Oasis Sale Extended!

Just received word that the $899/person fare for the Oasis of the Seas will be extended until March 8 for the May 15 sailing only! So if you were unable to take advantage yesterday, there's still time!On the other two sailing dates, May 1 and 29, I'm still showing the fare available as well. However, I'm not sure how long they will last, so there *might* still be an opportunity to book on those

TODAY ONLY! $899/person on Oasis of the Seas PLUS $100 Onboard Credit! ++

JUST got offered a special, exclusive deal from Royal Caribbean for TODAY ONLY! Until they pull the offer, which will happen at midnight, ET, but could happen before, 3 sailings on the Oasis of the Seas are being offered for just $899/person!This rate is good for the May 1, 15 and 29, 2010 sailings ONLY and only for Inside Category Z Guarantee cabins.But wait! That's not all! In addition, we

There Are Dozens of Ways To Sail from Home to Europe and Beyond

THE INCOMPARABLE EXPERIENCE – AND BUILT-IN VALUE – OF TRANSOCEAN CRUISINGbr /br /br /CLIA Member Lines Offer Dozens of Ways To Sail from Home to Europe and Beyond br /br /br /Today's world of cruising is global, with many members of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) offering voyages in Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, South America, Asia, the South Pacific and beyond. As cruise ships large and small are seasonally repositioned from one cruising destination to another, vacationers have dozens of opportunities to enjoy one of life's most memorable and unique experiences – a voyage by ship from one continent to another. br /br /With the large majority offered in spring and fall as transatlantic crossings – as CLIA lines reposition vessels between the Americas and Europe – these trans-ocean voyages often also represent exceptional value for money spent. br /A transocean cruise is a sea journey like no other: a unique opportunity to experience the awesome beauty of blue water ocean in surroundings of total comfort, with all the pleasures – fine dining, entertainment, enrichment – of a modern cruise ship. Depending on the route, a transocean cruise may include port visits in the Caribbean, South America, Hawaii, the far reaches of arctic Canada and elsewhere along the way. br /Cunard Line is the only company that offers regularly scheduled transatlantic crossings – on the Queen Mary 2 from April to November – but more than a dozen CLIA lines offer the opportunity to savor this legendary experience on repositioning voyages. Some companies, like Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean International and Holland America Line have numerous ships crossing the Atlantic or the Pacific this spring, from ports in North and South America. In June, travelers will have the chance to sail across the Atlantic, from Europe to America, on the maiden voyage of the world's second largest ship, Norwegian Cruise Line's 4,200-passenger Norwegian Epic. br /The following is a sample of transocean cruises available in 2010. Vacationers are encouraged to visit the Websites of CLIA member lines for more complete information on itineraries, other transocean voyages, and to discover what other opportunities are offered. Prices quoted are per person double occupancy. br /AZAMARA CLUB CRUISES br /br /Azamara Journey – From Miami to Barcelona, departing April 11, prices for veranda staterooms from $1,999; from Rome to Miami, departing November 15, prices for veranda staterooms starting from $1,799. Special offers include: Up to 50 percent off brochure prices on certain sailings; Club Veranda stateroom for price of a Club Oceanview stateroom, based on availability (booking must be made by March 31, 2010) br /CELEBRITY CRUISES br /br /Celebrity Century – 14 nights from Miami to Barcelona departing May 20, starting at $899 for an inside stateroom; 14 nights from Barcelona to Miami departing October 25, starting at $799br /br /Celebrity Equinox – 14 nights from Fort Lauderdale to Rome departing April 19, prices from $899; 15 nights from Rome to Fort Lauderdale sailing October 31, starting from $1,299 br /br /Celebrity Constellation – 14 nights from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale departing November 6, prices from $999 br /br /Celebrity Eclipse – 13 nights from Southampton to Miami departing October 31, from $1,199br /COSTA CRUISES br /br /Costa Atlantica – 17 nights from New York City to Copenhagen departing May 5, prices from $899. br /br /CUNARD LINE br /br /Queen Mary 2 – Twenty-one transatlantic crossings, April-November, including classic six-day voyages between New York and Southampton, plus a seven-day option as well as eight- and nine-day crossings to Cherbourg and Hamburg, starting at $895 with savings of up to $600 per person on select Early Booking fares br /CRYSTAL CRUISES br /br /Crystal Symphony – From Los Angeles to Sydney, departing February 28, fares from $3,790. From Dubai to Athens, departing May 12, fares from $7,200. From London to New York, departing September 5, fares from $5,710. From New York to Los Angeles, departing November 2, fares from $4,930. The line is offering shipboard credits of up to $1,000 per person br /br /Crystal Serenity – From Dubai to Athens (part of the 2010 World Cruise), departing March 15, fares from $12,425. From Rome to Barcelona, departing October 19, fares from $5,080. The line is offering shipboard credits of up to $1,000 per person br /DISNEY CRUISE LINE