Carnival Cruise
Lines
Malt Shop Memories
Cruise Brings the Best of the ‘50s and ‘60s to the High Seas
Carnival Cruise Lines and Sixthman are launching the Malt
Shop Memories Cruise--a five-day, four-night cruise offering guests a unique
travel experience as they journey back to the birth of rock n’ roll via live
performances and themed events. The cruise will set sail May 13-17, 2010 aboard the Carnival Inspiration from Tampa, Florida, and calling at Cozumel,
Mexico.
On board, guests will enjoy live performances from the era’s
top artists in an intimate and personal setting. Those appearing include Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell, Little
Anthony & The Imperials, Lesley Gore, The Original Drifters, The Platters,
and Lou Christie. Renowned DJ
Jerry Blavat, also known as the “Geator with the Heater,” serves as host of the
cruise and emcee of special events.
The Malt Shop Memories Cruise was inspired by Time Life’s
Malt Shop Memories collection- a box set containing 150 songs epitomizing the
birth of rock n’ roll.
experience.”
Cabins for the Malt Shop Memories cruise are on sale
now. For more information, or to
book online please visit www.MaltShopCruise.com.
Costa Cruises
Costa Atlantica Sails
Seven-Night Caribbean Cruises From Fort Lauderdale
During the winter 2009/2010 season the Costa Atlantica will sail seven-night Caribbean cruises departing
from Fort Lauderdale. After completing the winter Caribbean season from Ft.
Lauderdale in April 2010, the Costa Atlantica will return to Québec as part of
a limited series of 11-to-17-night routes throughout Canada and New England.
The ship will then be positioned in Copenhagen sailing Northern Europe for the
summer before embarking on another series of 11-to-17-night routes throughout
Canada and New England.
The 86,000-ton (2,114 double occupancy) Costa Atlantica is
dedicated to Italian art and culture, featuring design elements including Murano glass accents and in-laid
mosaic tile, which provide a Venetian atmosphere to the elegant ship. All 12
passenger decks are a tribute to the life and work of Federico Fellini, Italy’s
best known film maker, including a “Deck 8 1/2” in honor of one of Fellini’s
most famous films. In addition, each deck is enriched with an original Milo
Manara drawing evoking the film to which it is dedicated. Website: www.costacruises.com
Costa Cruises Offers
'Italy In The Tropics' From Just $399
Costais offering Italy in the Tropics at an upgrade during
its winter Caribbean season from Ft. Lauderdale. One of Costa's richest
Caribbean deals is a "Free Upgrade" promotion with veranda
accommodations available at the price of an ocean view (fares from $699), ocean
view at the price of an inside (fares from $549) and inside cabins available at
specially reduced fares from $399. Additionally, throughout the season Costa is
offering "Kids Sail Free" specials with parents sailing from only $499.
During the holidays, kids sail for just $199 while staterooms for adults are
from $599 with an up to four-category upgrade during this time. Deposits have
been reduced to $150 on all Caribbean sailings for a limited time as well.
In November 2009, the 86,000-ton (2,114 double occupancy)
Costa Atlantica will make her return to Ft. Lauderdale, sailing seven-night
voyages each Saturday through April 2010. The ship boasts 44 exclusive spa
cabins that create a true "vacation within a vacation." Guests who reserve
these spa accommodations, appropriately located on Deck "8-1/2" in
honor of the famous Federico Fellini film of the same name (Fellini inspired
design elements of the ship), will enjoy a variety of special privileges. These
include a personalized wellness consultation, three complimentary treatments,
two fitness or meditation classes and complimentary access to the Wellness
Restaurant, offering a wide array of spa-friendly cuisine. Spa cabins,
available in ocean view, veranda and suite categories, will feature aromatherapy
diffusers, special shower and air filters, and a mini bar stocked with healthy
food and beverage selections. In addition, guests with these accommodations
will be offered priority spa reservation times.
The grand 110,000-ton (2,720 double occupancy) Costa Fortuna will once again return to
the Caribbean from December 2009 through March 2010, departing every Sunday on
seven-night voyages. Drawing inspiration from the beautiful Italian liners of
yesteryear, the Costa Fortuna combines nostalgia and a refined atmosphere into
a marvelous modern framework. Gorgeous scale models of historic ships are
weaved into the style and design of the ship's various restaurants and other
public areas. For a step into the present, guests may enjoy modern amenities including
a retractable magrodome over the ship's main pool deck, a state-of-the-art spa
and ocean-view fitness center, 11 bars and four restaurants and a theatre
expanding over three decks. All elements blend together to perfectly evoke the
charm and refinement of yesteryear translated into modern day times.
Costa Offers European
Sailings Complete With Air
Savor unique European destinations while enjoying La Dolce
Vita this winter on a Costa cruise. New packages begin at just $1,408 per
person and include cruise fare, air fare, air tax, transfers and a one-night
post hotel stay, if necessary.
Beginning at $1,408 per person for a ten-night sailing, and
at $1,545 for an 11-night sailing, guests may sail aboard sister ships Costa Pacifica or Costa Serena on Eastern or Western Mediterranean itineraries.
Starting fares on these air packages are based on roundtrip airfare from JFK to
Rome for the ten-night sailing aboard the Costa Pacifica, departing from
Civitavecchia on December 9, 2009. This sailing features stops in Italy,
Greece, Cyprus and Egypt. Fares for the 11-night sailings are based on airfare
from JFK to Savona, Italy for the December 8, 2009 sailing aboard the Costa
Serena with stops in Spain, Morocco, the Canary Islands and Madeira. Numerous
additional gateways are available from the United States and Canada.
The Costa Pacifica (recently inaugurated in June 2009) and
Costa Serena (introduced in 2007), were designed especially to sail the
Mediterranean year round. Both vessels feature two pools with retractable glass
magrodomes, ensuring pool time is enjoyable at any time of the year. In
addition, the ships feature the award-winning Samsara Spa, which at over 23,000
square-feet is one of the largest spas at sea. This spa haven at sea boasts spa
accommodations with direct access to the wellness center via private stairway
or elevator and access to a dedicated spa restaurant.
For complete information regarding Costa’s winter Europe
Air/Sea packages, guests may contact a travel agent, call (800) GO-COSTA or
visit www.costacruises.com.
Crystal Cruises
Seven Wine and Food
Crystal Cruises for 2010 Announced
Michelin Star-awarded chefs Michael Mina and Heinz Beck,
Master sommelier Robert Bath, and mixologist Tony Abou-Ganim are part of the
distinguished roster of food, wine and spirit experts aboard Crystal Cruises'
14th annual Wine & Food Experiences of Discovery cruises in 2010. Aboard
seven Wine & Food itineraries, the special guests will draw inspiration
from the destinations visited, as well as their own expertise in worldwide
specialties to lead demos and lectures, tastings and pairings, and cocktail and
pastry making classes.
In addition to the designated Wine & Food themed
cruises, the ultra-luxury line's annual President's Cruise will befittingly
feature former White House Chef John Hanny. Aboard the May 3rd voyage from
Piraeus to Dubai, hosted by Crystal President Gregg Michel, Hanny will present
several presidential-themed dinners and White House favorites from several
administrations.
Culinary
experts for 2010 include:
Chefs and
Foodies
-- Michael Mina - Creator of restaurant
group including one
Michelin-starred restaurants;
-- Heinz Beck - Executive chef of three
Michelin-starred La Pergola,
Rome;
-- Tom Aikens - Michelin-starred chef and
owner of London's Tom Aikens
Restaurant;
-- Andre Soltner - Former executive
chef/owner of New York's legendary
Lutece;
-- Serge Dansereau - Owner of Sydney,
Australia's The Bathers' Pavilion;
-- Aglaia Kremezi - Greek cuisine expert and acclaimed cookbook
author;
-- Paula Wolfert - James Beard Award
winning Mediterranean cookbook
author;
-- Simon Johnson - Australia's leading
purveyor of quality foods, and
-- Jon Ashton - Food correspondent for The
Daily Buzz and Relish Magazine
chef.
