Cruise Traveler Magazine

7 New Cruise Ships Set Sail in 2011

2010-12-25T04:59:00.000-08:00

7 New Ways To Cruise The World

The Disney Dream, debuts Jan. 26, 2011: the third and largest ship in Disney
Cruise Line's family-oriented fleet, will carry as many as 4,000 passengers
on three- to five-night cruises from Port Canaveral, Fla., to the Bahamas.
Disney Cruise Line debuts the first-ever shipboard water coaster, AquaDuck,
an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops,
acceleration and river rapids. The Disney Dream carries on the spirit of
innovation with a cruise industry first for all inside staterooms. Magical
Portholes offer a "window" to the world with a real-time view outside the
ship. High-definition cameras placed on the exterior of the ship feed live
video to each Magical Porthole. The live video feed corresponds to the
stateroom location - either port or starboard and position on the ship, from
bow to stern.

Disney Cruises Disney Dream 128,000 tons 4,000 passengers

Carnival Cruise Line's Carnival Magic, May 1, 2011: a 3,690-passenger "fun
ship" that will make seven-, nine- and 12-day Mediterranean cruises May 1
through Oct. 16 before starting seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean
cruises Nov. 14 from Galveston, Texas. Features include the
11,250-square-foot adults-only Serenity area; Seaside Theatre; a massive
"Cloud 9" spa; WaterWorks aqua park with a 303-foot-long, four-deck-high
corkscrew waterslide; and special family cabins designed to accommodate five
passengers. Onboard innovations will include a white-knuckle ropes course
suspended above Deck 12.

Carnival Carnival Magic 130,000 tons 3,690 passengers

Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Silhouette, debuting July 23, 2011: the newest
Solstice-class ship, the 2,886-passenger with a seven-night cruise from
Hamburg, Germany, to Rome, will introduce classes in pizza making -
including the dough toss - and a grill-your-own-steak option at its Lawn
Club Grill. She cruises Europe, then repositions for 12 - Night Eastern and
Southern Caribbean cruises out of Port Liberty, Bayonne, New Jersey.

Celebrity Cruises Celebrity Silhouette 122,000 tons 2,884 passengers

Seabourn's newest luxury yacht, the 225-suite Quest, debuts June 9, 2011:
The ship will make a three-day, pre-inaugural voyage round trip from Monte
Carlo on June 9. The 2011 itinerary includes a 36-day grand voyage from
Monte Carlo to Istanbul, Turkey, on June 12. Seabourn Quest's maiden season
will include seven-day Eastern Mediterranean cruises, operating alternately
between Athens and Istanbul, and Venice and Athens, as well as a seven-day
Black Sea voyage. On January 5, 2012, Seabourn Quest begins a 109-day World
Cruise from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice on a unique eastbound course via South
America, South Africa, the Indian Ocean, Southeast Asia, the Middle East,
and the Mediterranean.

Seabourn Cruise Line Seabourn Quest 32,000 tons 450 passengers

Oceania new ship, Marina, debuts February 5, 2011: The 65,000 ton Marina is
more than twice the size of other Oceania vessels, and carrying a maximum of
1,258 guests in 629 staterooms. The new decor is more contemporary and
elegant than that of the current ships, with a grand lobby featuring design
accents by Lalique.The ship's inaugural schedule includes a 13-day Maiden
Voyage Jan. 22 from Barcelona to Miami, where inaugural activities are
planned. On Feb. 8, Marina departs on the first of two 18-day Panama Canal
transits that visit San Francisco or San Diego, both new ports for Oceania
Cruises. Marina operates a 12-day Caribbean cruise, round-trip from Miami,
departing March 16, before sailing along the U.S. Eastern Seaboard and on to
Europe to begin her inaugural Mediterranean season.

Oceania Cruises Marina 66,000 tons 1,258 passengers

Costa Cruises Costa Favolosa debuts July 2011: the Costa Favolosa will be
114,500 GRT with a passenger capacity of 3,780. This will be the 16th ship
for the Costa Cruises fleet and it will be similar in size to the Costa
Pacifica which was launched in 2009. The Costa Favolosa is set to make her
debut on a three-day mini vernissage cruise departing from Venice on July 4,
2011, and calling at Dubrovnik (Croatia) and Koper (Slovenia). This will be
followed by her grand inaugural cruise, which leaves Venice on July 7. This
10-day itinerary will visit Israel, Greece and Turkey with stopovers in
Bari, Corfu (Greece), Haifa (Israel), Izmir (Turkey) and Dubrovnik
(Croatia). Throughout the 2011 summer season the Costa Favolosa will offer
seven-day cruises from Venice and Bari to Olympia (Greece), Izmir and
Istanbul (Turkey), and Dubrovnik (Croatia).

Costa Cruises Costa Favolosa 114,500 tons 3,780 passengers

Though it was introduced in mid December, this ship is really new for 2011:

Royal Caribbean's Allure of the Seas debut December 12, 2010: The Allure
will sport the first GUESS store at sea, STARBUCKS as well as a new dining
concept exclusive to this ship - a Brazilian churruscaria restaurant and a
version of the Broadway musical, CHICAGO. DreamWorks Animation® favorite
characters from Shrek®, Madagascar®, Kung Fu Panda movies entertain kids of all ages. The Allure of the Seas is the world's largest cruise ship.

Royal Caribbean International Allure of the Seas 220,000 tons 5,400
passengers

Cruise Direct Online: Norwegian Declares 'Free Upgrades For All' During Wave Promotion

2010-12-13T17:34:00.000-08:00

Cruise Direct Online: Norwegian Declares 'Free Upgrades For All' During Wave Promotion

Special offer also includes up to $400 in on-board savings and targeted offers to select destinations

To celebrate Wave Season, Cruise Direct Online is featuring Norwegian Cruise Line's "Free Upgrades For All" Sales Event (http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/free_cruise_cabin_upgrades_for_all.html).
All new reservations booked from today through March 27, 2011 on select sailings on any of the line's 11 Freestyle Cruising ships will receive an up to a four-category upgrade, along with e-coupons in on-board savings of up to $400. In addition, bi-weekly promotions beginning January 3, 2011 will feature special offers on select ships and destinations.

Special Wave season offers make this the perfect time to book a cruise for 2011. A cruise vacation already represents a great value and now when combined with these Wave offers and signature Freestyle Cruising, there's no better time to plan a cruise vacation.

To book a cruise, call Cruise Direct Online at 800.365.1445, visit http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/

About Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.

Today, Norwegian has 11 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on some of the newest and most contemporary ships at sea. The Company has reached an agreement for two 143,000-gross ton vessels for delivery in 2013 and 2014.

Norwegian's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship, Norwegian Epic, debuted in June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic, as well as the official cruise line of Legends in Concert, Second City® Comedy Troupe, Howl at the Moon Dueling Pianos, Gibson Guitar, and Nickelodeon, the number-one entertainment brand for kids. Cirque Dreams" & Dinner is also featured on board Norwegian Epic as the first show of its kind at sea under a big top.

Find Help In Navigating Through All The Cruise Deal Offers During Wave Season

2010-12-11T05:30:00.000-08:00

Find Help In Navigating Through All The Cruise Deal Offers During Wave Season

Searching for and evaluating all the cruise deals on offer during wave season, especially senior, family or group offers, has always been challenging. But a new Cruise Finder at Cruise Direct Online just made the process a little easier. This new tool will help cruise travelers find the cruise that is best suited to their individual needs. Cruise Travelers can compare up to 4 offers side by side helping consumers navigate the complicated cruise travel marketplace.

Wave Season is the annual cruise sales period from January to March when a majority of cruise vacations are sold both by online and traditional "Brick and Mortar" travel agents.

The new information can be found at http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/cruiseconnect.htm , and offers features such as:

cruises from up to 24 brand-name cruise lines
side-by-side comparisons of ships, sailing dates
compare the ports-of-call
read a "Cruise Critic" cruise ship and cruise line review
find discount prices, special offers for seniors, families
see if you qualify for resident rates based on where you live
Are you in the Military or community service, such as a Teacher, EMT , Police Officer or Firefighter, you may qualify for special rates
sruise tips, answers to your questions and expert advice
all on one easy to read page. Compare and save!

To show you how it works, Cruise Direct Online chose 4 cruise lines ( Disney, NCL, Royal Caribbean and Carnival ) and 4 cruise ships ( Disney Wonder, Norwegian Sky, Monarch of the Seas and Carnival Sensation) that sail to the Bahamas to compare side-by-side. Prices varied from $229 to $519 for an inside cabin on a 3 day cruise in the same general time period ( August ) and remarkably one cruise came out on top, charging only $215 for a 4 day cruise out of Port Canaveral. One extra day at a cheaper price! You can also read about what others who sailed on these ships had to say. 63 cruise reviews in all. You can choose any destination or cruise ship to compare side by side to 4 others. The results can be found at http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/cruiseconnect.htm

There is also a section for first-time cruisers 'What to know before you go" with tips, a cruising guide and travel advice.

If you've never cruised before, you probably have a boatload of questions. That's why you need this indispensible first-time cruiser's guide, filled with useful cruising tips, expert advice, and more. Find answers to your most pressing questions, get advice on how to choose the perfect ship, cruise line, and stateroom, use the cruise destinations guide to plan your trip, and learn more about the action-packed activities that await onboard. Get your sea legs before you sail with these first-time cruiser tips.
How do I know I am getting a good cruise deal?

Consumers spend countless hours surfing the internet in search of the best cruise deal. Every web site they visit proclaims to have the best deal. But how do you know that's true? For most web sites, it's nearly impossible to tell if you're getting a great cruise deal or not. That's because there are many variables that affect the price and value of your cruise experience.

Ever cruise ship is different. Some are new, some are old. Some are big. Even gigantic, like the Oasis or Allure of the Seas with nearly 6,000 people on board. Others are more intimate, like Windstar's Wind Surf with 150 guests.

Prices, onboard amenities, accommodations, entertainment all vary from ship to ship. The itinerary isn't often the same. It can be very confusing.

So, the new Cruise Finder allows consumers to compare side-by-side up to 8 variables for the same destination and number of days sailing. Would that help consumers make more informed choices? The information provided with the Cruise Finder makes the cruise travel marketplace more transparent than ever before, so it is easier to evaluate the value and cost of cruising.

Compare cruises from brand-name cruise lines, view side-by-side comparisons of ships, the itinerary, cruise review, traveler rating, sailing dates, discount prices, special offers and cruise tips. View photo's of ships and staterooms, public areas and more. Check out the onboard activities and shore excursions.

After reviewing the data, you can choose to book online or speak with a professional travel agent who can help you determine which cruise best meets your vacation and budget needs.

Exercise Extreme Caution Before Bargain Shopping For A Cruise Vacation

We pride ourselves on being savvy bargain hunters. Online coupons, online discounts, Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Cruise Tuesday and the ease in how we comparison shop on everything from a blu-ray DVD player to a cruise vacation has made it faster than ever for consumers to hunt down bargains. However, there are some things that are more important than just getting the cheapest cruise deal.

Cruise travel is a perfect example. There’s an array of online travel companies offering cruise deal quotes.

Travelocity, Expedia, Priceline, or Cruise Direct, just to name a few.

Although there is an appeal in convenience and a supposed bargain, cruise travel isn’t a one-size-fits-all vacation. The “right” cruise for you involves much more than cost; much like an electronics buyer doesn’t just consider cost when purchasing a new 50 inch 3-D HD TV. If typing in your criteria and clicking the “buy now” button on the cheapest 3-D Television you can find sounds unwise, then planning your cruise vacation this way should seem just as misguided.

Of course, cost should be a consideration when booking a cruise, but consumers should also consider:

Determine the Vacation Value

“You get what you pay for” is an apt adage for just about anything we purchase these days. What one cruise travel company touts as a bargain vacation is usually nothing more than a cruise line offering an inside cabin, at the very bottom of the ship, next to the disco and miles of walking to the nearest elevator to get to the ship's dining room or entertainment venues. Cruise costs are priced based on the deck and location of a cabin and the type of accommodation: inside, outside, balcony or a suite. Book the wrong sized cabin for your family and for 7 days you may feel like sardines in a can. And, you can't ask for another room like at a hotel, because the ship likely to be sold out. Many cruises will appear to be similar, visiting the same ports-of-call, but the shipboard amenities, size of accommodation, caliber of food and service, even the most subtle variation can result in a significant cost, value, and benefit difference.

Determine What Your Travel Needs Are

There are many types of Cruises: adventure and wildlife ( Alaska ), sunshine and shopping ( The Caribbean ), exotic ( Asia and the Far East ), cultural and historic ( Europe ).

Each of these types is also available in dozens of unique itinerary variations. Some cruise ships cater to an older crowd ( Holland America ), others to party-hardy cruisers ( Carnival ). Some are more family-friendly ( Royal Caribbean, Disney ). It might seem daunting to evaluate the benefits and features associated with each type of cruise, but that is truly the only way to guarantee that you obtain the best cruise for your specific need. Opting for the cheapest cruise, regardless of whether it actually meets your need, can actually ruin you vacation plans.

Consult with a Knowledgeable and Experienced Professional

A cruise vacation, or any vacation for that matter, when purchased correctly, can lead to a fun, exciting and most memorable experience. However, it is also costs a lot of your hard-earned money, and you want to make sure that every dollar is going toward an experience that is best for you and your family.

A cruise travel expert can help you navigate the waters, lay out the best travel options, and recommend a cruise that bests accommodate your needs. Best of all, if you have a question or concern about your vacation, you aren’t limited to speaking to a telemarketer or looking up the answer at an online “FAQ” page.

Think Twice Before Buying A Cruise Direct From The Cruise Line

Want to book your cruise directly with the cruise line? Think again.

Calling the cruise line does not always result in the lowest cost or the right choice. It does, however, mean that you will connected to a call center and the person answering the phone is never the same person when you call again. As with any telemarketing organization, there is often high turnover in these positions, so you might never develop a relationship you can rely on, nor get the answers you seek.

When you are considering a cruise vacation, you probably want to count on a travel agent to assist you in understanding the many options available. For instance, what type of cabin should you choose? Should you pay for travel insurance or not? Should your teenager kids have their own cabin? How large a cabin do I need? Do I really want a balcony cabin at a higher cost? Why should I choose this cruise ship over another?

You won't get those answers from the cruise line. You see they represent only their product. They aren't going to help you compare their offerings to others in the business. The telemarketer on the phone may only be interested in getting you to book as quickly as possible, so he or she can get on to the next person waiting in the queue.

Although it is possible that you might attain the best price directly from the cruise line, it is also likely that you might not. More importantly, you might get what appears on the surface to be a better deal, but on closer examination is not as good as you originally thought.

You may qualify for a special rate based upon where you live, or based on your age ( seniors of kids ). You may be serving in the military, a community service worker: teacher, firefighter, or police officer. There are special offers out there just for you. But if you don't know to ask for them, you won't get them, as often the cruise line's telemarketer doesn't volunteer that information. Their interest is self-serving. Get you to book a cruise at the highest cost possible.

Travel agents, on the other hand, especially those that specialize in cruise vacations have a lot of clout in the industry. They are able to negotiate group rates and offer you a cruise vacation, one that fits your needs, that costs hundred's of dollars cheaper than you can by going to the cruise line direct. And, you don't even have to belong to the "group" to get the deal. Anyone can "Book In" and pocket the savings.

Travel Agents earn a commission (10-15% of the cruise fare) when they sell a cruise. If you book direct from the cruise line, guess what? The cruise line is not going to cut the price, and pass the savings onto you, even though they pocket that commission as extra profit. In most cases travel agents do not charge for their services, so why not take advantage of their knowledge and experience and get your 15% worth.

Your travel professional has spend quality time with you, knows you and understands your needs. Someone at the cruise line you have never talked to before might not know enough about you to recommend the best choice for your cruise vacation. If they don’t know you, how will they know what to recommend? A cruise travel advisor who knows you and your family needs is in a much better position to make sure you know which cruise line, ship, itinerary and price meets your needs.

So, if you are wondering if you might get a better deal on your cruise vacation if you buy direct and cut out the middleman. You won't.

Better Hook This Deal : New Alaska Cruisetour Just for Fishing Fans in 2011

2010-12-02T06:21:00.000-08:00

New Alaska Cruisetour Just for Fishing Fans in 2011
14-Day Cruise Vacation Package Includes Excursions to Some of State’s Most Famous Fishing Grounds

Alaska Cruisetours Online ( www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com ) December 01, 2010 - Princess Cruises has introduced a new Alaska cruisetour option just for fishermen (and women) as part of the 2011 season. This new 14-day land/sea vacation includes special excursions just for anglers, with opportunities to cast their lines in some of the state’s premiere fishing spots.

Participants on the new tour can try their hand at salmon fishing in the Inside Passage from Ketchikan, bottom fishing for halibut near Juneau, and river fishing on two Alaskan rivers – the Kenai and Talkeetna – on excursions from Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.
“Fishing is such an iconic part of the Alaska experience, that it made sense to offer a special tour especially for those who want to focus their time on the sport,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We include a variety of fishing experiences so our passengers can get a taste of the array of fishing opportunities found throughout the state.”
The new fishing cruisetour includes a seven-day Voyages of the Glaciers cruise through the Gulf of Alaska featuring scenic cruising in Glacier Bay National Park, plus two nights at the Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at the Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and one night in Anchorage. Participants will not only enjoy fishing tours throughout their vacation but also scenic travel via Princess Rail and a Natural History Tour in Denali National Park.
Fishing excursions include:
Alaska Sportfishing Expedition (Ketchikan)
Participants can experience the thrill of fishing in the "Salmon Capital of the World" in the calm, protected waters of the Inside Passage. Passengers will travel in a large, heated cabin cruiser and can test their salmon sportfishing skills on a five-hour expedition to troll for king salmon, pink salmon, chum salmon, and silver salmon, depending on the season.
Halibut/Bottom Sportfishing Adventure (Juneau)
This excursion takes a small group on a journey to experience bottom fishing for halibut, Pacific cod, arrow-tooth flounder and nearly a dozen species of rockfish, depending on the season. The five-hour experience includes fishing in 180 to 350 feet of water with bait or plastic lures near the ocean’s bottom. Bottom fishing appeals to anglers of all experience levels, as fish are easy to hook and usually very abundant. During the trip to the fishing grounds, participants may also spot some of the region’s other wildlife, including whales and sea lions.
Kenai Upper River Sportfishing (Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge)
Famed for its trophy-sized fish, the beautiful upper Kenai River is one of the finest recreational areas in Alaska. Tour participants can experience world-class fishing surrounded by dazzling mountain scenery aboard a non-motorized drift boat or raft. Anglers will be catching either sockeye salmon, Dolly Varden or rainbow trout, according to the season.
Alaska Sportfishing (Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge)
Both experienced and novice fishing fans will enjoy testing their luck on the Talkeetna River. Anglers will travel by boat to a secluded fishing spot in the shadow of Mt. McKinley, where they will cast for king, silver or red salmon, rainbow trout, grayling and Dolly Varden, depending on the season. An experienced guide will steer the group to the area’s optimum fishing holes.
All tours follow fishing seasons and regulations as determined by the Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G). Fishing licenses are not included in the package price; participants can purchase appropriate licenses at each location or directly from the ADF&G. Passengers must be at least 12 years old to participate in the cruisetour.
Fares for the new fishing cruisetours begin at $3,248 per person, based on double occupancy.
Additional information about Princess Cruisetours to Alaska is available through: Alaska Cruisetours Online ( www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com ) a professional travel agent, by calling them at 800.365.1445, or by visiting the company's website at http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com/fishing
About Princess Cruises in Alaska:
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. Princess is a leader in Alaska travel, offering immersive land/sea vacations that feature the state’s “must see” attractions, including Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park. Princess owns and operates five wilderness lodges nestled in scenic riverside locations throughout the state, as well as a fleet of deluxe motorcoaches and glass-domed Princess railcars – giving travelers the opportunity to combine cruise, rail and lodge options to see all the best of Alaska.
Princess Cruises is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Their exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World’s Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, they offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

Cruise Direct Express Smoothes and Simplifies the Online Vacation Search.

