News from the world of cruise travel ~
July 16-31, 2004
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QE2 World Cruise Sets New Course for 2005
Cunards legendary liner to explore 38 ports in 24 nations
MIAMI Cunard Line is going around the world, again. The venerable shipping line that hosted the first-ever World Cruise back in 1922 has released details of its 2005 itinerary. Guests will explore 38 ports in 24 countries aboard the feted Queen Elizabeth 2, a very different vessel than Laconia, which pioneered around-the-world voyages. The new 108-day Voyage of Discovery the ultimate itinerary in Cunards annual cruise collection departs January 3, 2005, on a journey west from New York to Los Angeles, across to the South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia, through the Far East to India, Arabia and Europe. The final leg of this unbelievable voyage, from Southampton, England, to New York will be a transatlantic crossing on board the lines new flagship Queen Mary 2.
Prices for the World Cruise begin at $30,999 per person, double, for an inside stateroom; Grand Suites are $399,799 per person, double. For travelers not prepared to spend nearly four months at sea, segments ranging from 12 to 106 days, start from just $1,999 per person, double.
Discover the world aboard Queen Elizabeth 2
Renowned for its award-winning and stimulating on-board enrichment programs, Cunard will once again feature a stellar line-up of lecturers and celebrity guests from journalism, film, literature, music, history, politics and the culinary arts to further enhance the QE2 World Cruise experience. Entertainment is also specially selected for variety, and local talent complements the top-name comedians, singers and musicians who make guest appearances.
Make no mistake; the luminaries on board pale in comparison to QE2, itself, which is the star attraction in virtually every port along her route. Be prepared for fanfare as the arrival of the legendary liner will undoubtedly be heralded the world over. Since her 1969 launch, QE2 has called at 275 ports, carried some three million guests and sailed over five million nautical miles.
Cunards World Cruise has been a famous annual affair since we introduced the very first World Cruise 83 years ago, said David Gevanthor, the lines vice president, yield management and marketing. The black-tie galas, themed balls and speciality parties aboard QE2 make it one of the best known, most coveted and longest-running soirees of the social season.
Cunards 2005 Voyage of Discovery blends a mix of previous ports with five maiden calls (denoted with an asterisk). The epic itinerary visits: For Lauderdale; Curacao; Fuerte Amador, Panama; Acapulco; Los Angeles; Honolulu and Kona, Hawaii; Papeete and Moorea, Tahiti; Auckland and Christchurch, New Zealand; Sydney, Phillip Island*, Melbourne, Adelaide, Fremantle* and Exmouth*, Australia; Bali; Manila; Nagasaki and Osaka, Japan; Keelung, Taiwan; Hong Kong; Bangkok; Singapore; Kuala Lumpur; Colombo, Sri Lanka; Bombay; Dubai; Muscat and Salalah, Oman; Aqaba, Jordan; Sokhna*, Egypt; Marmaris*, Turkey; Naples; Barcelona and Malaga, Spain; and Southampton, and returns to New York.
Optional sightseeing excursions and escorted land tours to inland attractions are hallmarks of the World Cruise. From Fremantle, passengers can explore the vibrant city of Perth. Keelung is the gateway to bustling Taiwan. The ancient city of Petra is visited from Aqaba. Sokhna serves as the jumping off point for Cairo and the pyramids of Giza. Escorted land tours to the Australian Outback, Indias Taj Mahal and the Great Wall of China are among the overnight sightseeing highlights comprising Cunards Connoisseur CollectionSM.
Complimentary airfare and all shipboard gratuities
Fares for the 2005 World Cruise include round-trip Economy Class air transportation from 102 North American cities, including airport-pier ground transfers. Business Class upgrades are offered based on the segment and stateroom category selected. All guests sailing for 88 days or longer fly in First Class and receive complimentary gratuities. Past Cunard World Cruise guests, members of the lines past-passenger club and past guests of any of the various Worlds Leading Cruise Lines alliance qualify for discounts.
Relish Cunards White Star ServiceSM
QE2 has long been called a City at SeaSM. Indeed, Cunards majestic liner has all the five-star comforts and conveniences requisite for an extended ocean voyage, including formal dining rooms, a casual alternative venue, several elegant bars and lounges, European-style spa, casino, grand ballroom, cinema, computer centre with Internet and e-mail access, well-stocked library, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, hot tubs, exercise room and duty-free boutiques.
Shipboard facilities also include a beauty salon, medical centre, golf driving range and putting green, formal wear shop (rentals available), florist, synagogue and the Heritage Trail a permanent, museum-quality exhibit that uniquely retraces Cunards history through artworks and other memorabilia. For women traveling singly or with companions that dont dance, a brigade of gallant gentlemen social hosts assures that they will not miss out on the festivities.
Cuisine and service on board QE2 pay homage to the companys proud 164-year British tradition. To that end, menus are carefully planned to provide variety throughout the three-month-plus voyage and Cunards White Star Service assures gracious and efficient care while away from home. In fact, the ships five-star Grill accommodations have repeatedly won the maritime Oscar from the respected Berlitz cruise guide. According to the author Douglas Ward, If you occupy one of the top-level suites, with butler service and all the trimmings of finery, your experience should be nothing short of superb.
For more information about Cunards 2005 World Cruise or to receive a brochure, contact your professional travel counselor, call Cunard at 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com
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Princess Covers the Caribbean with 11 Itineraries in 2005-06
Six-Ship Fleet Features Youngest Vessels in the Region, Including Year-round Caribbean Princess
SANTA CLARITA, CA (July 30, 2004) - Caribbean cruise vacationers will continue to benefit from Princess' commitment to this region in 2005-06, as an extensive selection of 11 itineraries will cover 25 ports in the tropical waters Western, Eastern and Southern Caribbean. Six Princess ships will sail on seven-day, 10-day and 14-day itineraries from Ft. Lauderdale, San Juan and Galveston, each offering an enchanting blend of Caribbean culture. New this season, the line debuts a series of longer Caribbean adventures with a series of two new 14-day itineraries aboard Sea Princess, one of which will also include a new port of call for the line, the unspoiled island of Bonaire. In total, four ships--Caribbean Princess, Grand Princess, Star Princess and Golden Princess--will offer seven-day itineraries, while Sun Princess features alternating 10-day itineraries and Sea Princess debuts the new 14-day itineraries.
"Our Caribbean program really will offer the finest fleet in the region," said Jan Swartz, Princess' senior vice president of customer service and sales. "Having the youngest fleet, with an average age of five years, means our passengers enjoy some of the newest features afloat, including our renowned Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen. And our ships have the highest percentage of balconies in the Caribbean, with more than half our staterooms sporting this popular feature."
Princess' 2005-06 Caribbean season includes:
Caribbean Princess - This new 113,000-ton ship, built specifically for the Caribbean trade, sails on its second season with Princess' Classic Eastern Caribbean itinerary roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. The vessel will offer 27 Saturday departures on an itinerary that travels to St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Princess Cays. Sailings run between October 29, 2005 and April 29, 2006. Beforehand, Caribbean Princess will also offer a complete summer season with alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises. The April 30 to October 22, 2005 season features both 15 Eastern Caribbean sailings and 11 Western Caribbean sailings to Princess Cays, Ocho Rios (or Montego Bay), Grand Cayman and Cozumel.
Grand Princess - Grand Princess returns for a second season of seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries from Princess' new Galveston homeport. The 2,600-passenger vessel departs on Saturdays for calls in Belize, Costa Maya, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The ship offers 23 sailings on this itinerary between November 26, 2005 and April 29, 2006.
Star Princess - Star Princess returns to the Caribbean with seven-day Western Caribbean itineraries, departing from Ft. Lauderdale on Sundays. The ship will offer 27 sailings between October 9, 2005 and April 30, 2006, featuring calls at Princess Cays, Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios. In addition, Star Princess will sailing on two special holiday cruises - a 10-day Eastern Caribbean Voyager over Christmas and an 11-day Southern Caribbean Medley over the New Year. The first departs on December 18 and will spend the holidays visiting St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. The New Year sailing departs December 28 and will visit Aruba, Curaçao, Isla Margarita, Barbados, Dominica, St. Thomas and Princess Cays.
Golden Princess - Based in San Juan, Golden Princess offers alternating seven-day Southern Caribbean itineraries, departing on Saturdays. The Classic Southern Caribbean itinerary includes calls at Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten and St. Thomas. The alternate Southern Caribbean Explorer itinerary features the ports of St. Thomas, St. Kitts, Grenada, Caracas and Aruba. The ship will offer 13 sailings on each itinerary between October 29, 2005 and April 22, 2006. In addition, the ship will sail on three Eastern Caribbean cruises between New York and San Juan. The October 22, 2005 sailing travels from New York and calls at St. Thomas, Antigua and St. Maarten. On May 1, 2005 and April 29, 2006, the ship sails the reverse direction from San Juan.
Sun Princess - Sun Princess will offer alternating 10-day sailings roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale - one to the Southern Caribbean and the other to the Eastern Caribbean. The Southern Caribbean Medley itinerary is offered on 11 sailings and includes calls at Curaçao, Isla Margarita, Barbados, Dominica, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. The Eastern Caribbean Voyager itinerary is featured on 10 sailings and offers calls at St. Vincent, Grenada, St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Thomas and Princess Cays.
