06/17/08 Holland America Line Officially Accepts New Eurodam

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Holland America Line and its parent company, Carnival Corp., officially accepted delivery of its newest ship, the Eurodam, in a formal handover ceremony near Venice, Italy, on June 16. The 2,104-guest ship, built at Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri’s Marghera shipyard, is the 14th ship in the premium line’s fleet and the first in its Signature-class series. “The Eurodam is a gorgeous ship,” said Stein Kruse, president and CEO, Holland America Line. “We are proud to be the industry’s leading premium experience and the addition of this new ship allows us to offer our Signature of Excellence to even more cruisers.”

The Eurodam will arrive in Southampton, England, on June 27 to begin a series of introductory events for past guests, travel sellers, media and local officials. It then sails to its homeport, Rotterdam, arriving June 29 for three days of festivities including a naming ceremony with Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands officially dedicating the ship on July 1. The 10-day round-trip maiden sailing departs July 5 from Copenhagen, Denmark, and calls at Oslo, Ålesund, Vik, Flam and Stavanger, Norway; Newcastle Upon Tyne, England; and Edinburgh and Invergordon, Scotland. Following its inaugural season in the Baltic region, Eurodam will offer its first transatlantic cruise and sail in Canada and New England in the fall, followed by Caribbean sailings for the remainder of 2008.

With an additional deck, Eurodam has 63 new staterooms more than the latest Vista-class ship. Forty-seven are verandah cabins and 10 are a new style with ceiling-to-floor and wall-to-wall panoramic windows. Eurodam also features 56 Spa Staterooms, so named because of their proximity to the Greenhouse Spa and Salon and special in-room spa amenities. In total, Eurodam carries 1,052 double-occupancy staterooms. Eurodam also includes a new pan-Asian restaurant and bar, Tamarind and Silk Den; a casual Italian eatery called Canaletto; and a pizzeria named Slice. Other additions are an Explorer’s Lounge Bar, a new atrium bar area, enhanced and reconfigured show lounge with theater-style seating and a new photographic and imaging center.

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Costa Cruise Line Brings Two Ships to Caribbean for 2009-2010 Season

Costa Cruise Lines - Italian Style Cruising

Costa will base two ships — Costa Fortuna and Costa Atlantica — in Fort Lauderdale for the 2009-10 Caribbean season. Both ships will sail alternating Eastern, Western and Southeastern Caribbean routes as well as one sailing to Bermuda by the Costa Atlantica.

The 110,000-ton, 2,720-passenger Costa Fortuna will return to the Caribbean from December 2009 through March 2010, departing every Sunday on seven-night voyages.

In December 2009, the 86,000-ton, 2,114-passenger Costa Atlantica will also return to Fort Lauderdale, sailing seven-night voyages each Saturday and boasting 44 spa cabins.

Guests who reserve spa accommodations, located on “Deck 8½” in honor of Federico Fellini, will receive a wellness consultation, three complimentary treatments, two fitness or meditation classes and complimentary access to the Wellness Restaurant.

Spa cabins, available in ocean-view, veranda and suite categories, will feature aromatherapy diffusers, special shower and air filters, and a mini bar stocked with healthy food and beverage selections. In addition, guests with these accommodations will be offered priority spa reservation times.

Costa’s ports-of-call in the Caribbean include Casa de Campo, Catalina Island and La Romana, Dominican Republic; Cozumel; Grand Cayman; Grand Turk; Roatán, Honduras; San Juan; St. Thomas; St. Maarten; and Tortola.

Early-booking fares for seven-night sailings begin at $499 and are cruise only, per person, and based on double occupancy.

 

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MSC Cruises Appeals to Families with Kids-Sail-Free Program

 

MSC Cruises is continuing to offer free cruises to children ages 17 and under on all itineraries when they share a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults. Each MSC ship has colorful, safe play areas, and offer daily entertainment to young ones. Leaders organize age-appropriate activities, with ages 3-9 in the Mini Club, 9-13 in the Juniors Club, and 14-17 in the Teenagers Club. MSC Cruises also offers MY Teen Card. This personalized card, which can be used like a credit/cruise card, allows children age 12-17 to spend small amounts of money on board. Each card comes with a bonus amount. In the Caribbean, a $30 card purchase comes with a $5 bonus for a total card value of $35, while a $50 card purchase comes with $10 bonus, for a total value of $60. In the Mediterranean and Northern Europe, a €30 card comes with a €5 bonus, making it a €35 card, and a €50 card comes with a €10 bonus.