2010-11-17T13:54:00.000-08:00

-- Travel Direct Corporation, today announced a new online travel service that pulls together the Internet's best cruise deals in one place. Just in time for the industry's "Wave Season", the new service; Cruise Direct Express^sm gives cruise travelers immediate direct access to the available inventory of 15 of the top cruise line brands.

Cruise Direct Express offers consumers a rich selection of destinations, cruise lines, ships and up-to-the-moment cabin inventory, plus the best cruise line offered discount prices – including hard-to-find internet specials – all in one place. The service lets cruise travelers with a few clicks purchase a cruise from brands they trust. With Cruise Direct Express cruise travelers also have the opportunity to receive valuable special offers, such as cabin upgrades, and onboard spending credits.

With Cruise Direct Express cruise travelers get the best priced cruises and most convenient options by going straight to the source.

Cruise Direct Express has search technology that can access all of the cruise inventory available from up to 15 cruise brands, which conventional search engines, crawlers and shopping bots cannot. Because the cruise lines have made their inventory available through their own sites, Cruise Direct Express can access this information. The technology is designed to search all of the cruise lines databases for cabin inventory and up-to-the moment pricing. And make them available in real-time.

Cruise Direct Express Online Benefits Cruise Travelers:
Offering a huge selection of the Web's best cruise deals. To find the best cruise price with the same destination, itinerary and sailing date, cruise travelers must flip from cruise line site to cruise line site on their browsers, with Cruise Direct Expresss' search technology consumers are offered an alternative.

Cruise Direct Express Smoothes and Simplifies the Online Vacation Search.What's the most annoying thing about doing vacation research online? It has to be copying and pasting all the information you need for note-taking from multiple cruise line web sites.

Cruise Direct Express searches the sites' databases of the cruise lines themselves – sites like Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Crystal, Regent, Holland America, Windstar, Disney, Crystal, Oceania and Norwegian Cruise Line – for their best cruise offers. Cruise travelers do not have to jump from site to site to look for the best cruise line bargain. Cruise Direct Express allows users to see all the deals and to make informed choices. Switching back and forth between cruise line web sites can be a pain. With Cruise Direct Express all the major brand cruise lines are all together at one home port.

Gathering Information Is Easier and Faster.
Those with limited internet time will find Cruise Direct Express especially useful for getting the necessary travel information and signing off quickly.

Easy to use interface enables comparison of cruise ship itineraries, sailing dates, up-to-the moment cabin availability and prices. The Cruise Direct Express search engine(s) allows cruise travelers the option to troll through thousands of discounted fares and special deals the cruise lines have on offer, and they can tailor the search terms ( price, cruise line, sailing date, duration, departure ports and destinations ) according to their own personal travel needs.

With Cruise Direct Express cruise travelers can check prices of competing cruise lines to make sure they always find the cruise line's best deals. Consumers save money by comparison-shopping.

Cruise Direct Express brings cruise travelers all the information they need to book a cruise from the cruise brands they trust.

A Personal Cruise Travel Advisor is part of every sale. When a cruise traveler books their cruise online, a personal Cruise Travel Advisor is assigned to their account: The Cruise Travel Advisor offers fair and impartial advice. Cruise Direct Express features all the major brand cruise lines - but doesn't promote one particular cruise line over another. Choosing the right cruise experience is the number one priority.

The Cruise Travel Advisor;
1. Will review the proper immigration/passport/birth certificate documentation necessary for their cruise.
2. Arrange any special needs -- such as a handicap-designed stateroom, or a special diet.
3. Inform cruise travelers of their dining choices and arrange for any special occasions they might be celebrating like a birthday or anniversary.
4. Will explain the importance of travel insurance to cover the unexpected such as trip delays, missed Cruise Direct Expressions and lost or delayed baggage.
5. Will review General Information materials that cover over 18 "Things to Know Before You Go".
6. Will point out their stateroom on the deck plan ( all deck plans are available online ).
7. Will Inform cruise travelers when final payment is due and the deadline to request air deviations and arrange pre-or-post cruise land packages.
8. Advise about tipping; packing; clothing; flights and schedule options; shore excursions, etc.

Cruise Direct Express is available for free from the company’s internet site www.cruisedirectexpress.com

Proactive Physical and Online Promotions Capitalize on Heightened Consumer Awareness for Expected $47+ million in New Cruise Sales

2010-11-15T08:39:00.001-08:00

CLIA, CRUISE LINES AND TRAVEL AGENCIES GENERATE MILLIONS IN SALES DURING 2010 “WORLD LARGEST CRUISE NIGHT

Proactive Physical and Online Promotions Capitalize on Heightened Consumer Awareness for Expected $47+ million in New Sales, Over $6 Million in Potential Commissions

Fort Lauderdale, FL — November 15, 2010 — If sales during World’s Largest Cruise Night 2010 (WLCN) are any indication, consumer confidence is on the rebound. CLIA member cruise lines and travel agencies report an expected $47+ million in sales resulting from WLCN events on October 13 and virtual promotions throughout October, generating over $6 million in potential commissions, according to a new survey of participants*.

“Consumers across North America have responded strongly to World’s Largest Cruise Night, the cruise industry’s largest annual promotion, and to the many outstanding offers from CLIA member travel agencies and cruise lines,” said Bob Sharak, CLIA’s EVP, Marketing & Distribution. “This is a strong signal that the innovative vacation experiences and remarkable value offered by the cruise lines, combined with the marketing and promotional efforts of CLIA member travel agencies results in a successful sales formula. The result is a win-win-win situation for cruise lines, travel agents and, especially, the traveling public.”

CLIA agents reported that over 50,000 consumers attended physical WLCN cruise events held by a record 1,432 agencies this year. The events were diverse and held in travel agency offices, hotel ballrooms, restaurants, corporate offices and other venues. The CLIA travel agent survey reveals that agencies offering such physical WLCN events have already generated, or anticipate generating, a total of 21,475 bookings for an estimated $26 million in sales, potentially yielding more than an estimated $3 million in travel agency commissions. Over 95 percent of agents who registered to participate with a WLCN event indicated that they did so, a similar participation level as 2009.

CLIA introduced the Virtual WLCN option in 2007, expanding it into a month-long opportunity for agents this year. Nearly 3,200 agencies participated in 2010, sending email invitations to consumers inviting them to visit their customized WLCN Web site with cruise line videos, agency contact information and special offers. Agents surveyed project over 19,000 bookings and nearly $21 million in actual and future sales as a result of the leads and contacts generated through four weeks of Virtual WLCN participation. According to participating CLIA travel agencies, CLIA’s 2010 online and traditional WLCN events combined are projected to generate nearly 41,000 bookings and $47 million in sales, resulting in a more than $6 million in potential travel agency commissions.

“CLIA’s travel agent members and the cruise lines responded to WLCN like never before, recognizing the opportunity to build the foundation for a highly successful year ahead. It is obvious that their promotions and WLCN marketing initiatives resonated with a huge, untapped desire on the part of a broad range of consumers to shake off economic worries and travel again,” said Sharak. Participating cruise lines and agents echoed CLIA’s enthusiasm. Joni Rein, vice president of worldwide sales for Carnival Cruise Lines, said: "The WLCN event was a huge success for us as we took twice the number of bookings that day as compared to last year's event. We believe much of that increase was due to the exclusive booking offer we made which included best available upgrades, along with shipboard credits on our European sailings. That clearly helped our travel partners close the sale and earn more commissions. We were pleased that so many partners participated and demonstrated their interest in Carnival Magic's European program."

Scott Brandner, manager of sales promotions at Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, said: Uniworld was excited to participate in this year’s WLCN event and it was a resounding success. During the week after WLCN, we saw significant bookings made in conjunction with the cruise night and our phones were buzzing! Each year we see a significant rise in our number of bookings in conjunction with WLCN and we look forward to next year."

“For the past three years, Cruise Planners has taken CLIA’s World’s Largest Cruise Night and turned it into a week-long event. This year demonstrated our largest participation ever, with over 10 nationwide live cruise nights, 50 virtual cruise nights, 200,000 direct mail pieces, 300,000 emails and 20 cruise line presentations. The theme, appropriately, was the ‘The Greatest Cruises on Earth,’ complete with various cruise line ‘shows’ and unique consumer benefits. Preliminary results show very strong double digit increases in deposited bookings over 2009 – but, historically, the true value of this event will be felt for months to come with even more incremental bookings. We could not have orchestrated such a successful event without the strong support of CLIA in terms of offers, online videos and agent training,” said Terri Burke, MCC, CTC, senior vice President, relationship marketing for Cruise Planners/American Express.

Candie and Dick Steinman, two Cruises Inc. Independent Contractors who founded Gateway Cruise and Travel Club in Fort Myers, Florida, felt that World’s Largest Cruise Night not only helped them gain business, but also gained them credibility in their community. “Having representatives from Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises join us for World’s Largest Cruise Night showed our Gateway community members that we are knowledgeable and respected in the cruise and travel profession. We received a lot of interest in future cruises after our event, and are meeting with a group this week to discuss future bookings, and a possible family reunion group!”

And, Charlie Funk, of Just Cruisin Plus in Nashville, commented: "We promoted WLCN to our 7,000 email subscribers. We used a drop-in format from 3:00 to 5:30 pm and had about 50 people attend. We took reservations and deposits for about $28,000 from those who attended over the next two days and have booked more since. In addition, we booked and deposited about $20,000 from those who received the email about the event, could not attend and asked us to extend the promotions we were using at the event. In a time when some agencies are reporting slower call traffic, we have been quite busy."

In 2009, travel agents report that WLCN drew consumers to 1,309 travel agency events that generated an estimated 40,000 bookings, $45 million in cruise sales and a potential $5.9 million in travel agency commissions. In its first year in 2005, CLIA’s WLCN promotion attracted 25,000 consumers to 400-plus agency events, generating an estimated 7,273 bookings, $9 million in cruise sales and $1.2 million in travel agency commissions.

# # #

About CLIA

The nonprofit Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is North America's largest cruise industry organization. CLIA represents the interests of 25 member lines and participates in the regulatory and policy development process while supporting measures that foster a safe, secure and healthy cruise ship environment. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise vacations and counts as members 16,000 travel agencies. .

Princess Europe and Alaska 21 Day Advanced Wave Season Sale* - Extraordinary Savings! : Princess Cruises Cruise Deals Up to 70% Off Brochure Rates - Plus Value-Added Savings Bonus!

2010-11-14T06:25:00.000-08:00

Nov 14,2010 - Princess Europe and Alaska 21 Day Advanced Wave Season Sale* - Extraordinary Savings! : Princess Cruises Cruise Deals Up to 70% Off Brochure Rates - Plus Value-Added Savings Bonus!
There’s nothing as relaxing and rejuvenating as a cruise with Princess. And when you book select voyages now, you’ll get incredible " Wave Season" Cruise Sale discounts plus special perks: like onboard spending credits, cabin upgrades, onboard coupon books and reduced deposits that make a cruise or cruise tour vacation with Princess irresistible.

November 12, 2010 - Starting Monday November 29, 2010 Cruise Direct Online is having a 21 Day Advanced Wave Season Sale on Princess Cruises. The annual "wave season" promotional sales period for the cruise industry ordinarily starts in earnest on January 1st. However, Cruise Direct Online is getting a head start on the competition by rolling out special incentives for those who book early. Cruise Direct Online is out to break all records as cruise travelers eagerly take advantage, not only of outstanding prices, but of such value-added features as generous credits for shipboard spending, accommodations upgrades, early booking discounts and more.

Cruise Direct Online is promoting a special sale that lasts for just 21 days, but offers all 2011 Europe and Alaska sailings of Princess Cruises. The sale gives cruise travelers the opportunity to save hundred's of dollars plus receive an added-value bonus on all 2011 Europe and Alaska Cruises and Cruise Tours when they book their Princess Cruise with Cruise Direct Online.

"Wave season sets the pace for the year and our Advanced Wave Season Sale will be a good predictor of cruise demand for the coming year" said Marty Trencher of Cruise Direct Online. "As the trend has been for cruise travelers to book farther out in advance, we decided to start the "Wave Season" a little early, so both families and couples can shore up their vacation plans with best choice of accommodations, sailings and incentives."

Cruiser travelers who book a stateroom on any Princess departure, in any stateroom category starting Monday November 15, 2010 for 21 days will get a reduced deposit and $325^ in coupon savings ($650 value for a couple ) when they book a 2011 Alaska or Europe vacation with us! This is an exclusive 21 day Wave Season Sale available only at Cruise Direct Online ( www.cruisedirectonline.com ).

This exclusive offer also gives cruise travelers up to $200 shipboard spending credit+ when they book a balcony stateroom or higher category. And during this event, cruise travelers get a balcony upgrade from as low as $199 on 2011 Europe sailings with more than 40 itineraries to choose from! Or, they can explore Alaska on a 7- to 10-day cruise or 10- to 15-night Cruise Tour that features glacier viewing, endless wilderness, spectacular wildlife and more. Princess cruise tours are a great vacation value, with options that start from just $299 more than a 7-day cruise!

Those that reserve their stateroom during this sale get a 50% reduced deposit, as low as $100. per person! Having a reduced deposit, combined with onboard spending credit and stateroom upgrades give cruise travelers great value.

For more information, cruise travelers can contact a Certified Travel Expert by calling 800.365.1445 or inquiring online at Cruise Direct Online's dedicated web site: www.cruisedirectonline.com

About Wave SeasonThe cruise industry's "Wave Season," runs between January and March, when the major cruise line brands promote their very best cruise deals for the new year. Many advertise some great offers during wave season, and if you're a smart cruise shopper, you should take advantage of these offers to get a great deal on your next cruise vacation.

Why Wave Season?Historically, sales patterns indicate January through March are when most cruise travelers book their vacation. Winter's chilly and snowy weather get cruise travelers dreaming about warm, Caribbean island getaways, or Summer's Europe and Alaska adventures. So, bookings reach peak velocity. To capitalize on this cruise booking state of mind, Cruise Direct Online offer extra incentives -- typically free perks like onboard spending credits, reduced deposits, stateroom upgrades and reduced cruise fares, as time has proven that these type of incentives are the driving force that get cruise travelers to book those cruises now.

*Some restrictions apply. This offer is not combinable with Future Cruise Credit promotions and select promotions. Eligible cruises and cruisetours: Princess Cruises 2011 Alaska and Europe sailings. Third and fourth berth guests are not eligible for this offer. Reduced deposit of $100USD per person applies to each of the first two passengers in a stateroom. Offer is combinable with Launch Fares, group, regional and past passenger fares. Offer is not combinable with other cruise promotions. Other restrictions may apply. Promotion Code: CNT (CNS for Canada).

^Total value of coupons combined in Onboard Savings booklet is $325USD. Maximum two coupon booklets per stateroom.
+Shipboard credits, where available from the cruise line, are house credits that are placed on your stateroom's account for you to use during your cruise vacation. You can use the credit towards merchandise, lounges and in some, but not all cases, for Spa Treatments or Shore Excursions.

Are You More Likely To Get Up Early Than Sleep In? - New survey uncovered clear differences between how men and women relax.

2010-10-26T04:15:00.000-07:00

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (October 25, 2010) -- Most relaxing Americans put a priority on having fun rather than sleeping while they are vacationing, according to a recent relaxation survey commissioned by Princess Cruises. With the busy holiday travel season upon us, many Americans may be looking for a little rest and relaxation in between, which, according to the survey findings, means different things to different people. The Princess Cruises "Relaxation Report" uncovered some surprising insights as to how Americans pursue leisure. The "Report" showed that 55% of vacationers preferred to get up early rather than sleep in on vacation, while 44% chose to sleep late.
Besides putting a priority on leisure time versus sleep time, the "Relaxation Report" also reveals that 6 out of 10 Americans prefer a spontaneous, go-with-the-flow itinerary rather than a set-schedule of activities while on vacation (selected by 38%). And, two-thirds (67%) of Americans prefer to relax on the beach rather than at the pool (26%). To aid in relaxation, Americans choose reading (25%), having a drink (20%) and listening to music (19%).
Princess Cruises, one of the best-known names in cruising, fielded the survey to gain some insights into relaxation habits while on vacation. "Because Princess is committed to providing our passengers a relaxing and rejuvenating vacation experience, we thought it would be fun to get some feedback about just what helps people relax during their precious time off," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.
Men vs. Women
The "Relaxation Report" also uncovered clear differences between how men and women relax. Men prefer to start their vacation day by getting up early (58%) rather than sleeping in (41%), while women are divided, with 51% preferring to rise early and 47% preferring to sleep in and catch some Z's. Men prefer to relax by having a drink (25%), reading (18%) and listening to music (17%). Women, on the other hand, prefer to relax by reading (32%), listening to music (21%) and by having a drink (15%). When drinking on vacation, men prefer beer over wine (41% vs. 27%, respectively), while women prefer a glass of wine over a beer (45% vs. 27%, respectively). Also, more men than women choose watching TV (15% vs. 11%, respectively) and exercising (15% vs. 9%, respectively) as ways to aid in their relaxation.
Despite their differences, men and women have their agreements too. Both men and women choose country music as their favorite vacation tunes (25% and 22%, respectively), both prefer viewing a sunset (65% and 67%) over a sunrise (30% among both genders) and would rather relax on the beach (68% vs. 60%) than at the pool (25% vs. 26%).
Country is King
When it comes to tunes, country music was the clear winner with 24% of Americans preferring those songs over all else, followed in popularity by soft rock (21%), classical (17%), jazz (13%) and pop (12%).
Turn Off and Power Down
Contrary to popular belief, while mindlessly surfing the Internet or flipping through the television may sound like good ways to relax, in reality Americans couldn't disagree more. Most Americans (97%) do not choose the Internet or the television (87%) as primary ways to relax while on vacation.
East vs. West
When asked to choose between viewing a sunset or a sunrise while on vacation, the responses varied based on where Americans reside. While 4 in 10 adults from the Northeast (40%) would rather see a sunrise, less than 1 in 3 of those in the Midwest (29%), in the South (27%) or in the West (27%) would choose dawn over dusk. There are also some regional differences when it comes to vacation reading preferences. A larger proportion of adults from the Midwest would rather read a magazine (47%) than would adults from the West (37%), the South (36%) and the Northeast (35%). Conversely, those from the Northeast (59%), the West (56%) and the South (54%) are more likely to choose a book than those from the Midwest (45%).
Vacation Barometer
How do you know when it's time to take a vacation? Americans identified three key factors that lead to a getaway: being tired (30%), cranky (28%) and restless (22%).
About the Survey
The "Relaxation Report," commissioned by Princess Cruises, is based on findings from an Ipsos poll conducted Aug. 26, 2010 - Sept. 12, 2010 (due to the Labor Day holiday, no interviews were conducted between Sept. 1 and Sept. 8). For the survey, a nationally representative sample of 2,000 randomly-selected adults aged 18 and over residing in the U.S., was interviewed by telephone via Ipsos' U.S. Telephone Express omnibus. With a sample of this size, the results are considered accurate within ±2.2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20, of what they would have been had the entire population of adults in the U.S. been polled.
About Princess Cruises
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess carries 1.3 million passengers each year to destinations around the globe on cruises ranging in length from seven to 107 days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).
About Ipsos
Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. Ipsos conducts strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Cruise Line and Ship Ratings, Rankings and Reviews. Where To Find Who's Best Online.

