Carnival Cruise Lines To Return To Cozumel
Carnival Cruise Lines has resumed port calls to the
island beginning as of November 14. Initially,
Carnival plans to re-introduce Cozumel on the itineraries
of the following five ships that previously called
at the island:
-- Carnival Triumph from Miami - seven-day cruises
departing December 10 and 24
-- Inspiration from Tampa - four-day cruises departing
November 17, December 1, 15 and 29, and five-day
voyages departing November 21, December 5, 10, 19
and 24
-- Carnival Conquest from Galveston, Texas - seven-day
cruises departing November 13, 20, 27, December 4,
11, 18, and 25
-- Carnival Miracle from Tampa - seven-day voyages
departing December 4, 11, 18 and 25
For departures beyond Jan. 1, 2006, Carnival is currently
evaluating itinerary options for other ships to return
to Cozumel and will release this information as soon
as it is available.
Because of damage to the piers at Cozumel, Carnival
cruise ships will utilize tender services until further
notice. The majority of previously offered shore excursions
in Cozumel will operate as scheduled.
For those Carnival ships that are not immediately
returning to Cozumel, the company is substituting
the Mexican ports of Calica, Costa Maya, Progreso,
and Veracruz for the following departures:
-- Fascination from Miami - Calica featured on four-day
cruises departing December 5, 12, 19 and 26
-- Imagination from Miami - Calica featured on four-day
cruises departing December 1, 15 and 29
-- Carnival Valor from Miami - Costa Maya featured
on seven-day cruises departing December 11 and 25
-- Carnival Victory from Miami - Costa Maya featured
on seven-day cruises departing December 4 and 18
-- Carnival Liberty from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. -
Costa Maya featured on six-day voyages departing December
4 and 18, and an eight-day voyage departing December
24
-- Carnival Glory from Port Canaveral - Costa Maya
featured on seven-day cruises departing December 3,
17 and 31.
For additional information and reservations on Carnival's
"Fun Ship" cruises, contact any travel agent,
call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com.
Exciting Golf Opportunities Available On ‘Carnival
Liberty’s’ Cruises
Carnival Liberty’s new six- and eight-day
voyages from Fort Lauderdale, Fla., offer a variety
of exciting golfing opportunities featuring some of
the most beautiful and challenging courses in the
Caribbean and The Bahamas.
On its one-of-a-kind itinerary, which debuted November
12, 2005, Carnival Liberty departs Fort Lauderdale’s
Port Everglades Sundays on six-day cruises to Freeport,
The Bahamas; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel,
Mexico, and Saturdays on eight-day voyages to the
eastern and western Caribbean and The Bahamas.
Eight-day eastern Caribbean voyages feature San Juan,
Puerto Rico; St. Thomas/St. John, U.S.V.I.; Antigua,
Lesser Antilles; Tortola/Virgin Gorda, B.V.I.; and
Nassau, The Bahamas, while the western route includes
Limon, Costa Rica; Colon, Panama and Cozumel, Mexico.
Golf courses on the Carnival Liberty’s six- and eight-day
cruises from Fort Lauderdale include:
-- Lucayan Golf Club (Bahamas, six-day Caribbean/Bahamas).
Perched on the shores of Grand Bahama Island, this
par-72, 6,824-yard course is known for its tight fairways,
elevated greens, and sharp doglegs. Designed by Dick
Wilson, whose course offerings include Doral’s legendary
“Blue Monster” in Miami and Orlando’s Bay Hill, the
Lucayan Golf Club does not disappoint, offering a
test of precision and strength.
-- Hyatt Britannia Golf Club (Grand Cayman, six-day
Caribbean/Bahamas). The Caribbean’s first signature
golf course designed by Jack Nicklaus, the Hyatt Britannia
is actually three courses in one—a nine-hole championship
course and an 18-hole par-57 executive course. Combining
features of classic courses such as Royal Troon and
Turnberry with magnificent sea vistas, these links-style
courses reward players who keep the ball in play.
Windham el Conquistador (San Juan, eight-day eastern
Caribbean/Bahamas). Designed by renowned course architect
Arthur Hills, this 6,662-yard beauty is known for
its rugged contours and excellent layout, with 12
of 18 holes offering magnificent Atlantic and Caribbean
vistas. The final few holes feature 200 feet of dramatic
elevation changes, adding to the day’s challenge.
-- Mahogany Run (St. Thomas, eight-day eastern Caribbean/Bahamas).
Highlighting this Tom and George Fazio-designed course
is the aptly named “Devil’s Triangle” featuring three
of the most challenging holes in the Caribbean. Recent
renovations, including expanded fairways and refurbished
greens, make this 6,022-yard, par-70 course one of
the most popular in the Caribbean.
-- Cable Beach Golf Course (Nassau, eight-day eastern
Caribbean/Bahamas). Recently redesigned, this 6,500-yard
course offers spacious fairways surrounded by majestic
lakes. This challenging yet “resort-friendly” course
appeals to golfers of all skill levels. Greens are
surrounded by a series of mounds, protecting those
who hit the occasional stray shot.
-- Cozumel Country Club (Cozumel, eight-day western
Caribbean, six-day Caribbean/Bahamas). Cozumel’s
first and only world-class golf course, this Jack
Nicklaus-designed gem incorporates the island’s habitat,
with native trees, red mangroves, and natural wetlands.
Famous for its peaceful and tranquil setting, this
6,724-yard, par 72-course provides appeals to novice
and experienced golfers alike.
-- Summit Golf & Resort (Panama, eight-day western
Caribbean). This spectacular course offers 18 holes
of world-championship golf. Designed by talented
course architect Jeffrey Myers and built by Gregori
International, Summit Golf & Resort features a
breathtaking layout, wide-open fairways and well-placed
hazards and sand traps.
Courses featured within the Carnival Liberty’s program
are among the nearly 50 different golf options available
within the line’s comprehensive fleetwide onboard
Golf Academy Program managed by Sunrise, Fla.-based
Elite Golf Cruises. The program is available on every
Carnival Fun Ship and includes courses throughout
the Caribbean, The Bahamas, Hawaii, Mexico, Canada,
New England, Bermuda and Europe.
Shipboard lessons are conducted on deck in lighted
“lesson cages” offering expansive ocean views as a
backdrop. Instructors employ state-of-the-art “V1”
teaching computers providing split-screen, side-by-side
comparisons to some of golf’s best players to help
golfers improve their swing and ultimately lower their
handicap. A home version of the “V1” software can
also be purchased for use on golfers’ home computers.
Golf enthusiasts can leave their gear at home and
take advantage of the complete line of Nike Golf products
and apparel available for rent, demonstration or purchase.
Guests can also have their equipment custom-fitted
on board and have the products shipped free to their
home or office.
Advanced reservations are advised and itinerary,
course descriptions and pricing information are available
on-line at www.carnivalgolf.com, or by calling 1-800-324-1106.
Requests can also be faxed to 1-954-382-5398 or guests
can stop by the shore excursion desk once on board.
Following its six- and eight-day cruises from Fort
Lauderdale, Carnival Liberty will reposition to Europe
to operate a series of 12-day Mediterranean voyages
May 7 – October 22, 2006, offering many exciting golf
options as well.
For additional information, visit www.carnival.com.
Celebrity Cruises Offers Third Annual Savor The
Caribbean Series
For the third year, Celebrity Cruises is pairing
some of the hottest chefs with Celebrity’s Infinity.
The Savor the Caribbean series will take place onboard
Infinity’s seven-night Eastern Caribbean sailings
from January 15 through March 12, 2006, with a host
of celebrated chefs.
Allen Susser, whose namesake restaurant Chef Allen’s
has been hailed as “the best restaurant south of New
York,” will be featured on Infinity’s March 12 itinerary.
Susser was also recently named “Best Chef in the Southeast”
by the renowned James Beard Foundation.
Headlining the February 26 cruise, Wilo Benet will
illustrate his passion for mixing art and food. His
restaurant, Pikayo, in Puerto Rico’s Museum of Art,
has been named “San Juan’s best eating place” by The
New York Times, and selected by Conde Nast Traveler
as “one of the 100 most exciting new restaurants in
the world.”
Giancarla Bodini, chef de cuisine at Escopazzo since
its debut in 1993, will be the star chef on the January
29 itinerary. Known for mixing her Latin roots with
her love of Italian culture, Bodoni has created an
eclectic mix of flavors earning her and “Escoppazo”
a “Critics’ Choice” rating by Food and Wine magazine.
Brian Katz, chef at St. Thomas’ Old Stone Farmhouse,
has been twice voted Best Chef in St. Thomas. The
restaurant in 2003, was awarded the Award of Excellence
by Wine Spectator. Katz will be star Savor chef on
Infinity’s February 12 itinerary.
Edgar Leal developed his culinary style while working
in restaurants in his native country of Venezuela,
as well as in Spain, Chile, Monaco, New York and Miami.
Leal will be the star chef onboard Infinity’s January
15 cruise. His new restaurant, Cacao, was recently
named one of the best new restaurants in Miami by
the Miami Herald and Florida Trend magazine.
Additionally, guests can book shore excursions that
blend the island’s culture with its food. For example,
in St. Thomas, guests can participate in an intimate
cooking class hosted by Chef Brian Katz at the 215-year-old
plantation-turned-restaurant, the Old Stone Farmhouse.
While in San Juan, guests can enjoy a tour of Puerto
Rico’s Museum of Art, followed by a four-course “taste
of Puerto Rico” meal specially prepared by Chef Benet.
Upon return to Fort Lauderdale, they can book an excursion
combining both a brunch and learning experience with
Chef Allen Susser at his namesake restaurant, Chef
Allen’s.
Shore excursions can be purchased online up to 10
days prior to sailing, as well as onboard, if space
remains available.
Onboard Infinity guests can enjoy cooking demonstrations
by the featured chef, a Bacardi Caribbean-themed party,
wine and rum tastings, and lectures.
Departing Fort Lauderdale on alternating Sundays,
Infinity will call on Casa de Campo, Dominican Republic;
San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
and Nassau, Bahamas.
