News from the world of cruising ~
July 1-8, 2001
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July 2001 -- On the eve of what would have been Princess Diana's 40th birthday, her brother, Earl Spencer made an appeal to tourists who have avoided Britain because of concerns about foot-and-mouth not to rule out the country as a holiday destination.
New research conducted by the British Tourist Authority* shows that many people who might have gone to Britain on holiday are holding back until next year, or even later, as a result of their fears about Foot and Mouth Disease.
After saturation coverage by the worldwide media 97% of people questioned said that they were aware of the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in the UK, but a huge number were misinformed about the true situation. The British Tourist Authority, has been amazed at the myths that have spread around the world about the effect of the recent outbreak, and want to put the message straight.
* based on 2,314 telephone interviews in 9 different countries (USA, Germany, France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Canada, Belgium, Sweden and Switzerland)
Top concerns discovered by research:
- Restrictions on movement - 21% in total (36% in the Netherlands)
- The countryside is closed - 14% (20% in Switzerland and Germany)
- The food is unsafe - 16% (USA 21%, Sweden 20%)
- I might bring Foot and Mouth Disease back to my country - 10% (18% in Ireland)
The British Tourist Authority is sending out messages that:
- There are no restrictions on traveling to or within Britain, although access to some farmland may be limited
- 98% of Britain's attractions and events are open and operating as usual
- Food is both safe and plentiful and there is no danger from drinking water
- There are precautions in place to prevent the spread of foot and mouth to other countries
- Visitors to Britain will enjoy their stay as much as in any previous year and will find they can still explore as much of the country as they might wish. For more information, consult your local British Tourist Authority office or their website www.visitbritain.com
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NEW YORK, July 6 -- As Fourth of July fireworks fade in the distance and the countdown to the end of summer begins, don't be dismayed by thoughts that it's too late to fit a vacation into your 2001 calendar. In fact, the arrival of fall brings some of the best opportunities for a memorable vacation.
Today's cruise ships sail throughout autumn, taking travelers to experience the majesty of New England and Canada's fall foliage, as well as other exotic destinations around the world.
According to the Cruise Line Coalition, the information bureau of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) and the International Council of Cruise Lines (ICCL), fall foliage cruises provide an unbeatable opportunity to unhurriedly explore history and cultural heritage as well as North America's incomparable natural beauty and wildlife in refreshing weather.
They present, for example, the dramatic coast of Newfoundland; the Bay of Fundy, with the highest and lowest tides in the world; the whales and dolphins of the Saguenay River; the sumptuous 19th century summer ``cottages'' of Newport; the chic beauty of Martha's Vineyard; and the cosmopolitan excitement of Boston and New York.
The following cruise lines offer fall foliage itineraries: American Cruise Lines, Carnival Cruise Lines, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Regal Cruises, Royal Caribbean International, Seabourn Cruise Line, and Silversea Cruises.
Several lines celebrate fall in other exotic destinations. These include the following: American Hawaii Cruises showcases the Hawaiian Islands' heritage; Celebrity Cruises provides a European touch with a "Northern Europe and St. Petersburg'' itinerary; Costa Cruises sails on an 11-night cruise to Egypt, Turkey and Greece; Disney Cruise Line land/sea package guests will be among the first to experience the "100 Years of Magic'' celebration, marking the 100th anniversary of Walt Disney's birth; and First European Cruises' European Vision, on an inaugural season, makes a special 10-night Egypt/Israel cruise round trip from Genoa.
Also, Mediterranean Shipping Cruises presents a seven-day cruise departing from Rio de Janeiro and calling at four South American destinations; Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc. offers cruises along the fjord-filled west coast of Norway; Orient Lines features "Grand Mediterranean'' and "Venetian Odyssey'' cruise tours; Radisson Seven Seas Cruises' repositioning voyages sail from Rome and Madeira to San Juan and from Barcelona and Las Palmas to Fort Lauderdale; Renaissance Cruises takes travelers on 12- to 15-day Mediterranean sailings from Barcelona to Venice and Barcelona to Istanbul; Royal Olympic Cruises continues its Greek Isles and Mediterranean sailings; and Windstar Cruises offers a different slant on autumn--harvest time in the Mediterranean.
For more information about fall cruises, contact one of the nearly 20,000 CLIA-affiliated travel agencies across the U.S. and Canada. To find one, visit CLIA's website at www.cruising.org and click on the Cruise Expert Locator, or look for the blue, white and gold CLIA seal in your local travel agency.