2010-10-24T05:47:00.000-07:00

From movies and books to restaurants and travel destinations, in today’s world, we all want to know what someone else thinks or has experienced before we try or buy. The same holds true for cruise vacations. Potential passengers want to know how cruise lines rated among seasoned travelers, how cruise lines rated among professionals in the industry, and how cruise lines rated in the media.

So how can consumers get a hold of cruise line ratings or find out how cruise lines rated in specific categories? Look no further than the web.

There are several informative websites available today offering everything from ratings and reviews to feature articles, on just about every cruise line across the country, if not the world.

Using these websites to find out how cruise lines rated is a great tool to use before you choose a cruise line or cruise ship. This is an especially important tool for first time cruisers, as ratings can give you an excellent idea of exactly what to expect before you board.

When cruise lines are rated, a wide variety of elements are considered such as the type of ship, size of ship, destinations, accommodations, amenities, activities, entertainment, price, service, excursions, ports of call, passengers, etc. In most cases the rating system is on a scale of 1 to 100, with 100 meaning “Outstanding.” In other cases, stars are used to rate cruise ships. Five star cruise ships offer the utmost in luxury.

Some of the top sites to find out how cruise lines rated include:
http://www.cruisecritic.com/ , www.cruisereviewsonline.com , http://www.cruisereport.com/ , http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/ , and http://www.cruisemates.com/

Cruisecritic.com offers more than just ratings and reviews, this site has several search functions to help you find everything from bargains and discounts to theme cruises, and exotic itineraries. The site also includes features, news, planning tools, and a variety of cruise message boards where fellow cruisers can exchange stories and information. http://www.cruisecritic.com/

Cruisemates.com offers two types of ratings: star ratings and value ratings. Star ratings are based on one question — “how good is this ship?” One star is the worst, five stars is the best. Cruisemates.com takes everything from age and accommodations to food, service, and entertainment into account when rating the
worlds cruise ships. Value ratings or “thumbs up” ratings are all about the “Bang for your Buck.” Five thumbs up means the ship is an excellent value while one thumb up means you won’t find much of anything that resembles a value here. http://www.cruisemates.com/

Ratings, rankings, and popularity contests — at Cruisereviewsonline.com find out which cruise ships are at the top and which ones are not. Get other information on cruise lines, as well as information, ratings and rankings on embarkation ports, and ports of call. http://www.cruisereviewsonline.com/

Cruisereport.com offers the lowdown on cruise lines from A to Z. Unbiased reviews, cruise searches, quotes, and feature articles are just a few of the sites extras. You can also search for “the perfect cruise,” and browse through news pieces about cruising. After checking out their ratings and reviews, you can also search for discounts and deals. With more than 50,000 visitors per month, http://www.cruisereport.com/ has information on roughly 8,500 current sailings.

Cruisedirectonline.com relies on reader surveys to help keep ratings in check. In addition to offering information on how various cruise lines rated in all categories, visitors to the site will find top ten and top thirty lists, as well as feature articles about the best of the best in the world of cruising. The site has other information about discounts, as well as information on roughly 12,000 sailings. Cruise Direct Online has been featured in Frommer’s Budget Travel Magazine, and on MSNBC, CNBC, MSN Money, and more! http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/
Source:
http://www.allaboutcruisesandmore.com/cruise-lines-rated

Cruise Direct Express gives cruise travelers immediate direct access to the available inventory of 15 of the top cruise line brands.

2010-10-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

-- Travel Direct Corporation, today announced a new online travel service that pulls together the Internet's best cruise deals in one place. The new service; Cruise Direct Express^sm gives cruise travelers immediate direct access to the available inventory of 15 of the top cruise line brands.

Cruise Direct Express offers consumers a rich selection of destinations, cruise lines, ships and up-to-the-moment cabin inventory, plus the best cruise line offered discount prices – including hard-to-find internet specials – all in one place. The service lets cruise travelers with a few clicks purchase a cruise from brands they trust. With Cruise Direct Express cruise travelers also have the opportunity to receive valuable special offers, such as cabin upgrades, and onboard spending credits.

With Cruise Direct Express cruise travelers get the best priced cruises and most convenient options by going straight to the source.

Cruise Direct Express has search technology that can access all of the cruise inventory available from up to 15 cruise brands, which conventional search engines, crawlers and shopping bots cannot. Because the cruise lines have made their inventory available through their own sites, Cruise Direct Express can access this information. The technology is designed to search all of the cruise lines databases for cabin inventory and up-to-the moment pricing. And make them available in real-time.

Cruise Direct Express Online benefits cruise travelers: Offering a huge selection of the Web's best cruise deals. To find the best cruise price with the same destination, itinerary and sailing date, cruise travelers must flip from cruise line site to cruise line site on their browsers, with Cruise Direct Expresss' search technology consumers are offered an alternative.

Cruise Direct Express smoothes and simplifies the online vacation research.What's the most annoying thing about doing vacation research online? It has to be copying and pasting all the information you need for note-taking from multiple cruise line web sites.

Cruise Direct Express searches the sites' databases of the cruise lines themselves – sites like Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Crystal, Regent, Holland America, Windstar, Disney, Crystal, Oceania and Norwegian Cruise Line – for their best cruise offers. Cruise travelers do not have to jump from site to site to look for the best cruise line bargain. Cruise Direct Express allows users to see all the deals and to make informed choices. Switching back and forth between cruise line web sites can be a pain. With Cruise Direct Express all the major brand cruise lines are all together at one home port.

Gathering information is easier and faster.
Those with limited internet time will find Cruise Direct Express especially useful for getting the necessary travel information and signing off quickly.

Easy to use interface enables comparison of cruise ship itineraries, sailing dates, up-to-the moment cabin availability and prices. The Cruise Direct Express search engine allows cruise travelers the option to troll through thousands of discounted fares and special deals the cruise lines have on offer, and they can tailor the search terms ( price, cruise line, sailing date, duration, departure ports and destinations ) according to their own personal travel needs.

With Cruise Direct Express cruise travelers can check prices of competing cruise lines to make sure they always find the cruise line's best deals. Consumers save money by comparison-shopping.

Cruise Direct Express brings cruise travelers all the information they need to book a cruise from the cruise brands they trust.

A Personal Cruise Travel Advisor is part of every sale. When a cruise traveler books their cruise online, a personal Cruise Travel Advisor is assigned to their account: The Cruise Travel Advisor offers fair and impartial advice. Cruise Direct Express features all the major brand cruise lines - but doesn't promote one particular cruise line over another. Choosing the right cruise experience is the number one priority.

The Cruise Travel Advisor;
1. Will review the proper immigration/passport/birth certificate documentation necessary for their cruise.
2. Arrange any special needs -- such as a handicap-designed stateroom, or a special diet.
3. Inform cruise travelers of their dining choices and arrange for any special occasions they might be celebrating like a birthday or anniversary.
4. Will explain the importance of travel insurance to cover the unexpected such as trip delays, missed Cruise Direct Expressions and lost or delayed baggage.
5. Will review General Information materials that cover over 18 "Things to Know Before You Go".
6. Will point out their stateroom on the deck plan ( all deck plans are available online ).
7. Will Inform cruise travelers when final payment is due and the deadline to request air deviations and arrange pre-or-post cruise land packages.
8. Advise about tipping; packing; clothing; flights and schedule options; shore excursions, etc.

Cruise Direct Express is available for free from the company’s internet site www.cruisedirectexpress.com

Thinking About Getting Away On A Cruise For The Holidays?

2010-10-19T14:41:00.000-07:00

This Year's Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Cruise offerings are priced way lower than expected, thus, these cruises offer a savvy cruise traveler an unexpected deal, According to Cruise Traveler Magazine. However, these kind of deals sell-out fast, so you have to decide quickly and be prepared to book soon.

As the fall leaves are dropping fast, so are prices for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's cruises. If you know where to search online, you can find some outstanding holiday cruise deals for travel this year. "Make no mistake about it, demand may exceed supply in just a few weeks." According to Cruise Traveler Magazine (http://www.cruisetravelermagazine.com) -- the cruise news, feature articles and reviews Web site published by the veteran cruise review team of Raye & Marty Trencher, editors of the popular post.

"You can find deals under $75 a day. That's a great price, even if it wasn't sailing on a holiday date," says Marty Trencher, of Cruise Traveler Magazine" With more ships sailing the Caribbean, Bahamas and Mexico then ever before, the competition is fierce, so prices have been falling faster than the leaves off the trees." Trencher adds, " When the cruise lines post these kind of deals, they will sell out, so cruise travelers have to act now before the deal they want sails away into the sunset"

The Editor's of Cruise Traveler Magazine, searched the internet and found these deals among hundred's on offer, they think would be of most interest to their readers: for Thanksgiving. Consider a three-night Bahamas cruise on Majesty of the Seas from $219 per person for an inside cabin: $73 a night. Or perhaps a four night pre-holiday Western Caribbean cruise December 20th on Radiance of the Seas from $329 per person for an outside cabin: $82 a night. For Christmas, check out the fares on Carnival Spirit's December 19th sailing of a 7 night Mexico cruise starting at $629 per person, or pehaps you may be interested in a seven-night Western Caribbean cruise out of Miami on Norwegian Pearl, starting at $569 per person for an inside cabin:$81 a night.

Cruise TIP: Most last minute cruise deals were limited-time offers, so you should consult a professional Travel Agent check what's on offer today, to stay updated on recent deals, and to take advantage of opportunities to save before they are sold out or their time is (or was) up. Prices and availability are subject to change. Cruise lines change prices often, so there is no guarantee that the prices you see today, will be in effect at the time of your research. Ask the cruise line for a Courtesy Hold of 24-72hrs, so your cruise may be put on hold and be available for you to book later.

"While the cruise may be a bargain, the airfare may not", says Raye Trencher of Cruise Traveler Magazine. She adds, "Be sure to check the airfares before you book the cruise, as most holiday cruises have to be paid in full at time of booking. Airports during the holidays are always crowded and planes fly full, so expect delays, due to traffic congestion or weather. You may want to consider arriving at your port of departure the night before. There is nothing more depressing as standing on the pier watching the ship sail away because you got there too late".

Even better, forget the flights and book a cruise that departs from a port to which you can easily drive from home. Cruises depart from both coasts and gulf cities, such as New Orleans and Houston. Altogether, you can sail some 24 ports in the United States.

No matter what time of the year you are planning to take a cruise, do your homework first. Read the reviews, visit the cruise line web sites, read the blogs, consult you local travel agent. The Holidays are a fun time of the year to take the family on a cruise, or a great excuse to party hardy on New Year's aboard a luxury cruise ship. To help you plan the perfect cruise vacation, check out the Cruise Traveler Magazine cruise reviews, cruise tips and helpful articles.

2011 Season Includes Dozens of Ships to Sail in Europe, 42 Unique Itineraries and 135 Ports. More Than Half of Ports Include Opportunity to Visit a UNESCO World Heritage Site

2010-10-04T05:54:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises has unveiled its most extensive Europe season ever for 2011, with more ships, departure choices and itinerary options than in previous years. In total, seven vessels will offer 42 itinerary choices, including seven new routes, with calls at more than 135 ports. More than half of these ports feature access to notable attractions designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These remarkable places that make up the planet's cultural and natural heritage range from Italy's Amalfi Coast and the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg to the birthplace of Apollo on the island of Delos (from Mykonos) and the 16th-century Suleymaniye Mosque (in Istanbul).
In addition, Princess has enhanced overnight offerings to give passengers extra time in fascinating ports throughout Europe, such as Venice, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Alexandria, Dublin and Edinburgh on various routes.
The line's 2011 program includes seven new itineraries, offering fresh vacation opportunities in each major cruise region. Among the new routes are an expanded 11-day Scandinavia & Russia itinerary featuring calls in ports such as Oslo, Berlin, Stockholm and a two-day stay in St. Petersburg. The season also features new seven-day Interlude voyages that can be combined for longer sailings, visiting boutique ports in the Mediterranean.
"As a leader in Europe cruises we constantly aim to design an intriguing range of vacation choices, but next year our lineup may really challenge passengers to choose among some outstanding options," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Whether they want the amenities of a large ship or the intimate experience of a smaller vessel; a short, seven-day getaway or an extended adventure over several weeks, there's a Princess cruise to match."
The 2011 Europe program ships and routes:

Ruby Princess returns with the line's signature 12-day Grand Mediterranean itinerary and Greek Isles routes.

Star Princess also cruises the Mediterranean, taking over the 12-day Egypt, Greek Isles and Mediterranean itineraries.

Emerald Princess returns to Europe with a new 11-day Scandinavia & Russia itinerary including the best of the Baltic region with Princess' signature two-day experience in St. Petersburg

Crown Princess sails to the British Isles on two 12-day itinerary options, as well voyages to Norway and Iceland from seven to 12 days.

Grand Princess offers three new itineraries featuring a selection of Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages, ranging from seven to 17 days.

The intimate Ocean Princess offers new seven-day Greek Isles and Mediterranean Interlude itineraries that can be combined into 14-day or longer voyages, giving passengers the opportunity to explore boutique ports such as Cephalonia in Greece, and Koper, Slovenia.

Small sister ship Pacific Princess sails to the Holy Land and Black Sea, and offers experiences in classic destinations such as Egypt, Israel, Ukraine, Greece and Turkey
Overnight Calls and Two-Day Experiences -- More itineraries than ever offer passengers more time to explore port highlights and enjoy a more immersive experience. All 12-day Mediterranean voyages have been enhanced to include an overnight stay in Venice, while the 12-day Black Sea & Crimean Coasts route now features an overnight stay in Istanbul. Passengers on 12-day Holy Land voyages can explore more of Egypt and Israel, with calls in two ports in each country. In Northern Europe, overnight calls in Dublin and Edinburgh are featured on select voyages, and 11-day Scandinavia & Russia sailings offer two full days in St. Petersburg on every voyage.
New ports -- Princess ships will add five new European ports this season, including the charming city of Aahus, home to the tallest cathedral in Denmark; Motril (for Grenada), on Spain's beautiful coast of Andalusia and within reach of the stunning Alhambra palace; the Mediterranean port of Sete, France; the resort city of Aghios Nikolaos on Crete (Greece), and cosmopolitan Antwerp, Belgium.
Mediterranean and Greek Isles -- Princess ships offer 21 different itineraries through the storied waters of the Mediterranean, including six new routes. Both Ruby Princess and Star Princess will offer the line's signature Grand Mediterranean and Greek Isles itineraries, as well as Egypt & Aegean sailings, giving passengers 30 different cruises to choose from in the Mediterranean. Grand Princess offers roundtrip voyages from Southampton to the Western Mediterranean, including new Canary Isles and Mediterranean & Adriatic sailings.
Seven-Day Interlude Voyages -- Ocean Princess offers the small ship experience on a number of Mediterranean options, including new week-long Interlude voyages that are specially designed so they can be combined into longer 14- or 21-day sailings without repeating a port.
Holy Land and Black Sea -- Pacific Princess also offers an intimate cruise experience as it sails to the unforgettable ports of the Holy Land, plus Mediterranean Collection voyages and a Black Sea & Crimean Coasts itinerary.
Scandinavia & Russia -- Emerald Princess returns to the Baltic region to debut a rich new 11-day itinerary that features the best of the region with calls in Oslo, the new port of Aarhous (Denmark), Berlin, Tallinn, a two-day experience in St. Petersburg, Helsinki, and Stockholm.
Northern Europe -- A selection of 14 different itinerary options throughout Northern Europe offers passengers cruise options to the British Isles, Norwegian fjords, and even Iceland and Greenland. A new seven-day Norwegian Fjords Interlude adds to a lineup that includes sailings from Southampton aboard Crown Princess, Grand Princess and Ocean Princess; plus the opportunity to travel on top-of-the-world voyages aboard Ocean Princess to explore the beauty of Iceland and Greenland, or sail on a week-long Ireland & Scotland Interlude.
Princess also offers three European cruisetours which combine certain sailings with a fully-escorted land tour to explore the Italian destinations of Rome and Florence, Ireland's wild west and the breathtaking Ring of Kerry, or the imperial treasures in Budapest, Vienna, Prague and Berlin.
The 2011 Princess Europe season opens for bookings on March 25, 2010. Launch Fares for seven-day Europe sailings start at $1,199 per person, based on double occupancy. Source: Princess Cruises

The charm and natural beauty of the Canada and New England region make for a great cruise experience.

