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Blue Lagoon Cruises Amends Its Itineraries
Blue Lagoon Cruises’ has announced its revised itinerary
schedule for its vessels for the as a result of the introduction
of the 60-meter catamaran, the MV Fiji Princess,
over the Christmas and New Year. The new product line
up, now effective includes:
-- Seven-day/six-night Gold Club Cruise on Fiji Princess
(Departs 3 pm Mondays)
and Thursdays)
-- Four-day/three-night Club Cruise on Yasawa Princess
and/or Nanuya Princess (Departs 3 pm Mondays and Thursdays)
-- Three-day/two-night Club Cruise on Lycianda (Departs
10 am Saturdays)
-- seven-day/six- night Cruise in Luxury Dive in Paradise,
Gold Club Dive Cruise on Fiji Princess (Departs on the
first Monday of each month)
NOTE: Blue Lagoon Cruises will no longer provide the
seven-day/six-night Club Cruise or the Mystique
Princess 7 day 6 night Gold Club back to back cruise.
The new uninterrupted seven-day/six-night Gold Club Cruise
on the Fiji Princess replaces both of these cruises, but
is priced at the same rate for 2005/06 as the 7 day 6
night Club Cruise rate in 2004/05.
In line with these changes, the seven-day/six-night Cruise
in Luxury Dive in Paradise (www.cruiseinluxurydiveinparadise.com
) adventure diving cruise will now use the Fiji Princess
as the mother ship. The cruise departs on the first Monday
of every month with a maximum of 28 divers (but with up
to an additional 40 non-diving passengers) on the mother
ship and either one or two specialized RIB dive boats,
depending on the number of divers. It is now available
through wholesalers and retail travel agents following
the release of this product in Fijian Dollars and the
change towards making it fully commissionable.
To celebrate these changes Blue Lagoon Cruises has released
a number of exciting specials, including a Kids Cruise
Free offer. If parents or guardians book a cabin for
two adults on the new MV Fiji Princess for a seven-day/six-night
Gold Club cruise, they will get a second deluxe cabin
for the kids for free (for up to two children 12 yrs and
under). The offer is only available on the MV Fiji Princess,
capable of carrying 72 guests in 34 air conditioned cabins,
at speeds of up to 15 knots features huge deck spaces
and a small pool on the stern. The Blue Lagoon Cruises
“Kids Cruise Free” offer is available for all seven-day/six-night
Gold Club cruises on the MV Fiji Princess between now
and June 30.
Carnival Cruise Lines To Return To Europe Next Year
Carnival Cruise Lines has announced that the Carnival
Liberty will return for a second time for a full season
of Mediterranean cruises beginning in May 2006. The 110,000-ton
SuperLiner, which is currently under construction in Monfalcone,
Italy, will operate a series of 15 12-day Grand Mediterranean
cruises round-trip from Rome (Civitavecchia) May 7 to
October 22, 2006. The itinerary includes extended port
calls in seven magnificent locations: Naples, Italy; Dubrovnik,
Croatia; Venice, Italy (two-day call); Messina, Sicily;
Barcelona, Spain; Cannes, France; and Livorno, Italy.
Prior to and following this program, Carnival Liberty
will operate 14- and 16-day transatlantic voyages between
Rome (Civitavecchia) and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., in April
and November 2006, respectively. Carnival Liberty will
also operate a schedule of six- and eight-day Caribbean
cruises from Fort Lauderdale November 12, 2005to April
15, 2006, and then will resume that program on November
19, 2006.
Carnival Liberty's seven-port, 12-day Mediterranean cruises
feature some of the most charming and historic cities
throughout Italy, Spain, France and Croatia, and offer
opportunities for guests to tour the region's most popular
destinations, including Capri, Taormina, Monte Carlo,
Florence and Pisa, just to name a few. More than 80 different
shore excursions, including guided museum tours and day-long
trips to centuries-old cities and landmarks, will also
be offered.
Immediately preceding and following its 2006 Mediterranean
cruises, Carnival Liberty will operate two transatlantic
cruises: a 14-day cruise departing Fort Lauderdale April
23 and arriving Rome (Civitavecchia) May 7, 2006; and
a 16-day sailing departing Rome (Civitavecchia) November
3, and arriving Fort Lauderdale Nov. 19, 2006. The 14-day
transatlantic cruise features four port calls including
St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles; Funchal (Madeira),
Portugal; Malaga, Spain; and Livorno, Italy. Featured
ports on the 16-day voyage include Barcelona, Palma de
Mallorca and Malaga, Spain; Funchal (Madeira), Portugal;
and St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles.
