Planet Hollywood Resort Sets Grand Opening Date

Planet Hollywood Resort Sets Grand Opening Date
Published on: April 20, 2007

The newly renamed Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas will celebrate its official Grand Opening on Sept. 28 and 29, according to Robert Earl, co-chairman of the property. Earl made his announcement on Tuesday, when the hotel officially shed its previous moniker as the Aladdin Hotel and Casino. He was joined by celebrities such as Bruce Willis, Carmen Electra and baseball great Roger Clemens. After a $1 billion renovation, the property is positioning itself as strong competition for the clientele of stylish and hip neighboring properties such as the Wynn Las Vegas and The Palms. Besides already completed renovations such as the floor-to-ceiling Swarovski crystal chandeliers in the hotel lobby and the 5,000 Panasonic high-definition plasma TVs that adorn public areas and guest rooms, new amenities such as Koi restaurant and Prive nightclub are set to open at the property this year. In addition to the 2,600 guest rooms that are designed with movie photos and memorabilia, three suites will be decorated in the name of legendary sports figures Roger Clemens, Pete Sampras and Sugar Ray Leonard. The hotel will remain open throughout the rest of the renovation.

Sandals and Beaches Debut Tree-Planting Program

Sandals and Beaches Debut Tree-Planting Program
Published on: April 20, 2007

Sandals and Beaches Resorts have expanded their tree planting program, “Watch Your Love Grow,” to include guests, in addition to staff, at all resort locations in Jamaica, St. Lucia, the Bahamas, Antigua and Turks & Caicos. The program, which began in 2000, forms part of their ongoing green initiatives aimed at safeguarding an already delicate Caribbean ecosystem. At Sandals Resorts, two people can engage in tree-planting activities either on or off-property. Sandals’ staff selects either indigenous or endangered tress for this activity, which guests are able to sponsor. Staff members then identify each seedling that is planted using the guest’s name and date of planting. Returning guests may then visit their tree, time and again. At Sandals’ sister-brand, Beaches Resorts, guests also have the opportunity to get involved with watershed protection and reforestation. Guests of Beaches Resorts can join in planting activities in the surrounding communities with resort managers. As parents watch their children grow, they can also return year after year to watch their children’s trees grow.

Royal Princess Departs on Inaugural Voyage

Royal Princess Departs on Inaugural Voyage
Published on: April 20, 2007

Princess Cruises’ Royal Princess welcomed its first passengers Thursday, as it set sail on its maiden voyage from Barcelona under the command of the line’s senior master, the recently appointed Commodore Michael Fatchen. The 710-passenger vessel, which takes the name of a former Princess ship, debuts with a series of “Elite Mediterranean” cruises that feature a variety of new itineraries and ports. Royal Princess’ first “Mediterranean Interlude” voyage features calls in Marseille, Florence/Pisa, Elba, Palermo, and Mallorca. Upcoming voyages include a number of interesting new “explorer” destinations, including four ports appearing for the first time in Princess routes: Ravenna, Italy; Split, Croatia; Kotor, Montenegro; and Canakkale (for Troy), Turkey — all UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Royal Princess itineraries will also take travelers to the Crimean coast, Egypt and the Holy Land.

A former Renaissance Cruises vessel and sister ship to the Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess, the 30,200-ton Royal Princess offers passengers a boutique version of Princess’ acclaimed onboard options, including dining and entertainment choices and a large number of cabins with private balconies. The Royal Princess will feature the line’s new culinary enhancements, including the Chef’s Table dinner experience, new dining room menus, enhanced buffet service, and a number of special treats such as an afternoon cookies and milk and in-cabin delivery of pizza. The ship also features Sabatini’s Trattoria, Sterling Steakhouse, the Lotus Spa and 24-hour room service, including private balcony dining. Suites were renovated with new décor and furnishings. The ship also has an upgraded show lounge, new carpet and upholstery, and premium mattresses and bedding.