More Changes to Carnival’s Lineup

Two more changes to Carnival's home ports and itineraries have been released this last week. First off, Carnival Triumph will replace Carnival Fantasy which is moving to Mobile. The change will come in November, 2009. The Triumph will offer the same 7-night sailing itinerary that the Fantasy did, but the ship is a significant upgrade, both in size and amenities. While it's not the Conquest I'd hoped for (because she belongs in New Orleans), it is a good-sized ship for this market and should prove to be quite popular.

The next change isn't to a home port, but to an itinerary. The Carnival Elation will shift to 3- and 4-night sailings from San Diego, expanding the selection of short cruises from southern California. These quick getaways are very popular, and the Elation will allow for two additional departure dates, with the three-night getaways departing on Thursday, and the 4-nighters on Sunday. These new itineraries will begin on February 11, 2009.

Cunard to Open 2010 World Cruise Bookings September 4

First to announce their 2010 World Cruise itineraries is Cunard, which will open bookings on September 4. Both the Queen Mary 2 and the Queen Victoria will be operating world cruises.

For the Queen Mary 2, she will be featuring a new East-West route featuring a tour of the Middle East and South Asia, stops in Australia and New Zealand and her maiden visit to Africa! Highlights include:

• 19 maiden ports of call, including Mumbai, India; Shanghai, China; Nagasaki, Japan; Cape Town, South Africa, as well as inaugural visits to Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh City), Guam and Papua, New Guinea
• Overnight stays in the sophisticated cities of Hong Kong, Sydney and Cape Town
• Four Full World Cruise options from either New York or Southampton from 91–101 days
• 12 Liner Voyages ranging in length from 35 to 80 days with departures from New York, Dubai, Hong Kong and Sydney
• Five Segment Voyages from 17 to 23 days with departures from Dubai, Hong Kong, New York, Sydney and introducing Cape Town, South Africa

The Queen Victoria will be sailing an exotic global tour including the tranquil South Pacific, New Zealand and Australia before an extensive Asia adventure and a journey through the Middle East and Mediterranean:

• 12 maiden ports of call, including Halong Bay, Vietnam; Muscat, Oman and Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, as well as four new stops in Australia, and inaugural visits to the Cayman Islands and Colombia
• Overnight stays in the thriving metropolises of Sydney, Hong Kong and Dubai
• Six Full World Cruise options with a flexible range of dates from 84 to 106 days and new convenient departures from San Francisco, in addition to New York and Fort Lauderdale.
• 11 Liner Voyages ranging in length from 32 to 82 days with departures from New York, Ft. Lauderdale, San Francisco, Sydney and Bangkok.
• Five Segment Voyages from 15 to 29 days with departures from New York, San Francisco, Sydney, Bangkok and Dubai.

If this is your year for a world cruise, and you'd like the classic elegance and historic qualities of a Cunard cruise, then give me a call or email me at amber@cruiseresource.com for more information on pricing and specific itineraries!

Amazing Prices Down Under!

Dreamed of cruising in Australia/New Zealand? Don't have plans yet for this fall? Celebrity wants to help!

For all 4th quarter 2008 sailings on the Celebrity Millennium, there are some pretty attractive rates being offered. For example:

• Single Supplement 150% will be open on all Q4 sailings (10/17/08-12/07/08)
  
• Guarantee categories: W, X, Y, Z, CC, Suites with special pricing
  
• Buy Outside get Veranda in for all Q4 sailings (10/17/08-12/07/08); based on availability


• Week of 8/25/08 special Xciting Deals pricing

Buy Oceanview Get Veranda lead-in pricing:
10/17/08 - $1199/person
11/02/08 - $1099/person
11/14/08 - $899/person
11/23/08 - $1199/person
12/07/08 - $1199/person

Guarantee pricing:

Onboard credits are also available on some sailings. Contact me NOW to plan your dreamed-of cruise!

Oasis Deck Plans, Cabin Categories and Pricing!

It's the day so many of us have been waiting for - the release of the initial set of deck plans, cabin categories and lead-in pricing for the next wave in ship innovation - the Oasis of the Seas. While there are still many "reveals" to be made about this innovative concept in ship design, represented by large, blank spaces in the deck plan, the passenger cabin decks are now revealed to us, along with the initial pricing.

