Carnival Cruises
Celebrity Cruises
Classic International Cruises
Costa Cruises
Crystal Cruises
Cunard Line
easyCruise
Holland America Line
MSC Cruises
Norwegian Coastal Voyages
Peter Deilmann Cruises
P&O Cruises/Australia
Princess Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Seabourn Cruise Line
Silversea Cruises
Star Cruises
Carnival Cruises
Carnival To Extend Exotic Eastern Caribbean Cruise Program From Miami
Carnival Cruise Lines is expanding its previously announced program of seven-day, four-port “Exotic Eastern Caribbean” voyages from Miami, featuring visits to stunning Half Moon Cay, a private Bahamian island, and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, on the 2,758-passenger Carnival Triumph. The itinerary also features the widely popular ports of St. Thomas, USVI and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The cruises were originally scheduled to be offered every other week from April through August 2007 followed by Carnival Triumph’s shift to New Orleans to operate weekly Caribbean cruises from that port beginning late August 2007. Instead, Carnival Triumph will remain in Miami at least through April 2008 and the Exotic Eastern Caribbean itinerary will switch from every other week to weekly beginning August 25, 2007.
Highlights of the Carnival Triumph’s Exotic Eastern Caribbean itinerary from Miami include Half Moon Cay, a stunning Bahamian private island; St. Thomas, U.S.V.I., whose postcard-perfect beaches, gorgeous mountain terrain and endless shopping make it an ever-popular favorite; a daytime call in San Juan, Puerto Rico, known for its rich cultural heritage and fascinating historical sites; and Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos Islands, the Caribbean’s newest port of call, offering world-renowned snorkeling, diving and spectacular beaches, along with an expansive shopping complex and spacious pool/entertainment facility, including a Caribbean-themed bar and restaurant, Margaritaville.
On certain sailing dates, the ports of call on the Carnival Triumph’s Exotic Eastern Caribbean program may vary.
For additional information and reservations, call 1-800-327-9501 (individual) or 1-800-327-5782 (groups) or visit the line's travel agent Internet portal, www.bookccl.com.
‘Carnival Freedom’ Offers The Ultimate Family Vacation
Families today are seeking interesting vacation options that offer exciting and rewarding experiences. Carnival Cruise Lines’ new 110,000-ton Carnival Freedom will offer fun-filled activities and expansive facilities for children of all ages, along with two distinctly different European itineraries featuring the region’s most magnificent destinations. Click Family Cruises for the details.
Exciting Cruises to Mediterranean, Greek Isles and Turkey On ‘Freedom’
Carnival Freedom is slated to debut March 5, 2007, with a nine-day Mediterranean voyage then launch a schedule of 12-day “Grand Mediterranean” and “Mediterranean & Greek Isles” cruises March 14, 2007. All voyages operate round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia).
The nine-day Med voyage begins with an overnight call in Venice March 5 and includes stops at Dubrovnik, Croatia; Katakolon and Athens, Greece; Izmir, Turkey; Rhodes, Greece; and Naples, Italy.
The 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises visit Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Venice, Italy (two-day call); Messina, Sicily; Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy. The 12-day “Mediterranean & Greek Isles” cruises include Naples, Italy; Rhodes, Greece; Izmir (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey; Athens (Piraeus) and Katakolon, Greece; and Livorno, Italy, as well as an overnight call in Rome (Civitavecchia).
More than 80 different shore excursion choices, along with a variety of pre- and post-cruise land stays in Rome, are also available.
For additional information and reservations, contact any travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL or visit www.carnival.com .
Fun Ship ‘Imagination’ To Operate Exciting New Five-Day Itinerary
The tropical destinations of Half Moon Cay, Grand Turk and Nassau will be featured on an exciting new three-port, five-day itinerary operated by Carnival Cruise Lines’ 2,052-passenger Imagination. The new itinerary, which begins Monday, August 13, 2007, is the latest enhancement to the ship’s popular year-round four- and five-day Caribbean cruise program from Miami. In addition to the new three-port five-day itinerary departing Mondays, the Imagination’s four-day cruises departing Thursdays call at Key West, Florida and Calica, Mexico; while five-day cruises departing Saturdays visit George Town, Grand Cayman; and Ocho Rios, Jamaica.
Half Moon Cay is a stunning crescent-shaped private Bahamian island renowned for its gorgeous white-sand beaches and diverse shore excursion opportunities, including horseback riding, kayaking, and parasailing. Beachside cabanas, including a new 1,600-foot Grand Cabana, and a children’s water park are located along the island’s exquisite waterfront.
Grand Turk, of the Turks & Caicos Islands, offer magnificent beaches, interesting historical attractions and landmarks, and myriad shore excursions, with a particular emphasis on watersports. Imagination will dock at the new $42 million Grand Turk Cruise Center featuring an expansive recreation area that includes a swimming pool, an array of retail shops and an 800-foot-long beach and a Margaritaville-themed restaurant.
The third destination on the itinerary, Nassau, offers spectacular white-sand beaches and aqua-blue waters popular with snorkelers and scuba divers, as well as a wide range of shopping, sightseeing and dining choices. A rich cultural heritage, gracious hospitality and stunning architecture highlight this historic Bahamian capital.
The Imagination, part of Carnival’s 70,000-ton “Fantasy-class,” features 10 lounges and bars – including a 1,300-seat theatre showcasing lavish revues – as well as a 12,000-square-foot spa, jogging track, full casino gambling, and a comprehensive golf program featuring some of the Caribbean’s top courses. Catering to the growing family market, the Imagination also features Camp Carnival and Club O2, supervised programs for children and teens, respectively, as well as a nine-hole miniature golf course, and the “Water Wars” water balloon attraction. Dining venues include two main dining rooms with extensive menus and wine lists, a 700-seat poolside restaurant featuring a 24-hour pizzeria, a patisserie, and complimentary 24-hour stateroom service.
All Imagination staterooms feature the Carnival Comfort Bed sleep system with plush mattresses, luxurious duvets and high quality linens and pillows.
Prices begin at $289 per person based on double occupancy. Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same stateroom, along with round-trip air supplements from a variety of North American gateways, are also available.
For additional information and reservations, call 1-800-327-9501 (individual) or 1-800-327-5782 (groups) or visit the line's travel agent Internet portal, www.bookccl.com.
Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises Connects Travelers With True Alaska
Whether guests long to glide along the Alaskan coastline in a 20-foot open-air fishing boat, travel by float plane to Anan Creek for a once-in-a-lifetime bear-viewing, or explore the wines and cheeses of British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, Celebrity Cruises’ new Alaska shore excursions are an ideal way to complement the line’s stunning cruise and cruisetour itineraries through the Land of the Midnight Sun. Highlights of Celebrity’s new Alaska excursions include:
Ketchikan, Alaska
-- Neets Bay Bear Cruise—Guests can enjoy a narrated drive to Clover Passage before traveling by high-speed boat to Neets Bay to watch black bears search for salmon in their native streams. From the boat, guests may photograph and videotape the bears, eagles and seals in the area.
- -- Anan Creek Bear Watch—Nature lovers can travel by float plane to one of the only places in the world to watch—and photograph—both brown and black bears feeding on salmon. Guests also may spy bald eagles perching in the surrounding trees waiting for scraps left by the bears, seals feeding on the harvest in the lagoon, and mink, marten and wolf wending their way through the wilderness.
- -- Exclusive Skiff Touring—Guests can get closer to the beauty of Alaska aboard a
- private 20-foot, open-air skiff and customize the Alaskan adventure of their dreams, whether that includes fishing for salmon, halibut, or crab; scouting for wildlife; or hiking the ancient forest. A personal guide navigates and narrates, taking travelers to special, out-of-the-way places favored by the locals.
- -- Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour—Guests set sail on the same vessel seen on the Discovery Channel’s™ popular Deadliest Catch™ program, modified for safety and comfort, on the calm, protected seas of southeast Alaska. Seasoned fishermen share their stories of the Bering Sea and its plentiful catches. As lines are pulled up, species brought to the surface are placed in a live tank for observation or gently released back into the wild.
- -- Totems, Native Heritage and City Highlights—This tour combines the best of Ketchikan’s culturally rich heritage, natural beauty and bawdy past. It includes visits to Potlatch Totem Park, where indigenous natives first settled; Deer Mountain Eagle Center, which features storytelling, totems, a bonded pair of American Bald Eagles and other birds of prey; and visits to the Creek Street haunts of bootleggers and gamblers.