Website: www.celebrity.com
Crystal Cruises’ 2006 Theme Cruises Bridge Best
Of Land And Sea
Crystal Cruises will showcase ten different theme
cruise topics on more than half of its worldwide itineraries
next year. Naturalists from The Smithsonian Associates,
experts from Sotheby’s Institute, PGA golf pros, celebrated
chefs, jazz artists, fitness gurus and more, will
present lectures on board with many hosting excursions
ashore. Focusing on destination enrichment, or taking
advantage of days at sea, the line’s rich collection
of themed voyages is designed to reveal the archaeological,
natural, cultural, or culinary wonders of the world.
From Crystal’s renowned Wine & Food Festival
to Golf-themed cruises, 34 of the award-winning cruise
line’s 63 global itineraries feature dedicated theme
programming. Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity
host an impressive roster of themed voyages that also
includes its Distinguished Speaker Series; Film &
Theater Festival; a Health & Fitness series; Golf
cruises; a Jazz journey; and the annual President’s
Cruise hosted by company President Gregg Michel.
For example, popular and respected naturalist Patricia
Hostiuck will host a Smithsonian Associates cruise
aboard Crystal Symphony, a 14-day exploration
from Buenos Aires to Valparaíso rounding Cape Horn,
March 16-30, 2006. Hostiuck’s work has taken her
nearly ‘pole-to-pole’ with an emphasis on Patagonia,
Tierra del Fuego, the Falklands, South Georgia and
Antarctica. Well-versed on polar ecosystems, she will
share her expertise during seminars on board, followed
by personally hosted excursions ashore.
Careful consideration is given to the development
and timing of each theme cruise and its destinations.
Highlights of the 2006 program include:
-- Destination-specific lectures from the cultural
and educational arm of the Smithsonian Institution
are featured on eight itineraries dedicated to The
Smithsonian Associates, showcasing the Panama Canal,
the Amazon, South America and Antarctica, and New
England.
-- Experts from the world-renowned Sotheby's Institute
continue the cultural enrichment by illuminating the
secrets of art history on three voyages to the Amazon,
the Mediterranean, and the Mexican Riviera.
-- The easy-going rhythms of the Caribbean and Panama
Canal provide a soothing backdrop for two Health &
Fitness cruises with specialized instruction in yoga,
as well as tai chi provided by the founders of the
Tai Chi Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California.
The line’s state-of-the-art spa facilities (including
a Pilates Reformer), wide jogging and walking decks,
and healthful menus, including low-carb and low-fat
selections add to the allure of a rejuvenating journey.
-- Golf enthusiasts will appreciate the attention
from PGA pros and golf celebrities aboard two Golf
cruises, affording exclusive opportunities to tee-off
at some of the world's legendary courses in the British
Isles and Western Europe.
-- Crystal's theme cruise programming takes advantage
of extended days at sea with Big Band and Jazz cruises
featuring marquee names and hot new talent on Trans-Atlantic
crossings; and two Film Festival cruises spotlight
lectures and film authorities saluting American films.
-- The line’s Distinguished Speaker Series is showcased
on two Mediterranean voyages with informative lectures
from some of the world’s most noted personalities,
including former Carter White House Chief of Staff
Hamilton Jordan.
-- Crystal’s annual President’s Cruise aboard Crystal
Serenity travels the British Isles round-trip from
London on August 30, with company President Gregg
Michel.
-- The cornerstone of Crystal's theme programming—the
highly regarded Crystal Wine & Food Festival—will
celebrate its tenth year on 12 different sailings
in 2006. Some of the most established names in cuisine
and wine share the spotlight with the cutting-edge
stars of the culinary world, providing guests with
an experience that is both enriching to the mind and
pleasing to the palate.
Crystal's theme cruises are a vital component of
the Crystal Visions®Enrichment Program of renowned
speakers and celebrity guest lecturers offered on
every Crystal cruise.
For additional information, contact a travel agent
or call 888-799-4625. Website: www.crystalcruises.com
Low Business-Class Air Upgrade Adds Value With
Crystal European Cruises
While spring and summer 2006 air bargains to Europe
are hard to find, luxury cruise specialist Crystal
Cruises is introducing reduced business class air
upgrade fares with all 2006 European cruises booked
by March 31, 2006. The special business class air
upgrade fares of $1,099 to $1,299 are one way and
in addition to Crystal Cruises' published coach class
add-on fares. Available from selected major gateways
in the U.S., the upgraded airfares are approximately
50 percent lower than unrestricted business class
airfares to Europe.
The promotion is available with all of Crystal's
2006 Mediterranean, Baltic, Northern Europe and Trans-Atlantic
cruises —a total of 32 voyages between April 29 and
November 15 aboard the ultra-luxurious Crystal
Symphony and Crystal Serenity. Cruises
begin in Monte Carlo, Stockholm, Copenhagen, Venice,
Rome, Athens, London, Lisbon or Miami with fares starting
at just $1,995, per person, double occupancy.
The business class upgrade promotion is available
at only $1,099 from the Northeast, $1,199 from the
Central and Southeast, and $1,299 from the West, one
way. The Northeastern gateways are New York, Boston,
Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. (Dulles); the Central
and Southeastern cities are Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas/Fort
Worth, Houston, Detroit and Miami; the Western cities
are Los Angeles, Denver, San Francisco, San Diego,
Portland, Phoenix and Seattle. The offer is capacity
controlled and subject to space availability.
For additional information, please contact a travel
agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the luxury line's
website at www.crystalcruises.com.
A Transatlantic Crossing Aboard QM2 Ranks As A
Unique Experience
In the grand Cunard tradition, Queen Mary 2 holds
the distinction of being the only ocean liner providing
regularly scheduled transatlantic service between
New York and Southampton, and in 2006 she will traverse
the Atlantic 20 times. According to Jan Swartz, senior
vice president of customer service and sales for Cunard
Line, the popularity of transatlantic crossings indicates
a growing trend toward luxury adventure travel and
nowhere is it better reflected than aboard Queen Mary
2. "Traveling aboard QM2 recalls a bygone era
of glamour and sophistication providing the ultimate
luxury: time. For a growing number of travelers, it
is for these compelling reasons that they wish to
forgo the speed of air travel in favor of a true adventure
on the open seas," she said.
New 2006 Transatlantic Crossings
On April 15, 2006, Cunard begins sailing from its
brand-new terminal facility in Brooklyn, a move designed
to streamline the embarkation and disembarkation process,
with convenient access and comfortable amenities.
Also new for 2006: QM2's four eight-day transatlantic
crossings to/from Hamburg and one seven-day voyage
from Southampton to Ft. Lauderdale. On July 8 and
August 17, the ship will depart New York and arrive
six days later in Southampton. Guests will have the
opportunity to take in the local sights before leaving
that evening as the ship makes her two-day journey
to Hamburg. Westbound Hamburg sailings to New York
depart on July 16 and August 25. On November 11,
the 2006 transatlantic season concludes with QM2's
only seven-day transatlantic crossing from Southampton
to Ft. Lauderdale, arriving on November 18. Fares
for the New York/Hamburg voyages start from $2,199,
and fares for the Southampton/Ft. Lauderdale crossing
start from $1,299.
On transatlantic voyages, even longtime Cunarders
have an opportunity to experience many "firsts"
and "largests" at sea. QM2 boasts the world's
first and only floating planetarium, the first Canyon
Ranch Spa at sea, the first Veuve Clicquot Champagne
Bar at sea, the largest library at sea, the largest
ballroom with the biggest dance floor at sea, the
longest jogging track at sea and the largest and most
extensive wine cellar at sea.
One of Cunard's signature characteristics that has
long set the line apart is its commitment to providing
guests with a broad and academically unparalleled
range of onboard enrichment opportunities. The Oxford
University Discovery Program, for example, touches
on a wide range of thought-provoking subjects, including
literature, popular culture, theater, poetry, modern
art, creative writing, architecture and astronomy.
Likewise, London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Art has
an outpost onboard, featuring superlative performances,
as well as acting classes for aspiring thespians.
For those captivated by seafaring lore, the Maritime
Quest can be viewed throughout the ship, illustrating
Cunard's history via a visually compelling, multi-paneled
display.
For a truly grand holiday, guests can take advantage
of Cunard's "Connoisseur Collection," a
variety of luxurious pre- or post-sailing adventures
in the United Kingdom and Paris including hotel accommodations,
one-way economy airfare and transfers. Not-to-be-missed
excursions include a tour of the English countryside,
concluding with a train ride on the Venice-Simplon
Orient Express to London; the enchanting "Glimpses
of Ireland" tour, featuring the best of Dublin,
the city of poets and playwrights; a "Royal Scotland"
visit showcasing eclectic Edinburgh, Scotland's dreamy
Lake District and the silver waters of Loch Lomond;
and a dazzling four-night Paris/London journey, transporting
guests to the most in-demand sites and sounds of these
iconic metropolises. Guests wishing to spend more
time experiencing New York can take advantage of special
rates with selected city hotels.
Aboard the famous ship, like-minded travelers will
enjoy the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star
ServiceSM, fine dining, sumptuous surroundings, civilized
adventure and the legacy of historic voyages and transatlantic
travel. For more information about Cunard or transatlantic
crossings on Queen Mary 2, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or
go to www.cunard.com.
‘Queen Mary 2’ And ‘QE2’ To Rendezvous During
May Barcelona Call
The Mediterranean, the world's most romantic sea,
mythical Norwegian landscapes, ancient homes of the
Greek and Egyptian gods, pre-historic natural wonders,
the stylish French Riviera and the breathtaking masterpieces
of Florence. These are just some of the storied attractions
that are creating great interest in Cunard Line's
2006 voyages to Europe. Continuing Cunard's longstanding
tradition of sailing legendary voyages, flagship Queen
Mary 2, and QE2, the longest serving Cunarder,
will traverse the continent on numerous cruises in
2006, ranging from five to 18 days, sailing roundtrip
from Southampton, England to Northern Europe, the
Mediterranean and the Canary Islands.