Of the ship's 1,487 staterooms, 60 percent will offer
either an ocean view or balcony - perfect for scenic European
cruising.
Carnival will begin accepting reservations for Carnival
Liberty's 2006 Mediterranean and transatlantic cruises
on May 25, 2005. Prices for the Mediterranean cruises
begin at $1,299 per person; the 14-day transatlantic voyage
departing April 23, 2006 starts at $799 per person; and
the 16-day transatlantic voyage departing November 3 begins
at $1199 per person. All rates are based on double occupancy.
Special rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the
same stateroom, along with FlyAweigh air supplements from
nearly 70 North American gateways, are also available.
Website: www.carnival.com
Carnival Legend To Operate Bermuda Cruises In 2006
And 2007
Carnival Cruise Lines will operate a six-day Bermuda
cruise in 2006 and another in 2007 aboard the 88,500-ton
Carnival Legend. The six-day voyages will depart from
New York on April 20, 2006, and April 19, 2007, and feature
an overnight visit to King’s Wharf, Bermuda; as well as
a full-day call at Newport, Rhode Island.
The two Bermuda voyages precede Carnival Legend’s eight-day
Caribbean cruise schedule from New York which runs from
April – October 2006 and 2007.
Both cruises feature an overnight stay in historic King’s
Wharf, a centuries-old port city home to exceptional shopping
and dining opportunities, as well as such interesting
sites as the Royal Naval Dockyard and the Bermuda Arts
Center and Craft Market.
Guests can also relax on Bermuda’s legendary pink beaches
and partake in a wide variety of watersports, including
snorkeling, kayaking and scuba diving. Outstanding golf
opportunities at top courses are available, as well.
Also included is a stop in charming Newport, located
on majestic Narragansett Bay and known for its craggy
coastline, extensive yachting history and elegant mansions
from the Gilded Age. A highlight in Newport is America’s
Cup Avenue, lined with a variety of fine restaurants and
boutiques.
Prices for the Carnival Legend’s Bermuda cruises begin
at $599 per person based on double occupancy. Special
rates for third and fourth guests sailing in the same
stateroom, as well as round-trip air supplements from
a variety of North American gateways are also available.
For additional information and reservations, contact any
travel agent, call 1-800-CARNIVAL, or visit www.carnival.com
.
Costa Introduces New Bermuda Itinerary
New for the 2005/2006 winter season, guests can enjoy
Cruising Italian Style at its best while sailing to Bermuda
on one of several new exciting vacation destinations offered
from Costa Cruises. From pink sand beaches to historic
forts and incredible shopping, Bermuda offers something
for many different types of travelers. This distinctive
new seven-night itinerary is the highlight of an enhanced
Caribbean program celebrating the inaugural season of
Costa’s largest and most impressive flagship to date,
the Costa Magica. The Costa Magica will be the
only ship sailing roundtrip to Bermuda from Florida.
Two Bermuda sailings depart April 21 and 28, 2006 from
Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The cruises feature two days
in Hamilton, Bermuda as well as two days in Nassau, Bahamas
at rates from $799 per person.
In addition, the Costa Magica along with the Costa
Mediterranea will offer alternating seven-night Eastern
and Western Caribbean cruises and a newly introduced seven-night
Southeastern Caribbean itinerary, giving guests another
new and exciting vacation option.
On the new Southeastern Caribbean itinerary, both ships
will call on the exotic ports of St. Maarten, Tortola
and Nassau. The ships will also call at the Eastern
Caribbean ports of San Juan, St. Thomas/St. John, Catalina
Island (the line’s private beach oasis) and Nassau
with select sailings calling at Freeport and Tortilla
(ports vary by itinerary). This itinerary also features
a night call at the private resort of Casa de Campo, allowing
guests to enjoy elegant dining, vibrant nightlife or a
local show in an open-air theater.
The Westbound itinerary features calls at Key West, Cozumel,
Ocho Rios and Grand Cayman with select sailings calling
at Progreso/Merida and Roatan. (Ports vary by itinerary.)
Prices for the 2005/2006 Caribbean season reflect Costa’s
policy of offering up-front realistic rates with seven-night
cruise rates starting from $599 for inside staterooms,
$799 for oceanview staterooms and $949 for veranda staterooms.
(Rates are cruise only, per person, based on double occupancy.
Government taxes are additional.)
For reservations or more information, call 1-800-GO-COSTA.
For a complimentary brochure visit www.costacruises.com
or call 1-800-33-COSTA.
