Cruise Diva's Cruise Planner

Carnival Destiny Launches 4- and 5-Day Cruise Deployment From Miami

MIAMI, Sept 25 – When the 2,642-passenger Carnival Destiny begins a new schedule of 4- and 5-day cruises from Miami on Saturday, Sept. 27, it will not only provide consumers with an exciting new “Fun Ship” vacation option but will also be the largest ship to be deployed year-round on short cruise itineraries. Additionally, the Carnival Destiny offers nearly 500 balcony staterooms and suites – the most of any ship operating a year-round short-cruise program – providing consumers with unprecedented variety in their accommodation choices.

Carnival Destiny’s deployment to Miami will also further solidify Carnival’s position as the short-cruise leader, with 29 such options from 12 U.S. homeports – the most in cruising. In total, Carnival’s ships will operate nearly 850 departures of five days or less in length with roughly half of its 22-vessel fleet offering short cruise itineraries.
On its new Miami-based schedule, Carnival Destiny departs Thursdays on four-day cruises to Key West, Fla., and Cozumel, Mexico; Mondays on five-day cruises to Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands; and Half Moon Cay, a private Bahamian island; and Saturdays on five-day voyages to George Town, Grand Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.

In addition to providing a convenient and affordable vacation option, Carnival Destiny offers a host of on-board amenities, including some new features that were installed during a recent two-week dry dock. These include Carnival’s Seaside Theatre, a massive 270-square-foot outdoor LED screen on Lido Deck displaying movies, concerts, sporting events and other programming, along with an expansive new “Circle C” facility catering to the 12- to 14-year-old age group. Located on Sun Deck 12, “Circle C” 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. A variety of cosmetic enhancements such as new carpeting, wall coverings and tile work, were also completed.

Continued Expansion of Short Cruise Market
“Short cruises fit in perfectly with today’s lifestyles, offering an unmatched combination of value, convenience and fun. The Carnival Destiny’s four- and five-day schedule from Miami takes this concept to another level, providing consumers with a wide range of on-board choices along with attractive itineraries featuring the Caribbean’s most popular destinations,” said Ruben Rodriguez, Carnival executive vice president of marketing and guest experience.

The deployment of the Carnival Destiny to Miami is one of several enhancements to the line’s short cruise programs. This past weekend, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Fascination began year-round four- and five-day cruises from Jacksonville, Fla., becoming the newest and largest ship to sail from that port on a year-round basis. The 2,052-passenger Carnival Imagination, which offers such features as a water park and adults-only area – all part of the “Evolutions of Fun” product enhancement initiative – began a new three- and four-day schedule from Miami last week, as well. Next year, Carnival will dramatically expand capacity on its short cruise programs from Mobile, Ala., and New Orleans, when the 2,052-passenger Carnival Fantasy and the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph, respectively, launch new programs from those ports in November 2009.

Reservations are currently being accepted for the Carnival Destiny’s new 4- and 5-day cruise schedule from Miami. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com.

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A Wave of Enhancements for the Disney Magic as it Returns from Dry Dock

CELEBRATION, FL – New enhancements are now in place on the Disney Magic as the ship returns from dry dock. The 2,700 passenger cruise ship received a series of upgrades from Sept 6 - 24, 2008.

Here is a glimpse at what's new onboard the Disney Magic:

Indulgence and Relaxation: Quiet Cove, the serene pool retreat reserved for the enjoyment of adults, received a makeover including upgrades to Cove Café, the pool and the deck area. Cove Café, the ship’s sophisticated coffee lounge, now features a new seating area with plush, comfortable chairs providing the perfect venue to relax while sipping a cup of gourmet coffee. Meanwhile, the adult pool was outfitted with soothing, cascading waterfalls from the two hot tubs. Teak deck and lounge chairs with plush cushions line the pool, creating an inviting, stylish ambiance in line with the Vista Spa and Salon.

Fun for the Little Ones: The Oceaneer Club, a Neverland-themed play space for 3-7 year olds, and the Oceaneer Lab, a whacky and interactive laboratory exclusively for 8-12 year olds, were enhanced with new registration areas that make the check-in process more efficient and hassle-free. This sets the stage for incorporating Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology in the youth activity areas later this year, which will further enhance and streamline the check-in process. The technology uses RFID tags embedded on wristbands, allowing children to simply tap a sensor to check in and out of the clubs.
Even the youngest cruisers now have a splashtacular time in “Mickey’s Splash Zone,” a new toddler water playground inspired by Fantasia’s Sorcerer’s Apprentice. This 385-square-foot extension to the Mickey Pool on deck 9 features star- and moon-shaped interactive fountains, a soft play surface and whimsical splash zones; creating an inviting environment for children not yet toilet trained and in swim diapers.

New Conveniences: The guest staterooms onboard the Disney Magic received an infusion of technology with the installation of flat-screen LCD television sets. The new 22-inch units are mounted on a swivel arm to allow easy viewing from multiple locations within the stateroom.

A leader in the family cruise segment, Disney Cruise Line offers three-, four- and seven-night itineraries to The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Land/sea vacation packages that include a stay at the Walt Disney World Resort are also available. To learn more about Disney Cruise Line or to book a vacation, guests can contact their travel agent, visit www.disneycruise.com,or call Disney Cruise Line at 888/DCL-2500.

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New Stateroom Decor, Verandahs, Lanai Staterooms & More on Five Holland America Line Ships

SEATTLE, Sept. 25 -- Five Holland America Line ships will soon undergo individual month-long dry docks at a total cost of approximately $200 million. The most dramatic alterations during the latest Signature of Excellence enhancements will result in an additional 32 verandah staterooms added to the aft portion of each ship. In addition, 46 new innovative lanai staterooms will allow guests direct access to the Lower Promenade Deck and on
four ships verandahs will be installed on 12 staterooms on Deck 9 forward.

On the five ships, ms Statendam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam, forty-six staterooms on the Lower Promenade deck will become a new lanai category stateroom with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade. Decor in the lanai staterooms will reflect elements of nature with soothing earth-tones.

Fifteen new Spa Staterooms will be created from existing staterooms, except on the Rotterdam where 23 staterooms on Verandah deck will be transformed into spa staterooms. The rooms, so named because of their
proximity to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon and special in-room spa amenities, offer their own ambiance, providing unmatched relaxation, privacy and serenity. Décor reflects the natural elements of the earth with soft earth-tone hues and light, fresh accent colors echoing nature's own. Soothing patterns adorn the bed runner and pillows and graphite-colored carpeting tie together all the elements. A counter-top water feature in each stateroom provides a natural, ambient background sound and artwork reflects serene images in nature. Exclusive spa treatments are offered only in these staterooms.

"By adding or enhancing staterooms with verandahs and lanais, we're able to better meet the guests' demand for balcony accommodations," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. "The latest Signature of Excellence installment enhances our premium product and the stateroom modifications update the layout and decor of the rooms while remaining elegant."

Ship capacities will change as a result of the additional staterooms. All five ships also will add a varying number of inside staterooms. Guest capacity on Rotterdam will be 1,404 and capacity on Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam Veendam will be 1,350.

As part of this next phase of Signature of Excellence, all staterooms and their bathrooms will be enhanced. All staterooms will receive new soft goods including carpet, and desks and vanities will be resurfaced. Decorative wall sconces, drapery and accent pillows will add a touch of modern elegance to the new decor. Outside and inside staterooms will be redecorated in rich earth hues complimented by accents of sienna and gold. New soft goods include a rich, olive-colored sofa with decorative pillows, chairs reupholstered in gold chenille, and a bed runner with a design inspired by nature. Suites will have a contemporary color scheme with a traditional twist. A rich, dark carpet and chocolate-colored leather sofa contrast with light golden tones of soft goods and maple casework. Accent colors of reddish-orange punctuate sofa pillows, chairs and the bed runner. Sheer cream-colored draperies are light and airy with imprints of gold leaves.

For a cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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Holland America Line Launches New & Personalized
Shore Excursion e-Brochures

Seattle, Sept 24 — Holland America Line has launched a new Shore Excursion e-Brochure online system for its guests to view and print shore excursion information for booked cruises. Now, a cruise guest can receive up-to-the minute, personalized information that is specific to the guest’s cruise itinerary. This technological Web enhancement allows guests to access and update any shore excursion that applies to their cruise itinerary on a 24/7 basis.

“We strive to personalize each guest’s experience and to endeavor to make their interaction with us as easy and enriching as possible,” said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “By giving our guests the flexibility of printing an e-brochure with their shore excursion options that is tailored specifically to their cruise itinerary, we are able to present the exact information they need—when they need it. Additionally, more and more of our guests applaud our online efforts from an environmental standpoint.”

Besides tailoring the Shore Excursion e-Brochures to each guest’s ship and sail date, the online versions offer readers the same useful information as the print versions but with two newly added and helpful features: tour pricing and excursion departure times.

How the online system works:

By visiting the Shore Excursion page on Holland America’s Web Site, booked guests simply need to input their booking number and last name, click on the “View Your Personalized Shore Excursion Brochure” link and a personalized e-brochure will immediately download. The Shore Excursion e-Brochure will present the guest’s name and all available shore excursions for the guest’s booked cruise. Guests have the option of continuing their shore excursion viewing online, printing their personalized Shore Excursion e-Brochure for review at a later date or booking their tours immediately. Additionally, guests may review their personalized Shore Excursion e-Brochure from six months to a year before their cruise departure date rather than waiting for a hard-copy version that accompanies guests’ cruise documents 30 to 60 days from their cruise departure date. In the five weeks since the Shore Excursion e-Brochure online system has gone live, 20,470 guests have downloaded an e-brochure.

“With the launch of Shore Excursion e-Brochures we’ve created a way that our guests can leisurely review their shore excursion options in a much timelier manner. This allows guests to book early and to help avoid possible disappointment should the tours that pique their interests potentially sell out,” said Meadows.

For more information on cruises and shore excursions, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-724-5425 or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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Windstar Cruises Signature Collection Host Series Sets Sail
With Winemaker Gary Eberle

SEATTLE, Sept. 24 -- 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, offers guests a unique opportunity to travel with acclaimed winemaker Gary Eberle on a Costa Rica sailing aboard Wind Star, departing Feb 21, 2009, from Puerto Caldera.

Windstar's Signature Collection Host Series features distinguished guests and lecturers throughout the 2009 season, including Eberle, a winemaking pioneer in the Paso Robles region and one of its most accomplished producers, who will host wine tastings and lectures about his wines and wine regions.

Wind Star's 7-day Puerto Caldera roundtrip itinerary includes ports in San Juan del Sur, Playas del Coco, Quepos, Bahia Drake, Curu and Tortuga Island.

Carrying just 148 to 312 guests, the luxurious ships of Windstar cruise to nearly 50 nations, calling at 100 ports throughout Europe, the Caribbean and the Americas. For more information including 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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Carnival Cruise Lines to Operate First-Ever Quebec Voyages Aboard
Carnival Triumph in 2009

MIAMI, Sept 23 – For guests seeking a unique cruise alternative with opportunities to view magnificent scenery and wildlife and visit three charming cities along the historic St. Lawrence River, Carnival Cruise Lines will operate a series of 9-day voyages to Quebec aboard the 102,000-ton Carnival Triumph in summer 2009. The cruises will operate round-trip from New York on June 25, July 23 and Aug 20, 2009.

In addition to visits to the fascinating cities of Quebec City, Baie-Comeau, and Havre St. Pierre, the new 9-day “Quebec--After the Glaciers” voyages include an unforgettable daylong cruise along the scenic St. Lawrence River, home to numerous whales and other marine life, along with awe-inspiring landscapes carved out of glaciers. Guests can also visit Quebec’s breathtaking nature and wildlife preserves where they can get an “up close and personal look” at the Canadian wilderness and view unique rock formations and native plant, sea and animal life.

The new 9-day Quebec departures are the latest additions to Carnival’s popular New York cruise schedule, which also includes 4- and 5-day eastern Canada voyages and 7-day fall foliage cruises aboard the Carnival Triumph June-Aug, and 8-day Caribbean sailings aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Miracle, operating April-Oct.

“Carnival is always seeking exciting new itinerary choices and these new 9-day sailings provide guests of all ages an opportunity to experience and explore the natural wonders of Quebec, one of North America’s most historic and fascinating cruising regions,” Gerry Cahill, Carnival president and CEO. “And when combined with a departure from New York--a convenient homeport and an exciting destination unto itself--these voyages are even more attractive,” Cahill added. He noted that this new program is ideal for multi-generational travel, offering an opportunity for families to experience and explore a truly unique and historic region that is unlike anywhere else in the world.

Exciting Nine-Day Quebec Cruises
Carnival Triumph’s 9-day Quebec voyages are highlighted by an extended 16-hour port call to Quebec City, which includes an optional shore excursion to Montreal, a cosmopolitan city of two million that is home to world-class museums and excellent restaurants and shopping. Guests can also visit breathtaking Saguenay Fjord, home to no less than five different species of whales. The adventure continues with an 8-hour call at Baie Comeau where guests can visit Boreal Park--home to numerous former glacier fields--tour the Glacier Interpretation Center, and partake in a variety of exciting outdoor adventure activities. During the 8-hour stop in Havre St. Pierre, guests can visit Parks Canada Mingan Archipelago National Park Reserve, which encompasses 93 square miles and includes 900 limestone islands and islets featuring 450 species of plants, over 200 species of birds and a wide variety of sea life. Here, guests can witness the power of the glaciers that have been carved out of stone gigantic monoliths, spectacular cliffs and arches, creating a beautiful natural art form.