br /br /Disney Magic – 14 nights from Port Canaveral to Barcelona departing April 10, from $699; 14 nights from Barcelona to Port Canaveral, sailing September 18, $1,649 for a Deluxe Oceanview Stateroom br /HOLLAND AMERICA LINE br /br /Ms Eurodam – 16 days from Fort Lauderdale to Rome departing April 3, from $899 br /br /Ms Noordam – 13 days from Fort Lauderdale to Barcelona departing May 14, from $899 br /br /HURTIGRUTEN br /br /MS Fram – 19 days from Lisbon to Oslo, featuring the Norwegian fjords, sold in three voyages: nine days between Lisbon and Dover departing April 1, starting at $1,161; a special 10-day Norwegian fjord voyage departing April 9, from $1,568; and an 11-day Baltic Adventure departing April 18 from $4,169. The line is offering a special Suite Deal for the Baltic Adventure, with 25 percent off suites, plus free airfare br /br /MSC CRUISES br /br /MSC Poesia – 18 nights from Fort Lauderdale to Hamburg departing April 27, early booking rates start at $999; 18 nights from Kiel to New York departing September 4, early booking rates from $1,199 br /NORWEGIAN CRUISE LINE br /br /Norwegian Epic – Seven day transatlantic crossing, a maiden voyage, from Southampton to New York departing June 24, rates beginning at $859 br /OCEANIA CRUISES br /br /Insignia – 15 nights from Rio de Janeiro to Barcelona departing April 3, rates begin at $2,599; 15 nights from Barcelona to Rio de Janeiro departing December 6, from $2,699 br /br /Nautica – 24 nights from Bangkok to Beijing departing March 1, prices starting at $7,299; 35 nights from Cape Town to Singapore departing December 11; from $9,299 br /br /Regatta – 14 nights from Miami to Barcelona departing March 21, rates begin at $2,099; 14 nights from Barcelona to Miami departing November 13, from $2,699 br /PRINCESS CRUISES br /br /Crown Princess – 14 days from Fort Lauderdale to Rome departing May 1; 14 days from London to New York departing September 3 br /br /Grand Princess – 15 days from Fort Lauderdale to London departing April 9; 16 days from London to Ft. Lauderdale departing September 25 br /br /Ruby Princess – 16 days from Ft. Lauderdale to Barcelona departing April 19; 16 days from Venice to Fort Lauderdale departing October 8 br /br /Star Princess – 18 days from Ft. Lauderdale to Copenhagen departing April 24 br /REGENT SEVEN SEAS CRUISES br /br /Seven Seas Mariner – 16 nights from Fort Lauderdale to Monte Carlo departing March 22, from $5,770 br /br /Seven Seas Navigator – 20 nights from Fort Lauderdale to San Francisco departing May 6, prices starting at $7,865; 18 nights from Seward to Tianjin departing September 15, from $8,775 br /br /Seven Seas Voyager – 14 nights from Fort Lauderdale to Reykjavik departing May 12, rates begin at $7,105; 15 nights from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale departing November 8, from $6,945 br /ROYAL CARIBBEAN INTERNATIONAL br /br /Navigator of the Seas – 14 nights from Miami to Rome departing April 10; 14 nights from Rome to Fort Lauderdale departing October 23 br /br /Independence of the Seas – 14 nights from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton departing April 11 br /br /Voyager of the Seas – 14 nights from Galveston to Barcelona departing April 18; 14 nights from Barcelona to Galveston departing November 7 br /br /Adventure of the Seas – 13 nights from San Juan to Barcelona departing May 2; 14 nights from Barcelona to San Juan departing November 28 br /br /Jewel of the Seas – 13 nights from Miami to Harwich departing May 6; 14 nights from Harwich to Boston departing September 4 br /SEABOURN CRUISE LINE br /br /Seabourn Spirit – 13 days from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon departing March 19 from $2,799 br /br /Seabourn Legend – 13 days from Fort Lauderdale to Lisbon departing April 8 from $3,200 br /br /Seabourn Legend – 13 days from Malaga to Fort Lauderdale departing November 20, from $2,999 br /br /Seabourn Odyssey – 13 days from Nice to Fort Lauderdale departing December 6 from $3,599 br /SEADREAM YACHT CLUB br /br /SeaDream I – 13 days from San Juan to Malaga departing April 30, priced from $2299; 12 days from Malaga to San Juan departing October 14, from $2299 br /br /SeaDream II – 12 days from Barbados to Malaga departing April 25, from $2299; 12 days from Barbados to Malaga departing November 8, from $2299 br /SILVERSEA CRUISES br /br /Silver Spirit – 14 days from New York to Southampton departing April 23, fares from $6,238 br /br /Silver Cloud – 15 Days from San Juan, Puerto Rico to Barcelona, Spain, departing April 14, fares from $4,398 br /br /Silver Whisper – 12 Days from Southampton, U.K. to New York City, New York, departing Sept 2, fares from $4,598 br /br /Silver Shadow – 16 Days from Vancouver, British Columbia to Tokyo, Japan, departing Sept 12, fares from $7,197 A free Economy Promotional Air Package is also available from select East, Central, and West Coast gateways br /WINDSTAR CRUISES br /br /Wind Surf – 14 days from Barbados to Lisbon departing March 21, starting from $1749; 14 days from Lisbon to Barbados departing November 14, starting from $1749 Wind Star – 14 days from St. Martin to Lisbon departing April 10, starting from $1849br /br /Wind Spirit – 14 days from Lisbon to St. Martin departing November 20, starting from $1849div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-8732867207779964677?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Stay Connected on Oasis of the Seas

