Disney Ups the Ante on Entertainment… Again

Disney Cruise Line today revealed the first set of features for its new Disney Dream, inaugurating in 2011. And in typical Disney style, they're not just playing follow the leader. The new features are innovative and definitely Disney.Gene Sloan of USAToday's CruiseLog has done an excellent job in summarizing the details. There are several articles at CruiseLog's main page, including this

Oasis of the Seas Delivered! Will It Sail Full?

Huge news for Royal Caribbean today: the Oasis of the Seas was officially delivered this afternoon in Finland. The delivery of a new ship is always a big day for a cruise line, but especially so this time. Brand new ship design, 50% larger than any other cruise ship, many innovative features... we all know the list. Financing was secured, the check cleared, and the ship is now officially

EXCLUSIVE Royal Caribbean Oasis of the Seas Promotion!

Have you been reading enviously the reports on the countdown to the Oasis of the Seas inaugural in December? Jealous of those who will be first onboard? Now you can join in the fun two different ways! I have exclusive onboard credits for December 2009 sailings, and there's a contest to win a spot on one of the pre-inaugurals!First off, there's a contest to be one of a very few "civilians"

Jumbo Happy Hour Specials - Including Thanksgiving Sailings!

Am posting this week's Happy Hour Specials early this week as they're HUGE, especially from Royal Caribbean. A little of everything, and some astonishing prices, even over Thanksgiving!.For example, Enchantment of the Seas' 11-28 8 night Southern Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale starting at $199/person with D2 Balcony at $599/person? Egads! How about an 11 night Mexican Riviera sailing on the

Regent Goes Clothing Optional…

... Oh wait, that's optional clothing for formal night. Sorry for the confusion.Following the trend in the industry, and truly their own passengers' preferences and actual habits onboard their ships, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has announced a revised dress code. Beginning with the 2009/2010 New Year's sailings, the evening dress code will consist of Elegant Casual for most sailings, with longer

Luggage Tags - The Next E-Frontier

Princess and Royal Caribbean this week announced changes to their luggage tag programs in an attempt to streamline the processes. One is likely to be welcomed (or at least be neutral) by cruisers, while the other is definitely a change likely bemoaned as not as passenger friendly.Of course, these are both being touted as "enrichments" and moves toward streamlining the process. Uh huh.First up

The Complete World’s Largest Cruise Night Offer List!

Every year, CLIA (the Cruise Lines International Association, which is the combined marketing/PR arm for the cruise lines, as well as the primary advanced training certification agency for agents), organizes what they call the "Worlds Largest Cruise Night."

Many of you may have participated in a traditional cruise night, where a local agent hosts an event, featuring one or several cruise lines, itineraries or groups. In this virtual age, however, we've moved beyond that old model, and now can offer a virtual cruise night to everyone, regardless of where you live!

The virtual cruise night gives you the same offers and benefits as a traditional in-person cruise night, but you have the advantage of looking at the offers from the comfort of your home (or office), taking your time to evaluate and choose, plus getting one-on-one service from me, rather than competing with others for time to get your questions answered.

This year, the World's Largest Cruise Night (WLCN) is officially on October 14, 2009. While some of the offers from the various cruise lines are only good on that date, many have extended their offers over several days to give you more time. All the major lines are offering promotions for you to entice you to book your next cruise.

You'll likely be receiving lots of information this week about the various offers, but for your convenience, I've put them all in one place for you, along with some of their more notable restrictions.

In addition, my company has negotiated several EXCLUSIVE deals you won't find anywhere else! Those are also listed below.

If you're thinking about booking a cruise for this year or next, it may pay you to check out these offers and take advantage of the WLCN.

So let's get to to the offers!

AMA Waterways: Save up to $1000 per stateroom on select November/December 2009 Christmas Time Cruise, Christmas Wonderland and Winter Heartland Cruise. Save up to $500 per stateroom on select 2010 April/May Romantic Danube and Enchanting Rhine cruises. Offers valid on new bookings made by October 31, 2009; based on availability and is not combinable with any other offers and/or discounts.