Carnival Triumph: A Spectacular ‘Fun Ship’
Encompassing 13 passenger decks, Carnival Triumph offers a variety of on-board amenities: four restaurants, including two two-level main dining rooms and an expansive poolside eatery, along with four swimming pools, a 214-foot-long cascading water slide, and 18 lounges and bars whose interiors are inspired by the world’s great bodies of water. The ship also features a 14,500-square-foot health club, full casino gambling and a duty-free shopping mall. Expansive facilities and organized activities for “Camp Carnival,” “Circle C” and “Club O2,” catering to children, ’tweens and teens, respectively, are also available. An Internet café, along with Wi-Fi access and cell phone service are featured, as well. A majority of the ship’s 1,379 staterooms offer an ocean view or private balcony--perfect for scenic cruising. All Carnival Triumph accommodations feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.

Reservations are currently being accepted for Carnival Triumph’s new 9-day Quebec sailings from New York. Round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways, as well as special discounted rates for 3rd and 4th guests sailing in the same stateroom, are also available. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com.

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Cruise West Enters Europe Market in 2009 With New Danube River Cruise

SEATTLE, Sept 22 – Cruise West, the global leader in small-ship voyages, travels to Europe for the first time in 2009 with 11-and 12-day Danube River cruises. The new Vienna To Bucharest route provides tours in Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and cruising in the Danube Delta onboard the elegant, new 148-guest Amadeus Diamond; the luxury vessel owned by Lüftner Cruises is launching in 2009. Eighty percent of the cabins have large "French balconies" providing a full wall of glass to view the passing scenery. Four departure date options include July 16 and 24, 2009 and Oct 13 and 21, 2009. The inaugural July 16 Chairman’s Cruise will be hosted by Cruise West Chairman Richard West and wife Leslie West and the Oct 13 sailing is a PENTAX Photography Cruise featuring field events and onboard workshops all co-hosted by professional PENTAX photographer Kerrick James. Pre-and post-cruises are available in Prague and Transylvania.

“Cruise West offering European river cruising is a natural progression as we continue to provide intimate, up-close experiences not available on larger vessels and provide new itineraries for our Quyana Club Members (repeat guests),” remarked Cruise West’s newly-appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, Dietmar R. Wertanzl. “With the value of the Euro where it is, cruises provide a cost-effective way for travelers to experience Europe and our itineraries ensure that guests see destinations as they never have before.”

Depending on the direction of their cruise, guests will be greeted at the Vienna or Bucharest airport before transferring to the Amadeus Diamond. The next 11 to 12 days, varying slightly based on the vessel’s route, will be filled with such highlights as city tours of Budapest, Osijek, Belgrade and Bucharest. Also exclusive to Cruise West guests is exploration of the remote areas of the Danube Delta aboard smaller excursion boats. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the best-preserved Delta in Europe, the largest reed bed in the world and home to 320 species of birds. Travelers will dine on local cuisine and experience traditional culture at horse shows, wine-tastings at world-renowned vineyards as well as exclusive insider-access such as breakfast at the Nunnery of Saun and dinner along the Black Sea. As with all Cruise West voyages, knowledgeable Exploration Leaders accompany the cruise and share insightful information on the diverse flora, fauna, culture and history of the region.

For additional information, a complete itinerary or to book a Cruise West Danube River Cruise, call 1-800-296-8307 or visit www.cruisewest.com/destinations/european_rivers

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Azamara Quest Anniversary Celebration Offers Savings

MIAMI, Sept 22 – This October, Azamara Quest will commemorate one year of bringing cruisers deluxe vacation style in exotic destinations and Azamara Cruises is offering travel agents and consumers the opportunity to celebrate by taking advantage of special booking incentives. The booking promotion, called the “Quest for Europe” sale, begins today. Guests who book the 2009 Europe cruises between Sept 22 and Oct 19, 2008, will enjoy onboard credit: US$600 per suite, US$400 per veranda, and US$200 per oceanview stateroom. Guests also can enjoy the freedom of 50% reduced deposits when booking Azamara’s 2009 Europe sailings between Sept 22 and Oct 19, 2008.

Azamara Cruises’ 2009 Europe season will include 20 new ports and overnight stays in some of the most romantic cities on the continent. The line’s series of seven- to 15-night itineraries will visit 91 ports in 36 countries, and depart from five different homeports: Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; Copenhagen, Denmark; Rome and Venice, Italy. Overnight stays will be offered in Barcelona, Edinburgh, Scotland; Florence and Ravenna, Italy, Istanbul, Turkey; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Stockholm, Sweden. Late-night (10 p.m. or after) departures will be offered in 10 ports of call, allowing guests to capture more of the flavor of each locale’s nightlife. Highlights of Azamara’s 2009 Europe season include:

New, harder-to-access port calls, including docking in Zadar, Croatia (where larger ships have to anchor); Rouen, France, just one hour from Paris (as opposed to Le Havre, where larger ships dock, which is two-and-a-half hours from the city); Volos, Greece, where Azamara will offer excursions to the Meteora Monasteries, high atop massive granite rocks(made famous in the film For Your Eyes Only); Amalfi, Italy, near the postcard-perfect Sorrento, Positano and Isle of Capri; a docking in La Spezia, Italy, where larger ships have to anchor; and Dartmouth, United Kingdom, inaccessible to larger ships.

A series of consecutive 7-night Mediterranean cruises, which, for travelers interested in pairing itineraries back-to-back, will present no repeat ports of call.

A new “Iceland and Norwegian Fjords” voyage roundtrip from Copenhagen, Denmark, featuring three Icelandic ports. The sailing also includes calls on Scotland’s Shetland Islands, Denmark’s Faroe Islands, which received National Geographic Traveler’s top score among islands in Europe in its Nov/Dec 2007 issue, and Scotland’s famed Shetland Islands.

An enhanced “Best of Italy” itinerary with overnight stays in Venice and Sorrento, as well as in Ravenna, giving guests the opportunity to visit Florence by train to experience one of the world’s oldest republics, the independent state of San Marino; the Ferrari and Lamborghini factories; or the sixth-century church of Chiesa di San Vitale, noted on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and famed for its collection of Byzantine mosaics.

Azamara’s “Quest for Europe” booking promotion is not combinable with any other offer. The offer is not available for United Kingdom bookings. The offer applies to individual and group bookings made between Sept 22-Oct 19, 2008. The onboard credit in this offer is per stateroom. For more information, consumers are invited to call 1-877-999-9553. Or, visit www.azamaracruises.com.

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Celebrity Cruises Announces New Deployment for Celebrity Millennium & Celebrity Mercury

MIAMI, Sept 22 – Celebrity Cruises has announced new itineraries for Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Mercury, presenting guests with new cruise vacation options from the historic coastal cities of Baltimore, Maryland, and Charleston, South Carolina, along with the brand’s popular Caribbean cruises from San Juan, Puerto Rico. Correspondingly, the line announced plans to discontinue its Australia and New Zealand cruises previously scheduled for late-2009 and 2010 on Celebrity Millennium.

“Australia and New Zealand are charming and beautiful destinations, and we’re confident we’ll return again as our brand and fleet grows,” said Celebrity’s President & CEO Dan Hanrahan. “Currently, though, our travel agent partners and guests have repeatedly said they want more options to sail with Celebrity from the Eastern seaboard, where our brand was founded, and still has a very large and loyal base of cruisers. So, we’re pleased to present some very attractive new cruise vacations from that region.”

Celebrity Millennium Takes On Celebrity Mercury's Territory
The 2,038-guest Celebrity Millennium will cap its 2009 season in Alaska with cruises previously scheduled for the 1,898-guest Celebrity Mercury, offering more capacity on the popular sailings. The itineraries will reflect those previously announced for Celebrity Mercury, with the addition of a 12-night wine-themed cruise departing from Vancouver on Sept 28, 2009, followed by an eastbound, 16-night Panama Canal cruise on Oct 10, 2009, from San Diego to San Juan, where Celebrity Millennium will offer a series of 10- and 11-night Southern Caribbean cruises roundtrip from San Juan, beginning Oct 26, 2009. Ports of call on the Southern Caribbean itineraries include Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Barbados, Grenada, Curacao, Aruba, St. Croix, St. Kitts and Dominica, with slight variations between the 10- and 11-night sailings. Guests with reservations on the sailings previously scheduled for Celebrity Mercury will be contacted and re-accommodated on the same sailing dates on Celebrity Millennium, at the rates paid.

Celebrity Mercury Offers New Options on the Eastern Seaboard
Celebrity Mercury will sail a 17-night Panama Canal cruise from San Diego on Oct 23, 2009, ending in Baltimore. There, from Nov 2009 to Feb 2010, the ship will present a series of new 12-night Eastern Caribbean cruises visiting St. Thomas; St. Kitts; Antigua; St. Maarten, and Tortola, as well as four 9-night cruises visiting Charleston, SC; Key West, FL; and Cococay and Nassau, Bahamas. Celebrity Mercury then will present a series of 10- and 11-night Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages from Charleston from Feb through April 2010, with visits to St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Tortola on the eastern series, and Key West; Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize; Cozumel, Mexico, and Nassau on the western lineup.

The new itineraries on Celebrity Mercury replace the Southern Caribbean cruises from San Juan previously scheduled from Nov 2009 to April 2010. Guests with affected bookings will be contacted and offered the option to be re-accommodated in like accommodations on identical Southern Caribbean itineraries on Celebrity Millennium at the rate paid.

Guests holding either individual or group reservations on Celebrity Millennium’s previously scheduled Australia and New Zealand cruises between Oct 9, 2009 and March 22, 2010, will be offered the option to either re-book on Celebrity Millennium’s Australia and New Zealand cruises between Oct 17, 2008 and April 12, 2009, subject to availability, at the prevailing rate, and will receive a $600 per-stateroom or $800 per-suite onboard credit. Alternatively, these guests may re-book Celebrity Millennium’s new Panama Canal or Southern Caribbean sailings between Oct 10, 2009 and April 16, 2010, and receive a $200 per stateroom and $400 per suite onboard credit. All guests and travel agent partners with affected bookings will be contacted by Celebrity Cruises. A special toll-free line also has been established to answer questions: 1-888-281-9343. The number is the same for both individual and group bookings. Any reservations on the late-2009 and early-2010 Celebrity Millennium sailings in Australia and New Zealand that have not been moved or cancelled by Friday, Oct 3, 2008, will be cancelled automatically. For more information, call your travel agent, dial 1-800-437-3111 or visit www.celebritycruises.com.

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Holland America Line Delivers Entertainment Enhancements

SEATTLE, Sept. 19 -- As part of Holland America Line's latest Signature of Excellence enhancements, entertainment on board five popular ships is evolving to feature a new music program, the new Showroom at Sea, expanded entertainment and enrichment activities and a video game room featuring the
latest craze in high-tech entertainment. The enhancements are part of an extensive $200-million program that will occur during nearly month-long dry docks on ms Statendam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam beginning in spring 2009.

"The new musical offerings and entertainment initiatives are designed to be even more compelling and relevant to today's premium cruiser," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, Holland America Line. "These enhancements will allow us to offer more venues
and more choices to our guests."

Signature Bands Featured on All Ships
Joining the resident shipboard entertainment staff are three new musical groups catering to a wide audience: The HALCats, The Neptunes and Adaggio. Each ship in the fleet will now feature an ensemble of these signature musical groups. An eight-piece party band, The HALCats play the music of the '60s, '70s and '80s throughout the ship. Charged with creating a sophisticated and sultry mood, The Neptunes, a three-piece combo, feature music from the Great American Songbook. Adaggio, a string quartet, comprised of a viola, cello and two violins, perform
light classics in the Explorer's Lounge. Guests can dance to the tunes of Tony Bennett, Frank Sinatra and Harry Connick Jr. in the newly refurbished Ocean Bar.

Showroom at Sea
Holland America Line has redesigned its main show space to combine modern stage technology and decor with the ambiance of a glamorous nightclub. Called Showroom at Sea, this venue will feature new show concepts along with production-style shows. Remodeled seating and a larger parquet dance floor will also feature movable tables and chairs complete with white-linen tablecloths and cafe lamps. The old-Hollywood atmosphere in this intimate room is just the place to dance the night away.

High-Tech Entertainment
The latest video game craze across the nation is now coming to Holland America Line ships. Interactive games and other high-tech entertainment, complete with large flatscreen televisions, are being installed in a new space called the Sky Room and will test players' game skills. This high-tech game room features several "rooms within a room" and will include plenty of lounging chairs and couches for onlookers and participants alike.

Explorations Team Expands Activities
Entertainment and enrichment are taking on a new, contemporary look and feel across the fleet. A new Explorations Team employs cruise staff, each specializing in a particular area, to educate and entertain guests with an expanded menu of activities including flower arranging, hands-on cooking, dancing and working with digital photos, blogs and movies. Each team consists of a cruise director, a party planner, a travel guide, dance directors and a "techspert." On longer cruises, a book club leader joins the team to lead lively group discussions.