Cruise West’s 2006 Itineraries Offer Adventure In
Remote Lands
Guests aboard Cruise West’s 2006 itineraries will be
given the opportunity to explore a wonderland of lush,
tropical forests, spectacular vineyard estates and countless
wildlife habitats in Central and North America, while
cruising itineraries unmatched by others. In all, the
largest-American owned cruise line will offer five breathtaking
destination experiences in 2006, including:
-- Costa Rica & Panama. Cruise West will take guests
aboard the Pacific Explorer to Central America’s most
envied lands. While guests trek the countryside among
giant anteaters and brilliantly colored toucans, they
will also visit with native cultures, like the Kuna Indians,
learning their dances and chants. The Between Two Seas
and Coast to Canal itineraries will be available December
2005 through April 2006 and June, July, November and December
2006, respectively. Cruises start at $3,099 per person,
double occupancy.
-- Mexico’s Sea of Cortés. Harboring the richest concentration
of marine life in the world, including species found nowhere
else, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés will provide Cruise West’s
guests with an opportunity to become one with the water,
performing a water ballet with playful sea lions and gazing
eye-to-eye with orange seahorses and gray whales, also
known as the “Gentle Giants of Baja. The Whales &
Wildlife cruise will be available December 2005 through
March 2006 and starts at $2,199 per person, double occupancy.
The cruise can be extended with a visit to Copper Canyon
– Mexico’s Grand Canyon – for an additional $1,600 per
person, double occupancy.
-- Columbia & Snake Rivers. Guests have never experienced
the Pacific Northwest like they will with Cruise West
on the Lewis and Clark River Voyage of Discovery. As
the first and longest running cruise line through the
rivers, Cruise West has the most extensive and informative
itinerary tracing the history of this part of the United
States. With inflatable excursion craft, guests will
travel onto land to discover the incredible journey of
those gone before. The River Voyage of Discovery will
sail in the spring, throughout April 2006, and in the
fall, throughout September and October 2006. Voyages
start at $1,799, per person, double occupancy.
-- British Columbia. The secluded islands of British
Columbia will offer Cruise West guests the most incredible
scenery and solitude with sandy beaches that are both
inviting and inspiring. The Spirit of Endeavour
or the Spirit of Columbia will show a side of British
Columbia rarely seen by discriminating travelers, including
Princess Louisa Inlet. Hidden inland, secluded inlets
and islands will be traveled on the Pacific Northwest
Coastal Escape itinerary, starting at $2,049 per person,
double occupancy, through April, September and October
2006.
-- California Wine Country. Throughout Sonoma and Napa
Valleys, Cruise West will take guests on a voyage into
the wine country, showing the history and practices of
winemakers, past and present. While touring vineyards
and enjoying several flights of local vines, guests will
experience a true escape for the senses with the Vintner’s
Choice or Culture of the Vine itineraries aboard the Spirit
of Endeavour, starting at $1,149, sailing during the height
of the 2006 wine season, in October and November.
As part of Cruise West’s new itineraries, tax and gratuity
are included in all package prices. Guests are neither
expected nor required to tip for onboard or land-based
services.
Cruise West is a second-generation, family-owned business,
and it offers the opportunity to explore remote, worldwide
locales by providing distinctive, one-of-a-kind, personalized
itineraries not offered by the traditional larger cruise
lines. Cruise West’s smaller ships—eight in all—hold between
70-118 people each and the casual style onboard encourages
relaxation and congenial interaction between guests and
crew alike. The experience is personally enriching through
onboard narrative and lectures, special local guests from
a wide variety of backgrounds, and the library provided
on each vessel. All have forward lounges and ample outdoor
deck space for viewing and photographing wildlife and
scenery. To make reservations or request a brochure, visit
www.cruisewest.com or call (800) 203-8306.
Crystal Cruises Publishes 2006 Cruise Guide
Crystal Cruises has released its 2006 Cruise Guide, the
line's first publication of next year's entire fleet-wide
schedule, featuring new itineraries, new ports of call
and the World Cruise aboard Crystal Serenity. A preview
to the 100+ page Crystal Cruises Worldwide Atlas available
in June, the 20-page, full-color brochure lists the 63
worldwide cruises, ports, fares and deck plans for Crystal
Symphony and Crystal Serenity. In addition to itineraries,
the guide opens with a list of Crystal exclusives, the
unique features that define Crystal's award-winning service,
abundant space, exceptional quality and numerous choices.
The luxury line will explore 15 more countries than the
previous year in addition to the world's intriguing destinations—from
Ayr & Troon to Zanzibar—with itineraries featuring
visits to 168 ports in 79 countries on five continents.
