As Galveston recovers from Hurricane Ike’s hit in September, at least one part of town is back to business: the cruise port. Carnival Cruise Lines‘ Carnival Ecstasy resumed regular service from Galveston today — and Carnival Conquest have returned. Both ships were temporarily redeployed after the storm to Houston’s  Bayport cruise terminal.

Carnival Ecstasy sails four- and five-night Western Caribbean cruises year-round, and Carnival Conquest alternates weeklong Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries. Carnival is currently the only line sailing from Galveston year-round. Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas is scheduled to begin a season of Western Caribbean sailings from the port in December.

ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISES LTD. ANNOUNCES
END TO FUEL SUPPLEMENT

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. today announced that the company’s fuel supplement will no longer apply to new Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises bookings made on or after November 10, 2008, anywhere in the world, for sailings that depart on or after January 1, 2010.
This decision takes into consideration the recent reductions in global fuel prices. The company has also established specific guidelines that will determine whether fuel supplement refunds will be provided for sailings that begin in 2009 and later, which were booked prior to November 10, 2008, if fuel prices remain below a specific price threshold.

For 2009 sailings and 2010 sailings booked before November 10, 2008, the company will determine on a quarterly basis whether fuel supplements will be refunded. Refunds, in the form of an onboard credit, will be provided if the closing price of West Texas Intermediate fuel is $65 or less, at the closing time of the New York Mercantile Exchange, two weeks prior to the beginning of the upcoming calendar quarter. When those conditions are met, an onboard credit will be provided to all guests on sailings that begin during the upcoming calendar quarter.

The dates on which the price of West Texas Intermediate fuel will be measured, and the quarters during which refunds could apply are:

Fuel Price Determination Date / Quarter of Possible Fuel Supplement Refunds
December 18, 2008 / First quarter 2009
March 18, 2009 / Second quarter 2009
June 17, 2009 / Third quarter 2009
September 17, 2009 / Fourth quarter 2009
December 18, 2009 / First quarter 2010
March 18, 2010 / Second quarter 2010
June 17, 2010 / Third quarter 2010
September 17, 2010 / Fourth quarter 2010

The company will continue to closely monitor the movement of global fuel prices and recognize that an upturn in those prices could necessitate the reinstatement of a fuel supplement.

The curtain has been raised on another neighborhood aboard Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International’s newest and highly anticipated ship set to launch in November 2009. Entertainment Place, a complex of diverse entertainment venues, is one of seven neighborhoods on the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship – a unique concept providing vacationers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal style, preference or mood. Previously announced neighborhoods include, Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center.

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If you like poker and need a vacation, then a poker cruise may just be what the doctor order. Many cruise lines are partnering with professional poker tour organizations to set up and manage onboard poker rooms. Many of these poker cruises offer live action and tournaments as part of a group poker cruise package.

Most cruises have a casino, however not all of them offer Texas Hold’em poker. The onboard casino will allow these temporary poker rooms to operate through the entire cruise, however they have two strict rules. The poker room must adhere to the operating hours and restrictions that apply to the casino, and no soliciting the cruise ship guests.

One company, DeepStacks Poker Training has added another feature to their poker cruises, and that’s professional poker training.

“DeepStacks has put together a full package poker cruise. We offer a VIP party for all group guests, a full day of advanced tournament strategies training with full time poker players and WSOP tournament champions, plus a $330 tournament, and live action cash games and sit-n-goes.” - Scott Prewitt, CEO DeepStacks

It’s a great way for families to get away, enjoying the best of both worlds - playing poker and cruising! Top Cruise Club has created partnerships with companies that hold poker events onboard cruise ships. There are many benefits to take advantage of when participating in a group poker cruise. Meet poker players from across the country to socialize with and learn from, receive special offers by participating in the group, as well as the advantages of cruising - entertainment, savory cuisine, and relaxation!

The best part about poker cruises is that they provide you with an opportunity to pay for your cruise vacation prior to returning!

To learn more about poker cruises email us at myconcierge@topcruiseclub.com. We will notify you when the opportunities arise.

Royal Caribbean Last Minute Poker Weekend Opportunity - Click here to learn more

Royal Caribbean International unveiled two more neighborhoods for the highly anticipated Oasis of the Seas: The Pool and Sports Zone, as well as the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center.

“This latest unveiling of two more neighborhoods to be found on Oasis of the Seas continues to prove our legacy of revolutionary cruise ship design. We have developed the Pool and Sports Zone and the Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center to give our guests even more choices on a unique and memorable Royal Caribbean cruise,” said Adam Goldstein, president and CEO, Royal Caribbean International.