This $200-million phase in the Signature of Excellence commitment brings the latest innovations at sea to Holland America Line's Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Veendam and Rotterdam. The first of the extensive dry dock periods begins with the Veendam in spring 2009 and the last will be completed on the Maasdam in late 2010. While in dry dock, ships will expand the aft deck to create a new resort pool concept, The Retreat, and create a new bar concept called Mix that features separate areas -- Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales. Enhancements will be made to all existing staterooms and additional staterooms will be added to the five ships. The ships also will introduce 46 innovative lanai staterooms with direct access to the Lower Promenade Deck. New spa staterooms near the Greenhouse Spa and Salon will offer special in-room spa amenities. For a cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 Embarks on 100th Transatlantic Crossing

Sept 18 – As Queen Mary 2 prepares to sail her 100th Transatlantic Crossing, Cunard Line reveals the captivating statistics that illustrate the Line’s singular hold on the bygone glamour that defines their Transatlantic travel experience. The only company offering regularly scheduled Transatlantic service via flagship Queen Mary 2, Cunard Line continues a tradition that began 168 years ago. The iconic ocean liner will depart on her 100th Transatlantic voyage on September 21 from Southampton, England arriving in New York on September 27. On arrival, she will have logged 711,288 nautical miles since her debut with 316,729 nautical miles on Transatlantic voyages alone.

“Perhaps more than any other voyage, a Transatlantic Crossing captures the imagination of the most intrepid travelers,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “A Transatlantic voyage recalls a bygone era of glamour and sophistication. For many, it is on par with the world’s most storied travel experiences.”

Queen Mary 2’s regularly scheduled Transatlantic service forms the cornerstone of her annual itineraries, which also includes her second World Cruise in 2009 and forays into the Caribbean, Mediterranean and Norway.

Since the ship entered service in 2004, Queen Mary 2 has made dozens of maiden calls around the world, including San Francisco - where thousands lined the shores of the City by the Bay to witness her sail beneath the Golden Gate Bridge and her overnight visit caused gridlock traffic on the Embarcadero; along with great port cities such as Boston and Ft. Lauderdale. She has provided a glamorous backdrop for a myriad of high-profile events, including The Britannia Ball (a charity gala benefitting the New York City Opera and Brooklyn Academy of Music) in 2007; the PBS TV Concert Special: Carly Simon: A Moonlight Serenade on the Queen Mary 2; an onboard event honouring George Lucas at the 2005 Cannes Film Festival; as well as several Cunard Royal Rendezvous events in New York, Ft. Lauderdale, Long Beach, California and Sydney, Australia with her sister ships, QE2 and Queen Victoria. Queen Mary 2 even played a role in literary history, transporting the first author-signed copy of the highly anticipated Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince to its U.S. debut.

In addition to logging nearly three-quarters of a million miles, Queen Mary 2 will mark other milestones on her 100th Transatlantic voyage, including:

· More than 229,000 guests crossing the North Atlantic
· 450 pets crossing the North Atlantic
· 97,000 pounds of lobster served
· 2,700 pounds of caviar served
· 206,200 bottles of Champagne served
· Enough tea to fill nearly five Olympic-sized swimming pools

Queen Mary 2 has welcomed many notable guests, including Barbara Walters, Katie Couric, Uma Thurman, John Cleese, Richard Dreyfuss, Carly Simon, Rod Stewart, Tina Brown and Harold Evans, Terrance Howard, Donald Trump, and Dame Shirley Bassey. Her eminent visitors have included HRH Queen Elizabeth II, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, Queen Noor, Former President George Bush, New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Hillary Clinton.

In 2009, Queen Mary 2 marks her fifth year of service with an extended Transatlantic season of 6-, 8- and 9-day Crossings. In total, she will sail 25 Transatlantic Crossings, including classic six-day voyages between Southampton and New York, two eight-day voyages between Hamburg and New York, one eight-day voyage from Boston via New York to Southampton and one nine-day Crossing from Southampton via New York to Halifax and Boston. For more information and reservations, contact your travel professional, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or visit www.cunard.com.

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Cruise West Enters Europe Market in 2009 with New Danube River Cruise

SEATTLE, Sept. 18 -- Cruise West, the global leader in small-ship voyages, travels to Europe for the first time in 2009 with 11-and 12-day Danube River cruises. The new Vienna To Bucharest route provides tours in Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and cruising in the Danube Delta onboard the elegant, new 148-guest Amadeus Diamond; the luxury vessel is launching in 2009. Eighty percent of the cabins have large "French balconies" providing a full wall of glass to view the passing scenery. Four departure date options include July 16 and 24, 2009 and Oct 13 and 21, 2009. The inaugural July 16 Chairman's Cruise will be hosted by Cruise West Chairman Richard West and wife Leslie West and the Oct 13 sailing is a PENTAX Photography Cruise featuring field events and onboard workshops all co-hosted by professional PENTAX photographer Kerrick James. Pre-and post-cruises are available in Prague and Transylvania on all four sailings.

"Cruise West offering European river cruising is a natural progression as we continue to provide intimate, up-close experiences not available on larger vessels and provide new itineraries for our Quyana Club Members (repeat guests)," remarked Cruise West's newly-appointed President and Chief Executive Officer, Dietmar R. Wertanzl. "With the value of the Euro where it is, cruises provide a cost-effective way for travelers to experience Europe and our itineraries ensure that guests see destinations as they never have before."

Depending on the direction of their cruise, guests will be greeted at the Vienna or Bucharest airport before transferring to the Amadeus Diamond. The next 11 to 12 days, varying slightly based on the vessel's route, will be filled with such highlights as city tours of Budapest, Osijek, Belgrade and Bucharest. Also exclusive to Cruise West guests is exploration of the remote areas of the Danube Delta aboard specialty vessels. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is the best-preserved Delta in Europe and the largest reed bed in the world. Travelers will dine on local cuisine and experience traditional culture at horse shows, wine-tastings at world-renowned vineyards as well as exclusive insider-access such as breakfast at the Nunnery of Saun and dinner along the Black Sea. As with all Cruise West voyages, knowledgeable Exploration Leaders accompany the cruise and share insightful information on the flora, fauna, culture and history of the region.

For additional information, a complete itinerary or to book a Cruise West Danube River Cruise, call 1-800-296-8307 or visit www.cruisewest.com/destinations/european_rivers

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Holland America Line Introduces New Martini Menu

Seattle, Sept 15 -– Holland America Line has introduced a new menu of martini cocktails on board its fleet of 14 ships. Featured on the menu are 19 Grey Goose martinis and a sampler platter of mini, specialty martinis called the martini flight. Showcasing mixology at its best, a new martini flight will feature six of the menus premier martinis.

The martini flight includes Holland America Line’s signature martini, the Yellow Tulip, a mixture of Grey Goose vodka, lychee juice, pineapple juice, guava juice, coconut cream and fresh lime juice. Other martinis included in the flight are the Peartini, Cosmopolitan, Sunshine Martini, Rum Sundae and High Tide Martini. A house specialty will be a signature Martini for Two with aged Cognac served with a dish of caviar and traditional garnishes. Holland America Line’s new martini menu will be featured in the Explorer’s Bar on its newest ship, ms Eurodam, in the Pinnacle Grill Bar of its Vista-class ships and in the Ocean Bar on ms Amsterdam, ms Maasdam, ms Rotterdam, ms Ryndam, ms Statendam, ms Veendam, ms Volendam and ms Zaandam.

“We are constantly exploring new and inventive ways to enhance our onboard offerings be that entertainment, culinary or with innovative cocktails” said Richard Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. “The martini menu offers a wide variety of imaginative, sophisticated cocktails that will appeal to our guests.”

Launched as a precursor to the highly anticipated Martinis that will be a part of the upcoming Mix specialty theme bar area, Holland America Line’s new martini menu was inspired to infuse a new splash of sophistication to its already popular bars and lounges. Mix incorporates three specialty theme bars — Martinis, Champagne, and Spirits & Ales. These enhancements are part of a new $200-million Signature of Excellence upgrade to ms Statendam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam.

For new Signature of Excellence upgrades, the first of the extensive dry dock periods begins with the Veendam in spring 2009 and the last will be completed on the Maasdam in late 2010. While in dry dock, ships will expand the aft deck to create a new resort pool concept, The Retreat. Enhancements will be made to all existing staterooms and additional staterooms will be added to the ships. The ships also will introduce 46 innovative lanai staterooms with direct access to the Lower Promenade Deck. New spa staterooms near the Greenhouse Spa and Salon will offer special in-room spa amenities. Overall, Holland America Line has committed $525 million to its Signature of Excellence program that redefines premium cruising.

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Crystal Cruises Announces Unprecedented 2010 World Cruise Itinerary

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 15 -- Luxury cruise specialist Crystal Cruises has set an exotic new course with a unique Middle Eastern twist for its 15th annual World Cruise set for 2010. The detailed 108-day itinerary, featuring maiden visits to Iran, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and a host of other fascinating destinations, is now available at crystalcruises.com. Although the departure is more than a year and half away, the luxury World Cruise specialist has more than 100 guests on waitlist. Reservations open in October.

On January 10, 2010, the award-winning Crystal Serenity will depart Miami on an unprecedented voyage exploring South America, Africa and India, with a greatly expanded focus on the Arabian Gulf, the Red Sea, the Black Sea, and several European ports in the Mediterranean Sea en route to London. The epic journey will visit 41 ports in 37 countries.

"Based on extensive research, site inspections and discussions with contemporary world affairs experts, we feel we have created an unparalleled voyage for the most discriminating travelers," says Gregg Michel, president of Crystal Cruises. "On one itinerary, our 2010 World Cruise guests can visit an incredible combination of destinations renowned for being profoundly rich in antiquities and cultural history."

Significant for 2010:
* Seven maiden calls: Port Elizabeth, South Africa; Bandar Abbas, Iran; Kuwait City, Kuwait; Manama, Bahrain; Khasab, Oman; Alfujairah, United Arab Emirates (UAE); and Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
* First time Crystal has included the Black Sea ports in a World Cruise.
* Overnight stays in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Abu Dhabi, UAE; Safaga, Egypt (for Luxor/Karnak); Athens, Greece; Odessa, Ukraine; Istanbul, Turkey; and Barcelona, Spain.
* Two-night shipboard stays in Cape Town, South Africa and Dubai, UAE.
* Late night calls in, among others, Ashdod, Israel; Cochin and Mumbai, India; Bandar Abbas, Iran; Manama, Bahrain; Aqaba, Jordan; Alexandria, Egypt; Kusadasi, Turkey; Livorno, Italy.
* Complimentary shore-side events, Crystal Adventures shore excursions, onboard parties, gifts, enhanced onboard entertainment, and expanded Creative Learning Institute and Crystal Visions lecture program.
* Available in seven individual segments ranging from 13 to 21 days, or back-to-back segment combinations.

"Seasoned cruisers appreciate the attention to detail and extraordinary value of a Crystal World Cruise," adds Michel. "New-to-Crystal cruisers, of which there are surprisingly, many, find that the World Cruise is the ultimate travel experience that one never forgets."

World Cruise fares will be available in October, when the luxury line will begin accepting reservations. Full World Cruisers booked for 2009 will have the opportunity to book 2010 before it is open to the public. For additional information, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises Announces Major Fleet Enhancement & Refurbishment

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Sept 15 – Regent Seven Seas Cruises announced that it will invest approximately $40 million dollars to implement an extensive refurbishment and enhancement of the line’s all-suite vessels: Seven Seas Voyager®, Seven Seas Mariner®, and Seven Seas Navigator®. This investment is in addition to the $20 million that was spent on the fleet over the past two years as the line re-branded under the Regent moniker.

“I am delighted to make this announcement as we are not only refurbishing the ships, we are adding many new luxury features that will enhance the guest experience,” said Mark Conroy, President of Regent Seven Seas Cruises. “This comprehensive enhancement program will see each of the ships emerge essentially brand new and positions our fleet as the standard-bearer in the luxury cruise category,” he added.

The refurbishments will commence in December 2008 with the dry-dock of Seven Seas Voyager, followed by Seven Seas Mariner in January 2009, and Seven Seas Navigator in the first half of 2010, and result in a new look that is fresh, elegant and luxurious yet retains the familial warmth and charm for which Regent Seven Seas Cruises is lauded.

In addition to the scheduled technical work, almost every area of the ships will be refurbished, with public rooms being substantially re-designed with new furniture, using sumptuous materials like imported leathers, suede, and mahogany, along with warm color schemes and rich fabrics offset by lustrous marble and granite accents. The renowned marine architectural firm of Yran and Storbraaten of Oslo, Norway, is overseeing the design work along with Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Vessel Operations team. Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner will be refurbished at the Grand Bahama shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas. Final details and the location of Seven Seas Navigator’s 2010 dry dock will be announced at a later date.

Highlights of the refurbishment program for Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner include:

The creation of a new alternative dining concept and venue–-a steakhouse named Prime Seven-–that will replace the current Indochine-menu Latitudes restaurants
The re-design of lounges and public rooms to create more spacious areas for relaxation
The creation of elegant new lounge and dining areas around the Pool Grill
New carpeting, wallpaper, upholstery, light fixtures, and drapes in most public areas and guest suite accommodations
More casual dining options with the addition of pizza ovens and ice-cream bars
The creation of an extended coffee and snack bar area on Seven Seas Voyager, similar to the very popular Coffee Connection on Seven Seas Mariner

“This significant investment not only demonstrates our commitment to our guests and the bright future of the Regent Seven Seas Cruises brand, it elevates the experience to new heights and provides a glimpse of what the future holds,” stated Frank Del Rio, Chairman of Prestige Cruise Holdings, RSSC’s parent company. “Mark and I spent a good deal of time on the ships this past spring speaking with our guests and travel agent partners and I trust they will be as elated with the fruits of this labor as we are,” added Del Rio.

