Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy goes 3D planet-wide

by Chris Owen on

More than 50 million people world-wide have traveled the globe to see ultra-quality Cirque productions in theaters, Las Vegas casinos, theme parks, at sea and on Broadway. Cirque took Broadway by storm in 2008 as the only circus/cirque show of its kind. Now, Neil Goldberg’s Cirque Dreams Jungle Fantasy production joins with stereoscopic pioneer N4D to create a never-before-seen spectacle.

Cirque will incorporate Atlanta-based N4D’s patented technologies to create a variety of layers and textures both on and off the stage that previously never existed that they claim will “reinvent the current dimensions of theater.”

“Since 1993, audiences have come to expect Cirque Dreams’ artistry to unfold live, right before their eyes-pop off stage and soar through the air while defying gravity with limitless imagination.” Goldberg said “Adding the new dimension available through stereoscopic visualization implemented with unique N4D technology will not only heighten the experience, but will also create a sense of intimacy that brings live artistry and audiences together as one.”

To be unveiled in 2013, count on some spectacular productions as Cirque founder Neil Goldberg and N4D CEO Cliff Parker join forces to bring a never-before-seen spectacular to the stage.

This should be something to see.

Photo: Cirque Productions

Cheap Cruises: Best time to go

by Chris Owen on

A big factor in finding cheap cruises is when the ship sails. Holiday sailings are in high demand as well as pretty much any time school is out and kids can sail. That leaves the rest of the year wide open for some of the best values around. But some are better than others.

Hurricane Season is sometimes a good buy, sometimes not. Officially, hurricane season runs from June 1st to November 30th. In there is Summer and Thanksgiving, both popular times to sail but also times in hurricane season. Millions of families take a Summer vacation because that’s when they can go, hurricane season or not. So don’t let hurricane season scare you off. Some excellent values occur the first weeks of October, November and even December as thoughts turn to holiday plans and a cruise is not an option.

Other good times to go include January through May with the exception of Valentines Day week and Spring Break which pretty much wipes out March and most of April too.

But other than calendar times to sail, economic factors can affect when a good time to sail would be. In 2008 and 2009 when the world-wide economy was at it’s lowest, some of the best cruise values could be found at pretty much any time of the year.

If your schedule is flexible and you have the ability to move when you can sail around a bit, huge gains can be had by booking special offers either way in advance or at the last-minute. Don’t count on last-minute sales though. Cruise lines hate practically giving away cabins at the last minute and have taken steps recently to avoid that happening.

Photo: Cunard Line

Beatles infest cruise ship, give back

by Chris Owen on

But this is a good thing.

Beatles Tribute Cruise 2011 is on sale now and for fans of the fab four it doesn’t get any better than this. “8 days a week” is exactly how long fans will sail on Royal Caribbean’s Liberty of the Seas along with pretty much anybody who’s anybody in the world of Beatlemania.

Sailing from Miami with tribute-band The British Are Coming! and other special guests, fans will visit St Maarten, St Thomas, San Juan and Royal Caribbean’s private destination of Labadee in Haiti where Royal Caribbean is still helping, a year after a devastating earthquake rocked the island nation with donations of supplies each week.

Along for the ride is two-time Grammy award winning guitarist Laurence Juber, Beatles artist Shannon, TV and radio personality Tony Perkins, Beatles historian Tony Bramwell and Joe Johnson, the host & creator of the nationally syndicated radio show “BeatleBrunch“.

An annual event, this year’s cruise will be a fundraiser for Thrive/Survive Los Angeles to support young adult cancer survivors. On-board, a raffle will be held with close to 100 Beatles-related items to be given away during the sailing including a special Ultimate Weekend Tickets To Ride package for Abbey Road on the River along with autographed DVD’s from assorted post-Beatles artists.

For donation or ticket information contact Woody Lofton or register online.

Photo: Beatles Tribute Cruise

Leggo my Love Boat

by Chris Owen on

What took more than 250,000 LEGO bricks, six months to build, measures 10.5 feet long and five feet high? That would be a full scale model of the original Pacific Princess Love Boat built by professional LEGO builder Ryan McNaught.

The son of a Melbourne, Australia travel agent, the 36-year-old McNaught was inspired by the many cruises he has enjoyed over the years.

“I wanted to do something with character so I chose the original Love Boat, Pacific Princess, and studied photos and deck plans to capture her features and her beauty,” McNaught said.

One of only 12 certified LEGO builders in the world, McNaught’s model shows the exterior of the famous Princess Cruises TV ship on one side. The other side is a cutaway showing everything from chefs in the kitchen to passengers working out in the health club. Captain Stubing, Gopher and cruise director Julie, along with some of the show’s most famous guests such as David Hasselhoff are on board too.

Looks like the Love Boat will be making another run too. After showing the creation in Australia, McNaught now plans to move it to Chicago for Brickworld, one of the largest LEGO conventions in the world.

Flickr photos by TheBrickMan

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Disney’s Dream comes true

by Chris Owen on

Amid smoke, fireworks and every magical trick in the book, Grammy award-winner Jennifer Hudson was on hand this morning at Port Canaveral in Florida to send off Disney Cruise Lines latest creation, the new Disney Dream.

It’s been 10 years since the Mouse launched a new ship and Mickey and the gang were in top form today as the latest seafaring creation from the legacy of Walt Disney was sworn into service. With singing, dancing, fireworks and a 16-foot champagne bottle “cracked” against the hull of the new Disney Magic via helicopter, a new era began in magical family cruising from Florida.

“For over a decade, Disney Cruise Line has been making vacation dreams come true for millions of families and we continue that tradition today with the launch of the Disney Dream,” said Disney CEO Bob Iger. “The mix of imagination and innovation found on the Disney Dream is unparalleled and elevates the family cruise experience to new heights.”

The Disney Dream will sail three, four and five-night itineraries to the Bahamas and Disney’s private island, Castaway Cay.

On board the new ship, up to 4000 guests will enjoy features ranging from the “splashtacular” AquaDuck, the very first water coaster at sea to virtual portholes in interior cabins showing what is going on outside the ship with some characters stopping by from time to time.

See complete on-the-scene coverage from AOLTravel’s Fran Golden too.

Photo by CruiseGuy.com