Ideal Carnival Vista destinations

With more than two years to go until the energy-efficient Carnival Cruise Line’s new ship, the Vista enters service; the news on her progress has been rather thin on the ground. We know her first steel was cut earlier this year, although her Keel is yet to be laid. Seeing as though the Carnival Vista progress is still in the early stages, there is not much news about.

Having said that, it does not stop cruise lovers from contemplating the ideal Carnival Vista destinations. There will be websites out there that come up with misleading titles suggesting they already know the Carnival Vista itinerary, along with her inaugural cruise, but none of this information has been made available, and so do not pay any attention to these.

We would like to know where it is you would prefer to go on the Vista, this could be a current destination, or if you would like Carnival to add a new one?

The usual suspects would be to choose anywhere in Alaska, Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Caribbean Eastern, Caribbean Southern, Caribbean Western, Eastern Seaboard, Hawaii, and Mexico.

However, would you like to see Carnival Cruise Line reach out to another region, the thought of Carnival Vista Mediterranean cruises for 2016 – 2017 does sound appealing?

NCL: In one year, the Norwegian Escape premier in Hamburg harbour

One more year until the premiere of the Norwegian Escape in Hamburg: The oldest bar in Miami draws on Norwegian construction

Photo: Norwegian Cruise Line

The countdown is on: Today in exactly one year celebrates the newest and largest fleet member of the US-American company Norwegian Cruise Line as far the largest cruise ship in the port of Hamburg premiere in the Hanseatic city.On board the oldest bar in Miami, Tobacco Road, which this week closes its doors on the mainland and is presented at the Freestyle Resort Cruising® new look goes.

After 102 years of existence, the Bar Tobacco Road, which was once issued the first liquor license in Miami, ceased operation.

"By offering this institution aboard Norwegian Escape a new home on the high seas, we preserve a piece of history Miamis" said Kevin Sheehan, President and Chief Executive Officer of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd.

Within the 678 Ocean Place, the three decks reaching central meeting place on board Norwegian Escape, she finds her new home, which will be adorned with decorative elements from the original location. The famous neon sign, as well as memorabilia and photos give an insight on how closely the over 100-year history of the bar is the city of Miami entangled.In addition to traditional beers and spirits and a selection of in-house cocktail creations of Tobacco Road-bartender Leo Holtzman served on the Norwegian Escape.

The Norwegian Escape starts on October 23, 2015 for the first time in the 47-year history, a ship of Norwegian Cruise Line is a cruise in Hamburg - first is a two-night premiere event for the travel distribution on the program, following a two-night Cruise for consumers, which leads the ship from Hamburg to Southampton. From 14 November 2015, the Norwegian Escape cruises year round from / to Miami on a 7-night cruise through the Eastern Caribbean. Ports of call are Tortola, British Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands and Nassau, Bahamas.

In terms of cabin diversity guests can look forward to the unique luxurious suite complex The Haven by Norwegian - also offer studio cabins for solo travelers, as well as cabins for families, multigenerational groups, wellness fans and more, numerous options for different target groups on board.

Miami's oldest bar coming to Norwegian Escape

By Tom Stieghorst

Norwegian Cruise Line will open a Tobacco Road, based on a legendary Miami bar that is closing after 102 years in business, on its upcoming Norwegian Escape.

The line said the Tobacco Road on the Escape would be opened in partnership with the land-based Tobacco Road and would include items such as the establishment's neon sign, memorabilia and photographs that "showcase the history of Miami through the lens of events and happenings at the bar over the past century." Cocktails crafted by the bar's mixologist, Leo Holtzman, will be on offer.

Norwegian's Tobacco Road will be placed within the Escape's 687 Ocean Place. The Escape begins operations from Miami in November 2015.

Simon Murray, Norwegian's entertainment director, newbuild planning and implementation, said the Tobacco Road on Norwegian Escape won't serve food or have live entertainment. "We really wanted to preserve the history. It's such a great part of Miami and of course Escape is part of Miami, too."

The bar was issued the Miami's first liquor license in 1912; the building that houses it is even older. Owner Patrick Gleber said there are boards in the foundation with bark on the unfinished sides.