Sea Princess - Sea Princess returns to the Princess fleet with a series of new 14-day Caribbean adventures. The ship will feature two alternating itineraries sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. The ship offers seven sailings on the Grand Caribbean Adventurer route between November 5 and April 22, with calls at Princess Cays, Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Vincent, Trinidad, Bonaire and Ocho Rios. Six sailings of the new Grand Caribbean Islander itinerary are offered between November 19 and April 8, featuring calls at Princess Cays, Tortola, Antigua, Dominica, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, Isla Margarita, Aruba and Grand Cayman.
Regardless of which itinerary passengers choose, they will enjoy some of the most amenity-filled vessels in the Princess fleet, with such distinctive features as the line's signature Personal Choice Dining, Lotus Spa, extensive children and teen centers, wedding chapels, internet centers, and an extensive array of entertainment options and venues, all in an intimately designed, personalized environment. The newest vessel in the fleet, Caribbean Princess, sports such features as a poolside movie screen, a new Caribbean-themed alternative restaurant, and nearly 900 cabins with balconies, more than on any other cruise ship sailing year-round in the Caribbean. Early booking fares for Princess' 2005-06 Caribbean season begin at $549 for seven-day sailings, $899 for 10-day cruises, and $1,299 for 14-day voyages. Additional information is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com
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NCL Announces Itinerary for Pride of America
Company Outlines Full 2005 Hawai'i Deployment Including New Maui Embarkations
MIAMI, July 29 -- NCL Corporation has unveiled the itinerary for Pride of America, the second of three U.S. Flagged ships that will sail Hawai'i under the NCL America brand. With a delivery date of June 6, 2005 and after several inaugural cruises, Pride of America will begin sailing seven-day roundtrip cruises from Honolulu on July 23, 2005 as well as offering three-day and four-day inter-island cruises between Honolulu and Maui. In addition, the company announced that it would offer a Maui embarkation/debarkation option on the Honolulu-based Pride of Aloha, resulting in a seven-day round-trip cruise from Maui as well as the current seven-day round-trip cruise from Honolulu on Pride of Aloha. NCL's third Hawai'i-based ship, Norwegian Wind, will continue her popular 10- and 11-day Hawai'i and Fanning Island itineraries from Honolulu. Norwegian Wind sails under the Norwegian Cruise Line brand.
With today's announcements, NCL will offer from Honolulu - two seven-day inter-island cruises, one on Pride of Aloha (Sundays) and one on Pride of America (Saturdays); a 10/11 day itinerary on Norwegian Wind (departing alternate Wednesdays and Saturdays) and a three-night inter-island cruise to Maui via the Big Island of Hawai'i on Pride of America. From Maui, NCL will offer a seven-night inter-island cruise on Pride of Aloha and a four-night inter-island cruise from Maui to Honolulu via the Big Island of Hawai'i and Kauai on Pride of America.
"With two NCL America ships sailing inter-island cruises and a Norwegian Cruise Line ship sailing a Hawai'i/Fanning Island itinerary this will be the largest cruise deployment ever for Hawai'i," said Colin Veitch, president and CEO of NCL America.
Pride of America's roundtrip seven-day cruises from Honolulu feature a day in Hilo, Hawai'i; two days in Kahului, Maui; a day in Kona, Hawai'i; and two days in Nawiliwili, Kauai. The three-day cruise will embark in Honolulu every Saturday and include: one day in Hilo, Hawai'i; and two days in Kahului, Maui disembarking there every Tuesday. The four-day cruise will embark in Kahului, Maui every Tuesday and include: one day in Kona, Hawai'i; two days in Nawiliwili, Kauai; and disembarking every Saturday in Honolulu, O'ahu.
Pride of Aloha's new seven-day roundtrip Maui cruise begins on June 4, 2005 embarking in Kahului every Saturday and features one day in Honolulu, O'ahu; two days in Nawiliwili, Kauai; one day in Hilo, Hawai'i; one day in Kona, Hawai'i; and one day and an overnight in Kahului, Maui before disembarking on Saturday. This Maui-Maui cruise will run in parallel with the ship's Honolulu-Honolulu cruise. Maui-Maui guests will embark and disembark on Saturdays. Honolulu-Honolulu guests will embark and disembark on Sundays. Pride of Aloha, NCL America's first U.S.-flag cruise ship is currently sailing seven-day, round-trip Hawai'i itineraries, visiting all four main islands and giving passengers up to 96 hours in port. Ports of call include: Honolulu, O'ahu; an overnight in Nawiliwili, Kauai; Hilo, Hawai'i; Kona, Hawai'i; and an overnight in Kahului, Maui.
Norwegian Wind's itinerary features roundtrip cruises from Honolulu with the 10-day itinerary featuring Honolulu, O'ahu; Hilo, Hawai'i; Fanning Island, Republic of Kiribati; Nawiliwili Kauai; Lahaina, Maui; and Kona, Hawai'i; and her 11-day itinerary featuring Honolulu, O'ahu; Hilo, Hawai'i; Kahului, Maui; Lahaina, Maui; Nawiliwili, Kauai; Fanning Island, Republic of Kiribati; and Kona, Hawai'i.
Cruises go on sale on August 9
Pride of America will be the first new-built U.S. flagged cruise ship in 50 years and will employ 1,000 U.S. seafarers and will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits to Hawai'i and the U.S. The ship, which celebrates a 'Best of America' theme, will feature the innovative attributes of NCL's newest Freestyle Cruising fleet. She features eight restaurants offering traditional dining experiences in two main restaurants plus multiple alternative dining venues, from formal to casual including a 24- hour dining location.
Pride of America has over 660 balcony staterooms, a wide range of family- friendly interconnecting cabins, state-of-the-art entertainment venues, three pools, extensive children's facilities, an abundance of spacious public rooms and the largest dedicated meeting facilities at sea. All inspired by the diverse regions of America. The ship will also include several firsts for NCL including a Conservatory, a new category of Family Suites, Tennis Court and an Art Gallery.
Maui embarkations supported by new United flight
NCL's announcement coincides with the introduction of United Airlines' new non-stop Chicago-Maui-Kona service, which complements its recently introduced daily non-stop flight from Chicago to Honolulu. "United's new direct route from Chicago to Maui-Kona supports our Hawai'i deployment, especially as we introduce new Maui embarkations for Pride of Aloha and Pride of America," Veitch added. United currently provides 25 daily nonstop flights to Hawai'i from its U.S. hubs in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver and Chicago, and flies daily to Honolulu nonstop from both Osaka and Tokyo.
NCL Corporation is an innovative cruise company headquartered in Miami, Florida. With a fleet of 14 ships in service and under construction, the corporation oversees the operations of NCL, NCL America and Orient Lines. On July 4, 2004, NCL made U.S. maritime history when it introduced the reflagged Pride of Aloha, the first modern U.S.-flagged cruise ship in nearly 50 years. The 2,002 passenger ship is 100% U.S.-crewed, with most seafarers hailing from Hawai'i. The company is currently building three ships - Pride of America (delivery on June 6, 2005), Norwegian Jewel (delivery in August 2005) and Pride of Hawai'i (delivery in April 2006). For further information on NCL or NCL America, agents in the U.S. and Canada may contact NCL at (800) 327-7030; visit NCL's website at www.ncl.com
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Silversea Cruises' Intriguing New Land Program Explores Mysterious Easter Island
Optional Four- and Five-Night Land Extension to Exotic Pacific Island Offered from Santiago, Chile, on Four Distinctive Itineraries in 2005
Ft. Lauderdale, FL, July 29, 2004 -- Silversea Cruises is offering an intriguing new land program perfectly tailored to appeal to those sophisticated travelers seeking far-flung adventures. Considered the most remote inhabited island on Earth, Easter Island highlights a new four- and five-night land extension available to guests of the ultra-luxury cruise line who wish to extend their vacation with a pre- or post-cruise stay in Santiago, Chile, on four select voyages in 2005. Called Rapa Nui, or "navel of the world", by its Polynesian inhabitants, this mysterious island, located approximately 2,000 miles west of Chile in the Pacific Ocean, is most renowned for the large, enigmatic statues, or moai, that soar above its landscape. The tallest of the moai stands over 30 feet high and weighs over 18 tons. Carved from hardened volcanic ash, these immense statues have amazed and puzzled explorers and archaeologists for hundreds of years.
"We're very excited that four of our South American cruises next year will offer this exclusive Easter Island land extension, giving our guests a rare opportunity to explore one of the world's most alluring destinations, either before or after their cruise," said David Morris, Silversea's Senior Vice President, North America Sales. "This fascinating, optional land program was specifically designed for those travelers interested in discovering unusual destinations that are well off the beaten path."
The four-night Mysterious Easter Island land program features two nights on Easter Island at Hotel Iorana, two nights at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Santiago, round-trip air transportation, transfers and a tour of Santiago. Breakfast is included throughout the program, as are some lunches and dinners. (The five-night extension features three nights at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel.) Highlighting the program is an in-depth two-day guided tour of Easter Island, including a visit to the quarry at Rano Raraku volcano, where the island's gigantic statues were cut.
The following South American voyages feature the Mysterious Easter Island optional land extension:
Silver Wind's 16-day January 6 cruise from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso (Santiago), cruising the Strait of Magellan, Cape Horn and the Chilean Fjords, with calls in Montevideo, Uruguay; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Punta Arenas, Chile; Ushuaia, Argentina; Laguna San Raphael, Puerto Chacabuco, and Puerto Montt, Chile. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at $6,282 per person (35% savings). Optional four-night, post-cruise Mysterious Easter Island land program is available at $2,565 per person for both air/sea and cruise-only guests.
