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

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

Stay Connected on Oasis of the Seas

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

A Weekend Cruise Chuckle

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

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

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

Princess Cruises Introduces 20 New Shore Excursions in Alaska This Summer

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

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

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

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

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

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

strong"Wave Season" heats things up with some warm weather getaways./strongbr /br /br /As the next winter storm approaches, some of us start thinking about a nice week-long getaway to a much warmer climate. Say, Mexico or the Caribbean. Or we day dream about that Summer cruise to Europe or Alaska. Pehaps a fall-foilage cruise to Canada and New England.br /br /We're not alone. This time of the year, millions of people are dreaming the same dream. Well, not quote as many people as watched the Super Bowl, but you get the idea.br /During January through March we celebrate "Wave Season". That annual migration of vacation seekers who visit their neighborhood travel agent, search the net, visit some 3rd-party web sites and scower the blogs and forums for information on how and where to find the really good deals. You know the ones: those that include free stateroom upgrades, onboard spending credits, bottles of wine, a free photo, fancy dinner or chocolate covered strawberries. Plus other perks like not one, but unlimited, complimentary sightseeing tours ashore.br /These great bonus-laden offers are promoted as limited-time offers and give the impression they won't be around very long. Some offer a genuine bargain, with as much as 50% off published prices. Some frankly don't, like a cheap $399 one week cruise for an inside cabin on the lowest deck, next to the disco and laundry! That said, if you're a savvy cruise shopper, you can get a great deal on your next cruise vacation. br /Here's our answers to a few key questions...br /Is now the best time to deal?br /Yes, we said deal. Did you know that most cruise lines do not allow travel agents to advertise prices lower than the cruise lines offer to those who book directly with the cruise line. However, some do allow travel agencies to discount by rebating part of the commissions, when dealing directly with a potential customer. If you are shopping the Internet for cruise prices, you're most likely going to find many travel sites quoting either the same price or a discounted price. But, the price you're seeing on a travel agent's web site is not necessarily the best price you can get. br /In this economy everyone is looking for new ways to cruise for less. Eveyone knows that seniors get a break, kids do too. But here's a tip that even experienced cruisers may not know. Start your search for a low-cost cruise by researching resident rates. Where you live could entitle you to exclusive savings. Just click on your home state when searching to unlock special fares. Plus, while you're shopping, look for resident rate reminders under the price. br /To find out a travel agency's best price on a particular cruise, you should call them, or e-mail them a request for a price quote. Most travel agencies have toll-free phone numbers. Don't hesitate to call or email and bargain with them -- you could save a lot!br /Cruise Tip: If you book online, make sure you know who you are doing business with. Never pay by check, and make sure if you use your credit card that the cruise line is the one being paid and not the travel agent (easy to check by contacting your credit card company) . That way, you know your money went directly to the cruise line to pay for your hard-earned vacation. Nothing could be more dishearting that waking up one day to find out your travel agent went out-of-business and never paid the cruise line for your trip. Think it doesn;t happen? It happens just about every year.br /Should I book now or wait for a better deal?br /Cruise prices are slowly edging up. As more and more cabin inventory is spoken for, the remaining inventory may or may not be sold off at bargain prices. If you are looking for a dirt-cheap cruise costing say, less-than-$49-per-day, you may already be out of luck. Those deals were booked up weeks ago. Fares continue to be generally discounted by the cruise lines, but they won't hit rock-bottom like they did nbsp;last year. br /Are you experiencing double-booked days, working lunches, late nights? then forget about waiting until Summer, you need an escape, and you need it now! Consider a last-minute cruise and have your spontaneity reward you with big savings. A check online shows a huge store of last-minute cruises at rock-bottom, final-closeout prices. Just shop for a cruise by price, destination, and cruise line for cruises departing in the next 60 days, and you'll likely get an incredible deal on a relaxing at-sea vacation. If you feel like holding out for a better deal closer to a Summer or Fall sailing, that's ok. Many of the contemporary cruise lines like Carnival, NCL or Royal Caribbean will continue to hold so called last-minute, three-day specials and added-value sales throughout the year. Good deals are always out there for the picking. br /If you are more concerned about getting the most value for your hard earned money, you will find upgrades like this one: for the price of, an oceanview cabin, you get nbsp;a balcony cabin instead. And we've seen some cruise lines offer the cabin upgrade plus up to $200.00 onboard credit. $1000 on some luxury cruises. Spending credits, where available from the cruise line, are house credits that are placed on your stateroom's account for you to use during your cruise vacation. You can use the credit towards merchandise, lounges and in some, but not all cases, for spa treatments or shore excursions. br /How Do I Know I'm Getting The Best Deal?br /First, do your homework. After you have narrowed down your choice to that one cruise you want, go online. Research the price at the cruise line's web site. Be sure to note the details about what's on offer. The ship, sailing date, cabin type, cabin location, price. Be sure to include all port charges, taxes, fees and any other charges. Look for them. Often they are the really "fine print" the cruise line doesn't make apparent up front, when you see that $399 price point. They could add up and almost doublenbsp;your cost from the sales price shown.nbsp;nbsp;Sometimes the discount or value-added bonus feature advertised does not apply to the sailing date, itinerary or cabin category you want. Don't forget, limited-time offers are just that. When they are gone, they are gone. So, he who hestiates loses.br /br /How good are thisnbsp;year's promotions?nbsp; Well that depends.nbsp;nbsp;The offer of free airfare, free shore excursions and $1,000 off sounds great. Until you find out, the minimum fare is in excess of $5000.00 per person, plus taxes and fees! To be fair, that offer is for a super-luxury cruise, few of us can afford. Naturally, You will not find such a deal for a 3 day Bahamas weekend getaway! So buyer beware. br /As we browsed the web the other day, we found several online agencies offering additional amenities, and so-called exclusive deals including free travel insurance, onboard spending credit, or prepaid gratuities, as an incentive if you booked directly with them.nbsp; Compare these offers with what you can get if you book directly with the cruise line. Often these bonus -extras actually come from the cruise line but an agents promotion may give the illusion that they have some kind of exclusive arrangement, when indeed they don't.br /"Wave Season" is heating things up with some warm weather getaways. So, now that you know what to do,nbsp;don't waitnbsp;for record cold tempatures andnbsp;two-feet of snow to motivate you.nbsp; Reserve that cruise you've been dreaming about today--and soon you can be waited on hand and foot, frolic on a private beach, or take a moonlit stroll on the deck. br /nbsp; br /Bon Voyage... Bargain Hunter!div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-3558883965209332017?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Disney Dream: Creativity, Innovation Take the Helm