During the pre-inaugural activities aboard the Oasis of the Seas, mention was made of an upcoming feature to help families and friends stay connected aboard. Finally, the service is available!Called Royal Connect, in partnership with DeFi, and using specially modified iPhones which can be rented onboard, cruisers can now electronically view the daily Cruise Compass, instant message friends or

A Weekend Cruise Chuckle

I just couldn't resist.Alan Wilson of Cruise News Daily reports that French economy minister Chrstine Lagarde has pledged the French government will supply funds to keep the STX Europe ship yard at Saint Nazaire from closing. Due to the lack of orders, especially for cruise ships, the yard is running out of work. Minister Legarde states the yard is too big of employer to let fail.That makes me

Alaska Cruisetours Online Is Introducing 4 New Princess “Alaska A la Carte” Cruise Tours

Alaska Cruisetours Online is introducing "Alaska A la Carte" cruise tours featuring four new Princess Cruises “A la Carte” Alaska cruisetour options for this summer’s season, offering more affordable and flexible options for independent-minded travelers. These new cruisetours spend an extra day at one of the Denali-area Princess lodges, and do not include excursions, giving travelers the time to customize their own daily schedules. br /These new Alaska A La Carte cruise tours, offer a more affordable tour option allowing guests to customize their vacation as they wish. Great flexibility for travelers who prefer to discover the wonders of Alaska at their own pace. br /br /The four Alaska A la Carte tours range from 10 to 12 nights, offering at least three nights in the Denali area. All cruise tours feature a northbound “Voyage of the Glaciers” Gulf of Alaska cruise aboard Coral Princess or Island Princess, departing from Vancouver; combined with a three-, four- or five-night land tour to the heart of Alaska, featuring stays in Princess’ two Denali-area wilderness lodges and exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service. All tours will visit both of the state’s top attractions: Denali National Park and Glacier Bay National Park. br /Travelers choosing these itineraries will not be scheduled on the Denali National Park tour or other activities usually included with cruise tours, and instead can choose to add any of four park tour options or a variety of other area excursions offered at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge. br /br /“These new A la Carte cruise tours are designed specifically with the value-conscious, independent traveler in mind,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “With fewer ‘extras’ included, Princess can offer a more affordable tour option with greater flexibility for travelers who prefer to discover the wonders of Alaska at their own pace." br /br /"These new tours allow our guests to customize their vacation as they wish. They can spend extra time viewing Denali’s fascinating wildlife, hike through the wilderness, helicopter sightsee around Mt. McKinley or take a back country jeep tour, perhaps go river rafting.” added Marty Trencher, Managing Director and a Certified Princess Alaska Expert with Alaska Cruisetours Online. br /br /div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C5EU8WrpACw/S38lApGkhpI/AAAAAAAAABk/rw4QMatv2L8/s1600-h/actexpertslogo3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"img border="0" ct="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_C5EU8WrpACw/S38lApGkhpI/AAAAAAAAABk/rw4QMatv2L8/s320/actexpertslogo3.jpg" //a/divbr /The four A la Carte cruisetours itineraries are:br /br /Tour 101 – 10 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge, one night at Mt. McKinley lodge)br /br /Tour 102 – 11 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge, one night at Mt. McKinley lodge, one night Fairbanks)br /br /Tour 103 – 11 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge, two nights at Mt. McKinley lodge)br /br /Tour 104 – 12 nights (Two nights at Denali lodge, two nights at Mt. McKinley lodge, one night Fairbanks) br /br /All Alaska A la Carte cruise tour options are available throughout the May to September Alaska season, with fares beginning at $899 per person. br /br /Alaska Cruisetours Online offers a variety of Princess land/sea Alaska experiences with itineraries ranging from 10 to 15 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. br /br /Additional information about Alaska A la Carte Cruisetours is available through Princess Cruises or contact this professional travel agent, Alaska Cruisetours Online by calling 800.365.1445, or by visiting the company's website at a href="http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com/"http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com//adiv class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-780703944471114948?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Princess Cruises Introduces 20 New Shore Excursions in Alaska This Summer