Silver Wind's 16-day January 22 cruise from Valparaiso (Santiago) to Buenos Aires, cruising the Strait of Magellan and the Chilean Fjords, with calls in Puerto Montt, Puerto Chacabuco, Laguna San Raphael and Punta Arenas, Chile; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Punta del Este, Uruguay; and Montevideo. Silver Sailing cruise fares start at $6,282 per person (35% savings). Optional five-night, pre-cruise Mysterious Easter Island land program is available at $2,415 per person for air/sea guests and $2,885 for cruise-only guests.
Silver Shadow's 11-day January 31 cruise from Callao (Lima), Peru, to Valparaiso (Santiago), calling in Pisco (Peru), Arica, Iquique, Coquimbo and Robinson Crusoe Island, Chile. Advance Payment Bonus cruise fares start at $5,346 per person (20% savings). Optional four-night, post-cruise Mysterious Easter Island land program is available at $2,605 per person for both air/sea and cruise-only guests.
Silver Shadow's 16-day February 11 cruise from Valparaiso (Santiago) to Buenos Aires, cruising the Chilean Fjords and Strait of Magellan, with calls in Puerto Montt, Puerto Chacabuco, Laguna San Raphael and Punta Arenas, Chile; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands; Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Punta del Este, Uruguay; and Montevideo. Advance Payment Bonus cruise fares start at $7,616 per person (20% savings). Optional four-night, pre-cruise Mysterious Easter Island land program is available at $2,230 per person for air/sea guests and $2,700 for cruise-only guests.
For more information on Silversea Cruises, please contact a travel agent. For a complimentary brochure, please call toll-free (877) 215-9986 or visit www.silversea.com
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Royal Caribbean Announces Lengthening, Refurbishing of Enchantment of the Seas
MIAMI, July 28 -- Royal Caribbean International today announced plans to lengthen and extensively refurbish its Vision-class ship Enchantment of the Seas. A 73-foot midsection built by Kvaerner Masa-Yards will be inserted into the ship at the Keppel Verolme Shipyard in Rotterdam, increasing the vessel's overall length to 990 feet and its tonnage from 74,140 to 80,700 tons. The new midsection will add 151 staterooms, as well as a number of indoor and outdoor public areas.
Enchantment of the Seas' transformation comes in the wake of extensive enhancements to other ships in the Royal Caribbean International fleet. Nordic Empress was revitalized this spring and made her debut as Empress of the Seas at the cruise line's new Cape Liberty Cruise Point in Bayonne, N.J., in May. Monarch of the Seas underwent a similar refurbishment in early 2003. The line also has announced plans to revitalize Sovereign of the Seas this fall. Royal Caribbean has long been a trendsetter in the evolution of the cruise ship. The line was the first in the industry to lengthen a cruise ship in 1978, when an 85-foot section was inserted into the Song of Norway. The company also extended the Nordic Prince in 1980.
"The refurbishment of Enchantment makes tremendous sense from both an economic and a strategic standpoint. We add substantial revenue without adding commensurate costs, while significantly improving the overall guest experience," said Chairman and CEO Richard D. Fain. "We have taken what we have learned during the new-build process and applied best practices to upgrade our existing ships."
The additional space and extensive renovations will accommodate new public areas onboard Enchantment of the Seas, including a new specialty restaurant, Royal Caribbean's hallmark Boleros Latin lounge and Latte'tudes coffee shop, where guests can enjoy Seattle's Best Coffee® and Ben & Jerry's® ice cream. In addition, existing spaces will be extensively reconditioned. The ship's pool deck, main dining room, shopping area, casino, jogging track, fitness facility, day spa and art gallery are among several areas to be expanded and revitalized.
Enchantment of the Seas will be out of service from early May until early July 2005. Launched in 1997, the ship currently sails a rotating schedule of four- and five-night cruises from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to ports in the Western Caribbean. Following the lengthening, Enchantment of the Seas will sail a special series of cruises from three ports in the Northeast throughout the summer and fall before returning to Fort Lauderdale. She will offer itineraries of varying lengths to New England and Canada from Cape Liberty Cruise Port in Bayonne.
The recently refurbished Empress of the Seas will be homeported in Fort Lauderdale from May 5 to Oct. 6 during special sailings for Enchantment of the Seas. Empress of the Seas will offer four- and five-night cruises to ports of call including Key West; Cozumel and Costa Maya, Mexico; and George Town, Grand Cayman.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. is a global cruise vacation company that operates Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises, with a combined total of 29 ships in service and one under construction. The company also offers unique cruisetour vacations in Alaska, Canada and Europe. Additional information can be found on www.royalcaribbean.com.
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New Alaska 2005 Brochure Highlights Princess' Exclusive Wilderness Escape Option
Ground-breaking "Direct to the Wilderness" Rail Service Introduced
SANTA CLARITA, CA, July 28, 2004 -- Princess Cruises has just released its new brochure to help passengers escape into the Alaskan wilderness in 2005. The 120-page book details all of Princess' cruise and cruisetour itinerary options for next summer, including the debut of the line's new Direct to the Wilderness rail service between Whittier and Denali, an industry first. Princess will offer 125 departures in 2005, aboard seven ships, and featuring three popular Alaska routes -- seven-day Gulf of Alaska sailings between Vancouver and Whittier; seven-day Inside Passage from Seattle and 10-day Inside Passage from San Francisco. On land, 35 cruisetours options round out the offerings and the brochure provides helpful hints and a cruisetour finder to assist passengers in planning their land/sea vacation.
Highlights and itineraries for 2005 include:
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Direct to the Wilderness -- Passengers will be able to get to the wilderness faster than ever with the debut of the line's "Direct to the Wilderness" rail program that will have trains ready and waiting right at the Whittier dock. This exclusive rail service is an industry first and will whisk passengers directly to Princess' two Denali park-area lodges -- Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge -- via private direct-rail links. This innovative program will significantly reduce travel time and decrease the number of transfers needed on the way to the park. Guests will arrive in the Denali area in the afternoon of the same day they disembark their ship. As a result, Princess' cruisetours not only offer the fastest way to the Denali area, but now every tour offers at least two nights in the park area.
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Cruisetours -- Passengers can create a full land/sea wilderness adventure with by adding one of Princess' 35 land itinerary options, each offering at least two nights at Alaska's number one land attraction, Denali National Park. Princess' five wilderness lodges -- Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge, McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge and Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge -- each offer dramatic riverfront locations in some of Alaska's most stunning destinations.
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Voyage of the Glaciers -- Princess again offers seven-day sailings on its signature "Voyage of the Glaciers" itinerary between Vancouver and Whittier. The 2005 Alaska cruise season features new sister ships Coral Princess and Island Princess on alternating Saturday departures. They will be joined by Sun Princess and Dawn Princess, which set sail each Monday on either a northbound or southbound cruise. Sailing between May 7 and September 12, the ships offers passengers the opportunity to explore the ports of Skagway, Juneau and Ketchikan, plus cruising through the spectacular scenery of College Fjord, the Inside Passage and Alaska's number one attraction, Glacier Bay National Park.
Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess Sail From Seattle
The largest cruise ships to ply Alaskan waters, Diamond Princess and Sapphire Princess return to Seattle to offer seven-day roundtrip voyages calling at Juneau, Skagway, Ketchikan and Victoria, plus cruising through the dramatic glaciers, rock walls and waterfalls of Tracy Arm and the twin Sawyer Glaciers. Diamond Princess will offer 20 voyages on this itinerary departing on Saturdays between May 7 and September 17, 2005, while Sapphire Princess will offer 19 voyages departing on Sundays, beginning May 15 and continuing through September 18.
Regal Princess from San Francisco
Regal Princess will offer 14 departures between May 8 and September 15 on a 10-day Inside Passage itinerary roundtrip from "The City by the Bay," San Francisco. Passengers have a choice of itineraries that feature calls at Victoria, Juneau and two other scenic Alaska ports that rotate between Ketchikan, Sitka, Skagway or Haines. All voyages also offer premiere glacier viewing in Tracy Arm.
Copies of Princess' new brochure are available from professional travel agents or by clicking on the "Brochures" link at www.princess.com. Brochures may also be downloaded in pdf format from the website. Additional information is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com.
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SeaDream Yacht Club Introduces Past Guest Organization,
The SeaDreamers Club
SeaDream Yacht Club, operator of the twin, ultra-luxury mega yachts SeaDream I and II, is launching a past passengers organization to be called The SeaDream Club and has named Adrienne dAnnunzio as Club Manager. DAnnunzio has been with SeaDream Yacht Club since its founding in September 2001. She has served the company first as Charters and Incentives Coordinator and more recently as Executive Assistant and Office Manager. In addition to her duties as Club Manager, dAnnunzio also oversees SeaDreams charity programs.
Set for start-up in September, Larry Pimentel, CTC, President and CEO of SeaDream Yacht Club, said The SeaDream Club is designed to show our appreciation to past guests by rewarding them for their patronage and to encourage them to continue to sail with us. Pimentel added that information will be conveyed to past passengers through a club newsletter to be called The SeaDreamer. All past passengers worldwide will receive the first issue of The SeaDreamer in September this year and will be automatically enrolled in the club unless they signify otherwise. Our concept is to provide our loyal past guests with a series of value-added opportunities; not to undermine the pricing integrity of the SeaDream product by simply offering endless discounts, he added.