- Skagway, Alaska
- --White Pass Railway and City Highlights—Guests board an 1890’s-style parlor car and retrace early gold seekers’ original route—built over 100 years ago—up to the Yukon’s White Pass Summit in Fraser, British Columbia. Other highlights include the historical areas of Brackett Wagon Road, Pitch Fork Falls, Dead Horse Gulch, the Tormented Valley, downtown Skagway and the Gold Rush Cemetery.
- -- Yukon Exploration—Guests travel into the Yukon by deluxe motorcoach along the historic Trail of 98 Degrees to the White Pass Summit and into the Yukon. This excursion features visits to Moore Bridge, Bove Island, Tormented Valley, and Carcross, and a photo-op at the “Welcome to the Yukon” sign. A stop at Caribou Crossing Trading Post includes lunch and a visit with Yukon Quest mushers and their playful pups.
- -- Yukon Exploration and Suspension Bridge—This excursion includes the same features as the Yukon Exploration excursion, but also features a stop at the Yukon Suspension Bridge, located above the rapids of the Tutshi River. Guests experience jaw-dropping views when traversing the bridge at nearly 57 feet above the rapids.
- Icy Strait Point, Alaska
- -- Hoonah Sightseeing and Tribal Dance—Hoonah is Alaska’s largest Tlingit village, and this excursion offers guests the opportunity to glimpse authentic Alaska life. A local guide details the experiences of Huna Tlingits who were forced from their ancestral lands of Glacier Bay by the advancing glaciers, those who lived through the epic fire of 1944 that burned the entire village to the ground, and more. At the Native Heritage Center Theater, the Huna Tlingit perform and dance in their colorful regalia, proudly sharing their history through interpretive song, dance and storytelling.
- Vancouver, British Columbia
- --Chef and Chauffeur with Airport Drop-off—After debarking the ship and claiming their luggage, guests embark on a culinary adventure through some of the best food and wine experiences that the Fraser Valley has to offer.
- Guests sailing Celebrity's Alaska itineraries can enhance their vacation by choosing from over 158 Alaska shore excursions. Beginning in May, Celebrity Infinity, Celebrity Summit, and Celebrity Mercury will sail a variety of seven-, ten- and 14-night Alaska cruises from Seattle and Vancouver. Ports of call include Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Skagway, Sitka and Ketchikan, Alaska, and Nanaimo and Victoria, British Columbia. The vessels also cruise through the Inside Passage and beside ice-blue Hubbard Glacier.
- Celebrity presents exceptional pre- and post-cruise land-based adventures in the Pacific Northwest with Celebrity Summit and Celebrity Infinity. Celebrity Summit's pre- or post-cruise itineraries range in length and destination, and include highlights such as the historic gold rush town of Fairbanks, the coastal town of Seward, and Denali National Park, home of the famed Mt. McKinley. Seventeen of the cruisetour packages include segments on Celebrity's luxurious, glass-domed railcars, Wilderness Express(R), the most spacious in the industry.
- Guests sailing on Celebrity Infinity's Hubbard Glacier cruises can choose from four fully escorted cruisetour options in the majestic mountains of western Canada. The five-night Canadian Rockies packages visit cities including Vancouver, Calgary, Kamloops and Banff, with each including two days of rail travel and meals in Rocky Mountaineer's RedLeaf Service railcars. The three-night Whistler, B.C., cruisetours offer the best of both urban and rural Canada, with stays in both Whistler and Vancouver. Website: http://www.celebritycruises.com
Classic International Cruises
‘Funchal’s’ 2007/08 Season Of Cruises From Fremantle Announced
Classic International Cruises offers a 2007/08 program of outstanding value cruising holidays from Down Under. The new year of cruising has its Funchal returning to Fremantle. Following the huge success of last year’s inaugural Classic season, for 2006/there is an expanded range of cruise holidays with additional exotic Asian destinations and a range of cruise lengths with prices to suit all pockets and tastes. cruising experience as detailed in the CIC brochure for 2007/08 season.
In addition, Funchal will sail a 29-night repositioning cruise on November 21, 2007 from Piraeus (Athens) to Freemantle. Rates begin at $3,160 for this epic voyage.
To receive a free color 2007-08 FUNCHAL cruise brochure, visit http://www.classicintcruises.com/
Costa Cruises
Costa Unveils 2008 Itineraries
From exciting new routes in the Indian Ocean, to new and expanded spa getaways at sea, Costa continues to make its mark in the cruise industry as an innovation leader in 2008. New itineraries from Mauritius with stops in the Seychelles, Kenya and Madagascar as well as details of new spa accommodations on the Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea are all available for travelers in Costa’s new 2008 brochure.
Costa introduces new 17-night itineraries from Mauritius with stops in the Seychelles, Kenya and Madagascar aboard the Costa Marina. As the company that introduced the “spa getaway at sea” trend with exclusive spa accommodations aboard the Costa Concordia and Costa Serena, Costa will further expand on this element with special Wellness Packages” board the Costa Atlantica and Costa Mediterranea in 2008. Guests who book these packages may select from 44 exclusive spa accommodations on either ship in ocean view, veranda and suite categories. The packages come complete with exclusive amenities as well as a personalized wellness consultation, three complimentary treatments, two fitness or mediation classes and complimentary access to the Wellness Restaurant, offering a wide array of spa-friendly cuisine.
Other exciting news includes Costa’s 30 percent capacity increase in South America, where the company will deploy three ships (Costa Magica, Costa Victoria, Costa Classica) on sailings to Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Following the tremendous success of its inaugural year in Dubai, Costa will deploy two ships (Costa Romantica, Costa Europa) rather than one in the region for the 2007/2008 winter season. Additionally, the Italian company will once again feature cruises aboard the Costa Allegra from China, another industry first introduced by Costa in 2006.
In Europe in 2008, Costa will offer 53 itineraries to 112 ports that add up to 335 year-round departures in the Mediterranean and Northern Europe alone. Costa’s international ambience offers a sophisticated and cosmopolitan cruising experience with all the best of Europe, complete with English-speaking hosts and hostesses.
In addition, Costa features Europe’s youngest and largest fleet, including two of the newest and largest ships in Italian history, the Costa Concordia and Costa Serena. Both ships feature one of the largest spas at sea, complete with exclusive spa accommodations that offer direct access to the spa. Moreover, the ships feature the largest enclosable pool deck on a cruise ship, making the ships perfect for cruising the Mediterranean year-round as they will in 2008.
For reservations or more information, contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or visit www.costacruises.com.
Crystal Cruises
British Championship Courses Crystal's 2007 Golf Cruise
A true once-in-a-lifetime experience for the golf connoisseur, Crystal Cruises' 2007 golf-themed cruise aboard the luxury line's Crystal Symphony offers guests the chance to play at Scotland's fabled St. Andrews Golf Club and some of the most challenging and scenic courses throughout Ireland. Exclusive golf adventures will be enhanced by onboard lectures, golf clinics and parties featuring Emmy Award-winning CNN/Sports Illustrated journalist Jim Huber, two-time U.S. Open champion Billy Casper, and veteran PGA golf pro John Clark.
The only British Isles cruise on Crystal's 2007 schedule, the 11-day voyage departs August 20, 2007, round-trip from London and offers guests optional play at St. Andrews' Jubilee Course (Edinburgh) - considered by many the toughest course at St. Andrews, as well as a number of the oldest and finest courses in Ireland including The K Club (Dublin), The Harbour Point Golf Club (Cork) and Royal Belfast Golf Club (Belfast). Each excursion features the chance to play 18-holes of championship golf.
Golfers taking part in the optional golf excursions will enjoy 45-minute warm-up sessions where available, a Hole-in-One competition, exclusive golfers-only parties on board, and the option of pre-reserving all of their golf excursions online at www.crystalcruises.com.
Complementing the shoreside golf adventures is the chance to attend lectures by Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster Jim Huber and golf clinics with legendary golf champion Billy Casper. A veteran journalist of 34 years and the lead golf reporter for CNN/Sports Illustrated, Jim Huber is the host of CNN's Pro Golf Weekly and has covered and announced many PGA pro tournaments. Having gone on to win fifty-one PGA Tour victories, including two U.S. Opens and the Masters, Billy Casper ranks sixth on the PGA Tour's all-time victory list. Billy Casper will be joined by PGA pro John Clark, a 35-year member of the PGA, who has taught thousands of golfers at all skill levels to improve their technique, focus on key areas of their swing, and more fully enjoy the game.
