News from the world of cruising ~
October 15-21, 2001
For schedule changes & departure information on a specific cruise line or port of call, please select Latest Updates by Cruise Line
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Galapagos Extra: 9-Nights for 7, Plus a Volcano Hike
10/18/01 - For the November 14 Galapagos cruise of the motor yacht Mistral, Quasar Nautica Galapagos Expeditions is offering two specials: a 9-night cruise for the price of the regular 7-night itinerary and a hike to the crater of the 4,890-foot Sierra Negra volcano on Isabela Island. Space is still available for the special departure on the beautiful Mistral.
Besides the attraction of additional days to enjoy the enchanting Galapagos Islands, the shore excursion to the crater of the oldest and largest volcano on the western island of Isabela begins in the morning with a dry landing at the small town of Puerto Villamil. Passengers will take a bus drive through the countryside of guava and other fruit plantations while seeing a vast variety of birds such as owls and Galapagos hawks. Arriving at the village of Santo Tomas, a box lunch will be provided and soon after the hike to the crater will begin. The hike, on an open sand trail, will take about one hour. At the summit, passengers will have time to walk around to enjoy the geologic phenomenon and the marvelous scenery.
Passengers will return in the afternoon to Puerto Villamil with time to wander about the town. Dinner will be back on board the Mistral for the continuation of this special Galapagos cruise.
For information, call your travel professional or 1-800-247-2925.
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CARNIVAL CRUISE LINES TO ADD SECOND SHIP TO NEW ORLEANS; WILL INTRODUCE FOUR & FIVE-DAY CRUISES IN SPRING 2002 AND OPERATE SPECIAL ONE-TIME CRUISE FROM SAN JUAN
MIAMI (10/17/01) - Building upon its position as New Orleans' largest and only year-round cruise operator, Carnival Cruise Lines will add a second ship to the Big Easy in spring 2002, introducing year-round four and five-day western Caribbean cruises on the MS Holiday.
The only program of its kind from New Orleans, the new cruises will kick off Saturday, April 27, 2002. Four-day, long weekend cruises departing Thursdays will call at Playa del Carmen/Cozumel, Mexico. Five-day cruises departing on Mondays and Saturdays will visit Playa del Carmen and Cozumel, Mexico.
The 1,452-passenger Holiday will join Carnival's 2,052-passenger Inspiration, which sails from New Orleans on seven-day western Caribbean cruises. The addition of the Holiday will result in a capacity increase of more than 70 percent.
"The Holiday's four and five-day cruises provide a terrific, affordable, value-packed, close-to-home vacation option to some of Mexico's most exciting resort destinations," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president. He added that the new program represents Carnival's latest effort in expanding the short cruise market (voyages of five days or less in length) and the company's most recent move in a rapidly growing and successful relationship with New Orleans.
Short Cruises - Fastest Growing Segment of the Cruise Industry Including the Holiday's New Orleans-based cruises, Carnival will offer 27 different short cruise options (itineraries of two to five days) in 2002, with roughly half its fleet deployed on short cruise itineraries.
"Short cruises continue to be the fastest growing segment in the cruise industry as the vacation habits of North Americans shift increasingly toward shorter, more frequent getaways," said Dickinson. "Now more than ever there is a tremendous focus on affordability and trips close to home, all of which bodes well for the success of this type of cruise program."
Rapid Expansion in New Orleans
With the deployment of the Holiday, combined with the debut of the largest "Fun Ship" ever constructed, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Conquest, from New Orleans in late 2002, Carnival's yearly passenger loads from that port are expected to exceed 275,000 - an increase of more than 250,000 guests annually compared to the line's first full year of service there in 1995.
"With its excellent infrastructure, centralized location and tremendous popularity as a tourist destination, New Orleans has been one of Carnival's fastest growing embarkation ports and the deployment of the Holiday and Carnival Conquest demonstrates our confidence in expanding this important cruise market," Dickinson said.
Strong Demand Anticipated for Pre- and Post-Cruise Stays
Four and five-day voyages are easily combined with a pre- or post-cruise hotel stay while still keeping the vacation length to within a one-week or less time frame. "Based on our experience in other homeports where we offer short-cruise programs, we anticipate a large number of consumers will opt to combine these voyages with a land-stay. This should prove particularly true for New Orleans based on its tremendous tourist appeal," Dickinson said.