Sommeliers and
Wine Experts
-- Doug Frost - One of only three
worldwide to achieve both Master
Sommelier and Master of Wine;
-- Robert Bath - One of only 79 Master
Sommeliers in the U.S.;
-- Gerhard Retter - Wine and cheese
sommelier at Michelin-awarded
restaurants throughout Europe;
-- Mel Master - Leading Rhone Valley and
Languedoc wine exporter and
famed restaurateur;
-- Victoria Ordonez - Member of Spain's
largest wine exporting family;
-- Cameron Douglas - New Zealand's first
and only Master Sommelier, and
-- Filippo DiBelardino - Italian wine
expert and vice president of Banfi
Vintners-Fine Wines.
Crystal Wine & Food itineraries are scheduled for March
30, Auckland to Sydney; April 29, London to Rome; May 25, Venice to Barcelona;
September 5, Istanbul to Barcelona; September 17, Barcelona to Venice; November
22, roundtrip Lisbon; and December 12, roundtrip Los Angeles, Mexican Rivera.
On every itinerary, Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity
boast numerous dining options, including specialty dining from Master Chef Nobu
Matsuhisa and Piero Selvaggio and Vintage Room experiences showcasing
celebrated wines. Website: www.crystalcruises.com
Crystal And Luggage
Concierge Offer 2-For-1 Service In 2010
Luggage Concierge, Crystal Cruises’ exclusive partner in
door-to-door luggage
delivery service, is offering the line’s guests the
convenience of shipping
their luggage to and from every Crystal cruise in 2010 at
reduced two-for-one
pricing. In
fact, the new pricing for shipping two bags in 2010 is even less
than shipping one bag in 2009. Additionally, included in
Luggage Concierge’s service is automatic insurance of $2,500 per bag, for all
domestic and international shipments. Guests also receive personalized tracking notification via their
preferred method of phone, e-mail or fax. “Crystal guests appreciate
convenience and ease as a significant part of the luxury travel experience,”
says John Stoll, Crystal’s director of land programs.
“The Luggage Concierge service continues to provide our
guests with great
service, and the added value for 2010 is a fantastic
bonus.”
Arrangements for luggage shipment can be made through www.luggageconcierge.com/crystal or through the line’s own website www.crystalcruises.com.
Experiences of
Discovery Enrich Crystal's 2010 Cruises
Crystal Cruises announces an inspired collection of 2010
Experiences of Discovery theme cruises designed to enrich more than two dozen
Crystal cruises with a special-interest focus. Special classes, events and, in
most cases, shoreside options will augment voyages throughout the Middle East,
Australia/New Zealand, Europe and beyond.
A new Science & Technology focus joins Crystal classic
favorites including Crystal's Wine & Food Festival (set for seven cruises,
with two back-to-back options); Mind, Body & Spirit; Jazz; Golf; Film &
Theater Festival; and Big Band. Additionally, Crystal's annual President's
Cruise adds special programming and events in celebration of the line's 20th
anniversary of luxury cruising.
In focus for 2010 are:
-- Science & Technology - Guest expert lecturers focus
on the world's latest scientific developments on a winter Caribbean itinerary.
Emerging Artists - Tomorrow's stars shine today through
Crystal's exclusive partnership with The Music Center Los Angeles, showcasing
the brightest talent on two European cruises.
--Wine & Food Festival - World-renowned culinary experts
share techniques and specialties on Australia/New Zealand, Mediterranean and
Mexican Riviera voyages.
Mind, Body & Spirit - Wellness experts focus on yoga,
Tai Chi, Pilates and general fitness on Asia/Indian Ocean, Mexican Riviera and
Transatlantic voyages.
-- Golf - PGA pros offer onboard and shoreside tips and play
at exclusive courses in New England/Canada.
-- Fashion & Style - Personal style consultations with
designers and stylists, fashion shows, films and lectures showcase European
fashion.
Film & Theater Festival - Guest film experts salute film
and theater on a Pacific Ocean crossing.
-- Jazz - Live performances and discussions about musical
legends jazz up South America and Mexican Riviera itineraries.
-- Big Band - Swing to live daily performances, music
lecturers, and extra dance hosts on an Atlantic Ocean crossing.
-- President's Cruise - Crystal's President Gregg Michel
hosts Special Crystal 20th --Anniversary events on board and ashore on a Red
Sea journey.
-- Experiences of Discovery programs complement Crystal's
exclusive ongoing Creative Learning Institute, which presents language classes
through Berlitz, keyboard instruction through Yamaha, and stimulating guest
lecturers from the Crystal Visions Lecture Program.
For more information or Crystal reservations, contact a
travel agent, call 888-799-4625, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.
Cunard Line
Queen Mary 2 Balcony
Upgrades Available on Cape Town/New York Segment of 2010 World Voyage
Cunard announces a special offer on the final segment of
Queen Mary 2's 2010 World Voyage: the 21-day Great Atlantic Odyssey from Cape
Town to New York, March 25 to April 15, 2010. Guests may reserve a Balcony
Stateroom (Category B6) for the price of an Inside Stateroom (Category D8),
promo code: RDK. The voyage truly combines the best of cruising with
interesting maiden calls and Cunard's famed Crossings with an abundance of sea
days. Highlights include a maiden call to Cape Town, South Africa and a 4-day
Southern Atlantic Crossing over the Equator from Rio de Janeiro to Barbados.
On March 25,
the ship will make her maiden call and overnight visit to Cape Town. Queen Mary
2 then enjoys two days cruising the South Atlantic Ocean before calling on St.
Helena, a small island 1200 miles off the coast of Africa, another maiden call
for Cunard's flagship. The remote island is best known as the place where
Napoleon Bonaparte spent the last six years of his life under his second exile.
It is also home to some of the world's finest coffee plantations.
From there, Queen Mary 2 is at sea two days, heading toward
Rio de Janeiro where guests can enjoy spectacular vistas and renowned beaches,
such as Sugarloaf Mountain and the fabled beachfront districts of Copacabana
and Ipanema. She then sails for four days before calling on Barbados, affording
guests British cultural influences, great duty-free shopping and colorful
underwater snorkeling at Turtle Bay.
The voyage concludes with the option to disembark in either
Fort Lauderdale, Florida on April 12, or in New York on April 15. Website: www.cunard.com
easyCruise
easyCruise Announces
20% Early Booking Discount For 2010
For summer 2010 easyCruise is offering a 20 percent early
booking discount on cruise fares for all three- and four-night trips departing
from Piraeus (Athens) and Kusadasi in Turkey. From April until October, the
cruises visit some of the most stunning islands including Santorini, Mykonos
and Crete.
Early booking prices are valid until 31 December 2009 with a
three night cruise fare now from as little as $248 per adult (reduced from
$310) plus port charges.
Travelers who are planning a city break to Athens or a
touring vacation of Greece or Turkey can easily add in a short cruise to their
itinerary to combine history and culture with magnificent sightseeing on the
Greek Islands. easyCruise offers
shore excursions in every port of call and travel agents can earn commission on
all pre bookable options. Website; www.easycruise.com
Fred.Olsen Cruise
Lines
Unforgettable Winter
Getaways Starting From Only $88 Per Night
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines banishes winter blues with
exhilarating, elegant adventure among the warmer, more welcoming waters of the
Caribbean and the Amazon with two prime picks.
