Canyon Ranch News

Oceania Cruises announced that Regatta, Insignia and Nautica, its trio of R-Class ships, will undergo a transformation starting early next year in what the company said is the largest refurbishment program in its history. The ships will receive a $50 million upgrade in a six-week timeframe that includes the refurbishment of suites, staterooms and select public rooms, some in the colors and décor-style found on the line's newest ships - Marina and Riviera. The ships' top accommodations…

Oceania Cruises celebrated two milestones on February 26 at the Fincantieri shipyard near Genoa. The building dock for its new 1,258-guest, flagship Marina began filling with water and the first steel was cut for Riviera, a sister ship. Marina is scheduled to sail her maiden voyage on January 22, 2011; plans call for Riviera to debut in April 2012. Oceania Cruises' Marina and Riviera will offer 629 accommodations that are among the largest at sea, ranging from 174 to a palatial 2,000+ sq ft. Their top suites, destined to set new industry standards, will feature furnishings from Ralph Lauren Home and designs by Dakota Jackson and Tocar New York. The sister ships will also feature a Lalique-designed grand lobby, 10 dining venues and several bars and lounges.

Cunard Line was named 'World's Leading Cruise Line', at the 10th Annual World Travel Awards dinner. Alicia Oliphant, Regional Sales Manager for Cunard, is shown here accepting the award from television star, Jesse Martin. Cunard was named for the prestigious award in a poll made up of travel agents from around the world. Attended by 400 top dignitaries and leaders in the travel industry, the World Travel Awards gala was held at New York's Plaza Hotel. Continuing in Cunard's grand tradition…

Cunard Line's flagship Queen Mary 2 returned from the sea for the second time on Tuesday having successfully completed her final series of sea trials off the Brittany coast. QM2 is the largest, longest, tallest, widest, and at - $780-million - the most expensive liner ever built. The successful trials, where the ship consistently exceeded 30 knots, put her right on schedule for her January 12 maiden voyage from Southampton, England, to Fort Lauderdale. During the sea trials, QM2 underwent performance tests that consisted of three runs over a 10-mile-long course. At various points, the ship was stabilised at speed during which very accurate measurements were taken to establish an average speed.

The long history of Cunard Line is filled with momentous occasions and it would be difficult to imagine a company with a greater number of legendary ocean liners to call its own. The early "Cunarders" launched the world's first regularly scheduled transatlantic passenger service in the 1840's. The historic "Queens" helped define luxury ocean travel in the 20th century. For almost two hundred years, Cunard has been in the forefront of maritime engineering and innovative technology. But there may be no greater event in Cunard's illustrious history than the arrival, in 2004, of Queen Mary 2. The maiden voyage of Queen Mary 2 in January is the beginning of an entirely new era for Cunard Line…

Kvaerner reaches preliminary agreement with Canyon Ranch to build two luxury cruise ships, worth $397 million. Kvaerner, announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the health resort company Canyon Ranch, of Tucson, Ariz., to build two luxury spa/health resort cruise ships. The two passenger vessels, each of about, 37,000 gross tons, are to be built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards in Finland, and are due for delivery in 2004 and 2005, respectively. A final contract is subject to the satisfactory completion of certain conditions, including financing by Canyon Ranch.

Cunard has announced that initial sales for its new Queen Mary 2 have exceeded all expectations. Only one day after bookings officially opened on August 1, the line's capacity-controlled early booking discounts have been removed for the January 12, 2004, maiden voyage, which is nearly sold out. The highly anticipated, $800-million ship is the largest, longest, tallest, widest and most luxurious ocean liner ever constructed. "It's obvious that people consider the maiden voyage of Queen Mary 2 an historic occasion that they want to be a part of," said Deborah Natansohn, Cunard's senior vice president of sales and marketing. "What has been more surprising is the strength of bookings for sailings through-out the inaugural year.

Cunard Line and Athens 2004, the organizing committee for the 2004 Olympic Games, today signed a memorandum of understanding to position Cunard's $800-million Queen Mary 2 in the Greek port of Piraeus to serve as a floating hotel during the Games. remain docked through August 30. "Cunard Line is delighted to be a part of this historic event in Greece, the birthplace of the Olympic Games," said Deborah Natansohn, the line's senior vice president, sales and marketing. According to Spyros Capralos, executive director, Athens Organizing Committee (ATHOC), "Queen Mary 2 will be the centrepiece in an 11-ship flotilla that will host up to 13,280 visitors.

The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) -- the organization tasked with helping the world's cruise lines promote their ships -- reported cruise shipping fleet growth in 2002/03. In a year-end report the organization noted that 14 new vessels -- as well as three re-launched ships and several others introduced in late 2002 but having their inaugural sailing seasons in the new year -- will make 2003 another record year in the cruise industry. Bora Bora Cruises: The 226-foot, 2,677-ton, Tia Moana and Tu Moana are scheduled to begin sailing in the South Pacific in June. The ships are designed to sail to the heart of the Tahitian lagoons. Carnival Cruise Lines: The 110,000-ton, 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory launches year-round seven-day Caribbean service from Port Canaveral July 19.