Disney Dream: Creativity, Innovation Take the Helmbr /br /br /The new Disney Dream™ will take family cruising to all-new heights, embracing the spirit of innovation, magical entertainment and immersive experiences that have made Disney Cruise Line® the preeminent cruise of choice for families since 1998.br /br /Family-Friendly Innovationsbr /The Disney Dream™ will introduce a number of cruise-industry firsts and family-friendly innovations designed to make your Client's experience even more magical. Among the highlights:br /AquaDuck — Disney Cruise Line® debuts the first-ever shipboard water coaster! This exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids — all while traversing the upper decks of the ship. br /br /Virtual Porthole – A cruise-industry first for all inside staterooms! Virtual Portholes offer a "window" to the world with a real-time view outside the ship using high-definition cameras. As Guests observe the view, they may glimpse a magical surprise: animated characters like Mickey Mouse may pop by the Virtual Porthole. br /br /Enchanted Art — Around the atrium lobby and throughout the ship, Enchanted Art will immerse your Clients in Disney storytelling in a completely new way. Enchanted Art magically comes alive as Guests pause to admire individual pieces. br /br /Living Characters — In youth spaces, Disney Characters come to life and interact with children in one-of-a-kind experiences. Crush, the animated sea turtle from the Disney•Pixar motion picture "Finding Nemo," or the mischievous animated alien Stitch make scheduled appearances to chat, play and joke with kids in live, unrehearsed conversations. br /br /A Modern Classic Vesselbr /br /Like her sister ships, the Disney Dream™ continues the tradition of blending the elegant grace of early 20th century transatlantic ocean liners with contemporary design to create one of the most stylish and spectacular cruise ships afloat.br /Signature Design — The ship's exterior color scheme matches the iconic Mickey Mouse with a black hull, bold red funnels and vivid yellow striping and lifeboats. Silhouettes of Disney Characters are scrolled into the signature filigree ornamentation. Inside, the elegant décor is influenced by the Art Deco style with a dash of Disney whimsy. br /br /Atrium Lobby — The magical voyage begins upon entering the expansive three-deck atrium lobby, highlighted by a sweeping grand staircase, oversized portholes and stunning, three-story fluted columns with glowing capitals. Cast in bronze, Admiral Donald Duck graces the atrium lobby. br /br /Staterooms and Suitesbr /Catering to the unique vacation needs of families, Disney Dream™ staterooms offer comfort and style synonymous throughout the Disney fleet.br /150 inside staterooms featuring Virtual Portholes, a cruise-industry first. br /br /1,100 outside staterooms br /br /860 verandahs br /br /199 ocean views br /br /20 concierge family ocean view suites with verandah br /br /19 concierge one-bedroom suites with verandah br /br /2 concierge royal suites br /br /To accommodate larger families and groups traveling together, there are 500 connecting doors adjoining staterooms. Most staterooms feature a split-bath — a concept that Disney introduced to the cruise industry.br /Dining on the Dreambr /Elaborately themed restaurants, distinctly Disney touches and world-class cuisine will please the palate and satisfy all of the senses — making dining aboard the Disney Dream™ a memorable experience for your Clients.br /Animator's Palate — A re-imagined version of the signature Disney Cruise Line® restaurant will bring the magic of Disney animation into the dining room for a one-of-a-kind experience that will captivate the entire family. br /br /Royal Palace — An elegant restaurant inspired by classic Disney films such as "Cinderella" and "Beauty and the Beast." Splendid décor includes ornate marble floors and luxurious carpets plus a