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MIAMI, July 2 -- United States Lines and American Hawaii Cruises, subsidiaries of American Classic Voyages Co., will jointly celebrate Hawaii's statewide Aloha Festivals with three weeks of special Hawaiian Heritage cruises departing Sept. 15, 22 and 29, 2001. The cruise vacations, which showcase the diverse beauty of Oahu, Maui, Kauai and the Big Island of Hawaii, are a past winner of the Hawaii Visitors and Convention Bureau's Kahili Award as "Best In Show'' for preserving the authentic culture of the 50th state. This year, the Hawaiian Heritage cruises are offered at a two-for-one price in conjunction with the lines' popular "Summer of Freedom'' promotion.
During the Hawaiian Heritage cruises, passengers aboard United States Lines' 1,212-passenger Patriot or American Hawaii Cruises' 860-passenger Independence will be entertained during a performance by Hawaiian music legend Don Ho, with stories and songs including his famous "Tiny Bubbles.'' Photo sessions precede each show.
Passengers on both ships can enjoy the talents of "living treasures'' and experts in Hawaiian culture, dance, art, music and story telling. They can learn hula from award-winning kumu hula (hula teachers) from the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, and take part in classes offered by ukulele masters, expert crafters, internationally known island watercolor artists and Hawaiian language specialists. Monday evenings will be set aside for performances by Hawaii's leading headliners. Each week will include a selection of Hawaiian films, including a premiere presentation of the feature-length film "Waikiki.'' Performers and activities on the cruises vary by ship and departure date, but highlights include:
* Musical entertainment by the popular contemporary Hawaiian group The Poi
Boiz.
* Concerts, hula shows and classes by Hawaii's famous Beamer Family,
featuring Keola Beamer.
* Watercolor classes by renowned artists Garry Palm, Peggy Chun and Peggy
Gupton.
* Workshops on ancient petroglyph rock art, taught by island printmaking
artist Lynn Cook.
* Hula by the award-winning halau Na Hula O Kaohikukapulani under the
direction of Kapu Alquiza Kinimaka, accompanied by Na Kapu Mele.
* Island legends, language and cultural talks by Kaliko Trapp, Hawaiian
history authority.
* Hawaiian handicraft classes by Terry Green, renowned for craft and
clothing design work.
* Contemporary Hawaiian music by island recording star David Kaeo with
Anuhea.
* Hula shows and lessons, crafts classes and a tribute to Hawaiian fire
goddess Madame Pele by Kumu Hula Blaine Kia and the Ladies of Halau Ke
Waikahe Lani Maile.
* Stories and songs about Hawaiian Queen Lili'uokalani, by Puanani
Medeiros Higgins.
* Quilting sessions with former Miss Hawaii, Patricia Lei Anderson Murray,
now a Hawaiian crafts gallery owner and internationally known singer.
Although both United States Lines and American Hawaii Cruises feature year-round seven-night itineraries, the Patriot sails from Honolulu and offers a relaxing resort-style Hawaiian ambiance while the Independence sails from Maui and offers culturally enriching cruises that explore Hawaiian myths, legend and lore. The ships visit Nawiliwili, Kauai; Honolulu, Oahu; Kahului, Maui; and both Hilo and Kona on the Big Island of Hawaii, and spend more than twice as much time in port as other cruise lines' week-long Hawaiian itineraries, including overnight stays in the most popular destinations.
All Hawaiian Heritage cruises are offered at a two-for-one rate as part of the "Summer of Freedom'' promotion. Vacationers who purchase a cruise and accompanying round-trip airfare at brochure rates will receive a free cruise and round-trip air ticket for their companion. Brochure fares including air for 2001 cruises aboard the Independence start at $1,758 per person, double occupancy, and $2,008 aboard the Patriot. In each case, the cruise and air for the second person are free; both passengers are responsible for port charges of $90 per person, plus Hawaii state sales tax. "Summer of Freedom'' promotional rates are subject to cabin and air availability.
To make a reservation, contact a travel agent. For a complimentary brochure, call American Hawaii Cruises toll-free at 888-404-5527, or United States Lines at 888-404-5524.
American Hawaii Cruises and United States Lines are subsidiaries of American Classic Voyages Co., the world's largest U.S.-flag cruise company with a fleet of seven U.S.-crewed vessels. Two additional 1,900-passenger U.S.-flag ships are under construction for delivery in 2003 and 2004 for United States Lines. For more information, visit www.cruisehawaii.com; www.unitedstateslines.com; or www.amcv.com.