2010-10-04T05:50:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises will launch its largest Canada & New England program ever in 2011, with a new itinerary and an expanded season, offering nearly a 30 percent increase in capacity over the previous season. These summer cruises will sail between the line's Caribbean sailings from New York, offering a selection of summer destinations from the "Big Apple." The expanded Canada & New England season begins May 17 and introduces a new nine-day itinerary that adds calls in Sydney (Nova Scotia) and Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island) plus features many favorite ports in the region. Caribbean Princess will offer four sailings on this roundtrip New York route between departures on its nine-day Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean itinerary, giving passengers the choice of sailing north or south (or both) for their summer vacation.
In autumn, the Canada & New England program continues with 14 sailings on two different itineraries -- weeklong roundtrips from New York on Caribbean Princess and the classic 10-day route between New York and Quebec City aboard Crown Princess. In addition, Crown Princess will offer a 12-day Canada and Colonial America sailing.
These sailings also feature opportunities to visit several UNESCO World Heritage Sites, unique places that represent the planet's cultural and natural heritage. In Canada, travelers can visit the town of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia (from Halifax), and Crown Princess passengers can explore the historic old city of Quebec. In Bermuda, the historic town of St. George is designated a UNESCO site.
"The charm and natural beauty of the Canada and New England region have made these sailings so popular each fall, that we're now expanding our season into the summer," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "It's our largest season ever, with the widest range of departures to choose from, so passengers should be able to find the perfect cruise to explore these scenic ports."
The 2011 Canada & New England and Summer Caribbean program includes:
Canada & New England -- During the summer months, Caribbean Princess will feature four sailings of a new roundtrip New York itinerary with calls at Sydney (Nova Scotia), Charlottetown (Prince Edward Island), Halifax, Bar Harbor, Boston and Newport. Sailings depart May 17, June 13, June 22 and July 19. In August, the ship resumes its popular seven-day sailings featuring Halifax, Saint John, Bar Harbor, Boston and Newport, with eleven departures between August 6 and October 15.
Classic Canada & New England -- Crown Princess sails on three Classic Canada & New England 10-day cruises between New York and Quebec City, featuring calls in Newport, Boston, Saint John, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown and an overnight in Quebec. Crown Princess departs on these sailings between September 14 and October 4. The ship also offers one 12-day Canada & Colonial America sailing from Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale on October 14, also featuring an overnight in Quebec and calls along the Eastern seaboard in Halifax, Bar Harbor, Boston, Newport, New York and Charleston.
Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean -- Caribbean Princess will also offer six sailings to the crystal waters of the Caribbean with a nine-day Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean itinerary roundtrip from New York that includes calls at Bermuda (West End), San Juan, St. Thomas, and Grand Turk. Sailings depart on May 8, May 26, June 4, July 1, July 10, and July 28. The ship will also feature one seven-day sailing from San Juan to New York with calls in St. Thomas, Antigua and Bermuda, departing on May 1.
Fares for seven-day Canada & New England sailings begin at $799 per person, and nine-day Caribbean sailings begin at $999 per person. Sailings open for booking May 6, 2010.

Source: Princess Cruises

2011 Alaska Cruise and Cruisetours Offer Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage Sailings and Cruisetour Choices Give Travelers Many Ways to Enjoy the Wilderness; Affordable Options Start at Just $299 for Three Days at Denali

2010-10-04T05:47:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises' 2011 Alaska program offers travelers a full range of cruise and cruisetour options whether they want to explore Denali in depth, plan independently, enjoy the attention of an expert guide, or venture off the beaten path. The season opens for sale May 13 with special rates that include adding three days at Denali to a cruise for just $299. The 2011 lineup will offer passengers the company's hallmark Alaska experience, whether at sea on board amenity-filled ships or on land with Princess' signature wilderness lodges and exclusive Direct to the Wilderness program, where guests step right from their ship onto luxury railcars that transport them directly to the Denali area.
The season includes a total of 104 Alaska departures aboard six ships sailing on three itinerary options during the May to September season. The lineup includes Diamond Princess, Coral Princess, and Island Princess traveling on the line's popular "Voyage of the Glaciers" route through the scenic Gulf of Alaska; Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess sailing the Inside Passage from Seattle, and Sea Princess cruising on 10-day journeys from San Francisco.
The cruisetour program combines a seven-day "Voyage of the Glaciers" cruise with three to eight additional nights on land exploring Alaska's interior. For 2011, travelers can choose from four types of land and sea packages -- Denali Explorer, On Your Own, Off the Beaten Path and Connoisseur. All Princess cruisetours include the company's exclusive wilderness lodges, rail or motorcoach travel, plus the top two attractions in the state -- Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, where visitors spend at least two nights exploring the wonders of this area.
"Our 2011 program retains all of the classic Princess signatures that make us the clear leader in Alaska, plus some new options," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "And visiting the heart of Alaska has never been so affordable with three days at Denali beginning at just $299 more than a cruise alone."
Cruises -- Princess offers three itineraries to the majestic glaciers, historic towns and scenic waters of Alaska with sailings from seven to 10 days.

Voyage of the Glaciers -- The line's famed Gulf of Alaska route between Vancouver and Whittier (for Anchorage) features calls at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with daylight cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and the 16 glaciers of College Fjord (or Hubbard Glacier on southbound sailings). Diamond Princess and Coral Princess sail on Saturdays and Island Princess offers new Wednesday departures for a total of 54 sailing choices between May 18 and September 17, 2011.

Inside Passage from Seattle -- Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess offer convenient weekend departures on seven-day roundtrip itineraries from Seattle along the scenic Inside Passage with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, B.C. Passengers will enjoy dramatic glacier viewing in either Glacier Bay National Park (Golden Princess) or Tracy Arm (Sapphire Princess). The two ships will sail on 37 departures between May 14 and September 17, 2011.

Inside Passage from San Francisco -- Sea Princess again sails from the "City by the Bay" on 10-day roundtrip cruises. The ship offers 13 voyages from San Francisco featuring the scenery of Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm, stops at Victoria and Juneau, plus two other calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Sitka or Icy Strait Point. Departures sail between May 10 and September 7, 2011.
Cruisetours -- Princess cruisetours offer passengers a complete land and sea Alaska experience with vacations ranging from 10 to 15 nights. All cruisetour options include at least two nights in the Denali National Park area, stays at Princess' own riverside wilderness lodges, and a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers sailing including Glacier Bay National Park.

Denali Explorer -- Featuring multiple nights at the line's own Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and/or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, these tours also offer the exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service between the Whittier cruise terminal and the dramatic Denali National Park area. Most also offer the opportunity to explore Fairbanks or Anchorage.

On Your Own -- A new option for independent-minded travelers, these tours offer a more affordable and flexible way to see the Heart of Alaska. Tours do not include any pre-planned excursions, giving travelers time to create their own experience.

Off the Beaten Path -- For those who want to explore Denali and beyond, these tours offer options to the Kenai Peninsula with stays at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park with stays at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge. Passengers can even choose to venture to the state's far north into the Arctic Circle and Prudhoe Bay.

Connoisseur -- These cruisetour options offer the services of a professional tour director and additional time for passengers to experience the Great Land. Travelers can choose from more of these extended itineraries in 2011, with most meals and enhanced sightseeing options included as well.
Gulf of Alaska cruises and cruisetours for 2011 are available for reservations on May 13, 2010. Launch Fares begin at $649 for seven-day voyages, and $948 for cruisetours. Source: Princess Cruises

Cruise Sun-Drenched Ports in the Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, and the Panama Canal

2010-10-04T05:44:00.000-07:00

Sun-swept destinations, engineering marvels and a variety cruise options mark Princess Cruises' just-announced "Americas" program to the Caribbean, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera and West Coast for the 2011-12 season.
Season highlights include two new week-long itineraries in the Caribbean, two new 14-day day itineraries through the Panama Canal, and a new seven-day California Coastal route featuring the best of the Golden State's ports.
The line's Americas season runs from September 2011 through May 2012 and includes:
Caribbean -- Five ships sail the sparkling waters of the Caribbean, offering 14 itineraries to more than 20 sun-kissed ports. Passengers can choose from sailings of seven to 14 days, including two new itineraries -- seven-day Southern Caribbean (with Aruba, Curacao and Princess Cays) and Western Caribbean (featuring Belize, Roatan, Grand Cayman and Cozumel) routes on Crown Princess, both roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale.
Panama Canal -- Princess continues to lead the way in Panama Canal cruising with five itinerary options including 10-day partial transits and 14-day itineraries between Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles, featuring Coral Princess and Island Princess, ships specifically designed for Canal cruising. On select 14-day departures, Princess offers the Two-Day Experience with a full transit of the Panama Canal and a full-day in Fuerte Amador. In total, passengers can choose from 38 departures, sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale, or between Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles, San Francisco or Vancouver.
Mexican Riviera -- Sapphire Princess sails on seven-day Mexican Riviera itineraries roundtrip from the convenient Port of Los Angeles. The ship offers 11 sailings of the popular seven-day roundtrip itinerary from Los Angeles, featuring calls at the festive posts of Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan.
West Coast Cruising -- A new 7-day California Coastal itinerary debuts aboard Sapphire Princess, with three departures sailing roundtrip from Los Angeles with calls at San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco and Ensenada. In addition passengers can enjoy a popular seven-day Wine Country sailing between Los Angeles and Vancouver, plus a selection of coastal voyages ranging from quick overnights to five-day getaways.
Source: Princess Cruises

Explore Round-the-World Adventures with World Cruises in 2011 and 2012

2010-10-04T05:41:00.000-07:00

Princess Cruises will offer adventurous passengers two opportunities in 2011 and 2012 to experience one of travel's most grand voyages -- the World Cruise. Sailing to multiple continents and encompassing dozens of the globe's treasured places, these fascinating itineraries will give travelers the unique opportunity to experience the world while enjoying Princess' famed style and service. Just announced, the intimate Pacific Princess will sail on a 107-day journey from Ft. Lauderdale to Venice, departing January 13, 2012, offering the line's popular small-ship cruising experience. For an Australian-style world cruise, Dawn Princess will sail roundtrip from Sydney on May 25, 2011.
Travelers on these voyages will be able to experience numerous UNESCO World Heritage Sites -- such as Fiordland National Park in New Zealand, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, and historic Cairo -- and can opt to travel beyond the ports in some locations with overland excursions to such must-see destinations as the Great Wall of China and Angkor Wat, Cambodia. Pacific Princess will also introduce three new ports for Princess -- Santa Marta, Colombia; Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica; and Manama, Bahrain.
"As we know from our long-standing emphasis on destination cruising, our passengers are globetrotters by nature," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "And these world cruises are the ultimate way for them to truly experience so many places of a lifetime all in one voyage -- from the Panama Canal to the pyramids of Egypt."
Pacific Princess -- 107 days -- January 13, 2012:
This Ft. Lauderdale to Venice itinerary will visit 38 destinations in 28 countries, including the mighty Panama Canal, the idyllic South Pacific, plus the "down under" experience of Australia and New Zealand. Passengers will explore a variety of vibrant Asian cities such as Toyko, experience the bustle of India and Egypt's legendary monuments, and see some unique European ports, such as Dubrovink, before finally arriving in breathtaking Venice.
Three new ports debut on this voyage: Santa Marta, the oldest city in Colombia, is the site of the last days of Simon Bolivar, the liberator for whom Bolivia is named. From this port, passengers can visit a number of historical sites, including the oldest church in Spanish America, or can enjoy Tayrona National Park for ecological tours and time at the beach. Puerto Quepos offers an off-the-beaten-path experience in Costa Rica, near the ecotourism destination of Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio. Manama, the main port for Bahrain, a small island country in the Persian Gulf, is home to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Fort of Bahrain or Qal'at al-Bahrain (the Ancient Harbour and Capital of Dilmun) plus other numerous archeological sites.
Pacific Princess passengers will also have the opportunity to experience a variety of other UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These remarkable places that make up the planet's cultural and natural heritage include Fiordland National Park in New Zealand, Sydney Opera House, the Great Blue Mountains near Sydney, the Great Barrier Reef (from Cairns), the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the historic center of Macau (from Hong Kong), the Taj Mahal (from Mumbai), ancient Petra (from Aqaba), historic Cairo (from Alexandria) and the old city of Dubrovnik. Passengers may also take in UNESCO sites such as the Great Wall of China and Cambodia's Angkor Wat with several overland adventures available during the voyage.
The full itinerary for the Pacific Princess world cruise adventure starts in Ft. Lauderdale, followed by calls in Aruba and new port of Santa Marta (Colombia), before transiting the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal. The ship then heads up the coast to new port of Puerto Quepos (Costa Rica), and San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua), to San Diego. Passengers will then enjoy crossing the Pacific with visits to Honolulu, Kauai (Nawiliwili), Pago Pago, Tonga (Nuku'Alofa), and then Auckland, and Fiordland National Park in New Zealand. In Australia, the ship visits Burnie, Tasmania and spends two days in Sydney, plus visits Cairns for the Great Barrier Reef. Heading for Asia, the ship calls at Guam, then Tokyo, Hiroshima, Busan, Shanghai, and two days in Hong Kong. Next is Ho Chi Minh City (Phu My), Bangkok (Laem Chabang), Singapore and Phuket. In India, passengers will experience Chennai and Mumbai (for a full-day tour to the Taj Mahal), then the ship reaches Bahrain for the new port of Manama, followed by an overnight call in Dubai. Then it's on to Salalah, Safaga (for Luxor/Karnak), Alexandria (for Cairo/Giza), and a transit of the Suez Canal. Once in the Mediterranean, the ship calls at Dubrovnik and Koper (for the capital of Slovenia, Lubljana), and then finally on to the final port of Venice.
Dawn Princess -- 104 days -- May 25, 2011:
Sailing roundtrip from Sydney, this world cruise features an Australian flavor. Dawn Princess will call at 43 intriguing ports on six continents and will introduce some new destinations not seen on her previous global voyages, including Costa Rica, Morocco, Jordan, Israel, Scotland and Norway. Popular destinations such as Singapore, Dubai, the Mediterranean, the Panama Canal and the Hawaiian Islands are also included.
The full cruise itinerary will take passengers from Sydney to Darwin, then across the Equator to Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), and Langkawi, Malaysia. Then the ship sails to India with calls at Cochin, and Mumbai (for the Taj Mahal). The cruise continues to Abu Dhabi, Dubai (overnight), Muscat (Mina Qaboos), and Aqaba in Jordan (for Petra). Dawn Princess will then sail through the Suez Canal to reach Port Said (for Cairo/Giza), followed by Jerusalem (Ashdod). Then it's on to the Mediterranean with visits to Mykonos, and Istanbul, with a cruise by ANZAC Cove. The classic ports of Athens (Piraeus), Naples (for Capri & Pompeii), Rome (Civitavecchia), Florence/Pisa (Livorno), Monte Carlo, and Barcelona come up next, followed by Casablanca (for Rabat), Lisbon, Paris/Normandy (Le Havre), and then on to London (Dover). Northern Europe ports include Amsterdam and Bergen, Norway as the ship then sails to Britain and Ireland with calls at Edinburgh/Glasgow (Greenock), Dublin, and Cork (Cobh -- for Blarney Castle). Dawn Princess next crosses the Atlantic with a stop in Bermuda on the way to Ft. Lauderdale. Passengers will then visit Cartagena and transit the spectacular Panama Canal. Sailing up the Pacific Coast, the ship reaches Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Acapulco, Manzanillo, and then Los Angeles. Passengers will then enjoy sailing across the Pacific to Honolulu, Tahiti (Papeete), Bora Bora, and Apia (Western Samoa), as the ship heads for home with a final call in Auckland before reaching Sydney once again.
World cruises can also be booked in segments, ranging from 15 to 32 days. Full cruise fares begin at $21,995 per person and segment fares start at $2,495, based on double occupancy. The Pacific Princess sailing opens for sale June 17, 2010, the Dawn Princess world cruise is currently available for booking.

Source: Princess Cruises

From Ancient Temples to Modern Skyscrapers This Land of Contrasts Offers an Array of Cruise Vacation Options

2010-10-04T05:39:00.000-07:00

The diverse lands of Asia evoke images of exotic cultures, ancient mysteries and modern bustling cities. Whether visitors long to see the ornate gilded pavilions, ancient temples, towering skyscrapers or distinctive natural beauty, an Asia cruise offers a truly unique cruise vacation. For the Fall 2011--Spring 2012 Asia season, Princess Cruises will offer 14 itineraries that include more than 60 vibrant ports throughout Asia and beyond, plus land and sea cruisetours to visit more of mainland China.
The world's largest and most populous continent, Asia encompasses a rich collection of nations, peoples, sights and sounds. From the grandeur of China's Great Wall to the jeweled palaces of Bangkok, the continent's attractions dazzle on a variety of Princess itineraries, including Southeast Asia and China routes, roundtrip voyages from Australia, and multi-continent adventures that include travel to and from Alaska, Australia, or Africa. Passengers can choose to sail on Diamond Princess, the intimate Ocean Princess, or even aboard one of the Princess ships based "Down Under."
"The unique sights, sounds, and even tastes of Asia make it one of our most sought after exotic vacation options," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "We've been taking passengers to these ancient lands for decades and passengers continue to be fascinated by the range of cultures and astounding sites they can experience in the Far East."
In China, cruisers can see the ultramodern and the ancient juxtaposed at the port of Shanghai, as the city's gleaming skyscrapers clash against its colorful temples. In bustling Hong Kong, passengers can explore the former British colony from its harbor or narrow streets. This duty-free capital of the world offers endless shopping and unique dining experiences on floating restaurants. On some itineraries, passengers can enjoy extra time in Hong Kong including an overnight stay with Princess' signature Two-Day Experience.
Travelers who opt for a China cruisetour spend extra time in Beijing, where they can explore a number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the massive Forbidden City where they can wander through its 250 acres of palaces, pavilions and courtyards. Once designed to keep invaders out, The Great Wall presents an unforgettable sight, stretching more than 4,000 miles. In Xian, travelers discover one of the 20th Century's greatest archaeological finds -- more than 8,000 Terra Cotta Warriors and horses. On the Yangtze River cruise, passengers sail through the region's renowned gorges, and visit the Three Gorges Dam site.
The cities of Japan and South Korea offer another look at Asia, including the juxtaposition of war and peace in Nagasaki. Once a symbol of the horrors of war, this beautiful setting today draws visitors to its Peace Park and atomic bomb museum. Busan, South Korea's second largest city, is the gateway to a fascinating land that is the second-oldest country in Asia.
Among the distinct countries of Southeast Asia, passengers can experience the rich culture of Thailand with a visit to Bangkok, home to gilded temples, monks in saffron-colored robes and a maze of canals. In Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh City, the former Saigon, bustles with activity and offers fascinating sites such as the National History Museum, the Mekong Delta and Cu Chi Tunnels. Singapore, the commercial center of Southeast Asia, is a gleaming mix of cultures and a shopper's paradise. As a new itinerary feature this season, many Princess routes are now scheduled to sail in or out of Singapore, giving passengers an opportunity to spend additional time exploring this diverse cosmopolitan society.
Cruises
Princess offers passengers a variety of Asia itineraries, to explore China, Southeast Asia, or even multi-continent voyages. Travelers can also choose "Aussie style" voyages sailing to Asia from the Australian ports of Sydney, Brisbane or Perth.
Southeast Asia & China Sailings -- Passengers can enjoy the best of Asia as they travel between Beijing and Singapore. This 16-day voyage takes travelers to Busan, Nagasaki, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Nha Trang and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and Bangkok, with the option to add an overland excursion to Cambodia's Angkor Wat. Sailings depart throughout the Fall 2011-Spring 2012 season aboard Diamond Princess from October 2011 until April 2012.
Australia & Asia sailings -- Travelers can explore two continents aboard Diamond Princess with sailings between Sydney and Singapore or Beijing. The Australia & Asia itinerary takes passengers on a 19-day journey from Singapore to the Asian ports of Ko Samui, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, and Bali; plus Australian calls at Darwin, Port Douglas and Airlie Beach for the Great Barrier Reef. The 23-day Australia & China route also sails around northern Australia and adds ports such as Taipei, Nagasaki, Busan, Shanghai and Dalian. Sailings depart November 27, 2011 and February 4, 2012.
Australia & Asia Small Ship Experience -- Ocean Princess offers journeys between Australia and the wonders of Asia, featuring the intimate, classic cruising atmosphere of a small ship. The 20-day Australia & Asia voyages sail to northern Australia, including the Whitsunday Islands, Great Barrier Reef and Darwin; plus call in Bali, Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam), and Bangkok and Ko Samui in Thailand. Ocean Princess sets sail on November 12, 2011 and March 17, 2012.
Alaska & Far East Sailings -- Princess passengers can also explore the northern reaches of the Pacific with voyages between Alaska and the heart of Asia. Diamond Princess sails on 15- or 19-day itineraries between Beijing and either Anchorage or Vancouver. The ship takes passengers across the international dateline and calls at Sapporo (Muroran), Vladivostok, Busan, and Qingdao and Dailan in China. Sailings depart on September 24, 2011 and May 1, 2012.
Mediterranean, India & Asia -- For a far-flung adventure, passengers can sail on a 28-day voyage from Rome to Singapore aboard Ocean Princess. The small ship will take cruisers to Sorrento, Athens, and Kusadasi before transiting the Suez Canal and continuing on to Sharm El Sheik, Aqaba, Safaga, Dubai, Muscat, Mumbai, Cochin, and Kuala Lumpur. Ocean Princess departs on October 15, 2011.
Africa, India & Southeast Asia -- The intimate Ocean Princess also offers a 30-day journey from Singapore to Cape Town. Passengers can enjoy the small ship experience on an itinerary to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Maldives, Mumbai, Muscat, Dubai, Mauritius, Reunion, Durban, and East London, plus an overnight call in Cape Town. Travelers have the option to visit the Taj Mahal in India or take a safari to Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa. The sailing departs on April 6, 2012.
Roundtrip Asia Sailings from Australia -- Australia-based Sea Princess and Sun Princess offer a variety of sailings to Asia roundtrip from Australia. These "Aussie Experience" cruises offer activities and cuisine that reflect local tastes and use Australian dollars as the onboard currency.