Gleber sold the location three years ago to Swire Properties, which is building a $1 billion mixed-used project in the neighborhood just south of the Miami River called Brickell City Centre. The bar's final night is Oct. 25. 

Old Ships vs. New Ships: What's in a Cruise Ship's Age?

Old Ships vs. New Ships: What's in a Cruise Ship's Age?

New ships always seem to get the spotlight, touting outrageous onboard additions that strive for the consumer "wow" factor. But what about their tried-and-true fleetmates -- a mix of vessels that have long since paid their dues and the hot new ships from a few years back? Sure, newer ships are often larger and more packed with diversions for every age and taste, but they can also be expensive and crowded, and as with anything new, there are sometimes bugs to be worked out. Older ships might show wear and tear, but cruise lines have been investing millions to keep their entire fleet outfitted with modern amenities and popular attractions. To help you decide whether new is better or old is the way to go, we've compiled a list of elements to consider before making a choice, addressing key points like amenities and price. Check out the key contrasts below. Ship Size New: As a rule, newer vessels are larger. It makes sense: As more bells and whistles are added, more space is needed to contain them. Although ship sizes vary widely across various fleets, a number of vessels have launched in the last decade that can carry what amounts to the population of a small city. Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, the largest ships afloat, each comprise 17 decks and have room for 5,400 passengers. For purposes of comparison, Majesty of the Seas, the oldest ship in the Royal Caribbean fleet, has 12 decks and holds 2,350 passengers -- less than half the capacity of the Oasis-class ships. Other lines have followed suit: Ships in Carnival's 14-deck Dream Class each carry 3,690 passengers, and those in Norwegian's 18-deck Breakaway Class accommodate 4,028 cruisers. You can easily get lost, though you are less likely to be alone. Old: Old stalwarts, which are smaller in size and lighter on fanfare, offer more relaxing and intimate experiences. Sure, they still have plenty of glitz, but passengers don't have to feel like they're missing as many marquee activities if they choose to curl up in a lounge with a good book or veg out by the pool for half a day. Old ships are also more likely to have quieter spaces like libraries and card rooms. Smaller ships suit travelers who don't like large crowds, have trouble traversing the long decks of the biggest ships and don't want to think about which of the five different sun deck areas they should utilize. But watch out -- some cruise lines have refurbished their older ships to add more cabins, both cutting back on available public areas and squeezing more people into the space that's left. Cabins New: As ships' public areas become more glitzy and glamorous, so do their cabins. One trend we've seen with newer ships is an increase in the number of balcony accommodations, but although they've increased in number, many have also decreased in size. Take, for example, the balconies on Royal Princess and Regal Princess. Balconies on these twin ships, the newest in Princess' fleet, average 41 square feet -- smaller than those found on the line's older ships. And the suites on new ships possess lots of wow factor, from cantilevered, glassed-in showers to Ralph Lauren décor and multiple levels of living space. Beyond standard verandahs, cabins that specifically cater to certain groups are all the rage. From solo cabins (Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway; Quantum of the Seas) and two-deck suites (Oasis of the Seas, Allure of the Seas and Quantum of the Seas) to inside staterooms with virtual scenery (Disney Dream and Fantasy, Quantum of the Seas), specialty cabins have stolen the spotlight. New ships also tend to have more connecting cabins and family cabins and suites, perfect for larger travel parties. Old: Older ships are generally the way to go if balcony space is important to you. However, you'll have to book early; while balconies might be bigger, verandah cabins make up a smaller percentage of stateroom inventory on older ships. (Some older ships have had balcony cabins added during dry dock.) The plethora of cabin categories on newer ships might also make your head spin, so if you just want to keep it simple, consider an older ship. Carpeting and soft furnishings like curtains and bedding are upgraded frequently during refurbs; despite that, keep in mind that older ships might show signs of wear -- scuffs, dings, outdated bathrooms -- that newer vessels don't. Top-Deck Amenities New: For active types or adults traveling with children, newer ships offer far more in the way of outdoor fun. Norwegian's two newest vessels, Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, have ropes courses that are enough to make anyone dizzy -- no fear of heights required. Meanwhile, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas have zip lines and surf simulators, and Quantum of the Seas brings skydiving to the high seas for the first time by way of an outdoor simulator. In terms of water-based fun, Carnival offers the WaterWorks aquapark on its Dream-class vessels. The open-deck expanse is a haven for anyone who enjoys waterslides, featuring the Twister, a 303-foot-long corkscrew tube; the Drainpipe, a 104-foot tube that empties into a giant funnel; and two side-by-side racing slides. Old: While most older ships offer mild outdoor pursuits like mini-golf, shuffleboard, Ping-Pong and possibly basketball, they're much more low-key than newer ships. With swimming pools as their focus, they offer ideal spots for passengers to laze the days away in the sun, drinks in hand. That said, several lines have chosen to add some of the more popular upper-deck offerings to