IN THIS ISSUE

• Norwegian Reveals New Stateroom Design
• NCL Rescues Shipwrecked Pooch
• Costa Maya Set to Reopen
• Carnival Dream to be Homeported in Port Canaveral
• Carnival Bids Farewell to Celebration
• Princess Ships to be Remodeled with New Features
• Cunard's Queen Victoria Crashed Already
• Specials
• Cruise of the Month
• Featured Cruises
• Aruba - Port Spotlight
• Raspberry Tiramisu - Recipe of the Month

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NEWS FROM THE HIGH SEAS

NCL Corporation revealed the cruise industry's most innovative living space at sea - New Wave Staterooms by NCL. Designed for its next generation of Freestyle Cruising ships, F3, the New Wave standard, New Wave balcony and New Wave deluxe staterooms represent a giant leap forward in cruise ship accommodations with a completely fresh take on bathroom design, contemporary curved architecture and open living space.

"From the introduction of the first Caribbean cruise more than 41 years ago to the launch of Freestyle Cruising in 2000 and beyond, NCL has always blazed a trail of innovation," said Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO. "We have thrown away the rule book with the design of F3 and today are revealing the very first element with our New Wave staterooms. Gone are the regimented typical designs and in place are sleek staterooms that are totally outside the box, designed for the needs of tomorrow's guests."

The New Wave staterooms most distinctive design element is its curved walls and lines creating a modern and chic experience. NCL has maximized the living space with a bathroom that is completely unique with a separate shower stall, separate water closet and a modern vanity top sink. The staterooms feature a sophisticated earth-tone palette accented with a splash of color and rich, dark wood. Concealed contour LED lighting and back-lit domed ceilings set a relaxing vibe.

All the amenities and comforts of NCL's Freestyle 2.0 enhancements are included with upgraded bedding, linens and towels, Euro pillows, Elemis bathroom products and MP3 connectivity upon request. Balcony and deluxe staterooms have bathrobes, a customized fruit menu, a fresh-baked cookie at turn down on the last night of cruise, an escort to the stateroom on embarkation day, priority restaurant reservation and reception hotlines and special color keycard for ship-wide recognition.

Further design details of the New Wave staterooms include:

New Wave Standard:

• A bathroom that's "outside the box," including:
  • Separate water closet
  • Separate vanity top sink within the room
  • Separate shower stall
• Concealed contour LED lighting
• Most inside staterooms feature the back-lit domed ceiling
• Flat-screen TV
• Mini-Bar

The two 150,000-ton F3 ships will each total 4,200 passenger berths, representing the largest ships in NCL's fleet. The new ship design will offer 60 percent more guest space than NCL's largest ships to date, which will be used to provide guests an even wider range of on-board activities, amenities and stateroom options. The ships' cabin mix will be the richest of any NCL ship with 100 percent of outside staterooms featuring private balconies. In total, each ship will have 1,415 balcony staterooms.

© 2008 Norwegian Cruise Lines

NCL Aids in Rescue of Shipwrecked Pooch

It's been a "ruff" life so far for a puppy named Snickers who spent three months adrift at sea and survived another four abandoned on a tiny island before being rescued by Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of Aloha earlier this month.

The 8-month-old cocker spaniel spent three months adrift at sea with his owners Jerry and Darla Merrow and their parrot Gulliver on a 48-foot motor sailor, the Darla Jean, which developed mast problems after setting out from California. The boat eventually ran aground on Fanning Island, part of the Republic of Kiribati, a populated but small atoll about 1,000 miles south of Hawaii. While the Merrows were able to hitch a ride back to the United States on a cargo ship, the vessel wouldn't allow the pets onboard -- so they were left behind.

Nevada resident Josh Joslin read about the orphaned pooch in boating journal Latitude 38; a couple visiting the island tipped off the publication that local officials were being pressured to euthanize (it's illegal to import animals into Kiribati). Having just put one of his two dogs to sleep, Joslin sprung to action to save and adopt Snickers. After several phone calls to the Hawaiian Humane Society and NCL, arrangements were underway for Snickers to be transferred from Fanning Island to Honolulu aboard Pride of Aloha.

