Cunard
Begins Next Chapter of Literature and Liners
Feb 26: Cunard Line announces the return of their popular Literature
and Liners series as part of Cunard Insights, the line’s
award-winning onboard enrichment program. Introduced in 2009,
Literature and Liners provides guests sailing on select Queen Mary 2
Transatlantic Crossings the opportunity to interact with some of the
literary world’s most intriguing figures. Best-selling authors
scheduled to sail as part of this year’s program are Kate Atkinson,
John Berendt, Bill Bryson, and Joanne Harris. Guests can look
forward to engaging Q&A discussions, lectures, book signings and
readings with select titles to be featured in the Cunard Book Club.
• Kate Atkinson: Novelist Atkinson, known
for her award-winning Case Histories and Behind the Scenes at the
Museum, is scheduled to sail on the April 15 eastbound Crossing.
Atkinson, who was born in York, England, recently released When Will
There Be Good News? – a follow-up to the “Jackson Brodie” character
from Case Histories.
• John Berendt: Berendt is an
American-born author known for writing the best-selling non-fiction
book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, which was a finalist
for a Pulitzer Prize in 1995. Prior to writing the overnight success
story, Berendt wrote for Esquire and New York magazines. He is also
the author of The City of Falling Angels. Berendt will be sailing on
the June
7
eastbound Crossing.
• Bill Bryson: Best-selling American
author Bryson is scheduled for the Oct 1 westbound Crossing. He is
well known for his humorous books on travel, including A Walk in the
Woods and The Lost Continent. Bryson also has penned a number of
other bestsellers on the subject, as well as those on the English
language and scientific subjects. In addition to being an author,
Bryson also spent many years writing for The Times and The
Independent while living in England.
• Joanne Harris: The British writer is
best known for her acclaimed novel, Chocolat, which was made into an
Oscar®-nominated film starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She
is also the author of The Evil Seed, Sleep, Pale Sister and seven
other novels, most recently The Lollipop Shoes and Runemarks.
Harris’ other works include Jigs & Reels, a collection of short
stories, and two cookbooks with food writer Fran Warde – The French
Kitchen and The French Market. Her books are now published in more
than 40 countries and have won a number of British and international
awards. She will be joining the Oct 1 westbound Crossing, as well as
the Oct 12 eastbound Crossing.
“As operator of the most famous ocean liners in the world, Cunard is
known for bringing distinguished luminaries onboard to provide our
guests with unique experiences as they sail our legendary voyages,”
said Peter Shanks, president of Cunard Line. “We set the bar high
with the caliber of talent we present and are confident that this
year’s programme will appeal to our guests’ literary interests and
sensibilities.”
In 2010, Cunard offers guests more choices of Transatlantic
Crossings between April and November, sailing 6- and 7-day voyages
between New York and Southampton, as well as new extended 7-, 8- and
9-day Crossings to Cherbourg, France and Hamburg, Germany. Widely
considered the definitive ocean travel experience, a Transatlantic
Crossing offers guests a myriad of opportunities for intellectual
interaction, leisurely pursuits, health and wellness activities, and
gourmet dining. Unique Cunard amenities found aboard Queen Mary 2
include the famed Princess and Queens Grill accommodation, the first
Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea and the first Todd English restaurant at
sea.
Delving deeply into a variety of compelling and relevant topics,
Cunard Insights introduces guests to stimulating experts and
accomplished visionaries who reflect the line's heritage of
adventure and prestige. Through a series of lectures, Q&A's, social
gatherings and workshops, guests connect with personalities who have
achieved notable distinction in areas including history, world
affairs, science, arts and literature. The Insights program
underscores Cunard’s longstanding view that onboard entertainment
should afford guests a provocative and rewarding cerebral
experience. For more information and to book a voyage aboard Queen
Mary 2, consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free
1-800-7-CUNARD or go to
www.cunard.com.
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Paul Gauguin Cruises Offers Exclusive Sailing with Jean-Michel
Cousteau
BELLEVUE, WA, Feb 25: Paul Gauguin Cruises, operator of the highest
rated and longest continually-sailing luxury cruise ship in the
South Pacific, the m/s Paul Gauguin, announces an exclusive voyage
with explorer and environmentalist, Jean-Michel Costeau, departing
May 22, 2010. Mr. Cousteau will join guests of the m/s Paul Gauguin
as the ship sails for 16 days to Fiji, Tonga, and the Cook and
Society Islands. As the ship’s special guest, Mr. Cousteau will
offer a series of lectures with videos of his work in the oceans of
the world, as well as accompany several dives from the ship.
The m/s Paul Gauguin’s revolutionary Ambassadors of the Environment
Youth Program was created by Mr. Cousteau and his Ocean Futures
Society. The unique, groundbreaking program introduces travelers to
the extraordinary natural wonders of French Polynesia. The program
aims to give young participants ages 9 to 17 direct, hands-on,
interactive experience with knowledge of marine and island
ecosystems. Young Ambassadors will explore coral reefs, hike
rainforest trails and visit marae (ancient Polynesian temples).
They’ll learn how black pearls and vanilla are cultivated, how
volcanic islands become coral atolls and how to paddle an outrigger
canoe. Parents are encouraged to join children on eco-excursions and
other activities aboard and ashore.
Founded in 1999 by Jean-Michel Cousteau, environmental advocate and
son of the legendary Jacques Cousteau, the mission of the Ocean
Futures Society is to explore our global oceans, inspiring and
educating people throughout the world to act responsibly for their
protection, documenting the critical connection between humanity and
nature, and celebrating the ocean’s vital importance to the survival
of all life on our planet. For more than 60 years, Jean-Michel
Cousteau, his father and family have been part of the greatest
exploration of the ocean in all of history. This program is
available on all cruises from June through August and on select
holiday cruises for a nominal fee of $269 per child. Rates for the
May 22, 2010 sailing begin at $6,545 per person. For a coveted
reservation on this m/s Paul Gauguin cruise, contact your
Professional Travel Agent, call 1-800-848-6172 or visit
www.pgcruises.com.
The m/s Paul Gauguin will embark on 38 expeditions in 2010 to
destinations including Tahiti, the Society Islands, the Tuamotus,
the Cook Islands, the Marquesas, Tonga, Fiji, and New Zealand. Each
of these exclusive voyages will highlight the beauty of French
Polynesia from the luxurious and spacious accommodations on board
the m/s Paul Gauguin, which underwent a multi-million dollar
enhancement in 2009. The ship’s staterooms, public areas and
restaurants have been upgraded to reflect the luxurious standard
that is characteristic of Paul Gauguin Cruises.
About Paul Gauguin Cruises
Owned by Pacific Beachcomber S.C., the leader in French
Polynesia luxury destination resorts, Paul Gauguin Cruises operates
the award-winning luxury cruise ship m/s Paul Gauguin, providing a
luxury cruise experience tailored to the unparalleled wonders of
Tahiti, French Polynesia and the South Pacific. The m/s Paul Gauguin
was built at the Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint Nazaire,
France. The ship is 513 feet long, 71 feet wide and has a draft of
16.9 feet. The ship can accommodate 332 guests with a staff of 215
and is one of the top Exclusive Charter and Incentive Group venues
in the industry. The m/s Paul Gauguin has undergone more than $25
million in enhancements since its inaugural sail in 1998. Since
1998, the m/s Paul Gauguin has completed more than 500 South Pacific
cruises and served more than 140,000 guests, including more than
12,000 honeymooners.
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'Uniquely Unordinary' Dining Venue Debuts On Celebrity Eclipse
MIAMI, Feb. 24: The world's top-rated restaurants are often
showplaces for art and design, and beginning April 26, in-the-know
food followers can experience a new venue whose cuisine is an
engaging combination of both. But they won't find it through
MapQuest, and their GPS will find it tough to track, too...since
it's moving. That's because the new restaurant, "Qsine," can be
found only on Celebrity Eclipse, the third of five ships in
Celebrity Cruises' stylish, $3.7-billion Solstice Class fleet. The
brainchild of Celebrity's Vice President of Culinary Operations,
Chef Jacques Van Staden, Qsine presents guests with an unexpected,
modern approach to familiar dishes from around the world.
"Our guests love new and different dining experiences, and we've
designed Qsine to deliver that in a big way," said Van Staden. "Qsine
is designed to offer a globally-influenced blend of nostalgic and
contemporary favorites, artfully presented with elements of
surprise."
Van Staden says Qsine also will further validate Celebrity's
leadership position in offering world-class dining experiences, as
evidenced in the brand's stunningly designed, guest-inspired
Solstice Class specialty restaurants including Tuscan Grille, Blu,
Murano, and Silk Harvest, not to mention the series of intimate
venues on Celebrity's Millennium Class foursome.
Qsine's menu design alone - a large, backlit square filled with
words and phrases designed to engage guests in the experience -
implies that Qsine is an unusual place. And the cuisine makes it
abundantly clear, with most of the selections so unique that nearly
all of the dishes and plating have been designed exclusively for
Celebrity.
Among the selections are spring rolls nestled in vertical springs,
"Sushi Lollipops" (Nigiri sushi with soy center, wasabi mayonnaise
and pickled ginger-radish salad), "Meatball Trilogy" (Kobe beef with
cheddar and marinara sauce; veal with mushrooms and marsala sauce;
and turkey with cranberry and sage gravy), "Chitinis" (Chinese
selections served in martini glasses), "Tresviche" (tiger shrimp and
bay scallops with lemon juice, tequila, cilantro, tomatoes and
jalapeno oil), "Popcorn Fish & Chips" (Boddington's-battered codfish
and chips served with malt vinegar or aioli), "Slider Party"
(mini-grilled Kobe beef patties with aged Wisconsin cheddar served
on brioche buns with "Qsine's original slider sauce" and garnishes),
"Taco Royale" (Black Angus sirloin steak, homemade taco shells,
caramelized onion-poblano, and do-it-yourself fresh guacamole, with
a stone mortar and pestle), and "Lava Crab" (Alaskan King crab,
sweet yellow corn and scallions with Hataifi and Old Bay sauce,
served in glasses over heated red stones).
Libations to accompany the cuisine range from approximately 100
varieties of primarily organic, contemporary wines, to a vast array
of creative cocktails. And, for the first time on a Celebrity ship -
just one week after announcing the hip, new "Celebrity iLounge" -
Celebrity has designed a means for guests to capitalize on
technology to easily review and order wines via the latest
touch-screen devices.
Even the uniforms of the wait staff illustrate the venue's unique
nature. Designed by Van Staden and custom-made exclusively for
Celebrity, the jackets are decidedly asymmetrical and sport square
buttons, and are intended to illustrate that the wait staff also are
considered chefs, offering guests a highly interactive and
personalized dining experience. Capping the Qsine experience is a
series of desserts whose menu is as sweet and surprising as its
selections: A hinged, twistable cube presents options ranging from
candied apples to popcorn to individual cookie jars.
"Qsine is designed to surprise our guests with uniquely unordinary
dishes, innovative presentations and engaging experiences," said Van
Staden. "It's designed to allow them to share with each other,
sample several different selections, and simply experience both new
and favorite foods in an entirely fun and unexpected way."
Qsine will be open nightly on Celebrity Eclipse from 6 p.m. to 11
p.m., for a cover charge of $30 per person. There are no age
restrictions for dining in Qsine, and the dress code is smart casual
and above. Guests booked to sail on Celebrity Eclipse can plan their
unique evening in Qsine right now, by making dining reservations on
the Celebrity web site, at
www.celebritycruises.com. Designed for cruisers who appreciate
online options, the Celebrity site offers Celebrity Select Dining,
the industry's first pre-cruise, day-by-day flexible dining
reservation system. The site also presents guests with the option to
book pre-cruise AquaSpa reservations, specialty dining reservations,
shore excursion bookings, and online documentation, or "e-docs."
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Carnival Cruise Lines Reports Record Wave Season Activity;
Summer Price Increase Effective March 22
MIAMI, Feb 24: Carnival Cruise Lines is reporting record wave season
bookings, with strong reservations activity for 2010 departures. As
a result of the strong booking volumes, a general price increase
will be implemented effective March 22 for all summer sailings in
June, July, and August.
Wave season typically runs from about mid-January through early
spring and is traditionally the busiest, most important booking
period in the cruise industry.
For the period of Jan. 1 through Feb. 21, 2010, bookings were at
unprecedented levels for the line’s 22 ships which operate 3- to
15-day voyages from a variety of convenient North American home
ports.
Carnival President and CEO Gerry Cahill said, “We’re seeing
significantly increased volume as consumers are taking advantage of
the incredible value that a Carnival cruise provides. And while
pricing hasn’t fully recovered to 2008 levels, we are increasing
prices and will implement an across-the-board increase effective
March 22.” He said that the price increases will vary by departure
date but will be up to 5 percent. Cahill attributed the record
booking activity to a wide range of factors, including strong travel
agent partner support, targeted marketing initiatives, itinerary
enhancements, and the wide variety of close-to-home departure
points.
Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest and most popular cruise line in
the world, with 22 “Fun Ships” operating voyages ranging from three
to 15 days in length to The Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera,
Alaska, Hawaii, Panama Canal, Canada, New England and Europe.
Carnival also has two new ships on order -- the 130,000-ton Carnival
Magic, which is scheduled for delivery in 2011, and a sister ship
set to debut in 2012. For additional information on the Carnival
vacation experience, call 1-800-327-9501.
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2011 Europe & Alaska Sailings Go On Sale at Regent Seven Seas
Cruises
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Feb 24: Effective immediately, Regent Seven
Seas Cruises is accepting reservations for its collection of cruises
from April through Nov 2011 to Europe, Alaska and beyond. All
voyages feature 2-for-1 cruise fares plus early booking savings of
up to $3,000 per person (Offers expire March 31, 2010). Moreover, a
wide selection of excursions as well as round-trip, Economy Class
air, are complimentary for 2011.
