Jetsettersblog

Windstar Cruises is offering cell phone service at sea on Wind Star and Wind Spirit. Wind Surf already offers this service. Wind Star will have the service available on the Nov. 29 14-day Panama Canal cruise from Barbados to Puerto Caldera.

The network will be installed on Wind Spirit during an upcoming dry-dock and be ready on the April 18 seven-day cruise from Lisbon to Barcelona. Windstar has contracted with On-Waves Ehf for a roaming network which supports GSM and CDMA technology onboard the ships.

Guests will be able to make and receive calls while at sea using their own mobile phone. Text messaging, GPRS and EDGE data service is also available. Guests will need to check that their phone is enabled for international roaming with their cellular carrier, and that their carrier is one of the 200 carriers that have roaming agreements with On-Waves Ehf.

Charges will be determined by the guest’s cellular service carrier and will appear on their regular monthly cell phone bill.

To maintain Windstar’s atmosphere of casual elegance, guests will be advised of cell phone courtesy guidelines. Cell phone service is intended primarily for guest use in their staterooms.

Talking on cell phones will not be permitted in public areas such as dining areas or lounges, and guests will be asked to set their phone’s ringer to vibrate when in public areas.

Cunard Line’s Grills accommodations aboard flagship Queen Mary 2 and newest ship Queen Victoria were ranked No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, among the Top 10 large cruise ships in Douglas Ward’s recently published “2009 Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising and Cruise Ships.”

Cunard once again also received top honors for Best Overall Food and Best Overall Service in the annual guide, and Queen Mary 2’s Canyon Ranch SpaClub also ranked among the Top 10 Spas.

Queen Mary 2’s Grills category received a five-star Berlitz rating and Queen Victoria’s Grills received a four-star-plus rating. Cunard’s Grills accommodations originate from 1936 when the “Verandah Grills” were introduced aboard Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth and in later years evolved into the Princess Grill and Queens Grill.

Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria continue the Grills tradition providing guests expansive suite accommodations, dedicated dining rooms, sun terrace, cocktails lounge and concierge, as well as many other amenities.

MSC Cruises has launched the official website for MSC Fantasia, the largest ship ever commissioned by a European shipowner, which will be inaugurated in Naples on Dec. 18. The site, www.mscfantasia.com  is entirely dedicated to MSC Cruises’ new flagship, currently under construction at the Aker Yards France in St Nazaire.

Available in five languages (Italian, English, French, German, Spanish), the site includes a clock counting down to the launch day. In the background, the image of the ship, whose godmother will be Sophia Loren, changes colors according to the time of connection. The video recounts the story of the ship and its construction. The site features five special “assistants,” who accompany visitors through a virtual journey to discover the ship.

Each assistant reveals the secrets of MSC Fantasia — the captain talks about his ship, the chef recommends restaurants and specialties, the entertainment organizer talks about her work and the areas dedicated to children and kids; the butler leads visitors through the exclusive MSC Yacht Club, and the director of the MSC Aurea Spa opens the doors to the relaxation and well-being areas.

The site also has sections containing photo galleries with three-dimensional images and plans.

There is also a “Questions & Answers” space for those who wish to know more about MSC Fantasia. Finally, with “MSC Navigator,” you can visit the ship interactively, stay up-to-date on itineraries, access maps of the ports, get information and images on the areas visited, and even virtually experience the MSC Yacht Club. MSC Fantasia and its twin MSC Splendida, which will be inaugurated in July, introduce a new concept of cruise ship. In addition to new technologies, the two ships will be the first to have an exclusive VIP area in the MSC Yacht Club, made up of 99 suites, reserved areas, bars, restaurants, a solarium, two hydro-massage baths, a pool, a VIP observation lounge, a concierge desk, a panoramic view of the ship’s bow and the presence of round-the-clock butler service.

Holland America Line is offering four Grand Voyages in 2010, including a 114-day Grand World Voyage and three ranging from 51 to 70 days. The flagship Amsterdam returns to world cruising in 2010 with the 114-day voyage departing Jan. 6 from Fort Lauderdale.