The new Cruise Guide provides a first-look at Crystal's
2006 program of cruises - a comprehensive roster of journeys
ranging from a collection of brand new seven-day cruises
on both ships including destinations in the Mediterranean,
New England/Canada and the Baltic, to the celebrated 106-day
World Cruise aboard the 1,080-guest Crystal Serenity.
Also new are Panama Canal cruises to or from Tampa and
a choice of three Caribbean cruises aboard Crystal Serenity,
conveniently round-trip from Miami. In all, 10 cruises
will sail round-trip from domestic ports and 15 cruises
will begin or end in domestic ports, convenient options
for even the most seasoned travelers.
Also included is an easy-reference 2006 Cruise Calendar
color-coded by destination: the Caribbean; Panama Canal
& Mexican Riviera; Europe & Trans-Atlantic; New
England & Canada; South America, the Amazon &
Cape Horn; and the World Cruise. In pursuit of creating
the richest land and sea travel experiences, the line
will feature 15 maiden calls, including Ayr & Troon,
Scotland; Pisco, Peru; Tripoli, Libya; Gijón, Spain and
Les Baie des Ha! Ha!, Canada, and several itineraries
feature exclusive overnight stays in some of the world's
most fascinating cities such as Bordeaux, Sorrento, Venice,
Monaco, Dublin, Acapulco, Sydney, Melbourne, Cape Town,
Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen, St. Petersburg, Edinburgh,
Cairo, Bermuda, Québec City, Montréal, Boston, Lima, Rio
de Janeiro, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas, Manaus and Buenos Aires.
Complimentary copies of the 2006 Cruise Guide are available
by calling 888-799-4625. Crystal's user-friendly website
www.crystalcruises.com
also provides detailed itinerary and program information.
Crystal Offers 33 New Shore Tours With New England/Canada
2005 Cruises
During Crystal Symphony's 2005 fall New England/Canada
season, of the 72 Crystal Adventures offered from September
through November, 33 are new, offering a wide variety
of unusual and intriguing experiences.
The fall splendor and rich history of New England and
Canada is showcased on five itineraries ranging from seven
to 11 days exploring the great cities and treasured harbors
of North America. Three 11-day cruises travel between
New York and Montréal (September 17 and 28; October 16),
a seven-day escape cruises round-trip from New York (October
9), and a 10-day colonial coast itinerary travels from
Montréal to Ft. Lauderdale (October 27).
Depending on itinerary, ports of call include Bar Harbor,
Maine; Boston, Massachusetts (overnight); Charleston,
South Carolina; Halifax, Nova Scotia; Newport, Rhode Island;
and Québec City, Québec (overnight). Seven-, 10- and
11-day fares begin at $2,195, and $2,995, respectively,
based on per person, double occupancy accommodations.
The luxury line's renowned Wine & Food Festival is
featured on three Fall Foliage
itineraries spotlighting the culinary talents of visiting
chefs David and Michelle Myers of Los Angeles' hot new
Sona, Dominique Filoni of Philadelphia's cutting-edge
Bianca and Celestino Drago, chef/owner of several favorite
Los Angeles restaurants. These voyages are enriched with
culinary shoreside experiences including: lobsterbakes
at Peggy's Cove in Halifax and Acadia National Forest
in Bar Harbor; a proper Victorian Tea and a Regimental
Dinner served amidst the history of Halifax's Citadel;
wine tastings and walking tours in Québec and Halifax;
a flavorful visit to the Island of Orleans to sample delectable
mustards, duck pates, preserves, cider wines and maple
taffy; and, a visit to Boston's Union Oyster House (est.
1826), the country's oldest operating restaurant, for
some New England clam chowder and warm cornbread.
The 940-guest, 50,000-ton Crystal Symphony is among
the most spacious and luxurious vessels cruising in the
luxury market. Its unique size allows for smooth sailing
and a wide range of innovative facilities, generous amenities
and elegant accommodations. The Six-Star rated liner
features grand lounges, a lavish spa outfitted in accordance
with the principles of Feng Shui, extensive exercise facilities,
complimentary golf, yoga and Pilates instruction, Asian
and Italian specialty restaurants, the only Caesars Palace
at Sea® casino afloat, and the popular Computer University@Sea®,
offering 24-hour e-mail and internet access, as well as
hands-on instruction, expansive decks, two pools, award-winning
cuisine and entertainment, and exquisitely appointed staterooms,
more than half of which offer private verandahs.
For additional information, please contact a travel agent
or call 888-799-4625. Visit the luxury line's website
at www.crystalcruises.com.
Mexican Riviera Marks New Season For Crystal Cruises
This Fall
For the first time this fall, luxury cruise specialist
Crystal Cruises will offer a dedicated new season of seven
Mexican Riviera cruises conveniently round-trip from Los
Angeles. Adding a touch of nostalgia to the seven- and
ten-day cruises, the extensive series also represents
the last season for Crystal Harmony, scheduled to join
its parent company's Japanese cruise division in December.
