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Travel The World By Sea
Although Ferdinand Magellan’s 1522
expedition was the first to circumnavigate the globe,
Magellan himself did not survive the grueling voyage,
and only 18 of his 200 crew-members finally returned to
Spain. How times have changed. Guests sailing aboard today’s
passenger-pleasing cruise ships can circumnavigate the
earth on voyages ranging from 80 to 126 days with no worries
of hardship and plenty of pampering.
In fact, today’s world cruise travelers
can experience the earth’s most magnificent destinations
in superlative style and luxury aboard the ships of the
member lines of the Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA), the chief marketing organization for 20 premier
cruise lines and nearly 17,000 North American travel agencies.
Vacationers who are unable to commit
to full world cruise itineraries can opt for voyage segments
available in a variety of lengths. “World cruises offer
the ultimate in travel - the opportunity to circumnavigate
the globe and visit some of the world’s most fascinating
destinations along the way,” said Terry L. Dale, president
and CEO of CLIA (www.cruising.org). “Travelers with time constraints
can opt for shorter cruise segments that offer fascinating
excursions to the world’s many exotic destinations.”
Around-the-world voyages enable guests
to couple relaxing days at sea with visits to some of
the world’s most exciting destinations, including Guayquil,
Ecuador; Bangkok; Bombay; Hong Kong; Auckland and Wellington,
New Zealand; Tasmania and Sydney, Australia; Dubai; and
Alexandria, Egypt. These voyages also visit cosmopolitan
cities and small, quaint ports.
Guests will also have the chance to
visit some of the world’s most famous and historic sites,
including India’s Taj Mahal, the Great Wall of China and
Australia’s Ayer’s Rock.
Sightseeing excursions offered in connection
with world cruises are equally compelling. Guests can
opt for tours that include four-wheel drive excursions
in the Namibian desert, evening concerts at Ephesus in
Turkey, or explorations of the mystical Moai statues on
Easter Island.
For those who are time-pressed, world
cruise segments are offered by most cruise lines that
cover fascinating destinations in much shorter periods
of time.
In 2007 five CLIA members—Crystal Cruises,
Cunard Line, Holland America Line, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
and Silversea Cruises—will offer world cruises aboard
seven ships
Crystal Cruises
A return to Israel, Carnaval in Rio,
three days cruising Antarctica, three days in Dubai and
Cape Town, and multiple African safari options are among
the rare travel opportunities distinguishing Crystal Cruises’
12th annual World Cruise. Departing on January 12 from
Miami on a109-day journey, Crystal Serenity explores 44
ports of call in 27 countries on five continents.
Cunard Line
Cunard Line’s venerable Queen Elizabeth
2 and flagship Queen Mary 2, will depart Fort
Lauderdale together on January 10, 2007, initially sailing
on a southward journey that will see Queen Mary 2 circumnavigate
the globe in 80 days while her sister QE2 celebrates her
25th Anniversary Silver Jubilee World Cruise
with an exotic 108-day
itinerary.
Holland America Line
Two Holland America Line ships will
offer three epic cruise experiences. MS Amsterdam,
on January 15 departs Fort Lauderdale, circumnavigating
the globe in 105 days. MS Prinsendam begins a 66-day
exploration of South America and Antarctica on January
5 out of Fort Lauderdale. On March 12, the ship embarks
on a 56-day sojourn traversing the Atlantic to ports in
Europe and North Africa.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven
Seas Voyager embarks on its most extensive world cruise
yet. The 111-day itinerary calls at 46 ports in 26 nations,
sailing January 9 from Fort Lauderdale to Rio de Janeiro,
then across the Southern Atlantic to Africa, Asia, the
Middle East and Europe. Six cruise segments of 25, 21,
15 and 14 days are available.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises features its first-ever
world cruise aboard Silver Shadow, departing on
January 15 from Fort Lauderdale. The 126-day journey crosses
three oceans, seven seas and six continents, visiting
61 different ports. Highlights include visits to destinations
in South America, the South Seas, New Zealand, Australia,
the Far East, India,
Egypt and the Mediterranean. Nine cruise
segments are available.