Array of Signature "Fun Ship" Amenities
Holiday features eight passenger decks which house 10 bars and lounges, three swimming pools - one featuring a 115-foot-long water slide - along with a children's play room, on-board duty-free shops, full casino gambling, and a health and fitness program. As part of Carnival's Total Choice Dining (SM), cruising's most comprehensive dining program offering the widest variety of dining options at sea, the Holiday features two main dining rooms, a casual poolside eatery, and complimentary 24-hour pizza, ice cream and stateroom service.
Special One-Time Cruise from San Juan
The Holiday, which currently sails on weeklong cruises from San Juan, will also operate a unique seven-day cruise departing San Juan April 20, and arriving New Orleans April 27, 2002. Ports of call on this special one-time voyage will include St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Key West.
Reservations and Pricing
Carnival is currently accepting reservations for all of the Holiday's New Orleans and San Juan departures. Prices for four-day cruises from New Orleans begin at $279 per person while five-day cruises start at $299 per person. If purchased through Carnival's "Fun Finance Plan (SM)," the four and five-day cruises are available beginning at $13 and $14 per month, respectively. The seven-day repositioning cruise from San Juan is available starting at $549 per person. If purchased through the "Fun Finance Plan," the voyage is available for $26 per month. All rates are based on double occupancy and reflect category 1A accommodations.
"Fun Finance Plan" payments are based on a 24-month payment term at the lowest annual percentage rate available. Actual monthly payment and terms may vary according to the applicant's credit qualifications. Valid for U.S. individual bookings only. Certain other restrictions apply. For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or visit www.carnival.com. Source: Carnival Cruise Line
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PRINCESS ANNOUNCES NEW ALASKA SAILINGS ABOARD REGAL PRINCESS
Ship Adds 11 Round-trip San Francisco Voyages *** Asia/Pacific
Sailings Re-routed
Oct 17, 2001 - As part of Princess' response to passenger interest in U.S.-based cruises, the company has added a sixth ship to its Alaska schedule for 2002 with a series of 10-day round-trip voyages from San Francisco aboard Regal Princess.
The 11 new voyages begin May 29 and sail through September 6, 2002, replacing the ship's originally scheduled European cruise season. The itinerary takes passengers through the beautiful Golden Gate and heads north for calls at Juneau, Skagway (or Sitka), followed by a visit to the glaciers of Tracy Arm, as well as stops at Ketchikan and Victoria, British Columbia.
"As our passengers continue to show increased interest in U.S.-based voyages, we decided to offer an additional option in our most popular region, Alaska," said Dean Brown, Princess' executive vice president of customer service and sales. "Regal Princess' new voyages will enable passengers to fully enjoy the rugged beauty of the 49th state as well as the cosmopolitan charm of San Francisco."
Revised Asia/Pacific Sailings
To accommodate the schedule change, Regal Princess will now offer two re-routed Asia sailings featuring calls at some of the Pacific's most colorful ports. The first, a 16-day Bangkok to Toyko sailing on April 11 includes calls at Kuantan (Malaysia), Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang (Vietnam), Hong Kong, Shaghai, Pusan and Nagasaki. The second sailing, a 32-day Tokyo to San Francisco voyage on April 24, features calls at Hiroshima, Okinawa, Iwo Jima (cruising call), Saipan, Guam, Guadalcanal, Marshall Islands, Midway Atoll, Nawiliwili (Kauai), Honolulu, Lahina (Maui) and Hilo. These sailings replace a previously scheduled 30-day Bangkok to Rome voyage and a 12-day Rome to Copenhagen cruise.
After her Alaska season, Regal Princess will then take over a series of Asia/South Pacific/Australia cruises, originally scheduled aboard Sun Princess. Regal Princess will sail throughout the Pacific through April 2003, instead of her previously scheduled Canada/New England, Panama Canal and Amazon River sailings. All Princess Cruises can be booked by calling your travel professional. Source: Princess Cruises
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ROYAL CARIBBEAN IMPLEMENTS NEW YOUTH EVACUATION PLAN
MIAMI, Oct 17, 2001 - Royal Caribbean International today announced its new Youth Evacuation Plan (YEP), being used onboard all its ships to assist children and their parents during possible emergencies.
