Northstar

NEWS www.travelweeklyweb.com Voyager of the Seas poised to be the largest ship to Homeport in Asia SINGAPORE – Global cruise brand Royal Caribbean International announced that it will bring the nearly 150,000-tonne cruise ship Voyager of the Seas to Asia in 2012, starting with a Singapore maiden season from May to June. Voyager of the Seas, known for its innovative, one- of-a-kind features such as the Royal Promenade and ice-skating rink, will be the largest and most exciting ship to ever homeport in Asia. The 15-deck Voyager of the Seas, which carries 3,114 guests at double occupancy and measures 311m long and 48m wide, belongs to the Voyager Class ships, and offers cruisers a wide choice of activities and entertainment never seen before in Asia. For the fi rst time in the region, there will be a cruise ship with an ice-skating rink for spectacular ice shows, a boulevard of shops and cafes – four decks high – and a full-sized sports court for basketball. Other onboard innovations include the in-line skating track, Adventure Beach family pool area with water slide, rock-climbing wall, mini-golf course and golf simulator. In addition, there is a three-tier theatre, which presents Broadway-style musicals and shows, themed bars and lounges as well as a mezzanine split level nightclub. There is even a wedding chapel on the uppermost deck, for memorable weddings in style at sea. There are numerous dining options onboard including the elegant three-tier dining room that can accommodate 1,919 guests and specialty restaurants namely Portofino Italian restaurant and Johnny Rockets 50s' style diner. The choice of accommodation is also comprehensive, ranging from luxurious Royal Suites to unique Promenade staterooms with views overlooking the Royal Promenade. Voyager of the Seas will call at the new International Cruise Terminal at Marina South. She will arrive in May from Dubai to kick-start her Singapore season, which will be a series of short cruises to different exotic Southeast Asian destinations until June. These sailings are expected to attract thousands of cruisers from Singapore, the region and beyond. Following this, Voyager of the Seas will sail to Shanghai on a nine-night cruise and from there; launch her maiden season in Shanghai with sailings to Japan and Korea, to destinations such as Fukuoka, Kobe, Busan and Jeju. Thereafter, the ship will return to Singapore in October. Sheraton sets the benchmark in Nha Trang VIETNAM – First, it earned the label "Nha Trang's only five-star international hotel." Then, it opened The Altitude, the highest bar in this city on one of the world's most beautiful bays (www.world-bays.com). Now, the 30-story Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa is raising the bar again, by catering to the development of Nha Trang in a way no other property on Vietnam's south-central coast can. Last month, the year-old hotel unveiled its plush apartments and penthouses – inventory that positions this Sheraton as the address of choice for those shaping the new Nha Trang. "Business is booming here," said Debbie Chee, Sheraton Nha Trang's director of sales and marketing. "Its no secret people are moving here to participate in the area's growth spurt. We're hearing from them, and what they're saying is they want somewhere comfortable to stay for a week, for a month, sometimes longer." "At the moment, we're the only place in Nha Trang capable of providing the standard of accommodation and services most of these temporary residents are looking for." The appeal of the apartments is in their spacious and airy living areas – all fi ve units feature a kitchenette adjacent to a lounge and dining room with sweeping views of Nha Trang Bay. Other amenities include a powder room; bathroom with separate bathtub and rain shower; wireless and broadband data ports; and at least two fl at screen LCD televisions per unit. "The three two-bedroom apartments are especially attractive," Chee says, "because they are split over two levels and have real design character. Each one has a different fl oor plan due to the shape of the building." The twin 180-square-meter penthouses also enable split-story living, but include additional luxuries such as generous studies, private elevator access and an expansive communal balcony that drinks in the most spectacular panorama in Nha Trang. Another benefit to guests of these new room categories: Access to the only club lounge along Vietnam's lengthy coastline – the Sheraton Club Lounge, a private sanctuary on the 25th floor with indoor and outdoor 6 | ■ TRAVELWEEKLY ASIA | 16 AUGUST 2011 Sheraton Nha Trang. seating areas and complimentary daily refreshments, breakfast, afternoon tea and evening cocktails and canapés. "Our club lounge is a chill-out spot," says Chee. "It's a place where you can go and enjoy a drink while watching TV, read a newspaper or magazine, maybe surf the Internet on your iPad, or just step outside for some fresh air and sea views." "We're trying to change the perception that if you have a club lounge you're a business hotel. Our club lounge is like being in your own living room, only you have the option to interact with hotel guests." The towering Sheraton Nha Trang Hotel & Spa opened in March 2010 as the fi rst Sheraton in Vietnam outside of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi. In less than a year, the hotel has won recognition from Conde Nast Traveller India ('Top 5 Beach Spas in Asia') and made Travel + Leisure's list of the 'Best Affordable Beach Resorts' in the world. www.travelweeklyweb.com

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