From September through November, the award-winning Crystal
Harmony will depart from Los Angeles to explore a variety
of tropical Mexican ports. Travelers have a choice of
four seven-day cruises departing on September 28, October
15, and November 1 and 18, and three 10-day cruises leaving
on October 5, October 22 and November 8. Itineraries
feature maiden calls at Loreto, Santa Rosalía and La Paz,
Mexico, as well as visits to the popular ports of Cabo
San Lucas, Mazatlán, Puerto Vallarta, Acapulco, Zihuatanejo,
and Manzanillo, depending on itinerary and departure date.
While Crystal Cruises has offered a smattering of Mexican
Riviera cruises in the past, this is the first year the
line has dedicated a full season to cruising the area.
Renowned for its onboard programming, Crystal Cruises'
Mexican Riviera itineraries feature special themed events
that add enrichment to the cruise experience:
-- September 28: A dedicated Health & Fitness cruise
with a Pilates focus.
-- October 5: One of Crystal's highly regarded Wine &
Food Festival itineraries featuring the culinary talents
of Philadelphia's Jose Garces, award-winning executive
chef at Alma de Cuba and El Vez restaurants together with
Jeff Morgenthal, Wine Director at Santa Monica's famed
Drago Restaurant.
-- October 15: Crystal's Comedy Club at Sea spotlights
some of the wittiest comedians from the nation's best
clubs.
-- October 22: Another Health & Fitness cruise focusing
on Tai Chi with instruction by Dr. Martin and Emily Lee
of Los Angeles' Tai Chi Cultural Center.
-- November 1: This Health & Fitness cruise adds
balance with special yoga classes.
-- November 8: A Nature & Wildlife cruise featuring
the expert knowledge of two California residents - UC
Berkeley research fellow Gary Langham and Tom Logsdon,
an award-winning rocket scientist from Seal Beach.
-- November 18: Crystal's innovative Creative Learning
Institute provides progressive instruction in Spanish
language by Berlitz, as well as piano lessons by Yamaha.
For additional information, visit www.crystalcruises.com.
Crystal’s World Cruise: A 106-Day Discovery Of The
Hemispheres
From high above the Masai Mara on a flightseeing adventure
to the depths of the Tasman Sea on a shark diving expedition,
83 active and enriching new shore tours highlight Crystal
Serenity's 106-day Discovery of the Hemispheres World
Cruise.
Crystal Cruises' 11th annual grand odyssey travels from
Los Angeles to London visiting 41 ports in 25 countries
from January 18 to May 5, 2006. World travelers can choose
from 250 creative Crystal Adventures, including brand
new tours such as a walk on the ocean floor in Bora Bora,
a four-wheeling safari along New Zealand's Seal Coast,
and a hike through the Black River Gorges in Mauritius.
The comprehensive program also includes 23 compelling
overland excursions and eleven safaris in South Africa,
Namibia, Tanzania, Kenya, Zambia and Botswana.
Shore experiences can be tailored to individual interests
combining a common theme or hobby. For example: Snorkeling
enthusiasts will explore underwater seascapes from Huatulco,
Mexico to French Polynesia to Oman to the Seychelles.
Or naturalists will enjoy overland excursions and in-depth
adventures to the Galapagos from Guayaquil, Ecuador; the
Paracas National Reserve from Pisco, Peru; the Otago Peninsula
from Dunedin, New Zealand; and the Bebour Rain Forest
from Réunion Island in the Indian Ocean. Other options
overland adventures to fabled Machu Picchu as well as
Luxor, the Valley of the Kings and Petra, while fascinating
day-trips provide insight into ancient cultures in Easter
Island, the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Sabratha in
Libya, and the medieval village of Obidos in Lisbon; or
two-, three- and five-night safari options to renowned
private game reserves including the Mala Mala, Phinda,
Masai Mara and Singita.
Available in seven segments ranging from 11 to 19 days,
each of the shorter World Voyages features a complimentary
shore event such as a pilgrimage to the tomb of an Old
Testament prophet in Oman and an excursion through New
Zealand's breathtaking Taieri Gorge.
-- World Voyage I: Aztec & Inca Treasures; January
18 - February 1, 2006; 14 days; Los Angeles to Lima visiting
the Mexican Riviera and South America.
-- World Voyage II: Mysteries of the South Pacific; February
1 - 15; 14 days; Lima to Papeete visiting the South Pacific,
and South America.