The program is designed to assist children under 12 years old and their parents in reuniting should they be in separate locations on a ship when they are called to muster stations. The YEP program utilizes colored-coded wristbands, worn by children, that indicate a child's proper muster station, as well as the appropriate exit crew members can use to assist a child in reaching his muster station, where his parents can meet him. Children participating in Royal Caribbean's Adventure Ocean youth program are escorted to their muster stations by youth staff members.
"An emergency call to muster stations is an extremely rare event on a cruise ship," said Captain Bill Wright, senior vice president of Safety and Environment for Royal Caribbean International. "Our new YEP program, however, should help both children and parents feel comfortable about reuniting in the event of a possible emergency. A great deal of time and effort went into designing our new plan, comparing and contrasting the various programs used throughout the cruise industry. Based on that research, we feel we have developed the best program for our guests and our fleet."
Upon embarkation, cruise staff at the gangway direct families with children under 12 years old to a YEP table, set up in just inside the ship with a prominently displayed YEP poster. At the table, members of the ship's youth staff check the child's cabin number and provide the proper color-coded wristband. The wristbands, which are required to be worn at all times during the cruise, display the child's muster station number in bold type, and are colored coded to correspond with that muster station and the exit crew members can use to assist the child in reaching the muster station. Parents are given a YEP information sheet and a separate wallet card, on which the youth staff writes the family's muster station number, for easy reference.
Prior to sailing, during the mandatory lifeboat drill, the ship's Master makes an announcement that explains the need for all persons to move in one direction during possible emergencies: toward their muster stations. He also stresses that the fastest and safest way for parents to meet their children is for the parents to go straight to their muster station.
Additional information about the YEP program is available through the ship's guest relations desk, the Adventure Ocean facilities, cabin stewards, in the Guest Services Guide in each cabin, and in the daily Cruise Compass and Adventure Ocean Compass publications. In addition to English, materials are available in Spanish, Portuguese, French, German and Italian. The YEP program also may be used by older persons, other adults and special needs guests who feel they may benefit through their participation.
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 14 ships in service and six under construction or on firm order. For additional information about the cruise line, please visit the company's Internet web site at www.royalcaribbean.com. Source: RCI
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REVISED PROGRAM OF 150 CARIBBEAN SAILINGS IN 2002 FEATURES NEW PORT CANAVERAL HOME PORT, NEW 10-DAY FLAGSHIP CRUISES
Also New: Zuiderdam Debut, Orinoco River Cruise, Veendam Cruises from Tampa
Seattle, Oct 16, 2001 - The introduction of seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises from the new home port of Port Canaveral and new 10-day Caribbean cruises on board the sister flagships Rotterdam and Amsterdam sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale lead the highlights of Holland America Line's newly revised program of 2002 Caribbean cruises. Additional highlights include the fall debut of the new 1,848-passenger ms Zuiderdam, a 12/14-day cruise on board the flagship ms Rotterdam to the Caribbean and Venezuela's Orinoco River and the ms Veendam's new seven-day fall sailings from Tampa.
"Holland America is expanding its already terrific program of Caribbean cruises for 2002 by adding eight seven-day Eastern Caribbean sailings aboard the ms Zaandam from Port Canaveral, a new home port for the company. We're also re-deploying our flagship ms Rotterdam on 13 roundtrip 10-day cruises from Ft. Lauderdale featuring a visit to the Panama Canal, in place of an equal number of 10-day transcanal cruises. Our sister flagship Amsterdam also is being re-deployed to feature a new series of 10-day Southern Caribbean cruises from Ft. Lauderdale," said David A. Giersdorf, senior vice president, marketing and sales.
"These changes mean that nine of our 11 ships will be sailing roundtrip on 150 cruises from three of the most popular and accessible North American ports: Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa and Port Canaveral. All of these home ports are easily accessible by shorter domestic flights, or ground transportation, including motorcoach, train or personal vehicle. We're also offering more roundtrip sailings, to avoid expensive and complicated open-jaw air arrangements," said Giersdorf.
