.

Lloyd’s Confectionery of Avalon

The Edwardian-period Lloyd’s Confectionery of Avalon is where you’ll find Catalina’s signature saltwater taffy as well as it would seem every other candy and ice cream selection. Here we discovered delicious chocolate-covered cinnamon bears before grabbing lunch down the street at the eclectic El Galleon with its Mardi Gras and clipper ship decorations. Their culinary fare includes tasty scallop chowder and crab melt sandwiches.

El Galleon

The Grand Restaurant

Back onboard the Celebrity Century, we enjoyed dinner in the main dining room and were quite pleased with the improved service. Our waiter and assistant waiter team of Ainullah and Nikola were friendly as expected – with Nikola in particular being quite the character, but the highlight of the service was the speedy and consistent course pacing, which has been hit or miss in the past. The only disappointment was that my mom ordered a Shirley Temple from the bar staff that never arrived during the hour and a half we spent in the restaurant.

Caprese Salad

The food quality itself has remained consistent with our past experience onboard Celebrity Cruises with premium selections and perfect portions. As for the appetizers, the shellfish risotto was just alright, but the caprese salad was refreshing and tasty. The standout of the meal was the grilled rib eye steak entree topped with blue cheese butter. The hearty course consisted of quality meat and was nice and filling. My banana fondant dessert was also well prepared and a pleasant finishing touch to the evening.

Rib Eye Steak

What’s More

One thing that is true of a four-day cruise is that it’s difficult to get a thorough sense of a ship within a short timespan. Consequently, our Live Cruise Review from onboard the Celebrity Century is less extensive than usual, but we will still followup with a Post Cruise Review in the coming days to give you as many concluding thoughts about this great vessel as we have been able to gather amid the port-intensive itinerary. Read our concluding report here…

The post Live Cruise Review: Celebrity Century, California Coastal 2013 – Part 2 appeared first on Popular Cruising.