Sun, surf, cinemaโthe three come together in January 21-28, 2012 when the first Film Festival at Sea is launched aboard the magnificent Oasis of the Seas. This 7-day cruise launches from Fort Lauderdale and includes three full days of festival fun (parties as well as movies) plus stops in three stunning East Caribbean ports.
The festival is the brainchild of Richard Paradise, award-winning director of the Martha’s Vineyard International Film Festival, and expert cruise planner Helen Brahms. Their goal is to blend the laidback style of ocean travel and the buzz and excitement of a professionally run film festival.
“It’s the perfect cruise for film fans who’ve never taken a cruise before, who aren’t sure they’d like being aboard a floating resort,” says Mr. Paradise. “I’d never tried one before eitherโthat’s why I teamed up with experts like Helen Brahms and Royal Caribbean. I can’t imagine a more idyllic setting for viewing moviesโespecially in the dead of winter!”
The festival/cruise launches on January 21, 2012, and returns January 28. “Exploring new placesโespecially warm places in the middle of winterโis always enticing,” says Mr. Paradise. “But cruise lovers have always known that. Still, there’s always the question of what to do on those long days at sea, between port calls. We’ve got a fresh answerโwatch exciting new-release films and meet others who love movies as much as you.”
Mr. Paradise will emcee each screening and sponsor trivia contests, parties in the ship’s beautiful lounges, and other activities. Ms. Brahms, owner of Cruise Planners and a CLIA accredited cruise counselor, will take care of reservations and all cruise-specific concerns.
Oasis of the Seas is Royal Caribbean’s most luxurious new vessel. In addition to the screening rooms, the ship boasts several clubs, a children’s program, multiple shops, a library, an Internet café, a fitness center and spa, plus 10 restaurants and 4 pools. It’s even got its own foliage-filled Central Park.
Cruise Critic’s editor-in-chief recently praised Oasis for its many new features and environmental advances. Calling the ship "already legendary," she praised its innovative neighborhood concept, which means that there are always places to escape to as well as mingle in. (Read the review at http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=368).
Despite the latest in at-sea luxury, the week-long cruise is affordable: Staterooms start at $1203 (double occupancy; tax included), and there’s an additional charge of only $197 for the film festival activities, which includes a choice of two feature length movies per day at our late morning and afternoon screening slots. We’ll also screen several short films and provide interviews with several filmmakers via Skype. Join us for our Opening Night cocktail party on our first night at sea, Closing Night event, and several late night mixers throughout the voyage.
Details about the first Film Festival at Sea can be found (and reservations made) at FilmFestivalatSea.com.
Follow Film Festival at Sea on Twitter (@FilmFest_at_Sea); Friend it on Facebook (FilmFest_at_Sea).