The Amazon Explorer (M1004) and Caribbean (M1006) cruises
foray into the heart of the mighty Amazon River or voyage through the surreal
waters of the Caribbean, respectively. Both cruises run 14 nights, depart from
and return to Bridgetown (Barbados), and offer outstanding value starting from
only $88 per person, per night. These getaways are offered aboard the
929-passenger Braemar, which was
refitted last year.
-- On February 18, 2010, passengers taking the Amazon
Explorer will depart Bridgetown and head for Brazil. The voyage begins anew
about 100 miles from the Amazon River where travelers cross the Equator at
Macapa, which lies at 0° N. Passengers enter a world where fishing canoes dot
the river, oxen graze at the water’s edge next to rickety houses built on
stilts, and huge tracts of silent creeping jungle tumble down into the banks of
the river. As they cruise over nine hundred miles upriver the air is rent with
the calling of a hundred different species of exotic birds. Ports of call
include Santarem, where Henry Ford established one of his first rubber
plantations, and Manaus, with waters full of tiny pink dolphins, local fishing
boats and cargo freighters. Additionally, Braemar calls at Parintins, where
nearby islands are famous for howler monkeys and jaguars, and Scarborough
(Tobago) with its European influences.
-- Beautiful Barbados, with its white sand beaches and
melding of “Little England” and West Indian cultures, is the embarkation point
and sets the tone for Braemar’s Caribbean cruise beginning on March 18, 2010.
Next comes Trinidad (Port of Spain), the birthplace of calypso music and steel
drums. With more than 50 nationalities and some of the most spectacular scenery
and wildlife in the Caribbean, this island is unique in its charm and appeal.
Scarborough (Tobago), Ocho Rios (Jamaica), Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic),
and Road Town (Tortola) follow. Basseterre (St. Kitts), St. John’s (Antigua),
and Roseau (Dominica) round out the itinerary.
The Caribbean cruise features Flagship Golf which allows
guess access to local golf courses at ports of call. The add-on Flagship Golf
package costs $660 per golfer and includes four rounds of golf, including fees
and transportation, free practice facilities onboard, welcome party, up to five
sessions with resident PGA pro, onboard social gatherings and fun competitions.
For more details visit: http://www.fredolsencruises-flagshipgolf.co.uk.
Rates for both cruises are the same. Inside cabins run
$1,232 per person, only $88 per person, per night. The rate for an outside
cabin is $1,329 per person. These special promotional prices apply to inside
and outside cabins, based on double occupancy and include all port charges and
taxes. Cabins are on a guarantee basis and will be assigned when passengers
embark.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines offers small ship cruising and a
relaxed British atmosphere. Passengers are assured of high on-board standards
of accommodation, varied menus composed of the freshest ingredients, friendly
staff, top entertainment and itineraries to worldwide destinations. Fred. Olsen
currently operates a fleet of five cruise ships, most of which are based in the
UK.
Minneapolis-based Borton Overseas is the US reseller for
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines. Contact Borton Overseas 1-800-843-0602, www.bortonoverseas.com . Digital
brochures are available on line. UK website: www.fredolsencruises.com .
100th Titanic
Anniversary Remembered with Historic Titanic Memorial Cruise
The 100th anniversary of the sinking of the RMS Titanic is to be marked in April
2012 with a once-in-a-lifetime cruise experience following the ship’s original
route in 1912. Passengers will enjoy an entirely Titanic-themed cruise
including a memorial service in the early hours of the morning of April 15,
2012 above the original Titanic vessel that lies in the Atlantic, exactly 100
years after the ship sank that horrific day.
The Balmoral, a
liner operated by Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines –its parent company Harland
and Wolff built the Titanic – will leave Southampton, England on April 8,
2012 and begin its journey to Cobh, Ireland, where the Titanic made its final
port of call on April 11, 1912. Passengers can enjoy a Titanic heritage shore
excursion in Cobh.
The cruise will continue following the route of the RMS
Titanic and arrive over the spot where the Titanic sank on April 14. A special
memorial ceremony will be held between 11:40 pm when the ship hit the iceberg
and 2:20 am on April 15.
After the service, the cruise continues to Halifax, Nova
Scotia, where passengers can visit Fairview Lawn Cemetery where 121 Titanic
victims are buried, along with Mount Olivet Catholic Cemetery and Hirsch Jewish
Cemetery, which also have graves of Titanic victims. The cruise’s final
destination – as was planned for the original voyage – is New York
City.
Managing Director Miles Morgan of Miles Morgan Travel, who
has chartered the Fred. Olsen liner for the historic voyage said, “The Titanic
still grips the imagination of people throughout the world and this is a
once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of a unique cruise packed with
interest for those with a fascination for the Titanic story. “The whole voyage will be steeped in
Titanic history. The food served will match the sumptuous menus on the original
voyage; the entertainment will include music and dancing in the style featured
in those glorious times, and there will be a chance to hear first-hand from
historians who have studied the Titanic story – it promises to be a truly
memorable cruise,” said Mr. Morgan.
Miles Morgan has appointed Minneapolis-based Borton Overseas
to coordinate reservations in the US for the Titanic Memorial Cruise. Borton
Overseas coordinates Fred. Olsen’s US operations, which makes the partnership a
perfect fit. An interesting historical aside: Borton Overseas – formerly
Vanstrum Travel – made a reservation on March 11, 1912 for a client on
the June 1st departure of the Titanic; a sailing that unfortunately never
happened.
The 12-night journey starts at $3,900 per person for an
inside cabin and includes all taxes. Interested cruisers should call Borton Overseas
at 1-800-843-0602 or visit the website for more information at www.bortonoverseas.com.
Holland America
Line
ms Rotterdam To Sail
30-Day South America Explorations In 2010 & 2011
Holland America Line’s ms Rotterdam will sail three 30-day
South America adventures in 2010 and two more in 2011, allowing guests to visit
the remote site of Machu Picchu and explore the mysterious and exotic Inca
civilization.
With Rotterdam’s Incan Empires voyages departing February 6, April 10 and October 23,
2010, and again on February 2 and the Secret Civilizations voyage departing
April 17, 2011, these voyages sail round-trip from U.S. ports on the East and
West coasts, making a cruise to Central and South America more convenient for
North American travelers.
-- Rotterdam’s “Incan Empires” voyage spends 30 days
exploring 15 ports along the west coasts of Mexico, Guatemala, Nicaragua,
Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Peru. Extended calls at Acapulco and Puerto
Vallarta, Mexico, give guests extra time ashore to enjoy the culture, history
and local attractions of that region.
A highlight of the itinerary is a two-night call at Callao
(Lima), Peru, enabling guests to take an excursion to the ancient Incan city of
Machu Picchu, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most mysterious
archeological locations in the world. Because of the extended three-day call,
guests will still visit all the ports and can easily rejoin the ship in Callao
after their adventure. An overnight call at Fuerte Amador, Panama, the gateway
to Panama City, is another highlight of the itinerary.
Cruise fares begin at $2,799 per person, double occupancy,
for the full 30-day “Incan Empires” cruise. Fifteen-day segments to and from
Callao also are available with fares starting at $1,599.
-- On April 17, 2011, Rotterdam returns to Central and South
America, setting sail on a 30-day “Secret Civilizations” round-trip Fort
Lauderdale, Fla., cruise that visits 14 ports in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama and Peru.
The itinerary features a double transit of the Panama Canal
on the way to and from Callao. The daylight transits allow guests to observe
the intricate passage through the lakes and locks of the man-made engineering
marvel. This voyage also has a two-night call at Callao, making it possible for
guests to take an excursion to Machu Picchu, as well as an overnight call at
Fuerte Amador and an extended stay at Cozumel, Mexico.
Cruise fares begin at $3,299 per person, double occupancy,
for the full 30-day “Secret Civilizations” cruise. Fifteen-day segments to and
from Callao also are available.
