Carnival Cruise Line
Celebrity Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Cunard Cruise Line
Holland America Line
Norwegian Coastal Cruises
Oceania Cruises
Ocean Village
P&O Cruises Australia
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises
Royal Caribbean International
Seabourn Cruise Line
Silversea Cruises
Windstar Cruises
The World of Residensea
For the first time, Carnival Cruise Lines
will offer a series of Mediterranean voyages featuring extended
visits to some of Europe’s most charming and historic ports
of call beginning in summer 2005. The program will be offered
on the new 110,000-ton Carnival Liberty, which will be
the newest and largest ship operating in Europe. It will encompass
eight 12-day cruises operating round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia)
July 20 to October 12, 2005. Featured ports include Naples,
Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy (two-day call); Messina,
Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy.
Following the 12-day Mediterranean cruises,
Carnival Liberty will operate a 16-day transatlantic voyage
departing Rome (Civitavecchia) Oct. 24, and arriving in Fort
Lauderdale November 9, 2005. Ports of call include Barcelona,
Palma de Mallorca, and Malaga, Spain; Funchal (Madeira), Portugal;
and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles.
Numerous shore excursion opportunities, as
well as pre- and post-cruise hotel packages, will be available
in conjunction with all of these departures.
Currently under construction in Monfalcone,
Italy, the 2,974-passenger Carnival Liberty will offer a host
of dining, activity and entertainment venues. Its 13 passenger
decks will house 22 lounges, bars and nightspots, along with
a 14,500-square-foot health and fitness facility, a full gambling
casino, duty-free shopping mall, and four swimming pools – one
with Carnival’s famous 214-foot-long water slide. A comprehensive
golf program offering professional instruction and opportunities
to play top golf courses will also be available. Its many family-friendly
amenities, available within the top-rated “Camp Carnival” program,
will include a 4,200-square-foot “Children’s World” play area,
and an “Action Alley” teen recreation center with a high-tech
video arcade, dance club, and a “mocktail” lounge offering non-alcoholic
specialty drinks.
Of the ship’s 1,487 staterooms, 60 percent
will offer an ocean view with 60 percent of those featuring
private balconies.
Carnival will begin accepting reservations
effective June 22 for the Carnival Liberty’s 12-day European
cruises and 16-day transatlantic voyage. Prices for the 12-day
cruises begin at $1,499 per person, based on double occupancy;
the 16-day transatlantic voyage starts at $1,099 per person.
Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same
stateroom and optional round-trip air transportation from a
variety of North American gateways are also available.
Website: www.carnival.com.
A new world created exclusively for Celebrity
Cruises by Cirque du Soleil will materialize on select Celebrity
ships beginning in December, helping Celebrity further redefine
premium cruising and onboard entertainment. The spacious observation
lounges on at least two of Celebrity's Millennium-class ships
will be transformed into the surreal atmosphere of The Bar
at the Edge of the EarthTM, which Celebrity and Cirque describe
as "a place that invites guests, for two hours every evening,
to cross the mirror to another universe."
The lounge area on the ships will be designed
to create a unique atmosphere in which guests will cross into
an unknown, imaginary world. "The inspiration to develop
the content and concept was endless," said Cirque du Soleil
Creative Director-Special Projects Jean-Francois Bouchard. "The
themes of water, navigators and the deep blue sea gave us tremendous
opportunities to create a unique ambience, storyline and mystical
characters," said Bouchard.
In The Bar at the Edge of the Earth, surreal
characters will emerge for two hours each evening to greet cruise
guests as old friends, not cruise patrons. The Wave Correspondent
will carry precious bottles containing mystical messages from
the sea, and will deliver them to chosen travelers visiting
the lounge. The Lantern Tuner, whose inexplicable desire to
light dark places or to harmonize with existing lighting will
constantly transform the atmosphere around him. Meanwhile, the
abundantly curious Pez Erizo, a large, round being, will wander
joyfully throughout the ship, seeking to meet and delight all
who cross his path. Several other characters also are being
created by Cirque exclusively for Celebrity, with each designed
to "invite guests on a journey to a place beyond imagination,"
according to both organizations.
In addition to nightly activity, a Cirque
du Soleil Masquerade Ball and world-class performance will be
presented once on every cruise. The Bar at the Edge of the
Earth also will offer exotic food and beverages available exclusively
in that venue. Representatives of Cirque du Soleil will participate
in Celebrity's Celebrity Discoveries enrichment lecture
series on dates yet to be announced, and the two organizations
are designing new Cirque du Soleil boutique spaces for select
ships beginning in 2005.
Constellation will be the first
ship to feature the Cirque-created experience on its seven-night
Southern Caribbean cruises departing round-trip from San Juan
beginning December 4, 2004. Summit will follow
in early 2005. The ships' current lounge venues—Reflections
onboard Constellation and Revelations" onboard Summit—will
be transformed into The Bar at the Edge of the Earth during
scheduled drydock periods.
Celebrity's exclusive, six-year agreement
with Cirque du Soleil also includes official sponsorship of
Cirque touring shows in North America and Europe, and will offer
guests one-of-a-kind pre- and post-cruise experiences. The two
organizations also will capitalize on a variety of cross-marketing
opportunities.
Currently celebrating its 20th anniversary,
Cirque du Soleil is recognized worldwide for its elaborate and
creative productions. Cirque's wish is to offer creators from
all backgrounds and origins the freedom to dream the wildest
dreams and the platform to make them come true. Cirque du Soleil
is a creative content provider for a wide variety of unique
projects. The heart of Cirque du Soleil's activity is creating
live shows and presenting them under Grand Chapiteaus
or theaters. Since 1984, more than 60 creators from the four
corners of the globe have contributed their talents to this
end. Cirque du Soleil always seeks to imbue each new project
with the energy and spirit that are the hallmark of its shows.
For more information, visit the Cirque du Soleil web site at
www.cirquedusoleil.com.
Celebrity’s website: www.celebrity.com.
In conjunction with the publication of its
2005 Cruise Atlas, Crystal Cruises has revised its fares for
most destinations on its luxury fleet. Featuring reductions
of 7percent to 38 percent the line is issuing its compendium
of worldwide itineraries with "more realistic" pricing.
The new fares are lower than those previously released in the
2005 Cruise Guide and they are combinable with the savings programs
extended to its Crystal Society (past guests) and onboard bookings.
"We've reevaluated the entire year and recognized that
the current competitive travel environment and economic climate
demands more realistic pricing - even in the luxury sector,"
explains Bill Smith, Crystal's senior vice president, sales
& marketing.
For the past few years, Crystal Cruises,
like every cruise line in the industry, has discounted its cruise
fares through a series of tactical offers. Given current market
conditions, reductions have been common, but the messages have
been confusing. Now, Crystal has taken an in depth look at
all of its 2005 destinations, all of its stateroom categories
and has presented cruise fares that will offer a clearer and
more compelling message for travelers.