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PRINCESS DETAILS 2002 BERMUDA SCHEDULE
Pacific Princess Returns to Sail Industry's Only Three-Port Itinerary
SANTA CLARITA, CA -- Pacific Princess, television's original "Love Boat," will return for another Bermuda season in 2002, offering 25 summer sailings round-trip from New York. The weekly cruises, offered between May 5 and October 20, feature the industry's only itinerary with overnight stays at all three of Bermuda's major ports--St. George's, Hamilton and West End.
"Passengers have been enthusiastic about our winning combination of a unique itinerary coupled with the charming intimacy of Pacific Princess," said Dean Brown, Princess, executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer service. "We've had wonderful response to these three-port Bermuda voyages since we debuted them last year."
With day calls and overnight stays in each port, Pacific Princess offers her passengers more than enough time to explore beyond the pink sands and spectacular waters of this world-renowned island nation.
The first stop, St. George's, the oldest and most historic settlement on the island, provides not only a glimpse into the history of Bermuda but also some of the most picturesque golf courses in the world. In Hamilton, Bermuda's capital, passengers can take a horse-drawn carriage ride along Front Street or sample its fine art galleries, shops and pubs. The Royal Naval Dockyard, once a working fort built by Britain's Royal Navy, today boasts a maritime museum, a craft market and an arts center.
Princess' Bermuda cruises can be combined with one of two pre-cruise land tours to some of the most popular locations along the Eastern U.S. seaboard. The six-night Historic America tour captures the nation's early beginnings with two nights in Washington, D.C.; two nights in Williamsburg; a night in Charlottesville and a night in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with visits to many historic sites in each area. The six-night New England Highlights tour includes a night in Boston and overnight stays in Kennebunkport, Maine; North Conway, New Hampshire; Stowe, Vermont; Lake Placid, New York and New York City. Both tours include the expert leadership of a professional and knowledgeable tour guide.
For those who wish to explore more of the Big Apple, Cruise Plus packages are offered both before and after the cruise. Passengers can extend their vacations with a one- or two-night stay at the new Hilton Times Square, and purchase advance Broadway tickets at a special Princess rate.
On all Bermuda cruises, passenger will enjoy the warmth and intimacy that have made Pacific Princess a long-time favorite. The 640-passenger vessel has pioneered many of Princess' new itineraries, forging the way not only in Bermuda, but also with Cape Horn cruises, West Africa sailings, East Africa cruisetours and Iceland/Spitsbergen voyages. Pacific Princess offers a spacious yet intimate atmosphere with a truly timeless quality. Fares for Princess, Bermuda cruises begin at $1,199 per person based on double occupancy. Third- and fourth-berth passengers can travel for as little as $499, including port charges. Group rates begin at $699. These early booking fares are available for reservations made before February 14, 2002.
More information about Princess' schedules and fares is available
through a professional travel agent.
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PRINCESS ANNOUNCES 2002 EUROPE CRUISE PROGRAM
Regal Princess Takes Over Scandinavia/Russia Cruises
***
10-Day Mediterranean Cruises Debut
SANTA CLARITA, CA -- In 2002 Princess will again lead the way in Europe cruising, offering more unique itineraries than any other major cruise line and featuring one of the industry's largest and most amenity-filled ships, Golden Princess. Passengers will enjoy a number of new options for the season, including a 10-day version of Princess' enormously popular Grand Mediterranean itinerary, plus five new Connoisseur cruise itineraries aboard Royal Princess.
Regal Princess also will join the Europe deployment by taking over Baltic Sea cruises to Scandinavia and Russia, formerly offered on Crown Princess. In total, Princess' 2002 Europe season will feature 44 departures on 24 unique itineraries aboard four ships (Golden Princess, Regal Princess, Royal Princess and Pacific Princess) complemented by a full schedule of Princess' signature cruisetours to some of the continent's top inland destinations.
"Princess continues to set the industry standard in the European cruise market by providing so many of the region's most exciting ports in our growing number of unique itineraries," said Dean Brown, Princess' executive vice president of sales, marketing and customer service. "Combined with onboard options and flexibility offered through our Personal Choice Cruising program, the 2002 Princess Europe season redefines the ultimate cruise vacation."
Golden Princess will again feature Princess, popular 12-day Grand Mediterranean itinerary, along with a new 10-day version of the same route. The ship will offer seven departures on this acclaimed Barcelona to Istanbul cruise, calling at Monte Carlo, Florence/Pisa, Naples/Capri, Venice, Athens and Kusadasi. Princess is the only line sailing these waters to offer overnight stays in three cities (Barcelona, Venice and Istanbul) to give passengers more time to explore these fascinating destinations. For those with less time to spare, two departures will feature the new 10-day version, following the same route without calls in Monte Carlo or Kusadasi. In addition, the ship will feature two trans-Atlantic crossings, a 14-day Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona cruise in May, and a 15-day Istanbul to New York sailing in August.