Princess Cruises Debuts 20 New Shore Excursions in Alaska This Summer br /br /br /Passengers Can Help Out with a Scientific Expedition or Get Up Close and Personal with Glaciers and Wildlife br /br /This year Princess Cruises offers passengers some fresh ways to experience Alaska up close and personal with a variety of new shore excursions for the summer. Among the 20 new options is a unique opportunity to join a scientific expedition while in Juneau to help study climate change and wildlife behavior patterns. br /Passengers can also get closer to the dramatic glaciers of Tracy Arm, pilot their own zodiac on a tour of Ketchikan or enjoy the opportunity for animal encounters at a film trainer's wildlife park. These new options join Princess' extensive shore excursion program, which currently offers 215 different Alaska tour options for passengers starting in May. br /"Alaska offers so many thrilling experiences for visitors -- there's beautiful scenery nearly everywhere you turn, great opportunities to encounter wildlife, an intriguing Native culture, and of course the towering glaciers," said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. "These new excursions showcase some of the many wonders available throughout this amazing state, and offer visitors a number of ways to get a very personal Alaska vacation." br /New tours available to Alaska passengers this summer include: br /Whales amp; Glaciers Citizen Science Adventure (Juneau) -- This unique tour will give participants a taste of what it's like to be a research scientist in the wilds of the Last Frontier. Passengers join a science-based excursion giving them the opportunity to participate in a GPS time-lapse photo project at the Mendenhall Glacier that documents the effects of climate change on the Juneau Icefield. Citizen scientists can also collect water samples, net plankton and record humpback whale and other marine wildlife behavior. This observational data will improve scientists' understanding of the many variables that affect Alaska's marine ecosystem. In addition, passengers will enjoy a whale-watching cruise, with guaranteed whale sightings. br /Back Country Zodiac Expedition (Ketchikan) -- Passengers can be their own captain for the day as they skipper their custom-built motorized inflatable along the coastline of Revillagigado Island for a unique Alaska adventure. Participants will follow their guide on a journey that explores Native culture with a view of Saxman Native Village, and a search for wildlife such as bears, eagles, whales, seals and more. The group guide will explain the area's history, geology, culture and ecology. br /Alaska Wildlife Park (Princess Exclusive -- Skagway) -- Visitors can meet many types of animals at the Kroschel Films Wildlife Park Center. The park is run by trainer Steve Kroschel who has a lifetime of experience working with wild animals for movies such as "Never Cry Wolf" and the PBS "Wild America" series. His center provides a home for numerous orphaned wild animals including wolves, Arctic fox, lynx, porcupine, pine marten, mink, reindeer and wolverines. Guests will enjoy hands-on, face-to-face encounters and intimate close-up photography of many of these animals as they learn about the behavior of these intriguing creatures and gain an understanding of the time and trust required to train them. br /Whales, Bears amp; Glaciers Adventure (Princess Exclusive -- Juneau) -- This excursion offers an opportunity to experience the perfect Alaska trifecta: whale watching, bear viewing and a scenic flight over the glaciers of the Juneau Icefield. Visitors will see two of Alaska's most impressive creatures with a whale watching cruise that guarantees sightings, plus a bear search at a salmon-bearing stream. The tour caps off with a flight over the Juneau Icefield and the Mendenhall Glacier on the way back to town. br /Tracy Arm Fjord amp; Glacier Explorer (Juneau) -- Sapphire Princess passengers have a new way to get a close-up look at the glaciers of Tracy Arm as they cruise aboard a luxurious, high-speed catamaran for an in-depth exploration of the