For Crystal Harmony, 2005 fares were
revised from seven to 38 percent including the ship's winter
and fall cruises to the Mexican Riviera and the entire Alaska
season. For Crystal Symphony, winter/spring and fall
Caribbean and Panama Canal cruises were adjusted, as well as
a few of the Baltic cruises, and fall New England/Canada itineraries,
representing reductions of seven to 33 percent. Crystal
Serenity's spring and fall Mediterranean programs and all
segments of the 2005 World Cruise were reduced from three to
23 percent.
Crystal's 2005 Cruise Atlas provides the
perfect vehicle to launch the new fares. The 146-page, full
color atlas details the line's 95 cruises aboard its Six-Star
fleet and highlights the classic service, space, choices and
quality that distinguish a Crystal vacation. New features include
an expanded World Cruise section, showcasing the value-added
land programs, events, gifts and amenities on Crystal Cruises'
10th annual grand voyage and each of its six segments. Also
new is a Theme Cruise section providing more information on
some of the cultural, culinary and health & fitness programs
the line is promoting in 2005. Special attention has been given
to reinforce the quality of the Crystal experience, as evidenced
through its partnerships with Nobu Matsuhisa, Caesars Palace,
Yamaha, and Sotheby's and its luxe amenities and appointments,
including Riedel crystal, Frette robes and Villeroy & Boch
china. Designed to be user-friendly as well as inspiring, the
book opens with a foldout calendar summing up each ship's year-long
deployment, itineraries and fares on the same page, and bulleted
lists of Crystal features.
In 2005, the luxurious 940-guest Crystal
Harmony, 940-guest Crystal Symphony, and 1,080-guest Crystal
Serenity will sail on worldwide cruises of seven to 101 days.
To order a 2005 Atlas, call 800.820.6663.
For additional information on Crystal Cruises, contact a travel
agent or call 866.446.6625 or visit www.crystalcruises.com.
Explore historic ports in Portugal and Spain
aboard Queen Elizabeth 2, an icon of luxury travel.
Choose from four exciting voyages between July and November
and bask in the beauty of the Canary Islands.
In Tenerife, drive through the magnificent
Orotava Valley and visit the exotic Orchid Garden in Puerto
de la Cruz. Lanzarote's mountains of fire and lava fields offer
a dramatically beautiful landscape. In Las Palmas, explore
the lush Angostura Valley to see sub-tropical fruits and the
perfectly formed Crater of Bandama. And Moorish marvels and
Byzantine beauty await you in Lisbon, Portugal, and in the Spanish
cities of Vigo and Malaga. Space is limited. Call your travel
professional or visit www.cunard.com.
The voyages are:
Iberian Summer - 14 Days
July 17, 2004 or September 4, 2004
Fares from $1,299
Iberian Shores - 9 Days
October 21, 2004
Fares from $899
The Magic of Iberia - 12 Days
November 2, 2004
Fares from $1,099
Fares are per person, cruise only, based
on double occupancy and are in U.S. Dollars. Offer is not combinable
with any other savings or promotional program. Offer is capacity
controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without notice.
Government fees, taxes and gratuities are additional. Certain
restrictions apply.
Holland America Line is further elevating
its five-star dining experience by introducing new Northwest-style
menu offerings and adding elegant, one-of-a-kind touches in
its romantic, industry-leading Pinnacle Grill. Pinnacle Grill,
a popular, upscale, reservations-only restaurant is now available
on Holland American Line's five-star ships, and combines unrivaled
cuisine with distinctive Bulgari china, elegant Riedel stemware,
WMF flatware and crisp Frette linens. This unwavering attention
to detail elevates Pinnacle Grill to a level of elegant sophistication
unmatched in the premium cruise category.
Pinnacle Grill is one of the most notable
additions to the at-sea dining experience in the premium cruise
industry. The unrivaled cuisine, which celebrates Pacific Northwest
fare and fine wines, is perfectly complemented by the meticulous
attention to detail in every aspect of the experience. The Pinnacle
Grill features great streaks, seafood and unique signature entrees.
An exciting new signature dish, cedar planked lobster with roasted
garlic scampi-butter and herb crumbs, is a delectable addition
to the already amazing menu offering. Other signature entrees
include chicken Marsala with Washington cherries and cedar planked
halibut with Alaskan king crab. Also featured are "Sterling
Silver" premium hand-selected cuts of beef, unsurpassed
in tenderness and taste, including two sizes of filet mignon.
A food and wine tasting menu is also available, which provides
guests with an opportunity to sample delectable options such
as smoked salmon tartare with grilled asparagus wasabi sabayon.
Coupled with a glass of Washington state's own Chateau Ste.
Michelle Sauvignon Blanc Horse Heaven wine, diners experience
what amounts to a culinary nirvana.
Guests can top-off their meal by choosing
from a collection of incredible desserts such as lemon berry
angel shortcake with wild berry compote or a crême brulée sampler.
All of these selections are further enhanced
by distinctive tableware. These touches are perhaps best illustrated
by Bulgari china. "Our Bulgari china is a tribute to the
undivided attention to detail that Holland America Line has
taken in every area of our Signature of Excellence initiative,"
said Johan Groothuizen, vice president, marine hotel operations.
"This tableware could just as easily hang on the wall of
an art gallery as it could serve as a display for Pinnacle Grill's
unrivaled cuisine."
In
addition to the china, the elegant Riedel stemware is perfectly
crafted to capture wines' full potential, and esteemed Frette
linens dress the table. Guests looking to take a truly spectacular
memento of their journey home with them can purchase the Bulgari
china onboard. Website: www.hollandamerica.com.
Norwegian Coastal Voyage travelers can explore
remote Lapland on NCV Escorted and Independent Vacations along
the 1,250-mile coast of Norway and on a Taste of cruise
extension. Visits to sparsely populated Lapland, where reindeer
vastly outnumber people, focus on the indigenous Sami people's
history and culture and are offered in conjunction with six-day
southbound cruises from Kirkenes, above the Arctic Circle, and
seven-day northbound sailings from Bergen through September/October.
A highlight of two NCV Escorted Vacations,
the 13-day Norway Naturally and 15-day Spectacular
Norway is meeting a reindeer-herding Sami family, learning
about their everyday life and participating in a typical Sami
dinner in a turf hut while sitting on reindeer skins around
an open fire.
The 13-day itinerary introduces Sami
culture and the rugged landscapes of
the Finnmarksvidda plateau by touring Alta,
administrative center of Finnmark province; the Arts and Crafts
Studio and church in the Sami village of Masi; Kautokeino, home
to the Northern Sami Institute, Sami Educational Council and
Sami Technical School; handcrafts at its new Sami Cultural Center
in Karasjok village; and the scenic route along the Tana River,
teeming with salmon, and the Varangerfjord. The Lapp segment
of the
15-day escorted vacation centers on the Sami
Cultural Center and a traditional dinner in Karasjok.
Scandinavian Sojourn,
a 15-day NCV Independent Vacation, adds Helsinki,
the cosmopolitan Finnish capital, and Inari
in the heart of Finnish Lapland. Participants meet a family
that herds reindeer and visit the Sami Museum in Inari to learn
how the people survive in the Arctic and about the region's
unusual flora and fauna.