The ships offer children’s menus that include Italian favorites like pasta and pizza, along with hamburgers, hot dogs, pastries and desserts. For families who want to share a shore excursion, MSC Cruises also offers a 30 percent discount for children under age 14. Cruise-only rates begin at $449 per person, double occupancy, for a seven-night Caribbean cruise and $599 per person, double occupancy for a seven-night cruise in Europe. Government fees and taxes for all guests are additional, as well as a fuel surcharge for the first and second guests in a stateroom.

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Holland America’s 2009 Mexico Cruise Offer New Port

Holland America Line

 Holland America Line is introducing the new port of Santa Cruz Huatulco, Oaxaca, and scenic cruising through wildlife-abundant Bahia Magdalena on selected 2009 Mexico cruises.

A breeding ground for migrating gray whales, Bahia Magdalena highlights the seven-day Mexican Riviera itineraries, while Santa Cruz Huatulco is featured on the new 12-day Pacific Mexico cruises sailing roundtrip from San Diego.

These itineraries – as well as Holland America’s nine- and 10-day Sea of Cortez cruises — feature shore excursions to Mexico’s Copper Canyon. In 2009 the premium cruise line features seven- to 15-day itineraries on the Ryndam and Oosterdam, most sailing roundtrip from San Diego.

In 2009, the Vista-class, 1,848-guest Oosterdam begins with seven-day Mexican Riviera cruises departing Saturdays Jan. 3 through Feb. 21 roundtrip from San Diego. The cruises will visit Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta, along with scenic cruising through Bahia Magdalena.

Renowned for its whale watching, Bahia Magdalena is also home to dolphins, sea lions and an array of birds including eagles, pelicans, herons and ibis. In the fall, the 1,258-guest Ryndam sails the same itinerary Oct. 10 through Nov. 21. Cruise fares start at $599 per person, double occupancy; taxes and fuel supplement are additional.

The Ryndam will showcase the Sea of Cortez with 10-day winter/spring cruises departing Feb. 3 to April 24 roundtrip from San Diego. The itineraries feature Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan, Topolobampo, Loreto, scenic cruising past the Sierra de la Giganta mountains, La Paz and Cabo San Lucas.

From Topolobampo, guests can opt for the full-day excursion to Mexico’s Copper Canyon, accessible only via the Chihuahua Pacifico railway that travels from sea level to 7,200 feet. Cruise fares start at $999. The Ryndam also sails a nine-day Sea of Cortez itinerary in the fall with departures Oct. 24 and Nov. 28. It visits the above ports except La Paz.

In addition the Ryndam offers two Sea of Cortez cruises between San Diego and Vancouver, both of which call at the new port of Guaymas on the Sonoran coast. A 14-day cruise departs San Diego on April 24, and a 15-day cruise departs Vancouver on Sept. 25.

Both include variations of the 10-day itinerary ports of call plus Guaymas. In the fall, the Ryndam also sails a 12-day Pacific Mexico itinerary departing Nov. 2 and Dec. 7 roundtrip from San Diego. It visits Manzanillo, Acapulco, Santa Cruz Huatulco, Zihuatanejo, Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas.

Starting cruise fares for the nine- to 15-day itineraries range from $999 to $1,499 per person, double occupancy; taxes and fuel supplement are additional.

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Princess Cruises New Ruby Princess Ship Completes Sea Trials

 

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Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess has completed another major milestone in preparation for its Nov. 8 debut, with the completion of sea trials.

The new ship set out to sea from its construction dock at the Fincantieri shipyard in Monfalcone, Italy, and was put through its paces with a series of maneuvers to test propulsion, steering and navigational equipment. After a successful four days of trials, the ship is now back in the shipyard for further exterior and interior finishing.

 Ruby Princess’ maiden voyage will sail from Fort Lauderdale Nov. 8 on a seven-day Western Caribbean itinerary visiting Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Princess Cays.

Ruby Princess is a sister ship to Emerald Princess and Crown Princess, and will feature the same piazza-style atrium, adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary, an Italian trattoria, a seafood and steak house, a giant outdoor movie screen and 900 cabins with private balconies.

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Costa Cruise Line – Samsara Spa Offers New Type of Getaway

Costa Cruise Lines - Italian Style Cruising

Costa’s Costa Serena and Costa Concordia feature the 23,000-square-foot Samsara Spa, which offers Ayurvedic treatments and European-style spa amenities.