The refurbishment and product enhancements are the result of extensive feedback from RSSC’s loyal guest base, through comment cards, personal interaction between the line’s management and the guests in regular “town hall” meetings or through the online community. For further details of Regent Seven Seas Cruises, visit www.RSSC.com

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Celebrate Alaska’s 50th Anniversary Cruise West-Style in 2009

SEATTLE, Sept 15 – Celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s statehood in 2009 with Cruise West, the leader in small-ship voyages and one of the most experienced tour operators in Alaska – 63 years in all. New value pricing, an extended season, early booking savings and the debut of the newly refurbished Spirit of Glacier Bay will kick off Alaska’s 50th. Guests celebrating their 50th birthday or 50th wedding anniversary will receive a $50 shipboard credit.

A total of 162 Alaska departures ranging from four to 25 days highlight the 2009 season. In continuation of Cruise West’s ship renewal program, upgrades to the Spirit of Glacier Bay will include redecoration and renovation of public corridors, lobby areas, and the panoramic Observation Lounge. All cabins will receive new carpeting and window treatments. All of Cruise West’s small ships, ranging from 78-138 guests, allow for more compelling views of wildlife and cruising into smaller inlets that larger lines just can’t reach. Alaska cruises operate late April through early September.

GRAND VOYAGES
Three Grand Voyage itineraries cruise aboard the five-star flagship, 120-guest all suite Spirit of Oceanus from Vancouver, B.C., to the Bering Sea, crossing the Arctic Circle and traveling into the remote Russian Far North, home of subsistence cultures.

Covering 1,600 miles from Vancouver to Anchorage or reverse, the 12-day Coastal Odyssey cruises through the Strait of Georgia, British Columbia and Alaska Inside Passage, the Gulf of Alaska and iceberg-studded fjords of Prince William Sound. Port calls include a remote Wilderness Community, Petersburg, Skagway, Sitka and Whittier.

The 14-day Voyage to the Bering Sea travels from Anchorage to Nome or reverse passing over the Arctic Circle to the farthest reaches of the Bering Sea. Visit remote ports where subsistence living still exists in the Shumagin and Pribilof Islands and Russia’s Chukotka Peninsula.

The ultimate 25-day Alaska voyage, In Harriman’s Wake combines the Coastal Odyssey and the Voyage to the Bering Sea, following the path of 20th century railroad magnate Edward Henry Harriman.

Alaska’s Inside Passage
Three routes travel through Alaska’s Inside Passage, including itineraries from Seattle to Juneau, with stops at picturesque ports and scenic waterways. This nature lover’s paradise is renowned for temperate rainforests, snowcapped mountains, calving glaciers, breaching whales and gatherings of bald eagles.

The classic nine-day Alaska’s Inside Passage itinerary travels from Juneau to Ketchikan or reverse, combining the popular ports of Skagway, Sitka and Haines, and rarely visited ports including the charming fishing village of Petersburg and the sole Tsimshian community, Metlakatla. Abundant sea and wildlife can be seen at Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve, Frederick Sound and magical Misty Fiords. This itinerary is offered on the Spirit of ’98, the Spirit of Endeavour, and the Spirit of Yorktown.

The nine-day Alaska’s Whales & Wilderness itinerary, round trip Juneau, centers on sea and wildlife viewing, including Icy Strait and Glacier Bay National Park. Port calls include authentic Sitka, the “Jewel of the Inside Passage,” and a Wilderness Community. Cruise West offers a whale guarantee on this itinerary or guests receive a $250 refund. This itinerary is offered onboard the Spirit of Alaska, Spirit of Discovery and Spirit of Endeavour.

The Gold Rush Inside Passage 11-day itinerary retraces the historic path of the original Gold Rush stampede between Seattle and Juneau or reverse. Visit the towns of Sitka, Haines, Skagway, Ketchikan and charming Petersburg. Cruise the pristine waters of the San Juan Islands, the Strait of Georgia, Glacier Bay National Park, Frederick Sound and Tracy Arm. Offered in late April, May, late August and September on six vessels.

Alaska’s Glacier Wonderlands Cruise/Land Tours
Alaska’s Glacier Wonderlands Cruise/Land Tours are popular with guests who want to maximize their time and see the best of Alaska's National Parks including Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park.

The Glacier Bay Highlights and Denali Land Tour visits two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in nine or 10 days. Commencing in Fairbanks and ending in Juneau, the fully guided five-night land tour features a full day of sightseeing in Fairbanks, one and one half days exploring breathtaking Denali and one night in Anchorage. Join the ship in Juneau for a three- or four-night cruise to Glacier Bay National Park & Preserve ─ Cruise West is the only cruise line that offers two full days in this magnificent park. The 10-day cruise/land tour includes a port call at authentic Haines. Offered onboard the newly refurbished Spirit of Glacier Bay.

The eight-or nine-day Glaciers of Prince William Sound and Denali Land Tour travels Fairbanks to Anchorage. The land tour follows the same itinerary as Glacier Bay Highlights followed by four or five days of spectacular scenic cruising in Prince William Sound known for cliff-walled fjords, narrow passages, humpback whales, brown bears, sea otters and harbor seals. The nine-day cruise/land tour also makes a stop at the fishing village of Cordova. New in 2009 is the option to add-on two nights at a Denali Backcountry Lodge. Offered onboard the Spirit of Columbia.

All voyages include an excursion in every port, and guests are welcome to customize their trip by adding optional excursions. Every Cruise West trip includes Exploration Leaders, guides who share their expertise and intimate knowledge of Alaska, whether travelers are curious about whale pods or tidewater glaciers. Guests with additional time can extend their cruise with a fully guided land tour to Anchorage, Denali National Park and Preserve and Fairbanks or stay at a rustic wilderness lodge in the heart of Denali. For more information visit www.cruisewest.com/destinations/alaska/ or call 1-(800) 296-8307.

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Gray Line of Alaska Unveils 2009 Tours and Packages Across Alaska and the Yukon Territory

SEATTLE, Sept. 12 -- A leader in Alaska and Yukon tourism with over sixty years experience, Gray Line of Alaska has unveiled its 2009 brochure and is now taking reservations for all 2009 tours. From venturing into the Arctic on a multi-day adventure or booking a day tour in Denali, Gray Line specializes in planning custom tours and day trips. Highlights of the 2009 season include two new self-drive tours to Homer and Valdez, two escorted land tour itineraries, the popular Denali Sampler and the ability to customize any itinerary to suit each traveler's schedule and desired route.

"What sets Gray Line apart is the ability to customize any tour," said Mark Mumm, director of sales and marketing. "We have the knowledge and infrastructure--day boats, trains, motor coaches--at our fingertips. While we do have a number of pre-planned tours available, we are proud of the expertise and personal attention we dedicate to each guest or group to create their ideal travel itinerary or customize an existing tour."

Self-Drive Tours: The pre-planned self-drive tours include a rental car, a set itinerary, hotel reservations and select tours along the way such as a glacier cruise. Homer by Car is a seven-day tour roundtrip from Anchorage with stops in Seward, Alyeska and Homer. Valdez by Car is a nine-day tour roundtrip from Anchorage with stops in Valdez, Glennallen, Fairbanks and Denali. Also offered again this year is Alaska by Car, a seven-day tour roundtrip from Anchorage, and Alaska by Car with McKinley Explorer which adds one day to visit Denali by train.

Escorted Group Tours: For those travelers who want to explore Alaska while enjoying the camaraderie of a group, there are two pre-planned group tours available. Guests traveling on an escorted tour enjoy the convenience of a tour guide accompanying them for the entire trip to handle logistics and provide information. The Escorted Great Land Explorer is an eight-day tour from Fairbanks to Anchorage visiting Talkeetna, Denali and Seward. The Escorted Alaska Explorer is an eight-day tour roundtrip from Anchorage visiting Talkeetna, Denali, Alyeska and Seward.

Denali Tours: Visiting Denali National Park for a chance to see wildlife and spectacular Mt. McKinley is at the top of most people's list of things to do in Alaska. Gray Line offers a number of tours. The most popular is the three-day, two-night Denali Sampler. The tour begins with overnight accommodations in Anchorage or Fairbanks before traveling via a deluxe motor coach or on the luxurious McKinley Explorer train to Denali. An extra night in Denali may be added and all transfers are included.

Gray Line has a diverse selection of day tours and adventures available for booking with a travel agent, online at www.graylinealaska.com or at Gray Line offices located throughout Alaska and the Yukon. Day trips are available in Anchorage, Alyeska, Seward, Talkeetna, Denali National Park, Fairbanks, Skagway, and Juneau, Alaska; and in Whitehorse and Dawson City, Yukon Territory. Excursions include city tours, flightseeing, rafting, jeep tours, wildlife sightseeing tours, museums and hiking.

Custom Group Tours: Besides planning custom tours for individual travelers, Gray Line of Alaska also plans trips for groups. Whether touring the interior of Alaska and the Yukon or taking a quick trip to Denali after a cruise, groups can personalize the trip with the addition of sightseeing tours, meals and beverages, parties, private shuttles and more. Itineraries can be tailored to fit group needs and preferences including flexible departure times and routes.

Gray Line of Alaska specializes in creating custom land tours in Alaska and the Yukon. Arrangements and reservations for Alaska tour packages can be made with your travel agent or via the Gray Line web site at www.graylinealaska.com or by calling 1-800-544-2206.

About Gray Line of Alaska: A division of Holland America Line, Inc., Gray Line of Alaska has been the premier tour operator in Alaska for almost 60 years. For 2008, the company offers multiple-day package tours and a la carte touring options for independent travelers, as well as sightseeing tours in Fairbanks, Juneau, Skagway, Anchorage, Denali, Dawson City and Whitehorse, capital of the Yukon. Information: 800/544-2206; www.graylinealaska.com

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Princess Cruises Announces Romance on the Ruby Cruise Contest

MCLEAN, VA, Sept. 12 -- Princess Cruises today announced a contest that will allow 10 lucky couples the chance to attend the naming festivities for Princess Cruises' newest ship, Ruby Princess, Nov 6-8, 2008, in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. For the launch of Ruby Princess, Princess Cruises is celebrating romantic moments and milestones. In honor, celebrity couple Trista and Ryan Sutter will christen the ship. The Sutters, who met on ABC's hit reality series, The Bachelorette, will celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary this fall, and will mark this milestone event during the Ruby Princess inaugural.

Princess Cruises wants to give 10 deserving couples the chance to join the Sutters onboard the ship to celebrate their own romantic milestone event. To enter, couples must submit a 250-word essay by October 3 on what their romantic milestone is and why they deserve a getaway to celebrate. Princess Cruises Department of Romance members will judge the entries and choose 10 finalists who will receive an all-expense paid trip with their significant other to the inaugural and two-night sailing on the Ruby Princess. Finalists will be announced on October 17 at www.romanceontheruby.usatoday.com. Trista and Ryan Sutter will then select a grand prize winner out of the 10 finalists who will be named on October 24. The winner and their significant other will win a seven-day sailing on the new Ruby Princess plus coach airfare. For full official rules and to submit your essay, visit www.romanceontheruby.usatoday.com.

During Ruby Princess' inaugural season she will make seven-day weekly sailings from Fort Lauderdale, FL to the Western Caribbean. Calls include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico and Princess Cays in the Bahamas. Next spring the ship will move to Europe for 12-day sailings in the Mediterranean and Greek Islands. 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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Grand Turk Cruise Center Scheduled to Re-Open in Early October

MIAMI, Sept. 11 -- The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which is operated by Miami-based Carnival Corporation, and located on the island of Grand Turk, has scheduled an Oct. 8, 2008 re-opening date, following the passage of Hurricane Ike. An engineering survey has confirmed that no damage was sustained to the cruise ship pier, which can accommodate up to two ships at one time. Minimal damage occurred to the facility's retail and restaurant complex.

"We believe we can complete repairs to the cruise center within a 30-day period and bring cruise ships back to Grand Turk," said Giora Israel, Carnival's vice president of strategic planning and port development. "We will be able to provide many of the wonderful, beach, snorkeling and watersports experiences that Grand Turk is famous for, along with the oversized pool and food and shopping opportunities at the cruise center, including the extremely popular Margaritaville restaurant."

Israel added that returning cruise ships quickly will provide important economic benefits to Grand Turk while the island moves forward with its recovery efforts. In addition to its existing staff on the island, Carnival Corp. & plc will bring in a number of additional skilled workers who will be housed and fed by the company. Those individuals will not only repair the cruise center complex, but also assist in the repair of some of the island's key attractions.