Guests sailing on Queen Mary 2's Mediterranean Explorer
voyage and those traveling on QE2's Mediterranean
Splendours cruise will have the rare opportunity to
see the ships together in Barcelona on May 9. "The
line's European itineraries continue to be one of
the company's hallmarks, and extremely popular with
Cunarders," says Carol Marlow, president and
managing director of Cunard Line. "With the anticipation
of high demand for Cunard's legendary voyages in the
Mediterranean, for example, the fleet's capacity will
increase there more than 75 percent in 2006."
Highlights of 2006 Voyages to Europe
Queen Mary 2. Capitalizing on its distinction of
being the only ocean liner providing regularly scheduled
service between New York and Southampton, Queen Mary
2 offers guests the tempting option of combining an
east and westbound transatlantic voyage with a12-day
Mediterranean Explorer cruise, sailing in May, June,
July and September, for a leisurely 24-day journey.
Guests will have even more transatlantic options next
year when Queen Mary 2 incorporates four roundtrip
voyages from Hamburg, Germany.
Queen Mary 2's 12-day Mediterranean Explorer cruise
is highlighted by some of the most compelling cities
in Europe. From the port of Civitavecchia, it is
but a short drive to Rome and the legends of the ages:
the Vatican and Michelangelo's Sistine Chapel, the
Colosseum, the Roman Forum, the Catacombs. The truly
magical city of Florence, with its red tiled roofs,
tiny shops and magnificent art and architecture, makes
this Italy's most romantic capital. And always full
of life, Barcelona treats guests to its uniquely charming
streets, Gaudi's whimsical architecture, tapas extraordinaire,
Las Ramblas street performers and the eclectic Gothic
Quarter.
Queen Elizabeth 2. The grande dame of ocean liners
and the longest-sailing Cunarder, Queen Elizabeth
2 continues her rich heritage in Europe with a significant
presence in the Mediterranean, her voyages there equally
renowned as her world cruises. From May through October,
QE2 will sail seven Mediterranean voyages featuring
lengths from ten to 18 days, to many of the best-loved
ports in the Eastern and Western Mediterranean including
Athens, Alexandria, Egypt, Naples, Civitavecchia (port
for Rome) and Gibraltar.
Guests sailing on the 14-day Mediterranean Magic
cruise will be captivated by visits to such iconic
destinations as Athens, Naples, and Gibraltar.
Also on tap for 2006 are QE2's several visits to
the ever-enchanting Norwegian Fjords, Northern Europe
and even Iceland. From May through July, the ship
voyages to Northern Europe's mysterious terrain with
four cruises ranging in length from seven to 14 days.
Calls include the dreamlike Norwegian Fjords, the
ruggedly beautiful landscapes of Iceland and the "top
of the world" in Spitsbergen.
Long considered by many to be Mother Nature's masterpieces,
the Norwegian Fjords along Norway's west coast are
showcased during the 14-day Land of the Midnight Sun
voyage. Sailing the entire length of Norway—from
charming Stavanger in the South to the remote city
of Longyerben on the island of Spitsbergen—this voyage
is sure to dazzle even the most well-seasoned travelers.
The 13-day Glaciers and Geysers cruise calls on the
Icelandic metropolises of Reykjavik and Akureyri where
guests will have the chance to tour these Northern
cities as well as experience the region's renowned
hot springs, waterfalls, volcanoes and centuries-old
geological wonders.
And for those wishing to sail a shorter European
itinerary, QE2's five-day Taste of Europe delights
guests with visits to Bilbao, Spain; La Rochelle,
France and Guernsey in the Channel Islands, departing
May 26.
Other exotic adventures await when QE2 will glide
across the Atlantic Ocean to the Canary Islands, Spain
and Portugal on the 12-day Canary Islands Splendors
cruise departing on October 16. The 16-day Festive
Islands and Africa voyage, departing December 17,
will enthrall guests with visits to Senegal, Morocco
and Madeira.
Early Booking Fares for Cunard's 2006 voyages to
Europe start from $999, per person, double occupancy.
Cunard Line caters to sophisticated travelers who
enjoy the classic ocean liner experience combined
with 21st century luxuries and amenities. Aboard
the famous ships, like-minded travelers will enjoy
the Cunard hallmarks of impeccable White Star ServiceSM,
fine dining, sumptuous surroundings, civilized adventure
and the legacy of historic voyages and transatlantic
travel.
For more information, about Cunard Line's 2006 voyages
to Europe, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or visit www.cunard.com.
An Unforgettable Journey Connecting Two Great
Continents
Join the QE2 for six blissful nights and
indulge your every desire on a classic voyage into
history on a timeless journey with its epic emotional
charge as potent now as it always has been. The QE2
Southampton to New York Package includes a six-night
transatlantic crossing departing January 3 from Southampton.
On 3 January join QE2 for her only Southampton to
New York voyage in 2006.
Top off this magical experience with two relaxing
nights at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers.
Soak up the buzz and glamour of the city, and then
retire to your relaxing 4-star haven in the heart
of New York. The Sheraton is perfectly placed, just
a short hop to the theatres and Fifth Avenue's shopping
where you can take advantage of the January sales.
Transatlantic crossing fare includes a one-way World
Traveler flight from New York to London or Manchester.
Fares from £699
For bookings and further information, please contact
your travel agent, call 0845 071 0300 or visit www.cunard.co.uk
.
Cruise From Liverpool With Fred Olsen Cruise Lines
Not only are these cruises easily accessible – and
many currently offered at competitive discounts -
but some have the added attraction of Fred. Olsen’s
ArtsClub, a program of special interest activities
on board, with experts in the field offering talks,
tuition and other insights into their specialist subject.
For example, the first Liverpool departure is to Iberia
on March 19, 2006 (BP605), and this eight-night cruise
has a special interest theme of Wine, with talks and
tastings hosted by wine expert Brian Davis during
the cruise.
Another early spring cruise to the Canary Islands
offers the popular ArtsClub theme of Gardening hosted
by Fern Adler. A graduate in Garden Design and lecturer
on gardens, in 2004 she designed and made a small
garden for Hampton Court Flower Show, where she won
a silver medal from the RHS.
If antiques are your thing, then the ideal cruise
is to the Western Mediterranean for a 14-night cruise
from April 9, 2006. This cruise offers not one but
two ArtsClub themes. Antiques is hosted by leading
ceramics expert Lars Tharp, well known from BBC’s
Antiques Roadshow and his numerous appearances on
Radio 4, while Painting is hosted by Martin Chapman.
The longest cruise from Liverpool is to the Amazon
in January 2007 and its special themes of Photography
and Wildlife are ideally suited to the territory.
First time cruisers may prefer to start with something
more modest and a mini cruise is an ideal taster.
Try a festive mini cruise – BP269 – departing Liverpool
on December 16 2006 for four nights. The perfect pre-Christmas
treat, this cruise calls at St Peter Port in Guernsey,
then Dublin for some last-minute Christmas shopping
and sight-seeing, before retuning to Liverpool. Prices
start from only £218 per person with the Early Booking
Discount, so it’s a great way for new cruisers to
“put a toe in the water”
For more details about all the cruises available
from Liverpool and other regional ports, www.FredOlsenCruises.co.uk
, call 01473 742424 or see your local ABTA travel
agent.
‘MS Amsterdam’ Receives Signature of Excellence
Enhancements
Holland America Line’s ms Amsterdam recently
completed a drydock to receive all of the company’s
$225 million Signature of Excellence product and service
enhancements. Physical ship upgrades included the
addition of the Exploration Café — powered by the
New York Times, Culinary Arts Center presented by
Food and Wine Magazine, a teens-only Loft and Oasis
lounge and deck area, refurbishment of the Crow’s
Nest observation lounge, and an expanded Greenhouse
Spa and Salon.
The Amsterdam is Holland America Line’s seventh ship
to receive the Signature of Excellence enhancements.
The ms Ryndam, ms Prinsendam, ms Zaandam, ms Rotterdam,
ms Westerdam and ms Statendam have been
transformed by Signature of Excellence. The remaining
ships already feature soft good and service enhancements
and will receive major public area additions later
this year and during 2006 in scheduled drydocks.
The Amsterdam also has all new cabin amenities such
as plush Euro-top Mariner’s Dream Beds, flat screen
TVs, DVD players and deluxe waffle/terry cloth robes.
Other items featured in staterooms are magnifying
make-up mirrors with halo lighting, massage shower
heads, professional hair dryers, and complimentary
fruit basket.
The Culinary Arts Center presented by Food &
Wine Magazine, where more than 60 celebrated chefs
and culinary experts per year will provide cooking
demonstrations and intimate classes in the new state-of-the-art
onboard show kitchen. Guests in the audience can
get an up-close view of the cooking action on large,
plasma screens, while other guests also may watch
these events from the comfort of their staterooms.
The new Explorations Café – powered by The New York
Times offers guests an opportunity to sip coffee,
browse through one of the most extensive libraries
at sea, enjoy a wide selection of music at one of
several listening stations or surf the Internet. They
also can work The New York Times’ crossword puzzles
and access “TimesTalks” events and the NYTimes.com
website.
Younger cruisers now enjoy supervised, age-specific
activities in a more comprehensive Youth Program and
expanded Club HAL® designed for kids ages 3 to 12.
The younger ones can enjoy creative activities at
art tables, watch big-screen television and play on
a fun slide. Older kids, ages 8 to 12, have an area
featuring arcade games, air hockey, foosball, Karaoke,
Internet access and Sony Playstations.
Teens, ages 13-18, can enjoy The Loft, a teens-only
lounge designed to resemble a New York artist’s loft.
It connects via a special passageway to a secluded,
teens-only sun deck called The Oasis, which features
a waterfall and wading pool.
Under the Signature of Excellence initiative, the
Amsterdam also adds elegant amenities in each stateroom
including premium Euro-Top Mariner’s Dream Beds, deluxe
waffle and terry cloth bathrobes, flat-panel televisions,
DVD players and complimentary fresh fruit bowls.
Dining choices now include the Pinnacle Grill restaurant,
featuring Pacific Northwest fare and fine wines, and
four dining times in the main dining room.
The expanded Greenhouse Spa and Salon features more
treatment rooms, a thermal suite and hydro-pool, as
well as a new spacious fitness facility. In addition,
the salon features an accessible treatment room so
all guests may enjoy the facility.
