THE BIRTH OF THE MODERN LAGOON MULTIHULL

In April 1988, The Lagoon 55 was unleashed to the world during Océanides, at Brest, winning immediate accolades and sparking an international demand for high-tech cruising catamarans that continues to this day.

The JTA staff moved seamlessly between construction of the Lagoon 55 and other competition boats, thus fusing competition technology breakthroughs with commercial cruising catamaran design.

VARIOUS VICTORIES; NEW MODELS INTRODUCED

The advances were significant: In 1990 JTA trimarans won all the top places in the Route De Rhum and group opened up a new shipyard in Nantes to organize the production of the Lagoon 55, Lagoon 57, and Lagoon 47. At the same time it continued to push the envelope in racing multihull construction.

While JTA continued to amass sailing victories and break records in the Pacific, it also started to produce ever more complex prototypes, continually testing and improving the technology and the underlying materials.

The result of all this activity and progress was the request for two new models, The Lagoon37 and Lagoon 42, which found their way into the North American charter market.

BENETEAU ACQUIRES JTA AND THE LAGOON RANGE

While market conditions deteriorated between 1993 and 1994 and dampened production levels, 1995 was another turning point when Jeanneau was acquired by Beneteau and the link was established between Construction Navale Bordeaux (CNB) and Lagoon.

TECHNOLOGY RE-APPRAISAL

JTA-LAGOON made good use of those two years of transition to make an in-depth appraisal of the technologies available for constructing their boats. High-level competition resulted in more and more boats being built using ultra specific technology (pre-preg vacuum at over 200°F, even autoclave).

SECRET RESEARCHS LEADS TO INFUSION TECHNOLOGY

To the staff at JTA, this seemed too costly to adapt to cruising sailboats as the ratio of price to technology needed to remain reasonable. It was during this period that the choice turned toward infusion, which was developed after thousands of hours of research in secret to make it a viable and efficient technology.

HOLLYWOOD COURTS JTA-LAGOON

At the same time, JTA’s notoriety enabled them to sign a contract with Universal Pictures for two 60′ trimarans to be used in the filming of Waterworld.

TECHNOLOGY VALIDATED IN REAL WORLD

Infusion technology was officially validated when a JTA prototype – small and nimble – won the Mini Transcat 97 and 99 and allowed JTA-LAGOON (Lagoon) to launch into infusion construction on a larger scale that is now the benchmark for the multihull industry and being successfully used to build the Lagoon 500, Lagoon 570 and Lagoon 420.

Presently, Lagoon remains intimately connected to CNB and has ceased to build racing boats. However, the team retains the historical legacy of cutting edge research and development in new prototypes including a sixth sense when it comes to understanding what the traditional sailor requires in terms of comfort, speed and performance.

The Carnival Sensation has an outdoor 9 hole mini golf course located on the sports deck. There is no extra charge for the use of the clubs and golf balls. There is also a gold pro on board who can assist you with golf lessons and arranging tee times in various ports.

The gym and spa together are over 12,000 square feet. The gym is equipped with free weights and treadmills. There are also stationary bikes and elliptical machines. Classes are offered in aerobics, yoga, kick boxing cycling and Pilate’s for a small fee. The spa is an oasis of relaxation offering the usual manicure or pedicure and hair salon. They also offer a dreamy hot stone massage. The lime and ginger massage is an exfoliating treatment with massage. The ultimate is the Swedish massage for two. Those under 16 aren’t allowed in the gym or spa. Passengers between 16 and 18 years old can go in but only with an adult accompanying them.

There is an outdoor jogging track that loops around the sun deck. Eight laps around equals one mile.

There are three swimming pools, one just for children. The main pool has a 114 ft water slide. Pool games and scavenger hunts are held in the afternoons. Six whirlpools are available for your use, several do not allow children. The main pool area does get congested in the middle of the day so if you don’t intend to dip in get a chair one deck up and enjoy the sun and peacefulness of no crowds.

Afternoon activities are concentrated around the main pool on Lido deck. There is usually a steel drum band or reggae singers performing island music to put you into the vacation mood. By the main pool is where many games take place like the ever popular hairy chest contest which is less about hair than how to work the crowd.

There are wine tasting and art auctions. If you go to the art auction and see something you like you don’t have to bid, just wait until someone else wins and ask later if you can have the same picture for the same price.

If you find you have too much money on hand the Casablanca Casino can help you out in a matter of minutes. The casino has slots, blackjack, And Caribbean Stud Poker. There are Mega cash slots that are linked with all Carnival cruise ships where the jackpot has been as high as a million dollars. There are 2 cent slots where you can win a car. You can use old fashioned cash or your ship account card in the casino. If you need to you can also get a cash advance in the casino on your credit card.

On all Carnival ships a daily events newspaper is distributed to each cabin. This is called the Carnival Capers. The Capers lists all activities for the day. This will help you to schedule non food related events. The list of scheduled activities such as Bingo and slots tournaments is listed in the Capers. You will also see and perhaps be puzzled by other listings.

On every Carnival ship there is a meeting for friends of Bill W meeting. Now, you may wonder about this, as I did after several cruises. Who the heck is Bill W and how many friends does he have that he gets his own meeting place on board? This is a euphemism for an alcoholic’s anonymous meeting. Bill W is the founder of alcoholic’s anonymous. You will also see in the Capers a friend’s of Dorothy meeting scheduled. This is a quiet way of announcing a meeting for those who are gay or lesbian or their friends.

In the Fantasia lounge that seats over 1300 people you can see a comedy show at night. An early kid friendly show is scheduled along with a late night R rated version. Austin Powers dance classes take place in the same lounge. Also in the Fantasia lounge is Game Show mania for passengers to play on stage.