twin Sawyer Glaciers. The adventure begins just before Sapphire Princess reaches the entry to Tracy Arm, as participants board their catamaran directly from the ship. After viewing glaciers from a much closer vantage point than is possible from a cruise ship, they will travel to Juneau to rejoin Sapphire Princess. br /Adventure Park amp; Zip Lines (Skagway) -- Thrill-seeking passengers can walk along raised balance beams, cross suspension bridges and fly through the air on a series of zip lines with this adventurous excursion. The exciting course will keep passengers challenged and exhilarated as they soar through the air on a series of six zip lines through the lush Alaska canopy. br /Juneau Jeep Adventure (Princess Exclusive) -- Visitors can experience Juneau's most scenic and historic locales in the rugged comfort of a Jeep Wrangler for a small group adventure. A diver/guide will take each group on a tour through Juneau, to a scenic view of Mendenhall Glacier and other local sites, ending with a stop at the award-winning Alaskan Brewing Company for a final taste of Juneau. br /Mendenhall Glacier Helicopter amp; Salmon Bake Combo (Princess Exclusive -- Juneau) -- This unique tour combination gives passengers a stunning aerial view of the famed Mendenhall Glacier plus the chance to feast on wild Alaska salmon. Participants will enjoy a glacier landing where they can explore the glacier's surface and learn how glaciers form, flow and shape the landscape. Once they've worked up an appetite, visitors join the salmon bake festivities for an all-you-can-eat meal. br /Historical Ketchikan Walking Tour (Princess Exclusive) -- Visitors can gain a unique understanding of Ketchikan and its Tlingit culture on this guided walking tour of Alaska's "First City." Led by a former city mayor of Tlingit descent, the tour offers personal knowledge of the many changes Ketchikan has experienced over the years. Visitors will also learn the significance of totem poles within Native culture, see the former red light district, and visit a salmon ladder to see the incredible journey salmon endure as they return to their spawning ground. br /Bear Country amp; Wildlife Expedition (Ketchikan) -- Passengers can view black bears in their natural habitat on a wildlife experience just a short drive from downtown Ketchikan. Participants will enjoy a nature walk on their way to a stream where more than 100,000 Pacific salmon return each year to spawn. Large concentrations of bears and other wildlife gather to feed on the huge runs of salmon. In addition to the bears, bald eagles wait for scraps, while mink, marten and wolf frequent the area, and seals can usually be seen feeding on the bountiful fish harvest. br /Behind the Scenes at Butchart Gardens (Victoria) -- One of Victoria's premiere attractions, Butchart Gardens is a beautiful place to explore independently. However, with this tour, guests have the unusual opportunity to go beyond the usual self-guided visit, and enjoy an exclusive in-depth guided tour behind the scenes. Visitors will learn the history of the gardens and explore the Mediterranean Garden and botanist's greenhouse, plus see a demonstration by the gardens' ceramics master as he displays his skills in flower-pot making. br /All Alaska shore excursions are currently available for pre-reservation. Passengers who are already booked on an Alaska cruise can reserve their tours by logging on to the Cruise Personalizer on princess.com, to ensure they get the excursions of their choice. As many tours fill up quickly, passengers are encouraged to make selections as early as possible. br /Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, Alaska Cruise Tours Online by calling 1-800-365-1445, or by visiting the company's website at a href="http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com/"http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com//adiv class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-4296904532850464037?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Princess Cruises Voted “Best Cruise Line in Alaska” by Travel Weekly. Again!