When in port, guests can choose from a multitude of diverse
shore excursions including Overland Adventures, off-the-beaten-track
explorations, Signature Collection private-car touring and exclusive Medallion
Collection excursions. Website: www.hollandamerica.com
‘ms Volendam ‘Returns
To Asia And Down Under In 2011
Holland America Line’s ms
Volendam is set to cruise to Australia and New Zealand in early 2011 with
14- and 18-day voyages to the lands of kangaroos, kiwis, the wonders of the
Great Barrier Reef and exotic Asian ports. The ship also will sail a 14-day
exploration of the South Pacific to island jewels known for their powdery
beaches and turquoise waters.
-- 14-Day New Zealand Discovery
Both the North and South islands of New Zealand with their
beautiful natural landscapes will be explored on the 14-day round-trip Sydney,
Australia, sailings departing January 2 and 30, 2011. The ship will make a
total of eight calls at ports in New Zealand, including Wellington, Napier,
Christchurch, Tauranga and a full day at Auckland. The itinerary also features
extensive scenic cruising in Fiordland National Park — a UNESCO World
Heritage Site — as well as Milford Sound. Guests can take in the
breathtaking views of the region’s extreme scenery, ranging from glaciers to
mountain ranges and sandy beaches to volcanic plateaus.
-- 14-Day
Pacific Treasures
Volendam departs January 16 on a 14-day round-trip Sydney
cruise to the islands of the South Pacific and through some of the most
pristine waters in the world. Three ports of call in New Caledonia allow guests
to dive and snorkel along the region’s coral reef and in the largest lagoon in
the world. The ship also calls at the island of Vanuatu with its potpourri of
cultures and magnificent natural harbor, as well as two calls at the island of
Fiji, known for its sun-kissed beaches and crystal-clear seas.
-- 14-Day Australia and New Zealand
Departing February 13 from Sydney and February 27 from
Auckland, these spectacular cruises between Auckland and Sydney were created
for travelers wishing to discover the diverse scenery and rich culture Down
Under. This itinerary also features extensive scenic cruising in Fiordland
National Park, as well as Milford, Dusky and Queen Charlotte sounds. Holland
America Line is one of the few premium cruise lines calling at Picton, the
gateway to the South Island and the hub of Marlborough Sound’s thriving wine
country, a certain highlight for wine connoisseurs. Guests can experience the
Maori culture when the ship calls at Tauranga and experience the novelty of
less-visited ports such as Burnie, Australia. For those looking for a more
in-depth experience, pre- or post-cruise land tours take guests to the Great
Barrier Reef or Alice Springs.
-- 18-Day Great Barrier Reef Explorer
Volendam’s 18-day itinerary departing March 13 from Sydney
to Singapore enables guests to enjoy four days of cruising the Great Barrier
Reef, including two days of daylight cruising through the world’s largest coral
reef system. Scenic highlights include an overnight anchorage in the reef near
Sherrard Island and calls within the Whitsunday Island group. Several
interesting ports also will be visited in Indonesia, including Komodo Island,
part of the Komodo National Park — a UNESCO World Heritage Site —
as well the beautiful islands of Bali and Java. An overnight call at Singapore
at the end of the cruise enables guests to explore the bustling city and return
to the comfort of the ship before disembarking the next morning.
--18-Day Asia
Explorer
Sailing from Singapore to Kobe (Osaka), Japan, Volendam is
set to explore all corners of the Orient including Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam,
China and Japan on its April 14 departure. The 18-day itinerary is filled with
plenty of time to explore the palaces and tombs that dot the ancient lands,
take in the tranquility of the temples and gardens, and sample the unique
flavors of Asian cuisine. Three overnight stays ensure that guests are able to
explore Bangkok with it’s abundance of palaces and Buddhist wats; the
cosmopolitan city of Hong Kong with its tea shops and street markets, and
Shanghai with its soaring skyscrapers and unforgettable Yuyuan Gardens.
-- 17-Day Japan
and Alaska
In the spring, Volendam repositions back to the waters of
Alaska with a 17-day trans-Pacific journey from Kobe to Vancouver, British
Columbia. Departing May 2, the ship visits the ports of Yokohama, Hakodate and
Kushiro, Japan, before crossing the International Date Line over to Alaska and
kicking off the season with calls at Kodiak and Sitka, and scenic cruising of
the Inside Passage.
Cruise fares are per person, double occupancy, and start at
$1,599 for the New Zealand Discovery voyage departing January 2 and $1,699 for
the January 30 departure; $1,599 for the Pacific Treasures cruise departing January16;
$1,699 for the Australia and New Zealand voyage departing February 13 and
$1,599 for the February 27 departure; $2,099 for the Great Barrier Reef
Explorer cruise departing March 13; $2,099 for the Asia Explorer voyage
departing April 11, and $1,599 for the Japan and Alaska trans-Pacific cruise
departing May 2.
For a cruise brochure or for more information, visit www.hollandamerica.com.
MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises Expands
South American Cruise Choices for 2009-2010 Season
South America ranks as one of the world’s great
destinations, and with the recent awarding of the 2016 Summer Olympics to Rio
de Janeiro, Brazil has gained even more worldwide attention. MSC Cruises has
established itself as one of the leaders in South American cruises, with a
flexible array of three-, four-, five-, six-, seven-, eight-, and nine-night
itineraries from Santos, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Buenos Aries from October
2009 through mid-May 2010.
Guests on the
more than 140 MSC Cruises sailings in South America can expect to experience
the natural beauties, vibrant cities and nightlife which have made the region
an increasingly popular vacation choice. Port calls, depending upon itinerary
and cruise length, will include Ilhéus, Maceiό, Ilhabela, Ilha Grande,
Punta Del Este, Búzios, Ubatuba, Recife, Fortaleza, Cabedelo and Montevidéo.
MSC Lirica will
open the season, her first in Brazilian waters, sailing from Santos on Oct. 23
and calling at Rio de Janeiro, Búzios, Ubatuba and Santos. She will be joined
by MSC Musica, MSC Opera, MSC Melody, MSC
Armonia and MSC Orchestra.
To add additional spice to the South American cruise
experience, MSC Cruises plans these 20 special themed sailings targeting
guests’ popular special interests:
-- Dance: MSC Musica, November 22; MSC Opera, February 7,
2010; MSC Armonia, February 11, 2010; MSC Orchestra, March 13, 2010
--Music: MSC Musica, December 6; MSC Armonia, March 10, 2010
-- Fitness (Sea and Action): MSC Armonia, December 12; MSC
Orchestra, Feb. 6, 2010; MSC Opera, Feb. 21, 2010
-- Fantastic World (dream world & magic for children
& adults): MSC Orchestra, January 23, 2010
-- Circus: MSC Armonia, January 24, 2010
-- Fashion: MSC Orchestra, January 30, 2010
-- Wellness: MSC Musica, January 31, 2010
-- Beauty: MSC Musica, February 7, 2010
-- Food & Drink: MSC Armonia, February 20, 2010
-- Artmar (arts & crafts): MSC Orchestra, February 20,
2010; MSC Armonia, March 18, 2010
-- Bossa Nova: MSC Musica, March 1, 2010
-- Dolce Vita (physical, mental and spiritual balance): MSC
Orchestra, March 6, 2010
-- Humor: MSC Orchestra, March 31, 2010
Websites: www.MSCCruisesUSA.com or www.msccruises.com
MSC Cruises Offers
Savings On 2010 Europe Summer Sailings
MSC Cruises is offering travelers planning to cruise Europe
next summer the opportunity to take advantage of a “Best Fare, Best Room”
savings promotion. Guests receive the best available staterooms at the lowest
price within their selected category at the time of booking. Rates begin at
$699 per person on select seven-night cruises and $949 for 10-night and
positioning cruises visiting some of Europe's most exotic ports.