"Holland America provides its customers with a broad range of exciting vacation choices appealing to every price range, plus a greater number of convenient sailings from the continental U.S. Whether the traveler is a first-time cruiser or a seasoned voyager, they'll find a Holland America Line Caribbean cruise to fulfill their wish for a safe and relaxing vacation," he said.
Most Caribbean cruises include a visit to Half Moon Cay, the company's private island paradise and a role model visitor destination providing an enhanced Bahamian experience while maintaining a positive balance with the natural environment. Guests may sail, swim and snorkel in the turquoise waters, bask on white sand beaches, have a beachside massage, and then enjoy an array of traditional barbecue fare. The island also offers a fun time for kids, too, with a variety of age-appropriate activities through the company's Club HAL children's program.
New Zaandam Cruises from Pt. Canaveral
The 1,440-passenger ms Zaandam will sail its published schedule of 10 alternating 10-day Southern Caribbean Seafarer/Wayfarer cruises departing Ft. Lauderdale Jan. 3-April 3.
Holland America's Seafarer cruises visit Kralendijk, Bonaire; El Guamache on Venezuela's Isla de Margarita (Angel Falls tour option); Castries/Soufriere, St. Lucia; Roseau/Cabrits, Dominica; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. (St. John tour option); and Half Moon Cay. Wayfarer cruises visit Willemstad, Curacao; La Guaira, Venezuela (Angel Falls tour option); Port of Spain, Trinidad; Fort-de-France, Martinique; St. Thomas; and Half Moon Cay.
The Zaandam then sails on a spring transcanal cruise to Vancouver, where the ship will sail three- and four-day Pacific Northwest cruises, seven-day Alaska cruises, then three- and four-day Pacific Northwest cruises before returning to its new Port Canaveral home port via a fall transcanal cruise.
The Zaandam will sail from Port Canaveral on six new fall seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruises departing Nov. 9-Dec. 14, in place of 10-day Southern Caribbean cruises and holiday cruises from Ft. Lauderdale. The cruises visit Philipsburg, St. Maarten; St. Thomas; and Half Moon Cay. The ship finishes the year with two festive holiday cruises departing Dec. 21 and 28. Rotterdam Offers New 10-day Roundtrip Sunfarer Cruises from Ft. Lauderdale.
Rotterdam
Changes to the 1,316-passenger flagship Rotterdam's itineraries affect the ship's winter/spring and fall 10-day trans-Panama Canal cruises between Ft. Lauderdale and Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica. Instead of 10 winter/spring transcanals, the ship will sail on two 10-day Canal transits departing Jan. 6 and 16 and eight new 10-day roundtrip Sunfarer cruises departing Ft. Lauderdale Jan. 26-April 6. The Sunfarer cruises feature Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; a visit to the Panama Canal/Gatun Lake; Cartagena, Colombia; Willemstad, Curacao; Oranjestad, Aruba; and Half Moon Cay.
Following its published schedule of spring-fall Canada/New England and transatlantic cruises, in the fall the Rotterdam will offer a 12/10-day Sunfarer cruise from New York/Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Lauderdale (Oct. 29-Nov. 10) and four new 10-day roundtrip Sunfarer cruises departing Ft. Lauderdale Nov. 10-Dec. 10.
Amsterdam
Amsterdam Sails New Program of 10-Day Southern Caribbean Cruises Following the 2002 Grand World Voyage, a new 18-day Panama Canal cruise from New York/Ft. Lauderdale to Seattle, and a season of new seven-day Alaska cruises from Seattle, the 1,380-passenger Amsterdam will sail a new 21-day fall transcanal cruise to Ft. Lauderdale. From Ft. Lauderdale it will offer six new alternating10-day Wayfarer/Seafarer Southern Caribbean cruises (itineraries above) departing Oct. 22-Dec. 11.