Azamara Cruises: Onboard Credit 2010 Europe sailings:

$300 OBC per stateroom for Verandas only $500 OBC per stateroom for Suites only

3 day booking window Oct. 14 - 16, 2009.

New FIT bookings only Not combinable with any other offer or sales promotion OBC offer will be applied within 2 weeks after booking is made, qualified by revenue.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: On select 2009/2010 sailings, up to $500/cabin onboard credit for new bookings made throughout October: Azamara Exclusive Offer.

Carnival: On October 14th, only, cash Back up to $70 per stateroom on Select 3 & 4 Day sailings. Cash Back up to $100 per stateroom on Select 5 & 6 Day sailings. Cash Back up to $200 per stateroom on Select 7 & 8 Day sailings.

Applicable sailing window: Select 3-8 Day sailings in 2010.

Terms and conditions: The company reserves the right to re-instate the fuel supplement for all guests at up to $9 per person per day if the NYMEX oil price exceeds $70 per barrel. Cruise rates are in U.S. dollars, per person and based on double occupancy. Cash back offer is non-transferable. Cash back provided as a refundable onboard credit to your Sail & Sign account. If your Sail & Sign account has a cash balance at the end of the cruise after all authorized purchases have been applied to the account, any remaining unused portion of the cash back onboard credit will be delivered in check form to your stateroom on the morning of debarkation with your final Sail & Sign
statement.

Cash back offer is capacity controlled and is not combinable with any other discount or promotional offer. Combinable with Fun Select rates only. Rates are subject to change at any time without prior notice. Category restrictions and exclusions apply. Available in stateroom categories 4A - 11. Blackout dates may apply. Valid on new individual and group bookings made on 10/14/09 (offer expires at midnight standard eastern time). Group bookings are restricted to berth, does not support amenities, and standard T/Cs apply. Promotion is applicable to select ships and departures between 1/1/10 through 12/31/10. Government taxes and fees are additional for all guests. Cash back may not be applied to cruise fare or government taxes and fees.

Celebrity: On select sailings:

$50 Onboard Credit per stateroom for 3-5 nights
$100 Onboard Credit per stateroom for 6-8 nights
$200 Onboard Credit per stateroom for 9 nights plus

Full list of applicable sailings: Celebrity World's Largest Cruise Night

3 day booking window in Oct. 2009 for WLCN official sale 10/14/09 - 10/16/09

New FIT bookings only. Not combinable with any other offer or sales promotion. Onboard Credit offer will be applied within 2 weeks after booking is made.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: On select 2009/2010 sailings, up to $100/cabin onboard credit for new bookings made throughout October: Celebrity Exclusive Offer.

Crystal: $100 per person discount on most 2009-2010 departures made during the World's Largest Cruise Night promotional period between October 14 - November 7, 2009.

Booking guidelines: This offer is valid on new bookings between October 14 - November 7, 2009 only, not applicable if a booking is cancelled and re-booked. Offer is combinable with Crystal Society Savings, Standard Group rates and is only applicable to the first and second guest in each stateroom. Offer is not combinable with On Board Booking Discount, may not be applied once a booking is paid in full and is not combinable with any 2010 World Cruise segments or combination cruises, not combinable with 2009 or 2010 Holiday sailings. Crystal Cruises reserves the right to qualify all reservations prior to applying the Cruise Night savings. Bookings submitted to qualify for this CLIA-WLCN offer may not be used or resubmitted to qualify for any other current or future Crystal Cruises CNI promotions.

Cunard: Onboard Credit (per stateroom):

US Getaways/6-8 Day Voyage/9+ Day Voyage
Grill: $150/$150/$300 Balcony: $100/$100/$200 Oceanview/Inside: $50/$50/$50 Reduced Deposit: Bookings made during the Cruise Sale will receive a waiver of the deposit on the 2nd person.