Accommodations with direct access to the spa come complete with spa packages and privileges to a private wellness restaurant, creating a “vacation within a vacation” for travelers on the ships’ Mediterranean routes. Costa pioneered this innovative spa concept two years ago when the Costa Concordia became the first cruise ship to boast spa accommodations and restaurant.

The line followed suit in 2007 with the introduction of the Costa Serena, which, as a sister ship to the Costa Concordia, also boasts the Samsara Spa. Guests who choose spa accommodations receive a host of amenities including flat-screen televisions, Elemis bath accessories and a “Welcome Ritual,” all included in the cruise price.

The “Welcome Ritual” features unlimited access to the spa and its amenities including a thalassotherapy pool, rock sauna, steam baths, hot and cold thermal baths, ocean-view solariums, relaxation lounges, and a tepidarium.

Guests who reserve these accommodations will also receive two complimentary spa treatments, two complimentary fitness and wellness classes, a personalized wellness consultation, two sun-lamp sessions in the solarium and an invitation to a Japanese spa tea ceremony.

In addition, guests who reserve spa accommodations have access to wellness cuisine in the Ristorante Samsara. This specialty restaurant features spa-friendly cuisine. The Costa Serena features a Samsara Spa with 99 accommodations (87 cabins and 12 suites) while the Costa Concordia boasts 67 (55 cabins and 12 suites).

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06/16/08 Windstar Service Transports Luggage Between Home and Ship

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Windstar Cruises is offering Monogram Luggage Valet Service, which transports guests’ luggage directly between their home and stateroom. With one phone call, Monogram Valet will arrange for shipment of luggage to the stateroom on the ship and returned home after the cruise. Rates vary depending on luggage pick-up and delivery locations.

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Grand Turk Cruise Center Opens FlowRider Attraction – Cruise Vacation News

 

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The Grand Turk Cruise Center debuted a new attraction the FlowRider surf simulator. Offered as a shore excursion sold onboard cruise ships calling at the island, the new Grand Turk FlowRider the only attraction of its kind at a cruise port facility allows guests to try both body boarding and stand-up board surfing.

The FlowRider is an artificial wave created by a pair of high-pressure water jets that produce a thin, two- to three-inch layer of water moving over a pre-formed and cushioned surface at high speed. Tickets to the FlowRider are sold through the shore excursion desk on ships calling at Grand Turk.

Carnival Cruise Lines expects to offer FlowRider tickets online in the near future. Prices are $24 for body boarding for a half-hour and $34 for hour-long, stand-up surfing sessions. During the session, participants can surf multiple times, and friends and family are invited to watch at no charge.

Each surfer will also receive a certificate of participation. Professional photographers will be on hand to take pictures. The FlowRider attraction is currently available in conjunction with all cruise ship calls at Grand Turk, including Carnival Cruise Lines’ Carnival Imagination, Carnival Liberty and Carnival Triumph. Additional cruise lines that call at the island include Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, the Yachts of Seabourn and Costa Cruises.

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06/13/08 The World Cruise Ship Announces 2009 Itinerary

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The World, the only private residential community at sea, has announced its itinerary for 2009, which includes a stop in Seoul, South Korea, the ship’s first visit there. The itinerary features several stops in the Caribbean, including Bridgetown, Barbados; Castries, St. Lucia; and Roseau, Dominica in January. In February, The World’s ports will include its first visit New Orleans, as well as stops in Mexico and Central America, including Cozumel and Belize City. In March and April, the ship will visit Roatan, Honduras, Colombia, Nicaragua, and other South and Central American destinations. The ship will spend the month of May in Mexico, where it will visit cities and towns like Huatulco Acapulco and Zihuatenejo.

The vessel will revisit North America and Canada in June and July, with stops in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, Victoria and Nanaimo, among other cities. In August, the ship visit locations like Icy Strait Point, as well as a stop in Anchorage and a 13-day Bering Sea Expedition. The ship will visit Russian and Japanese ports throughout September, including stops in Petropavlovsk and Vladivostok, Russia as well as Otaru, Aomori, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kobe and Nagasaki, Japan. In October, The World continues its journey southward to South Korea, China and Vietnam. In November, the ship will visit the Philippines and embark on a 23-day journey through Papua New Guinea. The World ends 2009 with a month-long visit in Australia.

