~ SEA VIEWS ~
The Newsletter for Cruise Travelers
December 31, 2002
Welcome aboard Cruise Diva's SEA VIEWS newsletter, the twice-monthly email publication containing the latest news afloat and the cruise travel information you want.
So many cruises, so little time...
Christened by the one girl in New York who needs no help from any man... Kim Cattrall, who portrays 'Samantha' on the smash hit Sex and the City, proclaimed Norwegian Dawn the biggest ship in NYC and added, "Don't let anyone tell you size doesn't matter."
Funny hats, noisemakers, champagne, and celebrity entertainersNorwegian Cruise Line really knows how to throw a party. Welcome to New York, baby, and the christening of the Norwegian Dawn!
CruiseDiva.com was there and we have a comprehensive preview of Norwegian Dawn, as well as a complete photo tour of public rooms and staterooms and the Christening Ceremony! (Photo--the "Statue of Liberty" makes an appearance in Norwegian Dawn's Grand Atrium)
Cruise News Briefs:
Fourteen new vessels, as well as three re-launched ships and several others introduced in late 2002 but having their inaugural sailing seasons in the new year, will make 2003 another record year in the cruise industry, according to Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA). From intimate vessels carrying 74 passengers to 3,000-passenger megaships, and everything in between, cruising offers a range of experiences to suit every vacation style. "With expanded facilities, more activities, new dining options and a greater number of suites, balconies and verandahs, the newest additions to the CLIA fleet continue to demonstrate the industry's ability to offer something for each of the more than 44 million North Americans who have expressed an interest in cruising," says Bob Sharak, CLIA's executive director.
Windstar Cruises announced new schedules and cruise itineraries for 2003, offering a total of 131 enticing cruises to 44 countries and islands featuring 108 distinct ports of call. Changes to cruise offerings come after a redeployment of the 148-passenger msy Wind Star to Tahiti replacing the msy Wind Song which was damaged by an engine room fire.
Would a special pillow afford you a better night's sleep? As she criss-crosses the Atlantic Ocean and cruises the world, Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth 2 lulls hundreds of guests to sleep on a regular basis. Come 2003, the most famous liner in the world will become the first ship to offer a pillow concierge service so that its passengers can feel even more cozy in bed.
Unbeknownst to even the savviest of travelers, more than half of the 70 global itineraries scheduled by Crystal Cruises in 2003 will originate or end in North American ports. The 44 itineraries feature 17 round-trip voyages from Los Angeles, San Francisco, New Orleans and Fort Lauderdale while 10 voyages will originate in the United States and conclude in U.S. or Canadian ports. An additional 17 sailings are scheduled to begin or end in the U.S. "While Crystal is perhaps best known for our longer, more exotic itineraries throughout the world, we also offer convenient and easy travel opportunities closer to home," says Adam Leavitt, senior vice president, marketing.
The Port of Houston Authority (PHA) Commission approved a $1.3 million media campaign in addition to several other recommendations involving contract awards, bids and proposals, professional services, and general administrative and operational items during its monthly meeting in December presided over by Chairman James T. Edmonds. The Commissioners approved a recommendation authorizing the Port Authority's executive director to negotiate and execute a berthing agreement with Norwegian Cruise Line. NCL recently announced that it would resume leisure passenger cruises from Houston next November by offering West Caribbean itineraries that include calls at the ports of Roatan, Honduras; Belize City, Belize; and Cancun and Cozumel Mexico. NCL opened up cruising from the Gulf ports in 1997 with its breakthrough Texaribbean program from Houston. The cruise line has described Houston as "a great drive up market" as well as an extremely attractive port of embarkation, especially for vacationers in the western half of the United States.
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:
Cruise Vacations for Mature Travelers
by Kerry Smith
Cruise Diva's comments:
Options & information for mature travelers
Great Travel Clothes & Gear
Lands' End THE source for smart and stylish travel clothing, polos, shorts, swimwear, luggage, accessories and more for the entire family.
Magellan's Catalog Serious travelers appreciate their wide selection of gear.
Elsewhere on the Internet
On Silver Shadow: Dignified Elegance Join AnitaVacation.com and resolve to let your expectations get carried away on a Silversea cruise in 2003.
Introducing the Cruise News Section on OneTravel.com! The all new cruise section of their newsletter now includes travel advice for first-time and veteran cruisers as well as tips on packing, shopping, shore excursions, and moreprovided by CruiseDiva.com, the number one ranked online cruise travel guidebook.
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