Princess Cruises Voted "Best Cruise Line in Alaska" by Travel Weekly br /br /Line Named Best in Alaska for Sixth Time at Magazine's Seventh Annual Readers' Choice Awards br /Princess Cruises has once again received top honors as the "Best Cruise Line in Alaska" in the annual Travel Weekly Readers' Choice Awards. This marks the sixth time in the past seven years that the company has been recognized with this distinction by the respected magazine's travel agent readers. br /"To have our Alaska cruise vacation experience recognized by the ultimate travel experts -- travel agents -- is a true honor" said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "Winning this award again shows us that our Alaska cruise and cruisetour program has been very successful in giving travelers the ultimate way to experience the breathtaking beauty of the Great Land." br /Combining cruise, rail and lodge options to create a complete Alaska vacation, Princess offers an immersive experience that combines a seven-day Gulf of Alaska cruise with one of an array of land tours ranging from three to nine nights. Travelers can explore the state's dramatic interior with a range of options that feature at least two nights among the wilderness of Denali National Park, one of the state's top attractions. Cruisetours also offer accommodations at the company's scenic riverside wilderness lodges and travel by Princess' exclusive glass-domed railcar into the heart of Alaska. And only Princess offers Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail travel to give travelers more time in the Denali area. br /The 2010 Princess Alaska season offers a total of 112 Alaska sailings aboard seven ships and four itinerary options. The lineup includes Diamond Princess, Coral Princess, and Island Princess traveling on the line's signature "Voyage of the Glaciers" through the scenic Gulf of Alaska; Golden Princess, Sapphire Princess and Sea Princess sailing the Inside Passage routes from Seattle and San Francisco; and Royal Princess offering the line's small ship experience on an extended 14-day Connoisseur voyage to some of the state's less-visited ports. br /Princess is currently offering a a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/alaska_cruise_tours_princess_deals.htm"Denali On Sale/a promotion for a limited-time, featuring savings of up to 50 percent on select Alaska vacations.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-6000342278923219164?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Guests are Welcome Aboard! Princess Revives Nostalgic Cruising Tradition. Invites Friends and Family To Come Aboard On Sailing Day