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06/12/08 Silversea Expedition Ship Starts Inaugural Voyage

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Silversea Cruises’ Prince Albert II expedition ship has started its inaugural voyage from London. Fresh from a multimillion dollar renovation, the Lloyd’s Register 1A ice-rated Prince Albert II weighs 6,072 gross tons and will accommodate a maximum of 132 guests with a 1:1.2 crew-to-guest ratio, compared to the mass-market ships weighing in at over 150,000 gross tons with up to 5,000 passengers and a crew-to-passenger ratio of 1:3. Despite its small size, the Prince Albert II boasts the largest average size accommodations of any expedition ship. All 66 ocean view cabins feature private marble bathrooms with bathtubs, among other amenities. Select suites offer double private French balconies or large private verandas, as well as amenities like butler service. The ship sets sail today on its inaugural season of voyages of 10 to 22 days focusing on polar adventures. Sailing first to the Arctic Circle, Svalbard, Iceland, and Greenland for the summer, the ship will then reposition to South America and Antarctica for autumn and winter voyages.

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06/12/08 QM2 to Offer Royal Academy Plays, Workshops

 

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Cunard’s Queen Mary 2 is offering plays and workshops by London’s Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) on its transatlantic sailings, which are now underway. Highlights of this season’s RADA programming schedule include abridged versions of Shakespeare’s “Richard III” and “Romeo & Juliet,” Charles Dickens’ “Great Expectations,”
Dylan Thomas’ “Under Milk Wood” and Noel Coward’s “Private Lives,” as well as three acting workshops. Each 50-minute workshop delves into an aspect of the acting experience. The topics are “Finding Your Voice,” “Filling The Space” “Speaking the Speech.” In addition, this season the RADA program will expand to include dramatic poetry readings, often with musical accompaniment, on one evening during each crossing.

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NCL Launches Wii Fit Aboard Cruise Ships – Norwegian Cruise Lines

NCL Cruise Line

 
 
 
Norwegian Cruise Line launched Nintendo of America Inc.’s Wii Fit, a new fitness game, aboard its 12 ships for play in the atrium on two-story high video screens, on most ships, as well as other areas on board.

Instruction will be led by NCL crew, trained by Nintendo, who will also facilitate contests and tournaments to encourage participation.

Wii Fit utilizes the Wii Balance Board, a new accessory that connects wirelessly to the Wii console, which serves as the centerpiece for more than 40 activities across four fitness categories: yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance games.

Virtual trainers coach users through the activities and make suggestions for improvement.

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06/11/08 Crystal Memories Plan Available on 2009 Sailings

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Crystal Cruises is unveiling Crystal Memories, its largest family and multigenerational group promotion, for all 2009 itineraries. The promotion, which was first introduced this year as Mediterranean Memories on select 2008 Mediterranean sailings, has been expanded fleet wide as Crystal continues to tap into the growth of family and multigenerational travel. The program includes one free sailing for every 10 full-fare, full-paying guests; prepaid gratuities; a $100-per-person onboard credit with maximum of two guests per stateroom; free sailings for third-berth guests ages 17 and under; a $500 credit for a Private Adventure shore excursion of $2,500, enabling multigenerational families to customize their land experiences; and one 8×10 group or family photo, plus one photograph of guests’ choice per stateroom. The Crystal Memories program is available on all 2009 cruises aboard the Crystal Symphony and the Crystal Serenity, except the World Cruise, the North Cape, the Black Sea and the Christmas and New Year’s cruises.

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06/10/08 MSC Cruises Names Winner of Free Cruise

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MSC Cruises selected the winner of the first free cruise in the line’s year-long celebration leading up to the arrival of the MSC Orchestra in North America. Marcia Pascuito of Sarasota Springs, N.Y., is the first winner of a seven- night cruise on the MSC Orchestra in the Caribbean. She was selected from those who entered online at the line’s new website, www.theorchestraiscomingtotown.com. Additional free cruises will be awarded before the ship arrives in Fort Lauderdale Jan. 2, 2009, for its inaugural Caribbean season. Guests who visit the website also will find ship information, including a slide show and a Flash presentation with factoids; free, downloadable wallpaper and e-cards; shuffle picture puzzles and memory games; and information about special promotions on the ship’s itineraries, including a Kids Sail Free offer, whereby children under 17 sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults. The MSC Orchestra will sail alternating seven-night roundtrip itineraries through April 25, 2009 in the Eastern and Western Caribbean. A special seven-night roundtrip Bermuda sailing departs Fort Lauderdale April 25, 2009, and includes three days in King’s Wharf, Bermuda, a day in Nassau, Bahamas, and two sea days. The ship will also depart Fort Lauderdale May 2, 2009, on an 18-night voyage that includes a two-day visit to New York City before heading eastbound to Copenhagen, with calls at Ponta Delgado, Azores; Lisbon; Vigo and La Coruna, Spain; and Dover, England.