Flagship Rotterdam Cruises the Southern Caribbean and Orinoco River
The flagship Rotterdam will sail as scheduled from Ft. Lauderdale April 16 on a new 12/14-day to the Southern Caribbean and Venezuela's Orinoco River, returning to Ft. Lauderdale or Norfolk. The cruise visits Fort-de-France, Martinique; Castries and Soufriere, St. Lucia; Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela (Angel Falls, Ciudad Bolivar tour options); St. Thomas; and Half Moon Cay. The cruise features scenic cruising on the Orinoco, one of the longest rivers in the world, affording views of pristine rain forests punctuated by occasional stilt villages and perhaps a glimpse of the rare freshwater pink dolphin.
New Zuiderdam Debuts in the Eastern Caribbean
The new 85,000-ton, 1,848-passenger Zuiderdam, the first of Holland America's Vista series of new generation ships, is scheduled for delivery on Sept. 30, 2002. Following introductory events, the Zuiderdam departs Nov. 2 on its maiden cruise to the Eastern Caribbean, visiting Half Moon Cay; St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. (St. John tour option); and Nassau, Bahamas. The ship will sail this itinerary, plus two holiday cruises, until its transcanal cruise in the spring of 2003 for a summer season of seven-day Alaska cruises.
Tampa to be Veendam's New Homeport for Fall Western Caribbean Cruises
The 1,266-passenger Veendam will sail its published program of seven-day Western Caribbean cruises from its new homeport of Tampa, Fla., beginning in the fall of 2002. Saturday departures are scheduled Oct. 26-Dec. 14. The Veendam visit George Town, Grand Cayman; Montego Bay, Jamaica; and Cozumel, Mexico.
The Veendam also sails winter/spring Eastern Caribbean cruises from Ft. Lauderdale October 2001-March 2002, visiting Half Moon Cay; San Juan, P.R.; St. Thomas; and Nassau.
Holland America Line's 2002 Caribbean cruis program also features:
* The 1,214-passenger Noordam sailing on two new nine-day Southern Caribbean Sunfarer cruises, departing from Ft. Lauderdale Dec. 4 and 13 and featuring the opportunity to view the Panama Canal in operation on an optional tour. The Noordam also continues its 14-day Southern Caribbean cruises from Tampa, featuring social hosts on seven departures Jan. 6-March 31, 2002.
* The 1,440-passenger Volendam, alternating with sister ship Zaandam, on 10-day Seafarer and Wayfarer cruises to the deep Southern Caribbean, with departures from Ft. Lauderdale Jan. 5-April 5. The Volendam also offers a new seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise from Ft. Lauderdale on Dec. 14.
* The 1,266-passenger Maasdam, featuring large KidZone and Waverunner teen clubs, as the year-around Caribbean vessel, sailing on seven-day Western and Eastern Caribbean cruises round-trip from Ft. Lauderdale, with weekly departures Jan. 6 to Dec. 15, 2002.
* The farewell Caribbean cruises of the ms Westerdam, sailing from Ft. Lauderdale on five- and eight-day cruises. The 1,494-passenger ship sails March 2, 2002, on its last voyage, concluding eight days later on March 10.
* Festive holidays at sea, with 14 Christmas and New Year's cruises in the Caribbean for 2002, ranging from seven to 16 days. Departures are offered from Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, and Port Canaveral.
Book Early for the Best Savings in 2002
Holland America continues its Early Savings program in 2002, with attractive discounts for guests who reserve in advance. For example, with Early Savings discount, 2002 double-occupancy cruise fares start at just $589 [CAN $899] for a five-day cruise on the Westerdam. Double-occupancy cruise fares for seven-day cruises on board the Maasdam or Veendam start at just $779 [CAN $1,179]. And, double-occupancy fares for 10-day Wayfarer/Seafarer cruises on the Volendam or Zaandam begin at just $1,389 [CAN $2,099]. Fares include port charges.