Transporting a dog into the U.S. is no small feat (when's the last time you got through Customs without breaking a sweat?), and the paperwork and legwork was completed just in the nick of time. April 9 was NCL's last stop at Fanning Island for the immediate future, and Snickers may have been euthanized had Pride of Aloha not been able to bring the dog onboard during that scheduled port call. Because of its proximity to Hawaii, foreign-flagged vessels sometimes include Fanning Island on Honolulu-based itineraries as they are required to call on at least one non-U.S. port. However, no other lines have stops scheduled there in the upcoming months.

In the meantime, Snickers is also waiting out his own quarantine period in Honolulu, after which he'll be transported to Las Vegas to meet his new owner (according to media reports, Hawaiian Airlines has volunteered to fly him, at least to Los Angeles, for free). Though Snickers did not partake in any of the Freestyle Dining options while cruising, the Humane Society did hook him up with a "rescue kit" complete with flea medication, a leash and collar, and dog food -- and crewmembers were sad to see him go.

"Please know how very grateful I am to NCL for going above and beyond the call to aid in Snickers' rescue," Joslin says. "It would have been much more difficult without that help -- maybe even impossible."

--by Melissa Baldwin, Managing Editor, with additional reporting by Dan Askin, Assistant Editor

©2008 Cruise Critic

Storm Ravaged Costa Maya Port to Open in November 2008

New 130,000-ton Carnival Dream to be Based at Port Canaveral

Carnival's Celebration Bids Farewell

On Saturday, April 19, the 1,486-passenger Celebration arrived back in Jacksonville, Fla., at the end of its final voyage under the Carnival Cruise Lines’ banner. The 47,262-ton Celebration – which entered service in 1987 – will be transferred to Ibero Cruises, a new joint venture aimed at the Spanish market in which Carnival’s parent company, Carnival Corporation & plc is a partner.

Replacing the Celebration in Jacksonville will be the 2,052-passenger Carnival Fascination, which represents a 38 percent capacity increase. The Carnival Fascination begins year-round four- and five-day cruises from Jacksonville Sept. 20, providing consumers with an exciting new option from this convenient Florida homeport.

©2008 Carnival Cruise Lines

Two Princess Ships to be Remodeled with Line's Latest Signature Features

Two Princess ships will be remodeled to incorporate a number of the most popular amenities that have become passenger favorites on the line's newer ships. The upcoming makeovers of Star Princess and Caribbean Princess will include a transformation of the Deck 5 atrium into the inviting piazza-style street cafe currently found on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess; plus will add the company's signature adults-only Sanctuary and showplace Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, along with a more centrally located casino and seven new suites.

Star Princess will receive these new features during her September drydock in San Francisco and Caribbean Princess will follow in January 2009.

The ships' updated atriums will not only feature the specialty coffees, freshly baked goods, paninis and tapas of the International Cafe, but will also introduce an expanded Vines wine bar concept, which will now include rare vintage wines, a selection of artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle. In addition, passengers will be able to relax in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess' signature adults-only retreat, featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. The ships will also replace their current steakhouse with the Crown Grill restaurant featuring an open show kitchen where passengers can enjoy watching as chefs prepare chops, steaks and seafood, including live lobsters. As part of the renovation, each vessel will also receive seven new suites with ocean-view picture windows, and the casino will be relocated one deck higher to deck 7, bringing it into the ship's central entertainment area.

"After Crown Princess and Emerald Princess debuted, we knew we had struck a chord with our passengers who loved the piazza-style atriums, new dining experiences and the peaceful environment of The Sanctuary," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. "And so we're delighted to bring these hallmark features to two of the other vessels."

To make room for the new features, passengers may find that some of their favorite areas have been relocated. In addition to the casino, the sports court, Internet Cafe and wedding chapel are also among the spaces that will be moved in the renovation process.

