World’s Largest River Cruise Sale!

AMA Waterways (formerly Amadeus) has announced what they are calling the World's Largest River Cruise Sale. I have to admit, these discounts are the largest I've ever seen from a premium river cruise line!

With fares starting at just $949/person for 2009 Christmas Markets cruises, and 2010 fares starting at $1,749/person, including $500/cabin savings, complimentary cabin upgrade and $150/cabin onboard credits, these fares are extraordinary, even in this time of competing cruise sales.

The fares are applicable for all bookings made in October. The qualifying sailings are:

• Winter Heartland Cruise - from $949 per person From Nuremberg to Trier December 18, 2009
• Christmas Time Cruise - from $949 per person From Nuremberg to Budapest November 20, December 6, 11, 13, 20 & 25, 2009
• Christmas Wonderland - from $949 per person From Trier to Amsterdam November 18, 28; December 2, 12 & 16, 2009
• Amsterdam To Paris - from $1749 per person From Amsterdam to Trier April 11 & 15, 2010
• The Romantic Danube - from $1749 per person From Vilshofen to Budapest April 10, 14, 24 & 28; July 8; August 5, 2010
• The Legendary Danube - from $2149 per person From Nuremberg to Budapest July 29, 2010
• The Enchanting Rhine - from $1749 per person From Amsterdam to Basel April 8 & 11; August 4, 2010
• Europe’s Heartland Cruise - from $1849 per person From Trier to Nuremberg July 22; September 2; October 28; November 3, 2010
• Black Sea Voyage - from $1749 per person From Budapest to Rousse April 9 & 14; August 6, 2010
• Magnificent Europe - from $4099 per person From Amsterdam to Budapest April 24; June 6 & 10; July 18 & 22; August 15, 2010
• Cruising Portugal & Spain - from $1949 per person Porto roundtrip April 13; June 1 & 29; July 27; August 24, 2010
• Russian Waterways - from $2749 per person From Moscow to St. Petersburg September 27, 2010

Of course, there are limitations, so call or email for all the details!

I get so many calls asking about river cruising. It's such a wonderful way to see Europe's heartland, and an entirely different type of cruising. Now the pricing is within reach on a truly special river cruise line. If you've been contemplating a river cruise, this is your time!

Film Your Way Onboard the Oasis of the Seas!

Do you know how to turn on your video recorder and press play? Great! Then you're eligible to win a pre-inaugural cruise onboard the hottest new ship on the horizon, Royal Caribbean's Oasis of the Seas, with veteran cruise reporter (and all-around great guy) Gene Sloan of USA Today.

Royal Caribbean and USA TODAY are joining forces to launch a “Reporter at Sea” contest in search of a talented citizen journalist for the chance to report for USA TODAY’S Cruise Log alongside Gene Sloan on one of the biggest travel stories of the year – the unveiling of Oasis of the Seas. Starting today through October 9, 2009, aspiring journalists are invited to enter to win the coveted job of special field correspondent onboard Oasis of the Seas' preview sailing alongside USA TODAY’S own cruise editor, Gene Sloan. Once onboard the ship, the lucky winner will receive behind-the-scenes access to file reports that will appear at USA TODAY’s Cruise Log about one of the most buzzed about hospitality and entertainment stories of the year. In addition to the United States, the “Reporter at Sea” contest is searching for journalists in Canada, Germany, Mexico, and the United Kingdom with one winner from each country.

Gene Sloan is one of the best versed reporters covering the cruise industry, so if you are a cruise fanatic, it's your chance to talk cruise "politics" trends and issues with someone who knows the biz inside and out. And of course we all know that the inauguration of the Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas is THE big story for the next few months. You'll be onboard before the first paying guests, be able to check out all the new features (and have some of the first cupcakes from the Cupcake Cupboard), sleep in a brand new bed, and take in that "new ship smell" that all cruisers long to experience.