Princess Revives Nostalgic Cruising Tradition with New Bon Voyage Experiencebr /br /Passengers Can Once Again Invite Friends and Family Aboard Ship On Embarkation Daybr /Reviving a signature tradition from the early days of cruising, Princess Cruises is debuting an innovative, new program giving passengers the opportunity to invite their friends and family aboard their ship on embarkation day to wish them "bon voyage" and get a taste of the onboard experience.br /br /Called the "Bon Voyage Experience(SM)," the program is a new twist on the departure celebration of bygone days, when friends and family would routinely come aboard to see off passengers. Because of increasingly tighter security procedures, this practice disappeared more than two decades ago, but it's now back – complete with lunch in the dining room and tour of the ship.br /Unique in the cruise industry, the Bon Voyage Experience(SM) enables passengers to extend an invitation to their guests to join them onboard during sailing day for a four-course dining room lunch with wine, a ship tour and even a souvenir photo. Passengers and their guests can enjoy priority embarkation and will be able to spend approximately four hours together on the ship before it sets sail. The cost for the program is $39 per person, which can be applied toward a future Princess cruise.br /The program will debut in March in the ports of Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale, and then roll out to New York, San Francisco and Seattle.br /"Long-time cruisers will recall the fun of the bon voyage send-off with their family and friends, and we're excited to re-introduce a new, modern version of this experience," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.br /Cruise passengers will be notified about the program through the pre-cruise emails they receive from Princess as their cruise date approaches. In-port guests can be booked through a travel agent or by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, beginning 120 days before the cruise and up to six days before the sailing date. Once registered, guests will be able to input their required security information through the line's Cruise Personalizer.br /The number of guests who will be able to participate in the Bon Voyage Experience(SM) on any given embarkation day will be approximately 50.br /The roll-out schedule for the launch of the Bon Voyage Experience(SM) is:br /Sapphire Princess – March 6 in Los Angelesbr /Crown Princess – March 6 in Fort Lauderdalebr /Coral Princess – March 7 in Los Angelesbr /Emerald Princess – March 7 in Fort Lauderdalebr /Island Princess – March 10 in Los Angelesbr /Ruby Princess – March 10 in Fort Lauderdalebr /Golden Princess – March 14 in Los Angelesbr /Royal Princess – March 27 in Fort Lauderdalebr /Star Princess – April 10 in Fort Lauderdalebr /Caribbean Princess – May 18 in New Yorkbr /Sea Princess – June 1 in San Franciscobr /During the Alaska season, Sapphire Princess, Golden Princess and Royal Princess will offer the program in Seattle, beginning in May.br /Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, Alaska Cruisetours Online by calling 800-365-1445, or by visiting the company's website at a href="http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com/"http://www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com//a.br /About Princess Cruises:br /One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide cruising, Princess offers its passengers the opportunity to escape to the top destinations around the globe, with sailings to all seven continents, ranging in length from seven to 107 days. br /br /Princess Cruises is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines which include Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and The Yachts of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment to quality and value, member lines appeal to a wide range of lifestyles and budgets. Together they offer exciting and enriching cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-4057703364321230942?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

“Wave Season” heats things up with some warm weather getaways.