Website: www.hollandamerica.com
Norwegian Coastal Voyage Offers 20% Price Reduction
To Repeat Passengers
Norwegian Coastal Voyage has announced a special
offer to its loyal clients: a 20 percent reduction
in the cruise-only prices for passengers who previously
sailed (since January 1, 2000) on the company’s Coastal
Odyssey itinerary along the fjord-indented coast of
Norway between Bergen and Kirkenes, above the Arctic
Circle. The special pricing is available on six-,
seven- and 12-day sailings, departing daily between
January 1 and May 31, 2006, excepting May 30. The
cabin savings amount to $174 to $456 per person, double
occupancy on one-way and $316 to $680 on round-trip
voyages and apply to new bookings in all cabins except
suites. These lower fares can be combined with senior
savings of $85 to $155 for travelers age 67 and up;
and can also be used by singles who pay no single
supplement on select cabins between January and April.
Regular published fares for six-day voyages are $869
to $1,871 per person, double; seven days are $1,058
to $2,279; and for the 12-day round-trip $1,580 to
$3,402. An alternative to a traditional cruise, NCV
vessels are a unique combination of first-class cruise
ship, working ship carrying local passengers and cargo
to 34 ports, and a lifeline to remote coastal towns
and villages, and appeal to travelers who enjoy dramatic
scenery, getting off the beaten track, meeting local
people and savoring daily life in a foreign country.
Highlights are Bergen, a Viking and Hanseatic city;
the Art Nouveau architecture of Alesund; the spectacular
Trollfjord; 1000-year old Trondheim; fishing villages
in the rugged Lofoten Islands; Tromso, the lively
capital of Arctic Norway; and Hammerfest, the world's
northernmost town.
The 312- to 674-berth ships are stylish, comfortable,
convivial and floating art galleries of works by leading
Norwegian artists in the public areas. They are equipped
with glass-enclosed non-smoking and smoking lounges,
a dining room, children’s playroom, conference facilities,
shop, Laundromat, Internet cafés on the three Millennium
ships, and, except on the Narvik, saunas and a fitness
room as well as elevators and cabins for disabled
passengers.
Previous bookings must be confirmed by NCV. Rates
include cabin category selected, meals, taxes, port
charges and gratuities. For cruise information and
reservations contact Norwegian Coastal Voyage at (800)
323-7436 or (212) 319-1300; for brochures, (800) 666-2374,
24 hours a day; web site, www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us.
NCV-22-November, 2005
NCV Introduces Five-Day Theme Cruise At
$565 On ‘Ms Trollfjord’ To Tromso’s Northern Lights
Festival;
Norwegian Coastal Voyage is introducing a five-day/four-night
Northern Lights Festival cruise priced at $565 per
person, double occupancy, on January 23 on the 674-berth
MS Trollfjord from Bergen to Tromso, where
the ship joins the Northern Lights Festival to celebrate
the sun’s return after the long polar night. Dazzling
green lights dance across the sky in winter when atmospheric
conditions are right. Cabins aboard the festival’s
official ship, jazz pub and floating hotel cost $70
per person double per night for one- to four-night
stays between January 27 and 30. Single rates are
$690 for the cruise and $110 per night as a hotel.
The 2006 Northern Lights Festival presents talented
musicians, young and established, Norwegian and international,
in more than 40 concerts of classical, jazz and contemporary
music in the city’s concert halls, cafes, cathedral
and soccer arena. The Norwegian Broadcasting Orchestra
celebrates Mozart’s 250th birthday on January 27 with
his Symphony No. 25 in G minor, K 183; the world premiere
of 32-year-old Norwegian composer Eivin Buene’s piano
concerto with Torleif Torgerson as soloist on pianoforte,
the instrument of Mozart’s day; and Stravinsky’s “The
Firebird.” The Nordic premiere of “Ashes to Ashes”,
a two-character play by Harold Pinter, winner of the
2005 Nobel Prize in Literature, is in Norwegian with
new music by Erik Stifjell of Tromso.
Other highlights are acclaimed trumpeter Ole Edvard
Antonsen and organist Kare Nordstoga in a concert
showcasing the Arctic Cathedral’s new organ; a Soul
Evening by the versatile Norwegian Broadcasting Orchestra
and five vocalists, including Earl Wilson and Inger
Lise Rupdal, in a wide range of blues, jazz, soul,
rhythm and blues music; the new “Free Flow Songs”,
commissioned by the Vossa Jazz festival, by Jan Gunnar
Hoff, piano, with Portuguese vocalist Maria Joao;
and Beethoven and Schubert sonatas played by Korean
pianist Young-Choon Park.
The outdoor opening performance, lunch concerts and
some student performances are free. Jazz jams aboard
the Trollfjord feature a different group on Thursday,
Friday and Saturday nights at 11 pm and local Mack
beer from the world’s northernmost brewery.
Tromso, 370 miles north of the Arctic Circle and
the largest city in North Norway, is a university
town with a lively nightlife, colorful wooden houses
and museums in a setting of fjords and snow-covered
mountains. Warmed by the Gulf Stream, the area has
an average daily temperature of 24° in January.
The festival cruise on the Trollfjord, a Millennium
ship, focuses on Norway’s music, culture and the Northern
Lights with a concert daily by Grieg Academy students,
the Nord-Norsk Visegruppe (Northern Norway Singing
Group) or Russian violinist Elena Yakovleva; lectures
on the Northern Lights and the traditional and modern
Sami music of Lapland; Norwegian and Arctic food specialties;
and optional tours of the Art Nouveau town of Alesund,
Trondheim’s Ringve Museum of musical instruments and
medieval Nidaros Cathedral, Bodo and the Saltstraumen
tidal current, and a dogsled safari with refreshments
in a Sami tent.
Launched in 2002, the modern Trollfjord, has contemporary
Norwegian art in the public areas, panoramic lounges,
restaurant, 24-hour cafe, convivial bars, Internet
Café, saunas, fitness room, Jacuzzi and pool.
Cruise fares cover accommodations, breakfast and
dinner daily, five concerts, three lectures, taxes,
port charges and gratuities. Cabin assignments are
on a best-available basis. In Tromso cabin rates
include buffet breakfast. A three-day sailing from
Trondheim to Tromso costs $350 per person double and
$415 single occupancy.
Northern Lights Festival tickets go on sale in late
November and cost about US$13 to $58 (in Norwegian
kroner, NOK 80 to 375). Check the festival web site,
www.nordlysfestivalen.no
, for the program and booking tickets online; telephone
orders can be made to the festival box office at (+
47) 77 66 33 66 before about 2 pm Eastern time.
For cruise information and reservations contact Norwegian
Coastal Voyage at (800) 323-7436 or (212) 319-1300;
for brochures, (800) 666-2374, 24 hours a day; web
site, www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us.
‘Norwegian Spirit’ To Call In Bermuda In 2006
NCL Corporation announced that its New York year-round
ship Norwegian Spirit will join Norwegian Dawn
in her calls to Bermuda for the 2006 summer season.
Norwegian Spirit’s new eight-day itinerary will feature
a day-long call in Bermuda, an overnight stop in St.
Thomas, USVI, and a call into Tortola in the British
Virgin Islands. The new eight-day itinerary begins
May 20, 2006 and runs through the September 30, 2006
cruise. The itinerary is on sale now starting from
$699 per person.
Norwegian Spirit will alternate this itinerary with
her scheduled 6-day Bahamas and Florida itinerary
calling in Port Canaveral (Orlando), Florida, Nassau
and Great Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.
After its new Eastern Caribbean/Bermuda season, Norwegian
Spirit will then commence its published 10- and 11-day
Deep Southern Caribbean cruises.
Norwegian Spirit joins Norwegian Dawn in its year-round
New York deployment on November 18, 2005 with alternating
10- and 11-day cruises to the Exotic Southern Caribbean.
The 10-day itineraries call at St. Thomas, Antigua,
Barbados, St. Maarten and Tortola. The 11-day itineraries
call at St. Thomas, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Dominica
and Tortola. These itineraries are offered through
February 2006. Rates for either itinerary start from
$949 per person.
On February 19, 2006 through the May 7th itinerary,
the ship offers her seven-day Bahamas & Florida
itinerary from New York calling on Port Canaveral
(Orlando) and Miami, Florida, and Nassau and Great
Stirrup Cay, Bahamas.
The recently renovated Norwegian Spirit features
eight restaurants, 12 bars and lounges, a state of
the art spa and fitness facility, a pirate-themed
activity complex for kids, a teen center, basketball
court, golf driving net, casino and conference center
among other amenities. Norwegian Spirit accommodates
1,966 passengers and features 18 spacious suites and
nearly 600 oceanview staterooms, of which more than
65 percent offer private balconies. Suites feature
sweeping ocean views, private bedrooms, bathrooms
with separate shower and whirlpool bathtubs, living
rooms with dining areas, stereos with CD/DVD library,
computer access with internet connection and butler
and concierge services. All staterooms feature NCL’s
high-quality finishes, with rich cherry wood, tea
and coffee makers in every room, and a much larger
bathroom unit than other ships, containing WC, shower,
and washstand compartments separated by sliding doors.
Website: www.ncl.com
‘Norwegian Dawn’ To Call In Bermuda In 2006-07
NCL Corporation announced that its New York year-round
ship Norwegian Dawn will begin calling into
Bermuda for the 2006-2007 summer seasons. Norwegian
Dawn's new seven-day itinerary with calls both into
Bermuda and the Bahamas is an industry exclusive and
will feature a day in Bermuda, a day at NCL's private
island Great Stirrup Cay and an overnight in Nassau.
The new seven-day itinerary leaves New York on Saturdays
beginning May 13, 2006 and runs through the August
26, 2006 cruise. The itinerary is on sale now.
After its new Bermuda/Bahamas season, Norwegian Dawn
will then commence its previously published Canada/New
England cruises.
On October 15, the ship sails a new seven-day itinerary
featuring Florida and three ports in the Bahamas.