The new features passengers will find aboard these vessels include:

The Piazza - This piazza-style atrium has been a popular area on the new ships, with its sidewalk cafe feel and casual dining options. The ships will offer this lively area on Deck 5, designed to be the bustling hub of the ship with a street cafe atmosphere, featuring live music and entertainers throughout the day and evening. With Italian-inspired decor, this charming area serves as an inviting venue throughout the day for passengers seeking a more casual dining option. Within this space, passengers can relax over coffee and pastries at the International Cafe or a glass of wine at Vines, or keep in touch with home at the Internet Cafe.

Vines - The expanded Vines concept features a wine bar serving a selection of rare and unique new- and old-world vintage wines along with gourmet delicacies. Here passengers can enjoy an assortment of fine wines by the glass, wine flights, a wine shop and a walk-in glass artisan cheese and cured meat humidor. Designed to resemble a wine cellar, the venue hosts unique wine tasting sessions, while the chef makes special appearances to pair selections with some of the world's most desirable artisan cheeses. Food-lovers can also sample a daily selection of sushi, sashimi, antipasti or ceviche. A signature feature in Vines, wine lovers will have the opportunity to sample a Swiss specialty, Raclette, a traditional melted cheese dish. The Vines shop offers an extensive collection of hard-to-find wines available for purchase, as well as Princess-branded favorites such as extra virgin olive oil, aged Italian balsamic vinegar and a selection of related gift items.

International Cafe - Serving up a variety of tasty options throughout the day, the International Cafe features an ever-changing array of quick bites and light meal choices. In the morning, passengers will be attracted by the aroma of freshly baked croissants, Danish pastries and beignets; while in the afternoon the Cafe serves grilled-to-order paninis, quiches and salads. At dinnertime passengers can stop by for tapas or dessert - including the popular chocolate fondue. Throughout the day, the cafe features the line's famous fresh-baked cookies, and coffee lovers can also select from a variety of specialty coffee drinks and Revolution teas.

The Sanctuary - The adults-only "pocket of tranquility" that has been so popular on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess, will be added to the uppermost forward deck of the ship, which currently houses the ships' sports court. The Sanctuary offers a relaxing alternative to the myriad activities available throughout the ship. Solitude seekers will be able to escape completely to this plush, outdoor spa-inspired setting with refreshing beverages and healthy fare, massages, relaxing personal entertainment and attentive service from the area's Serenity Stewards.

Crown Grill - The ships will trade their Sterling Steakhouse restaurants for a Crown Grill premium seafood and chop house concept as found on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess. This showplace restaurant entertains passengers with an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare steamed shellfish - such as lobster, scallops, clams and mussels - and cooked-to-order steaks and chops. Passengers can choose to sit at the kitchen's eat-up counter and watch the show as they dine.

Suites - Seven new oceanview suites will be added on deck six, offering additional options for passengers who enjoy the luxury and amenities that come with Princess' most spacious accommodations.

©2008 Princess Cruises

"Sea View" Multimedia Featuring New Videos

Go online to our site and check out the new videos that have been added to the multimedia section. Get your cruising appetite wet!

PORT SPOTLIGHT

Aruba
©1998 Sealetter Cruise Magazine

Port City:

• Oranjestad, Aruba
  Population:
  
• Approximately 10,000 in Oranjestad and 67,000 on the island
  Language:
  
• The official language is Dutch; English, Spanish and Papiamento, the local language, are also widely spoken
  Climate:
  
• Temperatures range between 75 and 85 degrees
  Currency:
  
• The Aruban florin; U.S. dollars are widely accepted

  Bon bini! That's the Aruban way of saying "welcome," but it also sums up the Aruban way of living: friendly, joyful and relaxed. Appropriately enough, the island's motto is "One happy island." Aruba boasts some of the loveliest white-sand beaches in the Caribbean, an exotic countryside, Dutch gingerbread architecture and cool, soothing trade winds.

Sightseeing

Oranjestad

Oranjestad, the capital, is a bustling port city, full of shops, banks, offices and restaurants, most of which are housed in quaint Dutch- or Spanish-style buildings. The picturesque city wharf is lined with fishing boats, island schooners and houseboats. The wharf is also a marketplace, where you can buy seafood, fresh produce, handicrafts and T-shirts. Transactions are carried out in dollars as well as florins, and bargaining is expected.