The three-day A Taste of Lapland
extension, which can be added to one-way
sailings and NCV Vacations with a cruise
starting or ending in Kirkenes, journeys to Finnish Lapland
through the splendid wilderness of mountains and lakes, visiting
Sami sites and providing leisure time with a choice of hiking,
fishing, canoeing, biking, gold panning, a lake cruise and visits
to the Inari Open-air Museum, churches or handcraft shops.
NCV Vacations include transatlantic flights
from New York, intraregional flights, the coastal voyage, first-class
hotels, breakfast daily, sightseeing or the Oslo and Bergen
Cards, and some transfers. Escorted tours provide a Millennium
ship, more meals and more extensive sightseeing than independent
packages. Tour prices are from $4,470 to $5,455 per person,
double occupancy, for the 13-day Norway Naturally, $4,745 to
$5,865 for the 15-day Norway Spectacular,
$3,140 to $5,610 for the 15-day
Scandinavian Sojourn, and $510 for the three-day
Lapland extension. Escorted vacations have one departure per
month through September, independent vacations operate daily
through October, and the Lapland extension is offered daily
to September 25.
The 11-ship fleet departs daily and calls
at 34 ports. An alternative to the traditional cruise experience,
each NCV vessel is a unique combination of first-class cruise
ship, a working ship carrying local passengers and cargo between
ports, and a lifeline to remote coastal towns and villages.
Information, brochures and reservations can be obtained from
Norwegian Coastal Voyage, (800) 323-7436 or (212) 319-1300;
fax (212) 319-1390;
24-hour brochure line, (800) 666-2374; www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us
or www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.com.
Europe is even more compelling with free
airfare and 2-for-1 cruise fares on all 32 Oceania Cruises’
European voyages in 2005. Sailing to virtually every region
of Europe, Regatta and Insignia head eastward
to Athens, Rhodes, Olympia, Kusadasi and Istanbul, and to the
picturesque Greek islands of Mykonos, Corfu, dramatic Santorini.
Westward to ancient and inspiring Dubrovnik, Seville, fabled
Monte Carlo and the romantic yacht harbor of Portofino. Northward
to the Baltic capitals of Helsinki, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Amsterdam,
and the grandeur of St. Petersburg, spending three full days
and two enchanted evenings.
Regatta will sail the Mediterranean, Western
Europe and Scandinavia; Insignia will sail to the Eastern &
Western Mediterranean, Greek Isles and the Black Sea and Nautica,
the newest member of the Oceania Cruises fleet, has proven phenomenally
popular among European guests, and thus, will remain dedicated
to the European charter market for 2005.
Greece, Italy, Turkey and the Black
Sea.
From the marble pillars of the Greek temples
in ancient Athens, where one can still hear the rumbling thunder
that marked Zeus' roar; to the enchanting Isle of Mykonos, immortalized
by the elusive oral historian and poet, Homer; the mystical
and exotic city of Istanbul which bridges two continents; and
the splendor and pageantry of the Black Sea. Insignia’s voyages
to the Greek Isles and Black Sea will awaken your spirit of
adventure.
Treasures of the Mediterranean
Venice will captivate with its charm as you
literally float through the charming Italian "streets"
on gondolas, enjoying warm breezes and moonlit nights. If chic
city life is more your tempo, Regatta sails to Honfleur, your
gateway to the cosmopolitan boulevards of Paris. The “City of
Lights” is where the best of fashion, art and a joie de vivre
join with contemporary charm and storied history. The French,
Italian and Spanish Rivieras are also splendid destinations
for romance, where sun-drenched beaches and cliff-top resorts
dazzle the spirit and rejuvenate the soul.
Of Castles, Kings and Midnight Suns
Big, bold and beautiful, Scandinavia and
Russia have always attracted spirited adventurers. Centuries
ago, hearty Vikings ruled the seas. Explorers pushed the very
edges of civilization. And with fierce determination, the visionary
Peter the Great founded St. Petersburg, Russia’s most European
city.
These voyages highlight the region’s key
capitals, such as energetic Amsterdam, gracious Copenhagen,
seafaring Helsinki, historic Stockholm, and Tallinn, a proud
UNESCO World Heritage site in Estonia. Meander down the narrow,
cobblestone streets of Belgium’s medieval Zeebrugge. See Poland’s
famed Gdansk Shipyard, where the charismatic Lech Walesa organized
the Solidarity trade union in defiance of Poland’s then-communist
government. And watch a classical Russian ballet or explore
the wonders of Moscow during your 3-day stay in St. Petersburg.
The voyages offer extraordinary value with
2-for-1 cruise fares and free airfare to Europe. Ten-to- 16-night
European voyages with free round-trip economy airfare and 2-for-1
cruise fares begin at just $1,999 per guest. Air-inclusive 2-for-1
cruise fares for sumptuous Concierge Level staterooms, with
private teak veranda and bounty of creature comforts, begin
at $3,399 per guest. Of course, suites are the most popular
accommodations and thus, sell out quickly. You may wish to take
advantage of these privileged accommodations, which are the
best value in luxury cruising, with air-inclusive, 2-for-1 cruise
fares beginning at just $4,499 per guest.
A tasteful example of understated elegance,
Oceania’s new Concierge Level staterooms boast a private teak
veranda, as well as a preferred location on Decks 7 and 8 of
Regatta and Insignia. They offer such room amenities as a welcome
bottle of champagne; a refrigerated mini-bar; 20” color television,
DVD player; personalized stationary; our exclusive Tranquility
Bed featuring 350 thread count Egyptian cotton linens; cashmere
throw blanket; plush cotton robes and slippers; a complimentary
tote bag and exclusive bathroom fixtures including a hand held
hairdryer, Hansgrohe hand held massaging shower heads and luxury
toiletries. In addition to the stateroom amenities, Oceania
Cruises’ Concierge Level staterooms also offer guests special
service enhancements: Priority embarkation with a dedicated
check-in desk and priority luggage delivery; priority restaurant
reservations for Toscana and the Polo Grill and complimentary
shoeshine service. Oceania Cruises’ new Concierge level is yet
another example of our continual efforts to provide its guests
with an unrivaled, upper-premium cruise experience.
Regatta, Insignia and Nautica are mid-size
ships where every whim is graciously indulged. You will savor
the finest cuisine at sea, a testament to Oceania Cruises’ Executive
Culinary Director, Jacques Pépin, who crafted the extraordinary
menus. As the perfect complement, there are four, open-seating
gourmet restaurants. Our 400 attentive European staff members
are at your beck and call, as you set sail for Europe’s most
intriguing destinations, with a ready smile, unfailing attention
to detail, and an instinctive anticipation of your next request.
It’s more than presentation; it’s nothing short of flawless.
Your stateroom or suite is the epitome of comfort and elegance
where you’ll retire each evening to our exclusive Tranquility
Bed, the most comfortable bedding at sea. And all suites and
60 percent of staterooms boast private teak verandas.
Website: www.OceaniaCruises.com
or call 800-531-5658 (US).
Ocean Village – the casual cruising company
– is taking the wraps off its new Winter 2004/Summer 200505
brochure to reveal its brand new Mediterranean itineraries.