Cruise Lines Increasingly Meet Demands
Of Guests’ Ever-Connected Lifestyles
Today’s consumers demand 24/7 connectivity.
Many won’t consider taking a vacation without their cell
phone, MP3 player and a laptop or personal digital assistant
(PDA). In fact, access is everything - even in the middle
of the ocean. To accommodate those needs, cruise ships
feature Internet cafés, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) areas
or “hotspots” and other communications channels, offering
travelers the means to maintain contact with the outside
world while they enjoy a relaxing seagoing vacation. A
growing number of cruise lines are also equipped to facilitate
cell phone access at sea, redefining the familiar term
“ship-to-shore” call for a new generation of cruisers.
Here’s how CLIA-member cruise lines are
accommodating the demand for connectivity at sea:
Carnival Cruise Lines
Carnival Cruise Lines offers wireless
Internet access aboard its entire fleet in areas adjacent
to Internet cafés, which are open 24-hours a day and feature
private computer terminals with the latest flat-panel
monitors. Carnival Valor and Carnival Liberty
are the only ships in the cruise industry to offer “100
percent bow to stern” Wi-Fi service, including in guest
accommodations.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises’ ships offer Internet
access and shipboard e-mail services in cyber cafés that
feature up to 18 workstations and are open 24/7. Internet
access is available in each stateroom onboard Millennium,
Infinity, Summit and Constellation for guests
who bring their own laptop computers. Additionally, select
vessels feature Wi-Fi hotspots.
Costa Cruises
The entire Costa Cruises’ fleet features
fully wired Internet cafés. Internet access is also available
in select staterooms, including all suites. Guests can
choose to bring their own laptops onboard or rent PCs
from the line to use in staterooms that feature Internet
access. Cell phone services are available.
Crystal Cruises
In addition to 24/7 Internet cafés, Crystal
Cruises features a Computer University@Sea program with
computer labs offering up to 30 courses on a single cruise.
Crystal currently offers Wi-Fi hotspots in Crystal Serenity
penthouse suites. Fleetwide Wi-Fi access, stateroom laptop
rentals and cell phone service will be available by year’s
end.
Cunard Line
To connect to the Internet, Cunard Line’s
Queen Mary 2 offers a total of 30 computer workstations
with flat-panel monitors, situated between the Computer
Learning Center and the ship’s library. Group learning
sessions for Windows XP and Office XP are regularly available.
The liner also features 13 onboard Wi-Fi hotspots.
Disney Cruise Line
Vacationers will find it easier than
ever to stay connected while cruising with Disney Cruise
Line. Travelers with wireless-ready laptops will find
new high-speed Internet Wi-Fi hotspots in most public
areas onboard Disney Magic and Disney Wonder. Guests not
traveling with laptops can utilize the ships’ Internet
cafés.
Holland America Line
Each Holland America Line ship offers
high-speed Internet access in the 24/7 Explorations Café,
as well as Wi-Fi zones in various spots throughout the
ships’ public rooms for guests who bring their own laptop.
Shipboard e-mail accounts can be set up for guests without
the ability to access their own e-mail domains.
MSC Cruises
Wi-Fi hotspots are available in several
public rooms on MSC Cruises’ MSC Opera and MSC
Lirica. Internet cafés are available on MSC Armonia,
MSC Sinfonia, MSC Lirica, MSC Opera and MSC Musica.
Balcony suites have Internet access aboard MSC Musica,
MSC Opera, MSC Lirica, MSC Sinfonia and MSC Armonia.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line ships feature
wireless Internet access in most public areas and in select
stateroom categories. All ships offer Internet centers
and guests are provided with a personal “Cruise-email”
address with their cruise documents. The line also offers
guests the capability to use their cell phones onboard.
NCL Corporation announced this month that it is the first
cruise line to offer cell phone service fleetwide. The
service is available for all passengers on all of its
ships worldwide even when communications towers are oceans
away.
Oceania Cruises
Wireless Internet zones on Oceania Cruises’
three ships are available in a variety of locations. Guests
without PCs use the ships’ Oceania@Sea Internet Centers
and libraries. The Internet can also be accessed via stateroom
televisions. Insignia offers cell phone service;
Regatta and Nautica will be equipped by
year’s end.