The elegant Seven Seas Voyager, Seven Seas Mariner, and Seven Seas
Navigator, which all recently emerged from a multi-million dollar
refurbishment, will discover the Old World in depth on cruises to
the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Holy Land and Baltic. New North
America voyages include cruises beginning or ending in San Francisco
and Montreal.
“Since we opened bookings on President’s Day our 2011 spring, summer
and fall cruises have been selling briskly,” stated Mark Conroy,
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ president. “Whether discovering Alaska,
taking a grand European tour, or catching the leaves changing in New
England, our 7- to 21-night voyages highlight the very best these
destinations have to offer. Plus the all-inclusive value of Regent
Seven Seas Cruises is unrivaled in the luxury and ultra-luxury
cruise sectors.”
2011 Program Highlights:
• Seven Seas Mariner will offer 7- to 14-night
cruises to storied ports in the Greek Isles and Mediterranean,
departing from Barcelona, Rome, Athens, Istanbul and Venice.
• Seven Seas Voyager visits Scandinavian and Russia
capitals on 7- to 12-night voyages in June and July before sailing
Southern Europe from August through October; three voyages depart
from Southampton.
• Explore the wonders of antiquity – Seven Seas
Voyager offers two fall voyages that visit Egypt and the Holy Lands
via the Suez Canal.
• Seven Seas Navigator operates a series of 7-night
Alaska cruises between Vancouver and Seward, plus two new, 12-night
Alaska cruises that begin or end in San Francisco. A 3-week cruise
takes Navigator from San Francisco to New York via the Panama Canal.
• The splendors of Canada and New England will be
offered onboard Seven Seas Navigator on two all-new, fall foliage
cruises that begin or end in Montreal.
Round-trip air transportation from 23 North American gateways,
including all surcharges, airline fees and government taxes
To receive a brochure or for more information on Regent Seven Seas
Cruises, see a professional travel agent, visit
www.RSSC.com or call toll-free
800-285-1835.
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Top Culinary Talent on the Menu for Crystal's Back-to-Back Wine &
Food Cruises
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 24: Michelin Star chefs Michael Mina and Tom
Aikens are among an impressive roster set to share their specialties
aboard two Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery Crystal cruises this
fall. Aboard the back-to-back Mediterranean voyages, foodies can
sate their palates with cuisine and demos from the chefs, savor the
nuances of wine pairings with guest sommeliers and wine experts and
learn the art of the perfect cocktail from guest mixologists. The
12-day, star-studded sailings depart Sept 5 and 17 on award-winning
Crystal Serenity.
Calling in cities throughout Italy, Greece, Turkey, Spain,
Monaco and France, the voyages feature tasteful experiences ashore,
from exclusive private tours and tastings at a farm and wine cellar
in Sorrento to a classic Spanish tapas feast in Barcelona.
Wine & food highlights include:
September 5, Istanbul to Barcelona
-- Michael Mina - Founder of the Mina Group, with 11 concept
restaurants including two-Michelin-Starred Michael Mina in San
Francisco;
-- Chris L'Hommedieu - Chef de Cuisine at Michael Mina in San
Francisco;
-- Aglaia Kremezi - Writer and publisher of Greek and Mediterranean
cookbooks;
-- Victoria Ordonez - Her family is Spain's largest wine wholesaler
and exporter to the U.S.;
-- Tony Abou-Ganim - Master mixologist and mastermind behind
Crystal's cocktail program.
September 17, Barcelona to Venice
-- Tom Aikens - Youngest British chef ever awarded two Michelin
Stars; owner of Tom Aikens Restaurant in the U.K., named eighth best
restaurant in the world;
-- Gerhard Retter - Renowned wine & cheese sommelier at 2-3-star
Michelin restaurants worldwide;
-- Francesco La Franconi - Co-founder of the U.S. Bartenders Guild
(Nevada); National Director of Mixology & Spirits for Southern Wine
& Spirits.
"Wine and food are integral to the culture of the Mediterranean, and
a great way to immerse oneself in these spectacular destinations,"
says Toni Neumeister, vice president, food and beverage.
Double occupancy two-for-one cruise fares include $1,000 per person
'All Inclusive - As You Wish' shipboard credits and complimentary
air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways -
Business Class air for Penthouse guests. Guests can extend their
culinary vacation and save up to 10% by combining the two voyages.
For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel
agent, call 888-799-4625 or visit
www.crystalcruises.com.
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Norwegian Cruise Line’s Winter/Spring 2011/12 Deployment Adds
Tampa & Rome Homeports
MIAMI, Feb 23: Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that its
2011/12 winter/spring deployment includes two new seasonal
homeports: Tampa, Florida and Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy, marking
the first time Norwegian has initiated voyages from these cities. In
addition, for the first time since 1999 the cruise line will visit
Israel.
Guests cruising from Tampa on Norwegian Star will sail a 7-day
Western Caribbean itinerary beginning Oct 16, 2011 through April 8,
2012. In Europe, Norwegian Jade will sail from Rome (Civitavecchia)
on 11-day Mediterranean and Holy Land cruises, along with 10-day
Eastern Mediterranean sailings, from Oct 15, 2011 to April 11, 2012.
In the Caribbean, Norwegian Pearl’s 7-day Western Caribbean cruise
from Miami now includes Ocho Rios, Jamaica as a port of call. The
company also announced new sailing dates for Pride of America in
Hawaii.
“Norwegian’s 2011/2012 winter/spring cruise season will be one of
our most exciting Freestyle Cruising seasons yet with opportunities
to sail from three cities in the Sunshine State, including from
Miami on our newest ship Norwegian Epic,” said Kevin Sheehan,
Norwegian’s chief executive officer. “We’ve also added an
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to cruise to five countries in 11
days on Norwegian Jade, which includes a visit to the Holy Land, a
first for Norwegian since 1999.”
These new sailings go on sale today to Latitudes members (guests who
have cruised with Norwegian before) along with the line’s top travel
partners. The cruises open for sale to the public on Thursday, Feb
25, 2010. As part of Norwegian’s “Year of the Freestyle Vacation”
promotion, all new reservations from today through March 14, 2010
will receive up to a six-category upgrade. In addition, book any
category suite including Penthouse, Deluxe Owners Suite, Courtyard
Villa and Garden Villa from now through April 1, 2010 on a cruise
departing at least nine months prior to sailing and receive up to
$300 in on-board credits.
Norwegian in Europe
Norwegian Jade’s 11-day Mediterranean and Holy Land
itinerary offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to visit Alanya,
Turkey; Limassol, Cyprus; Haifa and Ashdod, Israel; Port Said and
Alexandria, Egypt, along with four relaxing days at sea. Featured
shore excursions include overnight tours in Israel to Jerusalem,
Galilee, Tel Aviv, Jaffa, the Dead Sea and Masada, as well as in
Egypt to Cairo’s pyramids and tombs. Guests can also discover the
Taurus Mountains in Turkey on a 4x4 safari and set off on a wine
tour through the picturesque villages in Cyprus. Norwegian Jade’s
10-day Eastern Mediterranean cruise from Rome (Civitavecchia)
includes the following ports: Olympia (Katakolon) and Athens
(Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey; and an overnight in
Alexandria, Egypt, offering two full days to experience all of the
ancient treasures.
Norwegian in the Caribbean
Norwegian Star’s 7-day Western Caribbean cruises from Tampa
will depart on Sundays and include stops in Roatan, Bay Islands,
Honduras; Belize City, Belize; Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; along
with two days at sea. Norwegian Sun will return to Orlando (Port
Canaveral), Florida from Oct 8, 2011 through April 7, 2012 offering
alternating 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. Norwegian
Sun’s Eastern Caribbean itinerary includes the following ports of
call: Nassau, Bahamas; San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin
Islands; and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island in the
Bahamas. The ship’s Western Caribbean itinerary includes: Cozumel,
Mexico; George Town, Grand Cayman; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; and Great
Stirrup Cay.
From Miami, Norwegian Cruise Line will feature its largest and most
innovative ship to date, Norwegian Epic, sailing 7-day Eastern
Caribbean cruises with stops in Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St.
Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and Nassau, Bahamas with three full days
at sea to enjoy all of the ship’s amenities and world-class
entertainment.
Norwegian Pearl will return to Miami from Oct 16, 2011 to April 8,
2012, sailing 7-day Western Caribbean cruises with stops in Great
Stirrup Cay; Ocho Rios, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and
Cozumel, Mexico, along with two days at sea.
Rounding out Norwegian’s winter/spring deployment from Miami is
Norwegian Dawn offering 10 and 11-day Southern Caribbean escapes
from Nov 13, 2011 through April 8, 2012. The ship’s 10-day itinerary
visits the following ports: Samana, Dominican Republic; Tortola,
British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John’s,
Antigua; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Basseterre, St. Kitts; along with
three full days at sea. Norwegian Dawn’s 11-day Southern Caribbean
cruise includes Samana, Dominican Republic; Tortola, British Virgin
Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John’s, Antigua; Roseau,
Dominica; Bridgetown, Barbados; and Basseterre, St. Kitts; and three
days at sea.
For those in the Northeast looking to escape the cold winter
temperatures, Norwegian Gem will sail 10-day Eastern Caribbean
itineraries from New York City departing Jan 8, 2012 through Feb 8,
2012. This offers guests an easy and convenient departure point
without the expense and hassle of air travel. Ports of call include:
San Juan, Puerto Rico; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; St. John’s,
Antigua; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; and Tortola, British Virgin
Islands.
Norwegian in Hawaii
Pride of America will continue as the only US-flagged
vessel sailing among all four of Hawaii’s main islands. Pride of
America’s 7-day Hawaii inter-island cruises departing from Honolulu
are now available through April 7, 2012. Ports of call include: an
overnight in Kahului, Maui; Hilo, Hawaii; an evening sail by the
Kilauea Volcano; Kona, Hawaii; an overnight in Nawiliwili, Kauai;
and an afternoon cruise of the breathtaking Napali Coast.
Norwegian in Canada & New England
Norwegian Jewel will sail four 7-day sailings from New York
City to Canada & New England from Sept 17 through Oct 8, 2011. Ports
of call include Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia; Saint John, Bay of
Fundy, New Brunswick; and Portland, Maine.
Norwegian Repositioning Cruises
Norwegian’s repositioning cruises are a great way to hit
several cruise regions on one trip and include more sea days
offering a relaxing vacation without back-to-back port calls.
Norwegian Jade offers a 15-day Best of the Mediterranean from
Barcelona to Venice and a 7-day Adriatic & Italy from Venice to
Rome. Closer to home, Norwegian Pearl offers two 14-day Panama Canal
cruises from Miami to Los Angeles and Los Angeles to Miami; a 7-day
British Columbia & US West Coast from Los Angeles to Vancouver and a
five-day Pacific Coastal from Vancouver to Los Angeles; Norwegian
Star offers a 14-day Panama Canal cruise from Los Angeles to Tampa;
and a 7-day British Columbia & US West Coast from Vancouver to Los
Angeles. For an extended Caribbean vacation, Norwegian Gem will
offer a 13-day Caribbean Escape from Miami to New York and Norwegian
Jewel will offer an 11-day Caribbean Escape from Miami to New York.
For additional information and to book one or more of these new
sailings, please visit www.ncl.com;
call 866-234-7350 or contact a travel professional.
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New Shore Excursion Finder Allows Crystal Guests to Find Their
Perfect Adventure
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 22: How do I find the perfect excursion for the
whole family? What if I want high adventure, or more exclusive
experiences? How do I find excursions that include nature and
wildlife, but aren't too physically challenging? Beginning today,
Crystal Cruises is introducing its Shore Excursion Finder, a dynamic
new online feature allowing travelers to search and sort more than
1,500 Crystal Adventures ashore by specific parameters they choose.
Searching by Activity Types, foodies can find tours that take them
to Chateau Smith-Haut-Lafitte for a four-course dinner and wine
tasting, or a tapas cooking lesson in Barcelona. History buffs can
search the "Cultural/Historical" options and find hundreds of
choices suiting their interests, while water and nature lovers have
categories specifically for them. In all, there are 12 Activity
Types, including Culinary, Cultural/Historical,
Eco-Adventure/Wildlife/National Park, Entertainment, Flightseeing,
Sightseeing, Outdoor, Sports, Water, Overland, the line's Signature
Collection and NEW Adventures.
Undecided guests can also search by Destination and Activity Level,
with difficulty ranging from "Soft" to "Extreme" Adventure. To
further hone one's search results, simply search by all categories
simultaneously. Excursions can then be sorted by Age Appropriateness
from age 3 to adults only, or Walking Level to specify preferred
physicality. Crystal is expecting Shore Excursion Finder to be a
great tool to help choose a cruise. Guests can select an itinerary
based on their ideal shoreside experiences. Voyage suggestions are
provided with each Crystal Adventure.
"Crystal is all about choices, and the Shore Excursion Finder
provides guests the freedom to explore and easily locate numerous
specific choices that best suit their needs and desires," says John
Stoll, director of land programs. "It's an efficient, invaluable
tool for planning and researching possibilities, as well as finding
activities that satisfy an array of interests."
Located at
www.crystalcruises.com under the top 'Destinations' tab, the
Shore Excursion Finder is currently available with Crystal Symphony
and Crystal Serenity excursions in Africa, the Caribbean, Mexican
Riviera, Middle East, South America, Asia, Hawaii/South Pacific,
Transocean, Australia/New Zealand, and the Mediterranean and
Northern Europe. Excursions for New England/Canada, Panama Canal and
Alaska voyages will be available six months in advance.
For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel
agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit
www.crystalcruises.com.