To make it easy for you, I've loaded the plans onto my web site, and they can be found at Oasis Deck Plans. The category descriptions are at Oasis Cabin Categories, while the initial pricing grid can be found at Oasis Pricing.

As a reminder, bookings for Diamond and Diamond Plus passengers open on August 21, while other Crown and Anchor members can book starting on August 28. Give me a call or email me with questions prior to these dates and to get in your pre-reservations for this incredible ship.

Mobile’s Fantasy Coming in November, 2009

Since almost the second Carnival announced they'd homeport a ship in Mobile, AL over 4 years ago, Mobile has been lobbying with intensity and consistency for another ship, or perhaps a larger ship, and for 7-night itineraries. Part of their efforts will bear fruit in November, 2009, when the Carnival Fantasy replaces the Carnival Holiday in Mobile.

The Fantasy is a significantly larger ship than the Holiday, bringing a 42% increase in capacity. She will undergo her "Evolutions of Fun" makeover in the fall this year, so will embody quite an upgrade in facilities to this port. While Mobile hoped for a 7-night itinerary with a second ship, at this time that's not to happen as the Fantasy will be taking over the alternating 4- and 5-night itineraries the Holiday is currently sailing.

The Holiday will be transferred to the new joint venture in Spain, Iberocruceros, where she will join her sister ship Celebration.

Wondering what will replace Fantasy in New Orleans? Stay tuned - that announcement is promised soon. My personal hope is for a Conquest-class ship, and hopefully it will be the Conquest herself returning to the port for which she was designed.

Cruise West Announces 26 Itineraries in 29 Countries for 2009 Season

SEATTLE, Aug. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading small-ship cruise line Cruise West has announced 26 itineraries for the 2009 season, including four new and one re-introduced cruise. The four new voyages will visit Ecuador's Galapagos Islands, the Danube River, the East Indies and Melanesia; the Vietnam itinerary is being re-introduced by popular demand.

The 2009 cruises include stops in 29 countries and 165 ports worldwide. The voyages will include 253 departures throughout the Americas, Asia, Europe and the South Pacific, with visits to 29 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Alaska, Cambodia, China, Hungary, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Romania and Vietnam. Cruise West's nine small ships (with capacity ranging from 78-138 guests) allow for the company's trademark "up-close, casual and personal" experience, an opportunity not offered by larger cruise lines. Cruises range from three-night/four-day to 24-night/25-day, and start from $1,149 per person.

"Our Quyana Members (past guests) asked us to add new destinations and Cruise West listened by delivering four new distinctive itineraries and reintroducing Vietnam in 2009," said Dick West, chairman and managing director. "I personally scouted the Galapagos itinerary and the Danube River cruise. In honor of Cruise West's first European river cruise, I will host a Chairman's cruise on the first departure. As with all Cruise West voyages, these new itineraries will offer guests the hallmark Cruise West adventure -- an authentic experience."

NEW & REINTRODUCED 2009 ITINERARIES

-- Cruise West introduces the GALAPAGOS onboard the luxurious 40-guest Isabela II. The 10-day tour will start with two days in Quito before flying to Baltra Island to board the ship for an eight-day cruise. A post-cruise Machu Picchu Land Tour option is available. Three departures will be initially offered on August 23, August 30 and September 6, 2009.

-- Cruise West ventures to Europe for the first time with its 11- or 12- day Danube River cruise VIENNA TO BUCHAREST onboard the elegant new 148-guest Amadeus Diamond -- 2009 marks this vessel's inaugural year. This cruise highlights exclusive tours in Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Croatia and cruising in the Danube Delta. Four departure dates will be offered: July 16 and 24, 2009; and October 13 and 21, 2009. Add on a pre- or post-cruise Prague or Transylvania Land Tour.

-- VIETNAM is reintroduced by popular demand. Originally offered in 2007, this 12-day itinerary cruises Haiphong to Ho Chi Minh City via Ha Long Bay, Hue, Danang, Hoi An, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang and the Mekong River. One departure will be offered on November 21, 2009 onboard Cruise West's flagship, the 120- guest Spirit of Oceanus. Add-on a pre- or post-cruise Cambodia and Angkor Wat Land Tour.

