ROYAL CARIBBEAN ANNOUNCES WINTER 2011-12 CARIBBEAN CRUISES

Royal Caribbean International has announced the cruise line’s winter 2011-12 Caribbean cruise season aboard Voyager of the Seas from New Orleans and Mariner of the Seas from Galveston, Texas. Voyager of the Seas will debut in New Orleans as the largest and most innovative cruise ship to homeport in the city, and offer a third convenient Gulf Coast city to embark on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

“If you are planning to visit the USA at that time of year, these cruises are perfect for a warm escape onboard some of the most innovative cruise ships in the world. Guests can now choose from three vibrant Gulf Coast cities – New Orleans, Galveston, Texas or Tampa, Florida - to embark on a memorable Royal Caribbean cruise holiday,” said Adam Armstrong, commercial manager Royal Caribbean Cruises Australia.

There will be 45 sailings aboard Voyager of the Seas and Mariner of the Seas from November 2011 through April 2012 calling at eight unique Caribbean ports. These itineraries are in addition to the recently-announced short Western Caribbean cruises on Jewel of the Seas from Tampa. Royal Caribbean’s winter 2011-12 Gulf Caribbean cruises are now open for booking and include:

· Voyager of the Seas offers seven-night Western Caribbean cruises sailing every Saturday from New Orleans’s newly renovated Julia Street Cruise Terminal

· Mariner of the Seas will take over from Voyager of the Seas at Galveston offering two alternating seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries

Royal Caribbean also has a wide range of exciting shore excursions on offer such as:

· Swimming with the graceful Southern Atlantic stingrays at the world-famous Stingray City on "Stingray City Sandbar Swim & Snorkel" in Grand Cayman.

· Soaring through trees on the “Chukka Canopy Experience” in Jamaica.

Voyager-class Mariner of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas are two of the world’s 10 largest and most innovative cruise ships at sea. Both ships feature the cruise line’s iconic rock-climbing wall, the Studio B ice-skating rink, nine-hole mini-golf course, an in-line skating track, a full-size basketball court, and the Royal Promenade, a boulevard of boutiques, restaurants and lounges and bars. Voyager of the Seas features the cruise line’s signature Portofino Italian restaurant, while Mariner of the Seas offers a second specialty restaurant option, Chops Grille steakhouse.

www.royalcaribbean.com or call 0800 102 123

World’s first Cookie Bar comes to Queenstown

New Zealand icon Cookie Time is on countdown to opening the world’s first Cookie Bar in Queenstown.

The innovative new Cookie Time store and Cookie Bar will open on Monday May 17, a showcase outlet designed as a world-class retail experience the company plans to franchise throughout the world.

Customers can lean on the Cookie Bar and enjoy hot, freshly baked cookies, hot chocolates and ice cold milk, all while listening to New Zealand music and reveling in views of Queenstown’s Village Green and surrounding mountains.

The Cookie Time store is the company’s first retail outlet outside of its Christchurch headquarters.

It will be an interactive brand experience featuring Apple touch screens that highlight the company’s 27-year history since Kiwi brothers Guy and Michael Mayell developed New Zealand’s first giant chocolate cookies. It will also have a ‘Pick and Mix’ wall where customers can fill a bucket or box with their favourite pick of Cookie Time’s cookies.

World-renowned Weta Workshop is bringing a touch of Hollywood to the store, with fun design elements the Cookie Time team is keeping under wraps until opening day.

“We’re absolutely thrilled with how the store and bar is coming along,” says Cookie Time general manager Lincoln Booth.

“We’re giving away thousands of free cookies on our first day. The store will be open from 8am to 7pm to ensure everyone gets their cookie fix.

“Queenstown attracts visitors from all around New Zealand and all around the world, and we’re sure this new addition to the ‘bar scene’ will be welcomed not only by visitors but by locals as a real drawcard.”

Cookie Time began 27 years ago, delivering fresh cookies to dairies in Christchurch. The company has since grown to become New Zealand's favourite cookie brand. The Queenstown store will be a very different offering to its nationwide retail model, according to Mr Booth.

The Queenstown location was chosen for its high number of national and international visitors.

Cookie Time has a long-term commitment to Queenstown, having invested a six-figure sum in the Queenstown store at a time of recessionary uncertainty.

DINE WITH DISTINCTION AND SLEEP IN STYLE

Att: Queenstowners!!

Queenstown locals are being given the opportunity to dine with distinction and sleep in style in a special promotion to win the ‘Ultimate Weekend’ at the newly-refurbished Distinction Nugget Point Boutique Hotel.

They can be in to win two nights at the unique property in a luxurious Presidential Suite, which boasts spectacular views across the Shotover River.

All locals have to do is dine at the hotel for breakfast, afternoon tea or dinner before June 30 2010 to go in the draw to win the ‘Ultimate Weekend’.

‘The Ultimate Weekend’ prize includes two nights for two in a Presidential Suite with champagne and canapés in-suite upon arrival, breakfast in the Breakfast Room each morning and a 3-course dining experience in the hotel’s dining room - Birches - with a bottle of wine.

There is also a late check-out, car parking, free wireless internet and the use of gym and squash facilities. The total prize package is valued at $3000.

Executive Chef Rob Hunt, who has worked in some of the world’s finest restaurants, believes those dining at Birches are in for a mouth-watering experience.

“Dining at Birches will be an experience in itself, because I create only the best dishes in classical French style, using the highest quality local ingredients,” he said.

“Come and sample our truly indulgent afternoon tea, with its light-as-air French style pastries, exquisitely prepared sandwiches, petite scones and other melt-in-the-mouth delicacies, or treat yourself to an unforgettable dinner experience with dishes such as the loin of local Cardrona Merino Lamb with braised fennel and olive puree, buttered thyme, garlic roasted potatoes and a lamb jus.

“Having the opportunity to win an amazing weekend on top of that means diners can literally have their cake and eat it too!” said Mr Hunt.

Distinction Nugget Point would like locals to see the hotel as a ‘home away from home’, somewhere where they can sink into an overstuffed armchair in front of a roaring fire and are encouraged to put Chef Hunt’s Michelin-star culinary expertise to the test.

“We have a small, rather luxurious and very engaging property here, and we’re proud of the extremely high levels of service and standards we offer visitors or guests,” said General Manager Ken Edwards.

“We welcome locals with open arms and look forward to giving one of them a very special chance to come and stay.”

Terms and conditions for ‘The Ultimate Weekend’ apply.

nuggetpoint.co.nz