Looking for a lower rate after you booked your cruise? New cruise policy says you may not get one!

If you already booked and placed a deposit for your cruise, a new policy could affect your plans to hold out for the posting of a lower rate and requesting a price change. As it has always been, cruise lines have the sole discretion to lower the price or not at the time you request a price-reduction. On occasion, more often than not, in the past, they have done so. Perhaps no more.br /br /Royal Caribbean recentlynbsp;changed the price guarantee for its three brands, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara, givingnbsp;guests justnbsp;48 hours to find a lower price after they book. Royal Caribbeannbsp;will no longer offer pricenbsp;reductions up until 72 hours before departure. br /Under the new rules,nbsp;guests who find a lower price will receive 110% of the difference as onboard credit. (The lower rate must be publicly advertised bynbsp;a Royal Caribbean brand cruisenbsp;line.) br /br /The new policy is similar to those of Norwegian Cruise Line and Carnival Cruise Lines, ( Carnival owns Princess, Holland America, Seabourn, Cunard and other brands ) which also givenbsp;guests 48 hours to find a lower fare and offer 110% of the difference in onboard credit if they do find a lower price. br /br /What does this mean for passengers? Cruise lines often adjust prices based on consumer demand and cabin availability. So, if you book a cruise month's in advance you will most likely see prices change as you get closer to the sailing date. However, with this policy, past 48hours after you book, you will not get a rate adjustment to the prevailing rate at the time the cruise line lowers the price. The price you paid is the price you paid. Period. The new lower price is for new bookings only, put in place to sell the unused space.br /br /However, you do have some options. If you have not paid in full for the cruise and you have not entered into a penalty phase for cancellation, you could just cancel your cruise and rebook under the lower rate. The upside.. you save money. The downside... you may not get to keep your cabin assignment and the choice of cabin category and availability may be limited. Some cruise line's rules may prohibited this tactic. If you are a past passenger and have cruised with the line a number of times, you could contact the cruise line and make an issue of the lower price. In the interest of good business, they may lower your rate. If your Travel Agent does a significant amount of business with the cruise line, they may have the necessary clout to affect the price-reduction for you. All of these options, come with a certain degree of risk and may or may not work for you.br /br /You could also wait until the last minute, usually within 60 days of sailing to book your cruise at a reduced rate. Many of these last minute deals include shipboard credits or other incentives to book. Your choice of accommodations may be very limited. The cabins available may be inside, or next to the laundry, stairs, elevators ( lifts ) or below or above the disco. Or, a great balcony or mini-suite cabin becomes available in the last minute when someone cancelled their cruise.br /br /With this new policy, you will likely find just like with airline seats, that the people next to you on the ship either paid more or less than you did for the exact same accommodations. br /br /In the end its up to you. To get a good price, book early for the best choice of accommodations, perhaps take advantage of early-booking savings and other amenities, or wait to the last minute, get a better price and take you chances on getting just the accommodation you want.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-7630586130387878361?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Alaska Cruisetours Online Announces their 2011 Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour Programs

Alaska Cruisetours Online Announces their 2011 Alaska Cruise and Cruisetour Program br /br /Twenty Two Ships from Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Norwegian Cruise Lines to Offer Gulf of Alaska and Inside Passage Sailings for 2011 including new Alaska offers from Disney Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises. br /br /Ninety Eight Cruise Tour Choices Give Travelers Many Ways to Enjoy the Wilderness; Affordable Options Start at Just $299 for Three Days at Denali National Park.br /(May 03, 2010) -- Whether it’s mushing dog sleds across glaciers or flightseeing over the Arctic Circle, Alaska Cruise tours Online will offer guests an unrivaled Alaska adventure vacation in 2011. br /br /Travelers can choose a seven-night northbound or southbound itinerary between Vancouver, Whittier or Seward, Alaska, via the Inside Passage, or a seven-night roundtrip Alaska itinerary from Seattle. As well as a 10 Alaska cruise from San Francisco. br /br /Alaska Cruisetours Online 2011 Alaska programs offer travelers a full range of cruise and cruise tour options from 7 cruise lines, whether they want to just cruise the Inside Passage, Gulf of Alaska or visit ports-of-call such as Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan, Sitka, Anchorage, Homer, Haines or Kodiak, Alaska. br /br /On select itineraries, guests will enjoy a day ashore at Icy Strait Point near Hoonah, the largest Tlingit Indian village in Alaska. They can visit the Native Heritage Center to learn Tlingit history and culture through exhibits and live performances. They can also go wildlife watching, flightsee above Glacier Bay, book a charter fishing excursion or ride the world's longest zip