-- Cruise the exotic East Indies, SINGAPORE TO SYDNEY for the holidays onboard the Spirit of Oceanus. Offered December 16, 2009, this new 17-day itinerary transits the waters of early European explorers and will feature mysterious cultures steeped in ancient history in Indonesia. Spend New Year's Eve in Sydney! Port calls to be announced fall 2008.

-- Extraordinary islands throughout Melanesia are featured on the new 17- day SYDNEY TO FIJI voyage departing December 28, 2009. Visit isolated cultures and pristine waters in Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Fiji and more. Port calls to be announced fall 2008.

~ Up-Close, Casual and Personal Cruising ~

For Extra Savings for Cruise West Sailings Call 800-640-4899

Silversea’s Prince Albert II

This small cruise line has brought a new level of luxury to adventure cruises, so travelers can get close to nature without sacrificing any creature comforts.

Just when I thought I had this cruising thing all figured out, along comes Prince Albert II, the luxury-injected expedition ship launched this summer by Silversea Cruises.

I'm no stranger to Silversea; sailings aboard the line's traditional ships are among my most memorable holidays at sea. Until Prince Albert II, however, I'd completely missed the boat when it came to cruising's expedition segment.

Christened by namesake Prince Albert on June 12 in Monaco, Prince Albert II is a Lloyd's Register 1A ice-rated vessel. Originally known as World Discoverer II, the ship got a multimillion-dollar renovation that included refurbishment of its exterior, technological enhancements, and a comprehensive upgrade of all guest accommodations and public spaces. This 6,072-ton vessel carries just 132 guests in 66 ocean-view cabins from 180 to 600 square feet; it sails to destinations ranging from world capitals to remote islands around the globe.

Except for that ice-rating thing, Prince Albert II didn't sound too different from the Silversea I know and love: A small, intimate ship carrying affluent guests in tasteful luxury, with no pesky bar bill, restaurant surcharges or gratuities awaiting them at journey's end.

Read on

River Discounts Uniworld Savings

Star Clippers Tight-lipped on Newbuild

After announcing plans last September to build the largest and most expensive sailing vessel ever, Star Clippers is still in discussions with various shipyards and “working on purchasing agreements” for its fourth yet-to-be-named ship, said Mark Carlson, director of marketing, on Thursday. “I haven’t heard much on anything at all as of late; it’s all very hush hush,” Carlson said. However, he did reveal that the five-masted vessel will be 7,400 tons, 518 feet in length, have a beam of 61 feet, and a 20-foot draft. The ship will also have an “Ice-Class C” hull, extra- heavy anchor gear, a davit-dampening system, and specially modified tenders – allowing her to sail virtually anywhere in the world. Currently, Star Clippers operates three sailing ships in the Caribbean, Far East, Mediterranean and Tahiti.

Go Barging Introduces New Luxury Vessel for 2009

Go Barging announced the addition of a new vessel, the Enchanté, to its 2009 fleet. The Enchanté will operate two new itineraries in Southern France. Go Barging is now accepting reservations for the 2009 season. The Enchanté can accommodate up to eight passengers in the four double-bedded air-conditioned suites, each of which features a bathroom furnished with luxury bath products. The vessel offers onboard TV, DVD player, and Internet connection. The sun deck has an alfresco dining area, hot tub, and loungers. Five gourmet dinners will be served onboard, and guests will dine out one evening at a local restaurant. Onboard, meals are accompanied by regional wines and an open bar. Prices start at $5,890 per person, double occupancy, and include six nights on the Enchanté, all meals prepared by the onboard chef, regional wines, open bar, excursions and admittance fees. Also included is pick-up and transfers to and from designated points. One of the Enchanté's two alternating itineraries features the Canal du Midi, beginning in Montpellier and exploring chateaux, the world's oldest canal tunnel at Malpas, old towns, and concluding in Le Somail. The second itinerary explores Provence and Camargue. Highlights include visits to Avignon and the Palais des Papes, cruising through Camargue National Park, and tours of Arles and Pezenas. For more information, call RiverDiscounts 800-640-4899