About Holland America Line
Holland America Line has 11 luxury ships sailing to more than 280 ports of call and scenic cruising destinations on all seven continents, including Antarctica. In 2002, Holland America Line will offer 360 sailings within a half-day's drive of 40 percent of North American households and departing from 15 North American home ports. Affordable air arrangements are available through the Home City Air program and Holland America offers the only trip cancellation program in the industry that offers cash back for canceling for any reason prior to 24 hours before departure. Holland America Line is the highest-rated premium cruise line in the world in the 2001 "Travel & Leisure" magazine "World's Best" Awards and the 2000 "Conde Nast Traveler" Readers' Choice Awards. The company also has won its ninth consecutive "Best Overall Cruise Value" award from the World Ocean & Cruise Liner Society (WOCLS). For more information, consult a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com. Source: Holland America Line
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ICCL PRESIDENT TO TESTIFY AT TRAVEL HEARING
Arlington, VA (Oct 16, 2001) - Michael Crye, president of the International Council of Cruise Lines, will participate in a hearing on the state of the travel industry before the House Commerce Committee's Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection. Crye will encourage members to support the Travel America Now Act (H.R. 3041), introduced by Representatives John Shadegg (R-AZ) and Neil Abercrombie (D-HI), as well as highlighting issues affecting the cruise industry:
- Steps cruise industry is taking to restore confidence of the traveling public
- Current economic impact of the cruise industry in the U.S.
- Security and safety plans adopted in response to the events of September 11, 2001
- Partnerships with federal agencies, port authorities and travel organizations
WHEN: 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, October 17
WHERE: Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2322
Other panel participants include representatives from the Travel Industry of America (TIA), Commerce Department, Air Transport Association, J.W. Marriott, Universal Studios and Travelocity. The complete testimony will be available on the ICCL website at the conclusion of the hearing at www.iccl.org/pressroom. Source: Intl Council of Cruise Lines
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SEABOURN SPIRIT TO CRUISE ALASKA IN SUMMER 2002--Revised Schedule Includes Cruises of China, Japan, Korea
MIAMI, Oct 15, 2001---Ultra luxury cruise pioneer Seabourn Cruise Line has announced a revised 2002 sailing schedule for its yacht-like, all-suite Seabourn Spirit that repositions the ship from its winter programs in southeast Asia to Alaska via China, Japan and Korea. Following the Alaska season, the 104-couple ship will return to Asia by the reverse route. Seabourn, which has not sailed in Alaska since 1997, will offer a new option to travelers wishing to see the Great Land from a small-ship perspective, but in the consummate luxury for which Seabourn is renowned.
"Year after year, we have had requests from Seabourn's loyal guests to return to Alaska," said Richard Meadows, CTC, Seabourn's Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing. " 2002 will provide us with the opportunity to honor those requests and once again provide our guests with a cruise of the Last Frontier, Seabourn style."
The bulk of Seabourn Spirit's summer will be spent sailing a series of eight 10-and 11-day Alaska cruises roundtrip from Vancouver. Ports of call and highlights on the 10-day "Alaskan Spirit" version include Victoria, British Columbia; the Inside Passage, Misty Fjords, Wrangell, Tracy Arm, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska. With Early Booking Savings of 40 percent, fares start from $3,995 per person, double occupancy. The eleven-day "Alaskan Vistas" version adds the picturesque village of Alert Bay, British Columbia. Early Booking Savings fares for these start from $4,379 per person. All Seabourn Spirit Alaska cruises will feature a professional naturalist offering insights into the flora and fauna of Alaska.
The first of two 10-day Grand Alaska cruises sails between Seward and Vancouver, on May 12th, 2002. The ship will enter spectacular College Fjord, with its numerous glaciers, cruise by Hubbard Glacier (Alaska's widest) and call at Sitka, Skagway, Juneau, Tracy Arm, Ketchikan and Misty Fjords as well as Alert Bay, British Columbia en route. On August 14, 2002, the itinerary will be reversed. Both Grand Alaska cruises offer optional Denali land extensions. With Early Booking Savings of 50 percent, fares for Grand Alaska cruises start from $3,499 per person, double occupancy. Added Asia Cruises Offer Free Airfare or Savings up to 50 Percent
Some additional Asia cruises have also been added to the previously published schedule for Seabourn Spirit. The new cruises in Asia are being promoted with Seabourn's offer of either Early Booking Savings up to 30 percent, plus free economy class airfare and business class upgrades from $1,295, or a cruise-only savings of up to 50 percent.
~ The revised sailing schedule begins following a newly scheduled 14-day cruise of Vietnam and Thailand ending April 11th, 2002 at Hong Kong.