line.br /br /Guests can also explore; Vancouver, Victoria or Nanaimo, British Columbia in Canada. Most cruises feature scenic cruising in Glacier Bay, the Tracy Arm fjord and past the Hubbard Glacier – North America’s largest and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.br /br /Alaska native guides, naturalists and park rangers come aboard at key times to share their knowledge of local culture, history, glaciers and wildlife with guests. There are more than 250 optional shore excursions so travelers can maximize their Alaska experience with everything from sea kayaking and wildlife watching to history, art and cuisine. Guests can go mushing across a snow-covered glacier on a dog sled in Juneau or and cheer on lumberjack teams in Ketchikan as they compete in events such as axe throwing and log rolling. In Skagway, guests can choose to hike the first two miles of the Chilkoot Trail, the centerpiece of gold rush history, and raft down the Taiya River and then voyage from Icy Strait Point to Point Adolphus, the region’s premier whale watching destination, on a whale and marine mammals cruise.br /br /Guests can also choose to explore Denali National Park in depth, plan independently, or take a fully escorted cruise, or venture off the beaten path. The season opens for sale May 13th with special rates that include adding three days at Denali to a cruise for just $299. br /br /“Alaska Cruisetours Online 2011 Alaska cruises and cruise tours offer travelers a variety of ways to take in Alaska’s wonders, from mild to wild. They can explore by cruise ship, deluxe motorcoach, glass domed private rail cars and even by float plane.” br /br /The 2011 lineup offers 10- to 15-night cruise and land vacations that combine a seven-night cruise with a pre- or post-cruise tour into Alaska's majestic and wild interior. Guests can explore the Alaskan frontier aboard signature deluxe motorcoaches and glass-domed train cars, which offer dazzling glass windows, affording guests sweeping vistas and breathtaking views of Alaska’s untamed landscape as it unfolds. br /br /Most packages feature overnights in Denali with included activities into the National Park for the chance to spot grizzly bear, caribou, wolf, moose and dall sheep – known as the “Big Five” – and include overnights at charming and rustic lodges. With Princess cruises exclusive Direct to the Wilderness program, guests step right from their ship onto luxury railcars that transport them directly to the Denali area. br /br /The season includes a total of 326 Alaska departures aboard 22 ships sailing during May to September.br /br /New to Alaska cruising for 2011 is Disney Cruise Line and Oceania Cruises.br /br /Disney Cruise line will sail north weekly on roundtrip Vancouver cruises to picture-perfect Alaska and guests can behold all kinds of wildlife, from bald eagles and bears to sea otters and whales—and surrender to scenic nature views, ice-blue glaciers, gushing waterfalls, snow-capped mountains and pristine fjords.br /br /Disney Cruise Line's 7-Night Alaskan Cruise sails aboard the Disney Wonder to where fur traders and gold prospectors once walked, where land animals and sea life abound. From the historic gold-mining town of Skagway to the ice fields of Juneau's Mendenhall Glacier, the Alaska amp; Pacific Coast ports of call offer a magical adventure. Ports of call include Juneau, Ketchikan, Skagway, Tracy Arm and Vancouver, Canada—plus 2 days at sea.br /br /For a more luxury cruise experience, Oceania offers for the first time 10, 12 and 14 day Alaska cruises.br /br /nbsp;"America’s largest state, Alaska truly knows no bounds. Stretching beyond the imagination, it is a land of staggering natural beauty. Virgin forests blanket the hills, snow-mantled mountains soar high into the sky, and ancient glaciers creep toward the sea, oblivious to the passage of time. Even the cities, so youthful and spirited, blend in seamlessly. Alaska remains a beacon for those who hold Mother Nature dear, and Oceania's Regatta will explore from north to south, even calling upon Anchorage itself and charmingly remote Kodiak."br /Oceania's Regatta will cruise the breathtaking fjords of the Inside Passage and the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska’s unique treasures unfold. Guests can stroll the wooden sidewalks of Skagway, an authentic gold rush town. Ride a horse drawn trolley through Ketchikan, the “Salmon Capital of the World.” Learn about Tlingit Indian traditions and totem poles in Sitka. Hike along Mendenhall Glacier on the outskirts of Juneau, the state capital. Explore the glaciers of College Fjord and natural wonders just outside Seward. The deeper you delve into Alaska, the more amazing its culture and beauty become.br /br /Featured Cruise Linebr /br /For 2011 Princess Cruises combines a seven-day "Voyage of the Glaciers" cruise with three to eight additional nights on land exploring Alaska's interior. Travelers can choose from four types of land and sea packages -- Denali Explorer, On Your Own, Off the Beaten Path and Connoisseur. All Princess cruise tours include the company's exclusive wilderness lodges, rail or motorcoach travel, plus the top two attractions in the state -- Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park, where visitors spend at least two nights exploring the wonders of this area.br /br /Cruises -- Princess offers three itineraries to the majestic glaciers, historic towns and scenic waters of Alaska with sailings from seven to 10 days.br /br /Voyage of the Glaciers -- The line's famed Gulf of Alaska route between Vancouver and Whittier (for Anchorage) features calls at