MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand capped off their 40th year with a Christmas celebration and update on their newest ship, MSC Divina.

Having experienced double digit growth in the past year, MSC are expecting to continue the pattern with their annual capacity increasing to 1.5 million passengers once Divina launches on 26 May 2012.

Whilst their average passenger demographic has decreased to 53 years, the demand for cruising in the Mediterranean in particular has increased.

"The fact that MSC Divina will be cruising the beautiful East Mediterranean is a bonus as capacity has always been at a premium to this part of the Mediterranean," MSC Cruises Australia and New Zealand managing director Lynne Clarke said.

Noting the line's flexible embarkation options as one of the many keys to their popularity with cruisers, Ms Clarke shared with guests at last night's event that it's a matter of "when" MSC will deploy a ship to Australian waters not "if".

Cruise to the Mediterranean with the renowned TV correspondent, Michael Nicholson, OBE, MA, who is the latest in a line of glittering speakers to join its Vistas cruise enrichment programme. Michael will be the guest speaker on Boudicca's 23-night cruise to the Mediterranean, departing from Portsmouth on 12th October 2012.

Michael Nicholson is best known as a seasoned and highly-acclaimed foreign correspondent, reporting on wars and natural disasters the world over. He has reported from no fewer than 18 war zones during his long and illustrious career, including Nigeria, Biafra, Vietnam, Cambodia, Beirut, Israel, Cyprus, Congo, Rwanda, The Falklands, the Balkans and both Gulf Wars.

Michael was ITN's first Bureau Chief in South Africa, based in Johannesburg; he reported on news from all over Africa between 1976 and 1981, then journeyed overland back to the UK with his family – a 14,000-mile journey that took six months.

He has worked for Channel 4, as Washington Correspondent for the 'Morning News', and as co-presenter on its weekly current affairs programme, 'The World This Week'. He has also worked with ITN, presenting the early evening news, and acting as Chief Foreign Correspondent for 'News at Ten'.

Most recently, Michael has written and presented a series of documentaries, based on his war experiences, with the title 'Nicholson Back to the Front', revisiting some of the hotspots of his career, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, the Middle East, The Falklands, Vietnam, Angola and Cyprus.

Cruise guests can enjoy Michael's fascinating and informative talks in the comfort and elegance of Boudicca on this exciting Mediterranean itinerary, which visits Portimăo (Portugal), Ibiza (Spain), Valletta (Malta), Piraeus (for Athens, Greece), Çanakkale (Turkey), Istanbul (Turkey), Kusadasi (Turkey), Gozo (Malta), Mahon (Menorca) and Gibraltar, returning to Portsmouth. Prices for this cruise start from £2,179 per person, based on two adults sharing an inside, twin cabin, Grade 'I', and include all meals and entertainment on board, and port taxes. There are also 'Double Savings' available on this cruise of up to £1,000 per cabin (depending on cabin grade), if booked by 29th February 2012 inclusive, as featured in Fred. Olsen's 'Captains' Collection cruises 2012' brochure of 73 specially-selected, ex-UK cruise deals. Fred. Olsen's 'No Fuel Surcharge Guarantee' also applies on all bookings made by 31st January 2012 inclusive, for departures from 1st January 2012 onwards, so value for money is guaranteed. There is no extra charge for taking part in Vistas cruises activity.

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- In its international relaxed, yet sophisticated, style, Crystal is transforming its ships into whimsical holiday wonderlands, with more than $100,000 in new decorations. Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony are honoring Christmas, Chanukah, and New Year's with festive trimmings, ranging from elegant Victorian to merrily modern. December 21 voyages boast seasonal parties, dances, carols, menorah and tree lightings, spirited musical productions, sessions with Santa, holiday movies, religious services, and traditional feasts.