"We will be investing millions of dollars in the coming months to help Grand Turk quickly re-build its cruise-focused tourism. Bringing tourists back to the island as quickly as possible will play a major role in driving the island's overall recovery," said Israel.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center is the largest private employer on the island and the cruise center staff, combined with shore excursion operators, comprises approximately 80 percent of non-government jobs in Grand Turk. Carnival Corporation & plc will also be providing financial and logistical assistance to shore excursion operators to enable them to resume their businesses. Cruise passengers and crew members will be provided the opportunity to participate in volunteer-oriented excursions for those who wish to assist in the island's recovery effort.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center, which opened in 2006, has become one of the cruise industry's most popular Caribbean cruise destinations. The $60 million, 13-acre complex features an 800-foot-long private beach, swimming pool and FlowRider attraction, which offers body boarding and stand-up board surfing, in addition to multiple retail outlets. The FlowRider, which was not damaged, will re-open pending the status of power supply on the island. The cruise center's lush landscaping, much of which was lost as a result of the storm, will be replaced on a gradual basis over the next several months.

The Grand Turk Cruise Center serves as a gateway to the pristine island of Grand Turk, which is world-renowned as a diving and snorkeling jewel, and also features magnificent beaches, striking aqua-blue waters, and a variety of fishing and watersports activities.

The first cruise ship scheduled to call at Grand Turk will be Carnival Cruise Lines' Carnival Destiny on Oct. 8. Carnival Cruise Lines is the largest cruise-line user of the Grand Turk facility. Several other cruise lines, both from within the Carnival Corp. & plc family of brands and from other cruise operators, also regularly call at Grand Turk. Additional information on the Grand Turk Cruise Center can be viewed at www.grandturkcc.com.

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Holland America Line Names 2010 Signature Class Ship ms Nieuw Amsterdam

SEATTLE, Sept. 10 -- Holland America Line will name its latest Signature Class ship and the 15th in its fleet, ms Nieuw Amsterdam. To be delivered in 2010, the 86,000-ton Nieuw Amsterdam will be built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri's Marghera shipyard and its interior design and art collection will reflect the glamour and history of New York City, formerly called Nieuw Amsterdam.

"The Signature Class marks Holland America Line's latest series of new-build vessels and with a guest capacity of 2,106 for Nieuw Amsterdam, it reaffirms our commitment to the mid-sized cruise ship market," said Stein Kruse, president and CEO, Holland America Line. "This name has a rich heritage in our company with this ship being our fourth in 135 years. We are proud to extend this illustrious ship name to our current fleet."

The first Nieuw Amsterdam was launched in 1906 and used both a full set of sails and steam engines. She was 17,149 tons and carried 2,886 passengers, 2,200 of them in third class. She sailed in regular service through World War I and then through to 1932.

The famed Nieuw Amsterdam II joined the fleet in 1938 as the company's flagship. The silhouette of this ship can still be seen today behind Henry Hudson's Half Moon in the company's logo. At 36,287 tons, "the Darling of the Dutch," as she was known, was decorated in great style and was launched by Her Majesty Queen Wilhemina of the Netherlands. Nieuw Amsterdam II served proudly in World War II completing 44 war time voyages carrying nearly 400,000 passengers (mostly troops). Following the war, she was rebuilt and, as the queen of Holland America Line's "spotless fleet," hosted countless well-known figures among her guests, including Katherine Hepburn, Rita Hayworth, Spencer Tracey and Albert Schweitzer.

Nieuw Amsterdam III was launched in 1983 as one of the most elegant ships of her time. At 33,900 tons, Nieuw Amsterdam III sailed in Alaska in the summers and in the Caribbean in the winters.

"With innovative design and guest offerings, Nieuw Amsterdam IV will continue the proud tradition of her name and continue to evolve of Holland America Line's sophisticated mid-sized ships and further our premium leadership position," said Kruse.

Previous new-build series include the four-ship Statendam Class group, four-ship Rotterdam Class and four-ship Vista Class. The line also owns and operates the 793-passenger Elegant Explorer, ms Prinsendam. The first Signature Class vessel, ms Eurodam, joined the fleet in July 2008.

Eurodam, and now Nieuw Amsterdam, further define and expand the Holland America Line premium brand with new concepts such as the innovative pan-Asian Tamarind restaurant and Silk Den lounge surrounded by panoramic views overlooking the ocean expanse and the Lido pool. Other additions are an Explorer's Lounge Bar, a premium wine-tasting lounge, an elegant luxury jewelry boutique, new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured show lounge, and a new photographic and imaging center.

Nieuw Amsterdam will feature 11 guest decks and staterooms will spotlight all the Signature of Excellence premium amenities of plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds, deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes, Egyptian cotton towels, flat panel TVs, dvd players, make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower heads, professional grade hair dryers, fresh flowers and complimentary fruit baskets. The ship will also feature innovative spa staterooms with additional spa amenities.

The ship will continue several much-admired Holland America Line features, including outside-view, glass elevators at midship; the Explorations Cafe, a cyber-coffee house powered by The New York Times; the Pinnacle Grill and Pinnacle Bar; the innovative Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine Magazine, where culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and intimate classes in a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchens; an expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon with thermal suites and hydro-pool, the largest gymnasium ever built for Holland America Line; and a youth facility that includes the teens-only Loft. In addition the ship will feature the family-style Canaletto's Italian restaurant. On the technical side, Signature Class ships will feature the latest state-of-the-art navigation and safety systems including dynamic positioning abilities to hold the ship in a precise position. The vessels will be powered by six diesel generators and propelled by the latest Azipod propulsion technology.

"This new class of ships demonstrates the strength of our brand, the loyalty of our guests and the dedication of our more than 16,000 employees worldwide," said Kruse. "The added capacity will provide greater opportunities for our guests and employees alike."

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The New Port of St. Petersburg is Inaugurated by Costa Cruises

MIAMI, FL, Sept 10 – Costa, Europe’s Number One Cruise Line, inaugurated the new passenger port in St. Petersburg, Russia today. The Costa Mediterranea (85,600 gross tons; 2,114 double occupancy) was the first ship to call on the port, which was built to accommodate cruise ships and their guests with a mixed public and private investment worth a total of $13 billion. Captain Anelito Montesarchio was the first person to disembark from the ship and was welcomed by the Governor of St. Petersburg, Valentina Matvienko.

The opening of the new port was celebrated with a performance by the Catalan theater group “Fura del Baus.” In addition to the local governor, the inauguration of the new facility was attended by Alexander Davydenko, Deputy Minister of Transport of the Russian Federation; Mario Martini, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Costa Crociere and Shavkat Kary-Niyazov, President of “Marine Façade,” the company that managed the construction of the port.

The new passenger port in St. Petersburg is the first in Russia that is able to accommodate the latest generation of cruise ships, whose length exceeds 300 meters. Situated on the western side of Vasiljevskiy Island, it is near the old town and a convenient gateway to the main attractions of the city. The project will occupy a total area of 400 hectares and entails several stages of development, with work scheduled for completion by 2010. Upon its completion, the new passenger Port of St. Petersburg will become the largest cruise and ferry industry project in the world. By the time it is finished, the port will have seven berths, three cruise terminals and one ferry terminal. The new port's capacity will be 12,000 passengers a day and 1.2 million passengers a year. For the time being, one cruise terminal and two 300-meter berths are operating. The project will also incorporate business centers, exhibition halls, “A” class residential development and other facilities that will dramatically change the view of the St. Petersburg waterfront. St. Petersburg is Russia’s busiest cruise port and one of the main cruise destinations in Northern Europe. The number of cruisers has increased from 163,000 in 2003 to an estimated 400,000 in 2008. The first foreign civilian ship, a Dutch vessel, arrived in St. Petersburg 305 years ago in the fall of 1703. By receiving the first foreign vessel, St. Petersburg fulfilled the mission defined by its founder, Emperor Peter the Great, “to open sea gates to Europe.”

“Being able to inaugurate the new passenger port of St. Petersburg with one of the ships in our fleet is a great honor and a great opportunity for us—this new port facility is vitally important to the future development of cruise shipping in Russia, and is clear testimony to the attention being paid to the cruise industry by the Government of the Russian Federation and the local authorities in St. Petersburg” said Martini.

Costa’s ships first sailed to St. Petersburg back in the early 1970s, with North Sea cruises on the “Federico C” and on Costa’s historic flagship “Eugenio C.” Today, Costa Cruises is the leading cruise line for the Russian port in terms of both the number of ship calls and the number of cruise passengers. This year, Costa’s ships will make a total of 28 calls in St. Petersburg, bringing about 50,000 cruisers and accounting for around 12% of the port’s total cruise passenger traffic. Direct expenditure by Costa in St. Petersburg in 2008 amounts to some 8 million euros. There are four Costa vessels that have been deployed in St. Petersburg in 2008 – the Costa Mediterranea, Costa Atlantica, Costa Victoria and Costa Marina. In 2009, the new Costa Luminosa, the finest and most exclusive ship in the Costa fleet (due to enter service in May 2009) will call on St. Petersburg along with the Costa Mediterranea, Costa Atlantica and Costa Magica. The Costa Luminosa, Costa Mediterranea and Costa Magica will offer new, exclusive itineraries to the Baltic cities, including an overnight stay in St. Petersburg.

Costa has marketed cruises in Russia since 2003, through two of the main local tour operators, Natalie Tours and the Neptune Cruise Center. Over the last five years the number of Russian guests who sailed with Costa increased four-fold. Since 2007, Costa Cruises has given its Russian guests the option of embarking and disembarking in the Port of St. Petersburg on summer cruises in the Baltic Sea and to the Norwegian fjords. In addition to Northern Europe, preferred destinations of Russian guests are winter cruises in the Mediterranean and to the Canary Islands, summer cruises in the Western Mediterranean, and winter cruises from Dubai.

Cruising in Russia is slated for substantial growth. According to a study conducted in February 2008 by Costa Cruises and Romir, Russia’s leading independent research institute, Russia has 4,750,000 potential cruisers. The survey also showed that Costa’s offer is in line with the demands of the market and that thanks to the quality of its product and the reliability of its brand, Costa will be able to attract 74% of the potential customer base identified. The European Cruise Council (ECC), the international association in charge of promoting the development of the European cruise industry, reported that in 2006 the cruise industry generated direct expenditure in Europe amounting to nearly 10.6 billion euros and that 3.4 million Europeans took a cruise holiday that year. This figure is expected to reach 4.1 million by 2010 and 5.5 million by 2015.

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MSC Cruises Places Two Ship Orders for the Most Modern Fleet in the World

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Sept. 10 -- MSC Cruises has announced the extraordinary expansion of its fleet with the order of two additional ships from the Aker Yards France at St. Nazaire. The announcement was made today in Milan by Pierfrancesco Vago, CEO of MSC Cruises worldwide, and Domenico Pellegrino, MSC Cruises General Manager, and Jacques Hardelay, General Manager of Aker Yards France.

The new ships -- due for delivery in 2011 and 2012 -- will be named MSC Meraviglia ("marvelous/amazing") and MSC Favolosa ("fabulous") and will be the fifth and sixth ships in the "Musica" class, at 93,000 tons, 1,275 staterooms and capacity of 2,550 passengers, double occupancy.

"I can say with pride that MSC Cruises has the most modern fleet in the world," declared Vago. "MSC Meraviglia and MSC Favolosa carry us forward to 2012, with more than 1.4 million guests to whom we can offer a product that has been designed, engineered and presented as only MSC Cruises knows how. We now play a key role on the global market, successfully acting as an ambassador for Italian style worldwide."

MSC Meraviglia and MSC Favolosa will bring the fleet total to 14 ships, completing a development plan that has allowed the company to achieve these records:

-- the most modern fleet in the world: most ships are less than 5 years old;
-- an investment of 5.5 billion Euros between 2003 and 2009 for the construction of 10 new generation ships, subdivided into three classes: Lirica class (60,000 tons), Musica class (93,000 tons), Fantasia class (133,500 tons);
-- the largest cruise company with entirely European capital;
-- two super-flagships -- MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, at 133,500 tons
-- the largest ships built for a European shipping company;
-- the first company to receive the '6 Golden Pearls' from the Bureau Veritas.

"The new orders are the result of a careful evaluation of trends in the cruise industry in recent years," declared Pellegrino. "Over the first months of 2008, the cruise market grew by 13% while, in the same period, the company recorded an increase equal to 32% in terms of passengers. This result was achieved also thanks to the confidence the sales channel has been showing us year after year. Based on these figures, we foresee a rosy future for both the cruise sector and MSC Cruises."

Construction will start on MSC Meraviglia and MSC Favolosa under the guidance of the Korean STX Shipbuilding at the Aker Yards France. MSC Cruises, the fastest growing cruise line with the youngest fleet, has nine ships: MSC Poesia, MSC Orchestra, MSC Musica, MSC Sinfonia, MSC Opera, MSC Armonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Melody, MSC Rhapsody, cruising in the Mediterranean year round and seasonally in Northern Europe, Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean, South America, Indian Ocean and South Africa. In fall 2008 and spring 2009, MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida, will be launched. In fall 2009, MSC Magnifica, fourth in the "Musica" class, will enter service, followed by sister ships MSC Meraviglia (2011) and MSC Favolosa (2012). By the end of 2012, MSC Cruises, with 12 vessels, will have the most modern fleet in the world.

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Holland America Line Revamps Bar Ambiance On Five Ships

SEATTLE, Sept. 9 -- Centrally located bars and lounges aboard five Holland America Line ships are being upgraded and reconfigured to bring a new concept to the shipboard bar scene. The highlight is a large, new space located in the heart of the ship, called Mix, that incorporates three specialty theme bars: Martinis, Champagne, and Spirits & Ales. These enhancements are part of a new $200-million Signature of Excellence upgrade to ms Statendam, ms Maasdam, ms Ryndam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam.

