Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Royal Caribbean Searches for Godmother of Independence of the Seas

Royal Caribbean just announced a nationwide search for a British godmother of their newest cruise ship, the Independence of the Seas. In years past, Royal Caribbean has selected the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Gloria Estefan, Steffi Graff and many other popular celebrities to hold this prestigious title.

Now, Royal Caribbean is searching high and low for an ordinary British woman who has accomplished and done extra-ordinary things in her lifetime for the benefit of others. All potential godmothers must be nominated through Royal Caribbean’s exclusive website, which is http://www.searchforagodmother.co.uk/. The winner will be selected and participate in the official ship naming ceremonies onboard the inaugural sailing of the Independence.


The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas is the 3rd ship among the Freedom class. This 160,000ton mega ship begins its first official European sailings in April 2008 round-trip from Southampton, England.

Thursday, March 13, 2008

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) Rolls Out Freestyle 2.0

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) announced yesterday that they are getting ready to roll out Freestyle 2.0 by the end of this month. Freestyle 2.0 is NCL’s fleet-wide initiate to further enhance and improve the guest experience. Some of the enhancements include a major overhaul of the total dining experience, upgrading the stateroom experience, new wide ranging on-board activities for guests of all ages and additional service and amenities for balcony suite and villa occupants.

The first guests to fully experience Freestyle 2.0 will be sailing on the Norwegian Jade’s 12-day Mediterranean cruise. Additional cruise ships will launch Freestyle 2.0 within the following weeks, with fleet-wide roll out fully implemented by June 1, 2008.

For a complete list of Norwegian Cruise Line Freestyle 2.0 enhancements, see below:

Freestyle Dining Improvements:
- A “bubbly welcome” – a welcome aboard glass of champagne for everyone
- New dining menus with expanded choices in every restaurant
- Lobster Galore –Lobster in the main restaurant twice per cruise and in every specialty restaurant every night of the cruise. WOW!
- Steak & Eggs Breakfast feast in Teppanyaki restaurant with unlimited Bloody Mary’s and mimosas
- Signature specialty dish featured in every restaurant
- New and expanded room service menu

Stateroom Improvements:
- Elimis bathroom amenities
- Memory foam mattress toppers
- Upgraded linens and pillows
- Upgraded room service menu
- Expanded mini-bar options

Balcony, Suites & Villa Enhancements:
- Bathrobes included
- Customized Fruit Menu
- Fresh-baked cookie at turn down on last night of cruise
- Personal escort to stateroom on embarkation day
- Priority restaurant reservation and reception hotlines

Suites & Villas Enhancements:
- Upgraded mattress, lines and feather pillows
- Upgraded sofa bed
- Plush bathrobes
- Customized Fruit & Canape menu
- Bottle of Moet Chandon White Star Champagne upon embarkation
- VIP Breakfast & Lunch in Cagneys
- Private Breakfast & Lunch with action station set-up in Courtyard for Villa Guests
- Dedicated Butler in Courtyard

Enhanced On-board Activities:
- Library transformed into coffee shop atmosphere with plasma televisions
- Enhanced nightlife with White Hot Party & Monte Carlo night
- Enhanced pool deck experience with relaxing ambient music, drink flags on every chair & quiet zones

Enhanced Teens Centers
- X-box Game Consoles
- Nintendo Wii
- Expanded table games such as football, billiards and hockey

All of us at Direct Line Cruises are very excited to see the improvements made by Freestyle 2.0. We have witnessed and experienced NCL’s dramatic improvements in the Freestyle cruising experience and we can’t wait to see what more is to come.

Thursday, March 06, 2008

Be the First to See the Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas

Are you a Royal Caribbean fanatic? Are you ready to witness history? Royal Caribbean Cruise Line and Direct Line Cruises is now offering an exclusive cruise contest, which will allow two lucky guests the opportunity to participate in the 2-day inaugural sailing of the BRAND NEW Independence of the Seas. These two lucky guests will be one of the first to experience this amazing new ship and also witness the official naming ceremony. This is truly a unique event that no Royal Caribbean fanatic would want to miss.

The Royal Caribbean Independence of the Seas will sail round-trip from Southampton, England on April 28 and return on April 30, 2008. Guests will be treated to ocean-view accommodations or better. All drinks, meals and entertainment will be included courtesy of Royal Caribbean.

How do you participate? It’s quite simple. Click the contest entry link below and enter your name, address, phone and e-mail. Direct Line Cruises will randomly select and notify one winner on April 1, 2008. The winner will be allowed to invite one guest to participate in these unforgettable festivities.

What is Included: Ocean-View stateroom accommodations or better, drinks, meals, entertainment & transfers to and from the Southampton airport.

What is Not Included: Air Transportation to and from Southampton, England

When: April 28 to April 30, 2008

Where: Southampton, England

Contest Terms & Conditions: Contest entries will be open for acceptance on 03/06/08 and end on 03/31/08. One randomly selected winner will be chosen and notified on 04/01/08. All participants must be 21 years or older. It is the sole responsibility of the winner to arrange their transportation to and from Southampton, England.