Sushi and BBQ on the Carnival Breeze

Just reading about the two new dining venues aboard the Carnival Breeze makes me hungry!  Bonsai Sushi will be Carnival’s first full-service sushi restaurant.  The menu will present Asian-inspired cuisine, and the restaurant itself will be quite unique. The décor will feature artwork by contemporary urban artist, Erni Vales, best known for his development of the 3D graffiti style.  Prices range from $1 for appetizers to $15 for sushi for two.

Fat Jimmy’s C-Side BBQ is everything you want good BBQ to be. Come hungry because the choices include barbecued chicken breasts, kielbasa, Italian sausages and pulled pork sandwiches, along with traditional sides including baked beans, potato salad, coleslaw and mini-corn muffins.  The dining at this venue will be free for all guests to enjoy.

The 3,600 passenger Carnival Breeze will enter service in June 2012 debuting with a summer schedule of 12-day Mediterranean voyages before repositioning to Miami in November for year-round six- and eight-day Caribbean departures."

The Return of the "Solsticized" Summit

Have you dismissed the thought of cruising on the Celebrity Summit this year because “you’ve been there, done that?”  Well let me tell you, if you were to board her today, you wouldn’t recognize her!  The Celebrity Summit returned to Cape Liberty on May 6^th having been completely “solsticized”, in other words, renovated from bow to stern.  All those wonderful and innovative features inherent to the Solstice-class ships have now been added to those aspects of the Millenium-class Summit that you’ve always loved!  The end result…a Stupendous Summit!

Of course, you would expect new bedding, carpet, window treatments and even a flat-screen TV in a newly renovated cabin.  But the transformations to the Celebrity Summit are so much more extensive! Aqua Class cabins were added, spa-inspired staterooms featuring indulgent amenities to help you unwind.  Booking into this cabin class gives guests complimentary access to the Persian Gardens, complimentary infused teas and bottled water, a spa concierge to arrange spa treatments, and exclusive access to Blu restaurant.

Speaking of restaurants, “solsticizing” provided wonderful new dining options for the Summit, with the addition of four signature eateries. Qsine is the quirky restaurant where you quickly learn to expect the unexpected! The menu at Qsine consists of familiar dishes and comfort food artfully and whimsically presented. Blu offers a lighter, cleaner menu, serving inventive dishes with fresh, crisp flavors in a sophisticated atmosphere. Bistro on Five is a delightful creperie open all-day and late into the evening. The crepes are made to order, and the variety is both exceptional and interesting. Last but not least, Café al Bacio and Gelateria is a coffee house serving specialty coffees, teas, and pastries.  In addition, the cafe has a nice gelateria with gelati and Italian ices.

Several bar and lounge areas that are incredibly popular on Solstice-class ships can now be found on the Summit.  The ice topped Martini Bar and Crush is a favorite evening hang-out spot, as is Cellar Master, a refined wine bar complete with an Enomatic wine dispenser. Michael’s Club has also evolved into a sophisticated lounge serving fine whiskeys, scotches and cognacs, as well as craft beers.

The Celebrity iLounge is dedicated to all things Apple and is the perfect place to learn about all their electronic gadgets. If you’d rather spend your time in the fresh ocean air, the outdoor upper deck has been remodeled and is wonderfully conducive to rest and relaxation.

The Celebrity Summit departs from Cape Liberty, New Jersey, heading to beautiful Bermuda through September.  After that she’ll help you escape the chilly northeast weather as she cruises to the Caribbean. So, if you’ve already cruised aboard the Celebrity Summit, maybe it’s time for a second go around.  If you haven’t yet been on the Summit, what are you waiting for?"

Punchliner Comedy Clubs Presented by George Lopez

Carnival Cruise Line has teamed up with legendary comedian and TV personality George Lopez, who will become the cruise line’s director for comedy. The newly launched venue, Punchliner Comedy Clubs Presented by George Lopez, recently made its debut on the Carnival Miracle, and will eventually be expanded throughout the fleet. Lopez will take an active role in the vetting and hiring of comedic talent, as well as advise on décor, lighting and music.  The club will have five 35-minute performances on multiple nights during each cruise. The two earliest shows will be family friendly, but the later ones will be more adult-oriented. There will also be a Punchliner Comedy Brunch Presented by George Lopez, which will be held in the main dining room.  The menu was inspired by Lopez’s Mexican heritage, and includes two of his own creations! There is no additional fee for the Comedy Club or brunch."