Among the SeaDreamers Club benefits will be:
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Advance Notice on New Itineraries
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An Annual Club Members Sailing
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Special Perks for Bringing new Guests to SeaDream
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Priority Waitlist on Sold-Out Sailings
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Pre-Reserve Spa Appointments and Yachting Land Adventures Online
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The Tri-Annual Club Newsletter (The SeaDreamer)
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Savings (5%) for Past Guests booking a future voyage while onboard
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Onboard Club Member Cocktail party
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Special Savings in Onboard Boutique and Spa
Club Manager dAnnunzio said From time to time we may also surprise Club members with other perks, gifts and amenities. She added that she will be exploring other rewards such as reciprocal benefits with other clubs such as golf or sailing, invitations from luxury retailers, special key market events such as cruise-wear fashion shows or theater nights.
The SeaDreamer newsletter will be published in January, April and September and will feature news and photos from the SeaDream yachts, highlights from full-ship yacht charters, profiles of Captains and other onboard personalities, profiles of various ports-of-call, news of special sailings and other information of interest to luxury travelers.
In further comment on the new club, Pimentel said Although SeaDream Yacht Club will be only three years old in September this year; it enjoys a fiercely loyal following. Many of our guests have returned to sail with us numerous times either as individual passengers on scheduled sailings or have chartered one of our yachts for family celebrations.
Although classed as mega yachts, SeaDream I and II shared the top Five-Star Club award in the Berlitz Ocean Cruising and Cruise Ships 2003 guidebook and recently in the 2004 guidebook. For the 2004 guidebook, author Douglas Ward created a special category Utterly Exclusive for only three vessels he said to be above luxury. Of the three, two were SeaDream I and II. In the Americas the SeaDream Yacht Club reservations number is 1 800 707-4911. In Europe it is +47 23 28 96 60. The website is www.seadreamyachtclub.com.
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Seabourn Pride Hosts 2nd Annual 'Great American Food & Wine Festival' in October
Guest Chefs Explore Regional Cuisine, Culinary Events on the Eastern Seaboard
MIAMI, July 26 -- The all-suite, 208-guest Seabourn Pride will host its second annual Great American Food & Wine Festival on a 13-day cruise from New York to Nassau departing October 17, 2004. During the cruise, guests will enjoy onboard cooking demonstrations by guest chef Charlie Palmer of Aureole in New York and Las Vegas, kitchen 22 and others nationwide, as well as Robbin Haas, chef/owner of the Latin-flavored restaurant Chispa in Coral Gables, Florida. Signature dishes created by the guest chefs will be featured on menus in the ship's open-seating restaurant and the casual alternative Veranda Cafe and the ship will host wine tastings featuring vintages from some of America's most prestigious vineyards.
The harvest-time cruise itinerary includes visits to a number of cities that enjoy rich culinary traditions and vibrant contemporary cooking scenes. In ports that include Newport, RI; Philadelphia; Baltimore; Alexandria, VA (for Washington DC); Norfolk (for Williamsburg) VA; Charleston SC; Amelia Island and Port Canaveral, FL, guests will explore these by means of optional tours and visits to local culinary attractions.
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At Newport, an optional excursion will include information about the variety and bounty of local shellfish available in New England, and a demonstration of different traditional methods of preparing clam chowders. The end products will then provide a delicious luncheon for participants.
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An overnight stay in Philadelphia will provide the opportunity to experience a comparative tasting of the city's iconic Philly Cheese Steaks on site at the rival landmarks Geno's and Pat's.
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In Baltimore, guests will enjoy a luncheon feast of steamed blue crabs at Bo Brooks' classic crab shack and, afterward, explore the historic 220-year old Lexington Market.
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From Alexandria, an excursion into the gently rolling Virginia Piedmont leads to the award-winning Chrysalis Vineyards, for a tour and a tasting of wines from their unusual Spanish and French varietals as well as the native Norton Virginia grapes.
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In Norfolk, visit Rowena's in the historic Ghent section, a business that started with a family recipe for almond pound cake and has earned praises in the pages of Bon Appetit, Gourmet, Southern Living and on PBS television and the Food Network.
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Amanda Dew Manning, a 10th generation South Carolinian, leads a tour of Charleston's rich "Lowcountry" culinary heritage including a cooking demonstration and luncheon by the chef at the city's award-winning Magnolia's restaurant. All guests will also enjoy an Exclusively Seabourn Charleston experience when they ride by horsedrawn carriage to a traditional Southern tea in an elegant 19th century home.
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At Amelia Island, a boardinghouse-style luncheon is offered at The Florida House Inn. Located in the Fernandina Beach Historic District, Florida's oldest surviving hotel is only one of the architectural gems seen in this picturesque Victorian seaport.
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At Port Canaveral, guests are invited to "Follow the Wild Ocean Shrimp" on a boat tour of the Indian River Lagoon, a visit to a shrimp processor's and a feast of locally caught rock shrimp and boat run shrimp at the famous Dixie Crossroads.
With special savings of 50 percent off the published rates, fares for the 13-night cruise start from just $5,132 per person, based on double occupancy of a 277-square foot ocean view Seabourn Suite. For details, or to reserve a suite for Seabourn Pride's Great American Food & Wine Festival, call your travel agent or Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com
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Crystal Cruises Announces Summer and Fall Savings
Exceptional Luxury at Exceptional Value
LOS ANGELES, July 23 -- This summer and fall 2004, discerning travelers can indulge in Six-Star Crystal luxury at 50%-65% off published fares with Crystal Cruises' most extensive collection of savings opportunities for North America, South America and Europe. From low business class air upgrades to dollars off savings, the luxury line's award-winning service, space, choices and quality can be had on Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity at an unprecedented value. A choice of 23 cruises is available and per diem rates start as low as $154 per person per day.
"The competitive travel environment has been a boon for travelers," shares Bill Smith, Crystal's senior vice president, sales & marketing. "Never before have we offered such an array of cruises to so many destinations with such low starting per diems. As we see demand increasing during 2005, the opportunities for these incredible cruise rates will never be better."
Crystal's exceptional luxury at exceptional value, and service that exceeds expectations, is available on 7- to 12-day cruises to Europe, Alaska, New England, Canada, the Panama Canal, and the Caribbean.
Alaska
Crystal Harmony has introduced special starting fares on several 12-day Alaska cruises round-trip from San Francisco to Glacier Bay or Hubbard Glacier, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka, Ketchikan and the British Columbia ports of Victoria and Vancouver. With new fares offering as much as 63% savings, travelers can experience Alaska in luxury starting at just $1,995 or less than $200 per person per day, on three departures: August 22, September 3 and 15. And, children under 12 sail free when sharing a stateroom with two paying adults.
Baltic and British Isles
Following a multimillion refurbishment, Crystal Symphony sails the North and Baltic Sea for rich itineraries spending at least one night in St. Petersburg and other calls in Scandinavia and northern Europe. Fares for the following 12-day sailing starts at just $2,995, a 65% savings.
Mediterranean
Special savings fares, reduced business class upgrades and rich itineraries to the glamorous French Riviera, ancient Greece, Italy, Turkey and the Dalmatian coast await guests on Crystal Serenity, Crystal's newest luxury ship. The reduced business class add-on, starting at just $1,499, is in addition to the coach class add-on and must be ticketed at least 21 days prior to departure. Fares for the Mediterranean cruises start at $3,995, a 55% savings.
New England/Canada
The impressive fall foliage of New England and Canada, and ports in Newport, Boston, Bar Harbor, Quebec and Montreal, lure travelers on 11-day cruises aboard Crystal Symphony. Fares now start at $3,155, reflecting a 50% savings off brochure rates.
Mexican Riviera
Crystal Harmony makes a 10-day cruise to a variety of Mexican ports, conveniently round-trip from Los Angeles, with fares starting at just $1,995.
Caribbean
Visiting the bright shores, colorful cities and lush isles of the Caribbean, Crystal is offering a choice of six departures aboard Crystal Harmony, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity in the fall. Seven-day cruises start at only $1,495.
Panama Canal
Crystal Harmony and Crystal Serenity sail through this historic, manmade wonder and visit ports in the French West Indies, Dutch West Indies, Cayman Islands and Mexico. 11-day fares start as low as $1,695. On October 8, Crystal Harmony's 16-day voyage from Los Angeles to Ft. Lauderdale offers free round-trip air transportation from Ft. Lauderdale. Free one-way air transportation is also available through Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Los Angeles or San Diego airports.
Trans-Atlantic
Following the Mediterranean season, Crystal Serenity sails across the Atlantic from Portugal with calls to Madeira and Nassau, Bahamas before arrival in Ft. Lauderdale. With savings up to 50%, fares start at $2,995.
South America
Crystal Symphony includes an overnight in Rio de Janeiro and several outstanding specials aboard two 17-day cruises. Fares start at just $3,995, a 57% reduction. Single supplements have been reduced to 10% for most categories. And, free air transportation between Miami and either Buenos Aires or Rio de Janeiro. Business Class Air upgrade between Miami and Buenos Aires for just $899 per person! 13-day segments are also available to or from Rio de Janeiro.