Custom decor features:

• Fantasy atriums-turned-forests, with Father Christmas driving reindeer through snow-covered trees twinkling with thousands of shimmering lights, red finches and berries adorning pine boughs
  
• Santa's Bakery inside Bistro Cafes, with Chef Claus welcoming guests to a world of large candy canes, teddy bears and dancing gingerbread cookies
  
• Victorian Christmas trees romantically decorated with ornate ribbons and baroque baubles
  
• Six-foot-tall, light-up menorah
  
• Hand-painted, jewel-covered and hand-blown glass ornaments
  
• Antique carousel horses wearing floral, crystal and beaded-tassel garlands
  
• Casino-dwelling, golden reindeer draped in pine jeweled harnesses encrusted with Christmas motifs
  
• An army of six-foot nutcrackers in lounge areas
  
• Santa and his reindeer enjoying a pint at the Avenue Saloon, sunning in Hawaii, and landing in the fireplace.
  

Traditional culinary delights, in Crystal's gourmet style, include Christmas goose, roast turkey, and chestnut stuffing; potato latkes, as well as chocolate gelt, for Chanukah; and a gala New Year's Eve dinner and champagne countdown celebration, followed by Bloody Mary parties and mimosa brunch on New Year's Day.

"Our ships feel both magical and comfortably familial for guests of all ages who dream of sugar plums and extraordinary holiday vacation memories," says Bret Bullock, vice president entertainment.

Five holiday season sailing options include seven- to 14-day Pacific Coast, Mexican Riviera, Hawaii, Caribbean/Panama Canal, and Trans-Atlantic voyages, with Christmas/Chanukah/New Year's cruises round-trip from either Miami or LA. "Book Now" fares start at $1,995/person, plus up to $1,000/couple in shipboard credit. Crystal's Family Memories Program offers additional savings/perks for family/friends groups.

Blount Small Ship Adventures is offering three cruise itineraries on the Mississippi River in 2012. The seven-night "Tennessee Traditions on the Mississippi River" includes Nashville and Memphis. The eight-night "Treasures of the Mississippi" sails between Memphis and New Orleans, visiting Greenville, Vicksburg and Baton Rouge. The 11-night "Southern Traces" sails from New Orleans to Nashville, visiting Mobile, riverside towns in Mississippi and Tennessee and Kuttawa, Ky.

Savings of $400 per couple is available on the March 23 departure of "Southern Traces: New Orleans to Nashville" when booked by Dec. 31. Those who book by Dec. 31 can save $300 per couple on the April 5 departure of "Tennessee Traditions." Blount's new itineraries come just months before the return of the American Queen riverboat, which has been refurbished by Great American Steamboat Company.

South Korea has been trying to boost its tourism industry as part of its effort to strengthen the domestic economy. On Wednesday, it unveiled its latest plan: getting into the cruise ship business.

The plan includes tax benefits for cruise ship operators and training programs for workers who will be employed by the industry, as well as a green light for on-board casinos for foreigners.

The initiative comes amid expectations that Chinese tourists—who are already a key source of income for Korea's relatively small tourism and retail industry–will boost demand for cruise tourism in Asia in coming years.

Korea doesn't have a local cruise ship operator yet, but the government hopes that changes in regulations will allow the industry to develop.

The plan also includes increased terminal and port capacity in order to accommodate a greater influx of cruise ship tourists. Korea currently has just two ports for cruise ships, one in the southern port city of Busan and another at Jeju island, but the government aims to build up or expand dedicated terminals in existing ports as well as in other areas like Incheon and Yeosu on the southwest coast.

It remains to be seen whether a domestic cruising industry will spring up (if it does, surely only the hardiest travelers would be interested in chugging around Korea's coastline during the frigid winter months).

But the plan highlights the need for South Korea to do more to boost its relatively poor infrastructure for tourists and make its economy more resilient to the ebbs and flows of global trade.