The golf-themed British Isles cruise sails round-trip from London and features an overnight call in Edinburgh, Scotland and calls in Invergordon, Scotland; Dublin, Belfast, Waterford, and Cork, Ireland; and Guernsey/St. Peter Port, England. Cruise fares start at $4,755 per person, based on double occupancy accommodations.
For added convenience, guests can ship their golf clubs with their luggage from the U.S. through Virtual Bellhop. For more information and arrangements on golf club and luggage shipping, contact Virtual Bellhop at www.virtualbellhop.com or call 877-Bellhop. Crystal recommends that golfers bring their own clubs, as their rental at the courses is based on availability.
Website: www.crystalcruises.com
James Carville and Mary Matalin To Lecture On Crystal Cruises in 2007
Political lecturers James Carville and Mary Matalin—the engaging husband and wife/Democrat and Republican political commentators—will share their famous political passion aboard Crystal Serenity's 12-day July 26 cruise from Venice to Rome, Italy. The cruise marks the couple's second voyage with Crystal in as many years.
Carville and Matalin's lecture series, A Walk Through the Races ... Where they're Going ... What to Make of This Historic Time, is sure to ignite spirited discussions on all sides of the political spectrum. James Carville is a well-known member of Hillary Clinton's inner circle, and Mary Matalin is planning to announce her Republican candidate of choice by the time of this cruise. The dynamic duo will square off with political views -- from the Left and the Right -- during several "debates."
The July 26 cruise aboard the award-winning Crystal Serenity begins in Venice, with an overnight stay aboard ship. From there, the destination rich itinerary features calls in Dubrovnik, Croatia; Taormina and Sorrento, Italy; Cannes (overnight), France; Florence/Livorno and Portofino, Italy, ultimately arriving in Rome on August 7. Fares begin at $5,495 per person, double occupancy.
For additional information, please contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com .
Crystal Debuts Wide Range Of New 2008 World Cruise Adventures
In an industry first, Crystal Cruises has posted most of the details of its 295 World Cruise Adventures online 15 months in advance. Guests traveling on Crystal's 108-day 2008 World Cruise may now view their shore excursions online at www.crystalcruises.com. A hike through Oahu's Koolau Mountains, a culinary journey into New Zealand's Wairarapa region and a river rafting adventure in Borneo's Ulu Temburong National Park are among the 82 new shore tours debuting during the luxury line's 13th annual global odyssey. All 295 World Cruise Adventures are now posted online and available for booking.
Traveling from Los Angeles, California to Southampton, England from January 19 - May 7, 2008, world travelers aboard the luxurious Crystal Serenity will appreciate their extensive options for shoreside exploration, including a complimentary tour on each of the voyage's eight segments and 24 overland adventures offering multiple-night in-depth experiences.
Crystal Adventures highlights include:
-- Four-wheeling in the ghost towns of Walhalla (from Melbourne) and along the isolated trails of Mooréa.
-- Rainforest river rafting excursions through the Barron Gorge (from Cairns) and the Ulu Temburong National Park (from Bandar Seri, Brunei).
-- Crystal's own version of the popular TV show The Amazing Race with the Singapore Runaround, provisioned with map, coins, water, tiger balm ointment, a sandalwood fan and more. Guests make their way along a customized route showcasing key sites, ultimately arriving at the Raffles Hotel for a welcomed Singapore Sling and tales of the day's adventure.
-- Tasmanian oysters and wine sampling in Hobart.
-- Journey into Australia's Wairarapa region famed for its food and wine, especially Martinborough's Pinot Noir (from Wellington).
-- Escape to the Bora Bora Nui Resort & Spa on its own private isle.
-- Spirit-nourishing excursion to the tranquil Cheraim Spa followed by quiet reflection at Wat Chalong Temple, the largest and most ornate of Phuket's 29 Buddhist monasteries (from Phuket).
-- Unique views of New Zealand from high atop Sky Tower, at 1,072 feet the tallest building in the southern hemisphere (from Auckland).
-- Exploration of Bilbo Baggins' Hobbit Hole at the Hobbiton movie set (from Auckland).
The 2008 World Cruise is also available in the following segments: 13 days from Los Angeles to Papeete visiting Hawaii and South Pacific; 11 days from Papeete to Auckland visiting the South Pacific and New Zealand; 14 days from Auckland to Sydney visiting New Zealand and Australia; 17 days from Sydney to Hong Kong visiting Australia and China; 12 days from Hong Kong to Singapore visiting China, Vietnam and Thailand; 14 days from Singapore to Mumbai visiting Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and India; 16 days from Mumbai to Rome visiting the Middle East and the Mediterranean; 11 days from Rome to London visiting the Mediterranean.
World Value Fares for individual segments begin at $4,890 per person, double occupancy. Crystal also offers specially priced air fares to those guests booking any of the single World Voyage options.
For additional information, please contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. For a complete list of World Cruise segments, ports and details of all of the Crystal Adventures, visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com .
Nearly 700 European Crystal Adventures Available for Online Booking
From high above the Greenland Icecap in a DeHavilland DASH-7 to an exclusive snorkeling adventure in the protected waters of Italy's Bay of Ieranto, Crystal Cruises continues to raise the bar on active and engaging shoreside adventure. This summer, the cruise line debuts more than 100 new Crystal Adventures in Europe. Effective February 15, all of the 679 shore excursions, each with its own unique focus on active, cultural and culinary enrichment, will be posted online for preview and booking.
From April 7 through November 9, 2007, the Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity will offer 29 destination-rich itineraries ranging from seven to 14 days. With overnight stays in 15 of the world's grandest ports of call, sophisticated travelers enjoy the luxury of choice among itineraries, destinations and activity ashore.
All shore tours can be researched, priced and pre-reserved online prior to departure. New tour highlights include:
-- An overnight journey to Berlin aboard the ICE (InterCityExpress) train (from Hamburg).
-- A visit to the new Porsche Factory Leipzig for a Cayenne test drive on the factory's race track (from Warnemünde).
-- MiG fighter jet flight over Moscow extended to a two-night overland adventure (from St. Petersburg).
-- A speedboat adventure in the Baltic Sea (from Helsinki).
-- A chartered plane to Dresden (from Warnemünde).
-- Bicycling excursions in Amsterdam, Hamburg, Funchal and the South of France.
-- A nine-mile trek through St. Emilion's finest vineyards and estates in Bordeaux.
-- An exclusive wine tasting and dinner at the 18th century Chateau Kirwan (from Bordeaux).
-- An exclusive cooking lesson in Sorrento.
Crystal's European cruises depart from Athens, Greece; Copenhagen, Denmark; Istanbul, Turkey; London, England; Monte Carlo, Monaco; Rome, Italy; Stockholm, Sweden; Toulon, France; and, Venice, Italy, with pre- and post-cruise hotel stays available in all cities except Toulon. Depending on itinerary selected, per person, double occupancy fares begin at $2,780.
For additional information, please contact a travel agent or call 888-799-4625. Visit the luxury line's website at www.crystalcruises.com.
Cunard Line
Queen Mary 2's 2007-2008 Caribbean Season Sets Sail From New York
As Queen Mary 2 continues to significantly expand her presence in New York, Cunard Line announces an extended series of 12 ten-day voyages to the Caribbean from the Big Apple, as well as two 13-day sailings to Panama and the Caribbean and a 14-day Caribbean Celebration voyage featuring Christmas Day at sea and New Year's Eve in the port of St. Thomas. Like Queen Mary 2's legendary Transatlantic crossings, these voyages resonate with the singular elegance and sophistication of a Cunard ocean liner experience. In addition, the ship's faster speed allows her to sail farther south than other ships out of New York, affording more Southern Caribbean port stops, such as Barbados, on ten-day voyages.
Offering easier access than ever from her homeport of New York, the 2007 - 2008 itineraries showcase an array of less-traveled ports while delivering a more glamorous experience. Cunard voyages are renowned for their luxurious surroundings, exceptional dining and signature White Star Service(R). These signature services, together with the opportunity to explore and discover alongside like-minded travelers, result in a thrilling experience for first- time and longtime cruisers. In 2007 and 2008, Cunard will offer more than a dozen Caribbean voyages sailing roundtrip from New York. Ranging in length from ten to 14 days, these journeys include:
-- Connoisseur's Caribbean -- A total of 12 departures (from October 31, 2007 - April 6, 2008) featuring ten days with stops in the picturesque ports of Tortola, St. Kitts, Barbados, St. Lucia and St. Thomas.