"A focus of this latest Signature of Excellence series of enhancements is our entertainment venues, where we've created the ultimate place to both socialize and be entertained," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Our guests are looking for an upscale, trendy spot where they can gather together and be part of this exciting new ambiance."

Mix and Mingle at Mix
An exciting new entertainment space called Mix is set to become the destination lounge where guests can meet and mingle throughout the day and night. Mix is an open and inviting space anchored by a pianist providing entertainment for three distinctly themed areas.

The bubbly will flow at Champagne, which offers a variety of 20 different champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world. The centerpiece of this bar is a cool, ice-filled counter top chilling champagne bottles that invites guests to indulge by the glass or by the bottle served in traditional silver buckets. This venue will offer events such as late champagne breakfast, pre-lunch Mimosa and Bellini hour, champagne tea time and pre-dinner champagne hour with caviar canapes. Champagne will be the ship's premier celebration venue.

Martinis serves up 25 Grey Goose martinis elegantly offered in individual shakers as well as a full range of cocktails. Guests can also enjoy a martini flight made up of several mini martini concoctions. The martini flight includes Holland America Line's signature martini, the Yellow Tulip, a mixture of Grey Goose vodka, lychee juice, pineapple juice, guava juice, coconut cream and fresh lime juice. Other martinis included in the flight are the Peartini, Cosmopolitan, Sunshine Martini, Rum Sundae and High Tide Martini. A house specialty will be a signature Martini for Two with aged Cognac served with a dish of caviar and traditional garnishes.

Spirits & Ales will feature an international selection of beers and premium whiskeys and brandies sure to entice even the most selective connoisseur. Here guests can drop by to enjoy a wide selection of beers on tap while watching sporting events or relax after some shopping in the nearby boutiques.

Dance the Night Away at Ocean Bar
The Ocean Bar will be enhanced to refresh its look. Guests wanting to learn new moves or brush up on their ballroom dancing skills can sign up for lessons given by the Line's experienced staff. Providing tunes from the Great American Songbook, The Neptunes--Holland America Line's resident three-piece music combo--will keep things lively as guests dance the night away and enjoy a cocktail in the luxuriously appointed lounge.

This $200-million phase in the Signature of Excellence commitment brings the latest innovations at sea to Holland America Line's Statendam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Veendam and Rotterdam. The first of the extensive dry dock periods begins with the Veendam in spring 2009 and the last will be completed on the Maasdam in late 2010. While in dry dock, ships will expand the aft deck to create a new resort pool concept, The Retreat. Enhancements will be made to all existing staterooms and additional staterooms will be added to the ships. The ships also will introduce 46 innovative lanai staterooms with direct access to the Lower Promenade Deck. New spa staterooms near the Greenhouse Spa and Salon will offer special in-room spa amenities. Overall, Holland America Line has committed $525 million to its Signature of Excellence program that redefines premium cruising.

For a cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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Cruise West Announces 2009 Quito & The Galápagos Itinerary

SEATTLE, Sept 9 – Cruise West, the global leader in small ship cruising, will now offer Quito & the Galápagos Islands cruise available on select dates throughout 2009. The cruise sets sail onboard the luxurious 40-guest yacht, Isabela II. In the company of naturalist guides and a Cruise West Exploration Leader, guests will explore the natural museum of flora and fauna on the Galápagos Islands as well as Quito, celebrated as the best-preserved Colonial historic center in Latin America.

“The Galápagos are a natural progression for Cruise West guests,” said Dick West, chairman & managing director. “Many of our Quyana members or past guests have already cruised with us to Alaska, the Sea of Cortés, and Panama & Costa Rica and have loyalty to Cruise West’s up-close, casual and personal way of travel. I personally scouted these destinations and I know our guests will be as inspired as I was by the rich culture of Ecuador and Peru and the incredible beauty and abundant wild and marine life of the Galápagos Islands.”

The Galápagos journey lasts 10 days and starts in UNESCO World Heritage site, Quito with two nights at the deluxe and centrally located Hotel Hilton Colón Quito. Guests may choose to explore Quito on their own or take a tour to Antisana, the 4th tallest volcano in Ecuador. The afternoon is spent on a guided walking tour with a chronological narrative of the area’s history as well as a drive up to the observation point El Ventanal.

Guests fly to Baltra Island to board the Isabela II and set sail for North Seymour Island known for its bird colonies of blue-footed boobies, frigate birds, swallow tailed gulls, sea lions and marine iguanas. Along the way, they will learn the tales of its early inhabitants and the adventures of pirates and whalers who once traveled to these islands. At Gardner Bay on Hood Island there is ample opportunity to snorkel or enjoy the marine life on a glass bottom boat. At Punta Suarez, guests can walk on lava terrain to visit unique bird colonies including the Waved Albatross.

The highlights of Point Cormorant on Floreana Island include nature hikes to see the flamingos that inhabit a brackish-water lagoon as well as great snorkeling and kayaking opportunities. There is further exploration by panga boats to nearby islets to observe sea lions, rays and sea turtles, boobies and possibly the Galápagos penguin. Tortoises are found on Santa Cruz Island, known for its seven different vegetation zones including Scalesia forests, home to a huge variety of smaller plants, many of them endemic to Galápagos; the site of Los Gemelos; the infamous Charles Darwin Research Station and the giant tortoise pens.

Thousands of frigate birds, red-footed and masked boobies, gulls, herons, finches and mockingbirds are found at the beautiful natural harbor Darwin Bay, Tower Island where adventurers may choose to walk up Princes Philip’s Steps to observe more large bird colonies. After cruising across the Equator line on the Isabela II, anchor at Tagus Cove on Isabela Island where the landscape is tuff-stone and lava flows. Marine iguanas graze on the algae beds, indigenous Galápagos fur seals welcome guests, and snorkelers will explore the bountiful sea life found in the area due to the upwelling of the Cronwell Current. Punta Espinoza, Fernandina Island offers more wildlife including the highest density of marine iguanas, sally lightfoot crabs, hawks, penguins and the flightless cormorant. More island exploration is found on James and Bartolome Islands before guests disembark and fly to Guayaquil to either travel home or continue on the six-day Cuzco and Machu Picchu post-cruise program.

Add-on Cuzco & Machu Picchu Land Program
The fully guided Peru post-cruise land program includes six days of visits to Cuzco the historical capital of the Inca Empire; and “The Lost City of the Incas," Machu Picchu, located at 7,875 above sea level. This inclusive program includes guided tours of Cuzco’s most historical monuments and markets; a special dinner of Novo Andina Cuisine (a fusion of Andean ingredients and European techniques); and the comfort of the exclusive five-star Hotel Liberador Palacio del Inca.

Guests travel by Vistadome Train to Aguas Calientes and transfer to the lovely Spanish colonial Inkaterra Machu Picchu Hotel for two nights. There they will spend a day and a half exploring mysterious Machu Picchu, guided or independently. The last night is spent back in Cuzco with tours of the Inca Fortress and Citadel of Ollantaytambo as well as the circular terraces of Moray.

Three departures will be offered on August 23, August 30 and September 6, 2009. For more information or to book a cruise, call 1-800-296-8307 or visit www.cruisewest.com/destinations/galapagos/

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Seatrade Unveils New Show Identity and Logo

MIAMI, Sept. 8 -- CMP Information, long time organizers of the Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention, have unveiled a new logo and branding message to better reflect the positioning of the convention within the global cruise industry. The new logo and branding message updates the look of the leading cruise industry event and emphasizes a more modern image. The Seatrade Cruise Shipping Convention launched in 1983 with the pioneering first event held in the Vista Hotel in New York with some 100 conference delegates. Twenty-four years later, the 2008 show at the Miami Beach Convention Center drew more than 11,000 attendees and nearly 1,000 exhibiting companies from 117 countries and regions.

"The show's well-known 'diamond' logo has served it well through its rapid evolution, but the time is right to look forward to the next phase of its development and to acknowledge in the corporate identity the bond between the show and its established location," said Michael Kazakoff, group vice president of CMPi. "From 2009 the show title will be Cruise Shipping Miami and an exciting new identity has been adopted."

The event has firmly established itself as the cruise industry's leading annual exhibition and conference. Its Miami location is a vital element in the success of the show, as the city is the primary home port and hub of the cruise industry.

The new corporate design evokes water without competing with the numerous cruise and ocean images employed in the retail cruise business. It positions the show on the industry side, serving all sectors from shipbuilding through services, technology, operations and destinations. The graphic element reflects rippling water imagery, while a "C" and concentric circles locate the event at the center of the industry. That theme is underlined in the show tagline: "Home Port of the Cruise Industry."

With a full line-up of new and exciting products branded under the graphic element, the new identity will be on show March 16-19, 2009, at the Miami Beach Convention Center.

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises Enhances Guest Experiences Ashore

FORT LAUDERDALE, Sept 8 – In a constant effort to provide the very best experiences ashore as Luxury Goes Exploring® around the globe, Regent Seven Seas Cruises offers its discerning guests the expertise and unique perspective of acclaimed Destination Specialists.

“We don’t want to merely transport our guests to fascinating parts of the world,” said Michael Day, senior director of Entertainment for RSSC. “We want them to return home having gained a deeper knowledge and appreciation of the places they have visited with us. In addition to the comprehensive array of shore excursions and overland tours, we also offer the knowledge and experience of our uniquely qualified Destination Specialists,” he added.

Terry Breen, a cultural anthropologist by training, prefers the title of “storyteller.” Through a series of fascinating audio visual shows offered throughout her cruises, she truly brings the destinations to life. Terry is also a distinguished author both in print and online. Her areas of expertise for RSSC guests are Central and South America, Alaska and the Pacific.

Sandra Bowern is a presenter, researcher, travel writer and fine arts graduate. She incorporates hundreds of visual images, music and film clips into each of her lively presentations to offer a comprehensive overview of the history, politics and culture of each destination. Sandra is the author of several travel books and is a regular contributor to several international magazines. Her current area of expertise for RSSC guests is Europe.

John Tabbutt-McCarthy has been presenting travel and history lectures at sea – and ashore in museums – for the past sixteen years. A graduate of the United States Merchant Marine Academy at King’s Point, New York where he studied Nautical Science and Ocean Liner History, John has lived all over the world. Fittingly, John will be sharing his wealth of knowledge aboard Seven Seas Voyager’s World Cruise in 2009.

Captain Ira Feldman is uniquely qualified in the field of marine navigation. In addition to being a licensed Captain with the US Merchant Marine Service for the past 20 years, Captain Feldman has also taught Navigation and Seamanship with the US Coast Guard and US Navy, and is currently a Clinical Professor at the Illinois Institute of Technology in Chicago. His lectures on marine navigation add a fascinating dimension to the enrichment program of any RSSC cruise.

Regent-provided headsets prove popular
Regent Seven Seas Cruises also announced that the personal wireless headsets that have been offered on select tours from RSSC ships since June have been a huge success. The headsets, included in the cost of the tours and provided on board, allow guests to clearly follow the commentary of the knowledgeable local tour guide, while still allowing for an appreciation of the ambient sounds of the site being visited. Sample tours where the headsets are offered include a Vatican City and Rome Orientation, a Cape Town and Table Mountain tour, a tour of Rio de Janeiro and its Favelas; and a Sydney Harbour Cruise. Guest approval of the headsets has been so positive that they will soon be offered fleet-wide on over two hundred tours around the world.

For further details on Regent Seven Seas Cruises, visit www.RSSC.com.

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Guests Pick Top 10 Crystal Asia Adventures

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 8 -- Artistically rendered acrobatic performances in Shanghai; Chinese cooking classes in Hong Kong; and a snorkeling adventure on Thailand's breathtaking Phi Phi Islands rated in the top 10 Asia Crystal Adventure picks selected from thousands of Crystal Cruises' guests who sailed on the line's 2008 Asia itineraries.
Other Crystal Adventures that made the cut include a sumptuous dinner at Myanmar's lavish Governor's Residence Hotel in Yangon followed by a visit to the spectacular gilded Shwedagon Pagoda, and an excursion to Malaysia's Kuala Lumpur area, complete with a cave spelunking expedition.

"Our sophisticated and well-traveled guests prefer experiential, cultural immersions that provide enduring memories," said John Stoll, director, land programs.

The Top 10 Crystal Asia Adventures, in order of popularity, are:

1. Acrobatic Performance: Be mesmerized by a Shanghai acrobatic troupe that delivers unexpectedly skillful and beautiful performances;
2. The Essence of Chinese Cooking: Partake in a cooking class in Hong Kong, learning how to create two classic Chinese dishes and a mouth-watering appetizer;
3. Phi Phi Snorkeling Adventure: Snorkel the waters of these islands, featuring sheer cliffs overhead that give way to beach-fronted jungle;
4. Kuala Lumpur: Caves, Pewter & History: Take in the sites of this bustling city and surrounding areas, with a cave spelunking adventure and pewter making lesson;
5. Dinner at the Governor's Residence Hotel with Cultural Show & Shwedagon Pagoda: Dine in this grand teak hotel and visit the venerable Shwedagon Pagoda;
6. Cheraim Spa and Wat Chalong Temple: Revel in the treatments at this spa village along with a visit to Phuket's largest temple;
7. Highlights of Shanghai: Take in the sights and sounds of this storied Asian city on a full-day tour;
8. Thai Orchid Farm & Cultural Show: From Bangkok, travel to the Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens, with its exquisite orchard nursery and cultural show;
9. Yangon Delights: Spend a full day discovering Myanmar's capital city of Yangon, with its lush landscape and gilded temples; and
10. Lantau Island Monastery Exploration: Explore Hong Kong's largest island, with its fishing community and renowned Po Lin Monastery.