Ketchikan, Juneau and Skagway with daylight cruising in Glacier Bay National Park and the 16 glaciers of College Fjord (or Hubbard Glacier on southbound sailings). Diamond Princess and Coral Princess sail on Saturdays and Island Princess offers new Wednesday departures for a total of 54 sailing choices between May 18 and September 17, 2011.br /br /Inside Passage from Seattle -- Golden Princess and Sapphire Princess offer convenient weekend departures on seven-day roundtrip itineraries from Seattle along the scenic Inside Passage with calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and Victoria, B.C. Passengers will enjoy dramatic glacier viewing in either Glacier Bay National Park (Golden Princess) or Tracy Arm (Sapphire Princess). The two ships will sail on 37 departures between May 14 and September 17, 2011. br /br /Inside Passage from San Francisco -- Sea Princess again sails from the "City by the Bay" on 10-day roundtrip cruises. The ship offers 13 voyages from San Francisco featuring the scenery of Glacier Bay National Park or Tracy Arm, stops at Victoria and Juneau, plus two other calls in Ketchikan, Skagway, Haines, Sitka or Icy Strait Point. Departures sail between May 10 and September 7, 2011. br /br /Cruise Tours -- Princess cruise tours offer passengers a complete land and sea Alaska experience with vacations ranging from 10 to 15 nights. All cruise tour options include at least two nights in the Denali National Park area, stays at Princess' own riverside wilderness lodges, and a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers sailing including Glacier Bay National Park. br /br /Denali Explorer -- Featuring multiple nights at the line's own Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and/or Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, these tours also offer the exclusive Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service between the Whittier cruise terminal and the dramatic Denali National Park area. Most also offer the opportunity to explore Fairbanks or Anchorage.br /br /On Your Own -- A new option for independent-minded travelers, these tours offer a more affordable and flexible way to see the Heart of Alaska. Tours do not include any pre-planned excursions, giving travelers time to create their own experience.br /br /Off the Beaten Path -- For those who want to explore Denali and beyond, these tours offer options to the Kenai Peninsula with stays at Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge or Wrangell-St. Elias National Park with stays at Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge. Passengers can even choose to venture to the state's far north into the Arctic Circle and Prudhoe Bay.br /br /Connoisseur -- These cruise tour options offer the services of a professional tour director and additional time for passengers to experience the Great Land. Travelers can choose from more of these extended itineraries in 2011, with most meals and enhanced sightseeing options included as well.br /br /Gulf of Alaska cruises and cruise tours for 2011 are available for reservations on May 13, 2010. br /br /Fares begin at $649 per person for an inside cabin for seven-day cruise only voyages, and $948 for an inside cabin and a 3 night land stay for cruise tours. br /br /Rates do not include government fees and taxes. All cruise lines reserve the right to impose a fuel surcharge at anytime, even after the cruise or cruise tour is fully paid for. At the present time, there are no fuel surcharges.br /For more information visit www.alaskacruisetoursonline.com or call 800.365.1445 for more information.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-8010053278465088492?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

The Accidental Medical Tourist

Some trips are just meant to be more memorable. And this one was.As I planned for Australia and New Zealand, I had it all figured out. A mixture of an amazing cruise on Crystal, land tours hitting spots I’d longed to see and which weren’t included in the cruise itinerary. Big adventure combined with total indulgence. My article on a day of bungee jumping followed by an evening of complete

New Israel Overnight on Crystal Holy Land Cruise

New Israel Overnight on Crystal Holy Land Cruisebr /This fall, ultra-luxury line Crystal Cruises introduces its first ever overnight visit to Ashdod, Israel to its aptly named "Ruins amp; Relics" Mediterranean itinerary. The expanded call in Israel, along with an overnight stay in Egypt, gives luxury travelers the opportunity to more fully immerse themselves in the ancient cultures of the Holy Land, including such archaeological wonders as the Great Pyramid, King Herod's tomb and Pompeii and Herculaneum. The 12-day cruise aboard Crystal Serenity departs Athens for RomeOctober 19, also visiting Naples and Sicily, Italy and Valetta, Malta.br /Ashore, guests have dozens of options to visit significant historic sites where Christian, Jewish and Islamic religions were founded. Suiting most any interest, Crystal Adventures offer a birds' eye view of Masada or Mount Etna from a helicopter, visits to Israel's Western (formerly Wailing) Wall and Temple Mount, and even three-night excursions to the Rose City of Petra. Archaeology buffs can visit sites including the excavations at Pompeii and Caesarea, the priceless treasures of King Tutankhamen and Athens' lofty Acropolis.br /"The destinations featured on this voyage offer more than five millennia of history and culture to explore," says Bill Smith, Crystal's senior vice president of sales and marketing. "Given our guests' penchant for enriching exclusive and unforgettable travel