Fares are based on per person, double occupancy accommodations. Air transportation is available from more than 100 U.S. and Canadian gateways. Pre- and post- hotel programs are available with most cruises. For more information on Crystal Cruises' luxury fleet and the service, space, choices and quality that distinguish the line in the travel industry, contact a professional travel agent, visit the line's website at www.crystalcruises.com, or call 866.446.6625.
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Holland America Line Puts Twist on Homeport Cruising
Premium Cruise Line Offers More Than a Dozen Exotic Voyages That Sail Roundtrip From North American Homeports in 2005
SEATTLE, July 22 -- Holland America Line today announced that its 2005 deployment schedule includes more than a dozen extended voyages (12 days and longer) that will allow guests to visit exotic international locales including the Amazon, Australia, Asia, the Baltics, and Africa from North American homeports. Holland America's 2005 deployment schedule features 13 international cruises ranging from 12 to 116 days that sail round-trip from North America.
The only major cruise line to sail regularly to all seven continents and the industry leader in cruises 12 days and longer, Holland America Line offers a compelling combination of international destinations and convenient domestic departure points. This means that guests can board one of Holland America's elegant five-star ships at a North American homeport, take an extended cruise across the Atlantic or Pacific, through the Panama Canal, or on the Amazon River, and return to a North American homeport -- in many cases, the same port they departed from. This new twist on extended voyage cruising is part of the company's $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative and provides travelers with more stress-free options to visit other parts of the world than ever before.
"We have a longstanding and unwavering commitment to not only take our guests to global destinations, but really take them into those destinations," said David A. Giersdorf, executive vice president, marketing and sales. "An added benefit, and one which our guests find very appealing, is that they can sail to exotic destinations with us, yet never have to deal with overseas air travel. We're making longer voyages extremely convenient to experience for our guests, and this combination of exotic travel and convenience is just one of many ways we differentiate on our itineraries."
Exciting extended voyage itineraries that depart from and return to a North American homeport include:
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Guests depart on the ms Veendam in Vancouver and sail south to Costa Rica, then through the Panama Canal, and up the Amazon River before disembarking in Tampa, Florida. The entire trip takes 34 days. This cruise departs on September 25, 2005, and has a starting "early savings" fare of US$5,019.
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The 35-day "Transatlantic" voyage on the ms Maasdam will depart from Boston on July 16, 2005. Guests will experience the beauty of multiple Canadian, North Atlantic and European destinations including New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Greenland, Iceland, Norway, Holland, France, England and Ireland on this Atlantic crossing. The Maasdam will return to Boston on August 20. This voyage has a starting rate of US$6,219.
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The 62-day "Orient Explorer," which departs from Seattle on October 6, 2005 on the ms Amsterdam. This Pacific Rim adventure visits 20 ports beginning in the Aleutian Islands and Russia's Far East before heading south to Japan and South Korea. The Amsterdam then visits Indonesia and sails around Australia before heading back east across the Pacific to San Diego. This unique voyage features extended stays in multiple ports including: Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan; Singapore; Xingang, People's Republic of China; and Hong Kong. The extended stay at the busy port city of Xingang provides two full days so guests may travel to Beijing and take in the rich legacies including the Forbidden City, the Ming Tombs and the serpentine Great Wall before returning to the ship. On the homeward leg of the voyage, guests will visit Sydney and the "Paris of the Pacific," Noume'a, New Caledonia; then stop at Christmas Island and Hawaii before returning to San Diego on December 7. This voyage has a starting rate of US$10,349.
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The 26-day "Amazon River Explorer," which departs Ft. Lauderdale on the ms Prinsendam on November 24, 2005. On this journey, guests will cross the equator and sail back in time during a full week of remote cruising on the Amazon River. In addition, guests will visit the black sand beaches of St. Kitts; stop at Holland America's exclusive private island, Half Moon Cay; and take in the sites of Barbados, Guadeloupe, Grenada and Devil's Island in French Guiana. This cruise on the Prinsendam returns to Ft. Lauderdale on December 20 and has a starting rate of US$4,749.
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Those sophisticated travelers who desire the ultimate travel experience in true luxury can sail on the premium line's renowned Grand World Voyage, which departs January 13, 2005 out of Ft. Lauderdale on the ms Prinsendam. This voyage heads west and circumnavigates the world, arriving back in Ft. Lauderdale or New York 113 and 116 days later, respectively. On this journey, guests will visit 43 distinctive ports of call across five continents (not including North America): Australia, Asia, Europe, Africa and Central/South America. Known as the "Elegant Explorer," Holland America's most intimate ship, the Prinsendam, was designed expressly for smaller groups experiencing an extended voyage and can access smaller ports of call, off the beaten path. The Grand World Voyage provides guests with a great opportunity to fully enjoy the world from a "home away from home" in the comfort of the ship's spacious, elegant accommodations.
All of the above North American round-trip itineraries feature Holland America's unique exploration enrichment program, which includes the Explorations Guest Speaker Series; an on-board library; Internet access; films; music; and other multimedia on worldwide destinations. These options provide guests with the opportunity to learn about the history, culture, art and cuisine of each region.
"We realize that every guest has a different perspective on extended cruise travel," said Giersdorf. "Our objective is to accommodate each and every guest in a way that is unique and memorable for that individual. We believe that our unparalleled selection of itineraries, combined with the convenience of round-trip North American homeport travel, is a great way to do this."
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Disney Magic Introduces More Age-Specific Spaces Than Ever Before
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. -- Aboard a ship best known for kids and characters, adults and teens now have three new venues of their own in which to play. Disney took the opportunity to add age-specific spaces during the Disney Magic cruise ship's regularly scheduled dry dock last fall. The refurbishments support the line's commitment to find new ways to provide cruise vacations that suit the unique needs of every member of the family.
Cove Café, open daily from 10 a.m. to midnight, provides a quiet spot for adults to escape to daily. The café neighbors the already-popular adult areas on Deck 9, including Quiet Cove pool, Vista Spa and Salon and an outdoor bar. It features comfortable furniture, large screen televisions, paperback books and magazines, four Internet stations and portholes for enjoying outdoor vistas. Cove Café offers an alternative location in which to provide refreshments with an array of gourmet coffee, specialty teas, cocktails, pastries and desserts. The café replaces Common Grounds, the former teen club.
Diversions, a traditional sports pub, provides guests a broad range of evening entertainment options with the addition of nightly themed activities. Here, the Pub Master hosts guests for sporting events, trivia-based game shows, piano sing-along entertainment and talent competitions. The décor includes multiple satellite television screens and specialty game tables for backgammon, checkers and chess. The pub joins an already popular line up of spaces on Beat Street, the nighttime entertainment district reserved exclusively for adults, and it replaces the nightclub formerly known as Off Beat.
Both locations capitalize on the line's growing need to accommodate the interests of adults who find themselves with free time to explore adult activities aboard Disney cruise ships. Today, more than a third of all guests sailing with Disney are adults without children and those who do bring the kids find little ones immersed in structured activities designed for the 12-week to 17 year-old set--activities staged in dedicated spaces which span nearly an entire deck.
For teens, Disney introduces The Stack. This all-new space is designed with the varied and often hard to please interests of teens in mind, and is located in the ship's forward (faux) funnel atop Deck 11. The Stack replaces ESPN Skybox and achieves an isolated space, which teens crave. It allows for a wider range of activities to be hosted in the teen-dedicated area, including dancing, watching multiple televisions, accessing the Internet or snacking with friends. This new location allows for multiple activities to be staged simultaneously and serves as the backdrop to an already stellar line up of teen-friendly programs.
Together the spaces join the ship's full complement of age-specific areas including:
For Children...
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Flounder's Reef Nursery (ages 12 weeks to 3 years), an under the sea-themed nursery for toddlers
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Disney's Oceaneer Club (ages 3-7), an adventureland fit for Peter Pan, Wendy and younger cruisers
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Disney's Oceaneer Lab (ages 8-12), Buzz Lightyear's galactic, space-age station designed for curious cruisers
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Scuttles Cove (ages 3-12), a super-sized sandbox located on Castaway Cay, complete with an authentic whale dig site, archaeology tools and beach toys
For Teens...
For Adults...
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Beat Street, an adults-only entertainment district, features three unique venues and provides nightly live entertainment tributes to the 60s, 70s and 80s.
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Vista Spa and Salon, an 8,000 square-foot escape, which allows adults to indulge in a wide variety of treatments and relax in the only tropical rainforest at sea
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Palo, Disney's signature restaurant at sea, serves adult guests sweeping ocean views and northern Italian specialties nightly and hosts champagne brunch and traditional high tea on sea days
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Serenity Bay, a secluded beach at Castaway Cay, provides cabanas for massages, a lighter-fare lunch alternative set-up, cocktail bar and beach respite
In addition to offering seven-night cruise vacations to the Caribbean, Disney Cruise Line offers three- and four-night itineraries to the Bahamas and land/sea vacation packages which include a stay at the Walt Disney World Resort. During the summer of 2005, Disney Cruise Line will offer its first-ever seven-night cruises to the Mexican Riviera departing from the Port of Los Angeles. With a pre- or post- stay at the Disneyland Resort, guests can combine the fun and excitement of the Disneyland Resort with the enchantment of a Disney cruise. The repositioning of the Disney Magic to southern California also includes two 14-night Panama Canal cruises, nicely blending exotic ports of call with leisurely days at sea.