-- World Voyage III: Adventures Down Under; February
15 - March 4; 16 days; Papeete to Melbourne visiting Australia,
New Zealand, and the South Pacific.
-- World Voyage IV: Passage to Africa; March 4 - 23;
19 days; Melbourne to Cape Town visiting Africa, Australia
and New Zealand.
-- World Voyage V: Indian Ocean Explorer; March 23 -
April 9; 17 days; Cape Town to Dubai exploring Africa.
-- World Voyage VI: Ancient Empires; April 9 - 24; 15
days; Dubai to Rome visiting Africa and the Mediterranean.
-- World Voyage VII: European Celebration; April 24 -
May 5; 11 days; Rome to London visiting the Mediterranean
and Europe.
World Value Fares for the full 2006 World Cruise start
at $42,790 per person, double occupancy, and include round-trip
First or Business Class air transportation (depending
on stateroom category) from a Crystal Cruises North American
air gateway city, private car airport/ship/home transfers,
pre-paid gratuities, $1,000 shipboard spending credit,
complimentary Visas for U.S. and Canadian citizens, luxury
overnight hotel accommodations and gala bon voyage party
in Los Angeles the night before embarkation.
World Value Fares for individual segments begin at $4,660
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. Visit the luxury line's website
at www.crystalcruises.com.
Expedition Trips is offering up to 40 percent in savings
for Alaskan cruises this summer. Here’s a sampling:
-- Prince William Sound –View spectacular tidewater glaciers,
explore picturesque Valdez, and kayak through scenic wilderness.
Ankorage, AK to Whittier, AK – nine days. June and July,
2005 aboard the M/V Wilderness Adventurer. Save
40 percent per person on regular cruise rates. Discounted
Rates: $1,799 - $2,475 (Regular Rates: $2,999 - $4,125)
-- Juneau - Sitka Cruise—Kayak secluded inlets, watch
migratory humpback whales, and enjoy hiking excursions.
Juneau, AK to Sitka, AK—eight days June and July, 2005
aboard the M/V Wilderness Discoverer. Save 30 percent
per person on regular cruise rates. Discounted Rates:
$1,967 - $3,161 (Regular Rates: $2,810 - $4,515)
-- Alaska's Inside Passage—Classic Inside Passage tour,
explore Glacier Bay National Park and enjoy Bear-sightings
in Hyder. Ketchikan, AK to Juneau, AK – nine days aboard
the Spirit of Endeavour July 28. Save 30 percent
per person on regular cruise rates. Discounted Rates:
$3,042 - $3,567 (Regular Rates: $4,225 - $4,975)
-- Alaska's Inside Passage—Explore Glacier Bay National
Park, visit welcoming fishing villages, and view grizzly
and black bears up-close. Ketchikan, AK to Juneau, AK
– nine days August 24 aboard the Spirit of '98.
Save 30 percent per person on regular cruise rates. Discounted
Rates: $2,972 - $3,497 (Regular Rates: $4,125 - $4,875)
For additional information, call the experts toll-free
at 1 877 412-8527 (US) or email info@ExpeditionTrips.com.
Website: www.expeditionstrips.com.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines Launches Inaugural Cruise
Brochure For ‘Boudicca’
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has launched the first brochure
of cruises for its fourth ship, Boudicca, due to
come into service in February 2006. The ship will be a
sister ship to the line’s Black Watch. The inaugural
cruise program visits destinations including the Adriatic,
Baltic, Canaries, Caribbean, Mediterranean and Scandinavia
and some interesting new ports of call will include Kemi
and Vaasa in Finnish Lapland, Tripoli in Libya and the
Azores. The ship will be based in Dover, which will be
her home port for all her 2006 cruises.
Boudicca, named after the great warrior queen of the
Iceni, is the sister ship to Fred. Olsen’s Black Watch,
and will have a similar spacious layout encompassing gracious
décor, stylish interiors and generously sized, beautifully
fitted cabins. Characteristics familiar to Fred.Olsen
customers will include large windows, flooding the ship
with light, and a teak promenade deck for strolling or
relaxing, all of which will contribute to the sense of
space and relaxation associated with Fred. Olsen ships.
Boudicca will undergo a comprehensive refit from October
2005, which will include the creation of many extra balcony
cabins and suites, as well as the fitting of new engines
and propellers for faster, smoother sailing. The completed
ship will have 450 cabins and carry around 850 passengers,
in keeping with the Fred. Olsen’s philosophy of operating
smaller, more intimate vessels.