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Crystal Cruise Lines Announces Big Band Cruise Performances, Events

Cruise Crystal Luxury

 

Crystal Cruises announced its entertainment and event schedule for its 2008 Big Band cruise, headlined by the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. Aboard Crystal Serenity’s Nov. 21 transatlantic voyage from Lisbon to Miami will be musically themed lectures, swing lessons, trivia contests, tea dances and classic Big Band-themed films during the day, followed by daily live performances and evening dancing.

Extra Ambassador Hosts will be onboard. The Tommy Dorsey Orchestra will host a Big Band Afternoon Teatime. Grammy nominated producer Dr. Robert O’Meally, director of the Center for Jazz Center at Columbia University, will lecture on a variety of subjects, including: “Battle of the Big Bands” (Count Basie, Tommy Dorsey and Duke Ellington); “Big Band Singers Who Became Legends” (Frank Sinatra, Billie Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald and the American Tradition in Singing); and “The Jazz Cadence of American Culture: What’s American About This Music That Sounds So Good?” And Bill Boggs, Emmy Award winning television host and producer, will present a salute to Frank Sinatra and the days of the Rat Pack, featuring taped performances and interviews. From Lisbon to Miami, the cruise visits the Azores’ Ponta Delgada and the Caribbean’s Turks & Caicos. Ten-day cruise fares start at $3,145 per person, double

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Carnival Freedom to Operate Year-Round from Fort Lauderdale – Cruise Vacation News

Carnival Cruise Lines

Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,974-passenger Carnival Freedom, which was originally scheduled to operate only seasonally from Fort Lauderdale, will now operate the program year-round starting in November. The ship had been scheduled to return to the Mediterranean in 2009.

Carnival Freedom’s year-round schedule from Fort Lauderdale begins Nov. 22 with six-day cruises departing Sundays and visiting Key West, Grand Cayman and Ocho Rios.

While eight-day voyages departing Saturdays alternate to the Eastern and Western Caribbean. The eight-day Eastern Caribbean voyages visit five ports: San Juan, St. Thomas/St. John, Antigua, Tortola/Virgin Gorda and Nassau. Western Caribbean cruises include Cozumel, Mexico; Limon, Costa Rica; and Colon, Panama.

Lynn Torrent, Carnival’s senior vice president of sales and guest services, said that while the plan had been for Carnival Freedom to return to Europe next year, the strong performance of the line’s Caribbean fleet made the new deployment a compelling choice.

 Both of the eight-day cruises offer visits to ports that are usually available only on cruises of 10 days or longer. In addition, these cruises depart on Saturdays and return on Sundays, which allow them to fit into the traditional one-week vacation pattern. Reservations are currently being accepted for the cruises from Fort Lauderdale.

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Azamara Cruises Schedules Culinary-Themed Shore Excursions

 

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Azamara Cruises offers a slate of culinary-themed shore excursions in Europe. This summer and fall, the 694-passenger Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest are sailing the Baltic and Mediterranean seas, respectively, for the first time.

“Slow food” tours in Livorno, Civitavecchia, and Venice are designed for those who appreciate traditional ways of preparing and savoring meals.

These tours feature wine tastings, olive oil tastings, cooking demonstrations and countryside walks. In Slovenia, a sampling of wine, olives and salt begins with a drive along the Mediterranean coast.

A “Vineyards of Sauternes and Graves” tour in the Bordeaux region of France takes guests to the underground winery at Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte. During an exclusive cooking workshop at the Amsterdam two-Michelin-star Ron Blaauw restaurant, guests enjoy a four-course lunch paired with wines.

Azamara also has introduced shore excursion packages during its European season that make it easy for guests to enjoy an in-depth, immersive experience in the region in which they are cruising.

“Capitals of the Baltic,” for example, offered on some of Azamara’s Scandinavia/Russia sailings, includes a slate of excursions such as “Berlin’s Cultural Splendors,” “Porvoo, Hirvihaara Manor and Helsinki Highlights,” “The Best of St. Petersburg,” “Hermitage Splendor,” “Moscow and the Mysterious Kremlin,” “Historic Stockholm and Sigtuna,” and ‘Drottingholm Palace, Residence of the Swedish.

” The packages, which guests can book before sailing, are offered on 18 sailings. Booking these tours as a package costs guests less than it would to book them separately.