The ship will sail an eastbound route, but first moves west through the Panama Canal and down the coast of South America before rounding Cape Horn and exploring Antarctica. Amsterdam will then cross the Atlantic to Africa, sail around the southern tip of the continent to the Indian Ocean and on to Asia and Canada en route to Los Angeles. Guests can disembark in Vancouver on April 25 or Seattle on April 26, making the voyage 109 or 110 days.

Segments ranging from 17 to 47 days are available. The itinerary, which takes the ship to 40 ports on six continents, features 12 overnight calls — the most ever included on a Holland America world cruise. With the overnights, guests will have two full days in Panama City, Panama; Callo (Lima), Peru; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Cape Town, South Africa; the Seychelles; Mumbai, India; Singapore; Hong Kong, Shanghai and Beijing, China; and Kobe and Yokohama, Japan.

The Prinsendam will sail two back-to-back Grand Voyages in 2010. The 793-guest ship first departs Jan. 13 on a 70-day Grand South America and Antarctica cruise round-trip from Fort Lauderdale. During the voyage, Prinsendam will circumnavigate South America and spend seven days exploring the Amazon River. On the other end of the continent, the ship spends three days cruising in Antarctica.

This Grand Voyage aboard Prinsendam also features opportunities to visit Machu Picchu and Iguaçu Falls, passage through the Panama Canal, four equatorial crossings and nine ports in Brazil. Calls include Iquique and Isla Robinson Crusoe, as well as overnight stays in Manaus and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires; Callao (Lima), Peru; and Fuerte Amador, Panama.

Then Prinsendam departs Fort Lauderdale on March 24 on a 54-day roundtrip to the Mediterranean and Black Sea. The ship crosses the Atlantic and calls at ports in Morocco, Spain, France, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Russia, Georgia, Greece and Turkey. After sailing westward back across the Atlantic and calling at Bermuda, the cruise ends in either New York — shortening the voyage to 51 days — or Fort Lauderdale. The Grand South America and Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea voyages aboard Prinsendam can be combined to form a 124-day journey roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 13, 2010.

In the fall, Amsterdam departs Sept. 24 on a 69-day voyage from Seattle to Asia. After visiting Tokyo, Japan; Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, China; Saigon, Vietnam; Bangkok, Thailand; and Kampong Saom, Cambodia, Amsterdam continues on to Darwin, Australia, the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef.

Following calls throughout Australia, the ship heads east through the South Pacific and visits Honolulu before ending at San Diego on Dec. 2, 2010. Overnight stays are scheduled in Sydney, Australia; Laem Chabang (Bangkok), Thailand, and Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong, China. Shorter segments are available on all of the Grand Voyages.

Reservations are open for the 2010 Grand Voyages, and early-booking bonus amenities for full-cruise guests include airfare, prepaid hotel service charges, shipboard credit, luggage delivery service and limousine transfers when booking select stateroom categories;

amenities vary by cruise and booking date. Cruise fares start at $20,999 per person, double occupancy, for Amsterdam’s 113-day Grand World Voyage departing Jan. 6, 2010, and $19,999 for the 109-day Grand World Voyage, also departing Jan. 6, 2010. Fares begin at $13,899 for Prinsendam’s 70-day Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage departing Jan. 13, 2010 and $9,499 for the Grand Mediterranean and Black Sea Voyage departing March 24, 2010. The and for Amsterdam’s 69-day Grand Asia and Australia Voyage departing Sept. 24, 2010 is priced from $11,499. Fuel supplement charges are additional.

The Puerta Maya Cruise Center in Cozumel, operated by Carnival Corporation & plc, “officially” opened on Monday with grand opening festivities presided over by Francine Cousteau, president of the Cousteau Society and widow of pioneering undersea explorer Jacques Cousteau. In addition to the re-opening of a new two-berth pier and expansive shopping and retail complex, Francine Cousteau served as “godmother” of a new artificial reef off the coast of Cozumel comprised of 56,000 tons of salvaged concrete pilings taken from Puerta Maya’s original pier that was destroyed by Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

The inauguration of the artificial reef kicked off two days of grand opening festivities for the Puerta Maya Cruise Center. Events included a gala fundraiser benefiting Parque Marino Arrecifes de Cozumel (Marine Parks of Cozumel) and the Cousteau Society, as well as an opening reception at the facility’s main plaza attended by Mexican government officials, including the Governor of the State of Quintana Roo Felix Gonzales Canto, Cozumel Mayor Juan Carlos Gonzales, and other federal, state and city representatives. A luncheon aboard the Carnival Legend took place, as well.