The cruises on Boudicca’s first season range from a three-night
mini cruise to a 28 night voyage to the Caribbean. Boudicca’s
inaugural cruise will be to the Canaries, a fifteen-night
cruise departing Dover on 25th February 2006. There will
be plenty of time at sea to relish the new ship and all
her facilities, and ports of call are Funchal (Madeira),
San Sebastian la Gomera, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Las Palmas
de Gran Canaria, Arrecife (Lanzarote), Agadir (Morocco)
and finally Lisbon (Portugal) before returning to Dover.
Prices for this cruise start from £1,397 per person inclusive
of 30 percent Early Booking Discount.
Boudicca’s second cruise will be to the Caribbean–an
ex-UK cruise from Dover, making it ideal for customers
who prefer not to fly. Islands visited will include Barbados,
Grenada, St Lucia, Dominica, St Kitts and Antigua with
a final call into the Azores on the return voyage. This
cruise will also have ArtsClub themes of Wildlife and
History and is priced from £2,394 inclusive of 40 percent
Early Booking Discount. Prices are per person, based
on two sharing an inside twin cabin and include all meals
and entertainment on board and port taxes.
There will be Early Booking Discounts available on all
cruises for bookings made at least six months in advance
and increased Early Special Discounts on selected cabin
grades.
During Spring and Summer 2006, Boudicca will cruise to
Scandinavia, the eastern and western Mediterranean, Norway,
the Baltic and Iceland, while autumn sees her returning
to the Canaries and also visiting the Adriatic. Many cruises
will include an Arts Club special interest theme—one very
unusual cruise will be the Celtic History departure (BD016)
of seven nights, sailing from Dover on 10th September.
In keeping with the ship’s name, the cruise explores the
birthplace of Celtic culture visiting Cherbourg and Brest,
Cobh (for Cork), Pembroke in Wales and Falmouth in Cornwall
as well as Guernsey’s capital, St Peter Port.
As well as a range of Arts Club themes on selected cruises,
there will also be the option to take part in the Flagship
Golf program on cruises in the Azores, Canaries and Baltic
in summer 2006 for an additional £350 per person. Flagship
Golf offers a package of up to four rounds of golf ashore,
welcome party and end of cruise prize-giving, tuition
from a PGA professional, Swing video analysis and other
benefits.
For more details of Fred.Olsen cruises, agents should
call Agency Sales on 01473 292200. Book through Amadeus
Cruise or Fred. Olsen Reservations on 01473 742424. Further
information can be found on the website at www.FredOlsenCruises.co.uk.
Two Chances In 2005 To Sail Around The World On ‘MS
Europa’
Why go around the world in 80 days when you can do it
in 182 days (or the shorter version, 141 days)? If you
care to do it on the only ship in the world with Five-Stars-Plus
rating from Berlitz Publishing’s Ocean Cruising &
Cruise Ships 2005 for five consecutive years, now is the
time. Passengers who speak English will be assisted by
the fully bilingual staff.
One can choose from two World Cruise offerings on MS
Europa which will take its sixth world cruise ever from
Dubai to Dubai, November 7, 2005 through May 9, 2006 (182
days). If you prefer a shorter cruise, you can leave from
Mumbai on November 20, 2005 and arrive in Bali on April
10, 2006, in 141 days.
Hapag-Lloyd is providing many incentives for its World
Cruise travelers including:
-- Bonus for world cruise guests: save €9,500 on the
longer trip and €7,500 on the smaller trip per person.
-- Your friends who have never traveled on the MS EUROPA
before (this ship itself will celebrate its sixth birthday
in September 2005 will be invited* to join the cruise
in a selected port-to-port segment of the trip. (*Invitation
includes cabin rate; not flight or onboard costs.)
-- Guests will be given three exceptional excursions
with extras including exclusive on-land programs in outward
and return ports of every stage.
-- Guests need not worry about any washing services during
the cruise; cleaning, washing, and ironing are free during
the whole journey.
Visit Hapag-Lloyd at www.hl-cruises.com
for more details. To book a cruise, call Euro Lloyd Travel
Group in the US at 800-334-0284.
Hebridean Island Cruises
Select Hebridean Island Cruises Offering Savings Of
40 Percent
Upscale Hebridean Island Cruises is offering up to 40
percent savings on select cruises this summer on its newest
ship the Hebridean Spirit.
--Western Baltic Adventures. Departing August 3. Known
to Scandinavians since Viking times as The Eastern Lake,
the shores of the Baltic conceal a golden treasure much
coveted by the 13th century Teutonic Knights who controlled
its flow in Europe under pain of death – amber. Once the
main Hanseatic thoroughfare, ruled by Sweden and Russia
in turn, these shallow waters also shore up riches of
more modern times in the majesty of the cities that fringe
its scenic coasts. Cruise with Hebridean Spirit as she
heads back south from the Baltic during the long, sunny
August days. Price per person from £2,424. (40 percent
off the starting rate of £4,040.
