Oasis of the Seas Balloon Mystery

There has been mass debate regarding the strange spherical object that is tethered to Royal Caribbean’s latest ship Oasis of the Seas since photos were posted on STX Europe’s web site as the ship undergoes sea trials. Speculation about the balloon flying above the 220,000 ton, 5,400-passenger Oasis of the Seas has been raging and its ideas of its intended use includes a weather station and blimp cam, although a cruise industry website believes it is a trial balloon ride.

The balloon is connected to Oasis of the Seas by a cable to the aft of the ship and it flies 50 metres above the vessel. It can be lowed via the cable to its docking station on the upper deck of the ship and it is believed that a gondola or basket will have space for passengers.

Royal Caribbean’s Chairman Richard Fain has not confirmed the rumours and has posted on his blog: "The idea is interesting, but it has such a cornucopia of practical issues that I give it less than a 50 percent chance of being used on Oasis," he writes. "If we don't use it on the ship, I will consider it just another of the many ideas our people develop that didn't work."

Norwegian Epic cruises go on sale

Cruises on Norwegian Cruise Line’s newest ship, Norwegian Epic, went on sale yesterday with a choice of Caribbean Cruises on offer. The first Eastern Caribbean sailing from Miami is scheduled for July 17 2010 and the ships’ alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries are available through April 2011. Norwegian Epic's Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship's Western Caribbean itinerary includes calls in Costa Maya, Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico.

The 4,200 passenger Norwegian Epic features many new innovations that include the first Ice Bar at sea, an expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide at sea, an extreme rock-climbing wall 33 foot high and 64 foot wide, plus several new types of accommodations such as the curved New Wave staterooms, the largest ship-within-a-ship suite complex at sea, spa and family friendly accommodations. In addition to all this Norwegian Cruise Line will be enhancing their Freestyle Dining on board Norwegian Epic with 14 restaurant choices and 18 bars and lounges to choose from.

Southampton fourth terminal to open Saturday 9 May

The new £19 million terminal at Southampton is set to open on Saturday 9^th May. The new facility is the first purpose-built cruise terminal to be built in the UK for almost four decades and will receive around 4,000 passengers travelling through it every day.

Ocean Dock, as the new terminal will be known, is located opposite the site of the old Ocean Terminal which was once home to many of the great transatlantic liners of the last century, when the port was first known as the ‘Gateway to the World’. The new terminal will stand both as testimony to Southampton’s ocean-liner history and as a symbol of the modern cruising age, with cruises from the UK becoming ever popular.

P&O Cruises ship Ventura will be the first ship to use the new berth. Priority use of the terminal will go to Carnival Cruises brands such as Princess Cruises and Ocean Village. Doug Morrison, Port Director at ABP Port of Southampton said: “Over the last few years, the cruise industry has seen enormous growth, which has securely positioned the port of Southampton as the cruise capital of Northern Europe. The new terminal is essential for the Port’s future growth within the cruise market but also represents a significant economic contribution to the Southampton region.”

Roaming mobile services coming to MSC Cruises

Guests travelling on MSC Cruises ships are set to have greater mobile phone services after the cruise line have signed up with leading maritime mobile phone firm On Waves to provide roaming services on all ships.

Constantin Simeonidis, chief executive of On Waves, said the launch of code divisional multiple access (CDMA) services will enhance passenger experience across the cruise line's fleet.

"To have renewed the trust of an organisation like MSC Cruises is a great endorsement," he commented, adding: "We expect the launch of CDMA services will further increase overall usage of mobile devices."

The new service will also be included for all MSC Cruises new builds in the future.

Cunard's Queen Elizabeth maiden voyage all sold out

Cunard Cruises maiden voyage on their new Queen Elizabeth ocean liner has become the fastest selling voyage in the cruise lines history.

29 minutes! That is all it took for the 13 night Canary Islands voyage to sell out, beating the record of 36 minutes set in June 2007 for the final sailing of Queen Elizabeth 2. More than half of the remainder of the maiden season cruises were then snapped up within 90 minutes.

Carol Marlow, president and managing director of Cunard, said that bookings had been particularly strong from people in the UK, the US and Germany.

"This is an impressive record set by what will be an impressive ship and speaks volumes for the Cunard brand as well as for the resilience of the cruise sector," she commented.

Cunard Cruises latest ship Queen Elizabeth is set to launch in autumn 2010 and will only further enhance Cunard Cruises illustrious reputation for exquisite ocean travel. Queen Elizabeth will feature many luxurious and elegant public rooms, plus a bowling green, a croquet lawn and even country house parties.

Broadway musical Hairspray set to wow on Oasis of the Seas

The award-winning musical ‘Hairspray’ is set to debut on Royal Caribbean’s eagerly anticipated Oasis of the Seas when the new ship sets sail from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, in December 2009. One of two productions taking place in Oasis of the Seas’ grand Opal Theatre, ‘Hairspray’ will open with a wide range of cruise industry firsts that Royal Caribbean will be debuting with the launch of their new ship.

“We are thrilled to bring to our guests a ground-breaking entertainment feature such as Hairspray on Oasis of the Seas,” said Peter Compton, vice president, Entertainment, Royal Caribbean. “The addition of this popular musical to Royal Caribbean’s entertainment lineup will undoubtedly take cruise entertainment to the next level and cater to the evolving tastes of vacationers. Guests will be able to enjoy an award-winning Broadway-caliber production on Oasis of the Seas along with a myriad of revolutionary onboard amenities for a most memorable cruise vacation.”

Set in 1962, ‘Hairspray’ follows the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big aspirations who wins a spot on the local TV dance program, ‘The Corny Collins Show’ and finds herself transformed into an overnight teen sensation. The show has been licensed to Royal Caribbean for three years aboard Oasis of the Seas under an agreement struck with the aid of New York City-based Musical Theater International and Broadway Theatrical; the show will be available exclusively to the cruise line.

Oasis of the Seas is set to offer a myriad of diverse entertainment options for guests including an innovative aerial show which is yet to be formally announced but will make its home in the Opal Theater. In addition to the headlining shows, guests can visit Entertainment Place, one of seven diverse neighborhoods on Oasis of the Seas, which will offer Jazz on 4, an intimate lounge filled with live jazz and blues; Comedy Live, featuring side-splitting comedy; Studio B with an ice show, ‘Frozen in Time’ featuring the writings of Hans Christian Anderson; and more.

Basil Brush to sail on Ocean Village cruises

The most famous fox in the world is set to sail with Ocean Village Cruises this July – none other than Basil Brush will be the latest family favourite to perform an exclusive fun family show on board which will be his first ever season of live shows at sea. Basil will be boarding the original Ocean Village for a summer of sailing around the Western Mediterranean, joining other children’s icons such as Bagpuss and Paddington Bear

The legendary puppet first hit British TV screens back in 1963 and became known for his cheeky jokes and famous ‘Boom boom!’ catchphrase. Guests on board will be able to enjoy live shows in Ocean Village’s Connexions Bar from July onwards and will also be able to have their photo taken with Basil, complete with his trade mark tweed cape, waistcoat and cravat.

The performance will take place on all Ocean Village ''Emperors and Espresso'' fly cruises, running for seven days from Palma to Ajaccio on Corsica.

According to Travelmole, Gill Haynes, Ocean Village head of marketing communications, said: "We think parents will be as amused as their children to find Basil on board – his shows make great family entertainment and reach across the generations.

"This trio of retro children's icons is sure to charm the kids and send parents hurtling down memory lane."