their older ships. Take Princess, for example, which has added Movies Under the Stars movie screens to most pool decks in its fleet after a successful debut on Caribbean Princess in 2004. Then there's Carnival, which took its popular new Guy's Burger Joint and Blue Iguana Cantina eateries and added them to the pool decks on most ships during its massive Fun Ship 2.0 upgrades. The line has also added waterslides to all ships in its fleet. For their parts, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian have installed rock climbing walls on many of their vessels. Dining New: Newer ships have lots of space to dedicate to dining. Sure, all vessels offer main dining rooms, but new concepts like Royal Caribbean's Dynamic Dining (where there's no set main dining room and cruisers can choose from a number of free and for-fee options) and Carnival'sAmerican Table (a revised list of comfort-food menu items that come in larger, shareable portions) are putting a new twist on traditional dinner options. Many specialty venues have been added on newer ships, as well, and you'll have no trouble finding everything from Italian and Asian to French and seafood, most with cover charges but some without. Some ships, like Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Getaway, have even added dinner theater options, which include dinner and a show for a fee. If you've got a sweet tooth, watch out for gelato bars and specialty cake shops enticing you to snack between meals. Old: Older, smaller ships tend to have more limited alternative dining options. But that's a plus for passengers who prefer to avoid the nickel-and-diming associated with for-fee eateries, or those who prefer a smaller number of venues from which to choose. While some older vessels have gotten new dining additions, most remain pleasantly bare bones. Activities & Entertainment New: Fun pursuits abound on newer ships, and they include some pretty incredible pastimes like parades, character breakfasts, roller skating and even bumper cars. Toss in some top-notch entertainment that rivals what you'd find ashore, and you're in for an impressive cruise. AquaTheater, aboard Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas, features high-dive performances set against the backdrop of the ship's wake. Additionally, the line has added Broadway shows on four of its newest ships: Quantum of the Seas ("Mamma Mia!"), Allure of the Seas ("Chicago"), Oasis of the Seas ("CATS") and Liberty of the Seas ("Saturday Night Fever"). Norwegian has gone the same route, featuring "Legally Blonde" on Norwegian Getaway and "Rock of Ages" on sister ship Norwegian Breakaway. Other enticing options include added-fee dinner theater aboard Norwegian Getaway (Illusionarium), Norwegian Breakaway and Norwegian Epic (Cirque Dreams and Dinner). One downside to these events is that, for many of them (even if they're free), tickets are required and can run out quickly. Old: Entertainment aboard older ships is a bit more standard: Broadway revues, magicians, comedians and the like. However, several lines have brought their most recent offerings to older vessels. Most notably, Carnival added the Punchliner Comedy Club by George Lopez to most of its ships, in addition to "Hasbro, the Game Show," where participants play giant versions of classic board games -- like SORRY! and Connect 4 -- on stage. The line also debuted its Carnival Live series of for-fee concerts aboard Carnival Fantasy and a handful of other ships in the fleet. Holland America has also livened up its entertainment across its family of vessels by adding Dancing with the Stars at Sea. Based on the popular TV show, the competition pits willing passengers against one another in a dance-off. Norwegian has plans to roll out its popular O'Sheehan's pub (which offers free grub and for-fee arcade games) on a couple of its older vessels. Not to be outdone, Royal Caribbean has added performances by aerial acrobats to its entertainment lineup on some of its more seasoned ships. Itineraries and Pricing New: Because many passengers are willing pay a premium for the privilege of sailing on a newer ship, fresh-from-the-shipyard vessels are often based in the biggest markets. (Think Caribbean and Mediterranean.) The cruise lines have to fill all those thousands of berths, so you typically won't find new ships on niche itineraries. In addition, huge ships like Oasis of the Seas are too big to dock at certain ports or sail through tight channels like the Panama Canal, so they are also constrained by their size. The combination of popular ports and a ship full of the latest innovations means cruise lines will ask top-dollar for cabins -- and get it. The best cabins on these ships will also sell out more quickly than their fleetmates'. While you won't find a lot of itinerary variety, it might not matter; many passengers would rather spend the time onboard taking in all the new attractions. Old: Cruise lines have huge fleets these days -- Carnival has more than 20 ships sailing -- so the majority of their voyages are on older ships. These vessels sail every type of itinerary imaginable, from weekend cruises to multi-month round-the-world cruises. If you want to sail the islands of Hawaii or French Polynesia, ogle the scenery in Alaska or the Norwegian fjords, or head somewhere exotic like Asia or Australia, you'll likely need an older ship. Typically, the very oldest ships in the fleet will be employed on shorter cruises from drive-to ports. These ships lend themselves perfectly to the cause, as they generally lack the extensive number of amenities that keep passengers busy during longer sailings on newer vessels. Pricing for older ships is often very itinerary dependent. An older ship sailing a well-traveled route will be lower than for a newer ship on a similar itinerary. On the flip side, exotic destinations or popular, short-season itineraries can pull in higher cabin fares.

