~ SEA VIEWS ~
The Newsletter for Cruise Travelers
September 15, 2002
Welcome aboard Cruise Diva's SEA VIEWS newsletter and thank you for subscribing. SEA VIEWS is a twice-monthly email publication containing the latest news afloat and the cruise travel information you want.
So many cruises, so little time...
The World of ResidenSea We gathered at the railing on a late-April morning to watch as the Wind Surf prepared to dock in Portimao, Portugal. Off in the distance, a ship sat serenely at anchor. She was the newly launched floating city, The World of ResidenSea.
An intriguing blend of 110 gracious private residences and 88 luxury suites, The World is a real estate dream boasting location, location, location! Chic apartments sporting the supreme waterfront address range in price from $2.25 to $7.5 million. Of course, not all owners will be in residence year-round and rentals are available in varying time segments. Did you know that guest suites are an all-inclusive option for those of us who aren't in the market for a vacation home?
TV viewers will get an exclusive, behind-the-scenes glimpse of The World when "ResidenSea, The Floating City" premiers Sept. 23 on The Travel Channel from 9-10 PM (ET/PT). Tune in then and, in the meantime, find out more on CruiseDiva.com!
"The Voyeur Villa" More than simply a cruise review. Join Barry & Lori Cunningham as they sail through Paradise in a Garden Villa on Norwegian Star. They REALLY know how to throw a party! Be sure to follow the link to their photos... incredible beaches, sunsets, and Villa Views!!!
Featured Itinerary New England & Canada ~ Northeast Passage The increasing popularity of these cruises has proven to be a boon for inquisitive cruisers from northeastern states who can sail from close-by US ports within driving distance.
Cruise News Briefs:
Sources close to the deal have revealed that antitrust staff at the U.S. Federal Trade Commission recommended last Wednesday that the agency not oppose the acquisition of P&O Princess Cruises by either Carnival Corp. or Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd.
A Texas federal judge's ruling allows the discrimination claims of disabled cruise line passengers to go forward against Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL). According to lawyers representing the plaintiffs in the case, NCL ships that sailed out of the Port of Houston denied mobility-impaired passengers access to programs, services, and facilities available to other passengers. They claim that NCL charged mobility-impaired passengers surcharges for use of accessible cabins and for crew members' assistance. Editor's note: It's been some time since an NCL ship has sailed from Houston and I wonder specifically WHAT was denied to the mobility-impaired passengers. Until that is made clear, I question whether the passengers' expectations weren't somewhat unrealistic.
Princess Cruises announced that its new Pacific Princess will join the company's 2003 Alaska fleet, offering 11-day roundtrip voyages from San Francisco. The small 688-passenger vessel, formerly sailing for Renaissance Cruises, will reposition to Alaska after cruising in French Polynesia and, for sister company P&O Cruises Australia, in the South Pacific. Pacific Princess will offer 10 departures between May 29 and Sept 5, 2003 on an Inside Passage itinerary. "This new addition to Princess' fleet is enabling us to return to San Francisco next year with a very distinctive summer Alaska program," said Dean Brown, Princess' executive VP of customer service and sales. "Now passengers can combine the convenience and appeal of departing from this world-class city, with sailing on a small ship that offers 'big ship choice.'"
Holland America Line is introducing a new concept alternative restaurant on two of its premium cruise ships. Featuring fine Pacific Northwest specialties and wines, the new Pinnacle Grill will debut this October on the sister ships ms Statendam and ms Ryndam. The 66-seat, 1,800-square-foot restaurants will be installed during the ships' regularly scheduled dry-docks in space formerly occupied by a portion of the Explorers Lounge and the Kings Room private dining area adjacent to the Rotterdam Dining Room on Upper Promenade Deck. Guests who wish to dine in the Pinnacle Grill for dinner may do so with an advance reservation; there is a modest charge of $15 per person. However, if you belong to AARP, you can more than afford the charge now that Holland America Line is offering AARP's more than 35 million members a savings of up to $200 per cabin.
From the classic to the contemporary, Crystal Cruises' line-up of 2003 Theme Cruises awakens the senses and engages the imagination with a vast selection of itineraries featuring celebrations of health and spirit, as well as food, wine, music and film. A Musical Theater cruise showcasing selections from West End to Broadway debuts in 2003, joining an encore collection of the award-winning line's most popular programs including: Yoga, Health & Fitness, Crystal Wine & Food Festival, Classical Music, Jazz & Blues, Big Band, Opera, '70s Music, Film Festival, and Murder Mystery.
Details of these stories and more in CRUISE NEWS
Who's cruising? Check the latest Cruise Reviews on CruiseDiva.com!
Cruise Diva's Book Selection:
Liners to the Sun
by John Maxtone-Graham
Cruise Diva's comments: Get a historian's perspective of the cruise experience. A great read for ship and cruise aficionados.
Join a Group Cruise! There will be Cruise @ddicts CH@OS on the Dawn Princess on January 9, 2003. For details, contact Lori Cunningham!
Elsewhere on the Internet
Tour Europe by Ship with Durant & Cheryl Imboden. Examine the basics and then join them to sail from Athens to Rome on a Silver Whisper Mediterranean Cruise.
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