~ Seabourn Spirit's 10-day China cruises sail between Hong Kong and Xingang (Beijing). Along the way, Seabourn Spirit calls at Xiamen and Shanghai, China; sails up the Yangtze River to Nanjing and Zhangjiagang (for Wuxi) and Yantai. A 14-day China Journey version includes a four-night land extension in China. Departures are available in April, September and October of 2002.
~ Another new 10-day cruise of China, Korea and Japan sails between Xingang and Tokyo, calling at Dalian, China; Cheju Do and Pusan, Korea and Nagasaki and Osaka, Japan. This cruise will be sailed twice, in April and in reverse in August of 2002. A 14-day Seabourn Journey version of these cruises will likewise include four nights in China.
~ An 11-day Pacific Passage sails May 1st, 2002 from Tokyo to Seward, Alaska and includes calls at Hakodate on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido and stops at Dutch Harbor and Kodiak in Alaska's Aleutian Islands. Once again, this itinerary will be reversed departing Seward August 24, 2002. These cruises offer a four-night optional pre- or post-cruise extension visiting Anchorage and Denali National Park.
Seabourn Spirit offers the finest ultra luxury cruising experience to just 104 fortunate couples. All suites are 277 square feet or larger, many with balconies. Fine cuisine from celebrity chef/restaurateur Charlie Palmer is served in an award-winning open seating restaurant. Myriad thoughtful touches include complimentary wines and spirits throughout the cruise; an in-suite bar stocked to guests' requests; designer towels and robes of fine Egyptian cotton; delightful Massage Moments offered to guests lounging on deck and Seabourn's Pure Pampering program, featuring wellbeing products and a menu of soothing, invigorating bathing experiences from Molton Brown, London. For details or reservations, consult a professional travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or click on www.seabourn.com.
Seabourn Spirit Revised Sailing Calendar March 28 to December 23, 2002:
2208 Mar. 28 - 14 days Vietnam and Thailand Singapore/ Hong Kong
2209 Apr. 11 - 14 days China Journey* Hong Kong/Beijing (incl. 4 hotel nts.)
2210 Apr. 17 - 14 days China, Korea & Japan Beijing/Tokyo(incl. 4 hotel nts.)
2211 May 1 - 11 days Pacific Passage East Tokyo/Seward
2212 May 12 - 10 days Grand Alaska Seward/Vancouver
2213 May 22 - 11 days Alaskan Vistas Roundtrip Vancouver
2214 Jun. 2 - 10 days Alaskan Spirit Roundtrip Vancouver
2215 Jun. 12 - 11 days Alaskan Vistas Roundtrip Vancouver
2216 Jun. 23 - 10 days Alaskan Spirit Roundtrip Vancouver
2217 Jul. 3 - 11 days Alaskan Vistas Roundtrip Vancouver
2218 Jul. 14 - 10 days Alaskan Spirit Roundtrip Vancouver
2219 Jul. 24 - 11 days Alaskan Vistas Roundtrip Vancouver
2220 Aug. 4 - 10 days Alaskan Spirit Roundtrip Vancouver
2221 Aug. 14 - 10 days Grand Alaska Vancouver/Seward
2222 Aug. 24 - 13 days Pacific Passage West Seward/Tokyo
2223 Sep. 5 - 14 days Japan, Korea & China Tokyo/Beijing (incl. 4 hotel nts.)
2224 Sep. 12 - 14 days China Journey* Beijing/Hong Kong (incl. 4 hotel nts.)
2225 Sep. 24 - 14 days China Journey* Hong Kong/Beijing (incl. 4 hotel nts.)
2226 Oct. 2 - 14 days China Journey* Beijing/Hong Kong (incl. 4 hotel nts.)
2227 Oct. 16 - 14 days Vietnam and Thailand Hong Kong/Singapore
2228 Oct. 30 - 12 days Thailand and Myanmar Roundtrip Singapore
2229 Nov. 11 - 14 days Thailand and Vietnam Singapore/Hong Kong
2230 Nov. 25 - 14 days Vietnam and Thailand Hong Kong/Singapore
2231 Dec. 9 - 14 days Thailand and Vietnam Singapore/Hong Kong
2301 Dec. 23 - 14 days Vietnam and Thailand Holiday Hong Kong/Singapore
* China cruises and China, Korea & Japan cruises are also available as 10-day cruises without the land extension.