MSC offers free Caribbean cruise with purchase of Med sailing

By Tom Stieghorst

MSC Cruises said it will give a free, transferable cruise on select 2014 sailings of MSC Divina in the Caribbean for anyone who books the ship for a Mediterranean cruise next summer before Oct. 31.

A $500 deposit on the Mediterranean cruise is required to take advantage of the offer.

Divina began sailing in North America about a year ago on seven-day Caribbean itineraries out of Miami. It will return next summer to Mediterranean itineraries from May 16 through Sept. 19.

MSC is promoting a $1,899 package that includes roundtrip airfare to Rome or Barcelona, a seven-day cruise, a two-night post-cruise stay in a four-star hotel and all transfers needed.

Travel gateways are New York, Chicago and Miami. Government taxes and fees are extra.

Norwegian Jewel first big ship for new port in Honduras

By Tom Stieghorst

Several new cruise ports have sprung up south of the traditional ports of call in the Western Caribbean, bringing that area onto more cruise itineraries, especially from homeports in Texas and Louisiana.

The latest entrant is Banana Coast, which welcomed its first large ship when the Norwegian Jewel called on Oct. 15. Situated in the port town of Trujillo, it is the first cruise port on the mainland of Honduras.

Two other Honduran cruise ports, Coxen Hole and Mahogany Bay, opened in 2008 and 2010, respectively, on the island of Roatan, about 30 miles offshore of the country’s north coast.

Honduran dignitaries turned out to greet the 2,376-passenger Jewel on arrival last week. Six lines are expected to make 29 calls from now until April 20.

They are expected to bring more than 50,000 passengers to the port, said Randy Jorgensen, general manager of Grande Trujillo Autoridad, developer of the 10-acre property.

The Jewel’s Oct. 12 departure from Houston marked Norwegian Cruise Line’s return to that port after seven years away. Banana Coast will be a regular stop on itineraries that also include Cozumel and Belize City.

“It’s key to attract a cruise line of Norwegian’s size and prestige,” Jorgensen said. “It’s extremely powerful in terms of opening the doors to get things done.”

Other lines expected to call this year are Holland America Line, Silversea Cruises, Oceania Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, P&O Cruises and Crystal Cruises, Jorgensen said.

Banana Coast was announced in 2011. It opened even though a $35 million pier envisioned as part of the project has not been built. The port has a beach and a shopping village, which includes about half of the 50,000 square feet in original plans.

Jorgensen said further development hinges on attracting more passengers, “when we start getting higher volumes or an actual need for the dock.”