On March 27 and April 5, Crystal Symphony offers 15-day itineraries between Hong Kong and Beijing that include a three-night complimentary Beijing land program. On April 20, the luxury ship offers an 11-day cruise from Hong Kong to Singapore and then continues east with a May 1 voyage from Singapore to Dubai. For more information and Crystal reservations, contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the line's website, www.crystalcruises.com

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Cunard Line Announces 2010 World Cruises

Sept 4 – Cunard’s two modern luxury liners, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, will depart in January 2010 on their World Cruises, continuing the line’s rich tradition of offering the most spectacular and historic World Cruises on The Most Famous Ocean Liners in the World. Queen Mary 2’s Royal Route of Exploration will chart a completely new, Eastbound-Westbound route on a unique itinerary of 101 days featuring 19 maiden calls, three overnight stays (in Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town) and her inaugural visit to South Africa. Queen Victoria’s 99-day Voyage of Discovery circumnavigation includes 11 maiden ports of call, three overnights (in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai) and three convenient U.S. embarkation gateways: New York, Ft. Lauderdale and San Francisco. Guests who book by Feb. 28, 2009 receive an additional 10% off Early Booking Fares.

“On this pair of epic voyages, Cunard continues a storied tradition that began nearly 90 years ago,” said Carol Marlow, president of Cunard Line. “In 2010, Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria will visit a combined 31 countries, 57 ports and 30 maiden calls, continuing our legacy of impeccable White Star Service™, fine dining and unrivaled accommodations.”

In addition to full World Cruises, the ships offer a wide range of Liner and Segment voyages, which are now open for booking. These shorter voyages are ideal for travelers who wish to explore a specific part of the world or those whose busy schedules preclude an around-the-world journey.

Queen Mary 2
The world’s grandest liner will sail a completely new itinerary departing New York on January 4 on a voyage spanning 101 days. This fascinating itinerary takes Queen Mary 2 east through the Mediterranean to India, the Far East and Australia and New Zealand before returning to New York westbound via South Africa, South America and North America. Queen Mary 2 will visit 35 ports, more than ever before on a single voyage, including Dubai, Mumbai, Singapore, Hong Kong, Tokyo (Yokohama), Auckland, Sydney and Perth (Fremantle). In addition, she will make 19 maiden calls, including her inaugural visit to South Africa (calling at Durban and Cape Town), and first-ever calls at Phuket (Thailand), Vung Tau (Vietnam), Guam, Rabaul, the Whitsundays Islands and Mauritius. The ship will make three overnights in the celebrated ports of Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town.

In addition, Queen Mary 2 will offer 12 Liner Voyages, ranging in length from 35 to 80 days, including the 63-day New York to Sydney voyage and the 57-day Dubai to Cape Town voyage. Five shorter Segment Voyages of 17 to 23 days include the 23-day New York to Dubai voyage (which includes three maiden calls: Port Said, Safaga and Muscat) and 17-day Dubai to Hong Kong voyage (including four maiden calls: Mumbai, Phuket, Penang and Ho Chi Minh City).

Queen Victoria
Cunard’s newest Queen, the regal Queen Victoria, will begin her third full year in service with a traditional 99-day westbound circumnavigation of the globe from New York to Southampton featuring three convenient U.S. embarkation points. The ship sails from New York on January 12, embarking guests in Ft. Lauderdale on January 15 and San Francisco on January 27. Highlights of Queen Victoria’s third World Cruise include three overnight calls in Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai, as well as 11 maiden calls. The ship will traverse the Panama and Suez Canals, visiting 41ports including Acapulco, Melbourne, Shanghai, San Francisco, Cartagena, Phuket and Sharm El Sheikh. Guests have the option of adding a seven-day Transatlantic extension from Southampton to New York aboard Queen Mary 2, for a full 106-day circumnavigation.

In addition, the ship will offer 11 Liner Voyages, ranging in length from 32 to 82 days, including the 52-day San Francisco to Bangkok voyage and the 67-day New York to Bangkok voyage. Five shorter Segment Voyages of 15 to 29 days include the 23-day San Francisco to Sydney voyage.

Early Booking Fares & World Cruise Benefits

Cunard’s Early Booking Fares for the full World Cruise, Liner and Segment voyages represent a per-person savings of up to 10% when booked by Feb. 28, 2009. In addition, on-board credits of up to $2,000 per stateroom are available when booked by this date. Full World Cruise guests who book by Feb. 28 enjoy a wide range of special benefits including complimentary hotel and dining charges, special commemorative gifts, welcome aboard reception, senior officer dinner and three World Cruise cocktail parties. All guests who book the Full World Cruise will enjoy a gala World Cruise dinner. Grill accommodation guests also enjoy up to five exclusive, complimentary events ashore. Both ships feature three enchanting Overland Tours, which allow guests to leave the ship in one port for a multi-day tour (including all transfers and accommodations) and rejoin the voyage later. Aboard Queen Mary 2, Overland Tours explore Egypt, India and Africa, while Queen Victoria’s Overland Tours highlight Indochina, China and Australia. For more information and to book a 2010 Cunard World Cruise aboard Queen Mary 2 or Queen Victoria, consult your Travel Professional, call toll-free 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.

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Experience Exotic Costa Rica and the Panama Canal on Windstar

SEATTLE, Sept. 3 -- 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, offers guests exceptional opportunities to experience Costa Rica with its lush jungles, pristine beaches and abundant wildlife or the legendary Panama Canal. Travelers on Windstar Cruises can choose from thirteen 7-day sailings roundtrip from Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica aboard Wind Star during December through March. On Nov 29, Wind Star offers a 14-day sailing between Barbados and Puerto Caldera featuring a cruise through the Panama Canal.

On the 7-day roundtrip sailing from Puerto Caldera, a variety of ports are offered in Costa Rica: Playas del Coco, Quepos, Bahia Drake, Curu and Tortuga Island. The cruise also stops at San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. On the 14-day sailing guests depart Barbados and cruise to Puerto Caldera visiting Bequia, The Grenadines; Charlotteville, Tobago; Isla Margarita, Venezuela; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Oranjestad, Aruba; and San Blas Islands, Panama.

Two new shore excursions are now available on Windstar's 14-day cruise through the Panama Canal. In Isla de Margarita, a new 4-Wheel Drive Highlights and Beach Tour is offered where guests board their 4-Wheel Drive vehicle at the pier and travel across the island's arid landscape to the mountains en route to the village of El Valle. Also included is a short hike through a cloud forest, a drive to the capital city of Las Asuncion to see Bolivar Square and the cathedral and a stop at lovely beach.

In Kralendijk, an ATV Off-Road Adventure is offered which explores the east coast of Bonaire and the Washikemba Reservoir area's rugged terrain complete with wild donkeys, goats and iguanas. Guests also visit Spelonk Lighthouse, take a refreshing dip in a natural lava rock Jacuzzi and stop at Suplado Blowhole.

Visit www.windstarcruises.com for additional information and rates on shore excursions which can be booked easily 24 hours a day.

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Princess Cruises Debuts New 'Ultimate Ship Tour' with Launch of Ruby Princess

SANTA CLARITA, CA, Sept. 2 -- Most cruise ship passengers are aware that behind the scenes of their relaxing cruise vacation there's a bustle of activity to deliver an excellent experience, but few have gotten an up-close look at these inner workings. This will change in November with the debut of Ruby Princess as Princess Cruises introduces an industry first, The Ultimate Ship Tour, an exclusive opportunity to experience an array of "back of house" areas that are key to a ship's daily operations.

This pioneering concept will give passengers the unique opportunity to explore beyond the public areas with visits to the ship's engine control room, medical center, print shop, laundry, photo lab, bridge and other spaces for a rare insider's view of many areas typically seen only by the ship's crew. Participants will also receive a variety of themed mementos at many of the stops along the route.

"This tour is really the ultimate opportunity for some of our passengers to get a very unique view of the new Ruby Princess, and meet some of the ship's senior officers in their working environment," said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. "I'm sure people will be amazed at what goes into running a city at sea, particularly since our onboard staff makes it appear so easy."

The Ultimate Ship Tour lasts approximately three hours, and will be offered once or twice per cruise on a sea day. Space is limited for the tour, which will be available for $150 per person, and can be reserved onboard at the Passenger Services Desk. Following its debut aboard Ruby Princess, the program will be introduced aboard all Princess ships.

The innovative tour will feature:

Back Stage Area: Passengers start the tour with a glimpse behind the glitz in the Princess Theater, home to Princess' sparkling stage productions. They'll meet the cast and production staff, who will show them all that goes into making sure the show goes on night after night -- including costumes and dressing areas, scenery and technical operations such as lighting and sound.

Galley and Food Production Areas: In the galley, guests will meet the executive chef, learn about the process of providing thousands of passengers meals each day, and see the inner workings of the ship's kitchen areas while enjoying a glass of French champagne, caviar and canapes. In addition, passengers will get a peek into some of Ruby Princess' vast food storage and production areas, each specially equipped and temperature-controlled for a specific type of food. Each guest will also be presented with an official chef's jacket.

Engine Control Room: At the center of the vessel's mechanical and electrical systems, the engine control room is where the ship's technical team monitors everything from the operation of the ship's propellers to the water supply in each stateroom. Participants will meet the chief technical offer and his staff who will explain the numerous functions overseen by the control room, including the vast amount of power generated to operate Ruby Princess.

Print Shop: Passengers will see where their daily Princess Patter, among other things, is produced. The ship's printer will meet the group and demonstrate the printing equipment and explain which materials passengers see each day are printed right onboard Ruby Princess. To mark their visit, each passenger will receive their own set of personalized stationery printed on board.

Photo Laboratory: Princess was the first cruise line to go completely digital, and each ship operates a full photo lab with the latest in digital printing equipment. The group will meet the Ruby Princess photo staff and learn how they manage the thousands of pictures taken and printed each day. Participants might even see their own smiling faces print out during their visit.

Medical Center: The ship's doctor will meet the group to show them the state-of-the-art medical facilities, including treatment rooms, laboratory facilities, intensive care unit, and digital x-ray system. Participants will learn how the ship's doctors and nurses -- all full-time maritime medicine specialists -- keep both passengers and crew healthy and handle medical emergencies. They'll also learn about the most common reasons passengers visit the medical center.

Main Laundry: Ruby Princess' onboard laundries operate 24 hours a day to wash tons of passenger and crew linens, towels, and clothing -- including more than 20,000 towels a day alone. Here visitors will meet the laundry master and will see this impressive operation in action. Participants will also receive a luxurious bath robe usually reserved for suite passengers.

Funnel: The group will then travel to the upper most deck of the ship to join the staff captain for the opportunity to peek inside the ship's funnel area high atop Ruby Princess, where they will be treated to spectacular views of the ship and the surrounding ocean.

Bridge: The tour concludes at the ship's command center, where passengers will meet the captain and his bridge team and learn about the state-of-the-art navigational equipment and safety systems aboard Ruby Princess. Passengers will also take in the dramatic front-of-ship views from the bridge's wraparound windows, while they enjoy special refreshments and pose with the captain at the ship's wheel for a complimentary photo. The framed photo and a tour completion certificate signed by the captain will later be delivered to each participant's stateroom.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.

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Countdown to the Caribbean: MSC Cruises Ready for Exciting Season
with MSC Orchestra, MSC Lirica

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, Sept. 2 -- The countdown continues as MSC Cruises prepares for an exciting 2008-09 Caribbean season that includes the much-anticipated arrival of MSC Orchestra in North American waters, several special theme cruises and new itineraries, including the line's first visits to Bermuda and New York. Plus, there is still time to visit www.theorchestraiscomingtotown.com and enter to win a free cruise or other prizes.

The Italian-owned line is bringing two elegant ships--MSC Orchestra and MSC Lirica--to Fort Lauderdale for a season featuring seven itineraries and 16 enchanting ports. Both ships feature comfortable sophistication, vast public areas and the finest Italian hospitality, cuisine and international entertainment afloat.

MSC Orchestra is the largest of the line's ships to sail in North American waters. With spacious public areas and 5 restaurants (including the Shanghai Restaurant, an alternative dining option that is the only dedicated Chinese restaurant at sea), 10 bars, a 21-foot by 12-foot outdoor LED screen, and the expansive Body and Mind Spa, MSC Orchestra represents the perfect combination of grace and style.

Explore the Caribbean
Guests can experience the tropical Deep Caribbean, the wonders of the Western Caribbean, the jewels of the Eastern Caribbean, the exotic Caribbean featuring Panama or the pink sand beaches of Bermuda. A highlight of both the Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries is a call at Cayo Levantado, the line's private paradise experience in the Dominican Republic. There, guests have the option to explore pristine beaches, enjoy turquoise waters and natural rainforest or view humpback whales as they arrive in the warmer Caribbean waters to mate and enjoy their newborns.

