Monthly Archives: November 2013

Famous Kissimmee attraction closing at the end of the year

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5834785381_e55ac5a638The Arabian Nights dinner attraction announced it will be closed permanently after New Year’s Day. This will be the end of the 15-year long history of the dinner show with performing horses and a royal story line. Owner Mark Miller opened the dinner theater’s doors on Feb, 29, 1988. Over the years Arabian Nights has presented 10,000 performances for 10 million visitors.

This August the attraction won the 2013 Orlando Sentinel Award for Best Dinner Show. Set in a horseshoe-shaped arena with a dirt floor, the Arabian Nights show spotlights Al-Marah Arabian horses with acrobatic riders. Customers, who pay $66.99 for general admission, eat dinner in stands surrounding the action. The show was freshened with new acts and narrative during the summer and dubbed “The Royal Celebration,” a story about a romantic merger of two Bedouin kingdoms. But despite the changes, owner Mark Miller said, the numbers were no longer adding up. Ticket wholesalers, which handle the bulk of Arabian Nights’ sales, would no longer pay enough for the blocks of seats they purchased, Miller said.

“It has been an honor sharing my passion for the beauty and magic of horses with people from all walks of life over the last 25 years,” said Miller in a release. “Unfortunately, we have reached a point where the marketplace demands a cheaper product than we can provide.”

arabian-nights-cast-starsMiller, who grew up in a family that bred Arabian horses, said the company’s 40 horses will move to an 80-acre farm he has purchased. He also said he will explore other uses for the Arabian Nights building and will consider selling the land, which is off West U.S. Highway 192.

The Arabian Night Christmas Show will run from 1st to 31 December, giving people one las chance to enjoy the attraction. “We know a lot of Central Florida Residents will want to see the show before we close, and we are offering them half price admission,” Miller said.

New Port Canaveral Terminal to bring bigger cruise ships

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portcanaveral1Port Canaveral is already one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. Disney, Norwegian, Carnival and Royal Caribbean all have ships based at Port Canaveral. It is also a port of call for many cruise ships. Last week the port officials announced plans for a new cruise complex. It will be constructed next year at the cost of $ 85 million.

The 185,000 square foot terminal at Port Canaveral will be the first modern one on the south side of the port’s ship channel. It will be adjacent to the port’s newly opened Exploration Tower, as well as the shops and restaurants on that side of the port. “Cruise visitors will be able to walk outside the terminal to enjoy port destination options or depart from the terminal and Exploration Tower to enjoy area excursions,” said John Walsh, the port’s director. Announcements regarding tenants for the new $85 million terminal, which comes with its own 1,000-space parking garage, are expected soon, Walsh added.

The port also added a terminal in 2012 at a cost of $ 65 million, bringing the total number of berths up to seven. We are planning four new terminals during the next 10-15 years. One is 2014-2015, one will replace [terminals 3 and 4] in 2016-2017 and then two added terminals likely in 2021 and 2025 based on current trends. We also will have terminal expansion coming for [cruise terminals 5 and 10].” Walsh said.

The 185,000 square foot terminal at Port Canaveral will be the first modern one on the south side of the port’s ship channel. It will be adjacent to the port’s newly opened Exploration Tower, as well as the shops and restaurants on that side of the port. “Cruise visitors will be able to walk outside the terminal to enjoy port destination options or depart from the terminal and Exploration Tower to enjoy area excursions,” said John Walsh, the port’s director.

Royal Caribbean has released details on the newest addition to its fleet set to sail next year, the Quantum of the Seas, an 18-deck ship that can carry 4,180 guests“The new cruise terminal complex will handle the largest cruise ships currently sailing as well as the 6,000-passenger vessels in design,” reads a press release from the port. This words started speculations. The only vessel of this class „currently in design” is the unnamed third Oasis-class ship of Royal Caribbean. Richard Fain, chairman and CEO of parent company Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd says we shouldn’t read too much into that information. „The same reference was made when the new Kai Tak passenger terminal was opened in Hong Kong harbor last year.” he commented.

Another possibility for the new terminal is Anthem of the Seas – the second of three 167,800-ton, 4,180-passenger next generation Royal Caribbean cruise ships to debut, will launch spring 2015 with 2,090 cabins. Royal is expected soon to announce the home port and itineraries for the Anthem.

One thing is for sure – Port Canaveral keeps growing and getting better.

Disney Cruise Line’s itineraries for early 2015. All four ships will be based at Florida

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All Disney cruise ships will be based at Florida ports in early 2015. Dream, Fantasy, and Magic will all be based out of Port Canaveral, and Wonder will sail out of Miami.

Castaway_CayDCL itineraries for early 2015 include both Bahamian and Caribbean cruises, with the options to enjoy three-, four-, and seven-night sailings from Port Canaveral and four- and five-night trips from Miami. Each itinerary will include a stop at Castaway Cay, the Disney’s private island for DCL guests. It will be the second year in a row that Disney Cruise Line will have its entire fleet spend most of the season sailing Caribbean and Bahamian cruises from Florida.

Disney Dream will have three- and four-night voyages available to the Bahamas: Nassau and Castaway Cay. Disney Fantasy, the Dream’s sister ship, will offer seven-night trips to the Caribbean: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Costa Maya, Mexico; Cozumel, Mexico; and Castaway Cay. Disney Magic will also have seven-night trips to the Caribbean available. The Disney Wonder, sister ship to the Magic, will have four- and five-night cruises. Its itinerary for the four-night cruise will be to Castaway Cay; Nassau, Bahamas; the Florida Keys. The five-night itinerary includes Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico or Cozumel, Mexico and Castaway Cay.

Disney says fares for three- and four-night cruises out of Port Canaveral in early 2015 will start at $450 and $600 per person, respectively. Fares for seven-night cruises will start at $980. As with any DCL sailing, guests should book as early as possible for the lowest prices. Disney Cruise Line already accepts bookings for early 2015.

Port Canaveral’s 60th anniversary

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Port Canaveral turns sixty. The official celebration is appointed for Saturday, November 9th. But it started Monday with the opening of the Exploration tower. This new tourist attraction comes as a milestone, marking the port’s evolution from a fishing outlet to one of the busiest cruise ports in the world. At the official ribbon cutting port officials said that „the tower is a symbol that the port will continue to grow its cruise, cargo and entertainment sectors.”

explorationtower

The Exploration tower is one of the main attractions in the Saturday’s celebration, too. It will be open to the public for a reduced admission price of $3 with the donation of a non-perishable food item for the Central Brevard Sharing Center.

The celebration, starting at 11 p. m. will also include a Classic Cars Show. Kids Zone, Live Music and a Dance Exhibition. A parade with all the participants will start at 3 p. m. The event will take place in The Cove around Exploration Tower between Mullet Rd. and Glenn Cheek Dr.

See the full program for Saturday on Port Canaveral’s official website