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Holland America Announces 2004/05 Pacific Cruises
20 Cruises Include a Signature 62-Day Orient Explorer
Premium Cruise Line Offers Voyages to Asia, Russia, Hawaii, The South Pacific, and World's Largest Coral Atoll
SEATTLE, July 23 -- An escape to balmy breezes and exotic sightseeing awaits guests setting sail for Asia, Hawaii, Tahiti and Her Islands, and other destinations around the Pacific, as Holland America Line recently announced its new itineraries for September 2004 through December 2005. The offerings include 20 cruises on seven itineraries including 15- to 17-day trips to Hawaii, a 30-day exploration of Hawaii and the South Pacific, and an exceptional 62-day Orient Explorer through the Pacific that stops in Russia, Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, and islands in the South Pacific, including Fiji, Samoa, Christmas Island, and Hawaii.
"This year we are extremely excited to announce one of our most diverse Asia/Pacific schedules ever, featuring impressive explorations to exotic and varied locales," stated David A. Giersdorf, executive vice president of marketing and sales. "No other cruise line offers such extensive voyages, visiting so many enchanting locations as Holland America, with our 30-day Hawaii/South Pacific Explorer or our 62-day Orient Explorer. Moreover, all of these cruises depart and disembark from ports on the U.S. mainland, eliminating costly and long international flights. And, our visits to key ports are extended, allowing guests more time to explore and presenting opportunities for truly fabulous and diverse shore excursions."
Survey the Pacific on a 62-day Orient Explorer -- Back by popular demand is the enchanting 62-day Orient Explorer departing Oct. 6, 2005, from Seattle aboard the Amsterdam. This cruise visits three continents and twenty ports across Asia and the South Pacific before returning to San Diego.
The first half of the 62-day Orient Explorer crosses the Pacific by way of the Aleutian Islands to visit Russia, Japan, South Korea, China, and Singapore. Guests can visit volcanoes in Kamchatka, Russia, view Russia's once most-feared penal colony, visit the shrines and temples of Japan, explore the tropical beaches and pine forests of Cheju City, South Korea, explore the tombs of the Ming Dynasty, shop in bustling Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, or visit the Exotic Jurong Bird Paradise in the Republic of Singapore. Overnight stays in Yokohama (Tokyo), Japan; Xingang and Hong Kong, China feature an in-depth look at these fascinating destinations.
The second leg of the journey concentrates on the South Pacific, beginning in Singapore then traveling to Indonesia, visiting four ports in Australia, and making stops at New Caledonia, the Fiji Islands, Samoa, Kiribati, and Hawaii before returning to San Diego. Guests can view a fire dance on Bali, take a winery tour or visit the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Australia, visit the "Paris of the Pacific" in New Caledonia, or visit the Robert Louis Stevenson Museum in Samoa before returning via Christmas Island, Kiribati, and Honolulu, Hawaii.
In addition, the two 31-day segments are available to purchase separately from Seattle to Singapore or Singapore to San Diego. Early savings rates for the entire 62-day Orient Explorer start at US $10,349. Early savings rates for the 31-day segments start at US $5,669.
Distinctive 30-day Hawaii/South Pacific Explorer Sails Roundtrip from San Diego -- Vacationers seeking exotic adventures in the South Pacific can depart on Jan. 5, 2005 aboard the ms Statendam round-trip from San Diego for the 30-day Hawaii/South Pacific Explorer. This cruise spends seven days visiting the Hawaiian islands then turns south for Christmas Island, Kiribati, the largest coral atoll in the world. Guests can tour the island and watch the islanders go about their daily tasks of building outriggers, harvesting copra, weaving pandamus mats, or they can go bonefishing. The ship then departs for five days in the Society Islands of Raiatea, Bora Bora, Papeete (Tahiti), and Moorea, where guests can feed sharks, visit the Gauguin Museum, or cruise the jungle by way of the Fa'aroa River. On the way back, the final port of call is Nuku Hiva, Marquesas Islands, a primitive island in French Polynesia. Early savings rates begin at US $5,489.
Circle Hawaii Cruises from the West Coast -- Seventeen Circle Hawaii cruises visit the four idyllic islands of Hawaii, Oahu, Kauai, and Maui and include an evening passing of the Kilauea Volcano and scenic cruising of the Na Pali Coast of Kauai. Shore excursion options include a visit to the historical Hilo and Nani Mau Gardens, a sail and snorkel excursion, or a visit to Volcanoes National Park on Hawaii; a trip to Pearl Harbor or a dolphin encounter on Oahu; a visit to the Haleakala Crater or an island helicopter tour on Maui; or a cruise of the Wailua River or the "Grand Canyon of the Pacific" on Kauai.
In late 2004 and throughout 2005, fifteen of the seventeen departures on the 15-, 16- and 17-day Circle Hawaii trips sail roundtrip from San Diego with numerous departures to choose from including Sept 30; Nov. 5 and 20; Dec. 6 and 21, 2004; and Feb. 4 and 19; Mar. 6 and 21; Apr. 5; Oct. 3 and 18; Nov. 2; Dec. 7 and 22, 2005. Early savings rates begin at US $2,399.
The first of two Circle Hawaii sailings offered from the Northwest features a roundtrip sailing from Seattle departing May 5, 2005 or guests can opt to board in Vancouver on May 6 instead with disembarkation in Seattle. The second Northwest departure leaves Vancouver on Sep. 16, 2005 disembarking guests in San Diego, an inspired alternative to flying south for the winter. Early savings rates begin at US $2,799. All prices are listed per person, double-occupancy, taxes are additional. All Pacific voyages are aboard either the 1,380-passenger flagship ms Amsterdam or the 1,258-passenger ms Statendam.
During relaxing days at sea guests will enjoy these mid-sized ships, designed to be large enough to offer the amenities required by the discriminating traveler while carrying fewer guests. The ships feature a myriad of activities for every taste, stylish and inviting public spaces, and large staterooms, with verandahs and plush appointments. Elegant dining is available in the two-tiered dining room or the intimate Pinnacle Grill. Luxurious spas feature aromatic saunas, steam room and hydrotherapy pools, massage and spa treatments.
The premium line also offers special airfares from numerous North American gateways as well as pre- or post-cruise hotel and tour packages feature extended visits to sights such as Thailand's Chiang Mai and Chao Phraya River, and Vietnam's Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. For a copy of the new Hawaii Asia & Pacific Cruises brochure and for more information on cruise dates, destinations or accommodations, contact a professional travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (1-877-724-5425) or visit online at www.hollandamerica.com
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MSC Sinfonia Joins MSC Cruises Fleet
Company Grows from Four to Seven Ships in 2004
NAPLES, Italy, July 23 -- MSC Cruises has announced the addition of a seventh ship to its fleet. MSC Sinfonia was purchased by MSC Cruises at auction in Barcelona last week for 220 million Euro. The ship, which had been operating as the European Stars since its launch in 2002, will be adapted to the quality, standards and style of MSC Cruises prior to setting sail on seven-night Mediterranean cruises in March 2005. The 58,700-ton MSC Sinfonia has 783 staterooms, accommodating 1,566 passengers double occupancy, served by a staff of more than 700. It was constructed in Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France in 2002.
"With the MSC Sinfonia, MSC Cruises reaffirms its determination to become a leader in the worldwide cruise market," says Rick Sasso, president and CEO of MSC Cruises USA. "Its addition offers North American passengers yet another wonderful ship and a greater choice of ways in which to enjoy Premium Class with a true Italian signature."
MSC Cruises has grown from a fleet of three ships in 2002 to four in 2003, and seven in 2004. MSC Sinfonia joins MSC Opera, which was inaugurated June 26 in Genoa; MSC Armonia, purchased in April 2004; MSC Lirica, launched in April 2003; as well as MSC Melody, MSC Monterey, and MSC Rhapsody. The line has ordered at Chantiers de l'Atlantique to increase the fleet to nine by 2007, with the possibility for a tenth ship. The company is also in talks with Fincantieri to construct two additional ships.
MSC Cruises offers 40 different itineraries in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, South America and South Africa. One of the largest fully Italian-owned cruise companies, MSC Cruises is backed by Mediterranean Shipping Company, the second largest container shipping company in the world with a fleet of more than 250 ships. For more information, call 1-800-666-9333 or visit www.msccruises.com
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Windstar to Explore the Mayan Riviera in 2005
Diving, Water Sports and Archaeological Treasures Await in
Honduras, Belize and Mexico
Seattle, WA, July 22, 2004 - Windstar Cruises sets its sails on a new tropical itinerary in 2005 with voyages to the Mayan Riviera of Mexico, Belize and Honduras. The voyages on a luxurious, five-masted motor sailing yacht promise to be the ultimate in escaping "180 Degrees From Ordinary" as guests can experience a spectacular combination of island scenery, soft adventure excursions, water sports, including some of the finest snorkeling and diving in the world, and explorations of the great ruins of the Mayan civilization.
The Wind Surf, which accommodates 308 passengers, will conduct eleven cruises to the Mayan Riviera from January 16 to April 3, 2005. Each voyage will be a seven-day, roundtrip journey from the island of Cozumel, Mexico, with calls at the Honduran Bay Islands of Isla de Utila and West End (Roatan Island); stops on the Honduran mainland at Puerto Cortez and Omoa; a visit to Belize City, Belize; and a stop at Costa Maya, Mexico before returning to Cozumel. Trained naturalists will be on board every voyage to interpret and help guests discover the vast array of flora and fauna of the region. Special presentations will be offered and the naturalist will be on hand throughout the cruise to chat with guests, answer questions and point out interesting facts and features about the current destination.