Disney: Up to $100/cabin onboard credit!

All sailings 1/3/10 - 12/19/10. New Bookings only. Cruises of 6 nights or less: $50 onboard credit. Cruises of 7 nights or longer: $100 onboard credit.

MSC: Up to $200 Onboard Credit.

Terms and Conditions: Offer is valid for all bookings deposited between October 10 and October 24, 2009. SBC varies depending the stateroom type. Inside cabin will receive $ 25 pp (max $ 50 per cabin), Oceanview cabin will receive $ 50 pp (max 100 per cabin), Balcony and Suite stateroom will receive $ 100 pp (max $ 200 per cabin). Offer is valid for U.S. and Canadian residents only, is capacity controlled, cannot be combined with any other discount or promotion and may be withdrawn without notice. Government taxes and fees for all guests are additional. Promotion valid with EB, TP and Senior Saver rates, This promo is not valid for groups. Air add-ons, Hotels and transfers are not valid with this promotion.

NCL: Onboard Credit (per stateroom) and 50% reduced deposits! Book a new NCL cruise between 10/13 and 10/20 and receive up to $250/cabin onboard credit and 50% reduced deposit! Full details at NCL World's Largest Cruise Night Onboard Credit Offer.

Princess: An Onboard value booklet (worth up to $120 USD) and reduced Deposit: $100 per person deposit for all cruises except the World Cruise and any World Cruise segments 45 days or longer. For the World Cruise or any World Cruise segment 45 days or longer, the deposit is 5% of the cruise fare. Parameters: This is not applicable to third/fourth berth passengers. Available for cruises 7 days or longer. Singles will receive one onboard value booklet.

EXCLUSIVE OFFER: For 2010 Alaska/Europe sailings, $100/cabin onboard credit, $100/person deposit and coupon book!

Regent: $100 PER PERSON SHIPBOARD CREDIT booking incentive.

This offer is valid for any new reservation on a 7 night or longer 2009 or 2010 departure booked between October 1, 2009 and November 14, 2009.

Terms and Conditions: This offer is valid on any new 2009 or 2010 departure of 7 nights or longer. To qualify, booking must be made and confirmed between 10/01/09 and 11/14/09. Single guests will receive a $100 total credit. Guests sailing on two or more consecutive voyages may only take advantage of this offer once. The offer is valid per booking, not per voyage. Only applicable to full fare reservations, valid on 1st and 2nd guests only. This offer is combinable with other offers.

RCCL: Up to $100/cabin Onboard Credit!

Receive up to $100/cabin onboard credit for new Oceanview cabin bookings made between 10/13 and 10/16 on select sailings. The credit amounts and sailings can be found at Royal Caribbean WLCN Onboard Credit Offer.

EXCLUSIVE offer: Free Spa Treatment.

Bookings must be made between 10/13/09 and 10/31/09 on selected ships and sail dates to receive the special offer. Offer valid for new individual bookings only, not applicable to groups.
Bookings made in balcony or above stateroom categories will receive a complimentary spa treatment.

Bookings receiving the spa offer will choose one of the following three treatments once onboard: La Thérapie Hydrolift Facial, Swedish Massage, or Reflexology including Massage.

Limit one special offer per stateroom. Offer is combinable with Lowest Available Fare (LAF) and restricted rates (Reduced Air, Seniors, Residents, Military, and Police and Fireman). Subject to availability. Additional restrictions may apply.

Sea Dream Yacht Club: $100 per stateroom spa credit on all NEW SeaDream individual bookings made between October 1 - 31, 2009. This spa credit is not combinable with any other offers or promotions.
Silversea: Savings Certificate of $100 per person (max $200 per suite double occupancy) per booking (not per voyage for combination cruises). This offer is valid on any new booking made between October 14, 2009 and October 28, 2009 on any 7-night or longer voyage in 2009-2010.