magnificent, hand-blown chandelier made of glass slippers. br /br /Enchanted Garden — A whimsical, casual restaurant inspired by the gardens of Versailles. Your Clients will feel as though they've arrived at a lovely conservatory, with white trellises, custom glass "flower" light fixtures and cascading fountain. The dining environment will magically transform from day to night during the meal. br /br /Magical Youth Spacesbr /Disney Cruise Line® revolutionized the cruise industry with elaborately themed youth areas. On the new Disney Dream™, the celebration of children's creativity rises to a new level with extraordinary youth spaces designed to inspire, entertain and spark the imagination of children in nearly an entire deck created just for them.br /Andy's Room — The world of the Disney•Pixar "Toy Story" films comes to life. Kids experience the feeling of being toy-sized as they play among larger-than-life characters from the animated film. br /br /Monster's Academy — A fun, interactive space fashioned after the scare floor from the Disney•Pixar film "Monsters, Inc." br /br /Pixie Hollow — Children are transported to the enchanted land inhabited by Tinker Bell and her fairy friends, complete with a pixie tree, twinkling lights and fairy houses. br /br /Explorer Pod — Inspired by the Disney•Pixar animated film "Finding Nemo," a bright blue and yellow submarine surfaces in the center of the room, offering an interactive play area for children. br /br /It's a Small World Nursery — Infants and toddlers are welcomed by cheerful, three-dimensional facades and artwork inspired by the classic Disney Theme Park attraction. br /br /Edge — Located inside the forward funnel, this lounge is just for tweens ages 11 - 13 and is filled with a multitude of hi-tech entertainment including the ability to create and star in photo postcards and video karaoke. br /br /Vibe — A "teens-only" swipe card provides access to this trendy, indoor/outdoor space created especially for teens ages 14 - 17. br /br /Just for Adultsbr /With a spectacular nighttime entertainment district, exquisite dining, a deluxe spa and tranquil private pool, the Disney Dream™ provides adults with endless ways to unwind, rejuvenate and pamper themselves.br /The District — Located on Deck 4 aft, this adult-exclusive nighttime entertainment area features sensational venues like a sophisticated lounge, modern pub, upscale cocktail lounge, metropolitan "sky bar" and dynamic nightclub. br /br /Senses Spa amp; Salon — Spanning two decks, the 16,000-square-foot spa provides private treatment rooms, rainforest, lavish spa villas and ocean-view gym. br /br /Palo — A redesigned version of the Disney Cruise Line® signature restaurant, Palo invites adults to indulge in a menu of delectable Northern Italian cuisine, an extensive wine list and superior service. br /br /2011 Itinerariesbr /On Jan. 26, 2011, the Disney Dream™ is scheduled to depart Port Canaveral, Fla., for a four-night maiden voyage. Important booking detailsbr /For the majority of 2011, the new ship will alternate three- and four-night sailings. During the summer months, the ship will alternate four- and five-night itineraries. The schedule also includes special five-night holiday cruises during Christmas and New Year's.br /In preparation for the arrival of the new ship, Castaway Cay is undergoing some new enhancements including an expanded family beach, new floating water platform with slides, two water play areas, private beach cabanas and many other upgrades.br /For more information, contact Travel Direct Online at www.traveldirectonline.com Travel Direct Corporation/Cruise Direct Online™ is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner*, offering family vacations to the Walt Disney World® Resort, and Disney Cruise Line®.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-8723810794143693728?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div