Sun Princess sets off from Perth on a roundtrip Southeast Asia Explorer itinerary that ventures to a variety of ports in a 21-day adventure. With calls at Bali, Ho Chi Minh City, Sihanoukville (Cambodia), Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore, travelers will experience the rich diversity of Southeast Asia. The ship departs on August 11, 2011.

The Treasures of Asia Grand Adventure encompasses voyages to and from Singapore from Perth, combined into an unforgettable 25-day roundtrip grand voyage. Sun Princess will call at Phuket, Langkawi, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Ho Chi Minh City, Sihanoukville, Bangkok, Ko Samui and Bali. The adventure begins on June 18, 2011.

The 42-day China & Japan journey sails roundtrip from either Sydney or Brisbane. Passengers on these voyages will calls at ports such as Airlie Beach, Darwin, Kota Kinabalu, before spending two days in Hong Kong on Princess' signature Two-day Experience. Other stops include Shanghai, Busan, Nagasaki, Osaka, Tokyo, Iwo Jima scenic cruising, Guam and Rabaul (Papua New Guinea). Sailings on Sea Princess and Sun Princess depart on September 21, 2011 and Mar 4, 2012 respectively.

Covering several continents, the South Africa & Indian Ocean Odyssey sails roundtrip from Perth on a 46-day adventure. Sun Princess will call at Asian ports such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Phuket, then move on to India with visits to Mumbai, Goa, and the Maldives. After crossing the Equator, the ship visits the Seychelles, and the South African ports of Richard's Bay, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Durban. The ship calls at Reunion Island and Mauritius before returning to Perth. Sun Princess departs on May 3, 2011.
Cruisetours
Princess creates a full land and sea vacation for travelers to see more of the treasures of China. Passengers can choose from two land packages to that combine seamlessly with Diamond Princess Asia sailings. These five- or eight-day tours both highlight China's most dramatic attractions, including many UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The five-night Best of China cruisetour starts in the bustling city of Beijing, and offers three nights in the Chinese capital and two nights in Xian. In Beijing, passengers will experience the ancient wonder of the Great Wall plus the Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven (all UNESCO World Heritage Sites), the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square. The mysterious Terra Cotta Warriors (also a UNESCO World Heritage Site) highlight the Xian portion of the tour, along with the Wild Goose Pagoda and a dinner show at the Tang Palace Theatre.
The eight-night Yangtze Experience also incorporates the highlights of Beijing (three nights) and Xian (one night), plus includes a three-night cruise of the Yangtze River and a night in Wuhan. Passengers will also visit a zoo in Chongqing to view pandas before embarking on their Yangtze River cruise vessel. Along the river they will enjoy several excursions and cruise the Three Gorges Dam locks. Source: Princess Cruises

Latin-Flavored Cruises Explore Pulsating Rio de Janeiro, the Mighty Amazon, Mysterious Machu Picchu, and Legendary Cape Horn

2010-10-04T05:36:00.000-07:00

With a rhythmic samba beat and colorful cultures, South America appeals to all the senses. Detailing its fall 2011-spring 2012 cruise season, Princess Cruises will offer travelers an alluring selection of South American cruises and cruisetours, taking passengers down the Amazon River, around Cape Horn, on a Brazilian Adventure, or up to the fabled Machu Picchu. Whether they want to tango in Buenos Aires or watch for wildlife at the end of the Earth, passengers can choose from 10 Latin-flavored departures aboard Star Princess and Pacific Princess, encompassing 31 destinations. Passengers can also extend their South American cruise vacation with a cruisetour itinerary to two of the continent's most famed attractions, Peru's Machu Picchu or Brazil's Iguazú Falls.
"South America offers some of the most magnificent travel experiences in the world, and many of its attractions are best navigated by ship," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "We make it easy and convenient to travel between countries, and offer the perfect venue for viewing the scenery around Cape Horn, the dramatic fjords of Chile, and the amazing Amazon River."
Rio de Janeiro figures prominently on several cruise and tour itineraries. Pulsing with life, Rio offers an experience like no other. A dazzling amalgam of Latin and African cultures, the city offers an array of attractions, including the dramatic peak of Sugarloaf Mountain, the landmark Christ the Redeemer statue who embraces the city below, dazzling white sand beaches and famous beachfronts of Copacabana and Ipanema.
Cruises rounding Cape Horn take in one of sailing's most legendary passages that has drawn explorers throughout the ages. Today Princess passengers enjoy sailing in comfort around this once-difficult but fabled point where the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans meet. On this route travelers can explore Tierra del Fuego at the southernmost city in the world, Ushuaia.
Scenic cruising through the Strait of Magellan and the Beagle Channel leads to the towering Chilean Fjords where Southern Patagonia's ice fields rival those of Alaska's Inside Passage. Passengers have a front-row view of the spectacular glaciers and can watch out for the area's myriad marine birds.
Passengers choosing to travel up the mighty Amazon will enjoy an adventure into the Brazilian jungle, where they can visit colorful villages and learn about the unique cultures along the river's route.
Cruisetour passengers can visit the mysterious land of the Incas, Machu Picchu. This unforgettable journey high into the Peruvian Andes defies description as visitors travel from Lima to the ruins of this terraced "City in the Clouds."
One of the continent's most dramatic natural wonders, Iguazú Falls is both taller and wider than Niagara Falls and spreads along nearly a two-mile stretch of the Iguazú River. Cruisetour passengers can spend several days viewing the magnificent scene from multiple vantage points.
Throughout their South America voyages passengers can visit a variety of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including not only Iguazú National Park, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon River basin, but also Olinda Historic Center (near Recife), Salvador Historic Center, and the Historic Quarter of Valparaiso, Chile.
South America Cruises
Princess offers travelers an array of South American ports and activities on a variety of itinerary options. Ships large and small travel around the continent, giving passengers the opportunity to encounter many colorful South American cultures.
Amazon River Cruise -- The intimate Pacific Princess sails up the mysterious Amazon River on a 14-day cruise that includes calls to St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Tobago, and Devil's Island in addition to traveling along the world's second longest river. Stops along the Amazon include Santarém, Boca da Valéria and Parintins with an overnight stay in Manaus. The ship sets sail on December 16 and 30, 2011.
Cape Horn Route to Rio -- Star Princess takes passengers on an unforgettable 14-day day cruise vacation around the fabled Cape Horn as they travel between Rio de Janeiro and Santiago. Passengers will visit many South American highlights with calls to Montevideo, Buenos Aires, Falkland Islands, Ushuaia and Punta Arenas. The voyage includes a variety of spectacular scenic cruising opportunities around Cape Horn, including Beagle Channel, the Strait of Magellan and the dramatic Chilean Fjords. Sailings depart on December 24, 2011, January 7 and 21, February 4 and 18, and March 2, 2012.
Brazilian Adventure Cruise -- Passengers can experience a combination of Brazilian flavor and Caribbean fun on this 15-day sailing from Rio de Janeiro to Ft. Lauderdale. Star Princess starts with an overnight in Rio, then calls at the Brazilian ports of Salvador and Recife, plus visits the islands of Barbados, Antigua and St. Maarten. The sailing departs March 17, 2012.
Passage to Rio -- Travelers can visit three continents on this 16-day journey across the Atlantic with this voyage from Venice to Rio de Janeiro, which includes an overnight stay in Venice and calls at Dubrovnik, Corfu, Malta (Valletta), Tunis/Carthage (La Goulette), Gibraltar, and Recife (Brazil). Star Princess sets sail on December 8, 2011.
Cruisetours
To go beyond South America's ports and visit some of the continent's inland wonders, Princess offers land and sea cruisetours featuring the famed Machu Picchu or stunning Iguazú Falls. These seamless vacation options combine easily with Princess' cruise offerings.
The five-day Machu Picchu Explorer tour offers the opportunity to explore Peru's magnificent ruins. From Lima, travelers will not only enjoy a guided tour of the fabled site of Machu Picchu, but also the historic city of Cusco and the nearby Sacred Valley and Sacsayhuaman Fortress, as well as enjoy rail travel up into the mountains. The package combines with Princess' Cape Horn Route to Rio cruise.
The four-night Iguazú Falls Experience cruisetour features extra time to explore lively Rio de Janeiro, plus two days to take in one of the continent's most spectacular natural wonders, Iguazú Falls. Travelers will not only experience the drama of the falls from several vantage points, but also enjoy excursions on an Ecological Jungle Train and a boat ride to see the falls from the river. Travelers will spend two nights in Iguazú Falls and two nights in Rio on a package that combines with Princess' Cape Horn Route to Rio or Brazilian Adventure cruises.

Source: Princess Cruises

Explore the Islands of Aloha, French Polynesia, Samoa and Other Idyllic Pacific Islands

2010-10-04T05:34:00.000-07:00

Sun, sand, swaying palm trees, the scent of topical flowers in the air and breathtaking island scenery set the stage for a South Pacific cruise vacation. Princess Cruises will take passengers on a variety of island voyages in 2011-2012 with a full schedule of cruises to Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific . The company will offer 43 sailings of 10 itineraries to 33 ports throughout these idyllic islands. Cruise passengers will find that each of these island destinations has its own charms. In Hawaii they'll enjoy the spirit of Aloha throughout the island chain, while Tahiti and the other islands of French Polynesia showcase a unique mix of South Seas appeal and French culture. Samoa, Fiji, New Caledonia and Vanuatu each offer their own style and island allure, and all feature the stunning vistas found throughout the South Pacific.
Travelers interested in the convenience of a roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles can choose to sail aboard Golden Princess or Sapphire Princess to the Hawaiian Islands or on a new 28-day Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific cruise aboard Sapphire Princess. Cruisers to Tahiti will enjoy the small ship ambiance of Ocean Princess on several itineraries, and Princess' Aussie-style sailings from Down Under feature Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess sailing roundtrip from Sydney or Brisbane.
"Everyone dreams of running away to an idyllic Pacific island," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Our cruises can bring these wonderful islands to life, with more choices than ever to find the perfect vacation."
The Hawaiian Islands each have their own personality. On Oahu, the state capital of Honolulu offers a wealth of historic, cultural and scenic attractions, including famous Waikiki Beach, America's only royal residence the Iolani Palace, and Pearl Harbor. The Big Island, the youngest and largest of the Hawaiian Islands, has the most varied in landscape -- with striking black sand beaches, tropical rain forests, and the famed Volcanoes National Park, home to three volcanoes, including the actively erupting Kilauea.
Known as the "Garden Isle," Kauai offers lush green valleys, cascading waterfalls and geological wonders, such as the dramatic Nã Pali Coastline, and spectacular Waimea Canyon. The second largest of the Hawaiian Islands, Maui boasts some of the world's most superb beaches and dramatic mountain landscapes. Visitors can also explore the port town of Lahaina which was once King Kamehameha's capital.
Made up of more than 130 islands, French Polynesia includes some of the most dreamed about South Seas islands, such as Tahiti and Bora Bora. This is the South Pacific of Melville, Gauguin and Michener. Particularly immortalized by Gauguin's paintings, Tahiti evokes exotic island images and the South Seas state of mind. Nearby Moorea boast precipitous mountains that reach for the sky, creating picture postcard views. No name captures the imagination of paradise as well as Bora Bora. Perhaps the most stunning island in the South Pacific, its majestic landscape was sculpted by ancient volcanoes, showcasing a shimmering lagoon and barrier reef. Passengers on Ocean Princess' 10-day Tahiti & Polynesia itinerary will enjoy a full Two-Day Experience in Bora Bora with extra time to enjoy the island's charms.
The two islands of Huahine are surrounded by a deep lagoon encircled by a coral necklace. Connected by a bridge, both islands boast white-sand beaches, vanilla and banana plantations, and some of Polynesia's most significant cultural sites. The largest atoll in French Polynesia, divers from all over the world flock to Rangiroa, to explore the undersea world of its 42-mile aquamarine lagoon filled with unique marine life and magnificent underwater scenery.
Samoa and American Samoa lie at the heart of the South Pacific. Pago Pago is the capital of American Samoa, the southernmost territory of the United States. Here abundant rain creates a lush green landscape marked by ancient volcanoes and thriving coral atolls. Apia, the main township of Samoa, personifies the fa'a Samoa (the Samoan Way), and conjures up images of the perfect South Seas island town.
Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific cruises:
Princess Cruises ships sail to the Hawaiian Islands, between Hawaii and Tahiti and throughout the island paradises of the South Pacific.
Hawaiian Islands Cruises -- Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess will sail from Los Angeles on a 14-day roundtrip voyage to the Land of Aloha with calls at Hilo on the Big Island, Honolulu, Kauai, and Lahaina on Maui, plus Ensenada, Mexico. The ships will sail between September 28, 2011 and April 25, 2012.
Tahiti & Polynesia -- This classic Princess itinerary sails roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti for 10 days among the islands of Polynesia, with two overnight visits. Ocean Princess starts with an overnight in the Tahitian capital and then calls on Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, Bora Bora (Two-day Experience includes two full days and an overnight), and Moorea. Sailings depart on December 17, 2011; January 18 and 28, 2012.
Hawaii & Tahiti -- Travelers can enjoy the intimacy of a small cruise ship on a voyage that features both the Polynesian paradises of Hawaii and French Polynesia. These 11-day sailings between Papeete and Honolulu on Ocean Princess include calls at Moorea, Bora Bora, Hilo, Maui, and Kauai. Sailings depart December 27, 2011; January 7, February 7 and 18, 2012.
Hawaii, Tahiti & Samoa -- This new 28-day itinerary aboard Sapphire Princess offers an unusual roundtrip voyage from Los Angeles, to three island groups in one convenient roundtrip sailing. The ship calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Pago Pago, Apia, Bora Bora, Moorea and Papeete. The sailing departs on October 22, 2011.
South Pacific & New Zealand Cruises -- Sailing between Sydney and Papeete, Ocean Princess offers a 16-day voyage including Tauranga, Auckland, Suva (Fiji), Apia, Pago Pago, Bora Bora, and Moorea. The ship departs on December 2, 2011 and February 29, 2012.
Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific -- Sea Princess sails across the Pacific between San Francisco and Sydney on a 29-day voyage to Honolulu, Maui, Moorea, Papeete, Bora Bora, Pago Pago, Suva, Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin and Fiordland National Park scenic cruising. The sailings depart on September 17, 2011 and April 15, 2012.
Aussie Experience Voyages
Sailings aboard Sun Princess, Dawn Princess and Sea Princess head to the islands from Sydney or Brisbane and feature onboard amenities to appeal to Australian tastes.
Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific -- Dawn Princess will sail on a 35-day roundtrip voyage from Sydney, with calls at Nuku'Alofa (Tonga), Apia, Hilo, Kilauea Volcano scenic cruising, Maui, Honolulu, Kauai, Kona, Papeete, Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Pago Pago, Suva and Nouméa (New Caledonia). The ship sets sail on April 13, 2012.
New Caledonia & Vanuatu -- Dawn Princess takes a 12-day jaunt roundtrip from Sydney to call at Nouméa, Isle of Pines and Lifou in New Caledonia; and Vila, Wala and Champagne Bay in Vanuatu. The ship sails on May 13, 2011.
Fijian Jewels -- Sun Princess sails roundtrip from Brisbane on an 11-day journey to Nouméa and Isle of Pines in New Caledonia; three Fiji ports, Suva, Port Denarau, and Dravuni Island; and Vila (Vanuatu). The ship sails on January 11 and February 5, 2012.
Fiji & South Pacific -- A popular roundtrip sailing from Sydney featuring 14 days with calls at Lifou, five ports in Fiji: Vila, Port Denarau, Suva, Savu Savu, and Dravuni Island; plus Nouméa. Available on Dawn Princess, Sea Princess and Sun Princess, sailings depart October 5, November 1 and 28, 2011; February 6 and March 16, 2012.

Source: Princess Cruises

Ancient Monuments, Roaming Wildlife and Sweeping Savannahs Capture Travelers' Imaginations on a Collection of Multi-Continent Adventures in India and Africa.