The ship will call into Port Canaveral/Orlando; Grand
Bahama, Bahamas; Great Stirrup Cay; and overnight
in Nassau. NCL is offering this itinerary through
the November 26, 2006 cruise. The on-sale date for
this itinerary will be announced shortly. The ship
then returns to its previously published 10- and 11-day
Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries.
NCL deployed Norwegian Dawn in New York year round
in May of 2003. The move has been widely embraced
by travel agents and consumers to the extent that
NCL will homeport another ship year round in the Big
Apple, Norwegian Spirit beginning in November.
The company also deploys a seasonal ship, Norwegian
Crown, in New York for the past two summer seasons.
Cruise passengers have an unprecedented amount of
choice out of New York with NCL, including: 1-day
cruises to nowhere-a great way to learn about an NCL
ship; six-day cruises to Orlando and the Bahamas-perfect
for families; seven-day cruises to Bermuda and the
Bahamas; eight-day cruises to the Eastern Caribbean;
and ten- and 11-day cruises to the Eastern, Western
and Southern Caribbean.
For those passengers booked on the previously published
Norwegian Dawn seven-day Florida/Bahamas itinerary
who want to move to the six-day Florida/Bahamas itinerary
on Norwegian Spirit will receive up to a three category
upgrade or an onboard credit of $50. Otherwise, bookings
will be moved to the new seven-day Bermuda/Bahamas
itinerary with NCL protecting the original rate.
For those passengers booked on the previously published
Norwegian Dawn ten- and 11-day Eastern and Western
Caribbean itineraries who want to move to the new
Florida/Bahamas seven-day itinerary will receive the
seven-day rate and up to a three category upgrade
or receive an onboard credit of $50.
For further information on NCL or NCL America, visit
NCL's website at www.ncl.com.
Princess Debuts Innovative Web Tool to Make Finding
the Perfect Sailing Easy
Princess Cruises has introduced a revolutionary cruise
planning tool on the www.princess.com
website, giving users a new and improved way to find
just the perfect sailing. Called "Searchlight,"
the innovative tool is a quick and intuitive way to
search for and compare up to three cruises at a time
with just a few mouse clicks. The custom-designed
proprietary program quickly and easily finds a cruise
that meets a consumer's travel parameters using four
different criteria - destination, date, ship and duration
- and displays the results to help choose the best
voyage in seconds.
With just a mouse click, users can instantly see
what ships go where, when and for how long, eliminating
the guesswork that has typically defined the cruise
search process. Searchlight also enables users to
do a side-by-side comparison of up to three separate
cruises, considering such elements as price, cabin
category and itinerary. After finding the perfect
sailing, booking the cruise online is also easy.
The feature is part of a new web site re-design for
Princess, meant to give the user a cruise planning
and booking experience that directly correlates to
the actual way people research and plan their vacation.
The site is organized to intuitively offer the options
that web users look for, and the information-rich
site now offers five distinct sections to facilitate
the full cruise shopping process. Users can "Learn
About Our Cruises," "Find and Compare Cruises,"
"Book a Cruise," "Prepare for Your
Cruise" or access "Customer Care."
Radisson Announces New Cabarets Onboard ‘Seven
Seas Navigator’
From sizzling Latin rhythms to timeless Cole Porter
melodies, it will be a toe-tapping good time during
each of the Seven Seas Navigator’s® four new revue-style
productions. Celebrating a spectrum of music, the
shows feature a talented cabaret quartet with an orchestra
complement. The new “Show Stoppers – a Broadway Cabaret”
is a musical homage to the Great White Way featuring
renditions of popular Tony Award-winning hits from
acclaimed Broadway shows including Chicago, Phantom
of the Opera, A Chorus Line, Showboat and Grease.
“Hot Rhythms” turns up the heat and casts a musical
fever during its showcase of wide-ranging favorites
including exciting tunes from the Swing era plus international
chart-toppers, classic country, and sultry Latin selections.
Guests of the 490-guest, all-suite (90 percent with
private balconies) Seven Seas Navigator will recall
timeless melodies that have become ingrained in our
musical landscape during “Cole Porter’s Songbook.”
The tribute to the legendary artist celebrates several
of his clever, funny and romantic works: “Night and
Day,” “I Get a Kick Out of You,” “I Love Paris,” “DeLovely”
and “My Heart Belongs to Daddy.” Performed in an
intimate atmosphere, the cabaret quartet will blend
harmonies and humor, a style that was Porter’s trademark.
Billboard-topping hits ranging from the Charleston
to the Hustle take center stage in “Somewhere in Time
- a Musical Voyage.” A stroll through the decades
from “Your Hit Parade” to the swiveling hips of Elvis,
popular music comes alive during this revue of music
that defined generations.
In addition to the new cabaret revues, the Seven
Seas Navigator, as well as the rest of the Radisson
Seven Seas fleet, will feature two new concert-style
piano performances with an orchestra complement. Creating
a visual as well a melodic experience, documentary-style
photography will flash in the background, pulling
the performer, musicians and images into a complete
show of sights and sounds. A “Hand Full of Keys”
will showcase iconic songs of Nat King Cole, Liberace,
Billy Joel, Barry Manilow, Fats Waller, Jerry Lee
Lewis and Sir Elton John. At performances of “Play
it Again,” Motown, Ragtime, Rock and Roll, Blues,
Swing and Classical favorites are sewn into a quilt
of colorful American musical history. Take a trip
along Route 66 to the juke joints of the Bayou, to
American Bandstand and Motor City; enjoy a silent
movie starring Charlie Chaplin, swing at the Glenn
Island Casino and wind up for a dramatic finish at
Carnegie Hall.
For further information, contact Radisson Seven Seas
Cruises, 600 Corporate Drive, Suite 410, Fort Lauderdale,
Florida, 33334; or toll-free 800-477-7500; for brochures
and reservation information toll-free 800-285-1835;
or www.rssc.com.
To make reservations contact your travel professional.
‘Seven Seas Navigator’s April 21 ‘ Sailing Salutes
Theatre At Sea’ 30th Birthday
From screens big and small to the stage of the Seven
Seas Navigator®, an illustrious cast of Broadway
and Hollywood greats will headline “Theatre at Sea’s
30th birthday celebration on the all-suite (90 percent
with private balconies) vessel’s April 21, 2006 voyage.
Seven nights of musical, comedic and dramatic theatre
will delight 490 guests while sailing the Atlantic
and Mediterranean for 15 nights from Fort Lauderdale
to Monte Carlo.
Sponsored by The Theatre Guild, now in its 86th year,
Theatre at Sea’s cast of distinguished celebrities
this year include Emmy Award® and Golden Globe Award®
winner Ed Asner, best known for his portrayal of Lou
Grant on the “Mary Tyler Moore Show”; Academy Award®
winner Cliff Robertson, renowned for his portrayals
in “Charly” and “PT 109”; internationally acclaimed
actress Gena Rowlands of “A Woman Under the Influence”
and “The Notebook” fame; multi-award winning Broadway
director John Tillinger; Tony Award® winner Leslie
Uggams, who starred this Broadway season in “On Golden
Pond”; Lee Roy Reams, Broadway’s former lead in “42nd
Street” and “Beauty and the Beast”; and celebrated
actress Patricia Neal who won an Academy Award® for
her starring role in “Hud.”
The actors will perform in a variety of productions
ranging from musical and comedy showcases to scenes
from popular dramas and plays, plus a selection of
short sketches and renditions of favorite show tunes.
In a rare opportunity to get up close and personal,
guests will also be invited to attend several private
parties with the celebrities. Additionally, a special
optional post-cruise package in Monte Carlo will include
a sightseeing tour, visit to the Princess Grace Theatre
to meet its acting company, shopping, plus overnight
hotel accommodations and transportation ($400 per
person).
The Seven Seas Navigator’s April 21 Grand Crossing
from Fort Lauderdale to Monte Carlo features eight
nights of open water cruising plus seven nights plying
the Mediterranean’s coast, calling at Madeira (Portugal),
Casablanca (Morocco), Málaga, Palma de Mallorca and
Barcelona (Spain) and Sète (Carcassonne, France).
In addition to the “Theatre at Sea” programs, guests
may enrich their leisurely days crossing the Atlantic
by learning professional slicing, dicing and sautéing
techniques from Le Cordon Bleu®-trained chefs in a
series of three two-hour practical cooking classes
($395 per person, limited to a maximum of 16 guests
per class).
Experts from Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures
Society will also be aboard to share their broad knowledge
of the world’s diverse ocean ecosystems.
Per person prices start at $3,845, including two-for-one
savings, shipboard gratuities, wine with dinner and
an in-suite bar set-up. Website: www.rssc.com
Radisson Seven Seas Introduces New Dining Concepts
Aboard Its Fleet
From romantic Tuscan dining to a burst of exotic
Asian flavors and expanded Le Cordon Bleu® feasts,
food connoisseurs have a lot to look forward to as
menus at Latitudes, Portofino, and La Veranda on Radisson
Seven Seas Cruises’® Seven Seas Voyager®, Seven
Seas Mariner®, Seven Seas Navigator® and Paul Gauguin®
have been further refined and diversified to seduce
even the most demanding culinary aficionados.
The first cruise line to introduce permanent Le Cordon
Bleu restaurants-at-sea aboard the all-balcony suite
Seven Seas Voyager and Seven Seas Mariner, Radisson
Seven Seas is expanding its relationship with the
venerable Parisian cooking school with a new menu
at La Veranda on the elegant 320-guest Paul Gauguin,
which sails the stunning islands of Tahiti and French
Polynesia year-round.
The chefs of Le Cordon Bleu are bringing their high
kitchen arts to the South Seas with a menu that not
only explores the culinary highways and byways of
France, but also offers an extraordinary dining experience
that captures the food-loving heart of the country.
La Veranda’s à la carte menu is artfully assembled
to take guests on a gastronomic journey from Provence
to Normandy and from Alsace to the Loire Valley.
In addition, to accommodate every taste and concern
about healthy eating, Le Cordon Bleu has created lighter
sauces and vegetarian options. Further enhancing
the menu are specially selected wines and beautiful
views of Tahiti and Her Islands.
