Cruise Value Center Folds

Cruise Value Center, a 14 year old New Jersey based online cruise travel agent, has ceased operations as of this week. This is a major shock to many including myself. I've booked through them and their prices always seemed to be some of the best. Even when I wasn't planning to book through them, their site was the first place I stopped to check out the prices and do some research.

The worst part about them going out of business though is that there a many, many people who are now unsure of the status of their bookings that were made through the company. According to an article I read, CVC still had between $2 and $3 million of people's money that they had not passed on to the cruise lines for payment of booked trips. That's not good, especially for those who didn't pay via a credit card which would afford them some protection.

So far, only Royal Caribbean has made any statements about the situation. They have confirmed that they will be "looking out for the customer's best interests and will do their best to make sure they have the vacation experience they planned".

Oasis of the Seas Youth Zone neighborhood

Kids Avenue

Royal Caribbean revealed the final neighborhood on the upcoming Oasis of the Seas. That neighborhood is the 28,700 square foot Youth Zone. This will obviously be the largest area for kids afloat as it is over 4,000 square feet larger than the youth areas on the Freedom Class ships which are the current record holders.


Adventure Ocean Theatre

Kids Avenue is a promenade area for kids between 3 and 11 years of age which accesses Adventure Ocean. Adventure Ocean will also feature the first theater for kids, Adventure Ocean Theater. Adventure Science Lab is a fully equipped lab that will allow kids to explore their inner scientist. An area called Play will be a place for kids to join in different sports and games and there will be a Kids Arcade for ages up to 12.


Fuel

Teen areas Fuel and the Living Room are back, bigger and better. DJ classes are available along with computer stations for getting online. A soft drink bar is featured in the Living Room and there will be an open outdoor deck area just for teens.


Living Room

Royal Babies and Tots will be Royal Caribbean's first dedicated nursery at sea available for babies 6 months and up. It will be open from 9am to 6pm every day, even port days. Royal Caribbean has said that they do not intend to charge for this service but nothing is definite yet.


Adventure Science Lab

Even though that is all for the neighborhoods onboard, there is still a lot more to be revealed about this revolutionary ship before she is completed. Most important is a reveal about just how they will manage getting nearly 6000 passengers on and off the ship. That should be interesting.

Back to drydock for Celebrity's Solstice

Celebrity Solstice just completed her sea trials which were an overall success but they did reveal a couple of issues with the new ship which will require a trip to the drydock to fix. According to a report on Cruise Critic, problems surfaced with the ship's bow thrusters and stabilizers which will require the ship stopping in Hamburg today for repairs before being handed over to her new owners on October 24. The repairs should take three days and then the ship will travel to the Netherlands for the delivery to Celebrity.

Celebrity Solstice begins sea trials.

Celebrity Cruises' anticipated new ship, Celebrity Solstice, left her dock a Meyer Werft shipyard in Germany and set out to begin her first round of sea trials. These test will last for a few days and then she will return to the dock for the final completion of her interior and decor.



Cruise Critic was allowed onboard prior to the ship departing for the trials and they give some details and impressions. The link to the full story is here: Celebrity Solstice Makes River Transit; Impressions

Oasis of the Seas fire - UPDATE

According to reports from Royal Caribbean, the fire that occurred yesterday on Oasis of the Seas during construction was a minor fire and a non event. No delays are expected as a result of the fire and there were no injuries.

Good News.