2010-10-04T05:32:00.000-07:00

Vast desert landscapes, sun-washed beaches, grand bazaars and striking shrines form the backdrop to the exotic worlds of India and Africa. Princess Cruises' 2011-12 Exotic cruise season will offer passengers a selection of voyages featuring these distinctive destinations, including a sailing along the coast of West Africa. In total, four extended cruises offer the opportunity to visit 38 intriguing ports. Home to a variety of vibrant cultures and the world's most unique array of fascinating wildlife, African ports delight adventurous passengers. India contrasts with the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan cities and the more spiritual atmosphere surrounding architectural treasures such as the iconic Taj Majal.
Voyages including Africa or India offer the opportunity for a multi-continent adventure, featuring ports in Europe and Asia as well. Ranging from 28 to 46 days, these extensive sailings feature either the intimate ambiance of Ocean Princess or the Aussie-style cruising of Sun Princess, which sails round-trip from Perth.
"Africa and India are filled with the magnificent sights so many of us dream about visiting," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Open spaces filled with roaming wildlife, colorful civilizations and rich history never fail to capture the imagination in these exotic ports. Princess pioneered cruising in many of these locales, and we continue to offer our expertise to passengers looking for an exciting adventure in these destinations."
India brings to mind the vibrant world of Bollywood movies and spicy atmosphere. Cosmopolitan Mumbai is a gateway for travel to the Taj Mahal, the famed monument of pearlescent stones that stands as a testament to eternal love. Passengers may also visit the coconut palm-lined beaches in Cochin, a historic port town where colonial architecture display the rich cultures that influenced the city. In Goa, travelers can explore the quaint village of Old Goa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Princess' unique West Africa Adventure itinerary offers passengers the opportunity to explore the continent's intriguing coastline. The Namibian ports Lüderitz and Walvis Bay boast historic German imperial style buildings and are a bird-lover's paradise, hosting thousands of flamingos, penguins, and ostriches. Mysterious voodoo presentations and grand markets pepper Lomé, Togo with rich African flair. Known for its "teranga" (hospitality), Dakar, Senegal features natural wonders such as Lake Retba, named for its rose-pink colored waters.
In South Africa, Cape Town offers sand, surf, wineries, and stunning views of Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope. Port Elizabeth provides opportunities to encounter wildlife with nearby game reserves and national parks set on vast savannas. In Durban, vibrant flowers, sweet smells of spices, and cultural encounters with the fabled Zulu tribe offer a true sense of modern Africa.
Northern Africa features the pyramids and other archeological treasure of Egypt, where visitors can see many of the country's iconic attraction when ships call at Safaga for Luxor and Karnak. Legendary Casablanca blends African, French, and Middle Eastern influences, particularly in dazzling bazaars filled with rich fabrics and antique ware.
Africa and India cruises:
Mediterranean, India & Asia -- For a three-continent adventure, passengers can sail on a 28-day voyage from Rome to Singapore aboard Ocean Princess. The small ship will take cruisers to Sorrento, Athens, and Kusadasi (for Ephesus) before transiting the Suez Canal and continuing on to Sharm El Sheik, Aqaba (for Petra) Safaga (for Luxor/Karnak), Dubai, Muscat, Mumbai, Cochin, and Kuala Lumpur. Ocean Princess departs on October 15, 2011.
West Africa Adventure -- A unique opportunity to explore the African coast, this 28-day journey onboard the small ship Ocean Princess travels from Cape Town to London (Dover). Travelers can explore a variety of African destinations plus and European ports beginning with a overnight stay in Cape Town. Calls include the Namibian ports of Lüderitz and Walvis Bay, Cotonou (Benin), Lomé (Togo), Tema (Ghana), Dakar (Senegal), Cape Verde Islands, Canary Islands, Casablanca, Seville, Lisbon, and Paris/Normandy before arriving in Dover. The sailing departs on May 6, 2012.
Africa, India & Southeast Asia -- The intimate Ocean Princess also offers a 30-day journey from Singapore to Cape Town. Passengers can enjoy the small ship experience on an itinerary to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Maldives, Mumbai, Muscat, Dubai, Mauritius, Reunion Island, Durban, and East London, plus an overnight call in Cape Town. Travelers have the option to visit the Taj Mahal in India or take a safari to Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa. The sailing departs on April 6, 2012 and can be combined with the West Africa Adventure for a 58 day Grand Adventure cruise from Singapore to Dover.
South Africa & Indian Ocean Odyssey -- On a 46-day roundtrip sailing from Perth, travelers cover several continents during their voyage. Sun Princess will call at Asian ports such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Phuket, then move on to India with visits to Mumbai, Goa, and the Maldives. After crossing the Equator, the ship visits the Seychelles, and the South African ports of Richard's Bay, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Durban. The ship calls at Reunion Island and Mauritius before returning to Perth. Sun Princess departs on May 3, 2011.

Source: Princess Cruises

Specially Designed Alaska Cruise Tours Add a Variety of Included Extras Especially for Families

2010-10-04T05:30:00.000-07:00

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (September 9, 2010) -- After a popular debut last year, Princess Cruises is once again offering special Alaska cruisetours designed just for families. These unique tours incorporate a variety of features not usually included in a cruisetour package, such as the opportunity to learn about dog mushing at the Iditarod Headquarters, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and enjoy a fun campfire experience. The 12-night family cruisetours include a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour. The land segment also features such family-friendly extras as daily breakfasts, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and a dinner theater performance. At sea, families can also take advantage of Princess' many onboard programs especially for children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park.
"Alaska is the perfect place for a family vacation," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "There are amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, awesome scenery and lots of active adventures. With this in mind, we wanted to make it easier for family groups to plan the perfect Alaska experience with activities that will appeal to many ages and interests."
Passengers can choose to sail aboard Diamond Princess or Coral Princess, and the cruisetour land itinerary includes stays at three of Princess' own wilderness lodges -- one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. The tours are offered on 34 departures with both northbound (#FUN) and southbound (#WOW) itinerary options.
The following special extras are included in the 2011 season tours:
Daily Breakfast -- Everyone in the family can start their morning off with the most important meal of the day.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center -- Wildlife appeals to all ages, and families will be able to see a variety of animals such as bears, elk, bison, moose, caribou, musk ox, coyotes and eagles with a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This non-profit organization takes in injured and orphaned animals and gives a permanent home to those that can't be returned to the wild.
Iditarod Headquarters with Dog Sled Ride -- En route to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, family members will enjoy a stop at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla. Here travelers can learn about mushing and its importance in Alaskan culture. The center offers the opportunity to meet sled dogs and see them at work with wheeled cart rides.
Evening Campfire Experience (Mt. McKinley) -- An evening campfire near the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is the perfect way for families to end the day, complete with treats such as s'mores and hot chocolate, plus unique Alaska stories and songs. Music of Denali Dinner Theater (Denali) -- This rollicking musical comedy tells the legend of the first expedition to the summit of Mt. McKinley, accompanied by a hearty, family-style meal featuring smokehouse ribs and Alaska salmon.
Experience Denali with Alaska Geographic Tour (Denali) -- A more intimate tour of Denali National Park, this special excursion includes a variety of interactive experiences, including an enhanced view of the Denali ecosystem and current research taking place. The narrated bus tour takes guests 15 miles into the park to a beautiful river valley where they embark on a short walk to the historic Savage River Camp, where they can participate in a number of hands-on activities.
Sourdough Expedition Breakfast (Denali) -- While fueling up for the day with an Alaskan roadhouse-style breakfast, guests experience an unforgettable journey up Denali through breathtaking images in Laurent Dick's Climb Denali. Participants have the opportunity to meet this real mountain climber and ask questions about mountain climbing.
Riverboat Cruise and El Dorado Goldmine Tour (Fairbanks) -- Families can enjoy traveling on an authentic sternwheeler for a fully-narrated cruise along the Chena River and try their hands at gold panning at the El Dorado Gold Mine, where they will learn about Alaska's gold mining history.
Fares for the Alaska Family Cruisetours start at $1,648 per person for the first and second berths, and $1,246 per person for the third and fourth berth passengers.

SOURCE: Princess Cruises

Unique Two-Day Canal Experience Offers Extra Time in Panama

2010-10-04T05:28:00.000-07:00

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (September 28, 2010) -- Since its debut nearly a century ago, the Panama Canal has been considered one of the world's most important engineering marvels. This 51-mile passageway between oceans can save a ship more than 7,000 transit miles around South America, and never ceases to amaze cruise passengers. Princess Cruises' ships have long offered a front-row view of the Panama Canal, and in 2011-12 the line will offer 38 cruises to this signature destination, with five different itinerary options.
The Panama Canal's history adds to its status as a "must see" destination. The single most expensive construction project in United States history at the time, "big ditch" took more than 30 years to build at a cost of about $375 million. The Canal's lengthy history included construction efforts by two different nations and the creation of an independent Panama. In total, Canal construction involved as many as 80,000 workers and the excavation of around 268,000,000 cubic yards of earth.
Today the Canal offers passage to approximately 14,000 ships a year. Princess passengers sailing the Canal will enjoy the amenities of two vessels specifically built for Panama Canal cruising -- Coral Princess and Island Princess. The sides of these ships just clear the massive locks that use an average of 52 million gallons of water in each chamber as they eventually lift and lower vessels a total of 170 feet as they pass from the Caribbean to the Pacific during the nine-hour transit.
"Our ships have been transiting the Panama Canal for more than 40 years and, in fact, we even christened Coral Princess as it moved through the Canal," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "There really is no better way to watch the fascinating process as the ship transits each lock than from the decks of our ships -- it's an exceptional way to experience this wonder of engineering."
Princess' unique Two-day Canal Experience, available on many longer sailings, combines a full transit of the Canal, including the Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun Locks, with a second day in Panama at Fuerte Amador. This extra day gives travelers time to explore Panama further with excursions such as riding the Panama Canal Railway, exploring a rainforest, visiting an authentic Embera Indian village or touring bustling Panama City.
Beyond the Panama Canal, these itineraries offer calls in Caribbean Islands, Mexican Riviera resort towns, and a number of intriguing ports in Central America. In Costa Rica, passengers will discover a land of tropical rain forests, lush coffee plantations and white sand coastlines set against a backdrop of majestic mountains. In San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, this scenic fishing village offers beautiful white-sand beaches and ecological richness, while the nearby city of Granada is the oldest city in Central America.
Panama Canal itineraries include:
Panama Canal Two-Day Experience Cruises -- Coral Princess and Island Princess will feature three itineraries offering Princess' Two-Day Canal Experience -- a full Panama Canal transit combined with a full day at Fuerte Amador on the Pacific side of Panama. The 14-day itinerary sails between Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles with calls at Aruba, Cartagena, and Puntarenas (Costa Rica) in addition to the Two-Day Canal Experience. A 15-day option offers an additional call in Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala). And another 15-day option sails from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale with calls at Cabo San Lucas, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena, and Aruba. Sailings on these itineraries depart between September 25, 2011 and April 27, 2012. Coral Princess and Island Princess also offer longer Grand Adventures of 17, 18 and 19 days, sailing to and from Vancouver.
Full Panama Canal Transit Sailings -- A new 14-day itinerary between Los Angeles and Ft Lauderdale, offering a full Panama Canal transit plus visits to Cabo San Lucas, San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena and Aruba. Coral Princess offers four sailings on this route, with departures on October 25, November 8, 2011, February 28, and March 13, 2012.
Roundtrip Panama Canal Cruises -- Island Princess will sail on this classic 10-day roundtrip itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale, which offers a partial Panama Canal transit to Gatun Lake followed by a call in Colon, plus calls in the Caribbean ports of Aruba, Cartagena, Limon (Costa Rica), and Grand Cayman or Ocho Rios. The ship offers 20 departures between October 10, 2011 and April 17, 2012.

Source: Princess Cruises

30 Top Winners of the 2010 Alaska Shore Excursion Awards as Rated by Passengers

2010-10-04T05:25:00.000-07:00

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (September 30, 2010) -- Princess Cruises is marking the end of the Alaska season with shipboard awards ceremonies celebrating the year's top-rated local tour operators. The line's 11th annual C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards used passenger feedback throughout the season to determine the best shore excursion experiences and guides in each port on Alaska itineraries.
Award winners were chosen from Princess' extensive line-up of more than 200 Alaska shore excursion options, and recognize the most popular tours, individual guides and dock representatives in the communities where Princess ships call. The awards underscore the important role that local tour operators in each community play in a passenger's cruise experience, and winners are determined primarily by tour scores and comments made on passenger surveys throughout the season.
"A passenger's adventures in port significantly contribute to the cruise experience, especially in such a vast and amazing place as Alaska," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "So the local tour operators who provide these unforgettable excursions definitely deserve our recognition and thanks for making our passengers' visits so memorable."
The C.R.U.I.S.E. program is the longest running customer service program in the cruise industry. The Alaska awards were begun in 2000 and cap off a season-long effort to recognize the role that Alaskan-owned tour partners play in passengers' cruise experiences. Tour Guide of the Season and Dock Representative of the Season award winners receive $100, a letter of commendation, a plaque, a ship tour and lunch onboard with their family. Operators of the Shore Excursion of the Season receive a plaque and a letter of commendation, a tour of the ship, and lunch onboard for company officials.
The 2010 winners are:
Icy Strait Point:
Shore Excursion:
Whale & Wildlife Cruise, Icy Strait Point
Tour Guide:
Annette McLaughlin, Icy Strait Point
Juneau:
Co-Shore Excursions:
Helicopter Glacier Trek, NorthStar Trekking
Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition, Alaska Canopy Adventures
Taku Glacier Lodge Flight & Feast, Wings Airways and Taku Lodge
Co-Tour Guides:
Collin Pilcher, Gastineau Guiding Company
Joel Kersting, Gold Rush Tours
Dock Representative:
Dawn Dulebohn, Dolphin Jet Boat Tours
Ketchikan:
Co-Shore Excursions:
Bering Sea Crab Fishermen's Tour, Commercial Fishing Adventures
Mountain Point Snorkeling Adventure, Snorkel Alaska
Rainforest Canopy & Zipline Expedition, Alaska Canopy Adventures
Co-Tour Guides:
Joe Williams, Where the Eagle Walks
Rob Holston, Lighthouse Excursions
Dock Representative:
Jill Gates, The Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show
Kodiak:
Shore Excursion:
Best of Kodiak, First Group
Tour Guide:
Dee Ann Valdivia, Kodiak Tours
Seward:
Shore Excursion:
Alaska SeaLife Center & Puffin Experience, Alaska SeaLife Center
Tour Guide:
Danny Seavey, IdidaRide Sled Dog Tours
Skagway:
Co-Shore Excursions:
Glacier Discovery by Helicopter, TEMSCO Helicopters
Glacier Point Wilderness Safari, Chilkat Guides
White Pass Bennett Lake Adventure, White Pass & Yukon Route
Co-Tour Guides:
Steve Merrow, Chilkat Guides
Tyler Geist, Alaska Mountain Guides
Dock Representative:
Jeff Neis, Skagway Street Car Co.
Vancouver:
Shore Excursion:
Capilano Canyon's Natural Beauty, Rockwood Adventures
Tour Guide:
Bill Reaugh, TMS Gateway Tours
Victoria:
Shore Excursion:
Butchart & Butterfly Gardens, Gray Line West
Tour Guide:
Norman Archer, D'Costa Ports of Call
Whittier:
Shore Excursion:
Wilderness Explorer Glacier Cruise, Prince William Sound Cruise & Tours
Tour Guide:
Richard DiJulia, Alaska Sea Kayakers

SOURCE: Princess Cruises

River Cruise Operator Uniworld Announces New Itinerary "Imperial Capitals of Europe"

2010-09-26T05:04:00.000-07:00

15 Magical Days, Eight Spectacular Countries, One Majestic Journey on Uniworld’s NEW “Imperial Capitals Of Europe”

Uniworld announces a brand new itinerary designed for those travelers who wish to spend more leisure time in the world-class cities of exotic Istanbul, majestic Budapest, and regal Vienna. On Uniworld’s new 15-day “Imperial Capitals of Europe” itinerary, travelers will take a grand journey along paths forged by conquerors, crusaders, and kings through Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia, Croatia, Hungary, Slovakia and Austria. They’ll step back in time to explore the history and legends living in the hillsides among antiquated ruins and still-magnificent palaces. They’ll discover the colorful folktales and musical traditions of these extraordinary places. And with Uniworld’s exclusive Epicurean Adventurer Program, they’ll experience the best of the regions’ culinary and vintners’ delights during a special wine and food pairing dinner, and a unique taste of what has been termed the “Queen of Wines” while on the included excursion to Villány Hills.

Uniworld’s guests will spend two days in Istanbul, Budapest, and Vienna. The first day in each city is spent providing travelers with an overview with included shore excursions, and the second day allows them the opportunity to explore more on their own. Free time in these grand cities is balanced with discovering picturesque towns such as Veliko Tarnovo and Arbanassi, home to the early 17th-century “The Nativity” Church—a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as getting to know the locals with a home-hosted lunch in Osijek.

For the greatest savings on Uniworld’s 2011 Imperial Capitals of Europe, pay in full at time of booking by October 31, 2010 to up SAVE $1,000 per person.

About Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection
Los Angeles-based Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection, the world’s only boutique river cruise line, is recognized in: Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Top Small Ship Cruise Lines; Condé Nast Traveler's prestigious Gold List and their Readers’ Poll for Top 25 Small Ships, and their Readers’ Choice Awards for World's Top Small Ship Cruise Lines; Cruise Critic’s Editors’ Pick for Best River Cruise Line and Best New River Ship for the River Beatrice; and Top 3 cruise line ranking in Zagat Survey® in the categories of Top Cabins and Top Dining, and is the only river cruise line represented in their cruise survey with the best of the best in the cruise industry. Uniworld features luxuriously appointed boutique cruise ships with an average capacity of 130 guests, expertly planned itineraries with custom-blended, included shore excursions, world-class, gourmet cuisine, and award-winning hospitality from an all-English speaking staff . The company offers over 500 departures on 39 itineraries sailing on 12 rivers in 20 countries throughout Europe, Russia, Egypt, and China.

SOURCE: Uniworld Boutique River Cruises

Sail The Seven Seas. There’s nothing quite like it in the world!

2010-09-22T06:04:00.000-07:00

Who hasn’t dreamt of seeing the world? With a Princess World Cruise, you can make that dream come true. These intimate voyages last anywhere from 104 to 107 days. They travel to incredible cities, offer a wide variety of activities, and dock in some of the most spectacular places on the planet.

The full 107-day World Cruise starts in Ft. Lauderdale on January 13, 2012 and travels west around the globe aboard Pacific Princess.® On this incredible voyage, you’ll be able to take part in regional celebrations, explore lesser-known ports, and share your adventure with a group of people who have the same dream as you — the desire to see it all. The journey begins at sea and makes its first stop in Aruba. Then, transits through one of the greatest engineering feats of all time, the Panama Canal. From there, venture to Central America before heading back to sea into the heart of the South Pacific, New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, and Australia’s Great Barrier Reef. You’ll have a chance to witness some of the most fantastic landmarks like Ayers Rock in Australia, the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal in India, the Great Pyramids of Egypt, and at one point, you’ll even cross the International Dateline. Plus, you’ll enjoy exotic ports such as Hong Kong, Phuket, Mumbai, and Cairo, just to name a few. In fact, there are over 38 destinations in all, and the journey ends in the romantic canals of Venice.

Another amazing option is the 104-day voyage sailing roundtrip from Sydney, Australia aboard Dawn Princess® on May 25, 2011. On this voyage, you'll sail to more than 40 intriguing destinations on six continents, starting off in Australia and Southeast Asia en route to India, Arabia and Egypt. Then, you’re off to explore some of the best ports in Europe, Central America, and French Polynesia. In between, you’ll experience the Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Hawaiian Islands and the South Pacific. You’ll also have plenty of opportunities to explore many engaging sites on land. With easy to arrange shore excursions, you can kayak through crystal clear waters, visit palaces and museums, wander the grounds of vast temples, take cooking lessons or learn a craft, see traditional villages and so much more.