experiences, the additional time to enjoy the rich heritage of the destination is significant."br /On board, experts in world affairs, including former White House Press Secretary Marlin Fitzwater, will host enriching presentations and workshops.br /Per person, promotional Two-for-One cruise fares start at $5,940, double occupancy, and include free air transportation from more than 20 North American gateways – free Business Class Air for penthouse guests, and $1,000 per person 'All Inclusive – As You Wish' shipboard credits.br /Crystal Cruises has been voted the "World's Best" by the readers of Travel + Leisure and Conde Nast Traveler magazines more than any other cruise line, resort or hotel in history. In the latter publication's February issue, Crystal Serenity was again voted the Best Large-Sized Cruise Ship in the World.br /________________________br /For more information or Crystal reservations, contactnbsp;Cruise Direct Online, anbsp;travel agent, call 800.365.1445, or visit www.crystalcruises.com.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-5930559279392912452?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

AARP Selects Norwegian Cruise Line as a Preferred Cruise Line Provider

AARP Selects Norwegian Cruise Line as a Preferred Cruise Line Providerbr /br /br /Relationship gives AARP's millions of members access to preferred rates on cruise line's signature Freestyle Cruising fleet, the youngest in the cruise industrybr /br /nbsp;AARP and Norwegian Cruise Line today announced a new relationship that will give AARP members access to special rates on the cruise line's fleet of Freestyle Cruising ships, including the line's newest and most innovative ship, Norwegian Epic. Norwegian Cruise Line has the youngest fleet in the industry and sails to destinations around the world, including the Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda and more.br /"AARP members live active lives and want options when it comes to travel," said John Wider, president and chief executive officer of AARP Services, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of AARP. "Cruising is popular among our members, so we are pleased to make more options available to them through this new relationship with Norwegian Cruise Line."br /When booking a cruise with Norwegian Cruise Line, AARP members will receive a five percent savings for reservations made at least nine months prior to sailing. Norwegian also is making available a limited time offer to AARP members who book a cruise from April 1 through April 30, 2010 for travel anytime in 2010. The offer includes a $50 on-board credit per stateroom and a 50 percent reduced deposit on select cruises to Bermuda, Canada amp; New England, Western Mediterranean and the Bahamas from New York.br /"When looking at travel options, AARP members should consider the incredible vacation experience that cruising offers," said Kevin Sheehan, Norwegian Cruise Line's chief executive officer. "Add to that our signature Freestyle Cruising experience, along with the newest, most contemporary ships at sea, and I am confident that AARP members will have the vacation of a lifetime when choosing to sail with us."br /Norwegian Cruise Line's Freestyle Cruising experience gives guests the opportunity to customize their cruise vacation to suit their needs. This includes the choice of up to 21 restaurants offering traditional and contemporary options and a wide variety of cuisine styles; a variety of amenities including world-class entertainment; and the widest selection of accommodations at sea, including more family-friendly interconnecting staterooms and suites than anyone else.br /Norwegian Cruise Line is the innovator in cruise travel with a 44-year history of breaking the boundaries of traditional cruising, most notably with the introduction of Freestyle Cruising which has revolutionized the industry by allowing guests more freedom and flexibility.br /Today, Norwegian has the youngest fleet in the industry with 10 purpose-built Freestyle Cruising ships, providing guests the opportunity to enjoy a relaxed cruise vacation on the newest, most contemporary ships at sea.br /Norwegian is presently building Norwegian Epic, the company's largest and most innovative Freestyle Cruising ship to date, for delivery June 2010. Norwegian Cruise Line is the official cruise line of Blue Man Group, debuting for the first time at sea on Norwegian Epic.br /___________________br /br /For more information on Norwegian Cruise Line or to book a cruise, AARP members can call Norwegian at 866-953-1936, see a a href="http://www.cruisedirectonline.com/"Travel Agent/anbsp;or visit a href="http://www.ncl.com/aarp"www.ncl.com/aarp/adiv class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-6675380570618888013?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

New Ships in the Old World: Celebrity Cruises’ Solstice Class Ships to Summer in Europe

