Chicago’s arts and cultural community came out in full force Thursday, Oct. 16, to meet the press at Spotlight on Chicago, an annual information resource fair sponsored by the Chicago Office of Tourism. More than 100 organizations and attractions, from theaters to museums, staffed tables at the Chicago Cultural Center, providing updates on 2008-2009 programs, exhibits and performances. I was there representing Leisure Group Travel magazine.

Many exhibitors had specially prepared brochures for group and student travel planners. Among the participants I met were such group travel specialists as Katie McCarthy, tourism marketing manager of Navy Pier, and Amy Tometich, group sales and tourism coordinator of the Museum of Science and Industry. I also found out what was new at the Shedd Aquarium (dog shows!), Adler Planetarium, Lincoln Park, Chicago History Museum and The Field Museum—and added my name to some mailing lists. Ethnic museums included the DuSable Museum of African American History and Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. Representing the performing arts were the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Goodman Theatre, Joffrey Ballet and The Second City, among others.

In a breakfast program prior to the show, Meredith Mack, deputy director and chief operating officer of The Art Institute of Chicago, filled us in on plans for the museum’s dramatic new Modern Wing, set for completion in May 2009.

For those with less time on their hands, Holland America Line’s newest ship, the Signature-class ms Eurodam, will sail two four-day and one two-day itineraries between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Dover (London), England, in July 2009.

The first four-day itinerary departs July 2 and sails from Copenhagen to Dover. Along the way, the line’s 2,104-passenger ship will call at Oslo, with a late-night departure so guests can enjoy the local nightlife and have time to become fully immersed in Scandinavia’s third-largest city. The ship also calls at Amsterdam.

The second four-day cruise departs July 6 and sails roundtrip from Dover. Eurodam first calls at Zeebrugge (Brussels), Belgium , a city overflowing with history and known for its chocolate, beer, waffles and diamonds. Next, the vessel calls at Cherbourg, France , where it stays until midnight allowing for plenty of extra time to explore the Normandy port. St. Peter Port, Guernsey, is the final call en route to Dover, and guests will be greeted by the islands’ charming 18th-century Georgian houses, pubs, cafes and restaurants.

Eurodam sails a two-day mini-holiday from Dover to Copenhagen, departing July 10. The 12-day Collectors’ Voyage combines the two-day Eurodam sampler and continues on its Copenhagen roundtrip journey to Warnemünde (Berlin), Stockholm, Helsinki, St. Petersburg (overnight), Tallinn and Kiel. (800-522-3399, www.hollandamerica.com)

The 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy has resumed its four- and five-day cruise schedule from New Orleans following a 28-day dry dock that included the addition of an expansive new water park, exclusive adults-only area, redesigned main pool and a new “Circle C” facility for 12-to 14-year-olds.  

The ship’s suites and dining venues were also renovated and new dining options such as a Mongolian wok and rotisserie were added. The new features are part of the line’s $250-million “Evolutions of Fun” refurbishment program for its eight Fantasy-class ships.

In conjunction with the Carnival Fantasy’s resumption of service from New Orleans, the company has partnered with five New Orleans-based radio stations on a promotion called “Give Fun Back,” which kicks off Oct. 20 and is designed to reward deserving individuals with a “Fun Ship” cruise vacation. Based on nominations submitted by listeners, five winners will be selected, with each receiving a complimentary cruise on the Carnival Fantasy for up to four guests. 

A signature element of Carnival Fantasy’s new “Evolutions of Fun” upgrades is Carnival WaterWorks, an expansive aqua park towering over Verandah Deck.Designed with all-ages appeal, the sprawling, open-air facility includes a 300-foot-long spiral water slide – the longest at sea – along with twin 82-foot-long racing slides and various water spray apparatus.
 
Located aft on Promenade Deck and offering magnificent ocean views is “Serenity,” an exclusive new adults-only retreat. Intended as an oasis for relaxation and comfort, “Serenity” offers plush chaise lounges and chairs, colorful oversized umbrellas, and two large whirlpools. Guests can sip a variety of icy cocktails and frozen drinks or enjoy a light meal or snack from the nearby Lido restaurant.
The third element of the “Evolutions of Fun” top deck upgrades is a totally redesigned “resort-style” pool located mid-ship on Lido Deck featuring thatched roofing and large faux palm trees. Vibrant oversized umbrellas, comfortable deck chairs and a colorful tiled “beach” encircling the pool’s edge enhance the decidedly tropical ambiance.
 
The new “Circle C” facility for 12- to 14-year-olds features a high-tech sound and lighting system, plasma-screen TVs displaying movies and music videos, a touch-screen jukebox, and gaming pods with the latest video games and consoles.

Cosmetic enhancements were also made to other shipboard areas, including renovated guest corridors and public bathrooms, a brand new décor and technical enhancements to the Electricity dance club, a host of new artwork, and updated furniture and fixtures in many staterooms.
Additionally, all of the ship’s 54 suites were remodeled with updated wall coverings, carpeting, tile work and lighting fixtures, as well as new bathrooms.  A number of connecting staterooms were incorporated as well. 

The namesake vessel of the 70,000-ton Fantasy-class, Carnival Fantasy currently operates four- and five-day western Caribbean cruises from New Orleans. Four-day cruises depart Thursdays and visit Cozumel, while five-day voyages depart Mondays and Saturdays and call at Cozumel and Progreso. 

Carnival Fantasy will sail from New Orleans through Nov. 5, 2009, then reposition to Mobile, Ala., to operate a special six-day cruise departing Nov. 10 followed by the launch of year-round four- and five-day service from that port Nov. 16.  Carnival Fantasy will be replaced in New Orleans by the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph in November 2009. (800-227-6482, carnival.com)

Femme FITall, a Naperville, Ill. operator specializing in fitness getaways for women and their gal pals, is offering a “Ladies Fitness Cruise” to the Bahamas from Feb. 26-March 2, 2009.

The five-day cruise aboard Carnival Cruise Lines’ Fascination sails from Jacksonville, Fla., making stops in Freeport and Nassau. Four fitness instructors will teach yoga, pilates,  kickboxing, cardio-boxing, dancing, tae kwon do and strength training. Packages start at $879 for an inside cabin, including airfare from Chicago.

FemmeFITall  was started in 2007 by Kate E. Lichter, Certified Meeting Professional (CMP) and president, and is a division of Meetings A La Carte, which she formed in 2005. The fitness trips have attracted travelers from all over the country and as far away as Europe. (630-420-7607, www.femmefitall.com)