The multi-award winning Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines www.fredolsencruises.com has received another accolade from the travel trade, having been voted 'Cruise Company of the Year for Mainstream Cruise Holidays' in the Travel Agents' Choice Awards. The other nominees in this category were P&O, Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Thomson. These are the only travel industry awards entirely nominated and voted for by UK travel retailers, and are designed to acknowledge star performers in the travel industry. The awards are sponsored jointly by Selling Long Haul, Selling Short Breaks and Selling Cruising magazines, and online training provider, Travel Uni. Nathan Philpot, the new Sales & Marketing Director for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines said: '

This is a great honour, and we are especially delighted to win this award from our travel trade partners, whose support is such an integral part of our business. We would like to thank everyone who voted for us.' The award follows several other accolades for the cruise line this year; it was voted 'Cruise Line of the Year' by readers of Cruise International magazine, and also won their award for 'Best Educational Cruise' for the Vistas enrichment programme, and 'Best Live Performance' for the 'Operababes', who appeared as part of its 'Music & Laughter' onboard entertainment programme.

Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has also carried off two trophies for its group cruises, having been voted 'Best Cruise Line for Groups' by both Group Leisure and Group Travel Organiser magazines.

The focus of the works carried out on Hapag-Lloyd Cruises' Europa during her 13-day shipyard stay was a complete facelift of the interior design of the Lido Café, which now boasts a new design of shades of beige and dark blue. Furthermore, the bathrooms on Deck 9 were gutted and redesigned according to the latest standards. Here, light-colored virgin stone and granite create a modern ambiance. The two Penthouse Grand Suites, each measuring 85 square meters/ 915 square feet, were also overhauled and fully renovated in the living and sleeping areas, as well as in the bathrooms. Beyond this, a new communication system was installed in all of the suites.A total of 330 shipyard workers, technicians and engineers were involved in the comprehensive renovations on board. The complete shipyard list consisted of several hundred items. Twenty-four containers and three trucks delivered the required spare parts, furniture and carpets to the shipyard with a view to the implementation of the envisaged works. In total, 2,000 square meters/ 21,528 square feet of new carpet were fitted on the Europa, and 5,600 litres of paint were used to provide the ship with a makeover both on the inside and on the outside.

The new communication system Media4Cruises by Siemens ensures state-of-the-art infotainment in all of the suites. Besides the features already available in the past such as video and music on demand, television, access to the latest news, weather forecasts as well as information on the ship and the itinerary, it boasts additional services, e.g. the posting electronic greeting cards. The system is very user-friendly and also offers guests convenient Internet access using their own smartphones and tablet PCs.

After 171 years of registering its ships in the United Kingdom, Cunard Line announced today that it is re-flagging its entire fleet -- Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth -- in Bermuda. Starting at the end of this month, Hamilton' (instead of 'Southampton') will be emblazoned across the stern of each ship.

While there are various reasons for changing the fleet's registry, today's press statement highlighted only the positive -- the fact that Cunard will now be able to offer weddings at sea, fulfilling pent-up demand for couples to tie the knot at a captain-officiated ceremony in the middle of the Atlantic.

Ships flagged in the U.K. are not allowed to offer this service: Under U.K. law, couples can be married on a ship but only when it's in port and only by a minister or other notary. Cunard is at a competitive disadvantage in the lucrative romance market; its sister lines, P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises, as well as the ships of rival Celebrity Cruises are flagged in Bermuda or Malta, allowing them to offer wedding ceremonies at sea.

However, economic reasons most likely also played a part in Cunard's move. Britain's new Equality Act 2010 means that workers from EU countries employed on British-registered ships must be paid wages equal to those of British citizens. While many lines favour Filipino and Indian crew, Cunard employs a lot of dining room waiters and bartenders from Eastern Europe and its increased wage bill no doubt played a part in this decision.

Cunard's three Queens will still use Southampton as their home base, and because they're being registered in Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory, they'll still fly the Red Ensign. The 'Weddings at Sea' programme will kick in after the ships have completed their world cruises early in 2012 and will go on sale this December.

--by Sue Bryant, x Contributing Editor

Why is Azamara Club Cruises such a carefully kept secret in this industry? It is perplexing that this excellent product has to work so hard to rise above the marketing noise and clutter. Word of mouth still counts, however, particularly now with instant user internet reviews. We hope and feel strongly that Azamara will hold its own and thrive despite the constant reminders of "economies of scale" that tell us in the industry that bigger is better (more profitable). A unique itinerary within a seven-day framework, plus the fact that we were curious about the product, attracted us to a cruise on the Azamara. The Quest started out from Venice, and we had luxuriously long days in Hvar, Split, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Korcula and Trieste. With few slips-ups, the tone, culture and consistency of this relaxed upscale product delivered.