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Announcing Cruise West’s Galápagos in 2011
Seattle, WA, Feb 22: Cruise West, the world’s leading provider of
small-ship explorations to the most fascinating destinations on
earth, has added three additional Galápagos Island departures in
2011 for total of five voyages. Discover the natural paradise that
inspired Darwin to rock the scientific world and discover new
wonders everyday. Take advantage of the savings--pay in full by
April 30, 2010 and save up to $600 per person.
In the company of naturalist guides, aboard the gracious 50-suite
Galápagos Explorer II, sister to ship to the lines Spirit of
Oceanus, guests will scout for breaching whales, pink flamingos,
blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises, marine iguanas, tiny penguins
and flightless cormorants, to name just a few of the many species
that call the Galápagos home. Much of this extraordinary wildlife
has never developed a fear of man. The stunning wildlife viewing
combined with exploring the volcanic shores of the remote islands
and relaxing at pristine beaches makes the journey remarkable. The
9-night journey starts at Latin America’s best-preserved colonial
historic center, Quito, with a city tour, welcome dinner at the
Theatrum Restaurant & Wine Bar in the National Theater and two
included overnights at the centrally located Hilton Colon Quito.
Guests continue via plane to San Cristobal Island to board the
Galápagos Explorer II for the next 7-nights, where the island
adventure begins.
Guests will visit all the ‘hot spots’ to search for the wonderful
creatures that Galápagos is known including: the southernmost island
Española (Hood) that offers an amazing assortment of wildlife; Santa
Cruz to visit the renowned Darwin Station and Puerto Ayora, the
largest town in the islands; Rabida island with its startling red
sand; desolate yet breathtaking Bartolomé Island that features a
tuff cone known as Pinnacle Rock; Santiago (James) Island, the only
island where fur seals can be found in the Galápagos; and Fernandina
Island, where marine iguanas bask on every plausible surface and
penguins can be found diving into the water. Continue onto Isabela
Island with its massive volcanoes and where intrepid sea-goers can
snorkel at a cave that boasts a dazzling array of marine wildlife;
ending the journey back at Santa Cruz Island to search for the 40
giant tortoises that live in the highlands.
Guests have the option to add a fully guided, post-cruise 5-night
Land Tour of Cusco and Machu Picchu. Spend one night in Lima en
route to Cusco for two nights to explore the lively markets and
significant monuments of the Inca Fortress, Citadel of Ollantaytambo
and the Pisac ruins in the Sacred Valley of the Incas. Then it’s
onto a scenic train ride to Aguas Calientes, the gateway to one of
the Seven New Wonders of the World and a UNESCO World Heritage site,
Machu Picchu. Guests will be welcomed to the charming Inkaterra
Machu Picchu Hotel for a 2-night stay.
Galápagos cruises depart March 14, 21; Augt 15, 22; and Oct 10,
2011. For further details, visit
www.CruiseWest.com, call 800-296-8307 or a travel professional.
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Seabourn Offers 2-for1 Fares, Reduced Air to Asia, Europe
Whether you are a luxury cruise aficionado or aspire to become one,
The Yachts of Seabourn has announced a compelling reason to book
2010 voyages aboard the company’s fleet of five award-winning,
all-suite vessels before the end of April–2-for-1 cruise-only
savings on over 80 voyages in Europe and Asia, plus substantially
reduced round trip add-on airfares from only $499 for economy class
and $1,999 for business class, from 40 North American gateways.
“These cruise savings alone represent a great value for a great
experience,” noted Seabourn president and CEO Pamela Conover. “But
when you add in these remarkably low fares for a round-trip,
business-class flight to Europe or Asia, you will get an
award-winning, ultra-luxury cruise package at a truly exceptional
price.”
The cruises depart from May to November, 2010, and range from 7- to
15-days in length. In the Mediterranean, travelers can choose
voyages aboard the intimate, 208-guest Seabourn Spirit in the
Adriatic and Dalmatian Coasts, or Legend in the French
and Italian Rivieras. Also in the Mediterranean, the acclaimed
450-guest Seabourn Odyssey, hailed as “a game-changer” in luxury
cruising when it was launched last summer, will sail the Greek
Isles, Turkey, and the Black Sea. In June, brand-new sister-yacht Seabourn Sojourn
will begin its maiden season in Northern Europe, cruising
Scandinavia, Russia, Scotland and Norway. In Asia, Seabourn Pride offers voyages visiting
Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Thailand and China, including pre- and
post-cruise extensions to Beijing on some departures.
Remarkably all-inclusive cruise-only fares start from $3,550 per
person, based on double occupancy of an ocean view suite. To qualify
for this promotion, cruises must be booked by April 30, 2010.
Airfares include transfers between the piers and airports.
For more information, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at
1-800-929-9391 or visit
www.seabourn.com.
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This Summer
Princess Introduces New “A la Carte” Alaska Cruisetours
for Independent-Minded Travelers
SANTA CLARITA, CA, Feb 19: Princess Cruises is introducing four new
“A la Carte” Alaska cruisetour options for this summer’s season,
offering more affordable and flexible options for independent-minded
travelers. These new cruisetours spend an extra day at one of the
Denali-area Princess lodges, and do not include excursions, giving
travelers the time to customize their own daily schedules.The four A
la Carte tours range from 10 to 12 nights, offering at least three
nights in the Denali area. All cruisetours feature a northbound
“Voyage of the Glaciers” Gulf of Alaska cruise aboard Coral Princess
or Island Princess, departing from Vancouver; combined with a
three-, four- or five-night land tour to the heart of Alaska,
featuring stays in Princess’ two Denali-area wilderness lodges and
exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service. All tours will
visit both of the state’s top attractions: Denali National Park and
Glacier Bay National Park. Travelers choosing these itineraries will
not be scheduled on the Denali National Park tour or other
activities usually included with cruisetours, and instead can choose
to add any of four park tour options or a variety of other area
excursions offered at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and Mt.
McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.
“These new A la Carte cruisetours are designed specifically with the
value-conscious, independent traveler in mind,” said Charlie Ball,
president of Princess Tours. “With fewer ‘extras’ included, we can
offer a more affordable tour option with greater flexibility for
travelers who prefer to discover the wonders of Alaska at their own
pace. Passengers can truly customize their vacation to suit their
own interests, whether they want to spend extra time viewing
Denali’s fascinating wildlife, hike through the spectacular
wilderness or try an exhilarating pursuit such as river rafting.”
The four A la Carte cruisetours itineraries are:
• Tour 101: 10 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge,
one night at Mt. McKinley lodge)
• Tour 102: 11 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge,
one night at Mt. McKinley lodge, one night Fairbanks)
• Tour 103: 11 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge,
two nights at Mt. McKinley lodge)
• Tour 104:: 12 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge,
two nights at Mt. McKinley lodge, one night Fairbanks)
All A la Carte tour options are available throughout the May to
September Alaska season, with fares beginning at $899 per person.
Princess offers a variety of land/sea Alaska experiences with
itineraries ranging from 10 to 15 nights. All cruisetour options
feature at least two nights in the Denali National Park area, stays
in Princess’ own riverside wilderness lodges, and a 7-day Voyage of
the Glaciers sailing with Glacier Bay National Park. Additional
information about Princess Cruises is available through a
professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting
the company's website at
www.princess.com
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So Long Springfield At Sea/Guiding Light Cruise to Set Sail on
Carnival Glory
Sail away with 12 of GUIDING LIGHT’S most adored actors for 5
memorable days aboard the Carnival Glory, departing from New York
City on July 31, 2010. GUIDING LIGHT fans young and old will have
day in and day out, up close-and-personal time with the actors. Not
JUST getting the autographs, hugs and photos of each of the
actors—but fans will be singing, dancing and getting to know them as
well! This “dream-come-true” vacation will visit charming Saint
John, New Brunswick and majestic Halifax, Nova Scotia, in addition
to 2 relaxing days at sea. The perfect vacation for the whole
family.
The scene-stealing celebrities that will be aboard So Long
Springfield at Sea:
KIM ZIMMER “Reva”; JORDAN CLARKE “Billy”; GRANT ALEKSANDER
“Phillip”; JERRY VERDORN “Ross”; RON RAINES “Alan”; MICHAEL O’LEARY
“Rick”; LIZ KIEFER “Blake”; JUSTIN DEAS “Buzz”; ROBERT NEWMAN
“Josh”; TINA SLOAN “Lillian”; MARCY RYLAN “Lizzie”; BETH CHAMBERLAIN
“Beth”
Make your plans fast as the first 200 registrants are invited to a
VIP Breakfast with the actors while aboard!
Some of the unforgettable, fan-focused activities and events
include:
• GUIDING LIGHT THEATER (a highlight of the
Cruise…)
• Disco Dancing with the Stars
• Get autographs and pictures with all the actors
Soap Star/Soap Fan Karaoke (the stars perform and cruisers will
too!)
• Q & A and Trivia Sessions
• Act Out Actual Soap Scenes Onstage Opposite the
Stars
• Workshops with a Soap Director (Behind-the-scenes
secrets revealed!)
• Farewell Cocktail Party and much, much more!
In addition to all these fun activities, guests sailing on the “So
Long Springfield at Sea” cruise can enjoy the Carnival Glory’s wide
range of on-board amenities and facilities – four restaurants,
including two formal dining rooms, a casual poolside eatery
featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, and an elegant steakhouse – along with
a 14,500-square-foot health club, full casino gambling, and a
variety of entertainment options, including lavish production shows.
Carnival Glory also offers organized programs for children age 2-17,
four swimming pools, and a 270-square-foot outdoor LED screen
displaying movies, concerts and other programming.
Prices begin at $949.00 (based on double occupancy). For family
members not participating in the Guiding Light events, prices begin
at $549.00. Government taxes ($69.77) and gratuities not included.
Proper documentation is necessary to travel. To register and for
more details, visit
www.celebrityeventsgroup.com or call toll-free 1-866-364-0330.
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Guests to Have Opportunity to Discover Hidden Treasures on Celebrity
Equinox Cruise
MIAMI,– Feb 19: The Caribbean has always carried a mystique of being
a great place to stumble upon hidden treasure. Celebrity Cruises has
designed a way to offer guests on an upcoming cruise the opportunity
to do just that - by way of their own personal possessions. One of
the many ways that Celebrity designs its cruise vacations for
discerning travelers is by providing experiences that enrich them.
The cruise line is living up to that promise by bringing art
historian, TV personality and syndicated newspaper columnist known
affectionately to fans and followers as “Dr. Lori” to Celebrity
Equinox’s March 29, 2010 itinerary. During the cruise, guests will
have the opportunity to have their antiques’ values approximated, at
no charge.
Celebrity Life, Celebrity’s onboard programming line-up, exemplifies
the cruise line’s focus on discerning travelers who enjoy enriching
and inspiring experiences such as Dr. Lori’s engaging presentations.
Overall, Celebrity Life offers guests the opportunity to explore
their tastes and enhance their knowledge, through three areas of
focus: “Savor,” with a culinary and wine emphasis, “Discover,” with
an educational/entertainment/language-learning focus, and “Renew,”
with a spa/wellness concentration. As another way of creating
experiences designed to appeal to the specific tastes and interests
of its guests, who have expressed an interest in antiques and
insightful, engaging presentations, Celebrity is partnering with Dr.
Lori as part of Discover’s “Beyond the Podium” series. Dr. Lori is
an award-winning TV personality and TV talk show host with a Ph.D.
in art history. A certified fine art and antiques appraiser, Dr.
Lori also is a nationally syndicated columnist with columns carried
in 86 publications, an editor of several lifestyle magazines, and an
author with 30 books to her credit.
During the “Celebrity Equinox Presents Antiques Appraisals by Dr.
Lori” cruise, Dr. Lori will offer guests her expert opinion on the
likely origin and value of their personal items, using her signature
presentation style: relaxed, interactive, intelligent, humor-focused
engagement. Guests planning to sail on the March 29, 2010 voyage of
Celebrity Equinox are encouraged to bring personal items onboard for
the duration of the cruise. Once onboard, the daily in-stateroom
newsletter will offer information about the times and locations of
Dr. Lori’s presentations.
Space is available on the March 29 cruise, “Celebrity Equinox
Presents Antiques Appraisals by Dr. Lori.” The 11-night “Ultimate
Caribbean” cruise will sail roundtrip out of Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, with stops at George Town, Grand Cayman; Cartagena,
Colombia; Colon, Panama; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Roatan, Honduras;
and Cozumel, Mexico. For more information, interested travelers
should visit www.celebritycruises.com/DrLori.
Dr. Lori does not appraise antique and collectible stamps, coins,
currency, musical instruments (or guns or other weapons, which are
prohibited from being brought onboard). Items that are extremely
fragile, that may be difficult to carry, or that are particularly
subject to damage from exposure to an ocean-going environment should
not be brought onboard. Celebrity Cruises will not carry or
otherwise handle these personal items for its guests. Each guest
brings such items onboard at their own risk.
Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with modern,
sophisticated environments, impeccable service, enriching and
inspiring onboard programs, and world-class cuisine. The ultimate in
premium cruising, Celebrity sails in Alaska, Bermuda, California,
Canada/New England, Europe, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South
America, and year-round in the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands.
Celebrity also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska,
Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity’s fleet currently
consists of nine ships. Its $3.7-billion investment in building five
stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012 represents the
largest newbuild commitment for a single brand in industry history.
For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or
visit
www.celebritycruises.com.