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06/06/08 Regent Seven Seas Partners with Private Jet Service

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Regent Seven Seas Cruises is offering new private-jet and luggage transportation services to help guests avoid the “restrictive schedules, tangled routings and baggage delays associated with travel aboard the largest international airlines.” The luxury cruise line recently reached an agreement with Private Jet Services (PJS) to provide guests with private-jet transportation to and from its vessels. PJS airliners can accommodate 20 to 106 guests in VIP-configured cabins with lounges, staterooms and stand-up bars. An onboard concierge accompanies every flight. PJS flights depart from smaller airports.

Regent Seven Seas also upgraded its luggage delivery service by contracting with Luggage Free, a custom luggage-shipping and -delivery service, to provide door-to-door luggage shipping. With the service, passengers avoid carrying, checking and claiming luggage, even through customs. Guests must make reservations online. Within 24 hours after their order is placed nationwide (six hours in New York City), Luggage Free sends a representative to the guest’s home, wraps each bag in protective covering, and transfers them to the nearest airport. The bags are placed in Luggage Free’s freight system and then delivered to the guest’s destination via its airborne infrastructure. After the bags land, Luggage Free picks them up at the airport, clearing international shipments through customs. Finally, Luggage Free transfers the bags to their ultimate destination address. The process is reversed for the return trip

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06/05/08 Baltic Region Sees Continued Cruise Growth

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The Baltic Sea region reports that the growth of the cruise industry in its region has by far outpaced the overall growth of the industry during the last six years. A recent review of information from members of Cruise Baltic-the network of 10 countries and 26 destinations-give an up-to-date view on the positive state of cruising in the Baltics. The number of cruise passengers to Baltic cities has increased by an average of 12 percent per year since 2000, and the Cruise Baltic members expect the increasing trend to continue in 2008. Although the number of calls and turnarounds declined slightly in 2007, they are expected to increase again in 2008, said Thomas Odgaard of Incentive Partners.
Baltic destinations are filling four of the top five places of the ports that are attracting the most passengers in Northern Europe. The most popular ports of call are: St. Petersburg, Tallinn, Stockholm and Helsinki. Copenhagen ranks as the largest turnaround port, expecting a record-breaking 147 turnarounds in 2008.

“We are proud of the wide recognition we are achieving. In the latest Seatrade report, we are mentioned as an enthusiastic promoter and perhaps the ultimate example of a cruise network,” said Bo Larsen, director of Cruise Baltic. “We are thrilled about the figures for 2008, and we definitely see Cruise Baltic as a long-term cooperative, aiming continuously to improve the attractions of cruising in the Baltic Sea region.”

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06/04/08 Windstar Cruises Ranked No. 1 by “Celebrated Living” for Second Year

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Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts, was recognized for the second consecutive year as the best small-ship cruise vacation by the readers of “Celebrated Living.” The honor was published in the 2008 Platinum List, an annual readers’ choice guide to what the publication touts as the “best-of-the-best” travel and vacation experiences in the world. “We are truly grateful to our guests and the readers of ‘Celebrated Living’ for choosing to honor us once again with the top spot on the list of small-ship cruises,” said Windstar President Diane Moore. “We take very seriously our commitment to ensure that our guests have unforgettable experiences aboard our ships and that keeps us continually striving to enrich our world-class itineraries and service standards.

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06/04/08 Crystal Announces Business-Class Air Promotion for Summer 2009

 
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Crystal Cruises is offering low business-class air supplements from selected U.S. gateways for all summer 2009 Baltic, British Isles and Mediterranean cruises. Upgraded service starts at $799 one-way and $1,598 round-trip to the Baltic and British Isles, and $899 one-way and $1,798 round-trip to the Mediterranean. These fares are up to 75 percent lower than unrestricted published business-class fares. Business-class air upgrades are in addition to Crystal’s published air/sea fares, and are available from 17 U.S. gateways with cruises beginning June 18 through the end of August 2009. In the summer of 2009, Crystal Symphony will make five seven- and 11-day cruises to the Baltic, including overnights in St. Petersburg, and one 11-day cruise around the British Isles. From June through August, Crystal Serenity will operate five seven- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises departing from Barcelona, Rome, Venice and Athens. The Business Class air promotion is capacity controlled and subject to space availability

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Cruise Vacation NCL Cruise Line to Offer Botox, Restylane Treatments

 

NCL Cruise Line

 
Norwegian Cruise Line, in partnership with spa operator Steiner Transocean, is the first cruise line to offer Botox Cosmetic, Restylane and Perlane facial aesthetic treatments in its Mandara-operated spas.