The brochure features easy-to-use, tiered pricing with savings
of up to 45 percent on summer 2005 prices and cabin upgrades
to drive early sales and reward early bookers.
Two Mediterranean itineraries are offered
for summer 2005: Tapas & Togas sets sail from Palma
and calls at Tunis (from La Goulette), Rome (from Civitavecchia),
Cannes, Barcelona and a brand new port of call - Ibiza. Meanwhile,
‘Frescoes & Frascati’ cruises from Palma and visits Tunis
(from La Goulette), Naples, Florence & Pisa (from Livorno),
Monte Carlo and Ciudadela (Menorca).
Also new for 2005 Ocean Village has added
Bristol as a new regional departure point, expanding the choice
of airports to better cater for passengers across the length
and breadth of the country. Bristol Airport joins Birmingham,
Manchester, Newcastle, Glasgow, London Gatwick and London Stansted
as a departure point to join the ship in Palma.
Ocean Village’s popular ‘stay and cruise’
option will also offer a brand new property, the four-star Grupotel
Gran Vista hotel at C’an Picafort, which features as part of
an impressive three and four star Majorca hotel line up for
summer 2005.
With savings of up to 45 percent, prices
for the new summer 2005 season lead in at £599 ($1,138) for
a seven-night holiday, including tips. Affordable cabin upgrades
also encourage customers to opt for an outside cabin with a
window or balcony.
With a brand new look and feel, the distinctive
photography and new layout reflects the
The brochure leads on Caribbean Winter 2004/2005
fly-cruise holidays with savings of up to 45 percent. Seven-night
cruises start from just £799 ($1,518), 14 nights from £999 ($1,898)
and 14 night ‘stay and cruise’ holidays from £1099 ($2,088).
Savings of up to 45 percent can also be made
on bookings for Ocean Village’s new transatlantic crossings.
April 2005 sees the introduction of 11- and 18-night cruises
from the Caribbean to Southampton with prices starting from
just £669 ($1,271). Passengers can also enjoy six- or 13-night
cruise from Southampton to Palma in May 2005. Prices, after
up to 45 percent savings, start from just £489 ($929) for a
six-night sailing.
Ocean Village is the newest largest and best-equipped
ship in its class offering up to 50% more personal space on
board and featuring some of the largest standard cabins afloat
(average size 188 square feet) as well as 64 cabins featuring
a private balcony. All cabins have a fridge, safe, TV, en suite
facilities, kettle and hairdryer as standard.
All prices are per person and based on two
adults sharing an NN grade cabin on a seven-night sailing flying
from Gatwick. Flight supplements will apply from certain regional
departure points.
Website: www.oceanvillageholidays.co.uk.
P&O Cruises is offering new two-for-one
deals aboard its globe-trotting superliner, Oriana, as part
of the line’s 2005 world cruising program. The new deals on
exotic voyages across the Pacific to Australia or from here
to Asia mean Australians can sample the indulgence and traditions
of a world cruise from A$2173 per person on an 11-night sector.
The new two-for-one fares are:
-- Brisbane to Hong Kong – 11 nights, sailing
February 16, 2005 (was priced from A$4345 per person) - now
available from A$2173 per person
-- San Francisco to Brisbane – 20 nights,
sailing Australia Day, January 26, 2005 (was priced from A$8925
per person) - now available from A$4463 per person
-- Sydney to Hong Kong – 13 nights, sailing
Valentines Day, February 14, 2005 (was priced from A$5425 per
person) - now available from A$2713 per person
¨-- San Francisco to Sydney - 18 nights,
sailing Australia Day, January 26, 2005 (was priced from A$8025
per person) - now available from A$4013 per person
* Fares are cruise only, based on complete
twin accommodation, subject to availability and include all
main onboard meals and entertainment.
Launched in 1995 and purpose-designed for
world cruising, the popular UK-based Oriana sports two musts
for an English liner—an intimate cricketers pub, Lords Tavern,
and a cricket pitch. She also boasts 3000 works of art, three
pools including the largest at sea, five jacuzzis, 11 bars including
one dedicated to chocolates and coffee, six plush lounges, a
West End style theatre, three restaurants, nightclub, elegant
library, gym, jogging track and an internet café.
Oriana’s voyage will see her circle the world
in 80 days, departing Southampton on January 7, 2005, and sailing
to the Caribbean, US, Hawaii, American Samoa, Tonga and New
Zealand before docking in Sydney on Valentine’s Day, February
14, and Brisbane on February 16. The 69,000-ton liner will then
head for the Whitsundays, Malaysia and Hong Kong before returning
to England via Singapore, India, Egypt and the Mediterranean.
For bookings or more information, see a travel
agent or contact P&O Cruises toll-free on
13 24 69 or visit www.pocruises.com.au.
Princess Cruises’ expanded 2005 Europe season
will extend beyond the sea to offer the line's most extensive
cruise tour program ever, with nine tour options to take passengers
to destinations they can't see on a cruise-only vacation including
new itineraries to Tuscany, Ireland and the English countryside.
Designed to mesh seamlessly with cruises offered by Princess'
Grand-class ships in the Mediterranean, Baltic and Western Europe,
these multi-day tours include three new options—Under the Tuscan
Sun, The Ring of Kerry and English Sojourn—as well as some favorites
that take passengers to London and Paris, through the Alps or
along the Danube region. All tours offer the opportunity for
an enriching cultural experience with the services of professional
local tour guides and first-class accommodations in top European
properties.
Grand Princess in the Mediterranean
Three tours have been designed to coordinate
with Grand Princess' 12-day Mediterranean itinerary, enabling
passengers to spend more time in Tuscany or add either the Danube
or Parisian countryside to their vacation.
Under the Tuscan Sun -- A brand-new
four-night tour highlighting the best of Tuscany, plus a visit
to Milan. The itinerary features two nights in Milan with sightseeing
of the Doom and two nights in Florence, with excursions to the
lovely hilltop town of Siena and to a Tuscan vineyard for wine
tasting and lunch. The tour concludes with first class travel
aboard the Eurostar train from Florence to Venice to board Grand
Princess.
Cathedrals and Castles of Imperial
Europe -- With two nights each in Prague, Vienna and
Budapest, this tour features the best of the Danube region.
Hightlights include Hradcany Castle, St. Vitus Cathedral and
the Royal Palace in Prague, Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna, a
photo stop at the Benedictine Abbey in Melk, and a lunch cruise
on the Danube River.
Parisian Countryside by Rail
-- A four-night package with one night London, two nights in
Paris and a night in Avignon. City tours visit some of the premiere
attractions in each city, such as Westminster Abbey in London
and Notre Dame in Paris, and first class travel is provided
via the Eurostar through the Channel Tunnel. Avignon highlights
include a visit to the famous Palais des Papes and dinner with
wine tasting at Chateauneuf-du-Pape.
Star Princess in the Baltic
Passengers can not only spend 10 days in
Scandinavia and Russia with Star Princess, but can also enjoy
the Danube region, the best of Europe's capitals or the majestic
Alps.