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Cunard Welcomes Filmmakers Dori Berinstein & Judd Ehrlich
on April
29th
Queen Mary 2 Transatlantic Crossing
Feb 19: In association with Cunard's partnership with the Tribeca
Film Festival, which included the sponsorship of the 2009 World
Documentary Feature competition and recognition as the 2009 Official
Cruise Line of the Tribeca Film Festival, the iconic ocean liner
company welcomes acclaimed documentary filmmakers Dori Berinstein
and Judd Ehrlich on the 29 April Transatlantic Crossing from New
York to Southampton aboard Queen Mary 2. With this upcoming sailing,
Berinstein and Ehrlich join a distinguished list of luminaries and
tastemakers that have sailed this legendary voyage with Cunard,
operator of The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World.
April marks the start of Cunard’s Transatlantic Crossing season, and
the 29 April voyage is one of more than 21 six-, seven-, eight- or
nine-day Crossings between New York and Southampton, Cherbourg or
Hamburg offered by Cunard until mid-November this year. During the
Crossing, Berinstein and Ehrlich will participate in Cunard
Insights, the line's award-winning onboard enrichment programme, and
will each screen one of their films. Berinstein will discuss “Gotta
Dance,” a documentary focusing on a unique dance team made up
entirely of senior citizens. Ehrlich will screen “Run for Your
Life,” a feature-length documentary about the enigmatic running guru
and founder of the NYC Marathon, Fred Lebow. In addition, they will
engage in a panel conversation with the ship’s entertainment
director where they will share stories about their multi-faceted
careers and the many roles they play in the entertainment industry –
from director to producer to writer. All programmes will be held in
Queen Mary 2’s spectacular 450-seat, stadium-style theatre,
Illuminations, which is also the only planetarium at sea.
“Cunard’s partnership with the Tribeca Film Festival represents our
commitment to celebrating the art of filmmaking,” said Peter Shanks,
president of Cunard Line. “We welcome these distinguished
documentarians aboard Queen Mary 2 and are confident that the
real-life stories they capture through their work, and in turn share
through the Insights programme, will thoroughly entertain and engage
our guests.”
Dori Berinstein is an award-winning director, producer and writer of
film, theater and television. Her first feature film, “Show
Business: The Road to Broadway,” about Broadway behind-the-curtain,
was named one of the top five documentaries of 2006 by the
International Documentary Association. Berinstein’s second feature,
“Some Assembly Required,” about kids nationwide competing in a toy
invention competition, will be released in 2010. Her most recent
film, “Gotta Dance,” was released theatrically during the summer of
2009; a Broadway adaptation is underway. Berinstein is a three-time
Tony-winning Broadway producer (“Thoroughly Modern Millie,” “One
Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” and “Fool Moon”). Her 11th Broadway
show, “Legally Blonde: The Musical,” currently is playing in London
and on tour across the United States. Berinstein has served as an
executive and/or consultant at DreamWorks, Walt Disney Imagineering,
Paramount and Sony Pictures.
Judd Ehrlich, a native of New York City, most recently directed and
produced “Run for Your Life.” The film, which features interviews
with notables from Olympian Frank Shorter to Mayor Ed Koch,
premiered at the 2008 Tribeca Film Festival, was acquired by Screen
Media Films/Universal Studios and was released theatrically.
Ehrlich's directorial debut, “Mayor of the West Side,” the
coming-of-age story of a teenager with multiple disabilities, was
nominated for an Emmy Award for Best Documentary and is airing on
PBS nationwide through 2010. Ehrlich collaborated on the editing of
Ric Burns' epic PBS series and Emmy Award-winner, “New York,” and
worked for acclaimed PBS independent documentary series “POV” and
edited for CBS News. Ehrlich has also created and curated multiple
film series at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Brooklyn Museum
and the JCC in Manhattan. He currently is completing a documentary,
following young magicians at the country's premier magic camp.
Delving deeply into a variety of compelling and relevant topics,
Cunard Insights introduces guests to stimulating experts and
accomplished visionaries who reflect the line's heritage of
adventure and prestige. Through a series of lectures, Q&A's, social
gatherings and workshops, guests connect with authors and
intellectuals who have achieved notable distinction in areas
including history, world affairs, science, politics, arts and
literature. The Insights programme underscores Cunard's longstanding
view that onboard entertainment should afford guests a provocative
and rewarding cerebral experience.
Widely considered the definitive ocean travel experience, a Cunard
Transatlantic Crossing offers guests myriad opportunities for
intellectual interaction, leisurely pursuits, health and wellness
activities and gourmet dining. Unique Cunard amenities found aboard
Queen Mary 2 include the famed Princess and Queens Grill
accommodation, the first Canyon Ranch SpaClub at sea and the first
Todd English restaurant at sea. For more information and to book a
voyage aboard Queen Mary 2, consult your travel professional, call
toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD, or visit
www.cunard.com.
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Celebrity Cruises Introduces 'Celebrity iLounge'
MIAMI, Feb. 18: With the launch of its new brand platform, "Designed
for you," last month, Celebrity Cruises reinforced its commitment to
delivering the ultimate combination of ship design, service, cuisine
and programs for cruise lovers. And today, it announced plans for a
new venue whose design, products and programming are sure to appeal
to today's cruisers. When Celebrity Eclipse, the third in Celebrity
Cruises' stylish Solstice Class fleet of ships, launches in April,
guests will find the first "Celebrity iLounge." Designed to not only
offer a hip, modern lounge ambience, Celebrity also created the
space to offer what its guests said they wanted most in an Internet
cafe: easy access to the Internet, inspiring classes, and new
products.
The Celebrity iLounge is composed of three main areas: a series of
26 contemporary workstations where guests can check their e-mail,
retain their social media connections, or print boarding passes; a
retail space offering cruisers the opportunity to see and try out
the latest MacBooks®, iPods®, and accessories; and an enrichment
center where certified staff will offer guests tips on Mac or iPod
usage.
"Our new Celebrity iLounge is a direct outgrowth of our 'Designed
for you' brand platform, and our commitment to listen to our guests
and offer experiences and programs expressly designed for them,"
said Celebrity's President and CEO Dan Hanrahan. "Our surveys show
that our guests rely heavily on the Internet for research, learning
and staying in touch, so we think this new offering will be a big
hit, as will the contemporary online classes offered through the
'Discover' series of our inspiring and enriching 'Celebrity Life'
experiences."
Enhancing the "Discover" component of its "Celebrity Life" series of
inspiring enrichment and entertainment experiences, Celebrity will
offer in the Celebrity iLounge a series of engaging new courses
designed to suit its guests' interests, including do-it-yourself
photo books, movie editing, and web design, through programs
including iPhoto, iMovie, iDVD and iWeb. And whether guests are
savvy or novice users of Mac or iPod products, Celebrity's certified
staff will be well-equipped to assist, following more than 125 hours
of training in operating systems, applications, and products. They
also will be poised to illustrate to guests the differences between
Macs and PCs. Guests eager to expand their collection of merchandise
will find the Celebrity iLounge an enticing venue, too. As an
Authorized Apple Reseller, Celebrity will have products available
for guests to purchase, including iPods, MacBooks, and essential
accessories.
Located on deck six of Celebrity Eclipse, the Celebrity iLounge will
house the 26 MacBook Pro's, classroom and retail area, in addition
to display pods, a 56-inch flat-screen TV for use during classes,
and an accessible workstation. The Celebrity iLounge also will be
presented on Celebrity Silhouette, which launches in 2011, and the
fifth ship in the Solstice Class fleet, which sets sail in 2012.
Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with modern,
sophisticated environments, impeccable service, enriching and
inspiring onboard programs, and world-class cuisine. The ultimate in
premium cruising, Celebrity sails in Alaska, Bermuda, California,
Canada/New England, Europe, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South
America, and year-round in the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands.
Celebrity also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska,
Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity's mega-series of honors
include being named the top mega-ship line in Conde Nast Traveler's
annual Readers' Choice Awards (November 2009). Celebrity's fleet
currently consists of nine ships. Its $3.7-billion investment in
building five stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012
represents the largest newbuild commitment for a single brand in
industry history. For more information, call your travel agent, dial
1-800-437-3111 or visit
www.celebritycruises.com.
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Italian Singer Eros Ramazzotti & Screen Legend Sophia Loren Welcome
MSC Magnifica on March 6 in Hamburg
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Feb 18: MSC Magnifica – the fourth Panamax cruise
ship in the MSC Cruises Musica class is scheduled to have her
flag-changing ceremony on February 25, in Saint-Nazaire, France
followed by her christening in Hamburg, Germany on March 6 as the
11th ship in the MSC fleet. Renowned Italian singer Eros Ramazzotti,
adult contemporary/soft rock/pop artist, performs on stage during
the christening while MSC Cruises’ traditional godmother, Italian
screen legend and icon Sophia Loren, participates in the ribbon
cutting. Ramazzotti is one of the most popular Italian singers and
songwriters selling more than 40 million records in his 25-year
career.
MSC Magnifica combines the intimacy of her three Musica Class sister
vessels—MSC Musica, MSC Orchestra, and MSC Poesia—with the
state-of-the-art facilities and comfort of the company’s larger
flagships, MSC Splendida and MSC Fantasia. A magrodome or
retractable roof covers the pool making it possible to enjoy one of
the four pools throughout the year regardless of the weather. The Il
Bar del Sole area on the top deck boasts its own whirlpools and
solarium.
The ship’s 17 bars and lounges, four restaurants, and a large new
buffet area will serve Italian and international cuisine; an à la
carte restaurant L’Oasi will provide fine dining in an exotic
Moroccan atmosphere. Entertainment features on board include a
high-tech 4D cinema, mini-bowling alley and a billiard table in the
L’Olimpiade sports bar. Relaxation opportunities await guests in the
MSC Aurea Spa wellness center for massages, facials, and other
specialty spa treatments in a resort-standard setting.
The new addition to the MSC Cruises’ fleet will sail the Eastern
Mediterranean beginning March 20, for 7-night itineraries departing
Venice, Italy and calling at Bari, Italy; Katakolon (Olympia)
Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Istanbul, Turkey; and Dubrovnik, Croatia. For
more information about MSC Cruises, visit
www.msccruisesusa.com,
call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.
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Costa Deliziosa: Inaugural
Ceremony Less Than One Week Away
MIAMI, Feb 18: In less than one week, Costa will show off its
signature style of hosting some of the most celebrated inaugurals
with the naming of the Costa Deliziosa in Dubai on Feb 23. This
unique and innovative ceremony will be held by the Dubai Department
of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) together with Costa,
Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. The Costa Deliziosa, which was
built in Italy by Fincantieri and delivered in Venice on Jan 30 of
this year, recently set sail from Savona on Feb 5 for her Grand
Inaugural Cruise. The voyage includes stops in the Mediterranean,
Suez Canal, Red Sea and Arabian Gulf. The ship will stopover in
Dubai from Feb 23 through the 26. This 15th member of the Costa
fleet is the first cruise ship to be named in an Arabian city. The
ceremony will further strengthen the links between Costa Cruises and
the DTCM. Over 3,000 guests are expected to witness the event,
including approximately 2,200 Costa guests traveling on the first
sector of the maiden cruise.
En route to Dubai, the Costa Deliziosa, a floating ambassador of
Italian-made excellence, will celebrate with two first calls. The
first of these new calls is on Febr 20 in Muscat, the capital of
Oman, where a new cruise terminal will be inaugurated as well. The
second is on Feb 22 in Abu Dhabi. During both stopovers the ship
will be met by government delegations and Italian state dignitaries
who will pay a special tribute to the Italian Tricolor. Tuesday, Feb
23 in Dubai marks the occasion for the grand inaugural event,
involving not only the ship but also the new cruise terminal in Port
Rashid. Part of the quay will feature a stage and grandstand with
seating for 3,000 and will be set up specially to celebrate the
Costa Deliziosa.
The inaugural show is set to be a memorable occasion and will
highlight the links between Italian and Arab culture. The first part
of the show will take guests on an artistic journey into the history
and culture of Dubai and the Emirates with traditional dance and
music. The second part will be dedicated to Italian culture, music
and art. Khalid Ahmed Bin Sulayem, director general of the DTCM, and
Pier Luigi Foschi, chairman and ceo of Costa Crociere S.p.A., will
both make speeches. There will also be an exchange of greetings
between local dignitaries and their counterparts from the Italian
government. In keeping with tradition, the ceremony will climax with
the arrival of the godmother, who will cut the ribbon that will send
a bottle of Champagne to break against the bow of the ship. The
event will end with a fireworks display and a gala dinner in
traditional Arab style.
The naming ceremony of the Costa Deliziosa in Dubai will be
broadcast live on
www.costadeliziosa.com. The inaugural event for the Costa
Deliziosa is taking place in Dubai under the patronage of the
Italian Embassy to the United Arab Emirates, the Consulate General
of Italy in Dubai and the ICE (Istituto Italiano per il Commercio
Estero, or Italian Institute of Foreign Trade). It is being staged
in partnership with Alpha Tours, Dnata, Emirates, Grand Hyatt, Gulf
Venture, Jumeirah, Maserati and RHS (Raiss Hassan Saadi Group). This
event, which constitutes another milestone in the development of the
cruise industry not only in Dubai but also in the region as a whole,
is the result of an alliance between Costa Cruises, the first
operator in the world to market regular cruises in Dubai beginning
in 2006, and the Government of Dubai, through the DTCM. This solid
partnership has contributed to the development of local tourism.
Following her Grand Inaugural Cruise, which will continue after the
inaugural event to India and the Maldives, in March the Costa
Deliziosa will be redeployed back in Dubai where, like her sister
ship Costa Luminosa, she will offer 7-night Arabian Gulf cruises.