We'd like to point out what is so different and special about this experience weighed against the other cruise products. There were some weak points here and there, but on the whole we were very pleased.

For starters this is a small 694-passenger ship. A mostly adult experience, few kids and an international mature guest mix that was stimulating in itself. Large numbers of Brits and Scandinavians made for a certain cordial atmosphere aboard.

Without exception everyone we talked to commented on the crew – more so than any other cruise we have been on. Crew and staff were always smiling, warm and courteous without being over-bearing or having that "under the gun" happiness you sometimes sense. These crew members seemed to be in on some secret joke. Were they laughing about something we did or just smiling? It doesn't matter. As has often been said a happy crew is a happy cruise!

Captain Carl Smith undoubtedly set his personal stamp to the tone on this ship (see one-on-one interview). As one crew member told us he wasn't like "some of the other captains" they sailed under, even attending crew parties and events. Senior officers were more involved with passengers than we've ever seen. They participated in a 1,350-step climb to a fortress in Kotor, danced with passengers at certain events, and although not too unusual, walked the ship often, keeping an eye and ear on things. Most impressive from our point of view was being wished well as we disembarked by the hotel manager and food/beverage manager at the gangway. They waited for every single guest to leave the ship and thanked them for sailing.

Holidaymakers can now dive into the pristine waters of the Pacific or soak up the French flavours of Noumea from the comfort of their home with P&O Cruises’ new online Cruise Experience videos.

Featuring footage of fun shore excursions and exploration of picturesque ports, the cruise line hopes the series of videos will help existing passengers plan their holiday.

Told through the eyes of passengers, crew and celebrity cruisers like former NRL player Paul Harragon, the videos are shot with handheld cameras offering honest and sometimes humorous insights into real cruising experiences.

The destination videos offer a snapshot of some of the 60 ports P&O Cruises visits including the Isle of Pines, with its tropical landscapes, the Loyalty Islands with its smiling locals and all the island delights Vanuatu has to offer.

A selection of the cruise line’s most popular shore excursions, including one starring Mr Harragon as he canoes down the Riri River in Vanuatu, feature in longer segments.

Meanwhile a series of onboard videos will offer viewers a taste of the wide-array of activities and entertainment on P&O Cruises’ ships including Luke Mangan’s Salt Grill restaurant.

Jenny Lourey, Senior Vice President of Carnival Australia which operates P&O Cruises, said the videos offer holidaymakers an insight into all the great aspects of a cruising holiday.

“Our ships are a destination in their own right but the videos also show the beautiful destinations we visit and the great activities available on shore and at sea,” Ms Lourey said.

SeaDream yacht club, with its twin, ultra-luxury mega yachts SeaDream I and SeaDream II, has been named the "World's Best Small Ships" in the prestigious Condé Nast Readers' Travel Awards 2011. SeaDream's total score of 88.94 is higher than every other cruise line of any size. Condé Nast Traveller is considered the most discerning and trusted monthly travel magazine in Britain. The annual Readers' Travel Awards, now in its 14^th year, is considered by industry observers to be one of the most prestigious in the world and honors the best cruise lines, cities, islands, hotels, resorts, airlines and spas.

In the 10 years since the company came into business, innovative SeaDream yacht club has brought a refreshing change to the world of ultra-luxury holidays at sea – with the intention of being completely different from any and every other cruise product. Chic and stylish, SeaDream's 56-stateroom twin yachts are favored for their elegant informality, state-of-the-art facilities, personal service provided by a crew of 95, inclusive open bar and gratuities, world class cuisine, all ocean-view accommodations and a Thai certified, luxury spa. It truly is "Yachting not Cruising".