Cathedrals and Castles of Imperial
Europe -- The same itinerary as offered to Grand Princess
passengers, this tour visits the capitals of the Czech Republic,
Austria and Hungary, transporting passengers to Copenhagen by
plane at the end to board Star Princess.
Capitals and Canals -- The
cities of London (one night), Paris (two nights), Bruges (one
night) and Amsterdam (two nights) headline this tour, which
offers first class rail and visits to a local winery in Reims,
the Church of our Lady in Bruges, Amsterdam's famous Rijksmuseum
and a private canal boat trip.
Alpine Adventure by Rail --
The best of the scenic Alps with one night in Geneva, two nights
in Zermatt and two nights in Lucerne. Guests visit Chillon Castle
in Lake Geneva, travel first class by mountain rail Glacier
Express between Andermatt and Zermatt, and enjoy a rail excursion
to the Gornergrat.
Golden Princess in Northern Europe
Golden Princess' first Western Europe season
brings with it two new land options in England and Ireland,
plus the opportunity to spend time in two of the region's most
fabled cities.
Rail of Two Cities -- The Eurostar
connects Paris and London through the channel tunnel for a five-night
sojourn in these two major cities. The three nights in Paris
include a city tour, a full day excursion to the Loire Valley,
including visits to two of the famous Chateaux with lunch at
the L'Orangerie restaurant, a traditional meal with wine. In
London, guests will enjoy a city tour to take in the city's
most famous sites.
English Sojourn -- A new tour,
giving a comprehensive look at Britain with a four-night trip
to some of the country's most famous locales. The visit includes
one night London with a panoramic drive of the city's major
sights and visits to Blenheim Palace and Bladon. A night in
Shakespeare's birthplaces, Stratford-upon-Avon, features a walking
tour of major sights and visit to Warwick Castle. The lovely
city of Bath with its historic Roman baths and hot springs offers
a home for two nights from which to tour the famous 13th century
ruins of Glastonbury Abbey as well as Stonehenge and Salisbury
Cathedral.
The Ring of Kerry -- This new
three-night tour features a great taste of Ireland featuring
Shannon (one night), Killarney (two nights) and the magical
Ring of Kerry. Visitors can also kiss the Blarney Stone at Blarney
Castle and enjoy the panoramic views of the Clare coastline
from the Cliffs of Mohr.
Princess' 2005 cruise season features a total
of five vessels offering 57 departures between April 16 and
November 10, 2005, sailing on 20 different itineraries. In addition
to the three amenity-filled Grand Class ships, the season also
offers the return of Sea Princess to the fleet, sailing from
Southampton as well as the final sailing of Royal Princess.
Early booking fares Europe cruisetours begin
at $2,999 per person, based on double occupancy. Website: www.princess.com.
Radisson Seven Seas Cruises® announces a
one-of-a-kind cruise featuring the popular on-air hosts of public
television’s MacNeil/Lehrer NewsHour, Ciao Italia, Great Performances,
Antiques Roadshow, Find! and Frontline. The program offers the
public-television community that rare opportunity to mingle
with some of their favorite TV personalities in one of the most
picturesque and historic regions of the Mediterranean. During
the luxury cruise, topics as wide-ranging as history and travel,
art and antiques, literature, music, food and wine, personal
finance, politics and current events will be explored insightfully
in a lively series of keynote talks, panel discussions, open
forums, wine tastings and cooking classes.
The culturally rich cruise also offers exceptional
value: guests of the Seven Seas Voyager’s® nine-night
November 12 Athens to Barcelona voyage will enjoy their choice
of EITHER free economy class air from 86 North American gateways,
OR a free upgrade to business class air (when they pay economy
air add-ons), OR savings of $1,000 per person off the cruise
fare.
Aboard the acclaimed 700-guest all-balcony
suite Seven Seas Voyager, the dynamic news team of Robert MacNeil
and Jim Lecher will reunite, demonstrating how the MacNeil/Lehrer
News Hour became the gold standard of TV news (changing
to News Hour with Jim Lehrer in 1995 when MacNeil left to pursue
other interests). Leigh and Leslie Keno, hosts of Find!
and appraisers on the popular series Antiques Roadshow
will lead guests on treasure hunts in key Mediterranean ports,
appraising guests’ finds when back aboard. David Fanning, Emmy-award
winning executive producer of Frontline, will explore
the role of storytelling in today's cluttered TV news environment,
while demystifying the making of an investigative documentary.
Mary Ann Esposito, star of Ciao Italia, will lead tours
of local markets in Sicily and Rome and host three cooking classes
onboard. Jac Venza, executive producer of Great Performances,
will share behind-the-scenes stories and rare clips of great
entertainers from theater, opera, concert and dance stages.
He’ll also preview several public TV performances not yet aired
and arrange onboard performances by top musical artists. Suzanne
Clark, the chief operating officer of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce
and a longtime friend of public television, will take guests
inside Washington D.C. to explore the impact of policy on U.S.
business.
Further enriching the shipboard experience
will be hands-on Le Cordon Bleu cooking workshops ($395 per
person), Mediterranean wine tastings with regional experts,
port excursions lead by the TV personalities, a public TV book
club hosted by Jim and Kate Lehrer and Robert MacNeil, nightly
cocktail parties, and late night lounge and piano bar events.
The November 12 nine-night voyage from Piraeus
(Athens) to Barcelona calls at Kusadasi, Rhodes, Naxos (Taormina),
Sorrento, Civitavecchia (Rome), and Monte Carlo (for an onboard
overnight). Per person prices from $4,496 include a choice of
either free economy class air from 86 North American gateways,
OR a free upgrade to business class air (when economy air add-ons
are purchased), OR savings of $1,000 per person off the cruise
fare (resulting in a starting fare of $3,496 per person), plus
the special public television events, all shipboard gratuities,
wine with dinner, and an in-suite bar set-up.
Additional information is available at *Artful
Travelers' www.ptvatsea.com and www.rssc.com.
*Headquartered in Seattle with affiliate
offices throughout the world, The Artful Travelers is a unique
travel organization that combines the best of art, culture,
entertainment and travel for those who value extraordinary life
experiences. For more information visit www.artfultravelers.com or call 800-380-0429.
‘Seven Seas Mariner's' Grand Voyage Sails October
4 From Hong Kong to LA
Ancient cultures and vibrant cities await
no more than 700 guests aboard the all-balcony suite Seven
Seas Mariner’s 30-night Grand Far East & Pacific
Rim voyage from Hong Kong to Los Angeles on October4. As
luxury goes exploring, travelers may exercise their freedom,
strolling the Great Wall of China, soaking up Japan’s exotic
allure, or savoring Hawaii’s stunning natural beauty. And guests
who book by June 30 will find these enticements enhanced by
their choice of EITHER free economy class air from 86 North
American gateways, OR a free upgrade to business class air (when
they pay economy air add-ons), OR savings of $1,000 per person
off the cruise fare, plus a complimentary two-night pre-cruise
hotel stay in Hong Kong. En route from the “fragrant harbor”
of the former British Colony, they’ll also enjoy a complimentary
hotel stay in exciting Beijing.