Upper Deck Activities Unveiled on the Disney Dream

Upper Deck Activities Unveiled on the Disney Dream br /br /An elaborately themed interactive sports deck, whimsical water play area and relaxing poolside oasis for adults join the first-ever shipboard water coaster – AquaDuck – to provide fun in the sun for Clients sailing on the newest Disney Cruise Line® ship, the Disney Dream™. These additions offer new experiences for Clients of all ages.br /Goofy's Sports Deckbr /The magic tees off on Goofy’s Sports Deck, located on Deck 13, with Goofy’s Golf – a miniature golf course where “lessons” featuring Goofy and his son, Max, lead your Clients through nine themed holes of wacky fun. Each hole offers special golf instructions – with a goofy twist.br /Guests can choose to use the Goofy or Max tee on each hole, offering twice the fun. Family-friendly competitions and tournaments will keep the excitement on par while quirky golf clubs, some crooked and bent, will challenge golfers to stay on course. Goofy and Max may even swing by to interact with your Clients and offer some tips on club selection, stance or just goofing around.br /Also on Goofy’s Sports Deck, two digital sports simulators provide a variety of virtual game experiences such as soccer, tennis, basketball and more. With the simulators, your Clients can kick, swing and throw, participating in favorite high-action sports without the hassle of chasing the ball.br /br /Max’s Courts are two, mini-sized sports courts for little ones to enjoy soccer, basketball or group play. There’s full-court basketball that may also be transformed into a mini soccer pitch or volleyball court, plus, table tennis and foosball tables. A walking track rings Goofy’s Sports Deck.br /Nemo's Reefbr /br /Little ones discover oceans of fun at this fanciful water-play area overflowing with pop jets, bubblers and lovable underwater friends like Nemo, Dory, Marlin and other favorites from the Disney-Pixar film, “Finding Nemo.”br /br /br /Shaded for protection from the sun and featuring a soft wet deck surface, the 1,500-square-foot Nemo’s Reef is a place for children to cool off and play among colorful, interactive figures that move and spray water. Children will delight as they splash alongside Nemo swimming in a sea anemone, glide down a pint-sized water slide shaped like Mr. Ray and frolic near Pearl the octopus who “inks” herself with a mist of water. Kids can even get soaked in a water curtain that undulates back and forth like the EAC (East Australian Current).br /Nemo’s Reef is surrounded by a glass enclosure, with a main entrance and a wheelchair-accessible entrance.br /Quiet Cove and Pool Barbr /Reserved exclusively for your Clients 18 and older, the Quiet Cove Pool and Cove Bar form a retreat for adults to sunbathe and swim, indulge in a cool drink or enjoy a relaxing dip in a nearby hot tub overlooking the ocean.br /One of three fresh-water pools on the Disney Dream, Quiet Cove Pool features varying depths for taking a dip, sunbathing in comfort and enjoying a poolside cocktail. Featuring a series of connected circular pools, this area includes a four-foot-deep plunge pool, and a six-inch-deep sunbathing pool with built-in loungers and a mister. Guests also can splash up to Cove Bar, which is part of the pool, and sip a refreshing beverage.br /Nearby, on the sides of Deck 11, your Clients can soak in a whirlpool hot tub while overlooking the ocean. Four “infinity” whirlpool hot tubs – two for families and two just for adults – provide spectacular views of the ocean beyond.br /AquaDuck and More!br /The Disney Dream will feature the world’s first shipboard water coaster – AquaDuck – which will sweep Guests away on an exhilarating high-speed flume ride featuring twists, turns, drops, uphill acceleration and river rapids – all while traversing the upper decks of the ship.br /The Donald Pool is the place for families to gather and enjoy all of the activities up on deck. Overlooking the Donald Pool is the giant Funnel Vision LED screen – more than 30 feet wide and 18 feet high – showing Disney films and other live broadcast events. A retractable floor extends over the pool, providing an ideal dance floor for deck parties.br /Continuing a favorite feature of the Disney Magic® and Disney Wonder®, the Disney Dream will also have a Mickey Pool for children. The shape of the Mickey Pool resembles the beloved Disney character, and an oversized version of Mickey’s hand supports a yellow winding slide that splashes down near the pool.br /As an added convenience for parents with children of different ages, the Donald Pool, Mickey Pool and Nemo’s Reef are all located within the same vicinity, on Deck 11 between the forward and aft funnel.br /Source: Disney Cruise Linebr /For more information, contact Travel Direct Online at www.traveldirectonline.com Travel Direct Corporation/Cruise Direct Online™ is an Authorized Disney Vacation Planner*, offering family vacations to the Walt Disney World® Resort, and Disney Cruise Line®.div class="blogger-post-footer"img width='1' height='1' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/tracker/9902695-2910823323473504647?l=cruisenews.blogspot.com' alt='' //div