Itineraries featuring special “Best Fare, Best Room” rates
on seven-night sailings include:
-- MSC Fantasia: Western Mediterranean “Mediterranean
Fantasy” roundtrip from Barcelona, Genoa, Naples, or Marseille, from $849;
-- MSC Splendida: Western Mediterranean “The Splendid
Mediterranean” roundtrip from Genoa, Barcelona, Naples, Civitavecchia, or
Marseille, from $799;
-- MSC Lirica: Western Mediterranean “Mediterranean Marvels”
roundtrip from Genoa, Civitavecchia, or Salerno, from $699;
-- MSC Sinfonia: Western Mediterranean “Sparkling
Mediterranean Rivieras” roundtrip from Venice, Livorno, or Naples, from $729;
-- MSC Magnifica: Italy, Greece and Turkey “The Magnificent
Mediterranean” roundtrip from Venice or Bari, from $749;
-- MSC Musica: Eastern Mediterranean “Greek Islands in the
Sun” roundtrip from Venice or Bari, from $949;
-- MSC Armonia: Eastern Mediterranean “Jewels of the
Adriatic” roundtrip from Venice, from $729;
-- MSC Poesia: Baltic or Norwegian Fjords roundtrip from
Copenhagen or Kiel, from $1,199;
-- MSC Orchestra: Baltic or Norwegian Fjords roundtrip from
Copenhagen or Kiel, from $1,099;
Select ten-, 11-, or 13-night cruises and positioning cruise
itineraries include:
-- MSC
Magnifica: 13-night from Hamburg to Venice, from $1,149.
-- MSC Poesia: 11-night roundtrip from Copenhagen or Kiel,
from $1,399.
-- MSC Orchestra: 10-night from Copenhagen to Genoa, from
$1,199; or 11-night from Copenhagen to Barcelona, from $1,099.
-- MSC Opera: 10-night Dover to Venice, from $949; 11-night
from Amsterdam, Dover or roundtrip from Venice, from $1,049.
-- MSC Melody: 11-night roundtrip from Genoa or
Civitavecchia, from $999.
Children ages 17 and younger sail free when sharing a
stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults. Cruise-only rates are per person,
based on double occupancy (government fees and taxes for all guests are
additional) and cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion.
Website: www.MSCCruisesUSA.com
MSC Cruises Announces
Powerful Lineup of ‘Baseball Greats’
Fans of America’s pastime can gain unique insights into the
world of professional baseball on MSC Cruises’ “Baseball Greats” theme cruises.
Some of the greats of the game – including numerous record holders and
members of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum – will be
onboard, sharing their skills and their memories, during the powerful line up
of five “Baseball Greats” theme cruises as MSC
Poesia sails her inaugural
season in the US during the 2009-10 Caribbean cruise season.
In addition to visits to some of the Caribbean’s most
beautiful locations, each “Baseball Greats” “sailing includes free interactive
guest/player activities, including a player-hosted trivia game in which guests
can test their baseball knowledge, question-and-answer sessions with the
players, a guest pitching contest and a lively story-telling session. Players
will also host pitching, hitting, fielding and base running clinics.
MSC Poesia offers “Baseball Greats” theme cruises on the
following roundtrip itineraries from Fort Lauderdale:
-- November 20, 2009: Ten-night Southern Caribbean featuring
Panama, featuring Bob Feller, Cito Gaston, Frank Howard, Stan Bahnsen and Bill
Russell.
-- January 16, 2010: Seven-night Western Caribbean,
featuring Hector Lopez, Ken Griffey Sr., Stan Bahnsen, Jeff Torborg, and Cookie
Rojas.
-- February 6, 2010: Seven-night Western Caribbean;
featuring Tony Oliva, Jim Fregosi, Rudy May, Stan Bahnsen and Ed Kranepool.
-- March 6, 2010: Seven-night Eastern Caribbean, featuring
Amos Otis, Stan Bahnsen, Vida Blue, Rennie Stennet and Rico Petrocelli.
-- April 3, 2010: Seven-night Eastern Caribbean; featuring
Stan Bahnsen, Tony Taylor, Gorman Thomas and Randy Hundley
Players are subject to change without notice.
Cruise-only
rates begin at $549 per person, double occupancy (government fees and taxes
additional). On MSC Poesia’s Caribbean cruise itineraries, kids ages 17 and
younger sail free when sharing a stateroom with two full-fare-paying adults.
All cruises offer just a $100 per person deposit on all sailings and
itineraries.
Website: www.msccruisesusa.com
Norwegian Cruise
Line
Two New ‘Pride Of
America’ Sailings Added In Spring 2010
Norwegian Cruise Line announced today that the company has
added two new Hawaii cruises on Pride of
America next spring. Pride of
America is the only ship offering seven-day interisland cruises from Honolulu
to all four of Hawaii’s most beautiful islands. The two sailings are now on sale with fares starting at $999
per person, based on double occupancy.
The sailings on April 24 and May 1, 2010 will feature a new
itinerary that includes a day at sea along with the four ports currently
offered on Pride of America: Hilo, Hawaii; Kahului, Maui; Kona, Hawaii; and an
overnight in Nãwiliwili, Kauai. In
addition, the two sailings will include an evening sail by Kilauea Volcano, a
day cruise by the north coast of Molokai and an afternoon sail by the
breathtaking Napali coast.
Pride of America features the innovative attributes of
Norwegian’s Freestyle Cruising with a star spangled line up of eight culinary
options, dynamic public rooms such as the Hollywood Theater, the expansive
Rascal’s Kids Center and the luxurious Santa Fe Spa & Fitness Center. The
heart of the ship, the Capitol Atrium, is inspired by the Capitol Building and
White House and features a decorative stone floor, impressive water feature and
a stunning backlit glass dome.
Pride of America offers an extensive choice of staterooms
highlighted by an expansive Grand Suite, a broad range of family accommodations
with more than 250 staterooms that interconnect, more than 660 balcony
staterooms, as well as Family Suites, accommodating up to eight people.
The ship features the latest in relaxation and fitness
facilities with the Santa Fe Spa and Fitness Center. The Sports Deck includes a
basketball and volleyball court.
The large South Beach sunning and swimming area is inspired
by Miami’s Art Deco district and features some novel distractions including a
gyroscope and bungee trampoline and activities capturing the energy and fun of
Ocean Drive and Lincoln Road.
The ship also offers the best meeting facilities at sea with
the largest conference facilities and the only dedicated meeting deck on water.
Plus, on-board meetings may qualify for both corporate and individual federal
tax deductions. For more information, go to www.ncl.com/incentives.
The new sailings were added as a result of the ship’s
scheduled dry dock being postponed to a later date. To book one of these new sailings on Pride of America,
guests should visit www.ncl.com or call a
travel professional.
Norwegian Cruise
Line/UK
NCL Enters Into New
Partnership With Regional Flight Specialist Jet2.com
NCL has launched a partnership with regional flight
specialist Jet2.com allowing UK agents to fly their customers from local
departure points to join a selection of Mediterranean sailings from Venice and
Barcelona.
Agents can now book flights from either Manchester or
Edinburgh direct to Venice from where Norwegian
Gem’s new seven-night alternating and combinable Venice and the Greek Isles
and Venice and the Aegean Sea sailings depart from April 2010.
As of October 16, 2009, direct Manchester to Barcelona
flights will be available for passengers to join Norwegian Jade’s new
seven-night Mediterranean Treasures itinerary on its peak season sailings from
May to September 2010.