The itinerary includes two nights in Dubai and one-day stopovers in
the ports of Muscat (Oman), Fujairah and Abu Dhabi (United Arab
Emirates) and Bahrain. The Costa Deliziosa will sail from Dubai
every Sunday from March 14 through May 9, 2010. The Costa Luminosa,
her sister ship, departs from Dubai every Saturday through April 10,
2010. In addition, this winter the Costa Europa will operate on
18-night cruises from Savona to Dubai and Dubai to Savona – on an
exclusive route crossing the Mediterranean, the Suez Canal and the
Red Sea. In winter 2010/2011, Costa Cruises will once again offer
7-night Gulf cruises on the Costa Deliziosa and Costa Luminosa, the
top of the range products for Costa.
In summer of this year and next, the Costa Deliziosa will be
deployed on cruises to the Norwegian fjords and Baltic cities. On
Dec 28, 2011, the ship will set sail from Savona on an incredible
100-day world cruise, which may also be broken down into three
stand-alone segments: Savona-Los Angeles; Los Angeles-Singapore;
Singapore-Dubai.
Costa Deliziosa
Together with her sister ship Costa Luminosa, the Costa
Deliziosa (92,600 tons; 2,260 double occupancy) represents the most
exclusive and innovative offerings in the Costa fleet. The ship was
built at Fincantieri’s Venice-Marghera yard in Italy with the labor
of approximately 3,000 people, comprising both the shipyard’s own
employees and those of nearly 500 contracted suppliers, most of
which are Italian firms, with a total investment worth 450 million
euros.
Along with her sister ship, the Costa Luminosa, the Costa Deliziosa
is the fleet’s “flagship,” offering the most exclusive and
innovative elements in the fleet and designed for Costa’s most
discerning clientele. These innovations include the ship’s
avant-garde design and the use of premium materials, such as various
type of marbles, granite, mother-of-pearl and Murano glass, and
stucco applied by spatula using the technique known as “spatolato
veneziano.” Other decorative interior finishes including “parchment
scroll” lamé, refined Zebrano wood, Wenge timber and stylish
polished and glazed steel were also used in her design. The stunning
atrium features fine works of art, including “Sphere” by Arnaldo
Pomodoro, and “Delizia fisica e Delizia intellettuale” (Physical
Delight and Intellectual Delight), a piece by leading contemporary
Italian painter Mario Donizetti. In addition, there are a variety of
entertainment options onboard including a 4D cinema; roller skating
track; the latest generation golf simulator with an outdoor putting
green, a Grand Prix race car driving simulator with the same
software and technology used by the F1 champion drivers in training;
the exclusive “Samsara Spa,” “PlayStation World,” an area on board
dedicated exclusively to PlayStation3, as well as the “PlayStation
on demand” cabin service.
The ship is innovative in terms of environmental compliance as well,
which has always been one of Costa Cruises’ distinguishing features.
Like her sister ship Costa Luminosa, the Costa Deliziosa is the
first vessel in Italy and one of the first in the world to be
equipped for “cold ironing,” a system whereby the ship is plugged
into shoreside electrical power, enabling generators to be shut down
during stopovers in port. This is a way of further reducing the
environmental impact of liners when they call at ports. Other
energy- and fuel-saving measures have also been introduced on the
Costa Deliziosa, with a reduction in CO2 emissions and the objective
of cutting down on wastage in the use of electricity and water.
Costa Cruises,
www.costacruises.com, is Europe’s Number One Cruise Line. For
more than 60 years its ships have sailed the seas of the world,
offering the best in Italian style, hospitality and cuisine and
providing dream vacations filled with fun and relaxation. In 2009,
1.3 million guests chose to cruise with Costa, a record for the
European cruise industry. The company’s 15 fleet members, each with
her own distinctive characteristics and unique style, all fly the
Italian flag and sail each year to 250 destinations in the
Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Baltic Sea, the Caribbean, South
America, the United Arab Emirates, the Far East and the Indian
Ocean. Two more new ships are due to enter service by 2012.
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Carnival Corporation Signs Memorandum of Agreement for
Two Ships for Its Princess Cruises Brand
MIAMI, Feb 17: Carnival Corporation & plc has signed a memorandum of
agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction
of two 3,600-passenger cruise ships for its Princess Cruises brand.
The agreement is subject to execution of a definitive contract,
financing and other customary closing conditions.
The new ships, which will have an all-in cost of approximately
€155,000 per lower berth, are scheduled to enter service in spring
2013 and spring 2014. At 139,000 tons each, the as-yet-unnamed ships
will be the largest in the Princess Cruises fleet.
Additional details will be announced at a later date.
Carnival Corporation is the largest cruise vacation group in the
world, with a portfolio of cruise brands in North America, Europe
and Australia, comprised of Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America
Line, Princess Cruises, The Yachts of Seabourn, AIDA Cruises, Costa
Cruises, Cunard Line, Ibero Cruises, Ocean Village, P&O Cruises and
P&O Cruises Australia.
Together, these brands operate 95 ships totaling more than 184,000
lower berths with 11 new ships scheduled to be delivered between
March 2010 and May 2012. Carnival Corporation & plc also operates
Holland America Princess Alaska Tours, the leading tour company in
Alaska and the Canadian Yukon.
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Seabourn Introduces ‘Click & Sail’ E-Documents Option
MIAMI, Feb 17: The Yachts of Seabourn has introduced a convenient,
eco-friendly alternative for guests who do not wish to receive
printed preliminary and/or final cruise documents by mail. “Click &
Sail” provides a single e-pass document via the company’s website,
which can be printed and presented at check-in for embarkation.
Complete cruise document information is available for review online
at any time, and guests can select any pages to download and store
on their own computers or print.
“Seabourn does offer a very thorough preliminary cruise booklet, as
well as a handsome final document presentation,” said Seabourn
president and CEO Pamela Conover. “But a lot of our guests sail with
us repeatedly and frequently, and they told us they felt it was a
waste to send the whole package each time, so we designed this
alternative for them.”
When booked guests log on to the “Already Booked” section of the
company’s website, they receive a prompt explaining the option and
offering the opportunity to select “Click & Sail” and download the
e-pass. If a guest selects this option, it will become the default
both on the current booking and any future booking.
The e-pass document’s unique barcode contains all pertinent
information about the booking, and is scanned during check-in for
embarkation. Temporary pre-printed paper luggage tags are sent to
the guest by mail. These are meant to be affixed when the guests
check in, to expedite delivery of the baggage to the proper suite.
“Click & Sail" is completely optional, but it clearly does have a
receptive audience, since over 250 bookings opted for some or all of
the “Click & Sail” options within the first five days of its
becoming available. For more information or to book a cruise on The
Yachts of Seabourn, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at
1-800-929-9391 or visit
www.seabourn.com.
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Silversea's Silver Wind to Host 2010 World Leaders Symposium,
Featuring Condoleeza Rice
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Feb 16: Building on the past success of World
Leaders Symposium cruises in Asia and the Middle East, ultra-luxury
Silversea Cruises today announced its collaboration with San
Francisco-based World Leaders Travel to host the 2010 World Leaders
Symposium, a Black Sea voyage aboard Silver Wind headlined by former
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and other dignitaries. This
one-of-a-kind travel event from Aug 30 to Sept 15, 2010, includes a
10-night cruise aboard the award-winning, all-suite Silver Wind and
a range of specially arranged shore excursions in Russia, Georgia,
Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Turkey. In addition to former Secretary of
State Rice, featured speakers include former Secretary of Defense
William Perry, former Soviet president Mikhail Gorbachev, and
leading figures in fields ranging from technology and the
U.S.-Russian space race to cultural history and global affairs.
"It's a great honor for us to host this year's World Leaders
Symposium aboard our elegant Silver Wind," said Steve Tucker,
Silversea's vice president of field sales for North America.
"Through our collaboration with World Leaders Travel, we're able to
offer inquisitive travelers an unmatched educational experience
featuring some of the world's most sought-after speakers. It's such
a great program for our guests that we're already looking at
possibly hosting additional Symposium cruises in the future."
Focusing on the cultural, historical, and political highlights of
the Black Sea region, the Symposium begins in Moscow with three
nights at The Ritz-Carlton. Travelers will experience a Moscow
rarely seen by visitors and attend a gala dinner with Gorbachev.
Participants then fly by chartered jet to Istanbul, Turkey, to board
the luxurious Silver Wind, which serves as the primary venue for
presentations by Rice and others. The ship, among the highest-rated
small cruise vessels afloat, will circumnavigate the Black Sea with
visits to Batumi, Georgia; Sochi, Russia; Baku, Azerbaijan; and
Yalta, Sevastopol, and Odessa in Ukraine before returning to
Istanbul. After disembarking the Silver Wind, guests will move in to
Istanbul's elegant Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel for two nights,
and enjoy special excursions and lectures during the trip's final
days. Optional extensions to Kiev, Chernobyl, and Moscow, and to
Istanbul and Ephesus, are also available.
An unparalleled educational program includes off-the-record
discussions with globally significant leaders and valuable context
and insight provided by a team of scholars from sponsoring
organizations. Featured speakers include Librarian of Congress James
Billington; Google's Vinton G. Cerf, widely regarded as one of the
"fathers of the Internet"; former diplomatic correspondent Marvin
Kalb; EastWest Institute president John Mroz; and astrophysicist
Michael Shara, among others.
Symposium sponsors include American Museum of Natural History
Expeditions, Chautauqua Institution, Foreign Affairs magazine,
Harvard Alumni Association Travels, Princeton Journeys, Alumnae
Association of Smith College, Smithsonian Journeys, and Yale
Educational Travel.
Aboard Silver Wind, guests will enjoy a generous all-inclusive
shipboard policy (all beverages, including a premium assortment of
wines, champagne and spirits are complimentary), impeccable service
from a courteous and efficient staff, and unparalleled onboard
amenities. The ship's all-suite accommodations include butler
service, ocean views and a wide range of features, from walk-in
closets and flat-screen televisions to 24-hour room service and
Wi-Fi Internet access. All bathrooms have marble tiles,
shower/bathtub combinations, hair dryers, and plush robes. Of the
ship's 149 suites, 115 feature private verandas. There are eight
suite categories, ranging in size from the 240 square-foot Vista
Suites to the 1,314 square-foot Grand Suites.
For pricing information, a detailed brochure, or to book today,
please contact your professional travel advisor, sponsoring
organization, or World Leaders Travel at (800) 395-3288, or visit
WorldLeadersTravel.com/Silversea.
World Leaders Travel, formerly High Country Passage, specializes in
creating extraordinary educational travel events defined by a
compelling combination of experts, access, and insight. Under the
banner explore the world with the people who shape it, each travel
event is built around a prominent leader and a timely theme, with
highlights including a comprehensive educational program, exclusive
access, private events, customized excursions, and the highest level
of luxury and service.
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Crystal Cruises Adds Black Sea Voyages in 2010 With Maiden Call in
Ukraine
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 16: Due to strong demand, luxury specialist
Crystal Cruises has expanded its 2010 European cruise collection to
include two Black Sea voyages this summer. The two new itineraries
feature a maiden visit to Sevastopol, Ukraine, as well as calls in
Greece, Italy, Bulgaria and Turkey. Steeped in artistic, military
and architectural history, the 12-day cruises sail from Venice to
Istanbul on July 19 and Aug 24 aboard the award-winning Crystal
Serenity.
"The Black Sea cruises are an exotic counterpart to the more
familiar Mediterranean hot spots," says Bill Smith, senior vice
president, sales and marketing. "These destinations have a
mysterious charm and tremendous historic value that places them high
on travelers' lists of must-see places."
Beginning with overnight stays in Venice, the itineraries visit
Katakolon (birthplace of the Olympics) and Navplion, Greece; Nesebur,
Bulgaria; Yalta, Sevastopol and Odessa, Ukraine; and conclude with
an overnight stay in Istanbul, Turkey. Other highlights include the
sail from Venice, the cruise through the Dardanelles and the
Bosporus Straits.
Distinguished speakers on world affairs, architecture, science and
culture add rich dimension to the voyages, including Newsweek's
Chief Political Correspondent, Senior Editor and Deputy Washington
Bureau Chief, Howard Fineman; Dr. David Davenport, Research Fellow
at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University and former
president of Pepperdine University; and Dr. Bulent Atalay, a
compelling expert on art, archaeology and the sciences.
Two-for-one cruise fares include $1,000 per person 'All Inclusive -
As You Wish' shipboard credits. Free air transportation from more
than 20 North American gateways, Business Class air for Penthouse
guests, is also included. For more information and Crystal
reservations, contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit
www.crystalcruises.com.
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Cruise West Reveals 2011/2012 Worldwide Voyages Aboard the Spirit of
Oceanus
Seattle, WA, Feb 16: Cruise West, the world’s leading provider of
small-ship explorations to the most fascinating destinations on
earth, announces its second edition of the Voyages of the Great
Explorers in 2011/2012. Twenty-five meticulously crafted itineraries
from Asia to the Mediterranean, Europe to the Americas and
throughout the South Pacific offer the most discerning and
well-traveled guests an array of extraordinary choices and authentic
experiences. Book and pay in full by April 30, 2010 and save up to
$4,600 per person and receive free international air of up to
$1,500.
While several ports are repeats from the original 2010 voyages,
there are a myriad of exciting new ports in which to have your
passport stamped in countries such as Israel, Greece, Morocco,
Scotland, Iceland, Greenland, Nicaragua, Peru, Indonesia, Papua New
Guinea, Malaysia, Vietnam, China and more.
Exclusive encounters, inclusive pricing (except alcohol) and
personal touches define the Cruise West experience. Shore excursions
are included at every port and each voyage will be enhanced by an
extraordinary ‘Ultimate Explorers Experience’ (UEE), designed to
bring guests into direct personal contact with fascinating people.