The treatments, which are part of Mandara’s medi-spa program, are currently available on select NCL ships, including Norwegian Dawn, Norwegian Gem and Norwegian Spirit, with plans to launch fleet-wide this fall.

The facial aesthetic treatments are under the supervision of Steiner’s medical director, Dr. Brad Herman, a Miami-based, board-certified plastic surgeon, and his team of medically licensed doctors who have been trained specifically in the administration of these treatments.

Guests can schedule a 30-minute consultation with the medi-spa physician onboard who will create an individualized treatment plan. These medi-spa treatments supplement NCL’s wide-range of skin, body, massage, and hair and nail care already available on board.

Other treatments available at sea include GoSmile Tooth Whitening, microdermabrasion and Ionithermie Cellulite Reduction Program, a body contouring treatment designed to improve the look of cellulite.

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06/03/08 Seabourn Offers Cruises to Panama, Belize, Costa Rica

 
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Seabourn Cruise Lines is offering adventure cruises to Panama, Belize and Costa Rica. The 14-day voyages between Fort Lauderdale and Caldera, Costa Rica, are priced from $4,373 per person, based on double occupancy-a savings of up to 50 percent off brochure rates. At Hunting Caye in Belize, passengers can take in water sports from the vessel’s marina and enjoy a beach barbecue featuring Seabourn’s signature “Caviar in the Surf.” On Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, guests can take an aerial tramway through the jungle canopy or visit the Green Iguana Conservation Project. Other shore tours include visiting national parks by outrigger canoe, river raft, kayak, off-road vehicle or riverboat, or taking nature walks and rappelling. Seabourn’s cruises of Panama, Belize and Costa Rica depart Nov. 21, Dec. 5, Jan. 2, Jan. 16 and Jan. 30.

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06/02/08 SeaDream Raises Money for Children’s Bereavement Center

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SeaDream Yacht Club passengers and headquarters recently raised $10,000 in a “Steps for Charity” event for the non-profit Children’s Bereavement Center of Miami. A few weeks ago, the organization held a charity event aboard SeaDream II in the Caribbean just prior to its transatlantic deployment. “While we were enjoying ourselves on SeaDream II we showed our guests a short film about a father and daughter who attended CBC following a tragic loss in their family,” said Mindy Cassel, executive director of CBC. “The crew was so touched by the work we are doing they decided to become our ambassadors and the idea for Steps for Charity was born.”

James Cabello, club and activities director on SeaDream II, and his counterpart Richard Jones on SeaDream I, have in the past led passengers on walks around the yachts during transatlantic crossings. The walkers were invited to contribute any amount to the CBC. SeaDream management announced it would match the walkers’ donations, thereby doubling the figure. Plus, it was agreed that SeaDream would add another $26 for each walker who reached 26 miles — 16 laps equal one mile — walking around the outdoor track on Deck Six. CBC is a favored charity of co-owners SeaDream President and CEO Larry Pimentel and Chairman Atle Brynestad, both of whom have children who lost a parent. Pimentel serves on the CBC Executive Board. By the time SeaDream I and II had reached their first European ports, more than 35 guests and crew on both yachts had participated — many of whom had walked the suggested 26 miles for the SeaDream bonus

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Celebrity Cruise Lines Launches Southern Caribbean Sales Promotion

Celebrity Solstice

Celebrity Cruises is offering a new sales promotion offering discounted fares on certain Southern Caribbean itineraries. The sailings included in the promotion range from seven to 11 nights, and take place on Celebrity Galaxy and Celebrity Summit sailing roundtrip from San Juan.

Itineraries include ports such as Oranjestad, Aruba; Bridgetown, Barbados; Kralendijk, Bonaire; Tortola, B.V.I.; Willemstad, Curacao; Roseau, Dominica; St. George’s, Grenada; Basseterre, St. Kitts; Castries, St. Lucia; and Philipsburg, St. Maarten.

Guests who book between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31 will receive in $200 savings per stateroom for itineraries 10 nights or longer and $100 per stateroom for seven-night itineraries. The offer applies to all Celebrity Summit sailings between Dec. 13 and April 11, and Celebrity Galaxy sailings between Dec. 19 and March 2.

Regular, pre-discount cruise fares for the seven-night cruises begin at $749 per person, based on double occupancy. The 10-night cruises included in the offer begin at $999 per person, and the 11-night cruises start at $1,049.

This promotion is not combinable with any other offer. For groups, the offer is only available for individual reservations within that group that are both fully named and deposited within the Aug. 1-31 booking window. The offer is based on availability.