Customers will not incur any additional regional supplements
for the direct departures while agents will receive support from NCL’s in-house
teams to ensure smooth booking processes. The reservations team will provide
all flight information at point of sale or within 24 hours for those booking
through external systems, whilst the flight desk team can offer assistance with
post-booking queries. Both are on hand six days a week year-round rising to
seven in January and February.
P&O Cruises/UK
Three Michelin Star
Chefs To Visit Their Restaurants At Sea On Select Cruises
P&O Cruises, the only cruise line to have three Michelin
starred chefs, will have Gary Rhodes, Marco Pierre White and Atul Kochhar
travelling on board in 2010. The chefs will visit their restaurants at sea on a
selection of cruises throughout next year. The celebrated chefs will take part
in cooking demonstrations, lessons, Q&A sessions and book signings whilst
on board, in addition to spending time with their teams in the galley and in
the restaurant with passengers.
In April 2005 Gary Rhodes opened his first fine dining
restaurant at sea on board P&O Cruises adults-only superliner Arcadia. Arcadian Rhodes offers
passengers Gary’s famous style of traditional British cuisine with a modern
twist. Dishes include white onion and pea risotto with seared scallops,
chocolate and coffee mousse, hot chocolate cappuccino and white chocolate ice
cream. Passengers dining in Arcadian Rhodes are charged a £15 per person cover
charge* for a four course menu.
In December 2006 Gary Rhodes opened his second fine dining
restaurant at sea, Oriana Rhodes, on board P&O Cruises family friendly
superliner Oriana. The cuisine is
similar to that in Arcadian Rhodes and the same cover charge applies.
Gary Rhodes will be on board during the following
itineraries:
•Arcadia 15-night cruise departing June 19, 2010, J008.
Ports of call include Zeebrugge, Amsterdam, Oslo, Stavanger, Flaam, cruise in
Sognefjord, Olden, cruise in Nordfjord, Trondheim, Akureyri and Reykjavik.
Prices from £1,709 per person.
•Arcadia 13-night cruise departing November2, 2010, J019.
Ports of call include Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Alicante
and Gibraltar. Prices from £949 per person.
•Oriana 12-night cruise departing July 11, 2010, X011. Ports
of call include Copenhagen, Nynashamn, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, Tallinn and
Zeebrugge. Prices from £1,295 per person.
•Oriana seven-night cruise departing August 27, 2010, X015.
Ports of call include Corunna, Bilbao, Le Verdon, Brest and St. Peter Port.
Prices from £759 per person.
The White Room is the creation of British culinary legend
Marco Pierre White and Ventura’s signature fine dining restaurant. While
delivering Marco’s finest classic Mediterranean cuisine, The White Room
provides passengers with sweeping panoramic views and the option of dining
under the stars in the evening, with the nearby Metropolis bar serving as a
pre-dinner meeting point.
Oceana’s Café
Jardin’s restaurant serves Marco Pierre White dishes as does Aurora’s Café Bordeaux. Both menus serve
classic Mediterranean dishes which have been given the Marco treatment
especially for passengers on board. Dishes on the current menus include quail’s
eggs Hollandaise, Marco’s confit de Canard and a French lemon tart. Cover
charges for dinner in both Café Jardin and Café Bordeaux are from £4.99* per
person.
Marco Pierre White will be on board during the following
itineraries:
*Aurora 12-night cruise departing 19 April 2010, R002X.
Ports of call include Madeira, Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Cadiz, Lisbon and Vigo.
Prices from £1,048 per person.
•Oceana 14-night cruise departing May 15, 2010, E011. Ports of call include Gibraltar,
Cartagena, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Cadiz. Price from
£1,139 per person.
•Ventura seven-night cruise departing June 5, 2010, N014.
Ports of call include Corunna, Bilbao, La Pallice, Brest and St. Peter Port.
Prices from £721 per person.
•Ventura 14-night cruise departing July 3, 2010, N017. Ports
of call include Barcelona, Cannes, Livorno, Civitavecchia, Palma, Valencia and
Gibraltar. Prices from £1,329 per person.
•Oceana 14-night cruise departing October 2, 2010, E021.
Ports of call include Gibraltar, Cartagena, Civitavecchia, Livorno, Monte
Carlo, Barcelona and Cadiz. Prices from £1,158 per person.
•Ventura 14-night cruise departing October 22, 2010, N027.
Ports of call include Tenerife, Tortola, St. Maarten, St. Lucia, St. Vincent
and Barbados (from flights back to UK). Prices from £1,090 per person.
Sindhu is the creation of Michelin starred Indian chef Atul
Kochhar and will be one of Azura’s three select dining restaurants. Sindhu will
offer modern Indian cuisine with a British twist, celebrating Britain’s love of
Indian food and P&O Cruises long-standing affiliation with India. Diners
will be able to sample a fusion of British and Indian cuisine whilst watching
chefs in action in the theatre style galley.
Atul Kochhar will be on board during the following
itineraries:
•Azura 16-night cruise departing April 12, 2010, A004. Ports of call include Malaga,
Katakolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Korcula and Gibraltar. Prices from £1,481
per person.
•Azura 16-night cruise departing July 23, 2010, A010. Ports
of call include Malaga, Katakolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice, Korcula and
Gibraltar. Prices from £1,799 per person.
•Azura 12-night cruise departing August 8, 2010, A011. Ports
of call include Madeira, La Palma, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Lisbon and Vigo.
Prices from £1,329 per person.
•Azura seven-night cruise departing September 21, 2010,
A014. Ports of call include Dublin, Cobh, Bilbao and Brest. Prices from £692
per person.
•Azura 15-fly night cruise departing February 4, 2011, A103.
Ports of call include Barbados, Curacao, Aruba, Catalina Island, Tortola, St.
Maarten, St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Grenada. Prices from £1,375 per person.
All prices are based on two people sharing an inside cabin,
including all meals, entertainment and on board facilities. For more
information, or to book visit www.pocruises.com.
Princess Cruises
Princess Introduces
New Alaska Cruisetour Designed Especially for Families
With its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and plethora
of active adventure opportunities, Alaska offers the perfect family vacation.
To make it easier for families to plan a trip to the 49th state, Princess
Cruises has added a fun new cruisetour option designed especially with family
groups in mind.
The 12-night cruisetour offers the best of Alaska by land
and sea and includes a variety of special features not usually included in a
cruisetour package. Families will have the opportunity to travel on a jetboat,
pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and experience
what Alaska is like in the winter when it's many degrees below zero.
The cruisetour (number: FUN) is offered at a 25 percent
discount for all berths, so all members of the family are included in the
special pricing.
The Family Fun cruisetour includes a seven-night Voyage of
the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour featuring one night at Mt.
McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness
Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. At sea, families
can also take advantage of Princess' many onboard programs especially for
children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National
Park.
In addition, the following special extras are included in
the tour:
Daily Breakfast -- Everyone in the family can start their
morning off with the most important meal of the day.
Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service with Lunch --
Princess' acclaimed Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service gets families to
their wilderness lodge faster, and includes lunch aboard the train.
Three Rivers Jetboat Tour (Mt. McKinley) -- An exhilarating
alternative to taking a motorcoach to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge,
this tour travels from Talkeetna to the lodge by jetboat, with stops along the
river to view historic encampments and learn about the native wildlife.
Arctic Blast (Denali) -- Family members can experience
winter in Alaska -- in the summertime. This special chamber is chilled to
wintertime temperatures, so visitors can find out what happens to hot water
when it is thrown in the air and whether soap bubbles can survive the cold.
Music of Denali Dinner Theater (Denali) -- This rollicking
musical comedy tells the legend of the first expedition to the summit of Mt.
McKinley, accompanied by a hearty, family-style meal featuring smokehouse ribs
and Alaska salmon.