-- Caribbean Celebration -- A 14-day voyage departing December 20, coinciding
with the Christmas and New Year's holidays, with stops in Tortola, St. Maarten, Curacao, Grenada, Barbados, Dominica, St. Kitts and St. Thomas.
-- Panama and the Caribbean -- Two 13-day voyages departing February 2 and
March 24, 2008, with stops in Costa Rica, Panama, Curacao, Bonaire, St. Lucia and St. Thomas.
Whether their interests lie in marine life, history, architecture or cuisine, guests plying the crystal waters of the Caribbean will find numerous diversions ashore. For nature enthusiasts, Bridgetown, Barbados is of tremendous appeal. Popular attractions that showcase the island's abundant tropical flora include Flower Forest, Orchid World and Andromeda Gardens.
Historians enjoy a tour of Gun Hill, a former British lookout post, and Sunbury Plantation House, a 300-year-old sugar estate. In the picturesque colonial city of Basseterre, St. Kitts, the 17th century Brimstone Hill Fortress affords magnificent views of the coast and neighboring Caribbean islands. Other popular stops include Romney Gardens, and its well-known batik studio, and Mt. Liamuiga, the island's highest peak.
In Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, guests can explore this popular U.S. Virgin Islands port both above and below the sea. Its close proximity to St. John (home to the Virgin Islands National Park) makes it ideal for hiking eco-tourists while sun-bathers enjoy unwinding on Magens Bay, considered one of the world's ten most beautiful beaches. Blackbeard's Castle, shopping in Charlotte Amalie and Coral World are other popular shore excursions.
Fares for Queen Mary 2's 2007-2008 Caribbean voyages start from $1,499 per person, based on double occupancy.
For more information about Queen Mary 2's 2007 Caribbean itineraries, call 1-800-7-CUNARD or go to www.cunard.com.
easyCruise
Spa Treatments Available Aboard easyCruiseone Begin February 16
easyCruise has announced that beginning February 16, 2007, easyCruiseOne will introduce Greek-inspired spa services that include facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures. In collaboration with Apivita, Greece’s leading producer of natural skin care products, easyCruiseOne will offer a place of relaxation and rejuvenation. “The easyCruise concept is designed for independent travelers who seek both and exciting nightlife as well as an adventurous daytime said easyCruise founder and serial entrepreneur Sir Stelios. “The introduction of a spa will allow our passengers the opportunity to relax and pamper themselves during their downtime.”
The spa treatments aboard easyCruiseOne designed by Apivita are intended to revitalize the skin and offer radiance and nourishment, while restoring equilibrium to the body, reviving the senses, and enabling passengers to recover a total sense of well-being.
The spa menu includes facials, massages and manicure/pedicures.
easyCruiseOne’s Caribbean itinerary sails from the present time until April 12, 2007. Reservations can be booked at www.easycruise.com, or through a travel agent, or by calling 1-650-385-0563. The ship departs Philipsburg, St. Maarten, each Friday, and calls at St. Barths (Saturday) and Anguilla (Sunday). It pays a return call to St. Maarten on Monday, and then visits St. Kitts (Tuesday), Antigua (Wednesday), and Nevis (Thursday). Travelers can begin their cruise by arriving in St. Maarten on Friday or Monday, or in Antigua on Wednesday, with international airports on both islands. Prices start at $19 per person per night, based on double occupancy.
easyCruise gives its guests the freedom to explore each destination at their leisure. Sailing each morning, easyCruise arrives in a new port by late-morning, allowing passengers the opportunity to enjoy both the day and nightlife in some of the Caribbean’s finest destinations. In addition, passengers can join the cruise where and when they want, subject to a two-night minimum, with a 14-night maximum stay. Calling at many of the Caribbean’s most exclusive islands, easyCruiseOne’s unique itinerary invites passengers to become immersed in a diverse mix of cultures, while visiting gorgeous white sandy beaches, exploring the depths of the sparkling Caribbean waters, or simply enjoying the islands at their leisure.
Summer Cruises In The Greek Isles
easyCruiseOne has also announced its 2007 summer season, taking in Athens and the cosmopolitan islands of Mykonos, Paros and Ios, and well as the undiscovered islands of Milos, Amorgos, Naxos, Folegandros, Sifnos and Serifos. The itinerary, which allows you to take anything from a weekend break to a two-week holiday, will set sail on May 31, 2007 from Athens for less than $167 per person for a ten night vacation (based on two people sharing a standard cabin).
Website: www.easycruise.com
Holland America Line
Holland America Line Rolls Out Alaska shore Excursions For 2007
There are thrills aplenty available to Holland America Line guests booking optional shore excursions in Alaska. Glacier View Bike & Brew in Juneau combines scenic bicycling through spectacular rainforests followed by a tour and tasting at Alaska Brewery or in Sitka snap perfect photos on the Photography Tour.
In Seward, meet an Iditarod champion on the new Ididaride Wilderness Sled Dog Ride & Tour.
For 2007, Holland America Line has added more than ten new excursions to complement its already extensive list and three new post-cruise excursions in Seattle.
With more than 230 excursions, many to National Parks, Holland America Line's excursions get up close and personal with glaciers, mountains, sea life and unique personalities. New excursions are being introduced in Haines, Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Sitka, Skagway and Seattle. Offbeat Haines tour takes guests to three of Haines' most unusual and out-of-the-way attractions - the Hammer Museum, Extreme Dreams Art Studio and Dalton City. Or lace up the hiking boots and head out on the Haines Adventure Hike, which immerses guests in the incredible beauty of SE Alaska. In Seward, gaze at the expansive views and beauty of the Resurrection Valley on the Resurrection River Float trip, and in charming Skagway relax and see the Highlights & unique Jewell Gardens.
Favorite excursions continue to be Helicopter Flightseeing & Glacier Trek; Musher's Camp and Dog Sled Adventure; Alaska Bear Adventure by Floatplane; Tatoosh Islands Sea Kayaking; and the Eagle Preserve Float Adventure—a float trip through the world famous Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. In the Yukon, guests have the opportunity to explore majestic Kluane National Park by foot, cultural cruise, fishing tour or river rafting, and rugged Tombstone Territorial Park, by motor vehicle or hiking one of three trails with a guide. For CruiseTour guests seeking an authentic Alaska experience, the Anaktuvuk Pass Adventure, takes guests to the remote Nunamiut Eskimo village of Anaktuvuk to discover their way of life. This excursion is available as a post-tour from Fairbanks. Most excursions are suitable for families and many are available for guests with disabilities.
To learn more about Holland America Line's entire shore excursions program, visit www.hollandamerica.com and click the book shore excursions button. Booked guests who already have a seven-digit booking number may go online to www.hollandamerica.com to view and pre-book excursions specific to their cruise or CruiseTour itinerary prior to leaving home. Since many excursions are offered to a limited number of guests, booking online ensures first choice.
Holland America Debuts New Full-Transit Cruises and Itineraries for 2008 Holland America Line offers 30 canal sailings in 2008 including new full-transit cruises though the Panama Canal, exotic new 13- to 26-day Inca Discovery sailings, and new spring and fall departures from Tampa to highlight its 2008 canal itineraries. The premium cruise line features 13 trans-canal voyages on seven ships in 2008, plus 17 Sunfarer sailings including four for the first time on the Vista-class ms Zuiderdam that combine Panama Canal cruising with Caribbean exploration.
These 30 cruises offer extraordinary variety with itineraries ranging from ten to 36 days and ports of call encompassing four exciting regions: the Mexican Riviera, Central America, South America and Caribbean. Itineraries are designed to provide opportunity to experience a broad mix of history, culture, wildlife, adventure and relaxing beaches.
New 13- and 26-day Inca Discovery Cruises
The Statendam offers new Inca Discovery cruises sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale and featuring a three-day extended stay in Callao (Lima), Peru, to visit the famed archaeological site of Machu Picchu. Guests can also opt for a 13-day Ft. Lauderdale to Callao or Callao to Ft. Lauderdale itinerary with the option of pre- or post-cruise tours to Machu Picchu.
The 26-day itinerary offers two full transits of the Panama Canal, one in each direction, and a variety of ports as well as the excursion to Machu Picchu. These include such ports as Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos; Santa Marta and San Andres, Colombia; San Blas Islands and Amador, Panama; Manta and Guayaquil, Ecuador; Salaverry and Callao (Lima), Peru; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Key West, Florida.