For instance, guests will have the chance to observe some of the
finest dancing in all the South Pacific at Kitava, Trobriand Islands
in Papua New Guinea, and participate in the noviciation ceremony and
food offering to the monks in Rangoon. The discovery and learning
continues aboard ship as well with expert guest speakers sharing
their knowledge of the people, cultures, and sights from each
journey. On average there will be seven to 10 thought provoking
lectures on a 14-night itinerary.
Further exploration by Zodiac to private islands, snorkeling
safaris, pristine inlets and hard to reach villages fulfill the
promise of an unforgettable journey.
Destinations that only small-ships can access: Each distinct voyage,
ranging from 9- to 18- nights, will visit many ports, places and
inlets that the larger ships can’t access such as: Ile Rousse,
Corsica, the birthplace of Christopher Columbus; the secluded
beaches of Belle-Île-en-Mer, France, also known for its dramatic
coastline; the pristine coral reefs of isolated Corn Island,
Nicaragua - once frequented by Caribbean pirates; Santa Ana, Solomon
Islands known for its elaborately decorated “spirit house”; and
Kumai, Kalimantan, Borneo to experience dawn in the jungle and
observe orangutans. Explore cultural treasures, archaeological
sites, unique landscapes and remote island chains that many people
have only dreamed to venture. Sink your teeth into local Turkish
delicacies at an exclusive reception featuring a private classical
concert at Ephesus; discover the excavations of Capharnaum and the
Mount of Beatitudes in Haifa, Israel; visit the exquisite Grand
Mosque in Muscat, Oman that can accommodate up to 20,000
worshippers, and travel onto ancient Shiraz and Persepolis via
charter flight; and witness the spectacles as Edinburgh’s
world-famous Military Tattoo.
The world will see you now: The 2011/2012 Voyages of the Great
Explorers 25 unique back-to-back itineraries will circumnavigate the
world in 335 days, commencing in Singapore on February 22, 2011 and
ending in Hong Kong on January 24, 2012. The 25 voyages will visit
six continents, 254 ports of call in 61 countries while crossing 14
seas and oceans, and transiting four canals -- Port Suez/Port Said
(Suez Canal transit); Corinth Canal/ Corinth (Mycenae/Nafplion);
Kiel Canal; and the Panama Canal.
The Spirit of Oceanus: Cruise West’s all-suite Spirit of Oceanus is
the line’s most spacious and luxurious ship. It offers gracious
comfort for 120 select guests. Seven suite categories are offered
onboard, including 14 suites with private balconies and one
elegantly appointed and spacious Owner’s Suite located on the ship’s
Sun Deck.
More information about these voyages can be found online at
www.cruisewest.com or by
calling 1- 800-296-8307 or a travel professional. Visit the line’s
video gallery at
www.cruisewest.com/world-cruises-videos.
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Carnival Glory Returns to Service Following Extensive Multi-
Million-Dollar Refurbishment
MIAMI, Feb 15: The 2,974-passenger Carnival Glory has resumed
Caribbean service from Miami following a multi-million-dollar
renovation that added a host of new facilities and features,
including a Serenity adults-only retreat, a 270-square-foot Seaside
Theatre poolside LED screen, and a Circle “C” facility for 12- to
14- year olds. Eighteen new balconies were also incorporated onto
existing ocean view staterooms and a new Mongolian wok venue was
added to the casual poolside restaurant. Bow-to-stern Wi-Fi access
was added, as well.
From February to May, Carnival Glory operates seasonal 7-day cruises
from Miami, alternating weekly to the eastern and western Caribbean.
Seven-day eastern Caribbean cruises visit Half Moon Cay, St. Thomas,
San Juan and Grand Turk, while the western route features Grand
Cayman, Isla Roatan, Belize and Cozumel. The ship will then be
deployed to New York where it will offer a series of 4- and 5-day
Atlantic Canada voyages from June 6 – September 6, 2010, followed by
a series of 7-day Canada/New England cruises, from Sept 11 – Oc 9.
“We are constantly looking for ways to improve and expand our
product to deliver fun and memorable vacations to our guests while
at the same time offering exceptional value,” said Gerry Cahill,
Carnival’s president and CEO. “The new Seaside Theatre, adults-only
area and Circle ‘C’ facility, which are all available to our guests
on a complimentary basis, serve to enhance an already terrific,
value-packed vacation choice,” he added.
New Seaside Theatre: Located poolside on Lido Deck is the Carnival
Glory’s new “Seaside Theatre,” a massive 270-square-foot LED screen
displaying movies, concerts, sporting events, and other programming,
including the popular “Morning Show” hosted by the ship’s cruise
director. Utilizing the same technology featured in large stadiums
and New York’s Times Square, the state-of-the-art entertainment
system includes a 70,000-watt sound system, providing concert
quality sound, even outdoors.
New Balcony Accommodations: During dry dock, 18 new balconies were
added to existing Spa Deck accommodations, creating spacious
220-square-foot verandah staterooms. They are conveniently located
next to the ship’s 14,500-square-foot “Spa Carnival” facility
offering sophisticated exercise equipment, expansive workout
facilities and a variety of soothing European-style treatments. With
the addition of these newly reconfigured staterooms, nearly 40
percent of the Carnival Glory’s 1,487 cabins now feature private
balconies.
New Adults-Only Retreat: Another popular feature added during the
dry dock is Serenity, a two-level adults-only retreat located
forward on Sun Deck and Sky Deck. Designed as an oceangoing oasis
for relaxation, with decorative latticework and teak-style decking,
this area features different styles of seating, including shaded sun
loungers and hammocks, a full bar, and two oversized whirlpools.
Circle “C” Facility for 12- to 14-Year-Olds: A new Circle “C”
facility catering to 12- to 14-year-olds has been added as part of
the line’s unique offerings for kids. The center 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.
Dining Enhancements: A new Mongolian wok option was added to the
Carnival Glory’s Red Sail casual restaurant located poolside on Lido
Deck. At the new venue, guests can select their favorite meat,
sauce, vegetables and other ingredients and watch as a chef creates
their custom-designed stir fry dish right before their eyes.
Additionally, the Golden dining room, located forward, was
reconfigured for Your Time Dining providing guests the option of
open seating between 5:45 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. nightly.
For additional information and reservations on the Carnival
Fascination or any other vessel in the “Fun Ship” fleet, call
1-800-327-9501.
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Norwegian Epic Sea Trials A Triumphant Success
SAINT-NAZAIRE, FRANCE, Feb 15: Norwegian Epic, Norwegian Cruise
Line’s largest and most innovative ship to date, returned from her
first successful sea trials on Sunday, February 14, 2010, after four
days of sailing the Atlantic Ocean for the first time. During the
sea trials, 300 technicians and engineers from STX FRANCE SA, along
with 30 Norwegian Cruise Line representatives, checked more than 60
different aspects of the ship’s performance by running trials of the
vessel’s speed, maneuverability, hydrodynamics and propulsion,
amongst others.
“During her first time ever at sea, Norwegian Epic performed above
expectations with excellent marine behavior,” said Roberto Martinoli,
Norwegian’s president and COO, who was on-board during the sea
trials. “All tests were conducted with positive results. She is a
beautiful ship with outstanding performance. Now that sea trials are
completed, we can concentrate on finishing the ship and showing her
to the world in June.”
A second round of sea trials is scheduled for mid-April in order to
finalize all tests, including final speed measurement. The
153,000-gross ton, 4,200-passenger ship – the largest ship ever
built in Saint-Nazaire – is scheduled for delivery on June 15, 2010.
Following her 7-day transatlantic crossing from Southhampton to New
York on June 24, 2010 and inaugural activities in New York and
Miami, Norwegian Epic will sail alternating 7-day Eastern and
Western Caribbean itineraries from Miami from July 10, 2010 through
April 30, 2011. Ports of call on the Eastern Caribbean itinerary
include Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands; and
Nassau, Bahamas. The Western Caribbean cruises visit Costa Maya,
Mexico; Roatán, Bay Islands, Honduras; and Cozumel, Mexico. The 2011
cruise season from May-October will have Norwegian Epic sailing a
series of 7-day Western Mediterranean cruises from Barcelona. When
she returns to Miami on Nov 5, 2011, she will sail a series of 7-day
Eastern Caribbean cruises through April 7, 2012.
Norwegian Epic
World-class entertainment is Norwegian Epic’s hallmark. For the
first time at sea, Blue Man Group will perform their exhilarating
fusion of comedy, theatrics and paint, exclusively on Norwegian
Epic. In the only “big top” at sea, Cirque Dreams and Dinner,
created and directed by Neil Goldberg, will present a one-of-a-kind
interactive theatrical dining experience with music, mayhem and
acrobatic imagination. Legends in Concert, the original and world’s
greatest live tribute show, will be featured for the first time at
sea in more than a decade on Norwegian Epic, along with The Second
City improvisational comedy and Howl at the Moon, the world’s
greatest rock ‘n roll dueling piano show that encourages audience
participation.
In addition to world-class entertainment, the 4,200-passenger
Norwegian Epic incorporates many innovations including several new
types of accommodations – the curved New Wave staterooms; the
largest Villas suite complex at sea, comprising 60 suites and villas
on two private decks at the top of the ship; and spa and
family-friendly accommodations. Kids will have a blast with
Nickelodeon at Sea offering Nickelodeon-themed family entertainment
and programming including: character meet and greets; interactive
game shows; and more.
The ship also boasts unique nightlife options with the first Ice Bar
at sea and Spice H20 with non-stop entertainment day and night; an
expansive Aqua Park with the only tube slide and largest bowl slide
at sea -- The Epic Plunge; seven decks of Freestyle Family Fun with
highlights including a 33-foot high, 64-foot wide extreme rock
climbing wall and the first ever rappelling wall at sea; the most
bowling lanes at sea with six in two venues; a mixed-use sports deck
with the ability for guests to engage in eight different athletic
activities; as well as three separate kids’ and teen activity areas.
In addition, Norwegian Epic will offer the next generation of
Freestyle Dining with 20 dining choices and 20 bars and lounges.
To book a Norwegian Epic itinerary or for more information on
Norwegian Epic, call Norwegian at 866-234-7350, visit
epic.ncl.com, or contact a travel
professional.For further information on Norwegian Cruise
Line, visit www.ncl.com.
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Crystal Adventures Highlight European Destinations From New Heights
& Depths in 2010
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 12: This spring through fall in Europe, luxury
specialist Crystal Cruises is rolling out nearly 800 boutique shore
excursions, dozens of which are brand new. From soaring above
Stockholm in a hot air balloon to scuba diving off the coast of
Turkey, distinctive Crystal Adventures augment Crystal's 32
destination-rich itineraries exploring the Mediterranean, Baltic and
Black Seas, North Cape, Canary Islands, Middle East and British
Isles.
-- *NEW* Navigate the corniches of the French Riviera in a private
Maserati, Lamborghini or Ferrari (Cannes)
-- *NEW* From a private box, sample Scotch whiskeys and view the
pageantry of the Military Tattoo (Edinburgh)
-- *NEW* Take an exclusive palace cooking lesson with an Italian
Countess (Venice)
-- Thrill to a high-speed sailing adventure in a state-of-the-art
professional ocean racer (from Berlin)
-- Enjoy a rugged bicycle and 4x4 exploration of the lava fields and
Mt. Etna (from Taormina)
"Each year we strive to offer meaningful experiences ashore that
satisfy our guests' appetite for diverse adventures," says John
Stoll, Crystal Cruises' director, land programs. "The breadth of
options guests have in each destination is truly staggering -
whether one is seeking cultural enrichment or more active pursuits."
From April through Nov 2010, the ultra-luxurious Crystal Symphony
and Crystal Serenity offer 7- to 15-day itineraries departing from
Athens, Greece; Copenhagen, Denmark; Istanbul, Turkey; London,
England; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Rome, Italy; Stockholm, Sweden;
Barcelona, Spain; Lisbon, Portugal and Venice, Italy. For more
information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent, call
888-799-4625, or visit
www.crystalcruises.com.
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Princess Revives Nostalgic Cruising Tradition with New Bon Voyage
Experience
SANTA CLARITA, CA, Feb 11: Reviving a signature tradition from the
early days of cruising, Princess Cruises is debuting an innovative,
new program giving passengers the opportunity to invite their
friends and family aboard their ship on embarkation day to wish them
“bon voyage” and get a taste of the onboard experience. Called the
“Bon Voyage Experience(sm),” the program is a new twist on the
departure celebration of bygone days, when friends and family would
routinely come aboard to see off passengers. Because of increasingly
tighter security procedures, this practice disappeared more than two
decades ago, but it’s now back – complete with lunch in the dining
room and tour of the ship.
Unique in the cruise industry, the Bon Voyage Experience enables
passengers to extend an invitation to their guests to join them
onboard during sailing day for a four-course dining room lunch with
wine, a ship tour and even a souvenir photo. Passengers and their
guests can enjoy priority embarkation and will be able to spend
approximately four hours together on the ship before it sets sail.
The cost for the program is $39 per person, which can be applied
toward a future Princess cruise. The program will debut in March in
the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, and then roll out to
New York, San Francisco and Seattle.
“Long-time cruisers will recall the fun of the bon voyage send-off
with their family and friends, and we’re excited to re-introduce a
new, modern version of this experience,” said Jan Swartz, Princess
Cruises executive vice president.
Cruise passengers will be notified about the program through the
pre-cruise emails they receive from Princess as their cruise date
approaches. In-port guests can be booked through a travel agent or
by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, beginning 120 days before the cruise and
up to six days before the sailing date. Once registered, guests will
be able to input their required security information through the
line’s Cruise Personalizer. The number of guests who will be able to
participate in the Bon Voyage Experience on any given embarkation
day will be approximately 50.
