This Week in Cruise: Celebrity Cruises Completes Revitalization Efforts

The Celebrity Millennium completed revitalization efforts last week, and is the fourth and final ship taking part in Celebrity Cruises' $140-million revitalization campaign. The initiative was completed in less than two years, with each ship completeing its transformation over the course of a three-week drydock. Celebrity Millennium is currently on a Panama Canal voyage from Fort Lauderdale to San Diego. Following a five-night wine-themed cruise from San Diego to Vancouver on May 27, the ship will offer seven-night Northbound and Southbound Alaska sailings between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska.

Carnival Cruise Lines' newest ship, the 3,690-passenger Carnival Breeze, is conducting sea trials in the Adriatic Sea, preparing for its maiden voyage from Venice, Italy on June 3, 2012. The 130,000-ton vessel is in the final stages of construction at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy. To thoroughly test the navigation, technical and mechanical systems, officers, technicians and engineers are onboard for the ship's sea trials. Following its inaugural 12-day cruise from Venice, which will arrive in Barcelona, Spain on June 15, the Carnival Breeze will operate a summer schedule of Mediterranean voyages from Barcelona through October 25.

The Amber Cove Cruise Center, a joint project between Carnival Corporation & PLC and the Rannik family/Grupo B&R, held groundbreaking ceremonies on May 14, in the Dominican Republic at the project site on the Bay of Maimon, near Puerto Plata on the country's Northern coast. The Amber Cove Cruise Center, estimated to cost $65 million, will represent one of the largest cruise industry investments ever made in the Dominican Republic. The project, scheduled to open in 2014, is designed to re-establish the Domincan Republic's North Coast as a popular cruise destination; the last cruise ship to call at Puerto Plata was nearly 30 years ago.

Seabourn expanded to help first time guests benefit with the Seabourn Club. Club members are free to choose the rewards they prefer from a menu of onboard amenities and discounts beginning June 1, 2012, on all Seabourn ships. Club members can redeem benefits based on five different membership levels, achieved by accruing one Seabourn Club Point for each day sailed onboard a Seabourn ship. Additional Seabourn Club Points are awarded for days sailed in premium category suites, for onboard spending and for days traveled on Seabourn journey overland excursions.