Line Taps Expertise of Renowned Film Critic to

Celebrate Fifth Anniversary of Movies Under the Stars

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 28, 2009) – Five years after revolutionizing movie-going at sea with its innovative Movies Under the Stars screens, Princess Cruises has teamed with celebrated film critic and historian Leonard Maltin to bring passengers yet another new way to experience movies onboard -- an exclusive Leonard Maltin Movie Club. Debuting fleetwide, the new club gives passengers the opportunity to join fellow film buffs to discuss specially selected motion pictures during their cruise.

With this program, Princess will showcase a new film chosen by Mr. Maltin each month. Passengers will not only be able to enjoy the open-air poolside Movies Under the Stars viewing experience, but will also be able to gather for a thought-provoking discussion to gain greater perspective on the film.

In addition, passengers can catch up on many popular and classic films with a new Leonard Maltin Movie Channel available in staterooms.

The new partnership celebrates the fifth anniversary of Movies Under the Stars, which first debuted on Caribbean Princess. The giant Times Square-style movie screens are now available on eight ships, and will be added to most other ships in the Princess fleet by 2011.

“For many people in this country, there’s no more recognizable movie expert than Leonard Maltin,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “Given the popularity of Movies Under the Stars, we know our passengers love watching films, so it’s a great opportunity to enhance the experience by featuring Mr. Maltin’s expertise with this new movie club and dedicated movie channel.”

The Leonard Maltin Movie Club invites passengers to view a specially selected film on Movies Under the Stars or in the Princess Theater. Each month, a new movie will be featured, with a special video introduction from Mr. Maltin. Soon, films will be announced on www.princess.com prior to the sailing, so passengers will know what Movie Club selection will be presented on their cruise. Upcoming films include titles such as “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” “Slumdog Millionaire” and “The Wrestler.”

Later, the cruise staff will host a gathering for passengers featuring a group discussion of the film, guided by questions and trivia from Mr. Maltin. The one-hour club meeting is open to all passengers.

For passengers who want to further enjoy films in their stateroom, the Leonard Maltin Movie Channel on the ship’s television system will feature a selection of contemporary, classic and animated movies specially selected by Mr. Maltin.

As part of this new relationship with Princess, Leonard Maltin himself will be traveling aboard a Princess ship to share his movie insights with passengers in a series of onboard presentations, and to host the Movie Club. Mr. Maltin’s sailing will be announced at a later date.

Leonard Maltin is one of the country's most recognized and respected film critics and historians. He may be best known as the resident film buff on the popular syndicated program “Entertainment Tonight,” where he has appeared since 1982. However, long before he became a familiar face on television, his annual paperback “Leonard Maltin's Movie Guide” established his reputation; he was 18 when the first edition was published. He has also published numerous other books and articles, and teaches at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. In addition, Mr. Maltin has created television specials and DVDs on film topics, currently hosts the weekly program “Secret’s Out” on ReelzChannel, and introduces movies on DirecTV.

Movies Under the Stars poolside screens have been a signature feature on Princess ships since first debuting on Caribbean Princess in 2004. They are now featured on Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, Grand Princess, Star Princess, Golden Princess and Sea Princess. The giant LED screens are more than 300 square feet in size with 69,000-watt sound systems and sufficient lighting power to be seen clearly at mid-day and heard even while the ship is moving at full speed – offering cruise passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater. Other special programs presented on the giant screens include sporting events such as the Super Bowl, the college football Bowl Championship Series, video game contests with Nintendo’s Wii, a variety of concert events with artists such as Christina Aguilera and Matchbox Twenty, and even midnight showings of cult films such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

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Thu May 28 2009, by Travel Trade Staff

Royal Caribbean's Enchantment of the Seas became the first cruise ship to resume stops at Cozumel, following the recent H1N1 health scare. More ships are now scheduled to resume port calls. Next Friday, Royal Caribbean's Freedom of the Seas will and on Saturday the Carnival Holiday arrives.

Mexico's Minister of Tourism Rodolfo Elizondo, emphasized that after three months without arrivals, a recuperation of the destination is predicted as well as an economic stimulus of $580,000 from these three ships.

"The reinstatement of activities in this port is a clear sign of the recuperation that the tourism sector in Cozumel is experiencing, as well as the rest of the country, which will allow us to show travelers what President Felipe Calderon has already mentioned, that Mexico is not only a beautiful country, but is also a strong country capable of facing the toughest adversaries, and Mexicans are prepared to give the best welcomes," commented Elizondo.

In addition, he emphasized that in the next 30 days they will be expecting a total of 39 cruise ship arrivals to Mexican ports, with Cozumel receiving the majority of them at 26. The arrival of Freedom of the Seas coincided with the launch of the promotional campaign "Vive Mexico," an initiative developed by the federal government with the goal of reactivating the tourism sector of the country.

The CEO of the Mexican Tourist Board, Oscar Fitch Gomez, emphasized that the arrival of the three ships not only shows that the sector has been reactivated, but also demonstrates the trust that tourists and international businesses, like Royal Caribbean International and Carnival, are placing in the tourist industry.

It is hoped that all activities in Cozumel will return to normalcy no later than June 15th.