In the Touch of Class disco there is an evening piano sing a long if that’s your thing. If you really want to sing by yourself the dance club has a karaoke night. Popular dance music plays every night at Michelangelo’s disco. You can dance any extra calories away.

I have been sick to my stomach on a small fishing vessel that I paid a fortune to charter so when my brother suggested a cruise years ago I thought to myself that I may have more fun jumping off the Eiffel tower. At least it would end. I have since traveled on many cruises without the troublesome problem of sea sickness. I want to share what I have learned so that you too can enjoying cruising as much I do.

The easiest and most economical way to stop sea sickness is to walk. This is what is meant by getting your sea legs. When you walk around a moving ship the fluid in your inner ear learns the motion of the ship in a controlled way. When you feel sea sickness coming on walk,walk,walk. The worst thing you can do is take to your bed. Lying down will make your nausea worse. Once your body becomes accustomed to the motion you will no longer feel ill and will be able to sit and lie down when you want to.

Another drug free way to curb your motion sickness is by wearing a Sea Bands bracelet. The bracelet has a small bead on the inside that puts pressure on the inside of your wrist. This is a pressure point that will reduce nausea. Children and pregnant women can use Sea Bands as there are no side effects to this method. They are available at most drug stores. Buy these before you leave home and put it on before boarding the ship to be safe.

The use of ginger can help to reduce the nausea part of sea sickness but not the dizziness. Other herbal remedies have been tried but not scientifically proven to work. Staying above deck and getting fresh air will go a long way to normalizing your inner ear.

Cabin location can also be a factor in how much motion you feel while trying to sleep. Select a cabin that is in the middle of the ship both horizontally and vertically. If you pick a middle deck you will feel less motion from the sea and if you are close to the center of that deck you will feel less vibration from the engines and under workings of the ship.

Sail on a ship that has stabilizers. All of the newest mega liners have stabilizers that help minimize the rolling of the ship back and forth. Consider sailing on a ship that uses the Azipod propulsion system. All of the Carnival Cruise Lines ships have them. This system pushes rather than pulls the ship through the water which reduces motion and creates much less vibration. It also has the added benefit of allowing sharper turns for the ship without causing a lean.

Medications such as Dramamine or Gravol decrease nausea. You don’t have to buy these at home as they are available on the ship at the pursers desk where they are usually given out free of charge. Unfortunately these drugs can make some people drowsy which does not make for an exciting cruise experience.

Ear patches work wonders to get rid of sea sickness. The trans dermal scopolamine patch is about the size of a dime and is worn behind the ear. It’s effects last about 72 hours. This patch must be applied 8 hours before boarding the ship or you’ll be playing catch up later. The trans dermal patch does have side effects ranging from drowsiness to dry mouth.

If you think about it, it’s an extremely cost-effective and time-efficient way to take a holiday. Consider all the time you’d spend driving yourself to several different destinations, packing and unpacking at each hotel, and searching for restaurants and other services. On a cruise you don’t drive anywhere for seven, ten, fourteen days or even even more. Even if you were on a bus tour with no driving yourself, you haul your luggage or at least one package and unpack it at every new stop. On a cruise, you check your luggage when you check in and it magically appears in your cabin, stateroom, or even suite. You’re at home for the duration of the cruise. And the food! Every ship has several restuarants staffed by world-class chefs, and the cost of the food is included as part of the cruise. At each port, guided tours are available so you won’t miss any local attractions. Supervised activities such as snorkeling are available to keep the children occupied. And at the end of your holidy staff will pick up your luggage and place it on shore at the intended pick-up point. Taking a cruise vacation frees you from so many of the hassles of traveling, and leaves you with more time to relax and enjoy your destination.

Celebrity Cruise Lines offer some of the best deals in the business. Conde Nast Traveler consistently rates
Celebrity Cruises as one of the world’s best cruise lines. Services include informative lectures about your location, upscale boutiques, and Las Vegas style entertainment created for Celebrity by Cirque du Soleil.
Try your luck in the Casino or collect fine art during an onboad auction. The nightlife spectacular at The Bar At The Edge of the Earth.

There’s a whole world of pampering waiting for you at the world-famous Aqua-Spa by Elemis. Try a deluxe manicure, a luxurious facial or a relaxing massage. There is even acupuncture by a licensed acupuncturist and Chinese medicine as well. You’ll feel renewed and invigorated.

Children feel right at home on a Celebrity Cruise. The Celebrity X-Club Youth Program has age-specific activities and entertainment for every child. Science and nature exploration, talent shows, treasure hunts, children’s dinner parties, slumber parties and more are all arranged by professional staff. Special areas of the ship are set aside for children only, such as the Shipmates Fun Factory, teen center and pools. When the ship is docked, adults have the option of going on tours by themselves while the children are supervised onboard. What could be more enjoyable or safer?

Age or disability are no impediment to cruising. Ships are designed for mobility-impaired passengers, and staff is always ready to assist. Celebrity accommodates those who need dialysis or oxygen, and other medical services can be arranged if requested beforehand. Emergency care is always available on board, saving you the trouble of finding a doctor who speaks your language in a foreign country.

Dinner is a vital event in itself on a cruise ship, a tradition dating back to the late 1800’s when cruises were for royalty and the wealthy who expected elegant formal dinners. Again, in today’s lifestyle the elegant dinner is optional, and for those who like to dine casually, food is available around the clock . However, for those who like a ritzy event where they can show off their best attire and jewelry, there are optional formal dinners where ladies wear long formal gowns or evening dresses and gentlemen have on tuxedos.

Did I forget to mention the cruise destination itself? Celebrity Cruises dock at a different port of call every day or two, depending upon distances and sailing time between points of interest. You can stay aboard the ship all day or disembark. You are free to explore every destination on your itinerary as long as you return to the ship before departure time.