New Ships in the Old World: Celebrity Cruises' Solstice Class Ships to Summer in Europebr /br /br /Summer 2011 Europe and Alaska itineraries to open for sale, offering loyalty program members opportunity to be first to experience newest shipbr /br /For those who have swooned over Celebrity Cruises' stylish new Solstice-class ships since their introduction in 2008, the year 2011 will be the summer of love. Inspired by its new brand platform, "Designed for you," Celebrity Cruises has created a destination line-up for the summer of 2011 that will place all four of its Solstice-class ships – including Celebrity Silhouette, which will set sail next year – in Europe at the same time, for the first time.br /br /The move marks the return of the widely lauded Celebrity Solstice – the class's flagship vessel – to Europe. Celebrity's 2011 Europe season also will include a series of new seven-night Mediterranean voyages on Celebrity Constellation, which will undergo a series of refreshments inspired by the Solstice-class vessels, later this month. Celebrity's 2011 summer voyages and cruisetours will open for sale beginning tomorrow and continuing through the coming weeks. Celebrity's Captain's Club members can be the first to book voyages on Celebrity Silhouette in Europe and, in a Solstice-class first, in the Caribbean out of Bayonne, New Jersey, in the winter of 2011-12. Celebrity opened its summer Bermuda voyages – 7-night roundtrip sailings from Bayonne, New Jersey, on Celebrity Summit – on March 10.br /"We believe our summer destination line-up perfectly complements our commitment to designing cruise vacations around our guests' interests – a commitment that is central to our brand platform, 'Designed for you,'" said Dan Hanrahan, President and CEO, Celebrity Cruises. "Our guests told us what they wanted in ship design, cuisine, accommodations and innovations, and we designed our Solstice-class ships around those desires. Our guests said that they want to experience that same style on our other ships, and we committed to invest $200 million to "Solsticize," or refit, our Millennium-class ships to reflect some of the Solstice-class venues and design attributes. Now, we have designed a dynamic new cruise calendar valued by discerning cruisers and reflective of the same level of service and sophistication we offer onboard."br /When Celebrity Silhouette sets sail for the first time in July 2011, she will offer a unique maiden voyage from Hamburg to Rome and a special nine-night Mediterranean voyage. Then, she will offer a series of 12- and 13-night Holy Land sailings roundtrip out of Rome. Celebrity Equinox also will sail from Rome, offering 10- and 11-night roundtrip Mediterranean cruises.br /Celebrity Solstice, offering summer Caribbean voyages out of Fort Lauderdale in the summer of 2010, will return to Europe next summer with a series of 12 night round-trip itineraries out of Barcelona, and Celebrity Eclipse – launching next month in Southampton, England – will offer a similar line-up from that same port in 2011. The 2011 Europe cruises on Celebrity Solstice, and Celebrity Equinox will open for sale to the general public beginning tomorrow; Celebrity Eclipse is already open for booking.br /In another Solstice-class first, Celebrity Silhouette will sail from Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey, offering cruisers throughout the Northeast easy driving access to a vacation on the newest ship in the line's award-winning fleet. After Celebrity Silhouette makes her debut in Europe, she will homeport in Cape Liberty (Bayonne), New Jersey during the winter of 2011-12, with a series of 12-night Caribbean voyages. Members of Celebrity's loyalty program, Captain's Club, will have exclusive first-booking rights to Celebrity Silhouette's 2011-12 summer and winter itineraries, beginning tomorrow, through April 19. Additional details for Captain's Club members can be found at www.celebritycruises.com/bookingevent. Beginning April 20, the bookings of Celebrity Silhouette will be open to the public.br /With a number of guests and travel agents expressing strong interest in having a variety of lengths of Mediterranean sailings, and to showcase its soon-to-be "Solsticized" Celebrity Constellation, Celebrity designed a series of back-to-back seven-night cruises roundtrip out of Athens. Guests can take these separately or as a 14-night cruise. Three sets of the cruises will sail in September and October, and with only one or two sea days per cruise, the itineraries offer guests the opportunity to fully experience the culture-rich "Holy Land" and Greek isles. The summer 2011 season also will mark the first time that Celebrity will have six ships in Europe, with Celebrity Mercury sailing in the region as well. In total, Celebrity will visit 70 total ports in 23 countries in Europe, including six new ports: Leknes (Lofoten) and Longyearbyen, Norway; Bari and La Spezia, Italy; Bodrum, Turkey; and Kotor, Montenegro. CelebrityConstellation's and Celebrity Mercury's 2011 Europe voyages will open in the coming weeks.br /Cruisers who wish to make the most of their time in Europe can choose from a variety of cruisetours, land tours offered pre-cruise that are combined with the cruise itself for a longer, more in-depth experience of a destination. In Europe in 2011, Celebrity will offer a new four-night Greece package on Celebrity Constellation out of Athens. The package features Athens, Delphi (with an overnight in Itea) and Olympia. Additionally, Celebrity will offer a variety of escorted cruisetour packages with colorful, immersive experiences in various cities:br /A four-night Madrid and Barcelona packagebr /br /A five-night Venice, Florence and Rome packagebr /br /A four-night Paris and London packagebr /br /A three-night Paris and Amsterdam packagebr /br /Celebrity has designed a variety of shore excursions to round out the cruise experience by contrasting the new-world style and design of Celebrity's ships with the old-world culture of Europe. Can't-miss examples include:br /In Ephesus, Turkey, the famous ruins of Ephesus, the largest collection of Roman ruins in the eastern Mediterranean, including the iconic Library of Celsus.br /br /In Israel, during itineraries offering overnight stays, two-day overland tours of some of the most sacred sites in the Holy Land, including Bethlehem, Nazareth, the