NCL’s Telling You One More Time - Stop Procrastinating!

In a very late night announcement (or early morning, depending on where you are), NCL has announced their latest "Pity the Procrastinator Sale."

Starting this very minute, July 6, and lasting through August 2, you can receive up to a 6 category upgrade on all 2010 and 2011 sailings! (Inside to Inside, Oceanview to Oceanview, etc.) Not sure if you're ready to book yet? Decide quickly, as that's where the "procrastination" part comes into play. NCL at some point will reduce the upgrade to only a 3 category upgrade if you wait... and that could happen as soon as tomorrow!

Still not sure? Third and Fourth guests in a stateroom start at only $99 plus taxes.

The faster you act, the better the deal and the better the selection. This includes the new Norwegian Epic!

(Wanting to book something still for 2009? Don't worry, I'm not letting you get left out - stay tuned for a special for you starting on July 9! Shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh)

So call or email me now! (Yes, believe it or not, I'm still working - that's why you're the FIRST to know!)

It’s That Time of Year Again!

It's time for the major cruise lines to release their next year's set of itineraries! Spring is in the air, so of course you're beginning to think of your 2010 winter cruises, right? Well, the cruise lines are, and often with their itinerary announcements comes some wonderful offers (such as for Princess past passengers who book early), or best savings for those looking for specific time frames like Christmas or New Year's, or certain cabins for itineraries like Alaska.

It's also when we start to see trends in the industry, such as fewer ships seasonally in Alaska, South America and Australia/New Zealand, and get to learn what new itineraries may be announced for familiar ports or even ships sailing from new ports. Even if you're not actively planning for 2010/2011, it is interesting to watch the announcements to see if something new pops up which catches your fancy.

First up in the long series of releases will be Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara. Azamara kicks off the series on March 4 with their 2010 European deployment schedule, followed by Celebrity on March 5 with the opening of their much-anticipated Bermuda and Canada/New England itineraries.

The full opening schedule (subject to change) for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Azamara can be found below:

Royal Caribbean 2010/2011 Deployment Opening Schedule

• March 12 - Europe/Transatlantic
• March 19 - Alaska
• March 24 - Asia Summer
• March 25 - Northeast (Caribbean, Bermuda, Canada/New England)
• March 31 - Panama Canal
• April 9 & 16 - Caribbean Year Round and Summer
• April 22 - Short Caribbean, Bahamas
• April 28 - Mexico
• April 29 - Seasonal Caribbean
• May 5 - Dubai
• May 6 - Winter Europe
• May 12 - Australia, Hawaii
• May 14 - Asia Winter
• July 15 - South America

Celebrity 2010/2011 Deployment Opening Schedule:

• March 5 - Bermuda, Canada/New England
• March 10 - Europe, Transatlantic
• March 17 - Alaska
• April 2 - Panama Canal
• April 14 - South America
• April 23 - Short Caribbean, Bahamas
• April 30 - Seasonal Caribbean

Azamara 2010/2011 Deployment Opening Schedule

• March 4 - Europe, Transatlantic
• April 8 - Exotic Winter

I usually get the schedule of sailings a day or two prior to the official opening, so if there's an itinerary in which you're interested, or a port which you want to watch for new ships or itineraries, let me know! And of course, when you're ready to book one of the new dates, I'm here to assist you.

Silversea Announces Record 2010 Sailing Schedule

Silversea Cruises has rolled out its schedule for 2010 with a record number of voyages visiting more than 355 ports in 95 countries and island destinations. In total, over 175 itineraries will be offered aboard the company’s ships -- Silver Cloud, Silver Wind, Silver Shadow, Silver Whisper and the new Silver Spirit. Reservations open on Jan. 12, at which time the complete itineraries for all ships will be available at www.silversea.com.

“Our fleet expansion presents many opportunities for innovative deployment,” said David Morris, Silversea’s executive vice president of worldwide sales and marketing. “With the addition of a fifth all-suite ship in 2010, our schedule will offer an exceptionally broad range of travel choices, including Silver Spirit’s exciting 91-day Grand Inaugural Voyage, and the first-ever year-round deployment of Silver Cloud in the Mediterranean.”Among the 2010 highlights are Silver Shadow’s return to Alaska plus nine new Silversea destinations: Le Verdon, France; Rimini, Italy; Ile Rousse, Corsica; Cardiff, Wales; Sendai, Japan; Chan May, Vietnam; Lakshadweep, India; Buzios, Brazil; and Seydisfjordur, Iceland.

Silver Cloud starts the year exploring South America before heading to the Caribbean. After spending May in the Mediterranean, the ship will be positioned in Northern Europe from June through mid-September exploring the British Isles, Iceland, and Norway, plus Baltic voyages with extended stopovers in St. Petersburg. Other highlights include Voyage 1016, offering a first-time visit to Le Verdon, gateway to France’s Medoc vineyards, and Voyage 1025, featuring an inaugural call to Seydisfjordur, Iceland. In autumn, the ship heads south, kicking off its first-ever year-round deployment in the Mediterranean with explorations of Egypt, Israel and Turkey.

For Silver Wind, 2010 begins in South Africa with a series of roundtrips from Capetown, followed by a cruise along the west coast of Africa positioning the ship in the Mediterranean for spring and summer cruises. The Mediterranean season will feature maiden calls to Ile Rousse on Corsica’s northwest coast and Rimini on Italy’s Adriatic coast. Voyage 2016 overnights in Monte Carlo during the Grand Prix. In the fall, the ship heads to the Indian Ocean to make a first-ever call to India’s Lakshadweep archipelago.

Silver Shadow kicks off the year with a series of Caribbean voyages highlighted by three Panama Canal transits. It returns to Alaska for the summer, offering 14 cruises ranging from seven to 12 days, including round-trip or open-jaw departures from San Francisco, Seward and Vancouver. For the first time, the ship will reposition by sailing the Bering Sea from Alaska to the Far East and also make a maiden call in Sendai, Japan. During October and November, the ship will offer cruises focusing on China and Vietnam before heading to the South Pacific to holiday in Australia and New Zealand.

For Silver Whisper, the year opens with Australia, New Zealand and the Far East featured on six itineraries, ranging from nine to 18 days. Highlights include an inaugural call to Chan May, Vietnam, gateway to the former imperial city of Hue. During spring, the Arabian Peninsula is showcased with departures from Dubai. The summer finds Silver Whisper exploring Northern Europe on a series of mostly seven-day voyages, many offering extended stays in St. Petersburg. A trans-Atlantic crossing from Southampton to New York will reposition the ship for fall foliage cruises through Canada and New England before heading to Bermuda, the Caribbean and South America for the balance of the year.

During spring 2010, Silver Spirit will embark on a two-week trans-Atlantic crossing from New York to Southampton, highlighted by Silversea’s maiden call in Cardiff, Wales. From May through October, the line’s newest ship will explore the Mediterranean, offering mostly seven-night cruises that can be combined. Silver Spirit wraps up her first year of service back in the Caribbean.

Details on the 2010 schedule for Silversea’s expedition ship, Prince Albert II, will be available in the coming weeks.

Silversea is an elegant Luxury line specializing in personalized experiences ashore, and gracious service aboard. True luxury without compromise. Interested? Drop me an email at amber@cruiseresource.com!