Guests seeking shorter Asia-intensive voyages
may opt for the Seven Seas Mariner’s September 20 14-night Tokyo
to Hong Kong sailing, or the reverse itinerary on October 4.
Both voyages include the two overnights in Hong Kong and one
in Beijing.
Lovers of blue, or open, water cruising may
find the October 18, 15-night Tokyo to Los Angeles or nine-night
Tokyo to Honolulu segments ideal. Both voyages offer two-for-one
savings, and guests who book the 15-night segment by June 30
can choose either complimentary economy class air or savings
of $800 per person off the cruise fare.
Shipboard and hotel stays in some of the
world’s premier cities define these itineraries.
On Oct. 4, guests board the Seven Seas Mariner
for a shipboard overnight in Hong Kong, after spending two complimentary
nights at the luxurious Kowloon Shangri-La. After calling in
Taipei and taking in the wonders of the largest single collection
of priceless Chinese art, guests enjoy another shipboard overnight
in Shanghai, where old British charm meets modern skyscrapers.
Two days in Beijing (from Tianjin) include a complimentary hotel
overnight in China’s capital city combined with tours of the
Forbidden City and Mao’s Mausoleum in Tiananmen Square. The
vessel then calls for an overnight in Osaka, the gateway to
Kyoto, renowned for its ancient temples, before charting a luxurious
course to Tokyo.
Midway across the Pacific, the itinerary
brings guests ashore in tiny Midway Island en route to lush
Nawiliwili, Hawaii, for sportfishing, golfing, jungle and waterfall
hiking. The ship then sails to Honolulu, where a Swing Dance
Party on the decks of the battleship USS Missouri awaits. The
Grand Voyage ends in Los Angeles Nov. 2.
Optional hands-on Le Cordon Bleuâ cooking
workshops ($395 per person) and pre- and post-cruise land programs
are available, as are optional one- to four-night overland programs
to interior country sides and cities.
For the antiques lover, the Sept. 20 Tokyo
to Hong Kong Antiques Boatshow cruise offers a golden
opportunity to sail with four personalities from the popular
BBC show “Antiques Roadshow.” Joining the show’s host David
Battie on the voyage will be internationally renowned porcelain
expert Sally Kevill-Davies, Japanese porcelain collector Lady
Victoria Leatham and painting expert/Orientlist Clive Stewart-Lockhart.
On the October 18 Tokyo-to-Los Angeles segment,
Spotlight on the Movies will feature screenings, classic
film music performances, chats with Hollywood insiders and meals
built around food-themed movies.
Per person prices for the 30-night Hong Kong
to Los Angeles voyage. Website: www.rssc.com.
Royal Caribbean International is bringing
a bigger ship to a port that just keeps getting bigger. This
winter, the line's 70,000-ton Splendour of the Seas will
find a new home in Tampa, a city that has more than doubled
its cruise traffic in recent years. Splendour of the Seas will
sail seven-night Western Caribbean itineraries from November
2004 to April 2005, replacing the smaller 50,000-ton Empress
of the Seas (formerly the Nordic Empress, which sailed
from Tampa for the winter seasons of 2002 and 2003.
Holding 1,800 guests, double occupancy, Splendour
of the Seas is one of Royal Caribbean's Vision-class of ships,
known for their extensive use of glass, spacious public areas
and wide selection of onboard activities. Guests on Splendour
of the Seas can challenge themselves to reach new heights on
Royal Caribbean's signature rock-climbing wall, test their putting
skills on the ship's 18-hole miniature golf course, or work
up a sweat at the ShipShape Fitness Center.
Splendour offers a full-service spa; a beautiful
outdoor pool and spacious sundeck; an adults-only Solarium pool
with sliding glass canopy roof; and a number of lounges and
bars, including the elegant Champagne Bar and the ship-top Viking
Crown Lounge.
In the evenings, guests can check out the
action at the Las Vegas-style Casino Royale or the latest stage
extravaganza at the 42nd Street Theater. Young cruisers will
enjoy the line's Adventure Ocean Youth Program, with age- appropriate
facilities and activities for five different age groups.
Splendour of the Seas will arrive in Tampa
on November 27 after a summer season offering seven-night Mediterranean
cruises from Barcelona. She will sail seven-night Western Caribbean
itineraries from Tampa until April 30, 2005, with calls in George
Town, Grand Cayman; Costa Maya, Mexico; Belize City, Belize;
and Cozumel, Mexico.
In each port of call, Royal Caribbean's Explorations!
shore excursions program gives guests a chance to fully experience
and explore the exotic destinations visited. The program offers
a wide range of adventures to choose from, including snorkeling
with stingrays in Grand Cayman; going off-roading in dune buggies
in Costa Maya; navigating the Belize River by kayak; and exploring
the history, culture and art of the ancient Mayan city of Tulum.
Guests can see the full list of Explorations! shore-excursion
options and purchase tours in advance of their cruise departure
date at http://www.royalcaribbean.com.
Website: http://www.royalcaribbean.com
Ultra luxury small-ship specialist Seabourn
Cruise Line has published a new 108-page cruise catalogue entitled
Chart a New Course, offering an intriguing array of 134 cruise
vacations sailing in 2005 and early 2006 aboard the company's
three all-suite Yachts of Seabourn. The intimate Seabourn
Pride, Seabourn Spirit and Seabourn Legend will sail
to 250 ports in 76 countries during the 16-month period, offering
exceptional experiences in Asia and the Pacific, Europe, the
Americas, India and Africa to their exclusive clientele of discerning
travelers.
Seabourn's 2005 and 2006 itineraries have
been created to allow travelers the luxury of flexibility. Cruises
of seven to 18 days in length are scheduled from nearly 30 convenient
ports of embarkation around the world. Most of these cruises
can also be combined for longer voyages at increased savings.
All cruises have a published Early Booking Savings offering
guests up to 50 percent off the fare for booking well in advance
of departure. These savings have no set expiration date, but
the percentage of savings may be reduced or the savings eliminated
as the cruise departure becomes more fully booked.
For combinations of two or more cruises totaling
up to 17 days, guests earn an additional 10 percent Combo Savings
in addition to the Early Booking Savings. Virtually all seven-day
cruises in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Canada and New England
can be booked in this way.
Grand Voyages, which are combinations of
cruises totaling 18 or more days, qualify for 50 percent savings
off the brochure fares of the cruises in the combination. In
the Mediterranean, combinations can be created for up to five
weeks of cruising with different port content at these 50 percent
Grand Voyage savings.
In addition, 38 of the cruises have been
designated as Club Signature Value Sailings offering 50 percent
savings to past guests of Seabourn or any member line of the
World's Leading Cruise Lines alliance, including Carnival Cruise
Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line,
Costa Cruises and Windstar Cruises.
Seabourn's 2005-2006 cruise catalogue can
be ordered from the company's website at http://www.seabourn.com,
by contacting a travel agent or by calling Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391.
Seabourn's New Excursions Are an
Antidote for 'Been There, Done That' Vacations
Ultra luxury cruise pioneer Seabourn Cruise
Line has announced more than 75 newly created, optional shore
excursions that provide exceptional "trophy experiences"
available only to guests sailing aboard the company's three
intimate, all-suite ships: Seabourn Pride, Spirit and
Legend.