The yachts of Seabourn provide the ultimate in small-ship, ultra-luxury cruise vacations to the most desirable destinations on earth. The Seabourn fleet includes Seabourn Pride, Spirit, and Legend. Source: Seabourn Cruise Line
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CARNIVAL PRIDE'S HEALTH AND FITNESS CENTER TO OFFER PAMPERING SERVICES, STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITIES
MIAMI (10/15/01) - From energetic aerobics and kick-boxing classes to relaxing "European-style" facial and body treatments, guests will find an exciting variety of choices in the "Body Beautiful Spa" health and fitness center aboard the new 88,500-ton Carnival Pride, which is scheduled to enter service Dec. 30, 2001. Combined with Carnival's 15 other "Fun Ships," the line anticipates nearly 1.2 million guests - roughly half of its total passenger base - will take advantage of its fleetwide spa services within the next year.
"We're finding more and more guests seeking high-quality fitness facilities and professional spa treatments during their vacation," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president. "Fitness has become a very important part of people's lifestyles and, in response, Carnival is designing top-notch, state-of-the-art shipboard health and fitness facilities."
Spanning the forward area of Lido Deck 9 and Sun Deck 10, the two-level
13,700-square-foot spa will feature large picture windows that provide
spectacular views of the sea. The gymnasium will be fully equipped with modern exercise machines, including stationary bicycles, treadmills, and rowing, stair-climbing and Life Fitness pneumatic progressive resistance machines, as well as free weights and dumbbells.
The spa will also include a spacious aerobics studio, where a variety of
instructor-led fitness classes, such as low- and high-impact and step
aerobics, stretching and muscle-building sessions and kick-boxing classes,
will be offered. Personal trainers will be on hand for those seeking
one-on-one training sessions, as well.
Guests can also indulge in one of the spa's many exotic "European-style"
therapeutic spa treatments, such as the "aroma stone therapy," which uses
warm basalt stones and heated and scented oils to massage the body, creating a rejuvenating sensation. Other pampering services will include full body and scalp massages, seaweed wraps, mud packs and slimming and toning therapies, all of which will be conducted by the ship's highly trained staff.
The spa will include a full-service beauty salon, "The Look," offering a variety of nail and hair treatments, including the "Frangipani Hair and Scalp Conditioning Treatment," which uses Tahitian Monoi oil to massage the scalp and soften the hair. Ten private treatment/massage rooms, locker facilities and sauna and steam rooms will also be featured, as well as four swimming pools and five whirlpools - including one in the spa and four others on Lido Deck 9 - along with a padded jogging track encircling Sports Deck 11.
In addition to the ship's health and fitness center, Carnival's commitment to healthy lifestyles is displayed in its signature "Nautica Spa Fare," which consists of delicious, guilt-free dishes with lower fat, calories, sodium and cholesterol content. Meats, fish and poultry are roasted or broiled, salads are prepared with diet dressings, and desserts with sugar substitutes. Vegetarian selections are also available in the formal dining room, as well as an extensive salad bar in the ship's poolside restaurant, the Mermaids' Grille.
The 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride is scheduled to debut Dec. 30, 2001, on a six-day western Caribbean voyage from Miami, followed by a three-day Bahamas cruise from Port Canaveral, Fla., departing Jan. 9, 2002. Beginning Jan. 12, 2002, Carnival Pride will launch year-round seven-day service from Port Canaveral, becoming the newest and largest vessel to operate from that port. Eastern Caribbean cruises will feature the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay or Salt Cay, St. Thomas/St. John, and St. Maarten, while the western route will feature stops at Key West, Belize City, Progreso/Merida, and Playa del Carmen/Cozumel. For additional information and reservations, call 1-800-327-9501 (individual) or 1-800-327-5782 (groups). Information and reservations can also be obtained on-line at www.carnival.com. Source: Carnival Cruise Line
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