Carnival Cruise Lines is planning a new entertainment program for its newest and largest “Fun Ship,” the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. In addition to three production revues, Carnival Dream will offer solo singers, comedians, live bands and “Fun Force,” an acrobatic team that will perform throughout the ship. “The increased size of the Carnival Dream provides us with an expansive canvas to create some truly unique and innovative entertainment options that are sure to leave audiences amazed,” said Roger Blum, Carnival’s vice president of cruise programming.

The first production show, titled “Dancin’ in the Street,” combines a gritty, urban feel with special effects such as neon lighting and video projection technology. The show features break-dancing numbers, acrobatic Chinese pole routines and a trampoline segment. The second show, “Get Ready,” takes a musical look at various professions through the Motown era, R&B hits and elaborate production numbers. The third show, “Xtreme Country,” salutes country and western music.

Carnival Dream will offer other entertainment venues. The new Ocean Plaza will feature a different entertainment options throughout the day and night. The ship will also feature comedy revues and Seaside Theatre, a massive LED screen on Lido Deck that will display movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming. Other options include solo singers along the Dream Street promenade, a dedicated karaoke lounge, Sam’s piano bar, steel drum and Calypso bands on Lido Deck and live bands playing everything from rock to country to disco.

Carnival Dream is slated to debut Sept. 21 with the first of three 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” cruises operating round-trip from Rome, followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome to New York Oct. 27 to Nov. 12. From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and Nov. 23, and then reposition to Port Canaveral for a one-time nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will then launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral on Dec. 12 offering weeklong voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Dream’s European and Caribbean departures.

Carnival Cruise Lines is planning a new entertainment program for its newest and largest “Fun Ship,” the 130,000-ton Carnival Dream. In addition to three production revues, Carnival Dream will offer solo singers, comedians, live bands and “Fun Force,” an acrobatic team that will perform throughout the ship. “The increased size of the Carnival Dream provides us with an expansive canvas to create some truly unique and innovative entertainment options that are sure to leave audiences amazed,” said Roger Blum, Carnival’s vice president of cruise programming. T

The first production show, titled “Dancin’ in the Street,” combines a gritty, urban feel with special effects such as neon lighting and video projection technology. The show features break-dancing numbers, acrobatic Chinese pole routines and a trampoline segment. The second show, “Get Ready,” takes a musical look at various professions through the Motown era, R&B hits and elaborate production numbers. The third show, “Xtreme Country,” salutes country and western music.

Carnival Dream will offer other entertainment venues. The new Ocean Plaza will feature a different entertainment options throughout the day and night. The ship will also feature comedy revues and Seaside Theatre, a massive LED screen on Lido Deck that will display movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming. Other options include solo singers along the Dream Street promenade, a dedicated karaoke lounge, Sam’s piano bar, steel drum and Calypso bands on Lido Deck and live bands playing everything from rock to country to disco.

Carnival Dream is slated to debut Sept. 21 with the first of three 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” cruises operating round-trip from Rome, followed by a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing from Rome to New York Oct. 27 to Nov. 12. From New York, Carnival Dream will operate two eight-day Bahamas/Florida cruises departing Nov. 15 and Nov. 23, and then reposition to Port Canaveral for a one-time nine-day Caribbean cruise departing Dec. 3. Carnival Dream will then launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral on Dec. 12 offering weeklong voyages to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Dream’s European and Caribbean departures.

Thu May 21 2009, by Travel Trade Staff
Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has added a new hip hop dance program to its ships. Gotta Dance offers guests the opportunity to "wow" their cruisemates with cool new dance moves. The guest-participatory experience is being offered exclusively by RCI and will be offered fleetwide in summer 2009.

"Gotta Dance is the newest Royal Caribbean International program that offers guests an opportunity to try something different on their vacation regardless of age and experience," said Peter Compton, vice president, entertainment for RCI. "Every age is welcome and no experience is necessary. As with many of our onboard programs, Gotta Dance helps bring families closer together and build lasting relationships among guests for an unforgettable cruise vacation."

Gotta Dance is based on the documentary film by Dori Berinstein that chronicles the first-ever senior-citizen, hip hop dance troupe for the New Jersey Nets basketball team. The film opens in July 2009.

Kicking off each cruise will be a special screening of the film. Participants will then be divided into teams and, over the course of their vacation, will learn choreographed routines with a member of the Royal Caribbean dance team in rehearsals during sea days. The program culminates with a farewell show on the last evening of the cruise, whereby each of the teams performs their routine in the ship's main theater.

Cruise prices are still very affordable. 

There is still space available for 2009.

Published on: May 15, 2009 From TravelPulse.com

Royal Caribbean International launched new deals for family vacations in the Caribbean this summer, offering savings up to $200 per stateroom on select sailings and onboard credits for select categories. The savings is $50 per person, up to $200 per stateroom, for 31 seven- and nine-night summer Caribbean sailings. Those booking an outside stateroom with balcony also will receive $100 onboard credit per stateroom or $150 per stateroom for junior suite or higher category accommodations. These offers apply to new bookings made by June 30 and are subject to availability. For additional information, call Joanne at New Directions Cruises and Tours at 407 468-7519.