As guests meander from setting to setting (and region
to region), they will savor a variety of Italian antipasti
and a selection of complimentary wines chosen to best
match the featured dishes. Once all are seated, a
celebratory ambiance ensues with musicians inviting
guests to sing along to such classics as “Arrivederci
Roma” and “I Found My Love In Portofino.” The set
menu, delectably prepared and plated by the restaurant’s
two Italian chefs and served by seven singing Italian
waiters, features Minestrone al la Genovese, Tagliatelle
Gamberi e Zucchine and Risotto Ai Funghi Porcini,
plus a choice of two main courses including Aragosta
Catalana, and dessert.
With tastes to reflect the cuisine of regions visited
on select itineraries, Latitudes, the most intimate
of restaurants on the 700-guest Seven Seas Voyager
and Seven Seas Mariner, now serves a distinctly Indochine-styled
cooking influenced by a broader Asian palette. Authentic
Vietnamese fare is prepared using French cooking techniques,
served in traditional family-style by Asian waitresses.
The set menu with portions sized to invite tasting
and sharing features five appetizers (e.g., fresh
Imperial Vietnamese Shrimp Spring Roll and Fried Vegetarian
Won Ton with Shaoxing Rice Wine), one soup and salad
plus three main courses (e.g., Aromatic Prawn Curry
with Lemongrass and Piquant-Garlic, and Galangal-Marinated
Chicken Thighs), framed by side dishes like Chiang
Mai Fried Rice and Fried Egg Noodle with Vegetables,
topped off by a dessert. Fine wines paired with the
Indochine menu will be poured on a complimentary basis.
All voyages include wine with dinner, all shipboard
gratuities, an in-stateroom/suite bar set-up, plus
juices and soft beverages. There is never a charge
for any alternative restaurant throughout the fleet.
For more information or to book the “Theatre at Sea”
cruise, call (800) 752-9732.
‘Seven Seas Mariner’s Grand Circle South America
Voyage Departs January 10
A kaleidoscope of thrilling images and adventures
await guests of the Seven Seas Mariner’s® Grand
Circle South America
voyage departing Ft. Lauderdale January 10, 2006,
on a roundtrip 62-night journey, which is also available
in four 12- to 20-night combinable segments. Aboard
and ashore, the all balcony-suite Seven Seas Mariner’s
six-star luxury experience will be enhanced by a series
of enrichment programs with famed ocean explorer Jean-Michel
Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society experts, plus
a selection of new “Concierge Choice” shore excursions.
From a captivating photo tour to heart-pumping “flight-seeing”
over the Falklands to sultry samba and tango lessons,
“Concierge Choice” excursions are tailored to a variety
of popular interests, offering guests the opportunity
to go beyond traditional land and city tours and explore
South America in greater depth. Available to a limited
number of participants, groups are kept intimate to
ensure personalized experiences.
The 700-guest Seven Seas Mariner begins her tropical
exploration of South America on January 10 with a
12-night voyage from Ft. Lauderdale to Manaus (onboard
overnight), calling at St. Barts; Dominica; Barbados;
Devil’s Island (French Guiana); Macapa, Alter Do Chao
and Parintins (Brazil). On this segment, the “Concierge
Choice” “Capture Barbados Photo Tour” invites guests
to see the Caribbean through the eyes of renowned
Barbadian photographer Ronnie Carrington as he leads
photo pros and novices alike across the island, through
quaint villages and into “Scotland District” in search
of the perfect picture.
From the depths of the rural Amazon River basin to
three of South America’s most cosmopolitan cities,
the Seven Seas Mariner’s 17-night January 22 voyage
from Manaus (overnight) to Buenos Aires (overnight)
features the best of both worlds. A bevy of shoreside
choices are available throughout this sailing reaching
Boca de Valeria, Santarem, Fortaleaza and Salvador
de Bahia (Brazil); Punta Del Este and Montevideo (Uruguay).
In Rio de Janeiro, guests can explore Lesser Known
Rio and its Favelas, some 550 mysterious steep hillside
communities; or learn the seductive samba at the city’s
most famous dance classroom during Samba Lessons and
Sights of Rio. Concierge Choice options also include
a drive to UNESCO-protected Colonia del Sacramento
in the Uruguayan countryside; and a journey back in
time through the life of Argentina’s first lady Eva
(Evita) Peron with the Evita! tour. In Buenos Aires,
enjoy a rare opportunity to ride at “El Retiro Polo
Club and School” with a chance to assist in a formal
polo match; or feel the rhythm of the night through
expressive dance with Tango! Tango! and Lesson.
Encounter the true Deep South aboard the Seven Seas
Mariner’s February 8, 20-night voyage from Buenos
Aires (overnight) to Lima, calling at West Point Island,
Port Stanley (Falkland Islands); Ushuaia (Argentina);
Punta Arenas (overnight), Puerto Chacabuco, Puerto
Montt, Valparaíso (Santiago) and Coquimbo (Chile);
and Pisco (Peru). Enjoy nature in its purest form
with the Sea Lion Heliicopter Experience; or travel
around Stanley like royalty with The Governor’s Taxi
tour, escorted in a restored burgundy London Cab used
by dignitaries. The Tololo Observatory and Elqui
Valley excursion offers breathtaking views at the
Southern Hemisphere’s largest astronomical observatory
(6,000 feet above sea level).
On February 28, the last Grand Circle South America
segment departs Lima (overnight) for Ft. Lauderdale
on a 13-night sailing calling at Salaverry (Peru);
Manta (Ecuador); Fuerte Amador, Gatún Yacht Club (Panama);
Puerto Limón (Costa Rica); Santo Tomás de Castilla
(Guatemala); and Belize City (Belize). “Concierge
Choice options include a day flight to Quito to explore
ancient Incan treasures during the Art Galleries Tour
and Lunch; plus the chance to visit the only wildlife
refuge devoted to the enigmatic sloth during the Sloth
Sanctuary and Canoe Ride excursion.
The four-segment South America sailing will also
feature environmentalist Jean-Michel Cousteau, who
is scheduled to sail the Amazon, the Falklands and
the Chilean Fjords. Cousteau, along with associates
from his Ocean Futures Society, will share his broad
knowledge of this colorful, diverse continent through
onboard enrichment programs and a range of captivating
shore excursions.
Prices for the 12-night January 10 voyage start at
$4,946; the January 22 17-night segment starts at
$7,796; the 20-night February 8 segment starts at
$8,921; and the 13-night February 28 segment starts
at $5,396. All prices are per person and include 25
percent savings, fine wine with dinner, all shipboard
gratuities, an in-suite bar set-up and all soft beverages.
For further information, visit www.rssc.com.
To make reservations contact your travel professional.
Popular Radiance-Class Ship to Spend the Fall
of 2006 Cruising Canadian Coast
Royal Caribbean International has revised Jewel of
the Seas' 2006 itinerary to include a series of seven-night
Canada/New England sailings roundtrip from Boston,
Massachusetts. The 2,100- guest Jewel of the Seas,
previously scheduled to sail ten-night Bermuda/Caribbean
itineraries, will be the only Royal Caribbean ship
offering Canada/New England itineraries in the fall
of 2006. "Our guests' response to our Canada/New
England itineraries last year was tremendous,"
said Adam Goldstein, president of Royal Caribbean
International. "We felt it was important to offer
our guests the opportunity to see the beauty of this
area while at the same time enjoying the wonderful
amenities and service onboard Jewel."
Following a 12-night transatlantic cruise departing
from Harwich, England, on September 11, 2006, Jewel
of the Seas will sail roundtrip from Boston, with
calls to Martha's Vineyard, Mass.; Portland and Bar
Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax,
Nova Scotia.
On October 31, 2006, Jewel will sail her scheduled
12-night repositioning cruise from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale,
Fla., where she will embark on a series of eight-
and six-night Eastern/Western Caribbean itineraries.
With nearly three acres of exterior glass, Jewel
offers an ideal way to view fall foliage along the
New England and Canadian coastline. Jewel also sparkles
with ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling
windows in most public areas, and has the highest
percentage of balcony staterooms in Royal Caribbean's
fleet. Throughout the ship, guests will discover the
ship also shines in its entertainment, dining, activities
and art offerings.
Guests who have been affected by the change in itineraries
should contact their travel agent or call 1-888-837-5676.
Royal Caribbean Alters ‘Jewel Of The Seas’ Itinerary
Royal Caribbean International has revised Jewel
of the Seas’ 2006 itinerary to include a series
of seven-night Canada/New England sailings roundtrip
from Boston, Massachusetts. The 2,100-guest Jewel
of the Seas, previously scheduled to sail 10-night
Bermuda/Caribbean itineraries, will be the only Royal
Caribbean ship offering Canada/New England itineraries
in the fall of 2006.
Following a 12-night transatlantic cruise departing
from Harwich, England, on September 11, 2006, Jewel
of the Seas will sail roundtrip from Boston, with
calls to Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.; Portland and Bar
Harbor, Maine; Saint John, New Brunswick; and Halifax,
Nova Scotia.
On October 31, 2006, Jewel will sail her scheduled
12-night repositioning cruise from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale,
Fla., where she will embark on a series of eight-
and six-night Eastern/Western Caribbean itineraries.
With nearly three acres of exterior glass, Jewel
offers an ideal way to view fall foliage along the
New England and Canadian coastline. Jewel also sparkles
with ocean-facing glass elevators and floor-to-ceiling
windows in most public areas, and has the highest
percentage of balcony staterooms in Royal Caribbean’s
fleet. Throughout the ship, guests will discover the
ship also shines in its entertainment, dining, activities
and art offerings.
Guests who have been affected by the change in itineraries
should contact their travel agent or call 1-888-837-5676.
Website: www.royalcaribbean.com
Dave Matthews & Friends to Anchor Rock &
Roll Cruise
Dave Matthews & Friends will headline an intimate,
exclusive concert in the Bahamas as part of a three-day
rock and roll cruise next February. The Dave Matthews
& Friends Caribbean Cruise Getaway will set sail
on February 3, 2006, on two Royal Caribbean cruise
ships, the Sovereign of the Seas and the Majesty
of the Seas, and will arrive at an undisclosed
private island location where Dave Matthews &
Friends will headline a live concert. On the open
seas, fans will be entertained by such artists as
Bob Weir and Ratdog, G. Love and Special Sauce, Toots
and the Maytals, Ozomatli, North Mississippi Allstars,
Mike Doughty's Band, and others. Additional artists
will be announced in the coming weeks.