Located on the north coast of Cozumel, the new artificial reef was funded by Carnival Corporation & plc and will create a new underwater habitat within the island’s world-renowned reef system, part of the largest reef system in the Western Hemisphere. While abundant with fish and other marine animals, the former marine habitat consisted mainly of vast areas of sand and seaweed.

The new reef, called Lol-Ha after the Mayan word for “water-flower” and inspired by the centuries-old tale that explains how the sea got its blue color, creates an undersea environment that can support a wider variety of marine species, including soft and hard corals and sponges, as well as fish and crustaceans. Carnival Corporation & plc and Puerta Maya officials also unveiled a number of educational and environmental initiatives designed to heighten awareness of the island’s precious natural resources.

Representing an investment of more than $50 million, the rebuilt Puerta Maya Cruise Center includes a two-berth pier built to withstand a category 5 hurricane, along with a variety of shopping and dining opportunities and a transportation hub capable of accommodating dozens of taxis and tour buses.

A new shore excursion pier allowing for quick and convenient access to all water-bound excursions, as well as water-based transportation to and from the facility, is also available. Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy and 2,052-passenger Carnival Ecstasy were the first cruise ships to call at the new Puerta Maya pier last week, representing the first of 550 cruise-ship visits at the facility over the next year. In addition to calling at Puerta Maya, vessels from Carnival Corporation & plc brands will continue to utilize the other two piers in Cozumel.

Crystal Cruises is accepting reservations for its 108-day 2010 World Cruise. Departing Miami on Jan. 10, 2010, the Exploration of Ancient Empires voyage will call at 41 ports in 37 countries. For the first time, the Crystal Serenity will call in Iran, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, in addition to South America, Africa, India, the Red Sea, the Black Sea, and several European ports in the Mediterranean en route to London.

With Crystal’s early payment special, full World Cruise fares start at $56,206, per person, double occupancy. Full World Cruise guests enjoy special amenities and events including a bon voyage World Cruise Gala and overnight luxury hotel accommodations in Miami; first- or business-class air transportation from Crystal’s air/sea gateways; complimentary chauffeured pre- and post-cruise transfers between the guest’s home, airport, pre-cruise hotel and Crystal Serenity within 100 miles of gateway city; $1,000 onboard spending credit and prepaid gratuities; seven complimentary shore excursions; and two exclusive shoreside events.

Although Crystal’s World Cruise departs in a year and a half, more than 160 guests were waitlisted and subsequently booked for the full voyage. The World Cruise is also available in seven segments ranging from 13 to 21 days, or back-to-back segment combinations, with fares beginning at $6,118.

The line is currently accepting waitlist reservations for segments, which will give guests priority clearance when the books officially open Nov. 20. The 2010 World Cruise Preview is now available online, and includes full World Cruise and segment details and also highlights World Value Fares and early payment fares, special features and deck plans/room layouts for Crystal Serenity.

Princess Cruises’ Star Princess emerged last weekend from a three-week dry-dock that transformed the atrium into a street café-like piazza, added the adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary, and installed a 300-square-foot poolside movie screen. These features, which have been introduced on Princess’ newest vessels, are expanding to other ships in the fleet, and Star Princess is the first to get these elements.

 Star Princess’ piazza-style atrium now features dining and entertainment opportunities including specialty coffees, baked goods, paninis, salads and tapas in the International Café. It will also introduce an expanded Vines wine bar concept, which will feature more than 30 wines by the glass, artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop. On the top deck, passengers can relax in The Sanctuary, an adults-only retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards.

Along with beverages and light snacks, visitors to this exclusive space can also receive a massage in one of two private cabanas.

Princess’ Movies Under the Stars poolside screen is now in place and will show a variety of films, concerts and special events daily. In the evenings it becomes an outdoor theater with covered lounge chairs and blankets, along with free popcorn, plus other snacks and beverages.

Additional changes made during the dry-dock include a new Internet Café and library area, enhancements to the onboard boutiques, the addition of LCD flat-screen TVs in all staterooms, and other cosmetic updates. Star Princess is the first of three ships to receive these updates.

Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will also receive similar transformations in January and April 2009, respectively. Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will also receive a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, a new casino area and six additional suites.

Hotel Abri has opened in San Francisco’s Union Square. Formerly the Monticello Inn, Hotel Abri has undergone a transformation and now features contemporary, urban décor. All 90 guestrooms, including 28 suites, have been redesigned, along with the hotel’s lobby lounge. Each guestroom is designed with earth tones in modern couches and chairs and chestnut-colored tables and dressers. Each room features the FeatherBorne Bed package, L’Occitane guest amenities, bathrobes and a mini bar.

High-tech amenities include complimentary wireless Internet, iPod docking stations and flat-screen TVs with connectivity panels to allow for easy viewing of digital media entertainment. Each of the 24 Urban Suites and four Oasis Suites feature king-size beds and a separate living area.

The lobby features modern lighting, granite floors and copper accents. A lounge features a fireplace and an elliptical skylight. Next door, the Puccini and Pinetti Italian Bar and Grill offers a bar atmosphere and Italian cuisine. Just off the lobby is Hotel Abri’s complimentary business center and meeting room for groups of up to 16 people. Hotel Abri, a member of the Larkspur Collection, is non-smoking and pet-friendly.

For more information, call 877-527-5778 or visit www.hotel-abri.com

British Airways has agreed to a multi-million pound deal for the new Thales TopSeries In Flight Entertainment system to be installed on its new delivery aircraft and next generation aircraft.

With bigger, clearer screens, the multimedia system will give customers access more than 100 movies, 300 programs and 400 CDs as well as a range of radio programs and podcasts whenever they want.

It also includes a new range of interactive and multiplayer games as well as several e-learning applications, which will allow customers to enjoy a web-like experience from their seat.

 Features include enhanced wide screens in all cabins, USB ports and RCA jacks for personal electronic device (PED) connection and charging, in-seat laptop power throughout the aircraft, noise canceling headsets in all premium class seats :
First, Club World and World Traveller Plus and new 3-D interactive moving map applications in all cabins

The system will be delivered for installation in 2010 on new delivery Boeing 777-300ERs, next generation Airbus A380 aircraft and the Boeing 787 Dreamliners.

Featuring thousands of historic, one-of-a-kind items, the Sports Museum of Los Angeles, the largest collection of sports memorabilia under one roof in the world, will be opened to the public on Nov. 28, 2008.

The collection includes items ranging from uniforms worn and bats used by Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio, to Wilt Chamberlain’s high school basketball jersey, to the original home plate from Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, on display in the 32,000-square-foot museum, located at 1900 Main St., south of downtown Los Angeles.
The items are all from the private collection of museum founder and CEO Gary Cypres, which he has amassed over 25 years as a sports collector. Cypress estimates up to 10,000 items will be on display, featuring baseball, college and professional football, basketball, golf, tennis, badminton and cycling equipment and memorabilia, as well as baseball cards, sports-related arcade and board games, sports-related sheet music and sports-related movie posters, with a total estimated value of more than $30 million.

Although located in Los Angeles, about a mile south of Staples Center, the museum’s roots are on the other side of the country. “I was born in the Bronx, and raised in the shadows of Yankee Stadium,” said Cypres, explaining why the 30 galleries in the museum include separate rooms devoted to Yankee greats Ruth, DiMaggio, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, and even Yankee Stadium itself. The museum also features items tracing the history of the Dodgers, from Brooklyn to Los Angeles.

But Cypres wants his museum to be more than a collection of game-worn jerseys and autographed balls. “I want to trace the history of sports,” he said, “the evolution of sports in society, and the evolution of sports into entertainment. The Halls of Fame honor the individuals of sports.

This collection honors the evolution of sports — the equipment, uniforms and venues.” With that in mind, the museum features displays tracing the history and evolution of sports equipment, with examples showing how baseball bats and gloves, catchers’ masks, football helmets, golf clubs, tennis rackets, basketballs and even the basketball hoop have changed over the years.
Cypres is already planning an expansion of the museum to add another 14,000 square feet, to include items from soccer, boxing, horse racing, swimming and other sports. Ticket prices for the Sports Museum are $17.50 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, $11 for children ages 5 to 12, and children under 5 are admitted free.

For more information, visit www.sportsmuseumla.com