Eager reporters-to-be can audition for the assignment of a lifetime by submitting a creative video no longer than 45 seconds at reporteratsea.usatoday.com. The video should showcase his/her best reporting skills and tout why Royal Caribbean should select him/her to serve as a citizen journalist onboard Oasis of the Seas. Videos will be judged based on creativity and quality, as well as the entrant’s ability to entertain, effectively bring to life and clearly explain travel or cruising concepts, and articulate why he/she should be chosen to represent their country.

Once the entry period ends, judges will select 10 finalists per country, and voters will choose their favorite video between October 20 and October 25. One winner from each country will be simultaneously announced on November 4 and will be flown with a guest to Fort Lauderdale, Fla., to cover the first pre-inaugural cruise onboard Oasis of the Seas from November 19 to November 22.

Submit your creative video showcasing your best reporting skills at www.reporteratsea.usatoday.com. Residents in Canada, Mexico, the UK and Germany can enter at www.oasisoftheseas.com/reporteratsea.

This is an exciting opportunity! Get your video in by October 9, 2009!

Happy Hour Time! Big from RCCL, No XCitement from Celebrity

I'd held off posting this Happy Hour as I was hoping that Celebrity was just delayed in releasing their Happy Hour Specials for this week. However, it appears there won't be any, so we just have Royal Caribbean. Fortunately, there's an abundance there!

Shorter cruises starting at $179/person to 7-nt from $309/person, 10-nt Mediterranean from $449/person (no, that's not a mis-print!), and 12-nt Southern Caribbean from Bayonne at $749/person for an inside or only $1,249/person in a balcony!

There are 8 pages of goodness to be found in this week's Happy Hour Specials. See if there's something for you!

As always, call or email me ASAP so that I can lock in the availability and your choice of cabins when they first become available. These are one-day-only prices, so you have to act quickly!

Royal Caribbean Happy Hour/Sales Event Specials for Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Royal Caribbean International’s Best Price Guarantee program

Vacationers can enjoy the benefits of booking early and the peace of mind of receiving the best advertised prices with Royal Caribbean International’s Best Price Guarantee program. By booking early, vacationers have access to a much wider selection of staterooms and availability on their desired departure date. If the guest then finds a lower fare advertised by Royal Caribbean for the same ship, sail-date and stateroom category, they can receive the difference in price as an onboard credit to spend on cocktails, spa services, specialty dining and other shipboard purchases. Any dollars not spent will be refunded at the conclusion of the cruise.

“Best Price Guarantee gives guests peace of mind, allowing them to plan ahead, book early and get the staterooms and excursions that they want with no worries that a better deal will come along after they’ve committed,” said Betsy O’Rourke, senior vice president of Marketing, Royal Caribbean International. “We want our guests to know that they received a good deal from us, which helps them enjoy their vacation with us even more.”

Guests can take advantage of Royal Caribbean’s Best Price Guarantee immediately from the time of booking to up to 72 hours prior to sailing. When guests booked with Royal Caribbean find a subsequent qualifying lower price advertised by the cruise line after they’ve booked, they simply contact Royal Caribbean or their travel agent, who will make the request to the cruise line. The difference in pricing will be provided in the form of an onboard credit. For reservations outside of the final payment period, onboard credit may be replaced, upon request, with a reduction to guests’ outstanding balance or a refund, as applicable. A limited number of pricing programs are excluded from the Best Price Guarantee program and does not apply to group bookings. Other terms and conditions may apply. For full terms and conditions, please visit http://www.RoyalCaribbean.com/BestPriceGuarantee. Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 20 ships currently in service and two under construction. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand.
_______________________________
For additional information or to make reservations, call Cruise Direct Online: 800.365.1445

World’s Largest Cruise Night is Coming!

Pssst, it's time to give you advance notice of the upcoming World's Largest Cruise Night! The WLCN is a Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) sponsored sales event during which the CLIA-affiliated lines offer savings, 2 for 1 deals, onboard credits, coupon books and other cruise incentives for new bookings.

This year, the WLCN is officially on October 14, but for many of the lines, the values are offered all week, or even all month!