Wailing Wall, and the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.br /br /In Cairo, Egypt, trips to the awe-inspiring Pyramids and Sphinx. Itineraries with two days in Egypt offer overland tour options to explore further into this fascinating country.br /br /In Naples, Italy, a trip to explore either the ruins of Pompeii, a venue that every world explorer should visit at least once in their lifetime, or a trip to the intriguing Isle of Capri, the world's most romantic European spot – or both.br /br /In Florence, Italy, tours of Michelangelo's "David," Ghiberti's "Bronze Doors" and numerous architectural wonders including the Ponte Vecchio, Duomo and Pisa's Leaning Tower and Field of Miracles.br /br /In Berlin, Germany, a visit to the Brandenburg Gate and Reichstag, which served as Germany's Parliament building until the early 1930s, and Potsdam Square, where the Berlin Wall used to stand.br /br /br /When Celebrity Cruises' 2011-12 Alaska season opens for sale on Tuesday, April 13, cruisers will find more opportunities to enjoy the breathtaking scenery from the privacy of their stateroom verandas. For the first time, Celebrity Century, which was redesigned to offer an additional 314 verandas in 2006, will sail in Alaska, alongside seasonal favorites Celebrity Millennium and Celebrity Infinity. Replacing Celebrity Mercury in the region will be Celebrity Century, which has 73% more veranda and Concierge Class staterooms. To complement the increase in available verandas, Celebrity has designed a dynamic line-up of itineraries, cruisetours and shore excursions to offer something for every discerning cruiser seeking a premium Alaska vacation experience, including two wine-themed cruises along the Pacific Coast and a new 18-night cruisetour package.br /Discerning cruisers seeking the opportunity to experience British Columbia and Alaska in style can choose from a total of 17 repeating seven-night Alaska Hubbard Glacier cruises on Celebrity Century. In addition to the expanded number of veranda staterooms, the 1,814-guest vessel's 2006 "makeover" also included the unveiling of Murano, Celebrity's popular European-style specialty restaurant, and the first "ice" Martini Bar at sea. Visiting Juneau, Icy Strait Point, Ketchikan, and cruising by the awe-inspiring Hubbard Glacier, the cruises sail roundtrip out of Vancouver from May to September. Preceding the season will be an eight-night coastal cruise along the Pacific Coast, sailing from San Diego to Vancouver on May 14. br /br /br /Celebrity Infinity will continue to offer seven-night Tracy Arm Fjord cruises roundtrip out of Seattle, Washington, from May to September of 2011. The itinerary also will include calls at Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway, Alaska, as well as a cruise through the Alaska Inside Passage. Bookending Celebrity Infinity's seven-night pattern will be two 10-night Ultimate Alaska voyages roundtrip out of Seattle on May 10 and September 16.br /Building on the popularity of past years, Celebrity Millennium will present seven-night alternating northbound and southbound cruises between Vancouver and Seward, Alaska, from May to early September. These cruises will visit Icy Strait Point, Juneau, Ketchikan, and Skagway, and will cruise by Hubbard Glacier. Celebrity Millennium's 2011 Alaska season will start with a 10-night West Coast wine cruise from San Diego, California, to Vancouver on May 3, featuring an overnight call in San Francisco, followed by a roundtrip seven-night Hubbard Glacier cruise roundtrip out of Vancouver. At the end of its northbound/southbound season, Celebrity Millennium will offer another wine cruise, sailing for 10 nights from Vancouver to San Diego with another overnight call in San Francisco, as well as calls to Monterey and Catalina Island, California.br /Celebrity has designed 21 Alaska cruisetours to offer cruisers a variety of land tour experiences like no other into the interior of Alaska. New in 2011 is a vacation-of-a-lifetime experience, "The Ultimate Cruisetour – Canadian Rockies amp; Alaska," an 18-night package being offered to guests sailing on Celebrity Millennium. The experience features a six-night pre-cruise Canadian Rockies tour, a seven-night northbound Alaska cruise, and a five-night post-cruise Alaska land tour. Highlights of the Canadian Rockies portion include rail travel through the Rockies, accommodations at Victoria's acclaimed Fairmont Empress, and a two-night stay in Denali. br /All cruisetours include hotel accommodations, in-tour transportation and baggage transfers, and some meals. In Alaska, Celebrity's local tour directors travel with the guests as they enjoy the luxury of Celebrity's glass-domed Wilderness Express railcars and deluxe motorcoaches. br /While sailing on any of Celebrity's Alaska cruises, a wide range of shore excursions have been designed to offer discerning cruisers enriching experiences of Alaska's scenery, culture and history, from train tours to cycling, from culinary extravaganzas to whale-watching. Examples include "Pilot's Choice Glacier Exploration" in Juneau, where guests have an opportunity to take in the beauty of a breathtaking glacier from the viewpoint of a helicopter, and "Wild Alaska: Culinary Extravaganza" in Icy Strait Point, where guests can savor wild Alaskan salmon or locally caught Dungeness crab. Ketchikan's "Saxman Native Village and Lumberjack Show" offers guests a way to experience demonstrations of totem-pole carving and a fun-filled competition by lumberjacks, two hallmarks of Alaskan culture.br /For more information on Celebrity's cruises, cruisetours and shore excursions, travelers