Across the street from the wharf, at the corner of Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard and Arnold Schuttestraat, is the Tourist Bureau, where you can get up-to-date information on island events and sights.

Also on the seaside of Oranjestad, along Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard, is Wilhelmina Park, a small tropical garden on the waterfront that features a beautiful sculpture of Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands, who ruled from 1890 until 1948.

You may want to visit a few sites of historical interest in town. Your first stop should be Fort Zoutman, at the corner of Oranjestraat and Zoutmanstraat, one of the oldest buildings on Aruba. Once situated just offshore (the coastline was subsequently altered by man), the fort has also served as a government office building, a police station and a prison. Today, it houses the Museo Arubano, which was opened by Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and contains a number of exhibits of historical significance.

The fort was built in 1796 to protect Aruba's harbor from attack by buccaneers who moored their ships along the southwest coast at Paarden Bay. Residents of the island, with the help of Governor John Rudolph Lauffer, built the fortress, and the governor named it in honor of Rear Admiral Johan Arnold Zoutman, a hero of the Dutch-English wars. The Willem III Tower was added to the fort in 1868 to serve as a lighthouse. The lamp in the spire was lit for the first time on the birthday of King Willem III in 1869.

Nearby is the Archaeological Museum Aruba, located on Zoutmanstraat diagonally across from the bus stop. The exhibits at the five-room museum are intriguing, especially the giant earthen jars that contain the remains of some of Aruba's original inhabitants. You also can see ancient artifacts, pottery, tools and art.

Perhaps the most absorbing exhibit on the island is at the Museo Numism tico, located in the Instituto de Cultura building, adjacent to St. Francis Church. Inside are more than 30,000 different coins and currencies, dating back as far as the 5th century B.C. The museum, which began as (and still is) one Aruban's hobby, was later granted this permanent home by the government. The staff of the family-run museum will gladly regale you with colorful stories about the history of each piece in the collection, which includes coins that circulated in the Roman Empire, the ancient Chinese dynasties and the Byzantine Empire.

The Island

The 100-foot-long Natural Bridge, carved out of coral rock by the rough surf on the northern coast, is the island's best-known landmark and the focus of most sightseeing tours. From Oranjestad, it takes only about 30 minutes to reach this marvel.

On the way to the Natural Bridge, plan to stop at Casibari and Ayo, where you'll find huge diorite boulders, some of which weigh several tons. Even today, scientists are not sure of the rocks' origins. The rocks at Ayo are decorated with ancient Indian drawings.

Just before you come to the Natural Bridge, you'll pass Bushiribana, where there are remnants of an abandoned gold smelter used during the Aruba gold rush over a century ago.

Adventure-minded travelers should visit Hooiberg, Aruba's most celebrated mountain, located at the center of the island. You can climb several hundred steps to its 54-foot peak, from which you can sometimes see as far as Venezuela. Also worth visiting are the Fontein, Guadirikiri and Huliba caves, inland caverns decorated with intriguing Arawak paintings and inhabited by harmless bats. A nominal fee admits you to all three caves.

For an other-world experience, venture out just beyond Palm Beach to the California Dunes, sand dunes in the middle of a desolate stretch of lunarlike landscape on the northernmost tip of the island. The famous California Lighthouse marks one end of the dunes.

Not far off the coast here is the shipwrecked Antilla, a German freighter that was scuttled at the beginning of World War II. Also in this area are the Chapel of Alto Vista, built by the Spanish missionaries in 1750, and the Church of Santa Anna in Noord, with its hand-carved oak altar that won an award in an exhibition in Rome in 1870.

For a look at the Aruban wilderness, check out Arikok National Park. You'll see the lovely dry cunucu, or "countryside;" cacti, other unusual succulents, and divi-divi, or Watapana trees. The Aruban outback is also home to more than 200 species of birds, and wild burros and thousands of sheep and goats roam the countryside.

