Category: Cruises & Boat Travel
World's biggest cruise ship
I bet you thought the Queen Mary II – at 151,400 tons – was a big ship. Not satisfied with the 160,000-ton Freedom of the Seas which is due in June, Royal Caribbean, the world’s second largest cruise operator, has just ordered the world’s largest ship. This $1.24bn monster, dubbed Project Genesis, will be 220,000
Noordam leaves Venice for New York
By Paul Johnson on Feb 03, 2006 in Caribbean, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Italy, New York, North America, Regions, Speciality Travel, Western Europe, Worldwide
Holland America Line‘s Noordam has left its Venice shipyard today, bound for its new home in New York where it will be christened on 22nd February 2006 by actress and godmother Marlee Matlin. The ship will then embark on its maiden voyage in the Caribbean. This is the fourth and last of Holland America’s Vista-class 
Boost for Dubai Cruise Terminal
By Paul Johnson on Feb 01, 2006 in Cruises & Boat Travel, Middle East, Regions, Speciality Travel, United Arab Emirates
Costa Crociere SpA, the leading cruise operator in Europe, will be offering cruises with departures from Dubai Cruise Terminal starting from December 2006. The move by the Italian group which operates the brands AIDA Cruises and Costa Crociere followed a series of official meetings in Dubai. The new cruises will be offered through the 2006/2007 
Queen Mary 2 protest
By Paul Johnson on Jan 23, 2006 in Brazil, Cruises & Boat Travel, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel
Some passengers on the Queen Mary 2 are threatening a sit-in when the cruise ship reaches port in Brazil to protest a last-minute change in itinerary. The world’s largest and most expensive ocean liner left New York on 15th January 2006 and was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles on 22nd February 2006. Carrying more 
Kelly Brook and Billy Zane honeymoon
By Paul Johnson on Jan 23, 2006 in Celebrities, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Honeymoons, Regions, Speciality Travel, Travel Miscellany, United Kingdom, Western Europe
Kelly Brook and fiance Billy Zane are planning their dream honeymoon. They are due to marry in Greece later this year and expected to sail on a luxury yacht around the Western Isles of Scotland for their honeymoon. It is thought that Kelly fell in love with Scotland after attending Madonna and Guy Ritchie’s wedding 
Super Spas 2006
By Paul Johnson on Jan 19, 2006 in Accommodation, Arizona, Asia, California, Cruises & Boat Travel, Europe, Ireland, Massachusetts, New York, Regions, Resorts, Spas & Pampering, Speciality Travel, Thailand, United Kingdom, Utah, Vermont, West Virginia, Western Europe, Worldwide
Interested in a seaweed wrap or a caviar facial? Forbes has run an article on the special spas for 2006. Getting a much-deserved mention are: Monart Luxury Destination Spa, Enniscorthy, Ireland Red Mountain Spa, St. George, UT Chiva Som, Hua Hin, Thailand Canyon Ranch, Tucson, AZ and Lenox, MA Cornelia Day Resort, New York 
Bora Bora Cruises
By Paul Johnson on Jan 18, 2006 in Cruises & Boat Travel, Oceania, Pacific Islands, Regions, Speciality Travel
For those who prefer island hopping without unpacking, Bora Bora Cruises‘ 226.4-foot yachts (Tu Moana and Ti’a Moana) offer seven-day luxury cruises to Bora Bora, Huahine, Raitea and Taha’a. Guests can also charter the yachts and determine their own itinerary. There are only 30 spacious cabins with soaring ceilings, large windows, glass-enclosed baths, plasma TVs 
New Norwegian Cruise Line ships
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has announced the names of its two newest ships: Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Gem, due to be delivered in February 2007 and October 2007 respectively. Currently under construction at Meyer Werft in Germany, both the new ships will feature all the attributes of NCL`s unique modern Freestyle Cruising fleet with
SeaDream I South American itinerary
By Paul Johnson on Jan 12, 2006 in Argentina, Brazil, Cruises & Boat Travel, Regions, South America, Speciality Travel, Uruguay
The boutique SeaDream I – the world’s highest ranked cruise ship – will be running itineraries in South America from November 2006. The two 9-night itineraries have just been announced by SeaDream Yacht Club and will cover Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina. Be sure to plan ahead if you wish to go on the February 2007 
Queen Mary 2 given top accolades
Cunard Line and its flagship Queen Mary 2 were recently awarded top travel industry accolades on both sides of the Atlantic. U.S. publication Travel Weekly announced its annual Reader’s Choice Awards, naming Queen Mary 2 as “Best Luxury Cruise Ship” for the second consecutive year. In the U.K. earlier in the year, Travel Trade Gazette’s
Silver Shadow world cruise
Silversea Cruises have announced that Silver Shadow will go on her first world cruise in 2007. The 126-day voyage will start in Fort Lauderdale on 15th January and finish in New York City on 22nd May. Passengers will follow the trade winds from the island jewels of the Caribbean to the Incan treasures of
Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour
By Paul Johnson on Jan 09, 2006 in Accommodation, Bahamas, Caribbean, Cruises & Boat Travel, Regions, Resorts, Speciality Travel
West End Resort, Ltd. has taken title to 78 acres of land adjacent to the existing 150 acre project, including the balance of the Settlement Point land and all of the north shore beachfront land where the old Jack Tar hotel was located. Future expansion of Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour in West 
Spirit of Chicago
By Paul Johnson on Jan 08, 2006 in Cruises & Boat Travel, Illinois, North America, Regions, Speciality Travel, USA
Join 500 passengers aboard the Spirit of Chicago‘s lunch and dinner cruises, which include entertainment and views of the famed skyline. The 192-foot-long luxury ship has three dining decks and two dance floors. If you’re looking for the ultimate private party, charter a deck for 100 – 350 guests. 
Oceania Nautica in China
The American luxury liner Oceania Nautica anchored in the capital of south China’s Guangdong Province yesterday, with more than 1,000 tourists on board. It is particularly significant in that it is the largest foreign travel group to visit the province since the outbreak of SARS in 2003.