One factor that clouds future plans is the announcement by Norwegian Cruise Line that it plans its own port in the area on Harvest Caye in southern Belize, about 75 miles away.

Jorgensen said 20 to 30 calls are booked for 2015-16, even without Norwegian. “If Norwegian continues to have confidence in us, we’ll probably get another 20 to 30 calls from them, I would think.”

Jorgensen said he believes cruise passengers will want to come to Banana Coast because it is fresh and authentic. The town of Trujillo is a short walk and is rich with Spanish colonial history, he said.

“We haven’t tried to duplicate southern Florida,” he said. “We’ve kept the local culture and the local institutions in place so they can be part of the experience for the passengers.”

Excursions from Banana Coast include horseback riding, kayaking through a wildlife preserve, tours of an animal rescue center focused on scarlet macaws and a snorkel tour of a starfish bay. The project has about 200 direct employees, Jorgensen said.

Grande Trujillo Autoridad includes Jorgensen’s real estate company in Honduras, Life Vision Development, Canadian equity investors and the municipality of Trujillo, which owns 20%. Miami-based Global Destinations Development, headed by Michael Greve, is a development partner.

Shipyard visit the MS Artania in the Lloyd Werft

Shipyard visit the MS Artania in the Lloyd Werft: Details & pictures for major rebuild

First details and background information on the major rebuild of MS Artania in the Lloyd Werft

Saturday afternoon, 04 October 2014, the sun shines from the azure sky, the cry of gulls lies in the warm autumn air and before us is the white hull of the MS Artania of Phoenix Reisen. One might even think of being in a picturesque harbor somewhere in the Mediterranean. But there's something wrong in this idyllic setting. The more we approach the pretty cruise ship, the clearer it will be seen, at which place we find ourselves - in the Lloyd shipyard in Bremerhaven. In the 335 m long and 40 m wide Kaiserdock II is just the 1984-built, 230 meters long and 44,588-gt, at the time of Princess Diana as the "Royal Princess" baptized MS "Artania" undergone an extensive renovation and modernization - the biggest in its 30-year life history. The total amounts to around 45 million euros, of which a large part attributable to the 4 new main engines.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Even the abbreviated list of renovation and reconstruction reads spectacular and impressive, you then takes a look at the seven-page "Time Schedule", then the layman can only imagine with imagination that not later than 06 December 2014, the first Guests will check in again on board. Overall, the Lloyd Werft has to deal with 76 days time to the seemingly endless list of tasks to be performed. So in order list are also extensive renovations to the electronics, the alarm and fire detection systems and the exchange of engines for the Davids of the lifeboats.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

The "Artania" is at Lloyd Werft in Bremerhaven no unknown, because already in 2006 built the renowned shipyard on the River Weser to the then "Royal Princess" for the British shipping company P & O Cruises for "Artemis". The Lloyd Werft also took place after the reconstruction of the "Artemis" to "Artania" in 2011 and has correspondingly extensive detailed knowledge of this beautiful cruise ship.

Is headed this spectacular renovation project of Norbert Jepsen (Project Management Phoenix travel), Lino Calzolari (Project Management V.Ships) and Silvia Cattarini Mastelli (Project Management Re-engining). Besides Captain Jens Thorn is 400 regular crew members and workers throughout the shipyard time aboard the MS Artania, 150 employees of different companies in alternate layers on board and from 300 shipyard workers also perform in shifts their work on the ship.

No stop in the hotel sector

The hotel continued operation during construction work in full swing, as the shipyard workers want lodging, and the cabins are cleaned. Hotel Manager Thomas Appenzeller has controlled the situation under control and coordinate all processes routinely and professionally. Despite enormous pressure of time is hectic and stress no trace visible.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

MS "Artania", an exciting and emotional construction site

We took a look at the 04 October aboard the "Artania" and brought some impressions. Since we almost since their youth as "Royal Princess" know "Artania" and in 1988 for the first time were on board, this visit has also an emotional side to us.The main alterations are summarized here, with pictures and described for the cruise guest who otherwise rarely moves on ships under construction, detail.