As in past years, I'm holding a virtual cruise night for the event, and putting the offers online for you! This means that you can get a head start at looking at the offers and deciding what you'd like to book. The lines are still coming out with their offers, but you can get a sneak peek on my Virtual WLCN page at CruiseResource World's Largest Cruise Night Offers. This page will be continually updated with new offers as they become available. I'll also be offering some exclusive deals, such as onboard credit in addition to the reduced deposit and coupon books for Princess.

Subscribers to my newsletter will also receive full details by email on October 13 listing all the offers. Not a subscriber? You can sign up through the link on the right side of this page.

Many of the offers are in addition to other savings for which you may be eligible, so you can stack the deals!

So if you're looking forward to 2010, it's a great time to take a look at the offers and book your cruise! Contact me for full details and to start planning what you want to book. Don't wait to start! I'll make sure that you'll get the benefit of all the offers to which you're entitled.

Crystal Cruises Offers 2 for 1 Fares and More for all 2009/2010 Sailings!

While cruise fares are beginning to rebound, and as my clients can certainly attest, certain itineraries are getting hard to book, the luxury lines are extending out their unprecedented offers and lower fares for 2009 and 2010 sailings. Crystal is the most recent line to announce a significant savings program.

The main component of the savings is 2 for 1 pricing on all categories for all sailings in 2010! That's huge, but it's not all. In addition, they are offering:

• Up to $2,000 per couple in “All-Inclusive. As You Wish.” Spending Credits Receive up to $1,000 per person to spend any way you wish. Click here for details
• Free Air Fly free in Business or Economy Class on most 2010 voyages. Click here for details
• Price Guarantee Book early and pay the lowest applicable cruise fare - guaranteed! Click here for details

There are also other special offers which can often be combined with the above. These are:

• Birthday Bonus - Sail on your birthday and save 50% off a future cruise. Click here for details
• 20th Anniversary Celebrations – Enjoy onboard celebrations, commemorative merchandise and more on our special reunion cruises
• 20th Anniversary Commemorative Cruises – Celebrate 20 years of the World's Best with special events on our anniversary, July 20th, aboard voyages 0216 and 0317.
• Crystal Society 20th Anniversary Reunion Cruises – Enjoy special guests, events and receptions exclusively for Crystal Society members. Voyages 0210 and 0226.
• President’s Cruise 20th Anniversary Celebration – Join Crystal Cruises' President Gregg L. Michel aboard voyage 0210 for special guests, events and receptions.
• Up to $10,000 World Cruise “As You Wish” CruiseBank Spending Credits – Receive up to $5,000 per person to spend any way you wish. Click here for details
• Share the Experience – Earn $100 shipboard credit for each new-to-Crystal guest you sail with. Click here for details
• Crystal Family Memories – Sail with six or more family and friends and enjoy free third berths (17 years and under), pre-paid gratuities, shipboard spending credits and more. Sail with ten or more and receive a free berth! Click here for details
• Crystal Society Benefits Program – Shipboard credits, upgrades, free cruises and more for past guests. Click here for details

Crystal is a true luxury line, perfect for those who like the traditional style of cruising pared with exceptional service and amenities. While even with these offers it may be slightly more initial investment than a mainstream cruise line, the benefits are extensive, and the bottom line price, of the fare and onboard costs combined, is often very similar to what you'd experience on a premium line.

Is it time you started looking at luxury lines? Take advantage of the extraordinary savings you can experience now on Crystal or other lines and see what you may have been missing! Luxury cruising IS worth it and an amazing value, especially now. Call or email me to explore your options.

More Terrific Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Happy Hours

It's the time of year where I really love posting Happy Hours, as there are usually amazing values offered. This week is no exception.

For Royal Caribbean, of particular note is a 9-Nt Canada-New England sailing on 10/1, which should be fabulous for color, with a balcony at only $849/person AND a reduced supplement for solos!

If you are looking for 7-nt Caribbean, there are several Freedom of the Seas sailings starting at $549/person.

West coast? Mariner of the Seas 7-nighters are here too starting at $339/person and reduced single supplements. However, on the 9/27 sailing, along with the 11/8, 11/15/AND 11/29 sailings, I have some cabins at $299/person, and that's not even a Happy Hour rate, so that can be booked any time!