Seven Ships Offer Full-Transit Panama Canal Cruises
Seven ships—ms Maasdam, ms Statendam, ms Veendam, ms Volendam, ms Westerdam, ms Prinsendam and ms Amsterdam—sail full-transit cruises though the Panama Canal in 2008. Departures are from Ft. Lauderdale, Tampa, San Diego, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver, Canada, and Callao (Lima), Peru.
The Maasdam offers two full-transit sailings in the winter—January 25 and February 9—while the Statendam features a new fall sailing Oct. 25.
The Maasdam sails a 15-day itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale to San Diego departing January 25 and a return 15-day voyage on February 9. Both itineraries feature intriguing Cartagena, Colombia and a full transit of the Panama Canal. Depending on sailing direction, guests may visit Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Chiapas, Santa Cruz Huatulco, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; and Nassau, Bahamas.
Holland America Line will offer a new, spring, trans-canal departure from Tampa on April 13 aboard the Veendam. The 19-day cruise takes guests to Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; the Panama Canal; San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua; Puerto Chiapas, Santa Cruz Huatulco, Acapulco and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; San Diego; and Victoria and Vancouver, Canada.
In the fall, the Statendam offers a 16-day cruise departing Oct. 25 from San Diego to Ft. Lauderdale, which calls at most of the same ports.
32- to 36-Day Panama Canal & Amazon Explorer
The Veendam will be featuring a 32- to 36-day Panama Canal & Amazon Explorer in the fall, with the choice of departing from Vancouver September 26 or from San Diego September 30. This Panama Canal & Amazon Explorer itinerary explores four amazing regions - the Mexican Riviera, Central America, Caribbean and Amazon. The latter is highlighted with seven full days on the mighty Amazon River and an overnight stay in Manaus, Brazil, the furthest navigable point for ocean-going vessels in the heart of the Amazon.
Grand World Voyages Include Full Transits of the Panama Canal
The 114-day Grand World Voyage aboard the Amsterdam and the 68-day Grand South America & Antarctica Voyage aboard the Prinsendam also include a full transit of the Panama Canal. Departing from Fort Lauderdale on January 4, the Amsterdam sails through the canal and then east to traverse the globe by way of the South Pacific, Australia, Southeast Asia, India, the Suez Canal, Mediterranean and across the Atlantic. The Prinsendam departs on January 3 to circumnavigate South America with a full transit of the Panama Canal on January 8.
Ten- and 14-day Sunfarer Cruises of Panama Canal and Caribbean
Holland America continues to offer its extremely popular, ten-day Sunfarer voyages, which combine Panama Canal cruising with exotic Caribbean destinations. The Volendam sails a total of ten Sunfarer cruises roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale in early 2008, offering departures January 2 to April 1. In the fall, with the introduction of a Vista-class ship, the 1,848-guest Zuiderdam picks up the itinerary with departures November 9, 19 and 29; and December 9, 19 and 29, the latter two a holiday and New Year's sailing.
Guests cruise to Half Moon Cay, Bahamas; Dutch-influenced Willemstad, Curacao and Oranjestad, Aruba; the Panama Canal to Gatun Lake; Limon Bay and Manzanillo Bay, Panama; and Puerto Limon, Costa Rica, world-renowned for its abundant wildlife and colorful flora.
The Amsterdam also sails a 14-day Caribbean and Sunfarer cruise on Dec. 23 to the above ports and adds Georgetown, Grand Cayman; Roatan, Honduras; and Costa Maya, Mexico.
Panama Canal Historians and Medallion Shore Excursions
A Panama Canal historian travels on every sailing, providing insight and answering questions about one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century. Ashore, guests can opt to learn more on one of Holland America Line's intriguing shore excursions. Its Medallion Collection offers exclusive opportunities such as touring the UNESCO World Heritage Site, La Antigua, in Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; exploring the rain forest in Roseau, Dominica, including a hike to newly discovered Twin Waterfalls and a cultural performance by the Carib Indians; and sailing aboard a catamaran to swim, snorkel and sip champagne at beautiful St. John, Virgin Islands.
Panama Canal cruise fares start from US$1,199 per person, double occupancy, depending on the itinerary length. For more information, consult a travel agent, call 1-877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit www.hollandamerica.com.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises Announces Its Ships’ Repositioning Transatlantic Cruises
Crossing the Atlantic is a special journey. This spring, enjoy an unforgettable experience with one of four MSC Cruises’ ships leaving the tropical warmth of Brazil and the Caribbean to return to the Mediterranean.
If you are looking to get into shape after the winter, there is no better option than MSC Armonia’s Well-being Cruise. Take advantage of the most advanced equipment and facilities as well as spa treatments that straddle both continents. If you are looking to stimulate your tastebuds, then choose MSC Lirica’s Gastronomic Cruise. Indulge in many regional delicacies in the middle of the ocean while learning the secrets of the kitchen from the onboard chefs. For those wanting to further indulge in their hobbies, there is a Hobby Cruise from the Caribbean with MSC Opera and an Artmar Cruise from Rio de Janeiro on MSC Sinfonia.
MSC Lirica’s Gastronomic Cruise
Departing Fort Lauderdale April 29, the ship embarks on a 17-night cruise that calls at San Juan, Puerto Rico followed by Charlotte Amalie, on the island of St. Thomas, before crossing the Atlantic and arriving in Funchal on May 9. The ship continues to Vigo in Spain, Le Havre, Dover and Amsterdam before arriving in Hamburg on May 16. Cruise only rates start from $1,350 per person, double occupancy. Government fees and taxes are additional.
MSC Opera’s Hobby Cruise
Departing from Fort Lauderdale April 12 on an 16-night sailing, MSC Opera cruises to San Juan and then onto Cayo Levantado on the idyllic island of the Dominican Republic, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and arriving in Funchal April 23. From here the cruise calls at Lisbon and Vigo, arriving in Dover on April 28.
Cruise only rates start from $1,450 per person, double occupancy. Government fees and taxes are additional.
MSC Sinfonia’s Artmar Cruise
The ship departs Rio de Janeiro on March 13 on a 17-night journey that calls at Salvador, Maceio and Fortaleza. After five fascinating days crossing the Atlantic, you arrive in Tenerife, Canary Islands, on March 24 and proceed to Cadiz and Valencia, before arriving in Genoa on March 30.
Cruise only rates start from $1,650 per person, double occupancy. Government fees and taxes are additional.
MSC Armonia’s Wellbeing Cruise
MSC Armonia’s 18-night cruise departs Rio de Janeiro March 10 to discover other ports on the Brazilian coastline, such as Salvador and Recife, before crossing the Atlantic Ocean and arriving in Arrecife, the Canary Isles. From here the ship cruises to Casablanca, Malaga, Valletta and Dubrovnik, before arriving in Venice on March 28.
Cruise only rates start from $1,750 per person, double occupancy. Government fees and taxes are additional. For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruises.com.
MSC Cruises Offers Golf Cruises in May and October
Two exclusive 8-day golf clinics with Chuck Cook, considered one of the top instructors in the golfing world, will take place onboard MSC Cruises’ MSC Sinfonia in 2007. Director of the well-known Chuck Cook Golf Academy in Texas, Chuck has coached PGA Tour professionals Corey Pavin, Bob Estes and Omar Uresti as well as US Open champions Payne Stewart and Tom Kite.
The clinics are unique events for all golfers, from newcomers to more experienced players. All participants will benefit from meeting Chuck and learning his golfing techniques. Chuck is described as being the most inquisitive of teachers. His conversations with the top players and top teachers in the game have given him a true understanding of cause and effect in the golf swing.
These two special golf cruises, which take place May 7-14 and October 22-29, will depart from Genoa, calling into Monte Carlo, Valencia, Malta, Tunis and Civitavecchia. A full golf program includes lessons, seminars, day and night competitions and individual tuition.
Passionate golfers can choose from three packages:
-- Basic, for those looking to be instructed at a rudimentary technical and practical level, with professionals on hand to assist all the way;
-- Advanced, for those who can play and are looking to improve their swing and technical knowledge; and
-- The Chuck Cook Golf Academy, reserved for players with a handicap and the chance to join lessons with the Grand Maestro. There will be two groups: the first for those with a handicap of 0-18 and the second for those with a handicap of 19-36.