Princess Cruises
Internet access is available on all Princess
Cruises’ ships via Internet cafés and wireless networks.
Guests can use the line’s computer systems to access their
Web-based e-mail accounts and browse the Internet. Travelers
with wireless-enabled laptops can access the Internet
from the Purser’s Lobby/Atrium and surrounding lounges
and bars.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ships feature
digital satellite feed and Wi-Fi hotspots in select public
areas, with newly upgraded Internet bandwidth fleetwide,
which provides faster connection times. On three of the
line ships, suite PCs can be connected to phone jacks
for modem Internet service. Cell phone access is available
when ships are at sea.
Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International’s Cybercabin
service enables guests to use their personal laptops to
connect to the Internet from the comfort of their staterooms.
Ships feature wireless hotspots and computer workstations
that provide 24-hour access to the Internet. Guests are
able to check email and send e-postcards with personalized
photos.
Seabourn Cruise Line
Most public areas on Seabourn Cruise
Line luxury yachts are Wi-Fi hotspots and all suites offer
Wi-Fi access. The three-ship fleet also features computer
centers with desktop PCs and printers. Flat-screen TVs
with DVD players in guest suites have access ports for
input of digital photos/videos and game consoles.
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises improved the connectivity
for its fleet of four luxury vessels, introducing Wi-Fi
access in designated public rooms for guests who bring
their own wireless-enabled laptops. Shipboard Internet
centers have also been completely updated with state-of-the-art
computer workstations that feature 17-inch, flat-screen
monitors. Cell-phone access is available.
Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises features wireless Internet
service on its three ships. Wi-Fi access is possible in
all public areas and cabins. IPod Nanos are available
for complimentary use, and laptops are available for rental.
The line’s Wind Surf has an Internet facility with
eight computer workstations to surf the Internet.
About CLIA:
The Cruise Lines International Association
(CLIA) is the premier nonprofit cruise industry marketing
organization whose 20 member cruise lines represent 97
percent of the cruise capacity marketed in North America.
CLIA member travel agencies - of which there are nearly
17,000-are the consumer’s very best resource when planning
a cruise vacation. For more information on CLIA, cruise
vacations, its member cruise lines
and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org.
Southeast Asia Cruises Come Back
Into Focus
Giant golden Buddhas and gilded temple
spires. Barong dancers and exotic siren songs. Deserted
white-sand beaches and neon-lit cities. Colorful floating
markets and bustling street vendors. Travelers to Southeast
Asia can sample innumerable experiences on a cruise that,
by land, would be much more difficult to include in one
vacation, according to the Cruise Lines International
Association (CLIA).
In all, eight CLIA-member lines and 14
ships will offer Southeast Asia itineraries ranging from
nine to 30-plus days in 2006 and 2007. Cruisers can spend
their days in port exploring the region’s exotic cultures
and attractions, later returning to their ship’s passenger-pleasing
facilities and amenities. Many lines enhance onboard programming
with local entertainment and enrichment lecturers. “Cruise
vacations in the Far East offer travelers memories to
last a lifetime,” said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO
of CLIA, the chief marketing group for 19 premier cruise
lines and nearly 17,000 North American travel agencies.
Southeast Asia cruises offer vacationers
opportunities to sample local cuisines, explore ancient
cultures, witness awe-inspiring landscapes, and survey
unexplored regions dating back thousands of years on itineraries
calling at ports in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand
and Vietnam. Some itineraries also visit China, India,
Korea and Japan. Other CLIA-member lines visit Asia on
segments of their world cruise itineraries, which operate
during the first quarter of each year.
The following is a list of Southeast
Asia cruises available aboard CLIA-member cruise lines:
Crystal Cruises
Crystal Cruises returns to Asia in 2007
after a two-year hiatus with four destination-rich itineraries,
including its first Singapore-Dubai cruise. From March
through May, Crystal Symphony offers two 14-day
journeys exploring China, an 11-day cruise spotlighting
Vietnam, and the 16-day Singapore to Dubai itinerary with
three days in Myanmar (Burma).