Terms and Conditions: The offer is valid on any new 2009, or 2010 departure of 7 nights or longer. To qualify, bookings must be made and confirmed between 10/14/2009 and 10/28/2009. Single guests will receive a $100 total Savings (maximum $200 per suite double occupancy). Guests sailing on two or more consecutive voyages can only take advantage of this offer once. The offer is valid per booking, not per voyage. Only applicable to full fare reservations. Valid on 1st and 2nd guests only. Not
valid on 3rd/4th guests. This offer is combinable with other offers.

Uniworld: $100pp savings offer in conjunction with bookings made within a week of WLCN. This offer will be applicable to all current savings offers with the exception of any current 2 for 1 cruise offers. Other restrictions may apply.

Want more information or want to watch cruise line videos, just like you'd see at a traditional cruise night? They can be found on my CLIA web page at CruiseResource World's Largest Cruise Night, or you can click on any of the offers on my web site at http://ablecker.cruisesinc.com/travel/editorial_cf.jsp?edType=Custom+Page&pagename=WLCNcruise_sale&notfound.

Call me NOW at 303-690-8937 or toll-free at 888-SAIL-123 (888-724-5123) or email me at amber@cruiseresource.com for more details on any of these offers!

Alaska Cruisetour Experts Introduces New Alaska Cruisetour Designed With Families In Mind

Family Fun Tour Adds Value with Variety of Included Extras and Discounted Fares

With its stunning scenery, abundant wildlife, and plethora of active adventure opportunities, Alaska offers the perfect family vacation. To make it easier for families to plan a trip to the 49th state, Alaska Cruisetour Experts ( www.alaskacruisetourexperts.com ) and Princess Cruises have added a fun new cruisetour option designed especially with family groups in mind.

The 12-night cruisetour offers the best of Alaska by land and sea and includes a variety of special features not usually included in a cruisetour package. Families will have the opportunity to travel on a jetboat, pan for gold, take an interactive tour of Denali National Park, and experience what Alaska is like in the winter when it's many degrees below zero.

The cruisetour appropriately numbered: FUN is offered at a 25 percent discount for all berths, so all members of the family are included in the special pricing.

The Family Fun cruisetour includes a seven-night Voyage of the Glaciers cruise plus a five-night land tour featuring one night at Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, two nights at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge and two nights at Fairbanks Princess Riverside Lodge. At sea, families can also take advantage of Princess' many onboard programs especially for children, including a special Junior Ranger program in Glacier Bay National Park.

"Alaska is a wonderful travel destination with kids, so we wanted to make it easy and affordable to plan the perfect Alaska experience for everyone in the family."

In addition, the following special extras are included in the tour:

Daily Breakfast - Everyone in the family can start their morning off with the most important meal of the day.

Direct-to-the-Wilderness Rail Service with Lunch - Princess' acclaimed Direct-to-the-Wilderness rail service gets families to their wilderness lodge faster, and includes lunch aboard the train.

Three Rivers Jetboat Tour (Mt. McKinley) - An exhilarating alternative to taking a motorcoach to Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge, this tour travels from Talkeetna to the lodge by jetboat, with stops along the river to view historic encampments and learn about the native wildlife.

Arctic Blast (Denali) - Family members can experience winter in Alaska - in the summertime. This special chamber is chilled to wintertime temperatures, so visitors can find out what happens to hot water when it is thrown in the air and whether soap bubbles can survive the cold.

Music of Denali Dinner Theater (Denali) - This rollicking musical comedy tells the legend of the first expedition to the summit of Mt. McKinley, accompanied by a hearty, family-style meal featuring smokehouse ribs and Alaska salmon.

Experience Alaska with Alaska Geographic Tour (Denali) - A more intimate tour of Denali National Park, this special experience includes a variety of interactive experiences, including an enhanced view of the Denali ecosystem and current research taking place. The narrated bus tour takes guests 15 miles into the park to a beautiful river valley where they embark on a short walk to the historic Savage River Camp, where they can participate in a number of hands-on experiences.