Every group will be coached in rotation with a pool of experts to provide direction for the approaches, putts and getting out of a bunker – fundamental aspects needed to obtain excellent results on the green.
In addition to lessons, Chuck Cook will hold seminars explaining the theory of golf and recounting anecdotes about his experiences instructing the best in the field. At the end, he will participate in a spectacular choreographed show on deck.
MSC Sinfonia is specially equipped for this program. The decks have a number of golf cages, putting greens and a virtual simulator for training and practices. Golf also will be played on land; players have the opportunity to tee off on some of the beautifully manicured golf courses in the various ports. They can test their newly acquired skills against others; the final contest will be held in Rome with many fabulous prizes.
Rates for the May 7 sailing begin at $1,045 per person, double occupancy for an inside stateroom and $1,245 for an oceanview stateroom. Rates for the Oct. 22 sailing begin at $995 for an inside stateroom and $1,195 for an oceanview stateroom; all rates are per person, double occupancy. Government fees and taxes are additional. Contact a travel professional for prices of the special golf packages.
For more information, visit www.msccruises.com or a local travel professional.
MSC Cruises Offers Mix Of Itineraries For 2007-08 Season
MSC Cruises is presenting an expanded mix of cruise lengths and itineraries in the Caribbean for the 2007-08 winter season. The season begins when MSC Lirica departs Genoa, Italy, on November 17 on a 17-night transatlantic cruise that includes port calls at Barcelona, Casablanca, Tenerife, Bridgetown, St. George, Fort de France and San Juan and nine sea days before arriving in Fort Lauderdale Dec. 4. Rates begin at $1,249 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes additional).
The 2007-08 Caribbean program of roundtrip sailings from Fort Lauderdale includes:
Two seven-night Western Caribbean cruises: one departing December 14 and calling at Key West, Fla.; Montego Bay, Jamaica; Georgetown, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. Rates begin at $579 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes additional). The second is a New Year’s sailing that departs December 28 and calls at Key West, Georgetown, Cozumel and Nassau, Bahamas. Rates begin at $999 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes additional).
One 7-night Eastern Caribbean holiday cruise: departs Dec. 21 and calling at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas; Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic (MSC Cruises’ private island experience); and Nassau, Bahamas. Rates begin at $799 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes additional).
Five 10-night Mexico/Panama cruises: departing Jan. 19, Feb. 8, Feb. 28 and March 19 and calling at Cozumel, Mexico; Puerto Limon, Costa Rica; Cristobal, Panama; Cartagena, Columbia; and Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic. Rates begin at $949 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes additional).
Four 10-night Deep Caribbean cruises: departing December 4, January 9, January 29, February 18 and March 9, calling at San Juan, Puerto Rico; Philipsburg, St. Maarten; Port Castries, St. Lucia; St. John, Antigua; Roadtown, Tortola; and Cayo Levantado, Dominican Republic. Rates begin at $849 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes additional).
On each sailing, youngsters 17 and under stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults sail free; some restrictions apply.
In addition to the exciting destinations, beautiful beaches and cultural experiences, each sailing will feature MSC Cruises’ distinctive style that is Beautiful. Passionate. Italian. From the white-gloved service, elegant and pristine décor, delicious cuisine (including regional Italian specialties), and highly acclaimed international entertainment, the Italian-owned cruise line presents a Caribbean experience with an Italian/European flavor.
MSC Cruises’ Caribbean season will end with a 17-night transatlantic cruise to Dover. MSC Lirica will depart Fort Lauderdale on March 29, 2008 and call at San Juan, St. John, Fort de France, Funchal, Vigo, and Le Havre (with 10 sea days) before arriving in Dover. Rates begin at $1,249 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes additional).
For more information about MSC Cruises, visit www.msccruises.com or a local travel professional.
Norwegian Coastal Voyages
NCV Announces Early Booking Savings on Sweden’s Gota Canal Itineraries
Whether as a stand-alone vacation or as an add-on to another Norwegian Coastal Voyage cruise, a Gota Canal sailing aboard the M/S Juno, M/S Wilhelm Tham or M/S Diana, vintage ships built in 1874, 1912 and 1931 and lovingly maintained to preserve their classic interiors, is a journey back in time through lush countryside to medieval castles, ancient towns and a Viking city. These treasured vessels of bygone days ply the historic Gota Canal between Stockholm, the Swedish capital, and Gothenburg, the largest port, on two-, four- or six-day itineraries, May to September. Booking before March 1, 2007 brings savings of ten percent off the cruise price— up to $275 per person.
Designed to fit the narrowest canal locks, the recently renovated vessels cruise across Sweden at a leisurely five to 10 knots on tree-lined canals bordered by fields and forests, the 11-lock Berg staircase, huge Lakes Vanern and Vattern, and by many islands. Sightseeing, which varies according to cruise length and direction, may include Lacko and Stegeborg Castles, the Birka Viking city on Bjorko Island, the medieval towns of Vadstena and Soderkoping, and the Royal Hunting, Trollhatten Canal and Motala Motor Museums.
The ships retain their stylish Art Nouveau décor, reminiscent of the hey-day of upper class sailings, with mahogany paneling, brass fittings and paisley fabrics. Each has a lounge with a bar and small library, a dining room featuring French cuisine with a Swedish twist and a large wine selection, and 25 to 29 cozy cabins with bunk beds, washbasin and shared toilets and showers with privacy locks.
The July and August departures of the two-day sailings between Motala and Söderköping are priced before the ten percent savings at $495 to $695 per person, double. The four- and six-day cruises, departing from May through September, range in pre-savings prices from $1,095 to $2,265 and $1,815 to $2,795, respectively. Included are all meals, several stops along the route, shore excursions (except on two-day), services of a multilingual crew. Airfares from U.S. cities and single rates are available.
Gota Canal information and reservations can be obtained from Norwegian Coastal Voyage Inc., (800) 323)7436 or (212) 319-1300; fax (212) 319-1390; for brochures (800) 666-2374, 24 hours a day; www.norwegiancoastalvoyage.us.
Peter Deilmann Cruises
Deilmann Offering Savings On Sailings In Europe, Greenland & Canada
Peter Deilmann Cruises is offering U.S. travelers three summer voyages with free air and free shore excursions aboard the five-star MS Deutschland to Norway and the Norwegian fjords, Spitzbergen, Iceland, islands of Denmark and Scotland, Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Ireland. Deilmann is offering free air transportation on these cruises from New York and 16 other U.S. cities and low air supplements from an additional 34 cities in the Midwest and West. The sailings also provide free shore excursions, valued up to $600 per person, and free airport-ship transfers.
The free air offer is available from New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Washington, Atlanta, Miami, Pittsburgh and ten others in the East. The low air supplements are $110 for Zone 2 cities such as Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Dallas, Houston, Louisville, Nashville and 12 others in central states and $150 from Zone 3 cities – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Las Vegas, Phoenix, Seattle, Portland and eight other western gateways.
The free airport-ship transfers are included in any air arranged by Deilmann Cruises. For those who would like to use frequent flyer miles, Deilmann will deduct $750 per person from cruise rates.
-- The first voyage, a ten-night cruise around Norway, June 4-14, sails to the beautiful small city of Bergen on the southwestern coast, then to Olden and Trondheim, scenic Hellesylt with dramatic waterfalls, the fjords of Geiranger and Eidfjord, home to one of the world’s largest reindeer herds. Cruise rates start at $4,324 per person double while single staterooms start at $4,892.
-- The July voyage, 19 nights, to the Norwegian Fjords, Spitzbergen, Iceland, Danish and Scottish islands also offers cruisers major cost-savings as does the 23-night August sailing to Norway, Spitzbergen, Iceland, the fjords of Greenland, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and Ireland.
-- The fjord cruise, July 9-28, begins in the famous sailing city of Kiel, near Hamburg, Germany. Bergen is the first port of call in Norway and the Deutschland sails on to the fishing village of Gravdal and other towns surrounded by breathtaking views of lakes and forests. The ship heads north through the grandeur of the fjord-cut coast of Spitzbergen to Ny-Alesund and the pristine wilderness of Longyearbyen and to Reykjavik, Iceland, for an overnight stay. Thorshavn in the Faroe Islands of Denmark and Lerwick in the Shetland Islands of Scotland are port calls on the return to Kiel.