Want something shorter? While east coasters are used to having lots of good deals on short sailings, finally the West Coast is getting some Happy Hour love, too! How about Radiance of the Seas 4-night Mexican Riviera starting at $179/person? Amazing!

Finally on the Royal Caribbean side is a 13-Nt San Diego to Miami Panama Canal sailing which is the lowest I think I've ever seen for a full transit starting at $849/person, and there's a reduced single supplement on that one, too!

Those are just a sampling of the HUGE number of offers this week. Check out the link below for all the options!

On the Celebrity side, while there aren't as many offers, both of them are excellent! The Equinox 13-Nt sailing from Rome on 10/10 starting at $1,349/person is amazing for this beautiful new ship, and the Summit's 14-Nt sailing from Venice on 11/14 starting at $949/person with Concierge balconies at only $1,349/person is a steal! And better yet for my solo occupancy clients, both are on reduced single supplement!

Here are the links to the full lists. As always, these are good for sale on Tuesday, September 22 only, and it's best to call me before Tuesday so I can reserve your cabin as soon as the pricing becomes available to ensure your choice of cabin and lock in the price.

Royal Caribbean Sales Event/Happy Hour Specials for Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Celebrity Xciting Deals/Happy Hour Specials for Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Great News for Charleston! Carnival to Homeport There Year-Round

In news which should make those in the Southeast who are tired of the trek to Florida very happy, Carnival has announced that they will homeport the Carnival Fantasy in Charleston year-round. This does require a bit of a ship shuffle, and the loser in this shuffle is San Diego, which loses the Elation.

The new schedule from Charleston, S.C. will debut on May 18, 2010 with the deployment of the 2,056-passenger Carnival Fantasy. Carnival Fantasy will operate from the Passenger Terminal in historic downtown Charleston.

Carnival said that Charleston's centralized location within the southeastern U.S., as well as the city's strong appeal as a tourist destination, were key factors in the decision to launch year-round service. The Carnival Fantasy is expected to carry more than 140,000 passengers annually from the port.

Carnival Fantasy will operate five-, six- and seven-day voyages on a variety of different departure days. Five-day voyages departing Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays will call at Nassau and Freeport, The Bahamas. Six-day voyages departing Saturdays will visit Freeport, Nassau and Key West, Fla. Seven-day voyages depart Saturdays and will feature Grand Turk, the private Bahamian island of Half Moon Cay, and Nassau.

Replacing the Carnival Fantasy in Mobile will be its sister ship, the 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation, which will reposition from San Diego to launch year-round service from that port May 15, 2010.

Free Online Expedition Photographic Seminar from Lindblad

Lindblad Expeditions has long been a leader in expeditionary cruises; many people credit them with inventing the concept. From the glaciers of Antarctica to the rain forests of Costa Rica and the wonders of Galapagos, Lindblad takes you there.

They've recently teamed with National Geographic and with their assistance have expanded their photographic offerings for guests. One of the greatest joys on any expeditionary trip is the photos you can bring home. Lindblad and National Geographic help make it a reality on their cruises.

And now they're offering a free photographic webinar as well! National Geographic Photographer Ralph Lee Hopkins and LEX Photographer Michael Nolan are teaming up for this webinar in which you will:

• Learn how to take better photographs from veteran Lindblad and National Geographic photographers.
• See incredible photography from expeditions in Galapagos, Baja, Alaska, the Arctic & Antarctica.
• Discover what makes Lindblad expeditions an utterly distinct experience for experienced photographers and interested beginners alike.

To register for this FREE Expedition Photography Webinar on Thursday, September 24, 8PM EST, just go to Lindblad/National Geographic Expedition Photography Webinar. But beware, the pictures will have you calling me to book you on an expeditionary cruise!

Travel Direct Corporation, today announced a new online travel service that pulls together the Internet’s best cruise deals in one place.