Denali Sourdough Expedition Breakfast (Denali) - While fueling up for the day with a family-style, Alaskan roadhouse-style breakfast, guests experience an unforgettable journey up Denali through breathtaking images in Laurent Dick's Climb Denali. Participants have the opportunity to meet this real mountain climber and ask questions about mountain climbing.

Riverboat Cruise and El Dorado Goldmine Tour (Fairbanks) - Families can enjoy traveling on an authentic sternwheeler for a fully-narrated cruise along the Chena River and try their hands at gold panning at the El Dorado Gold Mine, where they will learn about Alaska's gold mining history.

"This is really the ultimate family vacation"

Alaska Cruisetour Experts are offering fares for the Alaska Family Cruisetour (#FUN) that start at $1,743 per person for the first and second berths, and $1,191 per person for the third and fourth berth passengers.

Alaska Cruisetour Experts and Princess offer a variety of land/sea Alaska experience with itineraries ranging from three to eight nights. All cruisetour options feature at least two nights in the Denali National Park area, stays in Princess' own riverside wilderness lodges, and a seven-day Voyage of the Glaciers sailing with Glacier Bay National Park.

Additional information about Princess Alaska Cruises and Tours is available through a Certified Alaska Expert, by calling 800.365.1445, or by visiting the company's website at http://www.alaskacruisetourexperts.com/

About Princess Cruises in Alaska:
One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess is a global cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 17 modern ships renowned for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining, entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of exceptional customer service. Princess is a leader in Alaska vacations, offering immersive land/sea vacations that feature the state's "must see" attractions, including Glacier Bay National Park and Denali National Park. Princess owns and operates five wilderness lodges nestled in scenic riverside locations throughout the state, as well as a fleet of deluxe motorcoaches and glass-domed Princess railcars - giving travelers the opportunity to combine cruise, rail and lodge options to see all the best of Alaska.

Royal Caribbean Keeps Bringing the WOW… Sale!

If it's October, there must be a WOW sale coming up, and once again Royal Caribbean doesn't disappoint. On October 6 and 7, the fall, 2009 WOW sale will do its best to get you on a cruise!

For those unfamiliar with these sales, the essence is that if you book during the sale, you get a 50% reduced deposit and onboard credits up to $200/cabin. This is for new bookings only, for almost all cruises sailing from December 1 forward, and is not combinable with any other promotion, such as Crown & Anchor balcony/suite discounts or shareholder credits. While I used to be able to sneak these WOW bookings in and still get the benefits combined, unfortunately they've cracked down and catch the attempts.

However, if you're not eligible for the Crown & Anchor Platinum or Diamond discounts, and aren't a shareholder, this is a great opportunity. Prices are terrific now through 2010, even on the Oasis. Yup, I said Oasis! This is the first WOW sale which includes the Oasis, though dates between January 1 and March 31, 2010 are excluded. But there are some fabulous prices for next summer on the Oasis.

All the details, terms and conditions can be found at Royal Caribbean WOW Sale!

I will be away from my office at my National Conference during this sale. But as in past Octobers when the WOW has fallen during my conference, I will be working from the ship, by laptop and Blackberry. Best bet is to email me in advance so I can research your options with regard to pricing (which shouldn't be affected by the promotion), and cabin choices. Then I can get you booked as soon as the sale goes into effect. You can also contact my covering agents who would be happy to take care of a new booking for you until I return. Just call my voice mail at 303-690-8937 or toll-free at 888-SAIL-123 (888-724-5123) or email me to get their contact information.

With the reduced deposits, which of course are fully refundable until final payment date, and onboard credits, if you're looking at a sailing after December 1, then this is your chance! What are you waiting for? As Royal Caribbean would say, "Why Not" go for the WOW?