 

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Azamara Premium Cruises Launches 2009 Europe Booking Promotion

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Azamara Cruises has launched a promotion that includes onboard credit and complimentary standard gratuities on 2009 Europe sailings on 694-guest ships. Those who book, between Aug. 1 and Aug. 31, any 2009 Azamara Europe sailing will receive onboard credit of $150 for each ocean-view or veranda stateroom or $300 for each suite.

Additionally, the first and second guests in each room will receive complimentary standard gratuities. Azamara’s 2009 Europe sailings are offered at a cruise-only or air-inclusive rate. Azamara’s two ships, Azamara Journey and Azamara Quest, will sail in Europe between April and November.

Itineraries will include 20 new ports and overnight stays. The seven- to 15-night itineraries will visit 91 ports in 36 countries, and depart from five homeports: Athens, Greece; Barcelona, Spain; Copenhagen, Denmark; and Rome and Venice, Italy.

Overnight stays will be offered in Barcelona; Edinburgh, Scotland; Florence and Ravenna, Italy; Istanbul, Turkey; St. Petersburg, Russia; and Stockholm, Sweden. Late-night (10 p.m. or after) departures will be offered in 10 ports of call. The 2009 Europe booking promotion is not combinable with any other offer.

 For groups, the offer is only available for individual reservations within that group that are both fully named and deposited within the Aug. 1-31 booking window. The offer is based on availability. The onboard credit in this offer is per stateroom, and the complimentary standard gratuities are applicable only to the first and second guests in the stateroom.

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Carnival Fantasy to End Current Voyage in Mobile

Carnival Cruise Lines

 

Carnival Cruise Lines said the current voyage of Carnival Fantasy will end in Mobile, Ala., on Aug. 4, instead of its regular homeport of New Orleans, due to the ongoing issue on the Mississippi River. Disembarking guests will be provided complimentary motorcoach transportation back to the Port of New Orleans or the New Orleans airport. Carnival Fantasy’s next five-day cruise will also depart from Mobile Aug. 4. Carnival will provide complimentary motorcoach transportation from New Orleans’ Erato Street cruise terminal to Mobile. The Mississippi River has been marred by an oil spill following a collision between a barge and tanker. The river was closed for a few days, causing a backup of vessels needing to traverse the area.

All guests for the next voyage are instructed to proceed to the Port of New Orleans to board a motorcoach to Mobile, because at the end of the cruise, the Fantasy is expected to return to New Orleans. The only exception would be individuals who are being dropped off and not leaving a car and prefer to proceed on their own to Mobile

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08/05/08 MSC Cruises Offers Poker Tournaments for Groups

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MSC Cruises is working with groups who want to hold Texas Hold ‘em tournaments on the line’s ships. Poker tables, chairs and chips are available to host up to 400 players in the lounges. The staff will help coordinate tournaments. 
   

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Luxury Cruise Vacations – Crystal Features Certified Cheese Sommeliers on Ships

 

Cruise Crystal Luxury

Crystal Cruises is the first line to feature professionally trained and certified cheese sommeliers that will introduce travelers to new flavors, textures and cheese combinations that complement food and wine. The sommeliers will be introduced this month on Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity following intensive training and certification supervised by Professor Gerhard Ebner of the International Cheese Academy of the Hotel and Tourism School in Bad Gleichenberg, Austria. “Cheese continues to play an increasingly important role in the worldwide dining experience,” said Toni Neumeister, vice president-food and beverage for Crystal. “The certification of sommeliers is the kind of subtle luxury amenity that guests won’t think about or truly appreciate until they’ve encountered it – and then they’ll be quite impressed. It also demonstrates the commitment in training Crystal’s culinary staff to be the best at what they do.”

Cheese sommeliers will offer suggestions on pairings with meals and wines, and insights on what blends thrive in certain regions of the world. They will offer varying selections of cheeses, depending on season and regional delicacies. In all, 50 cheese vintages from 20 countries will be offered, from the internationally renowned to more obscure artisan choices made by hand. Certification participants included the head sommelier; assistant maître d’ (senior head waiter); chef de cuisine; Prego restaurant sommelier; two head waiters; and food and beverage manager. They have taken courses covering the history of cheese; its production, including regional differences and how cows’ diets impact the flavor of the cheese; slicing techniques; tastings; presentation; creating cheese menus; and cooking with cheese. Participants also visited a restaurant specializing in cheese menus and toured a regional cheese market

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