The roll-out schedule for the launch of the Bon Voyage Experience
is:
• Sapphire Princess – March 6 in Los Angeles
• Crown Princess – March 6 in Fort Lauderdale
• Coral Princess – March 7 in Los Angeles
• Emerald Princess – March 7 in Fort Lauderdale
• Island Princess – March 10 in Los Angeles
• Ruby Princess – March 10 in Fort Lauderdale
• Golden Princess – March 14 in Los Angeles
• Royal Princess – March 27 in Fort Lauderdale
Star Princess – April 10 in Fort Lauderdale
• Caribbean Princess – May 18 in New York
• Sea Princess – June 1 in San Francisco
During the Alaska season, Sapphire Princess, Golden Princess and
Royal Princess will offer the program in Seattle, beginning in May.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a
professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting
the company's website at
www.princess.com.
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Princess Cruises Debuts 20 New Shore Excursions in Alaska This
Summer
SANTA CLARITA, CA, Feb 9: This year Princess Cruises offers
passengers some fresh ways to experience Alaska up close and
personal with a variety of new shore excursions for the summer.
Among the 20 new options is a unique opportunity to join a
scientific expedition while in Juneau to help study climate change
and wildlife behavior patterns. Passengers can also get closer to
the dramatic glaciers of Tracy Arm, pilot their own zodiac on a tour
of Ketchikan or enjoy the opportunity for animal encounters at a
film trainer’s wildlife park. These new options join Princess’
extensive shore excursion program, which currently offers 215
different Alaska tour options for passengers starting in May.
“Alaska offers so many thrilling experiences for visitors – there’s
beautiful scenery nearly everywhere you turn, great opportunities to
encounter wildlife, an intriguing Native culture, and of course the
towering glaciers,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours.
“These new excursions showcase some of the many wonders available
throughout this amazing state, and offer visitors a number of ways
to get a very personal Alaska vacation.”
New tours available to Alaska passengers this summer include:
• Whales & Glaciers Citizen Science Adventure
(Juneau) – This unique tour will give participants a taste of what
it’s like to be a research scientist in the wilds of the Last
Frontier. Passengers join a science-based excursion giving them the
opportunity to participate in a GPS time-lapse photo project at the
Mendenhall Glacier that documents the effects of climate change on
the Juneau Icefield. Citizen scientists can also collect water
samples, net plankton and record humpback whale and other marine
wildlife behavior. This observational data will improve scientists’
understanding of the many variables that affect Alaska’s marine
ecosystem. In addition, passengers will enjoy a whale-watching
cruise, with guaranteed whale sightings.
• Back Country Zodiac Expedition (Ketchikan) –
Passengers can be their own captain for the day as they skipper
their custom-built motorized inflatable along the coastline of
Revillagigado Island for a unique Alaska adventure. Participants
will follow their guide on a journey that explores Native culture
with a view of Saxman Native Village, and a search for wildlife such
as bears, eagles, whales, seals and more. The group guide will
explain the area's history, geology, culture and ecology.
• Alaska Wildlife Park (Princess Exclusive –
Skagway) – Visitors can meet many types of animals at the Kroschel
Films Wildlife Park Center. The park is run by trainer Steve
Kroschel who has a lifetime of experience working with wild animals
for movies such as "Never Cry Wolf" and the PBS "Wild America"
series. His center provides a home for numerous orphaned wild
animals including wolves, Arctic fox, lynx, porcupine, pine marten,
mink, reindeer and wolverines. Guests will enjoy hands-on,
face-to-face encounters and intimate close-up photography of many of
these animals as they learn about the behavior of these intriguing
creatures and gain an understanding of the time and trust required
to train them.
• Whales, Bears & Glaciers Adventure (Princess
Exclusive – Juneau) – This excursion offers an opportunity to
experience the perfect Alaska trifecta: whale watching, bear viewing
and a scenic flight over the glaciers of the Juneau Icefield.
Visitors will see two of Alaska’s most impressive creatures with a
whale watching cruise that guarantees sightings, plus a bear search
at a salmon-bearing stream. The tour caps off with a flight over the
Juneau Icefield and the Mendenhall Glacier on the way back to town.
• Tracy Arm Fjord & Glacier Explorer (Juneau) –
Sapphire Princess passengers have a new way to get a close-up look
at the glaciers of Tracy Arm as they cruise aboard a luxurious,
high-speed catamaran for an in-depth exploration of the twin Sawyer
Glaciers. The adventure begins just before Sapphire Princess reaches
the entry to Tracy Arm, as participants board their catamaran
directly from the ship. After viewing glaciers from a much closer
vantage point than is possible from a cruise ship, they will travel
to Juneau to rejoin Sapphire Princess.
• Adventure Park & Zip Lines (Skagway) –
Thrill-seeking passengers can walk along raised balance beams, cross
suspension bridges and fly through the air on a series of zip lines
with this adventurous excursion. The exciting course will keep
passengers challenged and exhilarated as they soar through the air
on a series of six zip lines through the lush Alaska canopy.
• Juneau Jeep Adventure (Princess Exclusive) –
Visitors can experience Juneau's most scenic and historic locales in
the rugged comfort of a Jeep Wrangler for a small group adventure. A
diver/guide will take each group on a tour through Juneau, to a
scenic view of Mendenhall Glacier and other local sites, ending with
a stop at the award-winning Alaskan Brewing Company for a final
taste of Juneau.
• Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter & Salmon Bake Combo
(Princess Exclusive, Juneau) – This unique tour combination gives
passengers a stunning aerial view of the famed Mendenhall Glacier
plus the chance to feast on wild Alaska salmon. Participants will
enjoy a glacier landing where they can explore the glacier’s surface
and learn how glaciers form, flow and shape the landscape. Once
they’ve worked up an appetite, visitors join the salmon bake
festivities for an all-you-can-eat meal.
• Historical Ketchikan Walking Tour (Princess
Exclusive) – Visitors can gain a unique understanding of Ketchikan
and its Tlingit culture on this guided walking tour of Alaska's
"First City." Led by a former city mayor of Tlingit descent, the
tour offers personal knowledge of the many changes Ketchikan has
experienced over the years. Visitors will also learn the
significance of totem poles within Native culture, see the former
red light district, and visit a salmon ladder to see the incredible
journey salmon endure as they return to their spawning ground.
• Bear Country & Wildlife Expedition (Ketchikan) –
Passengers can view black bears in their natural habitat on a
wildlife experience just a short drive from downtown Ketchikan.
Participants will enjoy a nature walk on their way to a stream where
more than 100,000 Pacific salmon return each year to spawn. Large
concentrations of bears and other wildlife gather to feed on the
huge runs of salmon. In addition to the bears, bald eagles wait for
scraps, while mink, marten and wolf frequent the area, and seals can
usually be seen feeding on the bountiful fish harvest.
• Behind the Scenes at Butchart Gardens (Victoria)
– One of Victoria’s premiere attractions, Butchart Gardens is a
beautiful place to explore independently. However, with this tour,
guests have the unusual opportunity to go beyond the usual
self-guided visit, and enjoy an exclusive in-depth guided tour
behind the scenes. Visitors will learn the history of the gardens
and explore the Mediterranean Garden and botanist’s greenhouse, plus
see a demonstration by the gardens’ ceramics master as he displays
his skills in flower-pot making.
All Alaska shore excursions are currently available for
pre-reservation. Passengers who are already booked on an Alaska
cruise can reserve their tours by logging on to the Cruise
Personalizer on princess.com, to ensure they get the excursions of
their choice. As many tours fill up quickly, passengers are
encouraged to make selections as early as possible. Additional
information about Princess Cruises is available through a
professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting
the company's website at
www.princess.com.
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Whale rescued in Puerto Vallarta By Holland America Line Tour
Operator
Seattle, Feb 9: Vallarta Adventures, an operator of shore tours for
Holland America Line, recently participated along with the Mexican
navy in the rescue of an entangled humpback whale. The whale was
ensnarled in fishing nets and staff of the tour company came
alongside to free the creature.
“Our tour operators regularly become involved in these sorts of
wildlife rescues,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice
president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America
Line. “We applaud Vallarta Adventures dedication to wildlife and are
proud to work with them. We share their commitment to the
environment and nature.”
Based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, Vallarta Adventures provides safe
learning experiences for those who like to explore nature and
culture. For Holland America Line, they operate several tours in
Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas, including interactive ecological
dolphin encounters, eco safaris, horseback rides to secluded
beaches, canopy adventures and America’s Cup sailing regattas.
Vallarta Adventures also works locally with ecological programs and
regularly provides sea mammal rescue assistance.
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Norwegian Cruise Line Sails Into Summer With New Deployment For
2011/2012
MIAMI, Feb 9: Norwegian Cruise Line today announced its 2011/2012
summer deployment and itineraries with highlights including a new
homeport in Europe; more capacity and newer ships to Bermuda from
the Northeast; and a year-round commitment to New Orleans. In a
first for the line in Europe, Norwegian Sun will homeport in
Copenhagen offering 9-day cruises to the Baltic. Continuing its
ongoing commitment to Bermuda, the company is deploying Norwegian
Gem from New York for the first time and Norwegian Dawn from Boston.
In addition, Norwegian Spirit will homeport year-round in New
Orleans, home to the 2010 Super Bowl Champions the New Orleans
Saints, representing the first time the company will homeport a ship
year-round in the Crescent City. These cruises go on sale to
Norwegian’s top travel partners and Latitudes members (past guests)
today, Feb 9, 2010, and to the general public on Thursday, Feb 11.
Norwegian is currently offering a 50 percent reduced deposit for all
bookings made fleetwide through Feb 14, 2010. In addition, for all
cruises booked to Europe, the line is offering up to a six category
upgrade, if booked by Feb 14, 2010.
“Our summer 2011 deployment is filled with exciting itineraries and
new choices, so that our guests can enjoy Freestyle Cruising to a
variety of destinations around the world during the popular summer
travel season,” said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian’s CEO.
In the Baltic, Norwegian Sun will sail from Copenhagen, Denmark, a
new homeport for Norwegian, on 15 nine-day Baltic Capitals cruises.
Ports of call include: Berlin (Warnemünde), Germany; Tallinn,
Estonia; an overnight in St. Petersburg, Russia; Helsinki, Finland
and Stockholm (Nynashamn), Sweden.
In addition to Norwegian Epic’s deployment from Barcelona to the
Western Mediterranean in the summer of 2011, Norwegian Jade, which
currently sails year-round in Europe, will replace Norwegian Gem
sailing from Venice on a 7-day Greek Isles cruise with ports of call
including: Corfu, Santorini, Mykonos and Olympia (Katakolon),
Greece. The ship will also sail a 7-day Adriatic, Greece and Turkey
cruise with ports of call including: Dubrovnik, Croatia; Athens
(Piraeus), Greece; Ephesus (Izmir), Turkey and Split, Croatia. These
sailings can be booked back-to-back for a 14-day cruise with no port
repetition sailing to Greece, Italy, Croatia and Turkey.
Norwegian will continue its commitment to Bermuda, sailing two ships
from the Northeast to Bermuda weekly from May through October
calling on King’s Wharf. Norwegian Gem, one of Norwegian’s newest
and largest Freestyle Cruising ships carrying 2,400 guests, will
replace Norwegian Dawn sailing from New York on Sundays to Bermuda,
staying for three full days. In Boston, the 2,224-passenger
Norwegian Dawn will homeport there for the first time, replacing
Norwegian Spirit which sailed from Boston for two years. The ship
will depart on Fridays with three days in Bermuda.
For the first time in Norwegian’s history, the line will homeport
year-round in the Big Easy with Norwegian Spirit sailing weekly
7-day Western Caribbean cruises from April 2011 through April 2012.
The 2,000-passenger Norwegian Spirit will depart New Orleans every
Sunday. Ports of call include Costa Maya and Cozumel, Mexico; Roatán,
Bay Islands, Honduras; and Belize City, Belize. Norwegian has
homeported cruise ships in New Orleans seasonally since 2003 with
Norwegian Spirit there in the winter since 2007.
Norwegian Jewel, carrying 2,400 passengers, will continue her
year-round deployment in New York sailing 7-day Bahamas & Florida
cruises departing on Saturdays through April 2012. Ports of call
include: Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida; Great Stirrup Cay
(Norwegian’s private island) and Nassau, Bahamas. Norwegian Jewel
will offer Nickelodeon™ at Sea, exclusively on Norwegian Cruise
Line, with Nickelodeon-themed family programming on all of its
sailings. Guests will have the opportunity to experience character
meet and greets; interactive game shows; and more. Also from New
York beginning in Dec 2011 through April 2012, Norwegian Gem will
sail a series of weekly 7-day Bahamas & Florida cruises, departing
on Sundays, with stops in Orlando (Port Canaveral), Florida; Great
Stirrup Cay (Norwegian’s private island) and Nassau, Bahamas.
In Alaska, both Norwegian Pearl and Norwegian Star will return,
sailing 7-day Glacier Bay and Sawyer Glacier cruises respectively,
both from Seattle, Washington. Norwegian Pearl’s weekly Glacier Bay
cruises depart on Sundays and will sail through Alaska’s Inside
Passage with ports of call including: Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan,
Alaska; and Victoria, British Columbia. Norwegian Pearl will also
sail a 7-day Alaska & Sawyer Glacier cruise from Vancouver to
Seattle on May 8, 2011 and a seven-day Glacier Bay cruise from
Seattle to Vancouver on Sept 18, 2011. Norwegian Star’s weekly
Sawyer Glacier cruises depart on Saturdays sailing through Alaska’s
Inside Passage with ports of call including: Ketchikan, Juneau and
Skagway, Alaska; and Prince Rupert, British Columbia. Norwegian Star
will also sail a 7-day Sawyer Glacier cruise from Vancouver to
Seattle on May 14, 2011 and a 7-day Sawyer Glacier from Seattle to
Vancouver on Sept 17, 2011.