MSC Orchestra arrives in Fort Lauderdale on Jan. 2, 2009, beginning her inaugural season with a special two-night sailing. On Jan. 10, 2009, she begins her winter schedule, sailing alternating 7-night roundtrip itineraries:

-- Eastern Caribbean, calling at Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. John's, Antigua; and Nassau, Bahamas, and two sea days.

-- Western Caribbean, calling at Key West, Florida; Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cayo Levantado, and two sea days.

A special 7-night roundtrip Bermuda sailing departs Fort Lauderdale April 25, 2009 and includes three days in King's Wharf, Bermuda and a day in Nassau as well as two sea days.

MSC Orchestra will depart Fort Lauderdale May 2, 2009 on an 18-night voyage that includes a two-day visit to New York before heading eastbound to Copenhagen.

MSC Lirica arrives in Fort Lauderdale Dec. 3, 2008 for a season that includes:

-- 10-night Deep Caribbean, calling at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Port Castries, St. Lucia; St. John's, Antigua; Tortola, British Virgin Islands; and Cayo Levantado, as well as three days at sea.

-- 10-night Caribbean featuring Panama, calling at Costa Maya, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Cristobal, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; and Cayo Levantado, and four days at sea;

-- 7-night Western Caribbean, calling at Key West, Cozumel, Mexico; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cayo Levantado and two sea days. One of the Western Caribbean sailings is a New Year's cruise.

-- 7-night Eastern Caribbean, calling at Cayo Levantado, Tortola, British Virgin Islands; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Nassau, and two days at sea. This is the line's Christmas cruise.

MSC Lirica begins its eastbound transatlantic crossing on April 23, 2009. The 16-night cruise arrives in Dover, England on May 9, 2009.

Special Theme Cruises

In addition to exciting itineraries, MSC Cruises' 2008-09 Caribbean season offers several special theme cruises:

-- Baseball Greats: Mingle and learn from some of the greats of the game on MSC Lirica's Dec. 13 sailing and MSC Orchestra's Jan. 24, Feb. 28, March 28 and April 11 departures. Activities include a player-hosted trivia game, question-and-answer and story-telling sessions, passenger pitching contest, player-hosted clinics and a free autograph session.

-- Big Band Cruise: MSC Lirica's Dec. 3 Deep Caribbean sailing presents the 15-piece Les DeMerle Big Band with vocalist Bonnie Eisele. Featuring the sounds of Ellington, Basie, James and Miller, plus Broadway hits, rock 'n' roll classics, hot Latin grooves and show-stoppers from the '40s through today. The band will perform a Big Band Jazz Concert and lecture on the Big Band era.

On all sailings, kids 17 or younger sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults. Government fees and taxes and a fuel surcharge are additional. For more information about MSC Orchestra, visit www.theorchestraiscomingtotown.com.

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Autumn River Escapes on Majestic America Line

SEATTLE, Sept 2 -- Majestic America Line, one of the world's premier river cruise lines and the largest river and coastal cruising company in America, offers great ways to experience the beauty of fall on the Mississippi or Columbia and Snake Rivers.

Majestic America Line presents 7-night fall foliage cruises aboard American Queen which cruise the Mississippi River between St. Louis, Mo., and Red Wing, Minn., highlighting the vibrant hues of color along the riverbanks. Onboard Discovery Guides share history, culture and scenic landscapes with guests during the cruise. September 20 and October 18 sailings visit Winona, Minn.; La Crosse, Wis.; Dubuque, Iowa; Davenport, Iowa; Burlington, Iowa; and Hannibal, Mo. September 27 and October 11 sailings visit Alton, Ill.; Hannibal, Mo.; Dubuque, Iowa; and La Crosse, Wis. Highlights for both itineraries include charming towns, bustling cities, navigating through an impressive system of locks and dams, Amish Country, Mark Twain's hometown, and the famed Gateway Arch.

A 6-night St. Louis to Memphis sailing departs October 25 and visits Cape Girardeau, Mo.; Mount Vernon, Ind.; Paducah, Ky.; and New Madrid, Mo., featuring historic landmarks, quaint downtown districts, Civil War sites, the Trail of Tears and the home of Elvis.

Majestic America Line also offers 7-night roundtrip cruises from Portland on the Columbia and Snake rivers. The October 11 sailing on Columbia Queen and the November 2 and November 9 sailings on Queen of the West feature Native American hunting grounds, Lewis and Clark-era forts, shimmering waterfalls, steep-sided canyons and golden fields of wheat. Guests will have the opportunity to view Multnomah Falls' 4,000 foot-high cliffs, experience North America's deepest gorge and visit the oldest settlement west of the Rockies, marking the completion of Lewis and Clark's quest. Enrichment opportunities and custom shore excursions of the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, Pendleton Woolen Mill and Underground Tour, Tamatslikt Cultural Center, Hells Canyon Jet Boat Ride, Mt St. Helens Visitor Center, and Fort Clatsop are included in the cruise.

Each journey aboard a Majestic America Line cruise promises an extraordinary American experience, with award-winning hospitality, wonderful enrichment programs and warm, attentive service from an American crew. For more information contact a travel agent, call 1-800-434-1232 or visit www.majesticamericaline.com.

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Holland America Line Returning to Bermuda

SEATTLE, Sept. 1 -- Beginning in 2010, Holland America Line will once again sail on regularly scheduled cruises between New York City and Bermuda. Holland America is the only major cruise line that calls on both Hamilton and St. George's, Bermuda's cultural and shopping hubs. Additionally, guests of Holland America Line will have an opportunity to fully experience Bermuda's British charm and its unique island culture by day and by night with multi-day stays in each port.

When the 1,350-guest ms Veendam sails in late August 2010 on the first of 10 roundtrips to the island, it will mark Holland America Line's return to New York City as a home port and to Bermuda as a destination. Holland America Line worked closely with the Bermudian government to form the partnership that takes Holland America Line back to the island that it first visited more than 70 years ago. In 1926, Veendam II, with a guest capacity of approximately 500, left New York on the company's first Caribbean cruise. During the summers of 1930 and 1931, Veendam II sailed on five-day roundtrip cruises between New York and Bermuda.

"We are thrilled to homeport a ship in New York City again and especially to be returning to Bermuda," said Richard D. Meadows, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs, "and it's particularly relevant to be doing so on a ship with the same name as the one that sailed to Bermuda so many years ago. Veendam is ideal for this itinerary," Meadows added. "She is a premium mid-size ship, the perfect size to navigate the narrow entrances to the harbors in Hamilton and St. George's. Veendam's guests are able to step off the ship right in the center of each town. Ships larger than Veendam must tie up at the Dockyard facility a considerable distance from both towns. With overnight stays in Hamilton and St. George's, guests will truly have the time to explore Bermuda and gain an appreciation of its culture, its people and its history as well as the time to relax on the island's beaches, play a full round--or two--of golf on its world-renowned golf courses or partake of the many activities offered."

The clean and friendly historic island, with its forts to discover, horses to ride, kayaks to paddle and oceans to explore, is an excellent destinations for families. "Cruising to Bermuda with Holland America Line is also an outstanding value when compared to staying in land-based resorts," Meadows noted.

In addition to the ten sailings between late August and October in 2010, Holland America Line will visit the island and its towns for a full season beginning in May the following year, with 20 or more sailings anticipated.

Founded in 1609, the town of St. George's in the northeast area of Bermuda is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the second oldest settlement in North America. Only Jamestown in the United States is older. Narrow, twisting streets and pastel-painted houses create a European feel. The oldest Anglican Church in North America is in St. George's and many other historic buildings, most made of stone, have been preserved. More than a dozen forts dating to the 17th century are scattered in the hills surrounding the town.

Hamilton, the major commercial hub and seat of government, is in the geographic center of the island and is close to south shore beaches. Veendam will dock at the town's front door just steps from Front Street and its colorful array of shops and restaurants. Hamilton is home to a massive 19th-century, neo-Gothic cathedral and the Georgian-style Sessions House dating to 1815.

For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.

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Holland America Line Announces $200 Million in Enhancements to Five Ships as Part of Ongoing Signature of Excellence

SEATTLE, Sept. 1 -- As part of its ongoing Signature of Excellence, Holland America Line is doubling the amount to be spent in upgrades, enhancements and new features on five of the line's most popular ships. Over the next two years, the ms Statendam, ms Ryndam, ms Maasdam, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam will undergo extensive dry docks to create new venues, new staterooms, new decor and more. The 18-month, $200 million program will begin when Veendam enters an extended dock in spring 2009, and the last ship is slated for completion in late 2010.

The investment in this new series of enhancements will include a new resort pool concept, innovative lanai staterooms, new entertainment and enrichment options, all new stateroom decor and more. Holland America Line's commitment to enhancing its premium fleet now exceeds $525 million. Signature of Excellence features and amenities are evident in every aspect of the Holland America Line cruise experience, offering guests more luxurious accommodations, more enticing destinations, enhanced dining experiences, more creative activities and even higher levels of service.

Previously, during the first phase of Signature of Excellence, these five ships were enhanced with the Explorations Cafe, Culinary Arts Center, expanded Club HAL youth facilities and more. This next installment reinforces Holland America Line's commitment to its popular mid-sized ships. The enhancements will add more verandah staterooms, introduce a new category of stateroom, expand the Lido Deck's pool feature with The Retreat, create a showroom at sea and upgrade staterooms, bathrooms and fixtures.

"Holland America Line has long been the leader in the premium cruise segment," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president of sales, marketing and guest services. "This significant and continued investment reaffirms our commitment to our fleet of mid-sized ships and our ongoing leadership in the premium category by continually raising the bar in terms of products and services. In an era where cruise lines are building ships to carry more than 5,000 passengers, Holland America Line remains focused on mid-sized vessels," Meadows adds. "These enhancements will blend the latest innovations for premium travel into our ships, creating a deluxe experience that is unparalleled."

The most dramatic alteration will be to the aft portion of the ships, allowing for a new resort-style pool area on Lido deck called The Retreat with a shallow area where guests may lounge in chairs and dip their fingers and toes in the water or relax on the bench and dangle their legs in the refreshing water. A new pool bar and an upscale pizzeria called Slice will be installed, as well as a canopy and wind screens to provide additional covered seating for the Lido Restaurant.

All staterooms will receive new decor, carpeting and soft goods. Each ship also will have an additional 44 to 46 staterooms, 32 with verandahs and the remaining will be inside staterooms. On the four S-class ships, twelve staterooms near the spa (on Deck 9) also will have verandahs added, and along with three inside staterooms, become 'spa staterooms' featuring a variety of enhanced spa amenities. On the Rotterdam, 23 staterooms on Verandah deck will become spa staterooms. On the five ships, forty-six new lanai staterooms will be created by replacing existing windows of 42 staterooms (on Lower Promenade Deck 6) with lanai doors that open directly onto the walk-around promenade, and adding four additional staterooms.

The program also involves enhancements to several of the public rooms. A Merabella luxury jewelry shop will be added. The Casino and Piano bars will be reconfigured into a multi-themed area called Mix with three separate bars-Martinis, Champagne and Spirits & Ales. Next door, the high-energy casino will be redesigned highlighting the always trendy table and slot games. The main show space will be transformed into the Showroom at Sea with the ambiance of a glamorous nightclub. The ever-popular Ocean Bar will be refurbished and carpets will be replaced in most public areas. The new Sky Room on Sports Deck will feature the latest in multi-generational video games and high-tech entertainment.

Entertainment and enrichment, or "edutainment," is taking on a new, contemporary look and feel across the fleet. A new Explorations Team employs cruise staff, each specializing in a particular area, to educate and entertain guests with an expanded menu of activities including flower arranging, hands-on cooking, dancing and working with digital photos, blogs and movies. Each team consists of a party planner, a travel guide, dance directors and a "techspert." On longer cruises, a book club leader joins the team to lead lively group discussions.

Renowned for service levels provided by its award-winning staff, the program will also include significant crew area enhancements including a new fitness facility, internet centers, staterooms and recreational areas. The industry-leading Signature of Excellence initiative announced nearly five years ago in November 2003 has evolved into an ongoing and comprehensive review of every aspect of the Holland America Line experience. Signature of Excellence is Holland America Line's brand promise and continues to bring innovation and relevance to guests.

Signature of Excellence: By the Numbers
Statistics on Signature of Excellence to date include:

-- More than 2,000 people (including Holland America Line staff, shipyard workers, contractors and ship personnel) have tested and retested hundreds of items to ensure quality, coordinated delivery schedules and complex installations.
-- 10 million hours worked in dry-dock.
-- 1.2 million pounds of steel installed on the ships.
-- 695,743 luxury items added to staterooms, from Mariner's Dream beds and bathrobes to make-up mirrors and new blow dryers.
-- 49,372 pieces of electronic equipment, from televisions to CD players, DVD players to computers, installed on the 13 ships.
-- 27,000 book titles added to Explorations Cafes. At one book a week, it would take more than 500 years to read them all.
-- If you stacked all the new Euro-Top plush mattresses, they would reach 21,089 feet high -- almost 770 feet higher than the summit of Alaska's Mt. McKinley.
-- 254 nautical miles of electrical cable installed on the ships, enough to reach from Ft. Lauderdale to just off shore of Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's private Caribbean island.
-- 170 new ways to explore destinations on the Medallion, Signature, World Wonder and Encore Collection shore excursions.
-- 60 nationalities represented by people working in the shipyards, a virtual United Nations.

For a cruise brochure or for more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com

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