A New Wave in the Caribbean~~~
Renaissance Cruises to a Latin Beat
Ho Hum. Caribbean cruises. Been there, done that. They've been around forever, right? Wrong! Not like these...
Renaissance Cruises has announced a unique new seven-day Caribbean cruise experience like nothing you've ever seen. Sailing round-trip from the world-famous Casa de Campo resort in the Dominican Republic, Renaissance guests will have the best of both worlds. Top this... a cruise to some of the most desirable Caribbean islands on a deluxe ship AND access to a five star resort, renowned for its world-class options in accommodations, dining, activities, and sports.
Weekly Saturday departures on the stunning 698-passenger R8 begin October 27, 2001 and are scheduled through March 16, 2002. "The new Casa de Campo cruise vacations will provide a fantastic experience for Renaissance Cruises guests," said Jim Henwood, Renaissance Cruises'
Vice-President of Sales. "They will provide the best of all worlds: a luxurious and intimate ship, and a unique cruise itinerary visiting some of the most romantic and breathtaking islands in the Caribbean including St. Lucia, St. Barth's, Tortola, and Antigua. The amazing cruise itinerary will allow guests to experience a wide selection of land and water-based shore excursions."
Guests booked on Renaissance Cruises' Casa de Campo cruise vacations will have full access to the wide range of amenities offered by the Caribbean's most complete resort. Casa de Campo is a 7,000-acre lush retreat of unsurpassed elegance and breathtaking beauty, where excitement and relaxation combine for an exceptional leisure experience. Activities at guests' fingertips include tennis, private beaches, watersports, pools, a world-class equestrian center, deep-sea fishing, gourmet restaurants, sport shooting, and boating.
Renaissance guests will also enjoy outstanding shopping and entertainment, as well as the opportunity to explore the wondrous Altos de Chavon artists' village, a cultural mecca for the arts. Altos de Chavon is a replica of a 16th-century Mediterranean village that offers breathtaking views from high above the Chavon River. The performing arts are showcased in the village's 5,000-seat Grecian-style amphitheater, inaugurated by Frank Sinatra and Carlos Santana in 1982.
The Pièce de Résistance in Entertainment
If the idea of something new and different in Caribbean cruising hasn't piqued your interest yet, Renaissance Cruises' guests visiting Casa de Campo will be treated to a special evening performance in Altos de Chavon's magnificent open-air amphitheater. Picture yourself under the stars enjoying a Latin-themed evening of spectacular entertainment, conceived by one of the music world's hottest production teams.
You won't find that kind of show on just ANY cruise!
Jim Henwood adds, "Our new Casa de Campo cruise vacations will appeal to the Caribbean traveler seeking an enriching, upscale, exotic experience that is different from what is currently being offered within the cruise industry. We know Renaissance Cruises' guests will particularly enjoy the complimentary evening of entertainment which will feature a private cocktail reception followed by an extraordinary show in the breathtaking Greek amphitheater."
Championship Golf Excursions
Golf enthusiasts can tee off on Casa de Campo's two Pete Dye-designed championship golf courses. The famous "Teeth of the Dog" course, with seven holes right on the water, is ranked as the #1 golf course in the Caribbean and among the top 30 in the world by Golf Magazine.
Special golf excursions will be available for purchase that will allow Renaissance guests to play on these world-renowned courses. And you can leave your bulky golf bag at home because Renaissance Cruises' Golf Excursions will provide top-of-the-line Callaway clubs, balls, and even personal caddies.
Aw, Shoot!
Who forgot to mow the grass on 245 acres of Casa de Campo's lush, manicured grounds? No one. That incredibly dense foliage and wild grass is not golf course rough; it's the heart of the resort's renowned Shooting Center, one of the most extensive Sporting Clays facilities in the world. Its most prominent feature is "the Tower" that projects clays 45 yards into the air! Gentleman shooters consider it golf with a shotgun.
Ports of Call
The new Dominican Republic-based Caribbean itinerary includes the following ports of call:
| Day |
Port |
Arrive |
Depart |
| Saturday |
Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic
|
Embark |
12:00 AM |
| Sunday |
Catalina Island, Dominican Republic |
8:00 AM |
5:00 PM |
| Monday |
Tortola, B.V.I. |
9:00 AM |
6:00 PM |
Tuesday
|
St. John's, Antigua |
8:00 AM |
6:00 PM |
Wednesday
|
Castries, St Lucia |
8:00 AM |
3:00 PM |
Thursday
|
Gustavia, St. Barth's |
7:00 AM |
NOON |
Friday
|
Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic |
9:00 AM |
Overnight |
| Saturday |
Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic |
--- |
Disembark |
Cruise fares start at $1,499 per person with special air pricing from most major gateways. Special rates on pre/post cruise hotel stays at Casa de Campo are available for Renaissance guests to extend their time at the resort.
Mr. Henwood concluded by saying, "This is an outstanding value for an upscale, enriching, out-of-the-ordinary cruise experience."
I must say I agree! More than a dozen years ago, the fare for my very first cruise was $1,418 per person for a standard Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Miami.
Other cruise veterans feel the same way. For two consecutive years, readers of Travel + Leisure magazine named Renaissance Cruises one of the world's top three large cruise lines and the R-Class ships have received top marks in CruiseReports' annual "Top of the Class" rankings.
In addition to the Caribbean, Renaissance Cruises offers year around itineraries to the Greek Isles, Tahiti and her Islands, Africa, Asia, Northern Europe and Scandinavia, South America, New Zealand and Australia, and the Mediterranean. The recent launch of the latest R-Class ship, R8, brings Renaissance Cruises' total capacity to 5,742 berths and secures their position as the fifth largest cruise line company in the world. For further information about Renaissance Cruises, visit their extensive web site at www.RenaissanceCruises.com.
To book a Renaissance Cruises' vacation, see your professional travel agent or call 1-800-525-5350.
Take A First-Hand Look at Renaissance Cruises' R8,
exclusively from CruiseDiva.com
Read Cruise Reviews by Veteran Renaissance Passengers
Explore CruiseDiva.com's Caribbean Ports of Call
Cruise through the elegant Casa de Campo web site
Illustrations courtesy of Renaissance Cruises & Casa de Campo
