NEWH - September 2004 - (Page 22)

cruise lines expand options… state-of-the-art ships and diverse itineraries by: Rosa Greco, Fabric Innovations Miami is well known as the gateway to the Americas and the cruise capital of the world. Enormous cruise ships decorate the landscape at the Port of Miami, inspiring us to dream about an exotic vacation surrounded by crystalline water, blue skies and sunshine. Much more than just a method of transportation, a cruise ship truly is a floating hotel. Like land-based hotels, cruise ships offer a variety of different room layouts to accommodate every preference and budget. Cabins range from cozy interior staterooms, to oceanview and balcony staterooms, to luxurious multiroom suites. While typically a bit smaller in size than their landside counterparts, cruise ship staterooms are efficient and attractive in design, and include the amenities any savvy traveler would expect: television, telephone, private bath, shower, vanity and even a hair-dryer. An added attraction, of course, is the ability to visit several different ports of call, while only having to unpack once! Far from being restricted to the Caribbean, cruise ships today can take guests to some of the most diverse and exciting vacation spots in the world. Itineraries include Alaska; Europe; Scandinavia and Russia; the Pacific Northwest; Hawaii; Canada and New England; Bermuda; Mexico and the Panama Canal. Miami is by no means the only city from which one can embark on a cruise vacation. Most major lines are now catering to an even wider customer base by adding new homeports within driving distance of major population centers. Guests can now begin their cruise experience in New York City, New Orleans, Seattle, Los Angeles, Galveston, Baltimore or Philadelphia, to name a few. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., parent company of the Royal Caribbean International (RCI) and Celebrity Cruises (CCI) brands, is one of the largest cruise ship operators in the world. RCI’s fleet consists of nineteen vessels belonging to five distinctive classes: the ground-breaking 22 Voyager class, featuring an ice-skating rink, a promenade lined with shops and cafes, and the rock-climbing wall that is now a signature feature onboard every RCI ship ... the Radiance class, with more open space, balconies and glass walls than any other ship ... the Vision class, featuring themed restaurants, casinos, lounges, and solariums... the Sovereign class, with fun and entertainment for the whole family ... and the most cozy and intimate ship, in a class of its own: the Empress of the Seas, which was recently renovated to feature spectacular new interiors, a new Italian restaurant and more. In recognition of the cruising industry’s important role in South Florida’s vibrant hospitality community, NEWH South Florida recently arranged for a tour onboard one of the most impressive ships in the Royal Caribbean fleet. On July 24, 2004, members of NEWH visited the Voyagerclass Navigator of the Seas to enjoy a guided tour, followed by a luncheon in the magnificent 3-story dining room. Inaugurated in December 2002, this state-of-theart vessel has a 3,114-passenger capacity, weighs 138,000 tons, and has a top cruising speed of 23.7 knots. The Navigator features all the amenities of the Voyager class: 1,000 guestrooms and suites, conference facilities for up to 400 people, large swimming pools, upscale dining choices, shops, a casino, a spa and fitness center, a miniature golf course, an ice-skating rink, and of course, the signature rock-climbing wall. The tour was escorted by several shipboard and shoreside RCCL employees, including Lisa Ghai, who is also the director of membership for NEWH South Florida. For more information about Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and its upscale brand, Celebrity Cruises, please visit www.royalcaribbean.com and www.celebrity.com. s http://www.royalcaribbean.com http://www.celebrity.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of NEWH - September 2004

NEWH - September 2004
President’s Letter
Calendar of Events
Contents
From the Editor
Hospitality News
On the Road Again... HD Expo 2004
Cruise Ship of Elegance…Aboard the Queen Mary Ii
Cruise Lines Expand Options
Your Hotel Restaurant
Powerful Tools of the Trade
Education in Culinary Arts
The New Direction for Restaurants in Canada
Jamie Oliver Story
Lindsay Sharman Trainee Extraordinaire
Oh Canada, Oh Canada…The Fairmont Royal York
From Across the Pond

NEWH - September 2004