"Our Mayan Riviera voyages are packed with exciting options for our guests," says Tom Russell, vice president of marketing and sales for Windstar Cruises. "Guests can immerse themselves in the nature and history of this region, or simply enjoy it from the spacious deck of the ship. A host of shore excursions and guided diving tours are available in addition to our complimentary water sports program, allowing guests the opportunity to tailor their trip precisely to their desires."
EXCEPTIONAL DIVING, SNORKELING AND WATER SPORTS
Each Mayan Riviera cruise will feature the ultimate in water sports and recreation both atop and under the water, as guests can go "180 Degrees From Ordinary" in one of the most magnificent marine environments on the planet. Every cruise will feature a full range of diving excursions led by PADI-certified divers. With day-long stops in most ports, the opportunities for diving promise to be nothing short of sensational. Guests can dive into crystal-clear waters that boast hundreds of feet of visibility and some of the best reef and wall diving in the world.
Excursions visit world-class diving destinations in Cozumel and Belize along with the Honduran Bay Islands of Utila and Roatan, which sit alongside the second largest coral reef system in the world. Highlights include a close-up encounter with friendly Caribbean reef sharks and dolphins in Roatan, diving amongst whale sharks and turtles off Utila and a visit to Blue Hole out of Belize City-a dive site made famous by Jacques Cousteau. For guests interested in learning how to dive, a Discover Scuba Diving program is available.
Snorkelers can enjoy brilliant reefs packed with colorful fish, and paddlers can take one of the ship's kayaks out for a tour of turquoise waters. At the Chinchorro Reef outside of Costa Maya, for example, snorkelers can explore the placid waters of a 30-mile long coral atoll with water depths of just ten to twenty feet. All equipment for snorkeling and paddling is provided complimentary by the ship.
After a dive, a paddle or a swim, guests return to the luxurious appointments of the yacht and the attentive service of an expert staff, with world-class cuisine and beautifully decorated cabins that make the Wind Surf the most lavishly appointed "live-aboard" at sea. At the full-service WindSpa, guests may relax and enjoy pampering treatments ranging from a Swedish Massage or Aromaspa Ocean Wrap to hair upstyles and manicures. Two pools, two Jacuzzis and open deck space with comfortable new lounge chairs invite guests to relax and make the Wind Surf their own private yacht.
ADVENTURE ASHORE
Shore excursions include "shrimps and rum" snorkeling tours from Roatan; a flightseeing tour of Belize's famous "Blue Hole" dive site; and a unique treetop tour of Belize's Jaguar Paw Resort where guests can literally fly between treetop platforms along zipline cables.
MAYAN RUINS AND HISTORIC PORTS
Guests will have many opportunities to explore historic ports and several magnificent ruins of the ancient Mayan civilization. Many of the ruins are among the most intact and least-visited Mayan sites in the region.
Shore excursion highlights include:
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In Costa Maya, Mexico on the Yucatan Peninsula, visit one of the most important sites of the lower Peten region at Kohunlich, dating back to 300 AD. Off the beaten path of most tour operators, the site has one of the finest combinations of architecture and natural beauty of any Mayan ruin.
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In Honduras, the ancient civilization of Copan comes to life on a 12-hour guided tour that leads guests deep into the heart of the country to the ancient Maya City of Copan, which has been the site of numerous archaeological investigations of Mayan culture.
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A short trip from the port of Belize City to Guatemala transports guests to the ancient and majestic Mayan ruins of Tikal. Nestled in the unspoiled, dense jungles of Peten, the site was the capital of the Mayan empire in its heyday ca 700 AD. Tikal's five temples poking above the forest canopy are a spectacular sight and have made this a premier tourist attraction.
The intimate sailing yachts of Windstar visit smaller ports that are off the beaten path of most cruise lines. Rates for the 7-day Mayan Riviera itinerary start at $1,811 per person, based on double occupancy, for bookings made by October 31, 2004. For more information including brochures, rates and itineraries contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245. Visit Windstar Cruises online at www.windstarcruises.com
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From Beds To Bread, Oceania Cruises Ranks Among
The Worlds Best
Oceania Cruises Receives Worlds Best Rating From Travel + Leisure Readers
Miami, FL, July 21, 2004 The savvy readers of Travel + Leisure magazine have ranked Oceania Cruises intimate and luxurious Regatta and Insignia among the worlds finest cruise lines in their 2004 Worlds Best awards. Having just celebrated the 1st Anniversary of Regattas inaugural sailing, Oceania Cruises is proud to announce that it has received the prestigious honor of being rated as the #3 cruise line in the large-ship category, ahead of the industrys leading premium brands and on the heels of the most respected luxury lines.
Sophisticated and passionate travelers, Travel + Leisure readers define excellence in travel by rating their recent experiences with hotels, cruise lines and more. This year's results are the most comprehensive and competitive awards to date with rankings that identify the cream of the crop around the globe: the top hotels, cities, islands, cruise lines, outfitters, airlines, and car-rental agencies. Travel + Leisure asked its readers to rate cruise lines by the following criteria: cabins, food, service, itineraries/destinations, entertainment/activities and value.
Travel + Leisure readers are a discerning audience and they clearly appreciate the fact that Regatta and Insignia feature the finest cuisine at sea, our revolutionary Tranquility Beds and the enormous value they receive from Oceania Cruises, stated Joe Watters, Chairman of Oceania Cruises. This is a phenomenal achievement for a line that has just celebrated its first anniversary and a testament to the outstanding service delivered by the ships staff and overall onboard experience that Oceania Cruises delivers to its guests, added Watters.
In less than one year, Oceania Cruises quickly gained industry recognition as a leader in the premium cruise market with the 684-guest Regatta and Insignia. Its our unwavering commitment to excellence that makes the difference and sets Oceania Cruises apart from other lines. Guests have been quick to praise our cuisine, our exceptional service and accommodations so comfortable that theyve set an industry trend, stated Frank Del Rio, President and CEO of Oceania Cruises. We are delighted that Travel + Leisure readers have rated Oceania Cruises so highly, its a tribute to all the fine, hard working men and women of Oceania Cruises and they are justifiably proud of this celebrated honor, added Del Rio.
Oceania Cruises features three intimate and luxurious 684-guest ships, REGATTA, INSIGNIA and NAUTICA. Oceania Cruises is setting a new, worldwide standard for luxury cruising with the finest cuisine at sea, exceptional personalized service, grand style, and luxurious accommodations coupled with extraordinary value. For detailed itineraries or additional information on Oceania Cruises or to make a reservation, please contact your Travel Agent. To request a brochure, call 800-531-5658 or visit www.OceaniaCruises.com
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Holland America Line Expands Wireless Internet Service
Signature of Excellence Enhancements Allow Guests to Surf at the Pool, in the Library, or Even at the Bar
SEATTLE, July 19 -- Holland America Line announced today that, as part of its $225 million Signature of Excellence initiative, the company is further elevating its premium cruise experience by expanding its wireless Internet service fleet-wide. This technology upgrade allows guests to stay in touch with loved ones, check stock quotes or share vacation experiences in real-time, all from the comfort and luxury of Holland America's elegant five-star ships.
Wireless "hot spots," similar to those found in many land-based businesses today, are now available on all Holland America ships for guests traveling with personal laptop computers with wireless capability. Wireless Internet access aboard Holland America ships was previously only available in the Internet Cafe, which provides guests with the use of desktop computers, printers and traditional Internet access. Wireless service is now available at the Lido Deck pool and in the Atrium area, Explorer's Lounge, Card Room, Library, Crow's Nest, Ocean Bar and other locations, depending on the ship. This wireless expansion puts Holland America Line at the forefront of the cruise industry, providing guests with 24-hour wireless access the moment they step aboard.
"We have a longstanding and unwavering commitment to provide our guests with all the comforts and amenities possible," said David A. Giersdorf, executive vice president, marketing and sales for Holland America Line. "More wireless coverage means more convenience for our guests. They can now enjoy all of the beautiful lounges, pools and common areas throughout the vessel while the rest of the world is just a click away."
Offering the same pricing and sign-up procedures as terminals in the Internet Cafe, guests can purchase time at 75 cents per minute or in discounted packages that range up to 250 minutes. Discounts for purchasing bulk packages of online time can reduce the cost to as little as 40 cents per minute. Guests' laptops will filter the connection according to the settings that have been established on each system. Internet managers on board all ships are available to assist guests with troubleshooting.
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Silversea Cruises Sees Great Appeal for Innovative Beirut Itineraries
Two Unique Cruises in 2005 Showcase Beirut, Plus Brand-New Ports in Libya and Syria
Ft. Lauderdale, FL - July 19, 2004) Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is expanding on its highly successful inaugural visit to Beirut, Lebanon, last month by offering sophisticated travelers two exceptional opportunities in 2005 to discover the rich cultural diversity and historical treasures of this cosmopolitan city, once considered the Paris of the Middle East, and recently selected by Newsweek magazine as one of the world's top 12 "Capitals of Style".