The two new neighborhoods include the following:

The Pool and Sports Zone

• Stretching the length of the ship
• Ample playground for guests of all ages
• Features private cabanas
• Four unique types of pools
• The first Beach Pool at sea will have a sloped entry where guests will be able to wade into the water or relax in colorful beach chairs under an umbrella as the water rolls gently beneath.
• H2O Zone, marked by a giant octopus with its slides and water-spraying tentacles and surrounded by fellow water-spouting ocean creatures.
• Sports Pool, where afternoon water team sports will include basketball, badminton and water polo, while morning hours will be dedicated to lap swimming.
• Two FlowRider surf simulators - each larger than the single FlowRider found on the line’s Freedom-class ships.
• Sports deck including the first zipline at sea, and two of the popular FlowRider surf simulators, flanking either side of the elevated back deck.
• Oasis Dunes, a nine-hole miniature golf course, will challenge golfers of different abilities.
• Adults-only Solarium
  • Adults looking for a retreat from the bustle of every day life will find solace in the grandest Solarium yet. Boasting a redefined layout, guests will have the sensation of floating on air from the two-deck high, glass-paneled enclave designed with seating on various “islands” surrounded by water. The open-air Solarium will offer a tranquil swimming pool, two serene whirlpools, and four cantilevered whirlpools suspended 136 feet above the ocean.
  • The new Solarium Bistro will offer casual fare from the Vitality spa menu during the day, and in the evenings, transform into a romantic and intimate setting for specialty dining and dancing under the stars. It is also the perfect venue for a unique late night dance club experience - Club 20 - made popular on the line’s Freedom-class ships.

Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center

• New to the spa services menu and fitness line-up are unique spa treatments and Kinesis group classes, a full-body, no-impact workout utilizing fluid, natural movement to engage several muscle groups simultaneously.
• Thermal Suite, featuring heated tile loungers, saunas and steam rooms; three couples massage suites and seven individual treatment rooms - the largest collection at sea.
• Kids and teen guests also will find their own dedicated Spa in which to enjoy specially catered services.
• The Fitness Center will offer vacationers a plentiful and varied selection of the latest cardio and resistance equipment for working out alone or for joining one of the several classes, including spinning, kickboxing, Pilates and yoga.
• Whether after a satisfying workout or a soothing spa session, the Vitality Café will be a convenient stop for healthy snacks, light meals and refreshing juices.

Top Cruise Club would love to hear from our Members, as well as our readers about these new additions. Let us know what you think about these innovative additions to the largest ship in the world!

When she launches in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 220,000 gross registered tons (GRT), carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas will be the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone and Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center.

Top Cruise Club Members can begin pre-booking Oasis staterooms starting August 7th!

Top Cruise Club Members are able to begin reserving a cabin on the long awaited Oasis of the Seas! Royal Caribbean’s official booking begins August 21^st, but as a Member of Top Cruise Club you will be able to have your Member Concierge begin reserving your stateroom starting August 7th. All you have to do is fill out a pre-reservation form. Once the form is submitted, they will begin setting you up with a stateroom on the largest ship in the world! With the astounding array of choices and amenities being introduced on Royal Caribbean International’s next generation of cruise ships, staterooms are sure to sell out fast. If you want to get more information or you want to reserve your stateroom but are not yet a Member, please click here to join. To learn more about the amazing amenities onboard the Oasis continue reading.

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If you have not heard of Royal Caribbean’s Oasis of the Seas , then you are missing out. Oasis of the Seas is one of the most exciting ships to grace the cruising world’s presence. With amenities and activities that no one would have ever thought imaginable, this ship is sure to blow past expectations.

To watch the video tour of “what is” Oasis of the Seas, keep reading

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Revolutionary Design Creates Boardwalk with AquaTheater, Sky-lit Royal Promenade, and Unique Loft Accommodations

Steeped in a philosophy that innovation and imagination contribute to a remarkable cruise vacation, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines has once again raised the bar with the announcement of the latest amenities on its newest ship, Oasis of the Seas. Launching in late 2009, Oasis of the Seas will be the world’s largest and most revolutionary ship introducing the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept, which will provide vacationers with the opportunity to seek out relevant experiences based on their personal styles, preferences or moods. Boardwalk, will be a breathtaking space for families inspired by the nostalgic seaside piers of yesteryear; the first amphitheater at sea, AquaTheater, will celebrate water with the largest freshwater pool found on a ship offering a full spectrum of activities and performances for guests; and the urban living concept will take to the high seas with the introduction of industry-first loft suites offering expansive ocean views and luxury amenities. Enhancements to the cruise line’s signature Royal Promenade will include a new design allowing guests to have a physical connection with the neighborhood above, Central Park, as natural light cascades down from the sky through the Crystal Canopy sculptured glass domes. Other surprises include two rock-climbing walls and the first zip-line at sea suspended nine decks above Boardwalk.

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From boomerangs to chopsticks to maracas, vacationers can match a travel accessory for each of the 59 Royal Caribbean sailings for 2009-10. Vacationers have extensive options for cruises in Australia, Asia, the Canary Islands and the Mediterranean, ranging from three- to 18-night itineraries, aboard one of three Royal Caribbean ships. Brilliance of the Seas will continue its second year-round deployment in Europe in 2010 from Malaga, Spain. Rhapsody of the Seas will embark on its third season in the South Pacific and Australia, and Legend of the Seas will sail Royal Caribbean’s third consecutive winter season in Southeast Asia. Bookings for these cruises open this week.

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An oasis is commonly defined as a fertile area in an arid region or a place of refuge, relief, or pleasant contrast. Today, Royal Caribbean International adds another use of the term, defining it as the official name for the cruise line’s newest and most awe-inspiring class of Royal Caribbean cruise ships, until now referred to by the code name “Project Genesis.”

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