-- Gateway to the Hanseatic Baltic. Departing July 13.
Linked by the Kiel Canal to Hamburg on the Salt Road,
Lübeck’s destiny was glorious as the capital of the Medieval
Hanseatic League, controlling shipping through the Sound.
To posterity this great German city, with foreign counters
that were early precursors of the EU, left an astounding
legacy still visible in picture-postcard harbors and merchant
quarters throughout the Baltic. Price per person from
£2,370 (40 percent off £3,950).
Information on other cruises can be found at http://www.hebridean.co.uk/calendar/calendarall.asp
Seven-Day Summer Caribbean Cruises from $599
This summer give your family a Caribbean vacation to
remember. Sail crystal clear waters on an Eastern Caribbean
cruise, while visiting St. Thomas, Tortola and Nassau.
These vibrant destinations offer something for everyone,
including shopping, snorkeling and beach combing.
While on a Western Caribbean cruise, relax on the white
sands of Grand Cayman, swim with dolphins at Key West
and explore the Mayan ruins in Costa Maya.
The highlight of both itineraries is a call at our private
island, Half Moon Cay, the highest-rated private island
in the Caribbean.
The seven-day summer Caribbean cruises start from $599.
Include a 3rd or 4th person in the same stateroom on select
sailings from $299! Ask for Promo #125.
All sailings are roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale aboard the
ms Zuiderdam
To book, call your travel professional or 1-877-SAIL
HAL (877-724-5425).
Ask for Promo #5, Promo #300 or Promo #2002.* For more
information, please visit http://pull.xmr3.com/p/110186-99B2/69006866
.
Terms & Conditions:
Fares are based on Promo #5, Promo #300 or Promo #2002*
in the minimum categories. 3rd/4th fares based on select
sailings, Promo #125. Featured fares are per person, based
on double occupancy, cruise only. Fares are in U.S. dollars
and include non-discountable amounts. Promo #5 deposit
due at time of booking. Promo #300 deposit due within
24 hours of booking. Taxes are additional. For new bookings
only. Subject to availability. Offers are capacity controlled,
and may be modified, withdrawn or sailing dates may be
substituted without prior notice. Restrictions may apply.
Please refer to the appropriate Holland America brochure.
Holland America Line Spotlights Antarctica
The cruise line that brought premium cruising to Antarctica
returns for another series of adventures. Three 20-day
South America & Antarctica departures showcase the
largest wilderness on earth as ms Rotterdam sails through
a fantasyland of ancient icebergs, towering mountains,
chattering penguins and breaching whales. Antarctic Explorer
Holiday cruises are scheduled for departure on December
22 in both 2005 and 2006 and an Antarctic Experience itinerary
is slated for January 11, 2006.
The Antarctic experience unfolds as ms Rotterdam
sails south of the 60th parallel to the bottom of the
world. Rimmed by vast ice shelves, the White Continent
reveals soaring 15,000-foot peaks, volcanic calderas,
thermal hot springs, teeming wildlife, and remote research
stations. Guests sail past Elephant Island where Ernest
Shackleton's crew touched land for the first time after
their ship, the Endurance, was trapped by ice and destroyed
in the Weddell Sea. Scenic cruising also features the
penguin colonies on Paulet and Petermann Islands; the
volcanic crater of Deception Island; and the ice-choked
Errera, Neumayer and LeMaire Channels. Cruising between
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Valparaiso, Chile, guests experience
Cape Horn, the Strait of Magellan, the Chilean fjords
and port visits in Uruguay, Argentina, and Tierra del
Fuego.
On a recent Holland America Line Antarctica sailing,
travel writer Hugh A. Mulligan described the extremes
to which the company goes to protect Antarctica's delicate
environment. "The ship's fog horn did not bellow
out the noon hour. No bells clanged the crew watches.
Smoking was banned on deck and no meals were served outdoors,
lest paper napkins blow overboard. Tennis and volleyball
courts were roped off, though a dozen brave souls swam
in the heated outdoor pool," he wrote. "The
environmental officer prowled the ship, making sure deck
chairs and blankets were tied down, reminding passengers
not to feed passing penguins or seals or throw garbage
overboard."
Cruise fares for the 20-day Antarctic Explorer cruise
start at USD $3,469 per person, based on double occupancy.
For a brochure and more information, consult a professional
travel agent, call 877-SAIL-HAL (877-724-5425) or visit
www.hollandamerica.com.
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