The new excursions were custom designed by
Seabourn, working with local experts in many of the line's 250
ports of call worldwide, and will be offered exclusively to
Seabourn guests. Tours in some ports will debut in the autumn
of 2004 and all will be operational in 2005. Featured elements
of the tours encompass exclusive entries to sites of interest,
privileged meetings with famous personalities and a wide variety
of special-interest pursuits including flightseeing, racecar
and off-road driving, yacht racing, rowing, gourmet cooking
classes, photography, art history and river rafting.
Unforgettable, one-of-a-kind adventures
and experiences include:
-- A unique German navigation simulator
that makes you a virtual Master
and Commander of a full-sized ship,
in a mind-boggling, 360-degree
panoramic sea.
-- A behind-the-scenes introduction to
Hong Kong's Cantonese Opera
including a backstage visit to watch
the artists apply their intricate
and spectacular makeup.
-- A private meal with Mrs. Gihan Sadat,
renowned social activist and
widow of the late Egyptian President
Anwar Sadat, in her Nile-side home
in Cairo.
-- Travel by limousine to a Danish countryside
inn, where chef Jan
Petersen will prepare and serve the
elaborate menu he created for the
film "Babette's Feast."
-- A scenic tour of vineyards and classical
chateaux of the Margaux
section of Medoc in a horse-drawn carriage,
climaxing with a luncheon
in Chateau Giscours.
-- The exhilaration of sailing aboard the
new, high-performance V.O. 60
Volvo ocean-racing yacht in the Baltic
Sea near Warnemunde.
-- Touring the mountain villages of France's
Pais Basque in a classic
Citroen CV2, the beloved (and berated)
"Deux Chevaux."
-- Game viewing in Ngorongoro Crater and
touring the Olduvai Gorge,
discovery site of mankind's earliest
ancestors, escorted by a member of
the Leakey family.
-- Putting a fully race-equipped Ferrari
through its paces on a
professional circuit auto-racing course
near Venice.
-- Shopping for ingredients in a local
Florence market and then attending
an exclusive culinary class at the Italian
Cordon Bleu Cooking School.
-- A privileged guided tour of the impressive,
ultra modern Volvo
automobile manufacturing plant in Ghent,
Belgium, the largest outside
Sweden.
-- A tour, with Egypt's Secretary General
of Antiquities Dr. Zahi Hawass,
of the recently discovered Tombs of
the Pyramid Builders, still closed
to the public.
Prices for the excursions are expected to
range from over a hundred to several thousand dollars, depending
upon content and duration. These and other new tours will be
offered on 134 cruises in 76 countries during 2005 and 2006
aboard the 208-guest Seabourn Pride, Spirit and Legend. With
Early Booking Savings of up to 50 percent available on all cruises,
fares start from $2,298 per person, based on double occupancy
of a 277-square foot ocean-view suite.
For more information on The Yachts of Seabourn,
contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit
http://www.seabourn.com.
Ultra-luxury Silversea Cruises is featuring
generous savings of 50 percent off published fares with its
Silver Sailings program now available on both 12-day "Empire
of the Incas" cruises offered aboard Silver Shadow this
fall. On two identical voyages departing from Puerto Caldera,
Costa Rica, on October 7 and November 22, 2004, the luxurious
382-guest Silver Shadow will visit Esmeraldas and Manta,
Ecuador; Salaverry, Peru; and Callao (Lima), before returning
to Puerto Caldera. Each "Empire of the Incas" cruise
offers an unforgettable three-day/two-night optional land excursion
to the magnificent ruins of Machu Picchu during the ship's call
in Callao, Lima's port city.
Guests who participate in the optional three-day/two-night
Cusco and Machu Picchu shore excursion will fly from Lima to
Cusco, where they will enjoy five-star accommodations at the
elegant Orient-Express Hotel Monasterio. After a welcoming
cup of Coca Tea, check-in and lunch, guests spend the afternoon
exploring Cusco's historic center, including the Plaza de Armas,
the Cathedral, and Santo Domingo, a 17th century monastery built
over the foundation of the Koricancha, the legendary Inca Temple
of the Sun. Tour participants also visit the town's outskirts
and the remarkable Inca ruins and cult center of Sacsayhuaman.
A cocktail reception in the Monastery Chapel and dinner at the
hotel cap off the day's events.
The second day of this luxurious adventure
shifts the focus to magnificent Machu Picchu, the "Lost
City of the Incas", and a UNESCO-designated World Heritage
Site, located on the eastern slopes of the Andes Mountains.
Guests are accommodated aboard the distinctive blue-and-gold
Vistadome train, operated by PeruRail, an affiliate of Orient-Express,
as they embark on a journey many travelers have described as
a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The Vistadome carriages offer
comfortable seating and panoramic windows, providing enhanced
scenic views during the three-hour journey to Aguas Calientes,
located at the foot of Machu Picchu. After a brief mini-bus
ride to Machu Picchu, guests set out on foot to enjoy a two-hour
guided tour of the ancient ruins, followed by lunch on-site
at the Orient-Express Sanctuary Lodge and a relaxing train ride
back to Cusco. The day winds down with dinner at the Hotel
Monasterio, where guests again lodge for the night. After breakfast
on the morning of the third day, guests check out from the hotel
and fly back to Lima, where an awaiting coach provides an engaging
tour of the city before returning to Silver Shadow in Callao.
The cost of the three-day/two-night Cusco
and Machu Picchu tour is $1,765 per person, based on double
occupancy. The single-traveler rate is $1,995. This optional
tour can be purchased at the time the cruise reservation is
made. As space is limited, the tour must be booked by September
12 for Voyage 3427 (sailing October 7) and October 28 for Voyage
3433 (sailing November 22).
Throughout both Silver Shadow cruises, noted
tour guide and travel manager Niki Sepsas will be on hand as
the featured Guest Lecturer, providing colorful slideshows,
informative discussions and personal perspectives culled from
an exciting 25-year career. Specializing in the design of highly
personalized and insightful travel programs, Sepsas has escorted
numerous groups of community and business leaders on explorations
of South America and over 100 countries throughout the world.
Cruise-only Silver Sailing fares start at
$2,835 on Voyage 3427 (sailing October 7) and $3,085 on Voyage
3433 (sailing November 22), providing a 50% savings. Silver
Sailing fares are offered for a limited time, on a per-person,
double-occupancy basis. For more detailed information on Silversea
ships, pricing and worldwide itineraries, visit the line's Web
site at www.silversea.com.
A fascinating summer season is fast approaching
of sailing into St. Petersburg, Russia's magnificent harbor
with sails unfurled, of touring the great capitals of Scandinavia,
or stepping off of a magnificent luxury sailing yacht onto the
shores once trod by Vikings and Czars. Guests may reserve cabins
on voyages into the heart of northern Europe and the Baltic,
with six sailings scheduled on Windstar Cruises' Wind Surf in
June, July and August.