Regal Princess moves to Europe to offer a series of 10-day Scandinavia/Russia and Baltic Heritage cruises, sailing round-trip from Copenhagen. These voyages, which include two full days in St. Petersburg as well as visits to Stockholm, Helsinki, Tallinn (Estonia), Oslo (substituted with Warnemunde, Germany on the Baltic Heritage itinerary) and Gdansk (Poland), have become a top choice among passengers. The ship will also offer a 12-day Rome to Copenhagen itinerary, as well as a 16-day trans-Atlantic crossing in August, traveling from Copenhagen to New York.
Royal Princess returns with 13 different Connoisseur cruise routes in the Mediterranean and northern Europe, featuring a number of new itineraries. These 10- and 12-day voyages include an Iceland/British Isles sailing, five departures to Egypt and the Aegean Sea, two new Mediterranean/Aegean sailings, a revised Western Europe/British Isles cruise and Royal Princess, version of the popular Grand Mediterranean itinerary, modified to sail between Barcelona and Venice. In addition, the ship will transport passengers north to the Arctic Circle on a Norwegian Fjords cruise, as well as to ports throughout Western Europe.
Pacific Princess will also make a return appearance on several Connoisseur cruise itineraries, including a 12-day Egypt and the Aegean Sea itinerary, a 30-day Egypt, Africa and Mediterranean cruise and a 16-day trans-Atlantic and Mediterranean sailing.
For passengers who wish to travel beyond the sea on their Europe vacation, Princess offers a full schedule of escorted cruisetours, to destinations such as the Swiss Alps; Vienna, Budapest and Prague; Paris and the French Countryside; Bavarian Castles and Italian Lakes; and the Heart of Spain, coordinating seamlessly with Golden Princess and Regal Princess sailings. In addition, Princess, Cruise Plus program offers the opportunity to enhance any voyage with pre- or post-cruise land programs and hotel stays in port cities throughout Europe.
Passengers on any sailing will enjoy the ability to customize their vacation with Princess, Personal Choice Cruising(SM) program. This unique, unstructured approach to cruising enables passengers to choose from a variety of dining, activity and entertainment alternatives to create their own individualized European vacation experiences. Options include the line's exclusive Personal Choice Dining(SM) program, the only one in the industry where guests can choose between restaurant-style seating and traditional cruise ship dining with an assigned dining time and tablemates; Personal Choice Entertainment, offering up to three main show lounges and numerous smaller venues to provide a wide variety of evening productions; and a substantial number of affordable balconies, more than 710 aboard Golden Princess.
Cruise fares for Europe sailings begin at $2,440. Low third- and fourth-berth rates start at $1,199 per person. These special fares are available to passengers who make reservations prior to February 14, 2002.
More information about Princess' schedules and fares is available through a professional travel agent.
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CRYSTAL SYMPHONY IS SLATED FOR MULTIMILLION DOLLAR REFURBISHMENT
LOS ANGELES -- Crystal Symphony will boast several design changes next fall. During her scheduled November drydock, many of her public areas, as well as the two Crystal Penthouses, will be completely remodeled. Among the areas slated for major refurbishment are the Atrium, including the Crystal Cove and Plaza; Jade Garden, the ships Asian specialty restaurant; and both Crystal Penthouses, the most exclusive of the lines luxury accommodations. The Neptune Pool and Trident Bar & Grill will be newly outfitted to enhance the new casual dining experience. The line is also planning service and cosmetic enhancements to the Crystal Spa and the Lido Café and Gardens.
Overseeing the project is noted ship architect Robert Tillberg and his Tillberg Design U.S. office in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
In keeping with Crystals well-established position in luxury travel, and penchant for quality, each year we maintain our momentum with innovative design, function and product enhancements, says Adam Leavitt, senior vice president, marketing.
During drydock, Crystal Cruises conducts heavy cleaning and refurbishment that complements the ongoing year-round maintenance of the ship. This includes cleaning or replacement of carpets and soft furnishings as needed in all staterooms, from dry-cleaning the draperies and bedspreads, to washing the ceilings, regrouting bathrooms and painting verandahs; sanding and varnishing all dance floors and stages; off loading deck cushions for dry cleaning; installing new teak decking; having teams of French polishers come aboard to refine all marble surfaces; and scouring all housekeeping pantries, galley store rooms and provisioning areas.
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