Travel Direct Corporation, today announced a new online travel service that pulls together the Internet's best cruise deals in one place. The new service; Cruise Direct Express gives cruise travelers immediate direct access to the available inventory of 15 of the top cruise line brands.

Cruise Direct Express offers consumers a rich selection of destinations, cruise lines, ships and up-to-the-moment cabin inventory, plus the best cruise line offered discount prices – including hard-to-find internet specials – all in one place. The service lets cruise travelers with a few clicks purchase a cruise from brands they trust. With Cruise Direct Express cruise travelers also have the opportunity to receive valuable special offers, such as cabin upgrades, and onboard spending credits.

With Cruise Direct Express cruise travelers get the best priced cruises and most convenient options by going straight to the source.

Cruise Direct Express has search technology that can access all of the cruise inventory available from up to 15 cruise brands, which conventional search engines, crawlers and shopping bots cannot. Because the cruise lines have made their inventory available through their own sites, Cruise Direct Express can access this information. The technology is designed to search all of the cruise lines databases for cabin inventory and up-to-the moment pricing. And make them available in real-time.

Cruise Direct Express Online benefits cruise travelers:
Offering a huge selection of the Web's best cruise deals. To find the best cruise price with the same destination, itinerary and sailing date, cruise travelers must flip from cruise line site to cruise line site on their browsers, with Cruise Direct Expresss' search technology consumers are offered an alternative.

Cruise Direct Express smoothes and simplifies the online vacation research.
What's the most annoying thing about doing vacation research online? It has to be copying and pasting all the information you need for note-taking from multiple cruise line web sites.

Cruise Direct Express searches the sites' databases of the cruise lines themselves – sites like Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Crystal, Regent, Holland America, Windstar, Disney, Crystal and Norwegian Cruise Line – for their best cruise offers. Cruise travelers do not have to jump from site to site to look for the best cruise line bargain. Cruise Direct Express allows users to see all the deals and to make informed choices. Switching back and forth between cruise line web sites can be a pain. With Cruise Direct Express all the major brand cruise lines are all together at one home port.

Gathering information is easier and faster.
Those with limited internet time will find Cruise Direct Express especially useful for getting the necessary travel information and signing off quickly.

Easy to use interface enables comparison of cruise ship itineraries, sailing dates, up-to-the moment cabin availability and prices. The Cruise Direct Express search engine allows cruise travelers the option to troll through thousands of discounted fares and special deals the cruise lines have on offer, and they can tailor the search terms ( price, cruise line, sailing date, duration, departure ports and destinations ) according to their own personal travel needs.

With Cruise Direct Express cruise travelers can check prices of competing cruise lines to make sure they always find the cruise line's best deals. Consumers save money by comparison-shopping.

Cruise Direct Express brings cruise travelers all the information they need to book a cruise from the cruise brands they trust.

A Personal Cruise Travel Advisor is part of every sale. When a cruise traveler books their cruise online, a personal Cruise Travel Advisor is assigned to their account: The Cruise Travel Advisor offers fair and impartial advice. Cruise Direct Express features all the major brand cruise lines - but doesn't promote one particular cruise line over another. Choosing the right cruise experience is the number one priority.

The Cruise Travel Advisor;
1. Will review the proper immigration/passport/birth certificate documentation necessary for their cruise.
2. Arrange any special needs -- such as a handicap-designed stateroom, or a special diet.
3. Inform cruise travelers of their dining choices and arrange for any special occasions they might be celebrating like a birthday or anniversary.
4. Will explain the importance of travel insurance to cover the unexpected such as trip delays, missed Cruise Direct Expressions and lost or delayed baggage.
5. Will review General Information materials that cover over 18 "Things to Know Before You Go".
6. Will point out their stateroom on the deck plan ( all deck plans are available online ).
7. Will Inform cruise travelers when final payment is due and the deadline to request air deviations and arrange pre-or-post cruise land packages.
8. Advise about tipping; packing; clothing; flights and schedule options; shore excursions, etc.

Cruise Direct Express is available for free from the company’s internet site www.cruisedirectexpress.com