If time is something that you need to consider, we also offer the option of joining up with fellow world travelers at different parts of the voyage by booking what we call Segment Voyages. These 15- to 32-day vacations allow you to be a part of the experience, just in smaller segments. Whether you choose to join in Sydney, en route to Singapore, or head toward Venice during the exploration of Thailand and Egypt, you’ll still be a part of the World Cruise and the overall experience. That means you’ll have an opportunity to swap stories with other experienced travelers as you hear about some of their adventures and share some of yours.
SOURCE: Princess Cruises
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The world is your oyster and Princess can help serve it up in bite-sized pieces or as a whole. Take the full World Cruise or choose from shorter segments. Either way, it’s a journey you’ll always cherish and one you’ll never forget. To become a part of Princess Cruises 2011-2012 World Cruises or for more information on one of our Segment Voyages, visit Princess Cruises Online.

SOURCE: Princess Cruises

Unique Two-Day Canal Experience Offers Extra Time in Panama

2010-09-20T07:32:00.000-07:00

SANTA CLARITA – Since its debut nearly a century ago, the Panama Canal has been considered one of the world’s most important engineering marvels. This 51-mile passageway between oceans can save a ship more than 7,000 transit miles around South America, and never ceases to amaze cruise passengers. Princess Cruises’ ships have long offered a front-row view of the Panama Canal, and in 2011-12 the line will offer 38 cruises to this signature destination, with five different itinerary options.

The Panama Canal’s history adds to its status as a “must see” destination. The single most expensive construction project in United States history at the time, “big ditch” took more than 30 years to build at a cost of about $375 million. The Canal’s lengthy history included construction efforts by two different nations and the creation of an independent Panama. In total, Canal construction involved as many as 80,000 workers and the excavation of around 268,000,000 cubic yards of earth.

Today the Canal offers passage to approximately 14,000 ships a year. Princess passengers sailing the Canal will enjoy the amenities of two vessels specifically built for Panama Canal cruising – Coral Princess and Island Princess. The sides of these ships just clear the massive locks that use an average of 52 million gallons of water in each chamber as they eventually lift and lower vessels a total of 170 feet as they pass from the Caribbean to the Pacific during the nine-hour transit.

“Our ships have been transiting the Panama Canal for more than 40 years and, in fact, we even christened Coral Princess as it moved through the Canal,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “There really is no better way to watch the fascinating process as the ship transits each lock than from the decks of our ships – it’s an exceptional way to experience this wonder of engineering.”

Princess’ unique Two-day Canal Experience, available on many longer sailings, combines a full transit of the Canal, including the Miraflores, Pedro Miguel and Gatun Locks, with a second day in Panama at Fuerte Amador. This extra day gives travelers time to explore Panama further with excursions such as riding the Panama Canal Railway, exploring a rainforest, visiting an authentic Embera Indian village or touring bustling Panama City.

Beyond the Panama Canal, these itineraries offer calls in Caribbean Islands, Mexican Riviera resort towns, and a number of intriguing ports in Central America. In Costa Rica, passengers will discover a land of tropical rain forests, lush coffee plantations and white sand coastlines set against a backdrop of majestic mountains. In San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua, this scenic fishing village offers beautiful white-sand beaches and ecological richness, while the nearby city of Granada is the oldest city in Central America.

Panama Canal itineraries include:

Panama Canal Two-Day Experience Cruises – Coral Princess and Island Princess will feature three itineraries offering Princess’ Two-Day Canal Experience – a full Panama Canal transit combined with a full day at Fuerte Amador on the Pacific side of Panama. The 14-day itinerary sails between Ft. Lauderdale and Los Angeles with calls at Aruba, Cartagena, and Puntarenas (Costa Rica) in addition to the Two-Day Canal Experience. A 15-day option offers an additional call in Puerto Quetzal (Guatemala). And another 15-day option sails from San Francisco to Ft. Lauderdale with calls at Cabo San Lucas, Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena, and Aruba. Sailings on these itineraries depart between September 25, 2011 and April 27, 2012. Coral Princess and Island Princess also offer longer Grand Adventures of 17, 18 and 19 days, sailing to and from Vancouver.

Full Panama Canal Transit Sailings – A new 14-day itinerary between Los Angeles and Ft Lauderdale, offering a full Panama Canal transit plus visits to Cabo San Lucas, San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua), Puntarenas (Costa Rica), Cartagena and Aruba. Coral Princess offers four sailings on this route, with departures on October 25, November 8, 2011, February 28, and March 13, 2012.

Roundtrip Panama Canal Cruises – Island Princess will sail on this classic 10-day roundtrip itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale, which offers a partial Panama Canal transit to Gatun Lake followed by a call in Colon, plus calls in the Caribbean ports of Aruba, Cartagena, Limon (Costa Rica), and Grand Cayman or Ocho Rios. The ship offers 20 departures between October 10, 2011 and April 17, 2012.

SOURCE: Princess Cruises
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Additional information about Princess Cruises is available by visiting http://www.princesscruisesonline.com/

Cruise Tips and Cruise Trends. What You Need To Know.

2010-09-17T09:13:00.000-07:00

5 cruise planning tips

• Get deal alerts and have travel agents compete for your business from CruiseCompete. Get FREE quotes while remaining anonymous.
• Be spontaneous. You can find last-minute and unexpected deals at discounted rate at sites like Last Minute Cruises Online, who offer deep discounts for flexible travelers.
• Find reduced prices and last-minute deals on discount sites like Cruise Direct Online

• FindExclusive Resident Specials! Enjoy Reduced Rates on Select Sailings or Get a great deal on a 3 to 4 day cruise!
• Stay connected to stay on top of the deals. Most cruise lines have taken to Twitter and Facebook to announce cruise deals, and sign up for cruise line e-mail alerts to be among the first to know what's new and what's on offer.

Fascinating cruises that sail to India and Africa!

2010-09-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

Vast desert landscapes, sun-washed beaches, grand bazaars and striking shrines form the backdrop to the exotic worlds of India and Africa.

Princess Cruises' 2011-12 Exotic cruise season will offer passengers a selection of voyages featuring these distinctive destinations, including a sailing along the coast of West Africa. In total, four extended cruises
offer the opportunity to visit 38 intriguing ports.

Home to a variety of vibrant cultures and the world's most unique array of fascinating wildlife, African ports delight adventurous passengers. India contrasts with the hustle and bustle of cosmopolitan cities and the more spiritual atmosphere surrounding architectural treasures such as the iconic Taj Majal.

Voyages including Africa or India offer the opportunity for a multi-continent adventure, featuring ports in Europe and Asia as well. Ranging from 28 to 46 days, these extensive sailings feature either the intimate ambiance of Ocean Princess® or the Aussie-style cruising of Sun Princess®, which sails round-trip from Perth.

"Africa and India are filled with the magnificent sights so many of us dream about visiting," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.

"Open spaces filled with roaming wildlife, colorful civilizations and rich history never fail to capture the imagination in these exotic ports. Princess pioneered cruising in many of these locales, and we continue to
offer our expertise to passengers looking for an exciting adventure in these destinations."

India brings to mind the vibrant world of Bollywood movies and spicy atmosphere. Cosmopolitan Mumbai is a gateway for travel to the Taj Mahal, the famed monument of pearlescent stones that stands as a testament to eternal love. Passengers may also visit the coconut palm-lined beaches in Cochin, a historic port town where colonial architecture displays the rich cultures that influenced the city. In Goa, travelers can explore the quaint village of Old Goa, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Princess' unique West Africa Adventure itinerary offers passengers the opportunity to explore the continent's intriguing coastline. The Namibian ports Lüderitz and Walvis Bay boast historic German imperial style buildings and are a bird-lover's paradise, hosting thousands of flamingos, penguins, and ostriches. Mysterious voodoo displays and grand markets pepper Lomé, Togo with rich African flair. Known for its "teranga" (hospitality), Dakar, Senegal features natural wonders such as Lake Retba, named for its rose-pink colored waters.

In South Africa, Cape Town offers sand, surf, wineries, and stunning views of Table Mountain and the Cape of Good Hope. Port Elizabeth provides opportunities to encounter wildlife with nearby game reserves and national parks set on vast savannas. In Durban, vibrant flowers, sweet smells of spices, and cultural encounters with the fabled Zulu tribe offer a true sense of modern Africa.

Northern Africa features the pyramids and other archeological treasures of Egypt, where visitors can see many of the country's iconic attractions when ships call at Safaga for Luxor and Karnak. Legendary Casablanca blends African, French, and Middle Eastern influences, particularly in dazzling bazaars filled with rich fabrics and antique wares.

Africa and India cruises:
Mediterranean, India & Asia - For a three-continent adventure, passengers can sail on a 28-day voyage from Rome to Singapore aboard Ocean Princess®. The small ship will take cruisers to Sorrento, Athens, and Kusadasi (for Ephesus) before transiting the Suez Canal and continuing on to Sharm El Sheik, Aqaba (for Petra) Safaga (for Luxor/Karnak), Dubai, Muscat, Mumbai, Cochin, and Kuala Lumpur. Ocean Princess departs on October 15, 2011.

West Africa Adventure - A unique opportunity to explore the African coast, this 28-day journey onboard the small ship Ocean Princess travels from Cape Town to London (Dover). Travelers can explore a variety of African destinations plus and European ports beginning with a overnight stay in Cape Town. Calls include the Namibian ports of Lüderitz and Walvis Bay, Cotonou (Benin), Lomé (Togo), Tema (Ghana), Dakar (Senegal), Cape Verde Islands, Canary Islands, Casablanca, Seville, Lisbon, and Paris/Normandy before
arriving in Dover. The sailing departs on May 6, 2012.

Africa, India & Southeast Asia - The intimate Ocean Princess also offers a 30-day journey from Singapore to Cape Town. Passengers can enjoy the small ship experience on an itinerary to Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Maldives, Mumbai, Muscat, Dubai, Mauritius, Reunion Island, Durban, and East London, plus an overnight call in Cape Town. Travelers have the option to visit the Taj Mahal in India or take a safari to Phinda Private Game Reserve in South Africa. The sailing departs on April 6, 2012 and can be combined with the
West Africa Adventure for a 58-day Grand Adventure cruise from Singapore to Dover.

South Africa & Indian Ocean Odyssey - On a 46-day roundtrip sailing from Perth, travelers cover several continents during their voyage. Sun Princess® will call at Asian ports such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Phuket, then move on to India with visits to Mumbai, Goa, and the Maldives. After crossing the Equator, the ship visits the Seychelles, and the South African ports of Richard's Bay, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, and Durban. The ship calls at Reunion Island and Mauritius before returning to Perth. Sun Princess departs on May 3, 2011.

India and Africa: Fascinating once-in-a-lifetime cruise itineraries!

SOURCE: PRINCESS CRUISES

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For more information visit http://www.princesscruisesonline.com/

Booking Direct With The Cruise Line. Good or Bad?

2010-09-17T08:24:00.000-07:00

COMMENTS AND OPINION FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

So, your thinking about going on a cruise. Good. Now's a great time to go. Looking for a great deal?...who isn't.

Starting to search the Internet, visit some 3rd party sites, read the blogs for advice, do some social networking, or just reading the latest ads.

You've seen those ads. Lots of them. All over the internet. Cruise lines that entice you to book directly with them online. You get flyers and brochures via snail mail ( postal service ) and your inbox is cluttered with message after message, about this deal or that.

So, your hooked. You visit the cruise line's web site. Perhaps give them a call.

The call center agent tells you that it is easy to book your cruise online. You can do it yourself. It's really easy.

But wait just a minute. Your about to make an Alaska cruise and tour purchase of $1000.00 or more per person. This is no under twenty-five dollar book purchase. You will be giving out your credit card number and personal information to someone likely part of a very large call center. Call centers have hundred's of telephone order takers. Turnover is huge. If you call again, you're not likely to speak the the same person. And some call centers aren't even based here in the good old USA. Your phone call may be outsourced overseas. Now, your personal information and credit card number is in India or some other foreign country.

So, now that you've spoken to the cruise line, you still think your cruise vacation plans are in excellent hands. Think again.

Cruise lines offer direct bookings because they save the commission that a travel agent gets if he or she handles the reservation. Do you think because their operating costs are less, they will reduce the price, because you booked direct. Not really. The travel agent's commission is built into the price you pay, no matter if you book direct or go through a travel agent. You don't save a penny more if you book direct.

With direct bookings, cruise lines lower they operating costs by having a staff of order-takers in their reservations center. Most are commissioned salespeople with little knowledge of the destinations, cruise ships and services you seek. Their goal is simple: Try to get you to book the cruise as quickly as possible, so they can go on to the next call. After all, the more sales they close, the more money they make.

Do you think a commissioned salesperson has your best interest in mind?

Imagine what happens when you make a direct booking. You pass on your most personal information and you receive an e-mail delivered confirmation. That's it. The computer is now your "agent" and will notify you when your final payment is due, and tell you that you have to go line, fill out a lengthy profile information form, and print out your own boarding pass and final documents. Efficient yes. Personable, available and as helpful as a real person. We don't think so.

Of course, you do have an alternative. Your Travel Agent.

Travel agents represent all the cruise lines - they don't promote one particular cruise line over the other. Choosing the right cruise experience for you is their number one priority.

Don't have a Travel Agent? Ask your neighbor, or friend to recommend one. Or, visit the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) website to find one.

Pick an agent who has sailed on most of the popular ships to many of the world's most interesting ports of call, so he or she can give you recommendations from first-hand knowledge and experience. Pick an agent that specializes in providing professional advice on planning cruises. Just cruises. These agents know their business, focusing exclusively on providing the best cruise experience to their guests. Offering clear, objective information to take the guesswork out of selecting a cruise.

Your travel agent is there to provide service. Period. He or she will take the time to help you plan your cruise vacation. They will compare what each cruise line offers. They will advise you about the cruise line and ship that best meets your needs. They are the only ones who will objectively review the advantages and disadvantages of cruising with this line or that. Booking directly just gets you a singular biased point-of-view. That's all.

Travel agents are involved in positively outrageous guest service. They provide expert advice, not just a flood of information. They are a wealth of knowledge. Offering sound advice about ports, sightseeing options and even dining options. In addition to vast product and destination knowledge, travel agents have pricing incentives and advantages not necessarily offered directly by the cruise line to consumers.

To insure your every want and need is met, travel agents continually attend seminars at sea, taking classes and learning everything there is to know about the cruise industry. Travel agents travel "round the world", visiting ports of call, inspecting ships, go on cruises, sample and critique shore excursions... They are constantly communicating, learning and passing on that knowledge and information to you.

They understand your needs. They give you good solid advice you can count on. They are knowledgeable of what's on offer. They are able to get you exceptional value for your cruise.

Your travel agent once engaged:

May be able to offer you group rates ( without joining a group! ), free upgrades, shipboard credits and other amenities or discounts.
They receive daily faxes from the cruise lines offering special promotions, not offered by call centers, so be sure to ask if there are any special offers available.
Will offer the best possible cruise options based on your lifestyle, interests, budget, travel experience, etc.
Will review the proper immigration/passport/birth certificate documentation necessary for your cruise.
Arrange any special needs -- such as a handicap-designed stateroom, or a special diet.
Inform you of your dining choices and ask if you prefer early or late seating , or "freestyle" dining where you can dine with whom you want, when you want... and arrange for any special occasions you might be celebrating like a birthday or anniversary.
Explain the importance of travel insurance to cover the unexpected such as trip delays, missed cruise connections and lost or delayed baggage.
Give you General Information materials that cover over 18 "Things to Know Before You Go".
Point out your stateroom on the deck plan ( select deck plans available online ).
Inform you when final payment is due and the deadline to request air deviations and arrange pre-or-post cruise land packages.
Advise you about tipping; packing; clothing; flights and schedule options; shore excursions, etc.
They want you to feel confident- and excited- about the choices you have, no matter if this is your first cruise or simply seeking a new adventure.
They'll help you choose the cruise that's right for you--whether you're traveling alone, with children, or with a group of relatives or friends.

Booking direct only offers whatever the cruise line offers.

Travel agents are your advocate, offering a variety of options and sound advice, and that saves you time and money. Who is your advocate if you are dealing directly with the cruise line?

If you have read this far, we know you are seriously thinking about going on a cruise. Good. as we said, now's a great time to go. And we know your looking for a great deal.

When it comes to advice, there's a ton of it out there. Some good, Some bad, some, not very accurate. Cruise line call centers don't offer much advice at all. Everywhere on the internet, people these days have to put their two-cents of an opinion, out there for view. Some call that social networking. But how can you separate fact from fiction? What if, you could read detailed and comprehensive cruise reviews from professional travel writers and your fellow cruise travelers. Now that's a place to start.

But some sites have tens of thousands or more articles or reviews to read. You'll be there all night. As a matter a fact several nights just to find what you want, then who knows how long to filter out all the information and mis-information. That's a daunting task you know you don't have time for. You should visit places like, cruise report or cruise reviews online. All good resources, but not your ultimate destination.

If you want an honest and complete, unbiased view of the cruising experience, see you travel agent.

South America itineraries highlight ancient Inca treasures of Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico

2010-09-17T08:10:00.000-07:00

South America is filled with innumerable and diverse wonders – among them the ancient Inca treasures of Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Mexico as well as spectacular UNESCO World Heritage Sites. And all of these itineraries are available on Holland AMerica's mid-sized, Signature of Excellence^® enhanced ships, ms Veendam and ms Rotterdam.

New cruise & tour package options
You can cruise on 15-Day voyages sailing between San Diego to Callao (Lima). Seeking a special adventure? You can take advantage of their new 20-night cruise + tour package that combines one of the 15-Day voyages with a 5-night pre- or post-cruise vacation package that includes Lima city tour, hotel accommodations, breakfast and select meals, flight from Lima to Cuzco, a train and motor-coach tour to the Incan ruins of Machu Picchu – and more from $2,999!

Longer Incan explorations with the explorer in mind
The vast Incan empire encompassed nearly all of present-day Colombia, Ecuador and Peru, and its rich archaeological remains continue to inspire and fascinate modern-day travelers. Holland America's 18- to 30-Day Inca Discovery and Incan Empire cruises invite you to delve deeper into the mysteries of the Inca.

At the heart of the extraordinary Inca Discoveries itinerary are two magnificent man-made wonders – the ancient remains of Machu Picchu and the Panama Canal. Your clients will enjoy golden beaches, lush rain forests, Colombian emeralds and colorful markets – all on a single amazing voyage.

On a 30-Day roundtrip San Diego cruise, you follow the path of the ancient Incas, experiencing their rich history and culture along the way. With two overnights in Callao (Lima), there’s time to explore the city, and experience the legendary wonders of Machu Picchu.

You enjoy a richer South American experience, thanks to an overnight visit in Fuerte Amador, the gateway to Panama City, where you can opt to explore Emberá Indian culture and see where the original Panama hats were made. In Huatulco, located in Oaxaca, you are able to visit one of its nine bays, discovering both its rugged coastline and relaxing sandy beaches.

Crossing the equator is cause for celebration, and guests receive a certificate in a King Neptune Ceremony to mark the occasion. Your are also treated to the eco-wonders of Costa Rica, with its rain forests and steaming volcanoes, and the Mexican Riviera, where they can immerse themselves in the music, warmth, soft-sand beaches and pristine waters of classic ports, from Acapulco to Cabo San Lucas.