strong"Wave Season" heats things up with some warm weather getaways./strongbr /br /br /As the next winter storm approaches, some of us start thinking about a nice week-long getaway to a much warmer climate. Say, Mexico or the Caribbean. Or we day dream about that Summer cruise to Europe or Alaska. Pehaps a fall-foilage cruise to Canada and New England.br /br /We're not alone. This time of the year, millions of people are dreaming the same dream. Well, not quote as many people as watched the Super Bowl, but you get the idea.br /During January through March we celebrate "Wave Season". That annual migration of vacation seekers who visit their neighborhood travel agent, search the net, visit some 3rd-party web sites and scower the blogs and forums for information on how and where to find the really good deals. You know the ones: those that include free stateroom upgrades, onboard spending credits, bottles of wine, a free photo, fancy dinner or chocolate covered strawberries. Plus other perks like not one, but unlimited, complimentary sightseeing tours ashore.br /These great bonus-laden offers are promoted as limited-time offers and give the impression they won't be around very long. Some offer a genuine bargain, with as much as 50% off published prices. Some frankly don't, like a cheap $399 one week cruise for an inside cabin on the lowest deck, next to the disco and laundry! That said, if you're a savvy cruise shopper, you can get a great deal on your next cruise vacation. br /Here's our answers to a few key questions...br /Is now the best time to deal?br /Yes, we said deal. Did you know that most cruise lines do not allow travel agents to advertise prices lower than the cruise lines offer to those who book directly with the cruise line. However, some do allow travel agencies to discount by rebating part of the commissions, when dealing directly with a potential customer. If you are shopping the Internet for cruise prices, you're most likely going to find many travel sites quoting either the same price or a discounted price. But, the price you're seeing on a travel agent's web site is not necessarily the best price you can get. br /In this economy everyone is looking for new ways to cruise for less. Eveyone knows that seniors get a break, kids do too. But here's a tip that even experienced cruisers may not know. Start your search for a low-cost cruise by researching resident rates. Where you live could entitle you to exclusive savings. Just click on your home state when searching to unlock special fares. Plus, while you're shopping, look for resident rate reminders under the price. br /To find out a travel agency's best price on a particular cruise, you should call them, or e-mail them a request for a price quote. Most travel agencies have toll-free phone numbers. Don't hesitate to call or email and bargain with them -- you could save a lot!br /Cruise Tip: If you book online, make sure you know who you are doing business with. Never pay by check, and make sure if you use your credit card that the cruise line is the one being paid and not the travel agent (easy to check by contacting your credit card company) . That way, you know your money went directly to the cruise line to pay for your hard-earned vacation. Nothing could be more dishearting that waking up one day to find out your travel agent went out-of-business and never paid the cruise line for your trip. Think it doesn;t happen? It happens just about every year.br /Should I book now or wait for a better deal?br /Cruise prices are slowly edging up. As more and more cabin inventory is spoken for, the remaining inventory may or may not be sold off at bargain prices. If you are looking for a dirt-cheap cruise costing say, less-than-$49-per-day, you may already be out of luck. Those deals were booked up weeks ago. Fares continue to be generally discounted by the cruise lines, but they won't hit rock-bottom like they did nbsp;last year. br /Are you experiencing double-booked days, working lunches, late nights? then forget about waiting until Summer, you need an escape, and you need it now! Consider a last-minute cruise and have your spontaneity reward you with big savings. A check online shows a huge store of last-minute cruises at rock-bottom, final-closeout prices. Just shop for a cruise by price, destination, and cruise line for cruises departing in the next 60 days, and you'll likely get an incredible deal on a relaxing at-sea vacation. If you feel like holding out for a better deal closer to a Summer or Fall sailing, that's ok. Many of the contemporary cruise lines like Carnival, NCL or Royal Caribbean will continue to hold so called last-minute, three-day specials and added-value sales throughout the year. Good deals are always out there for the picking. br /If you are more concerned about getting the most value for your hard earned money, you will find upgrades like this one: for the price of, an oceanview cabin, you get nbsp;a balcony cabin instead. And we've seen some cruise lines offer the cabin upgrade plus up to $200.00 onboard credit. $1000 on some luxury cruises. Spending credits, where available from the cruise line, are house credits that are placed on your stateroom's account for you to use during your cruise vacation. You can use the credit towards merchandise, lounges and in some, but not all cases, for spa treatments or shore excursions. br /How Do I Know I'm Getting The Best Deal?br /First, do your homework. After you have narrowed down your choice to that one cruise you want, go online. Research the price at the cruise line's web site. Be sure to note the details about what's on offer. The ship, sailing date, cabin type, cabin location, price. Be sure to include all port charges, taxes, fees and any other charges. Look for them. Often they are the really "fine print" the cruise line doesn't make apparent up front, when you see that $399 price point. They could add up and almost doublenbsp;your cost from the sales price shown.nbsp;nbsp;Sometimes the discount or value-added bonus feature advertised does not apply to the sailing date, itinerary or cabin category you want. Don't forget, limited-time offers are just that. When they are gone, they are gone. So, he who hestiates loses.br /br /How good are thisnbsp;year's promotions?nbsp; Well that depends.nbsp;nbsp;The offer of free airfare, free shore excursions and $1,000 off sounds great. Until you find out, the minimum fare is in excess of $5000.00 per person, plus taxes and fees! To be fair, that offer is for a super-luxury cruise, few of us can afford. Naturally, You will not find such a deal for a 3 day Bahamas weekend getaway! So buyer beware. br /As we browsed the web the other day, we found several online agencies offering additional amenities, and so-called exclusive deals including free travel insurance, onboard spending credit, or prepaid gratuities, as an incentive if you booked directly with them.nbsp; Compare these offers with what you can get if you book directly with the cruise line. Often these bonus -extras actually come from the cruise line but an agents promotion may give the illusion that they have some kind of exclusive arrangement, when indeed they don't.br /"Wave Season" is heating things up with some warm weather getaways. So, now that you know what to do,nbsp;don't waitnbsp;for record cold tempatures andnbsp;two-feet of snow to motivate you.nbsp; Reserve that cruise you've been dreaming about today--and soon you can be waited on hand and foot, frolic on a private beach, or take a moonlit stroll on the deck. br /nbsp; br /Bon Voyage... 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