are encouraged to visit a href="http://www.celebritycruises.com/sailwithus"www.celebritycruises.com/sailwithus/a.br /Celebrity Cruises is designed for discerning cruisers, with modern, sophisticated environments, impeccable service, enriching and inspiring onboard programs, and world-class cuisine. The ultimate in premium cruising, Celebrity sails in Alaska, Bermuda, California, Canada/New England, Europe, the Pacific Coast, Panama Canal, South America, and year-round in the Caribbean and the Galapagos Islands. Celebrity also offers immersive cruisetour experiences in Alaska, Canada, Europe and South America. Celebrity's mega-series of honors include being named the top mega-ship line in Conde Nast Traveler's annual Readers' Choice Awards (November 2009). Celebrity's fleet currently consists of nine ships. Its $3.7-billion investment in building five stylish Solstice Class ships between 2008-2012 represents the largest newbuild commitment for a single brand in industry history.br /__________________________br /For more information, callnbsp;Cruise Direct Online, anbsp;travel agent, dialnbsp;800.365.1445 or visit a href="http://www.cruisereviewsonline.com/"http://www.cruisereviewsonline.com//a.br /br /SOURCE Celebrity Cruisesdiv class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-1461326147832844750?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

CLIA’S 35TH ANNIVERSARY PUTS SPOTLIGHT ON REMARKABLE STORY OF GROWTH EVOLUTION OF CRUISE INDUSTRY

Fort Lauderdale March 15, 2010 — From 30,000-ton converted transatlantic steamers carrying a few hundred passengers to 225,000-ton vessels carrying 5,400 guests; from small inside cabins to exclusive duplex suites; from one or two main dining rooms to dozens of eclectic culinary venues, including celebrity chef signature restaurants; from shuffleboard and ping pong to wave riding, waterparks, rock climbing, bowling and ice skating; from tiny windowless gyms to 20,000-square foot luxury spas: Cruising is not what it used to be.br /br /As Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) celebrates its 35th anniversary as the industry's leading trade association this year, a spotlight is shining on a remarkable story of the impressive growth and evolution of the modern cruise industry.br /Founded in 1975 just as a handful of passenger shipping companies were struggling to figure out how to survive, CLIA's history parallels, and helped shape, a dramatic transformation in cruising, cruise ships, consumer expectations for vacationing, and the travel agency distribution system. It is the story of extraordinary technological advancement, bold marketing innovations and steady success despite significant challenges and obstacles. Most of all, it is the story of visionaries who dared to think big and, as a result, created a uniquely new industry out of the reinvention of their own marginalized and obsolete businesses.br /"Aside from computers and online technology perhaps, I don't know of an industry that evolved and transformed so profoundly and quickly as cruising. It would be hard to invent a story of such innovation and change," said Terry L. Dale, president and CEO of CLIA.br /Today, CLIA's 25 member cruise lines, which represent approximately 97 percent of cruises sailed by North American's operate more than 200 ships of all sizes in every part of the world. At least 118 of the vessels have been built since 2000; virtually all the others have been continually refurbished and modernized. Together, they will carry over 14 million passengers in 2010 and have an economic impact on the United States alone of more than $40 billion, positively affecting all 50 states. In 2010, CLIA members will introduce 12 new ships ranging in capacity from 101 guests to 5,400 passengers, for a total investment of $6.5 billion. In all, 26 new vessels will enter the fleet between 2010 and 2012, representing an investment of nearly $15 billion and a net increase in capacity of 18 percent. But it was not always so.br /In 1959, more travelers flew across the Atlantic Ocean than sailed on ocean liners, marking the quick demise of passenger shipping, the dominant means of travel that had thrived for centuries. By 1975, many shipping companies had begun experimenting with new ways to use ocean liners in order to stay in existence and newcomers, known as the South Florida "upstarts" had envisioned new concepts of vacationing at sea, first using existing ships and then quickly introducing new, purpose-built vessels imaginatively designed for leisure cruising.br /The seeds of a new cruise industry had been sown and CLIA was formed from a number of previous trade organizations to bring the industry together and promote a new kind of vacation. Warren Titus, an industry legend and president of Royal Viking Line, one of the new luxury cruise companies that was founded in 1973, was named CLIA's first chairman. Remembering the time he said, "To the best of my knowledge it was the first time an industry like ours joined together and tried to work together in the interest of the whole."br /br /From the beginning, CLIA has always been about nurturing, educating and preparing travel agents, through training and Certification, for competitive challenges, making profits and being ready to take on whatever the future may hold. In 1975, 74 percent of agent commissions came from air travel; today, earning a living from the airlines is virtually impossible. On the other hand, the cruise industry, from the beginning, recognized that travel agents represented the most effective sales force possible and made sure to win their loyalty. As Bob Kwortnik, CLIA's