Cunard Line
In 2007 Cunard Line’s Queen Elizabeth
2 will call at Chan May, Vietnam; Bangkok; Cochin
and Mumbai (Bombay), India; and Sri Lanka on her 108-day
world cruise. Queen Mary 2 also visits Asia as
part of her 80-day maiden world cruise. Ports of call
include Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Cochin.
Holland America Line
In spring 2007, Holland America Line’s
Statendam sails a 20-day Australia, Southeast Asia
& China itinerary, followed by three 14-day Hong Kong
to Osaka cruises that feature overnights in Beijing and
Shanghai. Amsterdam features Asia segments on its 105-day
World Cruise and its 64-day Asia, Australia & Polynesian
Explorer itinerary in the fall.
Oceania Cruises
After a successful inaugural season,
Oceania Cruises’ Nautica returns to the Far East
in 2006/2007 offering a range of Southeast Asia ports.
From late November through March, the ship sails on 15-
to 35-day itineraries with more than 40 overnight calls,
including Bangkok and Vietnam’s Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh
City (Saigon).
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises offers a series of 16-day
voyages that visit China, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Singapore,
Malaysia and South Korea, departing June 30, July 16 and
August 1, 2006. Similar 16-day itineraries depart October
26 and November 11 and 27, 2006, but do not include a
visit to South Korea.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven Seas
Mariner calls in Southeast Asia on two segments of
its 96-night Grand Asia Pacific Voyage, departing September
13, 2006; and three segments of its 107-night voyage,
departing September 5, 2007. Seven Seas Voyager
offers a 14-day Singapore to Hong Kong segment during
its 2007 World Cruise.
Seabourn Cruise Line
Southeast Asia cruises have long been
a staple of Seabourn Cruise Line’s annual schedule. Seabourn
Spirit again sails its popular 14-day Asian Capitals
& Vietnam voyages between Singapore and Hong Kong,
offered from December through April 2007. The itinerary
features the line’s Caviar in the Surf beach barbecue
at Ko Kood, Thailand.
Silversea Cruises
From late November 2006 through March
and again in December 2007, Silversea Cruises’ three ships
will sail on itineraries of nine to 16 days that call
at ports in Singapore, China, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia
and Vietnam. Offerings include routings between Singapore
and Hong Kong; Hong Kong and Bangkok; and roundtrip Singapore
sailings.
CLIA’s website is at www.cruising.org.
The Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is
the premier nonprofit cruise industry marketing organization
whose 19 member cruise lines represent 97 percent of the
cruise capacity marketed in North America. CLIA member
travel agencies— of which there are nearly 17,000—are
the consumer’s very best resource when planning a cruise
vacation.
June 16, 2006
Cruises Of One To Five Nights Offer
Time-Crunched Travelers Respites At Sea
In today’s world, many travelers have
trouble finding significant blocks of time to enjoy vacations.
To accommodate time-strapped voyagers, the member lines
of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) offer
short itineraries that range from one to five nights.
These short cruises are ideal for people who want a quick
getaway. They’re also an excellent way for novice cruisers
to sample a seagoing vacation without committing to a
full week’s sailing.
Short getaway cruises typically embark
from North American home ports and visit a variety of
destinations including the Caribbean and the Bahamas,
Florida, the Pacific Northwest, and Baja Mexico and California
ports. Additionally, travelers in Europe can enjoy short
cruises to Mediterranean ports of call. “Although many
cruisers opt for sailings of seven days and longer, there
really is no better way to test the cruise waters, so
to speak, then to book a short getaway voyage,” said Terry
L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA (www.cruising.org),
the chief marketing organization for 20 premier cruise
lines and nearly 17,000 North American travel agencies.
“It’s a virtual guarantee that most getaway cruise passengers
will return to book another cruise.”