SeaDream's President, Bob Lepisto said "We are honored to be named number one amongst the incredible cruise experiences available. The timing couldn't be better! This news comes on the heels of SeaDream celebrating its 10^th anniversary and achieving the top two ratings for 'Boutique Ships' in The 2012 Berlitz Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships." Lepisto added, "I must thank and congratulate our dedicated crew on both SeaDream I and SeaDream II who have created the finest small luxury yachting experience in the world."

OceansTV, a provider of in-cabin entertainment to cruise line companies, has signed a contract with P&O Cruises to supply it with two new TV channels.

These custom channels will consist of comedy and drama TV shows aimed at British passengers.

The programs have been sourced by OceansTV from some of the leaders in international television entertainment including ITV, Digital Rights Group, Fremantle, RDF Media and the BBC.

The channels will be available for passengers to watch in their cabins onboard five P&O ships.

Transmission of the new channels began earlier this year with a refresh planned after 12 months based on research that will include passenger feedback and an in-depth analysis of viewing figures.

“OceansTV has been successfully providing first rate, cost-effective entertainment content to cruise line companies for many years,” said Liz Motley, president of OceansTV.

“Reaching this agreement with such a prestigious company as P&O Cruises, provides us with an exceptional opportunity to demonstrate the high quality entertainment solutions we can provide to cruise line companies wishing to enhance the in-cabin experience of their passengers."

The new P&O cruise ship will have two traditional fore-and-aft funnels

P&O Cruises has announced an order for a new 141,000-ton cruise ship to be based on the recently-designed platform for Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess and Regal Princess, which will be introduced in 2013 and 2014, respectively. The new P&O ship will accommodate 3,611 passengers in lower berths. What is most interesting about the design is P&O’s reversion in the new ship to a more traditional appearance in that she will feature two conventional funnels carrying the P&O colours. This is unusal in that P&O went straight from three funnels with the Strathnaver and Strathaird, the first P&O ships to carry the now traditional white hull in 1931-32, to one funnel in the Strathmore, Strathallan and Stratheden of 1935-38. The last important P&O ship to have had two funnels arranged fore and aft was the original Oriana, built for the Orient Line in 1960. Previous to that, the most famous two-funnelled P&O ship was the Viceroy of India, delivered in 1929.

The last major P&O ship to have been built with two funnels was the Viceroy of India in 1929

To be built at Fincantieri’s Monfalcone yard, the new ship will cost about €560 million, or €155,000 per lower berth. Ushering in a new era for P&O Cruises, the ship will offer a stylish and innovative design and an unprecedented number of passenger facilities, along with many of the line’s classic and iconic features. Specifications will be announced at a later date.

The original Oriana was built for the Orient Line in 1960 and became a P&O ship in 1965

Commented Micky Arison, Carnival Corporation & plc’s chairman and CEO, “P&O Cruises is Britain’s number one cruise operator, and is synonymous with high quality holidays that celebrate its rich British heritage. The UK continues to be a key growth market and innovative vessels such as this new P&O Cruises ship – targeted specifically to British clientele – underscore our commitment to leading the expansion of this important cruise region. With a progression of highly successful new ships introduced over the last 15 years, P&O Cruises is uniquely experienced in designing vessels to meet the specific needs and aspirations of British passengers.”

P&O Cruises Managing Director Carol Marlow said, “This next-generation ship will deliver the ultimate P&O Cruises experience, with ‘sophisticated wows’ and new features to attract thousands of newcomers to our brand, and equally to resonate with existing P&O Cruises passengers by giving them the ‘P&O-ness’ they recognise and love. She will offer ‘the best of the best,’ combining the favourite classic features of Oriana and Aurora, the choice and variety of Azura and Ventura, and a host of new ideas and concepts which together will deliver to our passengers the holiday of a lifetime, every time they travel with us.”

