Celebrity Cruises and Azamara Cruises to offer weddings at sea

Weddings at sea are becoming more popular. P&O Cruises has 246 weddings planned for 2008-09, compared with 184 in the first year the service became available.

In complying with this trend, Celebrity and Azamara Cruises are extending their vow renewals and weddings in port or on cruise excursions and will offer on board wedding packages from later this year.

Marrying couples will be spoilt for choice with a variety of packages, that include private receptions in speciality restaurants, wedding cakes and Champagne. The basic wedding package will start at $2500.

Dame Helen Mirren to name a new P & O cruise ship

Dame Helen Mirren, the Oscar winning Hollywood actress, will name new P&O Cruises' ship Ventura. The naming ceremony will take place in Southampton on April 16 prior to the 3,076-passenger ship's maiden voyage to the Mediterranean.

Partnering up with some of Britain’s favourite names, Ventura’s holidays will offer something quite special for all ages. Tate Modern, will be bringing their expertise on board selected cruises, presenting ‘Tate Talks’. Noddy will be livening up playtime through themed activities. A giant 14.5 metre Scalextric track will provide fast pace fun for all ages. And Michelin star chef Marco Pierre White, is creating, Ventura’s unique fine dining venue, The White Room, plus a number of her other menus.

Learn fencing and glass blowing on your cruise.

As unbelievable as it sounds, that is an offer of new cruise amenities in 2008.

Cunard Line's Queen Victoria is to offer fencing. Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice will feature a glass-blowing studio at sea in cooperation with the Corning Glass Museum of New York State. While P&O ship Tamarind will include Cirque Ventura - a circus school.