We go on deck 4 in the Promenade on board. Where else comfy loungers available and stroll cruise guests relaxed on the teak decks, now working in protective clothing walk around on worn-out carpets between containers and cables. The wood railing is also taped with old carpets and thus protected from damage.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Where else comfortable lounge chair in the Phoenix Bar invite you to a delicious cappuccino or a leisurely afternoon with hot waffles, now compressors, motors, dumpster and roll stand with cover on thick wooden plates which protect the underlying wood decks. The entire teak decks outside are completely redesigned at the end of the shipyard time and partly renewed. Actually, the state is in comparison to other cruise ships still very good, but Phoenix Travel continues its high quality faithful and leaves the ship again polished to a high gloss.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 2 - Standard cabins - Cat. I2 / ZI / J1 / J2:

- The cabins received new carpets, curtains, and new upholstery on the chairs.

Deck 2 - Standard  cabins - Kat I2 / ZI / J1 except 2200 + 2201 / J2.

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

Deck 2 - Lobby

- Decorative remodeling including new carpet.

The Lobby on Deck 2 looks at the moment almost as if the last guest just left only. If not already a part of the carpet missing, then one would book the next shore excursion smooth on the idea board in travel agency.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 2 - Restaurant Four Seasons:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the entire restaurant.

If you open the doors to the restaurant four seasons, then you can get a loud "Whoa!" Barely suppress. "Everything is out" would be the short description for the entire state of the current conversion status. The carpets are removed, unscrewed the tables, the counters smash partly in items, only the candlestick on the ceiling are still left. But it is eerily quiet and you close your eyes, and so it is not difficult to remember cozy nights in this restaurant.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

If the "Artania" stands to sea again in a few weeks, then the cruise guest will expect a completely new atmosphere. If you look at a map on the wall, then this increases the voltage to what is created here. Soon blowing a "fresh wind" by the Four Seasons Restaurant and it will fit in the harmonious overall picture already renovated areas.

Deck 4 - Standard cabins

- All cabins received new carpets, curtains and new upholstery on the chairs.

Deck 5 - Standard cabins - Cat H1 / H2 / M2 / XRL.:

- All cabins received new carpets, curtains and new upholstery on the chairs.

Deck 6 - Standard cabins - Cat C3 / H1 / H2 / H3 / O2 / O3.:

- All cabins received new carpets, curtains and new upholstery on the chairs.

Deck 6 - Standard cabins - Cat C3 / H1 / H2 except 6609 / H3 / O2 except 6608, 6611 / O3.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

Currently the old baths have been completely removed, the toilets are also renewed in this context.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 6 - Superior cabins - Kat PG2 / ZG / Q1 / Q2.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

The next photo shows the view from the cabin aisle behind the wall paneling of two cabins to the drains of the vacuum toilets. The photo illustrates certainly very good, so basically in all vacuum toilets only the thin toilet paper should be thrown! The diameter of the vacuum pipes is significantly lower than conventional toilets, which is the case on all cruise ships.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 7 - Superior cabins - Kat Q1 / R2 / PG2 / ZG.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

- New Pullman beds and bedsteads, new carpets, curtains, Neupolsterung of chairs.

Deck 7 - Junior Suites - Kat U4 / S2 / S3 except 7100 + 7102.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

- New carpets, headboards, curtains, bedspreads, pillowcases, Neupolsterung of sofas, armchairs and chairs.

The Bornholm suite number 8216 clearly shows how it currently looks in all junior suites on Deck 8. At each cabin door, a plan is attached which documents the work to be done.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

One dares now one step on the old balcony construction, so there is almost something adventurous. The entire steel structure balcony on deck 7 and 8 is removed and replaced with new balconies, new teak flooring, new patio doors, new lighting and new partitions. The old balconies are so far prepared for the degradation and connected only at individual points with the vessel wall - enough to run naturally still firmly around it.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 8 - Gold Suites - Kat V4.:

- Complete renovation and redesign of the bathroom, including installing a shower instead of a bath.

As an example of the extensive reconstruction work in the gold suites we have the Mozart Suite looked at 8202.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Even in these suites bathrooms are already completely removed, expanded the bathtubs.