For the shorter cruise option, Norwegian Sky will continue sailing
3- and 4-day cruises to the Bahamas year-round from Miami through
April 20, 2012. The 3-day Bahamas cruise departs Fridays and
includes stops in Nassau, Bahamas and Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s
private island in the Bahamas. On Mondays, the ship departs Miami on
a 4-day Bahamas cruise with stops in Grand Bahama Island, Great
Stirrup Cay, Norwegian’s private island; and Nassau, Bahamas.
To book one of these new itineraries, guests should contact a travel
professional or Norwegian at 866-234-7350. Further information can
be found online at www.ncl.com.
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Culinary Experts Take Center Stage for Holland America Line's
2010 Culinary Arts Center Program
SEATTLE, Feb. 9: Taking top chefs from kitchens and restaurants all
around the world and inviting them aboard Holland America Line
ships, the line's Culinary Arts Center, presented by Food & Wine
Magazine, continues to expand in popularity. This year, more than 65
guest culinary experts are participating in the hugely successful
program. Culinary notables this season include Bravo-TV's "Top Chef"
contender, Nikki Cascone; Mark Bittman, food columnist for The New
York Times and award-winning cookbook author; and Keith Coburn,
television personality of the hit series, "Deadliest Catch."
"Because the Culinary Arts Center is such a hit, we will continue to
expand the program and provide our guests with the enriching
culinary experiences that have made it so successful," said Richard
D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and
guest programs. "For those who love to cook and cruise, there is no
more enjoyable vacation experience than taking over a fully stocked
and equipped professional kitchen with an expert chef as guide."
Holland America Line's award-winning celebrity chefs and experts in
the 2010 season include:
-- Dean James Max, executive chef of 3030 Ocean (FL) aboard ms
Westerdam, March 28-April 4.
-- Marisol Koczal Simon, culinary educator, author and chef aboard
ms Prinsendam, April 9-26.
-- Lon Symensa, executive chef, Buddakan (NYC), winner of the 1996
US Culinary Olympic team and graduate of the Culinary Institute of
America sailing on ms Eurodam, May 9-19.
-- Martin Blunos, UK television personality and chef sailing on ms
Eurodam, May 29-June 8.
-- Lars Kronmark, executive chef instructor at The Culinary
Institute of America (CA) aboard the inaugural sailing of ms Nieuw
Amsterdam, July 4-14.
-- Tre Wilcox, executive chef, culinary educator and Top Chef
contender, aboard ms Statendam, July 25-Aug. 1.
-- Bryan Caswell, chef / owner, Reef and Little Bigs (Houston, TX),
sailing aboard ms Prinsendam, Aug. 8-18.
-- Barbara Lynch, James Beard Award Winner, recipient of Food & Wine
Magazine's "Ten Best New Chefs" award, executive chef and owner of
Number 9 Park (Boston), sailing aboard ms Noordam, Sept. 18-28.
-- Paul McCabe, executive chef, L'Auberge (Del Mar, CA), winner of
the Golden Sceptre and Golden Baccus awards from the Southern
California Restaurant Writers and named "rising star of American
Cuisine" by the James Beard Foundation, sailing aboard ms Amsterdam,
Oct.20-29.
-- Joey Campanaro, chef / owner, The Little Owl (NYC), aboard ms
Amsterdam, Oct. 29-Nov.12.
In addition to partnering with Food & Wine to secure top experts,
Holland America Line showcases its own culinary stars on more than
500 annual cruises. The line's two cookbooks, "A Taste of
Excellence" and "A Taste of Elegance," written by Master Chef Rudi
Sodamin, offer guests preparation techniques for some of Holland
America's most delectable dishes and lavish libations as part of the
Culinary Arts Center experience.
The line's complimentary demonstration classes by award-winning
chefs are only one element of the extensive culinary enrichment
program. As part of Holland America's burgeoning enrichment
activities, the program also features one-hour food-and-mixology
demonstrations, wine tasting and party-planning sessions, ice
carving and floral arranging workshops and hands-on cooking classes
for kids. A new feature in the line's culinary program is Dine with
the Chef held in the Culinary Arts Center. A combination of a
cooking demonstration and a fine-dining experience, guests sit at
elegantly set tables and interact with the chef as he or she
prepares a five-course dinner in which each served course is paired
with an appropriate wine.
A permanently installed, state-of-the-art "show kitchen at sea," the
Culinary Arts Centers resemble the elaborate show kitchens used by
celebrity chefs on television cooking programs. Each facility
features a theater-style venue, with two large video screens to
display overhead and close-up video views of food preparation, and a
large cooking display counter where guests can learn from the
masters. Culinary demonstrations are also filmed and aired on
in-stateroom televisions. Holland America Line invested nearly $1
million per ship to create and install the Culinary Arts Center
facilities. This investment is part of the company's Signature of
Excellence initiative which has invested more than $525 million to
date in fleet-wide product and service enhancements. For more
information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL
(877-724-5425) or visit
www.hollandamerica.com.
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VIP Access to 150th British Open With Crystal's New Land Option
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 8: For travel-savvy golf enthusiasts this summer,
Crystal Cruises is introducing an ultra-exclusive opportunity to be
a part of the ultimate competition in the birthplace of the game.
During the new three-night Extended Land Program from Edinburgh,
Crystal guests will be treated to VIP access and the highest level
of service at the 150th British Open Championship at famed St.
Andrew's Golf Club, before joining Crystal Serenity's July 19 Black
Sea voyage to Istanbul. Besides the action on the links during the
final two days of the championship, participants will enjoy full
access to a private hospitality area with refreshments and open bar
throughout the day, three-course lunch and traditional English
afternoon tea. Arrangements include five-star hotel accommodations
in Edinburgh, a private driver and air transportation from Edinburgh
to Venice.
"To attend such a renowned tournament at the oldest golf club in the
world is a thrill for golf-lovers, and we're excited to offer our
guests such a distinctive opportunity," says John Stoll, director of
land programs. "This program offers guests the ideal kickoff to a
fantastic vacation, with the high standards of luxury and service
they enjoy aboard our ships."
The limited-availability British Open Championship Extended Land
Program starts at $5,199 per person, double occupancy. Following the
British Open land program, Crystal Serenity's July 19, 12-day cruise
sails from Venice July 19, visiting Katakolon and Navplion, Greece;
Nesebur, Bulgaria; Yalta and Odessa, Ukraine, plus a maiden call to
Sevastopol; and Istanbul, Turkey. On board, golfers can perfect
their own game in the ship's dedicated driving and putting areas,
and get tips from Crystal's onboard PGA Pros Denise and Gordon
Walker.
Two-for-One cruise fares include a $1,000 per person 'All Inclusive
- As You Wish' shipboard credit. Air transportation from more than
20 North American gateways - Business Class air for Penthouse guests
- is also included. For more information and Crystal reservations,
contact a travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit
www.crystalcruises.com.
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Royal Caribbean Expands Allure of the Seas Inaugural Season
MIAMI, Feb 8: Royal Caribbean Intl today announced that the first
revenue voyage for Allure of the Seas’ inaugural season will take
place one week earlier than originally planned. The ship’s first
revenue voyage will be a 7-night Western Caribbean itinerary,
sailing on Dec 5, 2010. Allure of the Seas’ new cruise for the
inaugural season is now open for booking. Guests booked on the
original inaugural season sail date of Dec 12, 2010, will be
contacted by their travel agent or a Royal Caribbean representative,
and given the opportunity to move their cruise vacation to the new
sailing of December 5. Booked guests who wish to take the Dec 5
sailing will be re-accommodated in the same stateroom and category,
and the cruise fare will be the lower of either the fare paid or
current prices. Guests booked on the Dec 12, 2010 sailing will have
until the end of Feb 2010 to opt to change their cruise to the Dec 5
sailing and ensure they keep the same stateroom.
On the Dec 5, 2010, inaugural season voyage of Allure of the Seas,
guests will be among the first to enjoy an exceptional vacation
experience on the newest Oasis-class ship, featuring an array of
exclusive, industry-revolutionizing onboard amenities, and
premiering new, breathtaking high-diving, light and fountain shows
in the AquaTheater and dazzling entertainment productions in the
Opal Theater and Studio B ice-skating rink. Throughout, guests will
enjoy the cruise line’s world-renowned friendly and engaging Royal
treatment from Allure of the Seas’ staff and crew.
Allure of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most
revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. An
architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass
225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double
occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas will
tout Royal Caribbean’s exclusive neighborhood concept of seven
distinct themed areas, which will include Central Park, Boardwalk,
the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa
and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship
will alternate a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean
seven-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort
Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at
www.AllureoftheSeas.com.
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New Canada/New England Fall Foliage Cruises on MSC Poesia:
Dazzling Landscapes, Historic Destinations
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL: MSC Poesia sails her inaugural fall foliage
Canada/New England cruises Sept 22 from New York City with 14
itineraries and nearly 25 ports of call for guests departing New
York and Quebec. Crimson and gold landscapes dazzle during the fall
in New York City. Discover the colonial history, exquisite mansions
and lighthouses of the New England coast, the St. Lawrence River for
the French charm of Quebec, and quaint shops in Prince Edward
Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland. Cruises vary from 6- to
19-nights, and can be combined for an extended experience such as
the repositioning cruise on Oct 23 with the Les Merle Big Band.
• 6-night “Maple Leaves & Mansions” cruise
departing Quebec City and calling in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada;
Boston, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; and New York. October
23..
• 7-night “Scenic Splendors of Fall” cruise
departing New York City and calling in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada;
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada; Corner Brook,
Newfoundland, Canada, and Quebec City, Quebec; Canada, Oct 2.
• 7-night “Brilliant Colors of Fall” cruise
departing Quebec City and calling in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada;
Bar Harbor, Maine; Boston, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; and
New York. Oct 9.
• 9-night “Autumn Leaves to Palm Trees” cruise
departing Quebec City and calling in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada;
Boston, Massachusetts; Newport, Rhode Island; New York, and Fort
Lauderdale. Oct 23.
• 10-night “Dazzling Fall Foliage” cruise departing
New York City and calling in Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada;
Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada; Quebec City, Quebec,
Canada; Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada; Newport, Rhode Island; and New
York. Sept 22.
Kids Cruise Free (17 and younger) when sharing a stateroom with two
full-fare-paying adults. Government fees and taxes are applicable.
Aeroplan Members earn Aeroplan Miles on select MSC cruises offered
throughout the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, Caribbean, Canada/New
England, transatlantic and positioning cruises. Visit
www.msccruisesusa.com/aeroplan. For more information, visit
www.MSCCruisesUSA.com,
call 877-665-4655, or contact a local travel professional.
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A Mediterranean Culinary Adventure Awaits Guests on Windstar's Wind
Surf
SEATTLE, Feb. 4: Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet
of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of
the world's most treasured destinations, unveils its new dining
experience in Wind Surf's Degrees restaurant reflecting a
Mediterranean culinary journey of simple cooking and seasonal
preparations, showcasing authentic ingredients and classic
techniques.
"We look forward to presenting our guests with yet another degree of
choice in dining and delivering a culinary adventure highlighting
the regional and local cuisine reflective of destinations visited on
our voyages," said Diane Moore, President of Windstar Cruises.
Degrees now features an innovative and stylish Mediterranean menu
created by David Shalleck who has worked for over two decades in the
culinary industry as a chef and television producer alongside some
of America's most celebrated chefs. Shalleck is the author of the
culinary travel memoir "Mediterranean Summer" chronicling his
experiences as a chef on a private sailing yacht in France's Cote d'
Azur and Italy's Costa Bella preparing menus comprised exclusively
of local ingredients, reflecting the flavors of each port.
Shalleck's book is the inspiration for Degrees' new dining concept.
The spirited menus comprise 70 new recipes and use ingredients
indigenous to local cuisines with flavors and styles of cooking
inherent of Windstar's destinations. Guests enjoy an evening
starting with amuse bouche, followed by a selection of first
courses, then on to pastas and soups, followed by a variety of
entrees and side dishes and ultimately finishing with an assortment
of desserts to choose from. Highlights of the menu include: Baccala
Mantecato - a delicate creamy blend of salt cod and potatoes; Canape
Pissaladierre - a caramelized onion tartlet with Nicoise black
olives; Assiette Charcuterie - Spanish pork loin lomo, French
saucisson, Italian speck and celery root remoulade; Pulpo "a la
Plancha" - braised and griddled octopus with potatoes and spicy
chorizo sausage; Provencal Squash and Leek Soup; Griddled Tuna "Misticanza;"
Fish in Crazy Water; Pan Roast Duck Breast with Apricots; Double-Cut
Lamb Chops; Honey-Coated Calmyrna Figs and Whipped Mascarpone in a
Pistachio Tuile; and Panna Cotta with Pineapples and Dark Rum Syrup.
While there is no additional charge for dining at Degrees. which
accommodates 90 guests, reservations are recommended. Degrees new
dining concept is part of Windstar's previously announced next phase
of its Degrees of Difference initiative, adding amenities and
enhancements to its luxurious ships. For more information including
brochures, rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent
or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at
www.windstarcruises.com.
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Crystal Cruises Reports Soaring January Sales for 2010
LOS ANGELES, Feb. 4: Luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises
reports that soaring sales for its 2010 cruises continued through
the end of January. Bookings for the month were 205% greater than
for the same month in 2009. Additionally, to date, new-to-Crystal
guests booked for 2010 are 89% of totals for all of 2009. The update
comes shortly after announcing record bookings for its week ending
January 11 and its highest January sales in more than five years for
same year bookings.
Where do luxury travelers want to go in 2010?