Experience Alaska with Alaska Geographic Tour (Denali) -- A
more intimate tour of Denali National Park, this special experience includes a
variety of interactive experiences, including an enhanced view of the Denali
ecosystem and current research taking place. The narrated bus tour takes guests
15 miles into the park to a beautiful river valley where they embark on a short
walk to the historic Savage River Camp, where they can participate in a number
of hands-on experiences.
Denali Sourdough Expedition Breakfast (Denali) -- While
fueling up for the day with a family-style, Alaskan roadhouse-style breakfast,
guests experience an unforgettable journey up Denali through breathtaking
images in Laurent Dick's Climb Denali. Participants have the opportunity to
meet this real mountain climber and ask questions about mountain climbing.
Riverboat Cruise and El Dorado Goldmine Tour (Fairbanks) --
Families can enjoy traveling on an authentic sternwheeler for a fully-narrated
cruise along the Chena River and try their hands at gold panning at the El
Dorado Gold Mine, where they will learn about Alaska's gold mining history.
Fares for the Alaska Family Cruisetour (#FUN) start at
$1,743 per person for the first and second berths, and $1,191 per person for
the third and fourth berth passengers.
Princess offers a variety of land/sea Alaska experience with
itineraries ranging from three to eight nights. All cruisetour options feature
at least two nights in the Denali National Park area, stays in Princess' own
riverside wilderness lodges, and a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers sailing
with Glacier Bay National Park.
Additional information about Princess Cruises is available
through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting
the company's website at www.princess.com.
Pullmantour
Cruises
Pullmantur’s Ships To
Sail In The Caribbean In 2010
Pullmantur Cruises will be sailing the Ocean Dream on 35, seven-day cruises from Cartagena, Colombia in
2010, from January through June and returning in October. The Ocean Dream is
also sailing 13, seven-day cruises from Cartagena this fall, starting October
3. Ports of call are Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao and Santa Marta.
The Pacific Dream will be sailing from Santo Domingo this fall, starting Oct. 3 through March and
returning next fall. Ports of call are Tortola, St. Maarten, Guadeloupe,
Martinique and St. Lucia.
The Pacific Dream will also be sailing 13 seven-day cruises
from Cozumel from March through June 2010, calling at Progreso, Grand Cayman,
Montego Bay and Costa Maya.
While the Ocean Dream will be sailing from Lisbon next July,
August and September, Pullmantur has not yet announced where the Pacific Dream
will be sailing during the same months. Website: www.pullmanturcruises.com
Based in Spain,
Pullmantur S.A. was purchased by Royal Caribbean International in 2006.
Seabourn Cruises
‘Seabourn Legend’ Returns
to Popular Caribbean Routes In 2010/11
The Yachts of Seabourn today announced that the 208-guest,
all-suite yacht Seabourn Legend in
late 2010 and early 2011 will not be sailing the waters of the Indian Ocean and
instead she will be positioned back to the Americas at the end of its
Mediterranean season to cruise in the Caribbean for the winter.
Seabourn Legend’s voyages among the favored yacht harbors
and unspoiled islands of the Caribbean remain a very popular choice for
travelers looking for an award-winning small-ship experience in a relaxing and
beautiful destination. Itineraries are designed to take advantage of Legend’s
intimate size and features, such as the unique fold-out watersports marina that
can be deployed in a secluded cove for Seabourn’s signature “Champagne and
Caviar in the Surf” beach barbecue. Activities ashore range from snorkeling,
yacht-racing, kayaking, hiking, horseback riding and zip-line adventures to
visiting artists’ studios, tony boutiques and strolling or relaxing on
world-class beaches. On board, deck barbecues and al fresco dining options make
the most of the bucolic climate, as do Dancing and Movies Under the Stars. Week-long itineraries sail between Ft.
Lauderdale and St. Thomas, or round trip from St. Thomas.
Seabourn yachting enthusiasts looking for exotic itineraries
still have a stunning selection from which to choose. Seabourn Spirit will depart the Mediterranean in November of 2010,
sailing through Egypt, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea and Oman to Dubai. Spirit
will then continue via India, Thailand and Malaysia to Singapore, to begin a
season of cruises exploring Bali, Borneo, Java and the myriad islands of the
Java, Flores and Savu Seas. The
intimate vessel will even venture southward to Australia’s Northern Territories
and Great Barrier Reef.
Seabourn Pride,
meanwhile, will be cruising in Asia for the full year, and in the autumn will
be sailing in China, Thailand and Vietnam, with included or optional extensions
to Beijing, Guilin, Cambodia & Laos and the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan.
Seabourn Odyssey will make a maiden circumnavigation of South America in early 2011,
encompassing the Peruvian and Chilean coasts, the Chilean fjords and Patagonia,
Cape Horn, the Falkland Islands, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil and the Amazon.
For more
information visit www.seabourn.com.
Silversea Cruises
New Extended Cruise
Excursions Lined Up For 2010
The world offers such an abundance of intriguing cultures, landscapes
and experiences that Silversea has designed nearly 40 extended mid-cruise
excursions for its voyages in 2010. Unlike a partial-day shore tour, these single- or multiple-day inland
adventures offer travelers a more leisurely, in-depth and personal encounter
with the local people, history, wildlife and natural attractions that lie just
beyond the ports of call.
Following is a small sampling of the new mid-cruise
adventures offered in 2010:
-- Borneo Great Apes Adventure -- Visit the magnificent
Temple of Borobudur, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, then travel to the jungles
of Borneo to observe orangutans in their natural habitat. Included is a two-night stay at the
Rimba Orangutan Eco Lodge, the perfect retreat for nature and animal
lovers. This three-night package,
priced at $3,199 per guest, is offered on Silver Whisper's January 18 sailing
(#4002) from Sydney to Singapore. Guests depart from Semarang and rejoin the ship in Singapore.
-- Expedition Antarctica -- For most globe trekkers, this is
the ultimate destination. Fly by
chartered aircraft to King George Island on the Antarctic Peninsula and
discover the many natural wonders of the world's last pristine wilderness. Memorable sightings might include
penguins, seals and whales. This
13-hour adventure, priced at $4,999, is offered from Punta Arenas, Chile on
Silver Cloud voyages of January 5 and 20 (#1001 and 1002); Silver Shadow voyages
of November 17, December 3 and 19 (#4033, 4034 and 4035); and Silver Spirit's
February 20 sailing (#5005).
-- Camp Jabulani -- Indulge your senses in this tailor-made
adventure trip to Camp Jabulani, set within the Kapama Private Game Reserve of
Kruger National Park. Highlights
include a ride through the bush atop an elephant's back and an open-vehicle
game drive through prime big-game territory that supports elephant, buffalo,
rhino, giraffe, zebra and other species. This two-night package, priced at $2,999, is offered on Silver Wind's
voyages of January 3, 13 and 23 and February 2 (#2001, 2002, 2003 and
2004). Guests depart from Richards
Bay and rejoin the ship in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.
-- Kakadu National Park & the Magic of Uluru-- Embrace
the spectacular beauty of Australia's Northern Territory. Visit Kakadu National Park, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, at the Top End, Alice Springs in the heart of Australia's
Red Center, Ayers Rock and the wonders of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park. This four-night package, priced at
$5,199, is offered on Silver Shadow's December 6 sailing (#3034) from Singapore
to Sydney. Guests depart from
Darwin and rejoin the ship in Cairns.
-- Historic Ouro Preto & Futuristic Brasilia-- Witness a
land of interesting architectural contrasts as you journey from historic Ouro
Preto to Brasilia, the futuristic capital of Brazil -- both UNESCO World
Heritage Sites. The cobbled
streets of Ouro Preto are lined with museums, baroque churches and an
18th-century opera house, while Brasilia's outstanding modernist buildings
include the Planalto Palace, Supreme Court, National Congress and Itamaraty
Palace. This three-night package,
priced at $2,999, is offered on Silver Whisper's October 24 sailing (#4031)
from Barbados to Rio de Janeiro. Guests depart from Salvador and rejoin the ship in Rio de Janeiro.