Two funnels have made quite a comeback in the past decade or so. Starting with the original Disney Magic and Disney Wonder in 1998-99, these were followed by six Holland America “Vista” types (Zuiderdam through Nieuw Amsterdam) in 2002-10 and joined by five Celebrity Solstice class ships in 2008-12, then Disney Dream this year and Disney Fantasy to follow next. Cruise ships have now entered a size bracket where two funnels have become relatively common once again. Indeed, after the new P&O ship is delivered there will be sixteen ships carrying two funnels in the fore-and-aft mode. Meanwhile, the last of the traditional two-funnelled ships, NCL’s Norway, was retired in 2003.

P&O’s latest ship Adonia has departed on her maiden cruise with forward bookings above the line’s expectations.

Managing director Carol Marlow said sales for Adonia were going well as customers had been waiting for the arrival of the ship, the smallest in P&O’s fleet.

It has left on its maiden 12-night voyage to the Canary Islands, and will spend the rest of 2011 cruising in the Meditteranean before starting a programme of South American cruises in January next year.

"Forward bookings are a little above expectations and some early cruises are sold out,” said Marlow.

Adonia was named on Saturday by Dame Shirley Bassey at a ceremony in Southampton.

The ship was previously Royal Princess, and Marlow said although it was not a new vessel, it still represented a new product for agents to sell.

"She was built in 2001 so she is still a modern ship with a classic style and when people see her they will realise the appeal,” she said.

Marlow said the "classic" style of the ship, with wood panelling throughout much of the public areas, would appeal to customers who were fans of the Anderson’s Bar, the traditional club lounge on Adonia and other P&O ships.

Adonia carries 710 passengers but has no single cabins, and Marlow said single supplements would be charged in line with other P&O ships.

New restaurant to be added - Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White

P&O Cruises has announced that when Oriana is transformed into a ship exclusively for adults in November this year, the ship will feature a different select dining restaurant, Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White.

Oriana will undergo a transformation which will see the addition of 27 new cabins, including balconies and singles, in place of the current children’s areas. Sorrento, a stylish new, light and airy Italian restaurant with ocean views and an outdoor dining area will be added, the Oasis Spa will be updated, and the deck 8 aft children’s pool will be replaced with a relaxing seating area complemented by the existing deck bar.

Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White will debut on board Adonia in May and also be added to Arcadia during refurbishment in late 2011. Ocean Grill will serve dishes such as Marco’s classic crayfish cocktail, grilled lobster with triple cooked chips, and one of his signature desserts ‘Sherry Trifle Wally Ladd’

P&O Cruises managing director, Carol Marlow, said:

“All of these enhancements have been made following feedback from our passengers and we can’t wait for them to enjoy these changes on board. We’re delighted that with these changes Oriana will become even more elegant and very well suited to passengers seeking a sophisticated environment exclusively for adults.

“Recent research has shown that passengers want an entirely different Select dining experience to that offered elsewhere on the ship and they also want a contemporary style. Marco Pierre White has proved to be a huge hit with our passengers so we have asked him to work his culinary magic on board Oriana, Arcadia and Adonia.

“These ships offer longer itineraries and Ocean Grill by Marco Pierre White will provide an evolving menu to offer a different choice of cuisine throughout the cruise.”

Marco Pierre White said: “Dining is about the complete experience and this comprises the surroundings, the company, the service and of course the food. Each element is as important as the other and the Ocean Grill will offer these in equal measure.”

The changes are reflected in the new P&O Cruises 2012 brochure so passengers can start to explore and book their next cruise holiday. The new programme which has significant savings for early bookers goes on sale on April 5.

P&O Cruises is creating a new spa onboard its latest superliner Pacific Pearl, providing the perfect retreat for passengers looking for a little luxury indulgence at sea.

Already a favourite of passengers onboard Pacific Pearl’s sister ships, the Aqua HealthSpaFitness retreat reflects growing interest in health and wellness options amongst P&O Cruises’ passengers.

Featuring dark wood accents with splashes of aqua throughout, the spa is being installed on Pacific Pearl during a three-week refurbishment program, prior to the ship’s official naming and launch in Auckland on December 21.