The ships sail from Miami and Port Canaveral, Florida
and converge in the Atlantic to sail tandem to the
Bahamas. The cruise schedule has been uniquely devised
to integrate great live music with traditional sailing
and island activities. From special television channels
and movies, to twilight concerts on the outside pool
decks to headliner concerts indoors, the 3 day adventure
will be packed with music, parties and incredible
cuisine.
The cruise begins with onboard live concerts which
will go late into the evening. The ships dock in Nassau
on February 4 for shopping, exploring, and island
adventure before tenders ferry fans to a secret island
for an evening performance by Dave Matthews &
Friends in a secluded beach setting. An after-show
Secret Island Party will close out the evening's activities
before the late night tenders return passengers to
their ships for more music, great cuisine and casino
action on board.
Sailing overnight, the ships will dock on February
5 at Royal Caribbean's private island, CocoCay, where
a variety of adventure and activities await the passengers.
With nature trails and aquatic facilities, CocoCay
offers activities for every taste, from parasailing
to snorkeling all above a reef abundant with wildlife.
The ships dock in their home ports on February 6.
Cruise reservations and accommodations are on a first-come,
first-serve basis. For more information on this unique
fan adventure, go to the official website at http://www.cruise.davematthewsband.com
/ or at http://www.davematthewsband.com.
Seabourn Offering Four Caribbean Specials
Seabourn's Caribbean has everything the discerning
traveler would expect, while still being full of delightful
surprises—pristine white beaches, secluded turquoise
coves, palm-studded resorts lauded for exclusivity.
Fares From $2,757 Fares From $2,757
-- Caribbean Jaunt. March 14 to 19, 2006 on the Seabourn
Legend. Five days from Ft.
Lauderdale to Charlotte Amalie. Fares From $1,595
-- Caribbean Charms. March 26 to April 2, 2006 on
Seabourn Legend. Seven days roundtrip from Charlotte
Amalie. Fares From $2,298.
-- Caribbean Charms, April 9 to 16, 2006 on Seabourn
Legend. Seven days roundtrip from Charlotte Amalie.
Fares from $2,757 (Club fare available).
-- Caribbean Favorites. April 16 to 23, 2006 on Seabourn
Legend. Seven days from Charlotte Amalie to Ft. Lauderdale.
Fares From $2,757 (Club fare available).
Certain restrictions apply. Website: www.seabourn.com
SeaDream To Offer Series Of Ten Sailings In South
America Next Winter
SeaDream Yacht Club will introduce a series of ten
sailings in South America between Rio de Janeiro and
Buenos Aires in the winter of 2006-2007. Five of the
nine-night, ten-day sailings will commence in Rio
and end in Buenos Aires. These include an overnight
in Rio with the SeaDream yacht as the guests’ hotel,
and a day trip to famed Iguaçu Falls. The other five
commence in Buenos Aires and end in Rio. These will
include an overnight and extra day in Buenos Aires
with the yacht serving as the guests’ hotel.
The new South American itineraries will be operated
by SeaDream I. SeaDream II will continue
to sail in the Caribbean for the winter months.
South American ports of call from Rio de Janeiro
and Buenos Aires will be Buzios, Parati, Ilhabela,
Porto Belo, all in Brazil and Punta del Este, Uruguay.
(Please see attached Ports of Call Glossary.) There
will also be a call on Itajai in Brazil to position
guests for a private jet charter to spectacular Iguaçu
Falls, which will included in the price of these Rio-Buenos
Aires voyages.
The ports of call from Buenos Aires to Rio will be
Punta del Este, Uruguay; Porto Belo, Ilhabela, Ilha
da Gipoi, Parati and Buzios, in Brazil. One of these
South America sailings from Buenos Aires to Rio de
Janeiro will include Rio’s famed Carnaval (February
17-20). Christmas Eve SeaDream I will be sailing
off Porto Belo, Brazil. While for the New Year’s holiday
SeaDream I will be in Rio. SeaDream stated these special
holiday voyages are expected to fill quickly and is
urging those interested to book early to assure good
air transportation.
SeaDream’s 2006-2007, nine-night, ten day South American
voyages are:
#1647 Nov 23, Rio-Buenos Aires (U.S. Thanksgiving
Holiday)
#1648 Dec 2, Buenos Aires-Rio
#1649 Dec11, Rio-Buenos Aires
#1650 Dec 20, Buenos Aires-Rio (Christmas
Holiday Sailing)
#1701 Dec 29, Rio-Buenos Aires (In Rio
New Year’s Eve)
#1702 Jan 7, Buenos Aires-Rio
#1703 Jan 16, Rio-Buenos Aires
#1704 Jan 25, Buenos Aires-Rio
#1705 Feb 3, Rio-Buenos Aires
#1706 Feb 12 Buenos Aires-Rio (Carnaval
in Rio Feb 17-20)
Following this series of South America sailings SeaDream
I will sail back to the Caribbean. The plan is for
SeaDream II to do the South American itineraries the
following year.
The South American sailings are open for bookings
now. Prices for individual bookings for the nine-night,
ten-day sailings based on double occupancy of staterooms
are from $3,999.00 per person, based on SeaDream’s
“Book Now and Save Plan.”
Similarly, prices for the individual bookings for
the December 20 Christmas voyage are from $4,599.00.
Prices for individual bookings for the December 29
New Year’s voyage are $5,999.00 and include a day
trip to Iguaçu Falls. Prices for the Rio Carnaval
voyage are from $5,499.00.
Solo travelers pay 150 percent for single occupancy.
In addition government and port charges, document
issuance, fuel surcharges, handling and service fees
of $585.00 per person are extra.
Complete details of these South American voyages,
including schedules, itineraries and pricing are available
on SeaDream’s website at www.seadreamyachtclub.com.
Silversea Announces Success Of ‘Silver Sailings’
Savings Program
Silversea Cruises has announced that its "Silver
Sailings" savings program has been more successful
than anticipated. With a number of voyages close to
selling out and limited suite availability on others,
the line is reducing the discount amount on several
departures. The company is also strongly encouraging
its travel partners to confirm their clients' travel
plans while space is still available.
Following below is a small sampling of the 2006 voyages
featuring Silver Sailing savings (fares listed do
not include port charges):
- Silver Cloud departs March 9, 2006 on a 14-day
South America Explorer voyage (1606), from Rio de
Janeiro to Barbados with calls in Salvador and Fortaleza,
Brazil; Devil's Island, French Guiana; Puerto Ordaz,
Venezuela; and St. George's, Grenada. Silver Sailing
fares start at $4,422 per person (50 percent savings).
- Silver Whisper departs May 4, 2006 on a ten-day
From the Canaries to the Casbah voyage (4616), sailing
from Las Palmas to Barcelona with calls in Arrecife,
Canary Islands; Agadir and Casablanca, Morocco; Lisbon,
Portugal; Cadiz and Malaga, Spain. Silver Sailing
fares start at $3,672 per person (50 percent savings).
- Silver Wind departs May 15, 2006 on a 10-day Riviera
Plus voyage (2615), from Monte Carlo to Villefranche-sur-Mer
with calls in Genoa, Rome and Livorno, Italy; Palma
de Mallorca, Valencia and Barcelona, Spain; Marseille
and Cannes, France. Silver Sailing fares start at
$4,407 per person (40 per cent savings).
- Silver Shadow departs September 5, 2006 on a 12-day
Majestic Alaska voyage (3625), from Vancouver to Los
Angeles with calls in Sitka, Juneau and Ketchikan,
Alaska; Victoria, British Columbia; San Francisco
and Ventura, California. Silver Sailing fares start
at $4,257 per person (40 percent savings).
- Silver Cloud departs October 3, 2006 on a 10-day
Accent on Spain voyage (1628), from Lisbon to Monte
Carlo with calls in Cadiz, Malaga, Valencia, Barcelona
and Palma de Mallorca, Spain; and St. Tropez, France.
Silver Sailing fares start at $4,527 per person (40
percent savings).
- Silver Shadow departs October 29, 2006 on A Taste
of the Dutch Caribbean seven- day voyage (3630), from
Barbados to San Juan with calls in St. George's, Grenada;
Los Roques, Venezuela; Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles;
Oranjestad, Aruba; and La Romana, Dominican Republic.
Silver Sailing fares start at $1,797 per person (50
percent savings).
- Silver Wind departs December 3, 2006 on a ten-day
Argentinian Explore" voyage (2637), from Buenos
Aires to Buenos Aires with calls in Montevideo, Uruguay;
Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Port Stanley, Falkland Islands;
and Comodoro Rivadavia, Argentina. Silver Sailing
fares start at $3,777 per person (40 percent savings).
For more information visit www.silversea.com.
Silversea Cruises Launches Redesigned Web Site
Silversea has launched its redesigned Web site (www.silversea.com ) featuring dynamic graphics
and other enhancements that enable visitors to more
fully experience the luxury, personalized service
and pampering ambiance that await guests who reserve
a suite aboard the line's award-winning ships. Dynamic
graphics allow easier navigation to browse user-friendly
new features such as in-depth itinerary descriptions,
Virtual Voyage movie downloads, interactive regional
maps and deck plans with streaming video views of
all suites and public areas, comprehensive descriptions
of optional programs and up-to-the-minute enticing
offers.
Visitors to the site will find they can now easily
and quickly peruse the line's many worldwide itineraries
by the port or region they wish to visit or by the
date that best fits their travel plans or even by
their favorite ship. Each voyage page displays:
a day-by-day itinerary with embark/disembark times
and voyage map; fact-filled and informative port descriptions;
detailed travelogues of optional shore excursions;
fares for the line's most popular suites with all
applicable savings; Air/Hotel Program fares, Solo
Traveler fares and optional extended-land and Silver
Sights programs.