-- Galapagos Adventure -- A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the
Galapagos offer the rare chance to see blue-footed boobies, giant tortoises,
marine iguanas and sea lions living without fear of humans in an unsullied
laboratory of evolution. This
three-night package, priced at $3,999, is offered on Silver Spirit's March 8
sailing (#5006) from Santiago to Acapulco. Guests depart from Callao, Peru and rejoin the ship in
Manta, Ecuador.
--Cordoba & Andalusian Discoveries--Enjoy a panoramic
drive through Seville to discover the many attractions of this city founded by
ancient Iberians, then travel to the Moorish metropolis of Cordoba, a UNESCO
World Heritage Site, and explore its ancient alleys, impressive squares and La
Mezquita, its renowned cathedral-mosque. This one-night adventure, priced at $999, is offered on Silver Wind
voyages of March 11 and August 1 (#2007 and 2025); Silver Spirit voyages of
September 25 and October 16 (#5032 and 5035); and Silver Cloud's May 28 sailing
(#1016). Guests will depart and
rejoin the ship in two different ports, Cadiz and Malaga, as determined by the
voyage itinerary.
The prices listed above are per person, based on double
occupancy. The optional mid-voyage
land programs feature deluxe accommodations (if overnight stays are required),
all transportation, transfers, guided sightseeing and some meals. Website: www.silversea.com
Thomson Cruises/UK
Cruises For Beating The
Winter Blues
For those who believe winter is best spent in warmer climes
Thomson Cruises has compiled a list of great winter sun cruises.
--Thomson Cruises’ Red Sea Magic cruise sails from Sharm El
Sheikh in Egypt towards Jordan, Luxor and Cairo. Sailing onboard Thomson Celebration from November to
April, it is the perfect getaway and sightseeing trip with prices from just
£669* per person.
--The Canaries are known for being a great destination for
year round sun without having to travel too far from home. The Island Escape is spending the winter
months sailing the popular Colourful Coasts itinerary from Tenerife, sailing to
La Palma, Madeira and Morocco. With flights from 13 UK airports, the feeling of
sun on your face is within easy reach to all and prices start at just £554* per
person for a seven night cruise.
--A little further from home, warm weather, stunning beaches
and incredible scenery is guaranteed in the Caribbean. Thomson Destiny will be sailing across the Atlantic in December to
begin the winter season among the beautiful islands of the Caribbean. Sailing
seven night Caribbean Gems and Coral Island itineraries out of La Romana in the
Dominican Republic, the ship will visit colourful Grenada, Barbados, Dominica
and St Kitts and prices for a seven night Caribbean Gems itinerary start from
£949* per person.
If one week isn’t enough, all winter sun cruise itineraries
can be booked as a Cruise and Stay package – one week onboard a ship and
a second week on dry land in a choice of stunning hotels.
For more information or to book a Thomson cruise visit www.thomson.co.uk/cruise
Thomson Cruises to Visit
Cuba
British company Thomson Cruises has now announced that it
will be offering a number of 14-night Caribbean cruises, starting later this
year. The cruise line has also announced that it will be making its first ever
call to Cuban ports, with a cruise itinerary scheduled to begin December 2009.
Thomson Dream, a
new cruise vessel with a capacity for over 1,500 passengers will be offering regular
itineraries for Cuba, with three separate cruises for passengers to choose
from. Cruise-goers can opt for a Cuban Adventure, a Caribbean Experience or a
Classic Caribbean cruise, all with visits to Havana. The Caribbean Experience
will sail from Barbados to Havana, with an overnight stop in Cuba. The Cuban
Adventure will sail from Montego Bay to Barbados, with a three-day-two-night
call in Cuba. Sailing from Havana to Montego Bay, the Classic Caribbean cruise
will concentrate on Caribbean islands
Website: www.thomsoncruises.com
TUI
Cruises/Germany
TUI Announces ‘Mein
Schiff's 2010/2011 Itineraries
TUI Cruises’ Mein
Schiff heads across the Atlantic to her winter home base of Santo Domingo
in the Dominican Republic at the end of October. Two alternating seven-night
itineraries will be undertaken with stops in Grenada, St Lucia and Antigua on
one route and Martinique, Dominica, St Maarten and Guadeloupe on the other.
At the end of March, the German ship will head back to
Europe for a seven-month season of cruises in the West Mediterranean, Baltic
Sea, the Nordic region and Southern Norway. In July there are first calls in
the Faroe Islands and Iceland as part of an Iceland and Scotland itinerary
round-trip from Hamburg, which also takes in the Norwegian ports of Leknes,
Bergen, Geiranger and Hellesylt.
Also new for 2010 is Around Britain cruise in May with stops
in Edinburgh, Invergordon, Belfast, Dublin, Falmouth, St Peter Port and
Southampton. On May 15, a fireworks party is planned in Dublin harbor to mark
Mein Schiff’s first anniversary.
In September and October the ship heads to Palma de Majorca
for its autumn Mediterranean season with weekly cruises stopping in Naples,
Civitavecchia, Ajaccio, Villefranche, Barcelona and Tunis.
Four tasters cruises of four nights each are planned from
Hamburg, three to Oslo and Copenhagen plus one to Dover in May.
At the end of October, 2010, Mein Schiff departs the Med
heading to her winter 2010/11 base in the Canary Islands offering seven-night
round-trip cruises from Las Palmas to Lanzarote, Morocco, Madeira, La Palma and
Tenerife until April 2011.
TUI Cruises operates cruises for the German trade. Website: www.tuicruises.com (German language only)
Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruisesr
Cruises Announces Its '30 Sailings for 30 Days' Sale
Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of
luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's
most treasured destinations, announces its "30 Sailings for 30 Days"
sale. For only 30 days, Windstar will offer special rates on 30 cruises in
2010.
The sale began October 15, 2009, with a choice of seven-day
sailings on the 312-guest Wind Surf and the 148-guest Wind Star and Wind Spirit. Special rates on these
sailings begin at $1,849 per person, double occupancy. Wind Surf's April 18,
2010, sailing starts at $1,649 per person, double occupancy.
Wind Surf Sailings:
4/18/10 Rome
to Athens 8/08/10 Rome to Nice
4/25/10 Athens
to Rome 8/22/10 Barcelona to Nice
5/30/10 Rome to Rome 8/29/10 Nice to Rome
6/20/10 Venice
to Venice 9/12/10 Venice to Venice
7/04/10 Rome
to Nice 9/19/10 Venice to Rome
18/10
Barcelona to Rome 9/26/10 Rome to Nice
-----------------------------------
--------------------------------------
Wind Star
Sailings:
3/06/10 Costa
Rica Roundtrip 7/31/10 Istanbul to
Athens
3/20/10 Costa
Rica Roundtrip 10/23/10 Rome to Rome
7/03/10 Athens
to Rome 10/30/10 Rome to Barcelona
7/10/10 Rome to Rome 11/06/10 Barcelona to
Lisbon
7/17/10 Rome
to Athens
-----------------------------------
Wind Spirit
Sailings:
3/13/10 St.
Martin Roundtrip 10/23/10 Athens to Rome
5/08/10 Nice to Rome 10/30/10 Rome to Rome
5/15/10 Rome to Rome 11/06/10 Rome to Barcelona
7/17/10 Venice to Venice 11/13/10 Barcelona to Lisbon
7/24/10 Venice to Athens
Website: www.windstarcruises.com
.