Offering 10 treatment rooms - including a couples’ room with fully equipped whirlpool and steam-sauna - the Aqua spa will also be home to a relaxation area, a wet area with steam and sauna facilities as well as muscle-soothing heated lounges. A hair salon and pedicure/manicure area will also ensure passengers are looked after from top to toe.

Travellers will be able to enjoy all their favourite spa treatments from Pacific Jewel and Pacific Dawn, with Pacific Pearl’s spa featuring indulgent treatments using award-winning beauty brand Elemis as well as La Therapie anti-ageing products.

Meanwhile more adventurous passengers can opt for bamboo massages, acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine treatments.

For those looking for a harder workout, Aqua will offer a fully equipped gymnasium with fitness experts on hand to provide tips and advice.

Passengers will be able to take advantage of personal training services, yoga, pilates and cycling, as well as Body Sculpt Boot Camp - a program of four specifically designed workouts to challenge the mind, body and resolve of everyone who takes part.

The fourth ship in P&O Cruises’ fleet, the 63,500-tonne Pacific Pearl will carry 1800 passengers and will feature a giant poolside entertainment screen, a Salt Grill by Luke Mangan restaurant, multiple bars and lounges including a swim-up bar and an aerial acrobatics rig spanning the width of its pool deck.

Pacific Pearl will be launched in a Pacific Island family Christmas themed public celebration in Auckland on December 21.

A ten-night New Zealand cruise onboard Pacific Pearl departing Sydney March 30, featuring Fjordland National Park, Dunedin, Christchurch, Picton and Wellington is priced from $1149 per person quad share.

Guests on board Cunard’s three ships – Queen Mary 2, Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth – on 29 April 2011, the day of the Royal Wedding, need have no fear of missing one second of the historic union of the future King and Kate Middleton.

Each of the three ships feature Royal Court Theatres – West End in style and West End in size – where the wedding ceremony will be broadcast live.

Queen Mary 2’s Royal Court Theatre seats over 1,000 guests, who will be able to watch events unfold in plush cinema comfort as the ship sails between New York and Southampton, on a seven-night Transatlantic Crossing (26 April – 2 May).

“If demand for seats exceeds supply we are able to use our Planetarium and lecture room, Illuminations, which seats a further 450 passengers,” said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard.

The Royal Court Theatres on the smaller Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria seat over 800 passengers, and they too will be used to screen the Royal nuptials live.

“Cunard is a company with an enviable heritage and unparalleled links to the Royal family – our ships were named either by Her Majesty The Queen or by her apparent successor, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall,” Shanks continued. “It follows then that our passengers are likely to have an above average interest in the pageantry of a Royal wedding. We intend to cater for that and ensure they do not miss one minute.

“Royal weddings don’t happen that often and with our impeccable Royal connections we intend to ensure that our red ensign ships lead the British merchant marine in marking this momentous day.”

At the time Queen Elizabeth will be at sea heading for Southampton, and Queen Victoria will be at sea in the Mediterranean.

The day will also be one of celebration on all ships, with that evening’s dinner featuring a commemorative menu and a champagne toast.

Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony has encountered a propulsion problem that is slowing the ship's speed, forcing the line to amend the itinerary and cancel a call in Puerto Vallarta.

"While it may not be discernible to our guests, we wanted to make you aware that Crystal Symphony recently experienced some technical challenges with our cyclo-converter system, which provides power to our propulsion motors," Crystal said in a note to travel agents with passengers on the cruise. "This has resulted in decreased speed only, but does prohibit the vessel from being able to achieve the planned speed required in order to maintain our published itinerary."

The amended itinerary cancels the Nov. 25 call at Puerto Vallarta. The Symphony will visit Cabo San Lucas for a full day Nov. 25 instead of a half-day previously scheduled for Nov. 23. The ship will spend Nov. 23 at sea. The call in Mazatlan on Nov. 24 will proceed as planned. The company is flying an expert to Cabo to repair the malfunction.

The line said its shore excursion team is working to organize more tour options for Cabo San Lucas. As a gesture of goodwill and to refund port charges, Crystal is giving guests a $150 credit, redeemable for cash.