-- The Greenland and Canada adventure cruise, Aug. 12-Sept. 3, sails to Kirkwall in the Orkney Islands to view Neolithic tombs and bronze-age monuments and to the Danish island of Runavik to visit the maritime museum with exhibits that date from the Viking period. After a day’s visit to Reykjavik, the ship cruises through Prince Christian Sound in Greenland where passengers view majestic fjords, rocky reefs, icebergs and whales and go ashore in quaint towns. The ship continues to the town of Sydney, Nova Scotia, and St. John’s, Newfoundland, for an overnight stay. The return sailing to Hamburg makes two port calls in Ireland at Glenngariff and the seafarer town of Cobh on the Irish coast.
A classic ocean liner with just 286 staterooms, the Deutschland was launched in 1998 and is meticulously refurbished every year. The prominent styles of the nine-deck ship are art nouveau and art deco that recall earlier days of ocean travel. Three exceptionally well designed restaurants and an outdoor dining terrace provide formal and informal settings for dining, while intimate lounges with music provide before and after dining entertainment. The high level of service adds to passengers’ comfort with a 2-to-1 ratio of passengers to crew.
New this year is an expanded program of pre-arranged Wellness packages that start at just $150 for ladies’ facial beauty treatment, body bath with rose petals, milk and oil and classic back massage. Gentlemen’s grooming and relaxation packages start at $155 for a two-hour treatment. There are also daily classes in Pilates, Nordic walking and aqua jogging, make-up and fitness consulting sessions.
For solo travelers, the Deutschland offers 67 single cabins and charges considerably less for single supplements than other cruise lines. Details on the sailings and the Grand Hotel Voyages brochure are available from travel agencies and Peter Deilmann Cruises at 1-800-348-8287 or by e-mail at pdcmail@ deilmann-cruises.com. To view and download information on the ship and sailings, log on to www.deilmann-cruises.com.
P&O Cruises Australia
Book Early For 2008 Fly/Cruise Asian Escapes
P&O Cruises Australia has released great new Asian fly/cruise deals combining exotic seven-night cruises on Pacific Star sailing from Singapore with return flights from Australia, starting at AUD$2228 per person*. Pacific Star's 2008 Asian cruise season features 21 cruises from Singapore between April and October, visiting a range of magical destinations throughout Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, Sabah, Vietnam and Brunei. The fly/cruise deals include return international economy airfares from Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne or Adelaide, a seven-night Asian cruise on the 1350-passenger Pacific Star and transfers between the airport and ship on day of embarkation/disembarkation. Special Singapore hotel deals to stay on after the cruise are also available. The company has added enticing new ports of call to its traditional favorites for 2008. Passengers will be able to choose between two seven-night itineraries with both departing Singapore each Saturday. Fly/cruise offers are also available on Pacific Star's re-positioning voyages between Australia and Singapore available from $3185 per person in a complete quad-share cabin, including one-way economy airfare. Bookings must be made by April 30, 2007. (Some restrictions apply). Website: www.pocruises.com.au
Princess Cruises
Princess Debuts 'Department of Romance'
Long known as a leader in romance, Princess Cruises is stepping up its commitment to love. In celebration of the 30th anniversary of the hit TV series The Love Boat, famously set aboard a Princess ship, the company is debuting a new Department of Romance made up of a "dream team" of romance experts, and is launching a number of new "romantic pursuits" on its ships and on its web site.
Princess has tapped noted relationship experts to serve in its new Department of Romance—prominent dating and romance guru Trish McDermott, everyone's favorite couples therapist Dr. Ruth Westheimer, seasoned wedding planner Alba Carreras, and America's favorite Love Boat captain, Gavin MacLeod. Together, these authorities will guide and inspire the line's passengers to rediscover romance, and incorporate it into their everyday lives.
The department has planned a busy 2007, with a variety of romantic pursuits scheduled to launch throughout the year:
-- Romance by Room Service —Couples who want to snuggle up in their stateroom can create the perfect atmosphere by ordering Princess' new Romance by Room Service package which includes a special presentation of champagne and chocolate, scattered fresh rose petals and flameless scented candles, all set to a background of romantic music. Adding the line's Ultimate Balcony dinner provides all the ideal ingredients for a
romantic evening.
-- Become a Certified Romantic" ScholarShip@Sea Course—For couples seeking to rekindle the romantic side of their relationship, Princess will be introducing an entertaining new class for its popular ScholarShip@Sea learning program entitled Become a Certified Romantic. The course will offer tools on how couples can rediscover romance, as well as tips for sustaining romance long after passengers return home from their cruise.
-- Romance TV—The romantic cabin ambience will be enhanced with the introduction of in-stateroom Romance TV programming featuring timeless romance movies such as "An Affair to Remember" and "Sleepless in Seattle."
-- Daily Romance Advice—Passengers aboard Princess ships will receive daily reminders on how to celebrate and strengthen their relationships, as the daily Princess Patter activities program will feature a romantic tip or quotation to inspire affection.
-- Virtual Romance—A new section of the Princess website will be devoted
exclusively to the subject of romance, with tips, Q&As, resource information for romantic travelers, articles from the department experts and more.
-- Romance Report—A semi-annual Princess Romance Report will debut on February 14, in which the company's romance experts sound off on the state of love with facts, stats and forecasted trends.
These programs, to be launched with the debut of Emerald Princess this coming April, will join Princess' already existing line up of amenities and services for travelers with romance on their minds. Princess was the first—and still is—the only major North American cruise line on which passengers can be wed at sea by the ship's captain (with the "Tie the Knot" Wedding Program). This is allowed as the ships are registered in
Bermuda. And in 2006, Princess launched a unique Engagement Under the Stars program for passengers who want to pop the question with a surprise video-taped proposal on the ship's 300-square-foot LED Movies Under the Stars screen.
Additional information about Princess is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company's website at www.princess.com .
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Announces 2008 Circle Around South America Grand Voyage
Regent Seven Seas Cruises' luxurious 700-guest all-suite, all-balcony Seven Seas Mariner® sets sail in 2008 for a 60-night circumnavigation of South America. The Circle Around South America cruise will depart from Ft. Lauderdale on January 4, 2008 and features calls to 30 ports in 15 countries including Colombia, Panama, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, Argentina, the Falkland Islands, Uruguay, Brazil and French Guyana, as well as several Caribbean islands.
From the sensuous rhythm of Rio to the unspoiled wilderness of Patagonia to the ancient streets of Cartagena, South America reflects enough beauty and soul-searing diversity to quicken the pulse of even the most experienced traveler. In addition to an exceptional itinerary, the 2008 Circle Around South America cruise includes six onboard overnights and four complimentary shore events to offer guests an inside look at this vast continent. The Circle Around South America voyage will circumnavigate the continent counter-clockwise, through a journey comprised of four combinable segments:
-- Ft. Lauderdale to Lima, Peru (Jan. 4-16). This 12-night segment departs from Ft. Lauderdale with visits to Georgetown, Grand Cayman and Cartagena, Colombia, before a daytime passage through the famed Panama Canal. The journey continues south along the Western coast with stops in Fuerte Amador (Panama), Manta (Ecuador) and Salaverry (Peru), ending in the Spanish colonial city of Lima, the capital of Peru.
-- Lima to Buenos Aires, Argentina (January 16-February 4). This 19-night segment, the journey's longest, departs from Lima and stops in Pisco (Peru), calling on several ports along the Chilean coast including Valparaiso and Punta Arenas, and then the stunning fjords and glaciers of Chile and the point where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans converge. Visit Ushuaia, the capital of Tierra del Fuego, known as "the end of the world," and the Falkland Islands. Then on to two nights in chic Buenos Aires, Argentina.
-- Buenos Aires to Manaus, Brazil (February 4-21). This 17-night journey offers two onboard overnight stays in Buenos Aires, then continues to Montevideo, Uruguay before two nights in spectacular Rio de Janeiro, where guests will enjoy samba and sun-drenched beaches. Other stops in Brazil include Salvador de Bahia and Alter Do Chao, before ending in Manaus, at the edge of the breathtaking Amazon rainforest.
-- Manaus to Ft. Lauderdale (February 21-March 4). The final 12-night leg of the cruise follows the coast of Brazil with calls in Parintins and Santarem, and Devil's Island, French Guyana, before continuing on to the tropical paradise of Barbados, Dominica, Puerto Rico and Grand Turk, ending in Ft. Lauderdale.