Windstar is offering a second cabin to guests
at $1,000 to $1,500 off "Sail and Save" rates for
select Baltic sailings: June 20, ten-day Lisbon to London;
June 30, 12-day London to Copenhagen; July 29, 13-day St. Petersburg
to Copenhagen; August 21, 12-day Copenhagen to London; September
2, ten-day London to Lisbon. These rates are combinable with
current coach and business class upgrade air offers. As an added
bonus, currently booked passengers will receive a $500 shipboard
credit upon booking a second cabin.
Highlighting the cruises are overnight visits
to St. Petersburg and a host of exciting shore excursion options
that allow guests to fully explore the magnificent museums,
landscapes and historic palaces of czarist Russia, Estonia,
Lithuania, Finland and Sweden. Guests can choose between 10-,
12- and 13-day cruises, with rates beginning at $2,995 per person,
double occupancy.
Windstar's second consecutive summer in northern
Europe began on June 20 when the 308-passenger Wind Surf
sailed from Lisbon, Portugal to London (Dover), England. On
June 30th, the ship departs London, England on an exciting sailing
journey of 12 days in the North Sea. Wind Surf will make her
entrance into the Scottish harbors of Leith (Edinburgh) and
Invergordon; visit the fjordlands of Stavanger, Norway and the
capital city of Oslo; cross to the continent for stops at Zeebrugge,
Belgium and Amsterdam, Netherlands; and stop at Århus, Denmark
before concluding its voyage in Copenhagen. The same itinerary
is conducted in reverse on a 12-day voyage that departs Copenhagen
on August 21.
On optional shore excursions for those voyages,
passengers are invited to sample the single-malt whiskeys of
Scotland, tour the birthplace of golf at St. Andrews, explore
the mysterious Loch Ness and enjoy intensive guided tours of
Amsterdam's museums, canals, and the famous Heineken brewery.
Beginning on July 12th, the ship will undertake
twin ten-day voyages that round-trip from Copenhagen, sandwiched
around a 13-day voyage from St. Petersburg to Copenhagen that
departs on July 29. The ten-day trips call at the ports of
Rostock, Germany; Ventspils, Latvia; Tallinn, Estonia; St. Petersburg,
Russia for an extended, overnight visit; Helsinki, Finland and
Ronne (Bornholm), Denmark before returning to Copenhagen. The
13-day journey begins with an overnight stay in the great Czarist
capital city, and then makes its way to Vyborg, Russia; Helsinki
and Tallinn; Mariehamn (Aland), Finland; overnights in downtown
Stockholm, Sweden; continues on to the Gotland island of Visby;
Ventspils; Klaipeda, Lithuania and Gdynia, Poland before arriving
in Copenhagen.
Shore excursion options include a host of
guided tours to the great Czarist sites of St. Petersburg, including
the palaces of Catherine the Great and Peter the Great, the
Amber Room and the magnificent Hermitage museum that houses
hundreds of the world's art treasures. In Sweden, guests can
enjoy a Nobel Prize-style banquet dinner, visit an Ice Bar or
soar high over Stockholm on a Hot Air Balloon adventure.
In Ventspils, Latvia, a Back in the USSR
tour visits a former spy base that is complete with staff dressed
in authentic Russian Army uniforms and playing the parts of
Cold War military agents.
This is Windstar's final scheduled season
in the Baltic. The Wind Surf will be redeployed to the Mediterranean
in the summer of 2005.
Rates are quoted per person, double occupancy
including non-discountable amounts and taxes. Windstar offers
optional trip cancellation protection that provides cash back
when you cancel for any reason prior to 24-hours before departure.
For more information including brochures, rates and itineraries
contact a professional travel agent or call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245.
Visit Windstar Cruises online at www.windstarcruises.com.
This July, guests and residents of The
World, the only private community at sea, will embark on
remarkable experiences including a patriotic Danish celebration
of American Independence Day, which unfolds amid heather-colored
hills of Rebild National Park in Alborg, Denmark. Beyond converging
with Danes and Danish Americans in Rebild at the largest Fourth
of July celebration outside the United States, The World’s privileged
guests and residents will call on ports in five other countries—England,
France, Holland and Spain
July 7, 8 and 9, 2004, Port of Call:
Amsterdam, Holland
In addition to a leisurely canal tour through
some of the 60 miles of Amsterdam’s waterways, guests and residents
can also visit Delft for behind-the-scenes tours and blue pottery
painting lessons given by artists at Amsterdam’s Royal Delft
Blue Pottery; travel the Dutch countryside to Zaanse Schans,
the open-air museum on the river Zaan; participate in a guided
tour of the cheese village of Edam.
July 18 and 19, 2004, Port of Call:
St. Malo, France
Expert guides lead the tour of Mount St.
Michel, separated from the mainland by a kilometer of sand and
set on a petite island on the north coast of France near Brittany.
The World’s guests and residents will discover
the defiant medieval monk-inhabited abbey now testament to the
site where Archangel Michael appeared to Bishop Aubert of Avranges
in a dream during the early eighth century.
July 24-25, 2004, Port of Call:
Vigo, Spain
Beyond the morning fish market auctions of
catch including eel and the unusual glass-enclosed balconies
that line the narrow streets, The World guests and residents
will ascend Mount Castro and visit an Iron Age settlement in
Galicia en route to Mount Santa Tecra from which breath-taking
views of the river Mino and its valley surrounds can be observed.
July 28-29, 2004, Port of Call:
Gibraltar, UK
Dramatic and steeped in history, “The Rock”
stands guard at the narrow entrance of the Mediterranean. The
World guests and residents can choose from an expert guided
dolphin cruise, or experience the Cable Car Station, where views
of the city of Gibraltar, the coastline of Africa, the Spanish
mainland and the Mediterranean can be enjoyed.
“Discovery is a worthwhile, but time consuming
process. It is one of the most important Capturing an intimate
view of the globe is at the heart of The World’s philosophy.
Vacationing guests and residents choose from an impressive array
of tours and land programs, arranged and executed with the highest
levels of service. Shore side tours encompass a variety of
interests and offer unique glimpses into nature and culture.
Likewise, overnight excursions offer exceptional insight into
the regions in and near The World’s ports of call.
A limited number of residences are available
from $1.3 million. Rental guests may choose from three styles
of accommodation: two, three and six-bedroom private apartments
starting at $2,000 per night; one and two-bedroom studio apartments
starting at $1,500 per night and veranda studios starting at
$1060 per night. Rates vary by itinerary, are based on double
occupancy, require a six night minimum stay and include onboard
dining, select wines and beverages, onboard gratuities and port
charges.
The World® is the only private residential
community at sea with a continuous worldwide itinerary. This
strikingly beautiful ship offers travelers the choice of owning
a home or renting a private residence for a unique vacation
experience. Elegant and intimate, The World promises gracious
and personal service in a warm, inviting ambiance much like
that of a private yacht, seaside villa or exclusive country
club. For rental guests, stays are booked at daily fares. For
more information about The World's residential purchase options,
please call ResidenSea at +1-305-264-9090; for inquiries
regarding rental stays onboard, call 1-800-970-6601 in the
U.S. or Canada or +1-305-779-3399 outside the U.S.; or visit
www.residensea.com.