Each exciting port is enhanced by the luxurious comfort, superb service and array of delectable dining options and exciting activities aboard ms Veendam or ms Rotterdam. With their Signature of Excellence^® enhancements, featuring an inviting new resort-style pool, the Retreat on the Lido deck, as well as new Lanai staterooms. Guests can enjoy world-class entertainment in the transformed Showroom at Sea; relax in the Mix, which encompasses three specialty lounges; and experience a host of fresh, new amenities.

History-loving clients love the 12-Day South America Passage
From magnificent Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas in Chile to southernmost Ushuaia and the Falkland Islands' Pt. Stanley with its fascinating parade of penguins, these voyages encompass intriguing ports of call with unparalleled scenic cruising. Considered by many to be the highlight and most memorable aspect of a South America cruise, larger-than-life landscapes and seascapes present unforgettable grandeur.

Sailing aboard the elegant ms Veendam through the ice-capped fjords of the Chilean Fjords, you revel in some of the world's most impressive scenery. From lush islands and small harbors to dense forests and thermal springs, diverse wonders of this extraordinary continent unfold. And navigational history comes alive as guests sail the Darwin, Cockburn and Beagle Channels, the Strait of Magellan and round Cape Horn.

Long a major milestone and trade route for clipper ships, Cape Horn is steeped in history. It marks the northern boundary of the Drake Passage, which Magellan's fleet first circled, and is a true rite of passage for many sailors. The trade route changed with the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914, but many sailors continue to sail this route, sometimes as part of a circumnavigation of the globe.

12-Day South America Passage sailings between Valparaíso (Santiago) to Buenos Aires – from $999

SOURCE: Holland America Line

Contact your Tarvel Agent for more details

Holiday Cruises for Families With Holland America. Great Value. Great Fun.

2010-09-17T03:45:00.000-07:00

This holiday season Holland America Line is providing the ultimate getaway gift for the entire family with 22 signature holiday cruises ranging from seven to 17 days. Whether basking in a Caribbean sunset or reveling in the ultimate Antarctic white Christmas, guests aboard the premium line can leave the hustle and bustle behind and enjoy up to 50 percent savings, plus special reduced rates for third and fourth guests sharing staterooms, on select sailings.
Special rates are geared toward families on several holiday cruises - with six dates offering free or $199 rates for the third or fourth guest in a stateroom. Double-occupancy fares start at $699 per person, plus tax, for a seven-day Caribbean holiday cruise.
"With cruise values starting at $1,598 plus tax for a family of four sharing the same stateroom, 'tis the season to travel," said Richard D. Meadows, CTC, executive vice president, marketing, sales and guest programs. "Plus, holiday cruises allow guests to celebrate and relax in style with five-star dining, award-winning service and their favorite traditions observed with none of the hassle - letting guests truly enjoy their time with their family."
On-board festivities include holiday decorations, sumptuous traditional meals, seasonal movies, culinary classes and demonstrations featuring tasty holiday treats, a visit from Santa for the kids, activities and crafts, strolling carolers, a tree-lighting ceremony, eggnog in the Atrium, Christmas brunch, Santa's milk and cookie late-night snack, and a holiday show by the crew on Christmas Eve.
Those sailing on any ship over Dec. 31 will enjoy a traditional New Year's Eve Gala Ball with live music, dancing, festive attire and a midnight toast. Select college bowl games also will be broadcast on board. Each holiday voyage features clergy to conduct Catholic, Protestant and Jewish services (for cruises during Hanukkah).
Sail the Caribbean on Seven- to 14-day Cruises
Thirteen Caribbean holiday cruise options are available between Dec. 17 and Dec. 31 aboard seven ships - ms Westerdam, ms Maasdam, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Ryndam, ms Prinsendam and ms Noordam - departing from Fort Lauderdale or Tampa, Fla., over one or both holidays.
Itineraries include a seven-day southern Caribbean cruise with stops at such exotic ports as Aruba and Curacao. Or try seven days exploring the rich waters of the eastern Caribbean and legendary ports of call such as Nassau, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Finally, holiday cruisers can choose among western Caribbean options with stops that might include Belize, Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Costa Maya, Mexico, and Key West, Fla.
Travelers with more time can opt for 10- to 14-day Caribbean cruises and usher in the New Year in St. Thomas or St. George's while sampling the ports of Barbados and Grand Turk.
Most itineraries feature a visit to Half Moon Cay, Holland America Line's award-winning exclusive private island experience with white sand beaches, aqua waters and shore activities ranging from horseback riding to a stingray adventure.
Sunny Mexican Riviera & Panama Canal for a Festive Occasion
Departing from Fort Lauderdale, San Diego or Los Angeles, Calif., in mid to late December, five cruises feature distinct itineraries that visit different collections of warm-water ports along the Mexican Riviera, Central America, Panama Canal and Caribbean.
The Sunfarer Caribbean Holiday cruise is a 10-day trip from Fort Lauderdale on Dec. 23 aboard ms Zuiderdam in the southern Caribbean with Christmas Eve at Half Moon Cay, a partial transit of the Panama Canal and New Year's Eve at sea, returning Jan. 2, 2011.
Two more cruises visit the Panama Canal beginning with a 14-day cruise that departs Los Angeles Dec. 22 aboard ms Amsterdam in time for Christmas Day at sea and stops in Mexico, Guatemala and Costa Rica before traversing the Canal en route to Fort Lauderdale. Or guests can opt for the 14-day Panama Canal Holiday Cruise on ms Statendam departing San Diego on Christmas Eve. Stops in Mexico include Puerto Vallarta and Puerto Chiapas before crossing the canal to reach Fort Lauderdale.
Christmas and New Years holidays along the Mexican Riviera can be particularly memorable on an eight-day cruise from San Diego aboard ms Oosterdam departing Dec. 18, or a seven-day sailing Dec. 26 that visits Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Or guests can opt for a 12-day cruise departing Dec. 22 on ms Rotterdam that features Christmas Eve in Cabo San Lucas, Christmas Day at sea and New Year's Eve in Mazatlan.
Longer Voyages Sail the Pacific
The warm waters of the far Pacific offer memorable holiday adventures as well. A 14-day Circle Hawaii sailing aboard ms Zaandam departs San Diego Dec. 19 with Christmas Eve in Hilo, Christmas Day in Nawiliwili and New Year's Day in Ensenada, Mexico. Departing Dec. 17 and with limited space, the 16-day Australia–New Zealand Holiday Cruise aboard ms Volendam explores the southern coast of Australia from Sydney before an extensive tour of New Zealand ports such as Milford Sound and Auckland, and celebrating Christmas Eve in Wellington.
White Christmas in the Antarctic
Guests who want their holidays adorned with snow and ice will see a white Christmas on the 17-day South America and Antarctica Explorer journey. Departing Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile, Dec. 20, ms Veendam steers south amid the glaciers to spend Christmas Eve cruising Darwin Channel and the Chilean Fjords, Christmas Day sailing Amalia Glacier Canal and New Year's Eve in the Antarctic Sound.
Onboard Activities for Everyone
When choosing a Holland America cruise for a family vacation, there's always something for everyone - from kids to grandparents - with a wide variety of exciting activities and venues for the entire family to enjoy the cruise vacation of their dreams. Younger children 3-7 can play games, enjoy arts and crafts and join other supervised activities in Club HAL. Tweens 8-12 have an area featuring arcade games, air hockey, foosball and Sony PlayStations. Older kids 13-17 can often be found at The Loft, a teen-only venue, enjoying karaoke, video games, movies and a teen disco or hanging out at The Oasis, a teens-only sun deck. And daily menus feature kid-friendly choices.
While the kids are busy, adults can enjoy diverse activities and facilities from the Greenhouse Spa & Salon to a lively shipboard casino, wine tasting, cooking classes, afternoon tea, an internet café/library, party-planning classes and complimentary interactive Digital Workshops powered by Windows to learn more about using digital media.

About Holland America Line [a division of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE: CCL and CUK)]
Holland America Line's fleet of 15 ships offers more than 500 cruises 354 ports in 98 countries, territories or dependencies. Two- to 110-day itineraries visit all seven continents and highlights include Antarctica, South America, Australia/New Zealand and Asia voyages; a Grand World Voyage; and popular sailings to ports in the Caribbean, Bermuda, Alaska, Mexico, Canada/New England, Europe and Panama Canal.
Fleetwide, the company features Signature of Excellence enhancements, a commitment totaling more than $525 million, that showcase the Culinary Arts Center presented by Food & Wine magazine - a state-of-the-art onboard show kitchen where more than 60 celebrated guest chefs and culinary experts provide cooking demonstrations and classes — Explorations Café powered by The New York Times, Digital Workshop powered by Windows, teens-only activity areas and all new stateroom amenities highlighted by flat-panel TVs and plush Euro-top Mariner's Dream Beds.
World's Leading Cruise Lines
Holland America Line is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines. Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Cunard Line, Princess Cruises, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest and a commitment to quality and value, World's Leading Cruise Lines inspires people to discover their best vacation experience. Together, we offer a variety of exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.

SOURCE Holland America Line
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For more information about the above article, contact Family Cruise Online or visit http://www.familycruiseonline.com/

Allure of the Seas Features 24 Dining Venues - Largest Choice Of New Restuarants And Tantalizing Menus At Sea

2010-09-15T04:30:00.000-07:00

MIAMI, Showcasing onboard experiences all her own, Royal Caribbean International’s Allure of the Seas, the world’s next largest and most innovative cruise ship debuting in December 2010, will introduce new culinary concepts and tempting twists to signature Oasis-class restaurants. A Brazilian steakhouse will be a destination restaurant that comes to life for dinner service in the Solarium, featuring authentic Brazilian-style meats and seafood dishes, from Picanha cut sirloin steak to Atlantic salmon marinated with sea salt and garlic, served table-side and sliced straight off the skewer. In Central Park, recently anointed Chef de Cuisine Molly Brandt will present guests with a one-of-a-kind menu and distinct dining experience at Allure of the Seas’ 150 Central Park, a signature fine dining experience.

“As churrascaria concept restaurants gain popularity on land, Royal Caribbean is taking advantage of having a new ship to introduce a Brazilian steakhouse and bring a new dynamic and colorful nightlife ambiance for adults in the Solarium,” says Lisa Bauer, senior vice president, Hotel Operations, Royal Caribbean International. “Guests onboard Allure of the Seas will have a new arrangement of dining experiences throughout the ship, from the Adagio Main Dining Room to new venues on the Boardwalk and Royal Promenade.”

Combining the best of classic Mexican beach bars and Southern California’s famed taquerias, Rita’s Cantina will be a vibrant new restaurant in the Boardwalk neighborhood. Adults and kids alike will enjoy some of their favorite Mexican fare, such as shrimp ceviche tostadas, warm tortilla chips with salsa and fiesta guacamole, as well as entrées, such as fajitas, fish tacos and Chipotle-style flautas. The more casual setting will be a favorite lunch, snack or dinner spot for guests seeking a flavorful fiesta onboard Allure of the Seas. Rita’s Cantina also will boast some of the best and widest selection of margaritas at sea, offering both authentic and signature concoctions mixed with a choice from the extensive list of quality tequilas, served on the rocks or frozen in a variety of fruit-flavor combinations. In addition, the restaurant will introduce new nightlife to Boardwalk with live guitar music, drinks and dancing. Rita Cantina’s design will include large open breezeways and an outdoor seating area complete with high top tables and stools, and will be located in place of Seafood Shack onboard sister-ship Oasis of the Seas.

Also new to Boardwalk’s dynamic and engaging scene will be The Boardwalk Dog House, an outdoor hot-dog specialty counter located where The Donut Shop is on Oasis of the Seas. Guests can choose from traditional hot dogs, wieners, brats, sausages and other delicious linked meats and a variety of toppings to split a long bun. The Donut Shop will remain on Boardwalk in a new location next to the Ice Cream Parlor.

The following includes a variety of other palate-pleasing options available throughout the neighborhoods on Allure:

THE BOARDWALK
• Rita’s Cantina: A casual yet vibrant indoor/outdoor restaurant exclusively on Allure’s Boardwalk, caters to families by day, and adults by night; traditional Mexican fare, comprehensive selection of margaritas and live guitar music and dancing for evening entertainment
• Boardwalk Bar: The main bar on the Boardwalk; offering fruit, salads and sandwiches
• Boardwalk Donut Shop: A classic haunt for casual snacks and delicious treats
• Ice Cream Parlor: A variety of ice cream flavors and toppings take center stage against a backdrop of 1950s kitsch
• Johnny Rockets: ‘50’s-style diner with server-entertainers

CENTRAL PARK
• 150 Central Park: A trendy, upscale and intimate restaurant with a tasting menu and customized wine pairings created by Molly Brandt, winner of the Allure of the Seas Culinary Challenge co-hosted with The Culinary Institute of America, as well as Food and Wine’s 2006 best student chef
• Giovanni’s Table: An Italian trattoria with both indoor and alfresco seating featuring Italian classics served family-style
• Park Café: An indoor/outdoor gourmet market featuring salads, sandwiches, soups, pastries and to-die-for fudge
• Vintages: A wine bar with pre-dinner tapas and cheeses along with a robust selection of fine wines
• Chops Grille: Royal Caribbean’s signature steakhouse with views of Central Park, and premium cuts or quality meats

POOL AND SPORTS ZONE
• Exclusive to Allure of the Seas, the new churascarria, styled after popular Brazilian steakhouses, is an interactive experience where guests choose from a variety of meats, chicken and seafood brought table-side by servers, ready to slice and serve upon request
• Solarium Bistro: A health-conscious dining option for breakfast and lunch
• The Wipe Out Café: A casual self-service buffet with pizza, hamburgers, sandwiches and fresh salads
• Izumi Asian Cuisine: Featuring mouthwatering flavors and a sushi bar with hot-rock cooking

ROYAL PROMENADE
• Sorrento’s Pizzeria: Featuring New York style pizza, with both made-to-order pies and by the slice
• Café Promenade: Offering Seattle’s Best coffee, fruit shakes, pastries and sandwiches all day
• The Cupcake Cupboard: Featuring fresh-baked gourmet cupcakes as well as parties and design classes

VITALITY AT SEA SPA AND FITNESS CENTER
• The Vitality Café: Offering healthy snacks, sandwiches, wraps, fruit and smoothies

THE CLASSICS, Royal Caribbean hasn’t forgotten the classics of its fleet:
• Adagio Dining Room: The ship’s main restaurant features a three-tier venue with a 1920s Art Deco style; flexible My Time Dining and traditional assigned seatings, as well as the highly anticipated DreamWorks Character Breakfast
• Windjammer Marketplace: A casual buffet fare for breakfast, lunch and dinner
• In-Stateroom Service: Order from the complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner menus, or choose an original Johnny Rockets hamburger or Ghirardelli chocolate cookies from the new Dine In Delights menu

Allure of the Seas shares the title of the world’s largest and most revolutionary cruise ship with sister-ship Oasis of the Seas. An architectural marvel at sea, she will span 16 decks, encompass 225,282 gross registered tons, carry 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and feature 2,700 staterooms. Allure of the Seas will tout Royal Caribbean’s exclusive neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which will include Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship will alternate a Western Caribbean with an Eastern Caribbean seven-night itinerary from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. Additional information is available at www.AllureoftheSeas.com.

Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 21 ships currently in service and one under construction. The line also offers unique cruisetour land packages in Alaska, Dubai, Europe, Australia and New Zealand, and South America. For additional information or to make reservations, call your travel agent, click on a banner ad , or visit http://www.cruisetravelermagazine.com/

Family Cruisetours of Alaska. Full of memories and loaded with fun.

2010-09-14T09:52:00.000-07:00

Specially Designed Family Cruisetours of Alaska Add a Variety of Included Extras Especially for Families

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (September 9, 2010) -- After a popular debut last year, Princess Cruises is once again offering special Alaska cruisetours designed just for families. These unique tours incorporate a variety of features not usually included in a cruisetour package, such as the opportunity to learn about dog mushing at the Iditarod Headquarters, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and enjoy a fun campfire experience.
The 12-night family cruisetours include a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour. The land segment also features such family-friendly extras as daily breakfasts, a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center, and a dinner theater performance. At sea, families can also take advantage of Princess' many onboard programs especially for children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park.
"Alaska is the perfect place for a family vacation," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "There are amazing wildlife viewing opportunities, awesome scenery and lots of active adventures. With this in mind, we wanted to make it easier for family groups to plan the perfect Alaska experience with activities that will appeal to many ages and interests."
Passengers can choose to sail aboard Diamond Princess or Coral Princess, and the cruisetour land itinerary includes stays at three of Princess' own wilderness lodges -- one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. The tours are offered on 34 departures with both northbound (#FUN) and southbound (#WOW) itinerary options.
The following special extras are included in the 2011 season tours:
Daily Breakfast -- Everyone in the family can start their morning off with the most important meal of the day.
Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center -- Wildlife appeals to all ages, and families will be able to see a variety of animals such as bears, elk, bison, moose, caribou, musk ox, coyotes and eagles with a visit to the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center. This non-profit organization takes in injured and orphaned animals and gives a permanent home to those that can't be returned to the wild.
Iditarod Headquarters with Dog Sled Ride -- En route to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, family members will enjoy a stop at the Iditarod Headquarters in Wasilla. Here travelers can learn about mushing and its importance in Alaskan culture. The center offers the opportunity to meet sled dogs and see them at work with wheeled cart rides.
Evening Campfire Experience (Mt. McKinley) -- An evening campfire near the Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge is the perfect way for families to end the day, complete with treats such as s'mores and hot chocolate, plus unique Alaska stories and songs. Music of Denali Dinner Theater (Denali) -- This rollicking musical comedy tells the legend of the first expedition to the summit of Mt. McKinley, accompanied by a hearty, family-style meal featuring smokehouse ribs and Alaska salmon.
Experience Denali with Alaska Geographic Tour (Denali) -- A more intimate tour of Denali National Park, this special excursion includes a variety of interactive experiences, including an enhanced view of the Denali ecosystem and current research taking place. The narrated bus tour takes guests 15 miles into the park to a beautiful river valley where they embark on a short walk to the historic Savage River Camp, where they can participate in a number of hands-on activities.
Sourdough Expedition Breakfast (Denali) -- While fueling up for the day with an Alaskan roadhouse-style breakfast, guests experience an unforgettable journey up Denali through breathtaking images in Laurent Dick's Climb Denali. Participants have the opportunity to meet this real mountain climber and ask questions about mountain climbing.
Riverboat Cruise and El Dorado Goldmine Tour (Fairbanks) -- Families can enjoy traveling on an authentic sternwheeler for a fully-narrated cruise along the Chena River and try their hands at gold panning at the El Dorado Gold Mine, where they will learn about Alaska's gold mining history.
Fares for the Alaska Family Cruisetours start at $1,648 per person for the first and second berths, and $1,246 per person for the third and fourth berth passengers.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through this professional travel agent, by calling 800.365.1445, or by visiting the company's website at http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com/