Travelers with limited time often enjoy
pairing short cruises with land programs to create a week-long
vacation. Shorter cruises are also less expensive and
provide families with affordable opportunities to get
away from it all. Surprisingly, short itineraries are
also popular with veterans of past cruises, because while
frequent cruisers often embark on longer itineraries,
they also capitalize on as many opportunities as possible
to hit the high seas. In effect, these travelers are looking
for short cruise getaways between their longer sailings.
Here is a list of short cruises available
aboard CLIA-member cruise lines:
Carnival Cruise Lines
Roughly half of Carnival Cruise Lines’
21-ship fleet is deployed on short-cruise itineraries.
The line's short-cruise options include three- and four-day
cruises from Miami, Port Canaveral, Florida, and Long
Beach, Calif., along with four- and five-day sailings
from Miami, Tampa, New Orleans, Galveston, Texas; Mobile,
Ala.; Port Canaveral, and Jacksonville, Florida
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises Century, fresh from
a $55 million makeover, offers nine short-cruise getaway
options of four and five nights in November and December,
roundtrip from Miami to the Western Caribbean. Mercury
features four three- and four-night Pacific Northwest
itineraries roundtrip from Seattle in September and October
that call at ports in British Columbia.
Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises, Europe’s largest cruise
line, offers a comprehensive selection of four- and five-night
Mediterranean getaways. Itineraries on five ships mix
and match ports in Italy, Tunisia, Malta, Greece and Croatia.
Passengers can choose from 17 departures in April, May,
June, July, September and November.
Cunard Line
Cunard Line’s Queen Mary 2 features
a five-day “Independence Sampler,” departing July 3 and
sailing roundtrip from New York. The ship calls at Boston,
Bar Harbor, Maine; and Halifax, Nova Scotia. QM2 ’s four-day
Labor Day Weekend sojourn, which also sails roundtrip
from New York, departs September 2, calling at Halifax.
(Edit note: Also check Cunard’s UK website www.cunard.co.uk for short cruises in August
from England on the Queen Elizabeth 2.)
Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line’s Disney Wonder
sails on three- and four-night cruises out of Port Canaveral,
Florida that call at Nassau and Castaway Cay, Disney’s
private island, which features separate beach areas for
families, adults and teens. Disney Wonder offers public
areas, activities and amenities that appeal to each family
member.
Holland America Line
In September and October, Holland America
Line features sailings of one to four days that showcase
ports from California to Vancouver. These shorter itineraries,
which are segments of longer repositioning cruises, enable
travelers to sample premium cruising. They depart from
Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle and Vancouver.
Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line offers select
one-night dinner cruises out of Miami and New York and
between Seattle and Vancouver. In 2007, the line features
five-day Western Caribbean itineraries in January, February,
March and April as well as October, November and December
from Miami. An additional five-day Western Caribbean itinerary
departs in January from New Orleans.
Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises’ Island Princess
sails on a three-day Los Angeles-Vancouver itinerary in
September. Dawn Princess offers a one-day sailing
between Seattle and Vancouver on September 23 and a three-day
San Francisco-Vancouver voyage on September 24. On May
19, the ship sails on a four-day itinerary from Los Angeles
to Vancouver.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ Seven
Seas Voyager departs November 30 on a four-night itinerary
roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale with calls at Nassau and
Key West, for an overnight. The line typically offers
shorter cruises in February and March each year and plans
to do so again in 2007.
Royal Caribbean International
Five Royal Caribbean International
ships sail on three- to five-night Caribbean and the Bahamas
sailings from Galveston, Texas; Fort Lauderdale, Miami,
and Port Canaveral, Fla; and San Juan. Monarch of the
Seas operates year-round from Los Angeles on three-
and four-night Baja Mexico sailings, with two- and five-night
sailings available in December and January.
Silversea Cruises
Through its Personalized Voyages program,
Silversea Cruises lets guests customize their itineraries
by selecting ports of embarkation and disembarkation—in
effect offering the same flexibility as travelers find
in a hotel. The minimum number of days required is five
and the program is available on all Silversea itineraries.
The best way to learn more about
these exciting itineraries and ports is to seek the professional
counsel of a CLIA travel agent. To locate a CLIA-member
travel agency near you, use the Travel Agent Locator on
CLIA’s website at www.cruising.org.
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