first director of training, put it, "We showed them how to make money" by selling what was, for many, an unknown product. Today, among CLIA's 16,000 agent members, those who have enrolled in training and Certification programs report an average increase in cruise sales of 261 percent. Cruise commissions in 2009 are estimated to have topped $2.5 billion.br /The product agents were selling for the first time - the cruise industry - evolved quickly. In 1970, some 500,000 vacationers cruised. In 1977, Princess Cruises served as the setting for "The Love Boat," a TV series that, until 1986, came into the homes of millions every Saturday evening. By 1980, 1.4 million vacationers had joined "The Cruise Revolution," CLIA's marketing theme at the time, and the advent of convenient air-sea vacation programs provided new appeal. By 1990, CLIA member lines welcomed 3.6 million guests, and in 2010, 14.3 million are forecast to cruise, including 3.6 million from international markets, one of the industry's fastest growing segments. Since 1980, the number of cruise passengers on CLIA member lines has grown at an average annual rate of 7.4 percent, a remarkable accomplishment considering the period encompassed economic downturns, high interest rates, oil crises, wars, September 11and the current financial crisis.br /As the number of passengers grew, the CLIA fleet not only grew but was transformed. Norwegian Caribbean Line and Royal Viking Line were among the companies introducing the first new ships built for cruising. In 1988, Royal Caribbean's revolutionary Sovereign of the Seas, with a nine-deck atrium, luxury spa, full-scale theater and other innovations, helped turn ships into authentic vacation destinations. In the 1990's a boom in new ships led to the first to top 100,000 tons - the Carnival Destiny. RCI's Oasis of the Seas, introduced in 2009, weighs in at over 225,000 GRT.br /New technologies enabled not just larger ships but bold new concepts in facilities, resulting in today's CLIA fleet that features seagoing waterparks and full-scale luxury spas, often with their own private spa suite accommodations. There are shipboard bowling alleys and ice skating rinks. The largest ships offer several entire neighborhoods, each with its own theme or character, attractions and activities. Entertainment can feature world-acclaimed stars and groups, from Second City to Blue Man Group. In dining, the emphasis is on choice and flexibility, sometimes with a dozen or more options, and, increasingly, sophisticated and exciting enrichment programs are a regular feature of shipboard life.br /Technology has also enabled the cruise industry to take a leadership position in finding solutions to environmental, health and safety issues. Rigorous recycling, energy conservation, ecological hull coatings, window tinting, propulsion and hull design, and partnerships with leading environmental organizations have helped create a new generation of increasingly "green" cruise ships. Thirty-five years of innovations in ships and shipboard activities as well as the globalization of operations and itineraries and, most importantly, a continued commitment to provide the very best value across all price categories of cruising have helped to change consumer expectations, not only of cruising but of all vacationing. The popularity of international and multi-destination travel, interest in a variety of dining and entertainment experiences, demand for active and enriching vacations, and the insistence on quality and value are all expectations that modern cruising, by meeting them, can take pride in helping to nurture.br /Essential to the cruise industry's growth was an evolving trade association. Throughout its history, CLIA has both spearheaded change and adapted to it. The first classroom training sessions of the 1970's have evolved into a comprehensive, multi-faceted training and Certification program featuring classroom, online, DVD/video, and textbook options as well as learning opportunities at CLIA events, other industry meetings and traveling seminars like Training Fest. In 2010, CLIA will present nearly 50,000 training events in over 150 cities across North America. Today, a record eleven thousand travel agents are currently enrolled in Certification programs pursuing their CLIA Certified Cruise Counsellor designations.br /In 1991, CLIA launched its first National Cruise Vacation Month, followed later by World's Largest Cruise Night, two high visibility consumer promotions that continue to drive interest and awareness for the latest innovations in cruise vacations. The association's hugely popular annual conference and trade show, cruise3sixty, to be held this year in Vancouver, June 2-6, has set attendance records each of its five years of existence and provides incomparable opportunities for learning, networking and socializing with industry leaders and peers. The CLIA Hall of Fame, a centerpiece of cruise3sixty, was introduced to pay much deserved tribute to those individuals who have contributed the most to the industry. And, CLIA's Travel Agent Advisory Board is a further example of the priority the association places on its agency partnerships.br /"The North American cruise industry and all its members can be very proud of their accomplishments," Dale concluded. "This is a truly amazing story and one that will continue to be even more exciting, thanks to continued innovation and strong industry partnerships."div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-7759267406235304359?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

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