Per person prices start from $27,995 for the entire 60-night Circle Around South America cruise, and from $5,995 for an individual segment. Cruise fares include all shipboard gratuities; complimentary beverages, including select wines and spirits served throughout the ship; complimentary 24-hour room service; refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, beer and bottled water replenished daily; and an in-suite bar setup in butler suites.
As with all Regent Grand Voyages, guests partaking in the entire 60-night voyage receive special savings and gifts, including complimentary first-class roundtrip airfare from 86 North American gateways, between $500-$1,000 per suite in shipboard credits and an exclusive bon voyage event the evening before disembarkation. Guests sailing individual segments receive $100-$200 shipboard credits and a special commemorative gift. Segments one and four also feature special air fare offers. (Visit www.TheRegentExperience.com or contact a travel agent for details.)
Seabourn Cruise Line
Riviera Cruise Package Includes Two Nights At Grand-Hotel Du Cap-Ferrat
Seabourn Cruise Line has announced a new cruise/hotel itinerary—May 10-18, 2007— that includes an eight-day cruise to Italy and the French Riviera aboard the Seabourn Legend and two nights at the Grand-Hotel du Cap-Ferrat, one of the Cote D'Azur's most prestigious addresses.
Dominating the peninsula of St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, the storied Grand-Hotel is graced with palms and pines, and blessed with views of the Cap-Ferrat lighthouse and the blue Mediterranean Sea. Guests can languish on the sloping lawns, or take the funicular to Club Dauphin, where the heated saltwater horizon pool awaits. A Seabourn representative will be on hand to assist guests in making the most of their stay, which includes a complimentary half-day sightseeing tour.
After this splendid interlude, guests board the yacht-like Seabourn Legend for an eight-day voyage that includes Cassis, Le Lavandou, St. Tropez and Cannes in France, the island of Corsica and Livorno, gateway to Florence, Pisa and Lucca, Italy. The picturesque Italian resort Portofino provides a grand finale before disembarking in Monte Carlo.
Fares for this very special 10-day Seabourn Sail & Stay vacation start from $4,198 per person, based on double occupancy. This is a savings of 49 percent off brochure rates, and includes a transfer between the Grand-Hotel and Seabourn Legend at Monte Carlo for embarkation. Space is limited. For more information, contact a travel agent, call Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.
Seabourn's 'Personal Valet' Luggage Shipping Service a Success
Three years ago, Seabourn Cruise Line thought it would be a good idea to provide a reliable, easy-to-use luggage shipping service for guests flying to and from its three ultra luxury ships sailing on worldwide itineraries. Today, the company's Personal Valet luggage shipping service has handled over 25,000 bags and taken the hassle out of getting its guests' personal baggage to and from their ships in Asia, Europe and the Americas for a growing clientele of satisfied customers.
The key to the reliable service, according to Seabourn, is its partnership with DHL Worldwide, which provides the logistical support and tracking capability. The company reached out to all the major freight carriers, but DHL jumped on the idea and put in six months of work creating the system to handle the job. Out of three years and over 25,000 bags, Seabourn has encountered very few problems. The other crucial links are the local ship's agencies, which receive and hold the bags and transfer them to the onboard staff when the ship arrives, and likewise connect departing bags with DHL.
In 2004, Personal Valet sales were $145,000. In 2006, the sales were over $200,000, and growth more than doubled from 2005. Personal Valet prices vary according to the weight of the baggage and the destination, but average around $350 for a suitcase to Europe, and slightly higher on return. Website: www.seabourn.com
Silversea Cruises
Silversea Announces Details Of America's Cup Voyage
Silversea has announced details of the itinerary and special activities planned for the five-star rated Silver Whisper's presence at the 32nd America's Cup regatta. The prestigious yachting tournament is scheduled to be held this summer in Valencia, Spain, marking the first time Europe will host the race for the oldest trophy in sport. Switzerland's Team Alinghi, the defenders of the title, swept the last competition in five straight wins, and Silversea guests will have the best seats in the house from June 23 to 29 for what is shaping up to be another amazing contest.
Silver Whisper's guests will board the ship in Barcelona on June 22 and sail south to Valencia. On June 23 and 24, the intimate, all-suite ship will be positioned in Valencia Bay directly alongside the race course, giving guests a front-row seat to experience all the drama and excitement of this most celebrated global event. Witnessing the graceful yachts as they slice through the whitecaps and into view will be a rare privilege for those on board, as the race cannot be fully viewed from the port or shoreline.
June 25, a rest day for cup competitors, provides the chance for Silver Whisper's 382 privileged and pampered guests to take in new sights and go exploring as the ship journeys to Algiers, North Africa. Optional escorted shore excursions will reveal the culture and history of this fascinating destination before guests return to Valencia to enjoy the next exciting race days of the America's Cup competition (June 26 and 27).
On June 28, the second scheduled rest day for race competitors, guests will have ample time to explore Valencia, one of the most historic cities in Spain. This charming city, with its centuries-old Moorish flair, famous cuisine and exciting nightlife, offers the perfect opportunity for an enriching cultural experience, and Silversea's destination experts have planned a selection of optional shore excursions to showcase the city's finest attractions.
Silver Whisper guests will celebrate the fifth scheduled race day in grand style on June 29 with an elaborate poolside barbecue to commemorate Team Alinghi's stunning five-race sweep in 2003 and offer a toast to this year's winner, who could well repeat the feat and be crowned the holder of the America's Cup, in full view of Silver Whisper's guests, on the same day of the fifth race in this best-of-nine series of match racing. Silver Whisper then sets sail for Barcelona and guests will disembark in the Catalan capital on June 30.
Throughout this extraordinary eight-day voyage there will be top sailing officials and experts on board Silver Whisper providing guests with background knowledge on the America's Cup history and rules, professional insights on the teams taking part, and full commentary on every race as it happens live in front of the ship. Noted guest speakers Gary Jobson, the Emmy-winning ESPN sailing commentator who won the 1977 America's Cup as tactician for Ted Turner, and John Rousmaniere, a lifelong sailor, writer and America's Cup historian, will be happy to share personal anecdotes and give guests an insight into the mindset and activities of the crew of the racing yachts as the races unfold. There will also be "surprise" competitors and officials from the 2007 race coming on board to meet with guests and join them for dinner in the evenings.
Other advantages exclusive to Silversea guests for this America's Cup voyage will be Silver Whisper's close proximity, when docked in port, to the America's Cup Village. Guests will be entitled to free entry and complimentary shuttle bus transfers from the ship to the America's Cup Village, which will take just 10 minutes.
This comprehensive package offers guests the ultimate America's Cup experience, featuring all the excitement and thrill of competition, combined with the unmatched all-inclusive luxury of Silversea, to make an unforgettable adventure for all on board. All-inclusive, cruise-only fares start from $6,915 per person, including all port charges, government fees, taxes and special event fees, and a 10% Early Booking Incentive discount. Website: www.silverseacruises.com
Star Cruises
SuperStar Virgo Offers First Climbing Wall In Asia
SuperStar Virgo lives up to its reputation of providing the best cruise experiences onboard. It is now geared for more exciting times and activities for its cruisers with the latest and world-famous rotating climbing wall, the Treadwall, a first for cruisers in the region. Also, children are sure to have a time of their life with the Traversing Bouldering Wall, recommended for the young ones aged between five and twelve.
The Treadwall incorporates auto-stop technology for self-paced, motor-less climbing with adjustable angles and holds. It’s simple to use as there is nothing to strap on, no other equipment required. Climbers just adjust their rate of ascent with the twist of a knob and the climbing angle changes with the turn of a wheel. It's totally fun as well as reliable as the Treadwall has a proven track record with more than a thousand Treadwalls in place worldwide.
The Treadwall is very safe as climbers are never more than 1-2 feet off the floor. When it's time to stop, climbers just step down to the floor. As well as no experience is necessary; if one can run, one can climb. Just hop on and go as the climber sets his or her own pace. The Treadwall will stop and go automatically as one climbs. It's that simple. And fun!
The Treadwall is an excellent aerobic trainer as it has a Polar® heart-rate receiver, that will monitor the heart rate of the climber, integrated right into the Treadwalls' counter-timer unit.
The other climbing activity is the colorful Traversing Bouldering Wall recommended for children from 5 years to 12 years old. This Wall provides exceptional fun that is safe and yet challenging for young cruisers.
Besides these new features providing cruisers with an awesome time onboard, the endless exciting onboard activities as well as world-class shows, continue to provide cruisers with an international entertainment and recreation experience.