On June 19, 2004, the award-winning line's 382-guest Silver Whisper made the company's first-ever visit to Beirut. The luxury cruise ship arrived in the Lebanese capital with a nearly full complement of international guests, including many British, French, Italian, German and United States citizens. While a number of guests spent the day sightseeing or shopping in town, others took advantage of escorted excursions to visit the ancient Roman ruins at Baalbeck in the Beqaa Valley.
"Our inaugural visit to Beirut last month was a tremendous success," said David Morris, Silversea's Senior Vice President, North America Sales. "After spending a full day exploring the city and nearby archaeological sites, guests returned to Silver Whisper overwhelmed by their experience. Many guests described Beirut as the highlight of their cruise." Added Morris, "Our guests tend to be very savvy and discerning world travelers, and we have discovered that Beirut is a perfect fit for this type of clientele. We are very excited to be offering two new Beirut itineraries next year, the first of which will also feature inaugural calls in Syria and Libya, two other mostly untapped travel regions that we believe hold strong appeal for many of our guests seeking to explore unique and unconventional destinations."
On May 11, 2005, the 296-guest Silver Wind sails from Rome to Istanbul on a 15-day "Monuments & Empires" cruise, calling in Lipari, Italy; Valletta, Malta; Tripoli, Libya; Benghazi, Libya; Alexandria, Egypt; Beirut, Lebanon; Tartous, Syria; Rhodes, Greece; and Kusadasi, Turkey. Advance Payment Bonus fares start at $8,076 per person, based on double occupancy and represent a 20% savings.
On October 30, 2005, the 382-guest Silver Shadow sails from Athens to Port Said, Egypt, on an 8-day "Echoes of Ancient Civilizations" cruise, calling in Kusadasi, Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; Antalya, Turkey; Tartous, Syria; and Beirut, Lebanon. Advance Payment Bonus fares start at $3,571 per person, based on double occupancy and represent a 25% savings.
Silversea Cruises is recognized as an innovator in the luxury segment, offering guests large-ship amenities aboard four intimate vessels, Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, and Silver Whisper, all designed to offer an atmosphere of conviviality and casual elegance. For more information on Silversea Cruises, please contact a travel agent or visit the cruise line's web site at www.silversea.com.
For more information, see Silver Whisper's Beirut port call in 2004.
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Holland America Line Names Richard D. Meadows, CTC Senior Vice President, Marketing and Sales
SEATTLE, July 16 -- Holland America Line has appointed Richard D. Meadows, CTC, senior vice president, marketing and sales. Meadows will report to Stein Kruse, president and chief operating officer, and will have global revenue responsibility for marketing the cruises and CruiseTours of Holland America Line as well as the products of Windstar Cruises. In his new position, he will oversee all product pricing, yield management, sales, marketing, public relations and other related activities for the company. Meadows, a 20-year veteran of the cruise industry, most recently served as senior vice president, sales and marketing, at Seabourn Cruise Line, generally considered to be the most upscale cruise line in the world. In that position, Meadows was responsible for overall brand and product development, global strategic marketing and sales promotion. Meadows successfully re-branded the line in 2001 as The Yachts of Seabourn.
"Rick brings a wealth of industry experience, creativity, innovation and strategic thinking to this very important role," said Kruse. "His relationships with travel sellers, his experience in working with high-end cruise products and his stellar reputation in the industry will be great assets as we further differentiate Holland America Line as the undisputed premium leader. We are delighted to welcome Rick back to Seattle and the Holland America Line family."
Meadows has held positions in Carnival Corporation since 1984 including, vice president, corporate marketing, Carnival Corporation and director of sales, Carnival Cruise Lines. From 1994-2000, Meadows served as vice president, sales and marketing with Windstar Cruises, a subsidiary of Holland America Line.
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Carnival Corp Restructures Cunard's North America Organization
MIAMI, July 16 -- Carnival Corporation has announced a restructuring of Cunard Line's North American organization designed to position the company for continued growth while streamlining operations and maximizing efficiencies. The line will be relocated to Santa Clarita, California, home to sister company Princess Cruises, by December 2004. In addition to the recently announced fleet operations reorganization, Cunard will share administrative, finance and IT functions with Princess. This relocation follows the recent announcement in the United Kingdom, where Cunard's British operations were combined with those of the other Carnival Corporation & plc U.K. brands.
"Cunard has one of the most time honored names in cruising, and with the introduction of the Queen Mary 2 and the upcoming delivery of Queen Victoria, the brand is poised for growth," said Peter Ratcliffe, CEO of Carnival Corporation's P&O Princess division, which includes Cunard. "This move provides Cunard the opportunity to utilize the significant resources of one of its sister companies while retaining its unique identity."
The relocation is expected to reduce future overhead costs by approximately $20 million on an annual basis. Non-recurring charges related to the cost of the relocation of between $10 million and $15 million are expected to be recorded primarily over the remainder of 2004.
During the reorganization period Pamela Conover will remain as president of Cunard Line and will oversee the transition of the Cunard organization to Santa Clarita. Once the relocation is complete, Conover will assume the new position of senior vice president, Carnival Shared Services, a corporate office function reporting directly to Howard Frank, vice chairman and chief operating officer of Carnival Corporation & plc.
"It has been an honor to lead Cunard for the past three years, but it is quite clear that this move will further strengthen Cunard Line and will lay the foundations for further growth and success," said Conover. "In Miami we have an amazing team of dedicated staff who have been instrumental to Cunard's success over the years, and I would like to thank them for their support and many contributions, and wish them well for the future."
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Seabourn Names Deborah Natansohn President
MIAMI, July 16, 2004 -- Deborah L. Natansohn has been named president of Seabourn Cruise Line. A well-known industry veteran, Natansohn most recently was senior vice president of sales and marketing for Cunard Line Ltd., where she spearheaded the launch of the celebrated Queen Mary 2 and the rebranding of the venerable line.
Natansohn's appointment is part of a corporate restructuring in which the ultra luxury, all-suite Yachts of Seabourn will operate as an independent brand within the Carnival Corporation. Previously, Seabourn shared back-office functions with sister brand, Cunard Line, which is relocating to Valencia, California. Seabourn will remain based in Miami. The two brands will continue to share their national field sales force, which remains intact. Natansohn succeeds Richard D. Meadows, formerly the line's senior vice president of sales and marketing, who assumes the role of senior vice president of sales and marketing for Holland America Line.
"I am thrilled to assume the helm of the Yachts of Seabourn, which are renowned for delivering the very highest standards of service and luxury in the industry," said Natansohn. "Rick Meadows has done an outstanding job and my mandate is to ensure that Seabourn remains at the top of the cruise line pyramid."
Prior to joining Cunard in 2000, Natansohn was president of Orient Lines. When appointed, she was the only female president of a cruise line. Now Natansohn joins her friend and colleague, Cunard's Pamela Conover, as the only women in the cruise industry holding the president title.
The Yachts of Seabourn provide the ultimate in small-ship, ultra-luxury cruise vacations. Itineraries of seven to 21 days visit the most desirable destinations in the Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Far East, South America and the Caribbean. On board the 208-guest Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend guests will enjoy Seabourn's Signature Delights, from Piper-Heidsieck Champagne that welcomes them to gourmet cuisine designed by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer; complimentary Massage Moments on deck; open bars; casual alternative dining nightly; Pure Pampering therapeutic baths from Molton Brown; fine Italian linens by Frette and renowned, nearly clairvoyant service that sets Seabourn apart from all others.
In addition to an exceptional onboard experience, a Seabourn cruise offers an exceptional experience ashore as well. In the coming months, over 75 custom-designed shore excursions are being introduced, offering "trophy experiences" available only to Seabourn guests. For more information on The Yachts of Seabourn, contact a professional travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.
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United Airlines Launches Full-Service Cruise Website
The Airline Industry's First Cruise Rewards Program Now Offers Online Packages, New Mileage Plus® Opportunities, and Low Prices from More than 20 Cruise Operators
2,500 Miles Online Booking Bonus Offered Through August
Chicago -- United Airlines has launched its new cruise website, www.united.com/cruises, where visitors can purchase cruise packages from more than 20 different cruise operators, and earn and redeem United Mileage Plus miles for cruises. United is the only major airline to offer its frequent fliers the opportunity to both earn and redeem miles for cruises.
"Since we became the first airline to launch our own cruise program, we have made the process of booking a cruise as seamless as possible for our customers," said Scott Garner, managing director, Travel Products, United. "With more cruise selections than any other airline website, united.com offers cruise packages that fit the needs of travelers, at the most competitive rates plus the added-value of earning Mileage Plus miles for every cruise purchased."
More than 20 different cruise lines, representing nearly all North American cruises, are affiliated with United Cruises, including Norwegian Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean, Disney, Carnival, and Radisson Seven Seas.
Travelers can book a cruise by going to www.united.com/cruises, or by dialing toll-free, 1-888-UAL-2-SEA. Mileage Plus members can redeem miles for a cruise or use a combination of cash and a minimum of 10,000 miles to purchase their cruise. United's Mileage Plus members will also earn one mile for every dollar spent on cruises at united.com, including purchases for shore excursions and other expenditures. To enroll in Mileage Plus, visit www.united.com/mileageplus. United.com is offering 2,500 bonus miles for Mileage Plus members who book online until August 31, 2004. After August, Mileage Plus members will earn 1,000 bonus miles when they book their cruise through www.united.com.