One of the most exciting improvements is the new
Virtual Voyage feature, which enables visitors to
create their own movie download of the suites and
public spaces. Visitors simply choose which ship
they want to tour, then select the suites and public
spaces they want to view and click the "Play
Movie" option for an enticing preview of what
ultra-luxury cruising is all about.
Guests looking to complement their voyage with a
pre- or post-cruise Silver Sights or extended land
program will find detailed day-by-day land itineraries
and hotel descriptions. Or, they can create their
own customized itinerary with the Personalized Voyages
feature, view a roster of noted speakers and experts
hosting entertaining Enrichment Voyages, and find
superb savings opportunities on select voyages by
clicking on Enticing Offers.
With the My Voyage feature, guests can book shore
excursions, salon appointments and spa treatments
online as early as 60 days prior to sailing. The
cost for these services is subsequently charged to
the guest's shipboard account during the voyage.
Silversea has further enhanced its level of support
to travel agents with a new online toolkit that offers
an assortment of turnkey, cost-effective online resources
to help agents better connect with their clients.
The toolkit enables agents to customize their newspaper
and magazine ads, create new collateral and promote
special-interest cruises using a variety of templates
and tools, including promotional e-mails that can
be forwarded to clients along with digital images
of ships.
In addition, for the first time an online training
module is available to educate agents about the all-inclusive
nature of the Silversea experience and what differentiates
the line from its competitors, a feature the company
feels will be especially beneficial to the growing
community of home-based agents.
For more information, visit www.silversea.com
To download Silversea
Star Cruises Adds European Itineraries On ‘Superstar
Libra’
Star Cruises, is pleased to announce that for the
very first time it will have a ship based in the Eastern
Mediterranean during the summer 2006 season. Currently
sailing from the homeport of Mumbai , India , the
1,480-passenger capacity SuperStar Libra will
reposition to the homeport of Valletta, Malta in June
2006.
The deployment to the Eastern Mediterranean follows
from SuperStar Libra’s season in India which ends
in May 2006. To dovetail with the Eastern Mediterranean
deployment, her season in India will be extended from
end of April to late May 2006. SuperStar Libra will
then proceed with her relocation cruise on 21 May
2006 from Mumbai with showcases at Dubai and Bahrain
before arriving at her homeport of Valletta, Malta
on June 6, 2006.
SuperStar Libra will be the first ever ship in the
Star Cruises Asian fleet to operate in Europe. Most
cruises will depart from the homeport of Malta and
Star Cruises has received exceptional support from
both the Prime Minister and the Tourism Minister of
Malta in developing these itineraries.
Ports of call on the new Eastern Mediterranean cruises
are scheduled to include Rome (Civitavecchia), La
Spezia (for Florence and Pisa), Olbia, Naples, Venice
and Messina (Sicily) in Italy; Athens (Piraeus), Santorini,
Corfu and Crete in Greece; Valetta in Malta; Istanbul
and Izmir in Turkey; Dubrovnik in Croatia; and Alexandria
in Egypt.
Cruises available in the Eastern Mediterranean will
range from seven to 12-nights and Star Cruises is
currently working closely with travel partners, such
the Maltese Tourism Board, tour operators, cruise
specialist agents and airlines, to ensure these new
cruises are on sale from early 2006.
In line with all other Star Cruises ships, the SuperStar
Libra will feature an Asian flavor onboard. In addition
to Asian restaurants, the ship will retain the high
standards of Asian warmth and hospitality in all aspects
of service. The ship features a range of leisure facilities
including swimming pool and jacuzzis, outdoor golf
driving range, basketball court, jogging track, fully
equipped gym with sauna, beauty salon, children’s
play room and karaoke lounge.
The SuperStar Libra was transferred to the Star Cruises
fleet from the NCL fleet in summer 2005. The move
was the first of five further mid-size ship transfers
from NCL to Star Cruises. NCL and Orient Lines are
part of the Star Cruises Group.
‘SuperStar Gemini’ Arrives In Singapore To Begin
New Season In Southeast Asia
Star Cruises has deployed its SuperStar Gemini
to Singapore where she has begun a brand new seven-night
cruise itinerary departing weekly from Singapore.
This forms part of a series of exciting itineraries
which will see SuperStar Gemini call at 16 destinations
across Southeast Asia and Hong Kong from this month
until the end of 2006.
The itineraries are a combination of 7 and 21-night
cruises to destinations such as Port Klang (Kuala
Lumpur), Langkawi, Penang, Kota Kinabalu and Kuching
in Malaysia, Krabi, Phuket, Ko Samui and Bangkok in
Thailand, Sihanoukville in the Khmer Republic (formerly
Cambodia), Ho Chi Minh City, Nha Trang, Halong Bay
and Danang in Vietnam.
The new itineraries will include a number of maiden
calls by SuperStar Gemini to Bangkok and Ko Samui
in Thailand, Kuching and Kota Kinabalu in East Malaysia
as well as Nha Trang, Danang and Halong Bay in Vietnam.
It will also be the first time that a Star Cruises
ship will call at Sihanoukville, capital of the Khmer
Republic. The overnight call to Halong Bay will allow
passengers to visit exotic Hanoi in Vietnam’s north.
Together with Phuket, Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City,
this brings to 4 destinations in Indochina where SuperStar
Gemini has overnight stops.
The introduction of longer itineraries have been
designed to provide a more relaxing cruise holiday
to cater to more sophisticated cruise passengers on
a ship that has proved to be very popular with the
Australasian and European markets.
Guests can expect a new and exciting onboard experience
in terms of dining and recreation facilities with
the ship having undergone a two week dry-dock exercise
in preparation for the new itineraries. A varied entertainment
program with new classical and contemporary acts is
also among the highlights specially arranged.
The SuperStar Gemini offers guests the best in comprehensive
facilities, entertainment, recreation activities coupled
with informality and flexibility for the discerning
modern holiday-maker. Apart from its 400 cabins, the
cruise vessel is also equipped with six restaurants
and bars, a swimming pool, hair salon, spa, karaoke
rooms, and many more that will cater to all types
of passengers, young and old, singles and family makers.
Website: www.starcruises.com
Windstar Offers Unique Dive Programs In The Caribbean
With two motor sailing yachts exploring the far reaches
of the Caribbean this winter, Windstar Cruises’ PADI-certified
(Professional Association of Dive Instructors) dive
program provides ample opportunities to discover underwater
sites teeming with marine life. Dive instructors
lead a range of programs from Discover Scuba Diving
for novices to advanced specialty courses for certified
divers.
Between December and April, the msy Wind Surf
is positioned in the heart of the southern Caribbean,
where dive adventures await in places like Moon Hole
near Bequia, famous for its deep crevices and abundant
marine life. At Devil’s Tabletop divers will enjoy
a colorful display of pink and red corals, purple
sea fans, parrotfish as well as turtles, grey nurse
sharks and other marine life. In Mayreau, the Purini
Wreck, a gunship sunk during WWI, is home to nurse
sharks, stingrays, squirrel fish and other marine
life.
The Wind Surf’s Caribbean itineraries are specially
designed to give guests the option of combining two
back to back cruises into a 14-day cruise with no
repeating ports of call. The ship’s northbound Caribbean
itinerary features Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barts, Guadaloupe,
Iles des Saintes and Pigeon Island (St. Lucia). The
southbound itinerary calls on Tobago, Grenada, Bequia,
Roseau and Cabrits (Dominica), and Mayreau (Grenadines).
Aboard the Wind Spirit, guests on a seven-day
Caribbean cruise round trip from St. Thomas may enjoy
amazing dives near St. John at Mingo Cay, for an incredible
show of tropical fish. Wreck diving enthusiasts will
enjoy the dive to the famed RMS Rhone in Tortola.
The Royal Mail Steam Ship ran aground during a hurricane
in 1867 and broke into two parts. It’s now known
as one of the world’s best wreck dives. Scenes from
the movie “The Deep” were filmed here.
The Wind Spirit sails roundtrip from St. Thomas between
December and April visiting St. John, St. Martin,
St. Barts, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke and Virgin Gorda.
For certified divers, Windstar’s Adventures in Diving
program offers guests the opportunity to improve their
diving skills while diving with PADI instructors on
more challenging excursions. By completing three
adventure dives, guests will earn a PADI Adventure
Diver certificate. Courses to choose from include
wreck diving, deep diving, navigation diving and more.
For beginners, Windstar’s Discover Scuba Diving program
starts with a pool dive, graduating to 30- to 40-foot
dives with an instructor. A number of specialty courses
are available. The Peak Performance Buoyancy Specialty
course teaches divers to fine-tune their buoyancy
to extend time spent underwater by reducing air consumption.
A fish identification course teaches basic fish identification
and characteristics of local fish families and species
during two dives.
Dive programs start at $80 for a one tank dive or
avid divers can sign up for the “Dive the Five” package
which includes any five dives for $350. An Advanced
Open Water course includes five dives, instruction
and certification for $495. The five dives include
a Deep Adventure Dive, Underwater Navigation Adventure
Dive and three other Adventure Dives.
The very design of Windstar’s casually elegant sailing
yachts lends itself perfectly to warm water activities.
Once anchored in a secluded cove, the ships’ water
sports platform is lowered from an aft deck to create
a private marina for sailing, kayaking, windsurfing
and water-skiing. Complimentary snorkeling gear may
be checked out for the week. Windstar sports coordinators
are on hand to help guests with the complimentary
equipment, recommend good swimming and snorkeling
spots, or take guests for boat rides.
After enjoying water sports, guests return to the
ship’s luxurious accommodations to enjoy the hospitality
and cuisine that have earned Windstar Cruises its
award-winning reputation for sophisticated yet casual
elegance. At the full-service WindSpa, guests will
relish relaxing treatments ranging from a traditional
Swedish Massage to a more contemporary AromaSpa Ocean
Wrap. Swimming pools and Jacuzzis (two each aboard
Wind Surf, one each aboard Wind Star and Wind Spirit),
open teak decks and comfortable lounge chairs invite
travelers to relax and rejuvenate as they explore
the world.
For more information including brochures, rates and
itineraries contact a professional travel agent or
call Windstar at 1-800-258-7245; or visit Windstar
Cruises online at www.windstarcruises.com.
