~ SEA VIEWS ~
The Newsletter for Cruise Travelers
November 30, 2001
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.
Soaring to new heights... Amid a shower of champagne, Norwegian Cruise Line's two new vesselsNorwegian Sun & Norwegian Starwere officially named on November 17th and Cruise Diva was in Miami to cover the festivities. Exclusively for Cruise Diva readers are photographs of Norwegian Cruise Line's Historic Dual Christening CeremonyThe Norwegian Sun & Star Shine in Miami.
In addition to the christening, I also sailed for one night on Norwegian Sun and two nights aboard Norwegian Star. It's my privilege to share the details in two illustrated ship previews:
Norwegian Sun - Capture the brilliance of the Sun
Norwegian Star - The spirit of Aloha soars like the sea birds aloft in her Grand Atrium (photo)
More Cruise News
- A sea of change was afloat as news spread around the cruising world that P&O Princess Cruises & Royal Caribbean have agreed to combine forces, creating the world's largest cruise vacation group with the most modern fleet among the major cruise companies. Will Carnival Corp show up as an unwanted suitor? Will Celebrity remain a part of the new "RCP" lineup? Stay tuned... things could get stormy.
- New for 2002... a special twist on 2-for-1 deals from Norwegian Cruise Line, Buy One Cruise, Get a Different Cruise FREE! Check it out, the offer ends December 31st.
- After considerable delay, Royal Olympic Cruise Lines announced that Olympia Explorer, sister ship to their super-fast Olympia Voyager is expected to reach the port of Piraeus early 2002. Olympia Explorer will offer exciting new itineraries from Venice to Piraeus, Istanbul and the Greek Islands next summer, with Piraeus as an alternative port of embarkation.
- Looking for new itineraries close to home? Just a sample of what's in store...
* Princess Cruises' newest "star" to hit Hollywood, Star Princess, will offer a unique Pacific Coast sailing this spring as she transitions between her Mexican Riviera and Alaska seasons. The seven-day Los Angeles to Vancouver cruise departs May 4, 2002 and features stops at San Diego, Santa Barbara, Monterey, San Francisco and Seattle.
* Carnival Cruise Line will offer one-of-a-kind 10- and 11-day voyages from New Orleans aboard the 1,452-passenger Holiday in spring 2002. Following tremendous response to the announcement of its first "Fun Ship" departures from Mobile, Alabama, five more sailings from that port aboard the Holiday have been added to the schedule in March 2002. Carnival Legend's inaugural 2002 season will include Bermuda, Canada, and Caribbean sailings, as well as relaxing 2- & 3-day cruises-to-nowhere.
* Celebrity Cruises has added a new cruising region to its growing array of itineraries. On May 27 and September 9, 2002, Celebrity's Galaxy will depart Baltimore, Maryland, on 11-night cruises, its first voyages in Canada and New England. In addition, Celebrity Cruises has expanded its series of Caribbean cruises, with new itineraries on Millennium & Galaxy departing on alternating Mondays and Fridays, allowing vacationers to indulge in Caribbean vacations of up to 11 nights.
Details about these stories and more in Cruise News.
Who's cruising? Check the latest New Cruise Reviews! It's that time of the year when a warm weather cruise is just the prescription to cure winter blahs. CruiseDiva.com's contributors offer us a dose of what's hot this season. Michael Price submits an online Caribbean cruise on Celebrity's Horizon, while Andy Taylor shares his voyage on Millennium. Hop to the west coast and join Rob Holloway on the Sea Princess from Los Angeles to Mexico.
Just in time for holiday gift-giving: Annual favorites, Berlitz Complete Guide to Cruising & Cruise Ships, 2002 and The Unofficial Guide to Cruises 2002 are now available. And the all-new 100 Best Cruise Vacations: The Top Cruises Throughout the World for All Interests and Budgets by Ted Scull would make a great stocking stuffer for any cruise traveler.
Hot Tip: This idea is for anyone who lives in a cold climate and is traveling in winter to a warm weather cruise. When you put your summer wardrobe away for the winter, set aside the casual outfits, bathing suits, etc. you want to wear on your cruise and store them in the suitcase you will use. You'll be at least half packed and won't be hunting down an outfit or a pair of shoes later. You will also free up some drawer and/or closet space at the same time. Hang your evening clothes in a separate area of your closet and pack them when you're ready to leave for your trip. Contributed by Linda Richter, New Hope, PA ~ More info and tips... here
Congratulations are in order for the following cruise lines...
- Carnival Cruise Lines took top honors in 10 categories in Porthole Magazine's 2001 Annual Readers' Choice Awards.
- Royal Caribbean International was recognized as the Hispanic Marketer of the Year by The Greater Miami Chamber of Commerce.
- Princess Cruises was a top vote getter in Porthole Magazine's 2001 Annual Readers' Choice Awards.
- Holland America Line ranked among the top three large-ship cruise lines in the Condé Nast Traveler 2001 Readers' Choice Awards and also received Porthole Magazines' Annual Editor in Chief Award and other top honors.
- Crystal Cruises was named one of the "World's Best Food" opportunities as selected Travel + Leisure magazine readers in 2001. Crystal's cuisine was awarded the highest score of all cruise lines.
Elsewhere Online: My favorite source for travel information is Johnny Jet's Travel Portal. Check out the sleek new look!
BON VOYAGE!
Linda Coffman, Editor & Social Hostess
CruiseDiva.com
"The world's best islands are the ones that float and move.
They're called cruise ships." ~ Cruise Diva
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Norwegian Star Grand Atrium photograph by Linda Coffman © 2001