From the port bridge wing, one can look wonderful on the already distant steel structures of the old balconies. These are not completely removed, leaving large gaps for now. The opportunity is used to remove all corrosion and rust and to make the balconies then ready for the next 15 years.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 8 - Royal Suites - Cat. W4:

- Renovation and redesign of the entire cabins and bathrooms including balcony, window, furniture, carpet, curtains, decoration.

In the great Emperor Suite and the opposite owner's suite currently blowing a fresh wind around the corners, because it is missing some of them already windows, doors and balconies.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

The suites will be completely redesigned and rebuilt. Partitions missing, the ceiling panel is off, cables are redrawn, updated windows and balcony doors.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Even in the bathrooms, it does not look different. Here no tile and no wall will remain in place. It is interesting to see that in previous renovations the old tiles were removed but not taped. No unusual procedure but a relic of bygone days, which will now also vanish.

On the bridge of the MS Artania we meet Captain Jens Thorn, who was coming from the engine room and treat themselves to a short breather. "Despite a deadline, all work previously run according to plan and take regular breaks to ensure to keep a clear head," Thorn explained to us.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

On the bridge of the MV "Artania" receives some innovations in the technical field as well as a new steel structure of the wind shield on both bridge wings.

Deck 8 - Lido buffet restaurant:

- Basic renovation and replacement of the carpet.

Where else can wait tasty food at the buffet stations and afternoon coffee scent is in the air, the curtains are protected from dirt wrapped in blue garbage bags and so far completed the preparations for the renovation. During the yard period, the Lido buffet restaurant serves the shipyard workers for breakfast, lunch and dinner as the main restaurant.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Also on the Lido deck is doing much. The wall windows and all columns are sanded, re-primed and painted.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 8 - Copernicus pool:

- Renovation and redesign of Copernicus pool area. Wellness oasis and relaxation areas.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

On the whole sun deck of the paint is removed from the railings and applied a new primer and fresh paint in the later course.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Deck 9 - Pacific Lounge :

- New panoramic window

- New ceiling and lighting design

Hard to recognize the Pacific Lounge on Deck 9, garbage bags, cables and generators, the courts have taken the seating.Partitions create temporarily a dark atmosphere, the otherwise beautiful view is obscured by scaffolding and plastic sheeting, the panoramic windscreen is already partially upgraded and removed the ceiling panel.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

The temporary partition walls were pulled in order to operate in parallel in the other areas without the effects of wind and weather further.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

The areas of the ship that are not renovated or have been renewed under the first restructuring in 2011, now serve as temporary storage for all the furniture. So the Atlantic Show Lounge is currently a major depot for chairs and mattresses.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

In brief, the Atlantic Show Lounge is a place of work professional upholsterers who are new bepolstern a 4-digit number of chairs, armchairs and seats.

The otherwise clear view of the stage is obstructed by tall stacks of mattresses. They will also be reupholstered, checked and if necessary cleaned or replaced.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Everything is covered in the Casablanca Lounge, which was built only 3 years ago in place of the former casino and is accordingly not refurbished.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Unaffected by the renovation work remains the already redesigned Artania Restaurant on Deck 3 and Harry's Bar and the Boutique.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

Lloyd Werft is for Museum

Before the ship, it would currently also very interesting, some already developed and in some cases 30 years located in service components is discovered there. Ausgedient now have the small engines that are used for the easing of David or the lifeboats and have reliably three decades has done its job.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

If you look further on the site of the Lloyd shipyard in order, we find the old steel structures of balcony cabins and the removed bathtubs, each neatly sorted on separate stacks. One might almost think, to move in a small maritime museum.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

This impression is only a few meters further changes, because here already are the new components available. Neatly lined up we discover the new metal structures for the balcony cabins, pre-assembled pipe systems, the new engines for the Davids and the huge main engines for the MS Artania.

Photo: Ocean Liner Pictures

<< HERE >> it goes to the part "MS Artania: Successful installing new equipment in the Lloyd Werft Bremerhaven" and the complete picture gallery from 04 October 2014 weiiteren photos of the construction site there << here >> .