Other sights of interest on the island are De Olde Molen, an old Dutch windmill that was actually transported from Holland; Boca Prins, a charming cove surrounded by white-sand dunes that the locals use as slides; the bird refuge near Frenchman's Pass, a good place to spot Caribbean Parakeets; and the nearby Balashi gold mill ruins at the tip of Spanish Lagoon, once a pirate's hideout and now the site of the world's second-largest desalination plant.

One of the best ways to see many of these sights is by taking a Shore Excursion. Check with your Cruise Director for more information.

Beaches & Sports

If your vision of paradise consists of powder-white beaches and incredibly clear azure waters, Aruba is paradise. For besides its exotic landscapes, friendly natives, balmy breezes and tropical rhythms, the island also boasts the most beautiful stretch of beaches in the Caribbean: the beaches along the Turquoise Coast.

A good part of this seven-mile string of shores on the western coast of Aruba is lined with hotels; the area is sometimes referred to as the Hotel Zone. It is perhaps best known for its two major beaches, Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. Palm Beach is the more famous of the two, and it's also where you'll find most of the large hotels and casinos. Eagle Beach, which is closer to Oranjestad, is a popular public park with shaded picnic areas.

At the southwestern point of the island, just south of Eagle Beach, is Manchebo Beach, a wide strand fronted by several hotels. Druif Beach, also lined with hotels, is located right next to Manchebo.

All the beaches along the coast are open to the public. Keep in mind that if you use any of a hotel's facilities, you will be charged.

Enterprising visitors will want to explore Aruba's other beaches, some of which are ideally suited for certain water sports. For example, Arashi Beach, located near the northwestern tip of Aruba, is a perfect place to swim and snorkel because of its clear waters, gentle currents and abundant underwater life. If you're into windsurfing, head for Bachelor's Beach, a favorite hangout near the island's southeastern tip. At Boca Grandi, just to the north, is a lagoon known as the Grapefield, where you can snorkel; there are also picnic areas here in the middle of a large sea-grape grove.

Perhaps the prettiest beach on the island is Baby Beach, on the shallow and placid Baby Lagoon in the area known as Seroe Colorado. It is ideal for children or inexperienced swimmers, and snorkelers will find some gorgeous coral heads in its channel. Near Baby Beach is Rodgers Beach, which has a slightly rougher surf. You must pass through the gates of the Esso Club to access Bachelor's, Baby and Rodgers beaches; visitors are welcome.

A few beaches on the rugged, wind-swept northern coast, such as Dos Playa and Andicuri, attract picnickers and surfers. But be warned: the currents can be treacherous.

Although Aruba's pristine beaches encourage visitors to bask lazily in the sun, don't miss out on all the exhilarating activities that make the island a sports-enthusiast's dream.

The sport of choice on the island is windsurfing. Aruba's trade winds, which average 15 knots year-round, have made the island the preferred windsurfing hangout in the Caribbean. If you want to explore below the Caribbean's aqua-blue waters, you have two options: snorkeling or scuba diving. You can also go sailing or fishing; the waters around Aruba are filled with blue and white marlin, wahoo, kingfish, tuna and bonito.

Ever played golf on "greens" that are actually oiled sand? Or had to deal with an occasional live hazard such as a goat? Well, this is all part of the game at the Aruba Golf Club. The 18-hole course is located on the eastern end of the island near San Nicolas.

Shopping

Many stores and boutiques are located along the main streets of Oranjestad, especially the recently renamed Caya G.F. Betico Croes (formerly Nassaustraat and often called simply Main Street). There are also several major shopping centers downtown, including the Seaport Village Mall, the Harbour Town Market, the Port of Call Market Place, the Holland Aruba Mall and the Strada Shopping Mall. The Alhambra Bazaar, located in front of the hotels on the southwestern tip of the island, houses an interesting mixture of specialty shops. And there are several shops at the airport too.

Most stores list prices in dollars as well as florins, and virtually all shops accept dollars. The stores here are usually open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; some may close for an hour or two around lunchtime.